Disclaimer: None of this mine, nor will it ever be. The characters belong to Stephenie Meyer and I just like to play with Edward and Bella.
Also, thank you so much for your support for my writing. It means to me more than words can say.
I'm unsure if you'd heard, but one of our beloved fandom family members passed away a couple of weekends ago. Dee Creston, lovingly known as FangirlinGrandmaDee, died peacefully and surrounded by family. This chapter is dedicated to one of the kindest, warmest and friendliest members of our TwiFamily. Her love of fic and her encouraging words will be missed, tremendously.
From me to you, Dee, {GIANT TUFANO HUGS AND SMOOCHES} … always and forever.
"Every setback means you're one step closer to seeing the dream come to pass."
Joel Osteen
Chapter Seven
"And these are the bars where you're going to, hopefully, take your first steps," Edward said, following Bella in chair. She'd been distant and barely paid attention throughout her appointment. She also seemed unbearably sad. "Bella?"
"First steps, right," she said, her voice flat and her gaze looking out the window.
He stopped her, crouching in front of her. "What's going on, Bella? You've been distracted and so sad."
Bella's eyes swirled in tears and she buried her face in her hands. Edward maneuvered behind her and rolled her back to the room where he'd worked on her leg muscles. Closing the door, he picked her up and held her in his lap. Her tears soaked his polo shirt as he cradled her to his chest. He wasn't sure how long he held her, but her tears slowed and she pulled back. "I'm sorry, Edward. I should have just canceled my appointment today. I'm worthless, to be honest."
"I disagree, Bella," Edward said, wiping an errant tear away beneath her eye.
"Today, I mean," she said, looking around and seeing that she wasn't in her chair. "Did you … how did I … I'm in your lap?"
"Hugging you in the wheelchair hurts the knees," Edward said. "And with your tears, I think you need more than just a simple hug." He looked at her, he gave her a tender smile. "What happened? You can talk to me, Bella."
"I had a court date yesterday," Bella sighed, idly tracing the symbols on Edward's forearm. "My ex-husband had been missing visitations with my son, Seth. He, apparently, was playing daddy to his girlfriend's son, who also happened to be in Seth's class. The boy showed Seth photos of Riley with him and those photos shattered Seth's heart. James and Riley snuggling and playing soccer together. Riley promised Seth that he'd sign him up for soccer, but obviously that didn't happen. My son got into a fight and suspended for five days. I called my ex."
"What did he say?" Edward asked, anger coursing through his veins.
"I honestly don't remember, but suffice it to say that I told him that his time with his kids was done," Bella sneered. Her hands were in fists, but Edward relaxed her, threading his fingers with hers. Bella calmed down and tried not to enjoy Edward holding her hand too much. Blowing out a breath, she continued. "We had our court date and Riley lost all visitation rights. He still needs to pay child support and alimony, including extra money for therapy appointments because of his level of assholery."
"Assholery? I like it," Edward snorted. "Did he fight it?"
"He tried, but the judge got in his face regarding his actions toward his children," Bella said. "Suffice it to say, I got some bonus money because the judge hated my ex and his choices. I'm angry at Riley, but my heart is shattered for my sons." She bit her lip and looked at Edward. "I'm sorry about unloading on you."
"I'd like to think that we're more than just therapist and patient. I consider you a friend, Bella," Edward whispered.
I feel more than that, Edward, but I can't exactly say that, now can I? Bella though snarkily. "You know what? I need my physical therapist right now. I want to walk," she said.
Edward checked his watch. "The center is closed," he murmured.
"Oh, well, never mind," Bella sighed.
"No, we're going to get you to walk, Bella," Edward said. "I think this might be better. No audience. Just you and me."
He gently picked her up and placed her back into her wheelchair. She wriggled her toes as they rolled out to the gym. Locking her chair behind the parallel bars, Edward stood in front of her. Bella put her hands onto the bars after the foot rests were pushed away. Bella had been able to stand, but for a few seconds before her body gave out. Edward was there, catching her with ease. Each time she stood up; she could do it for longer periods of time.
"You ready, Bella?" Edward asked. She nodded, grasping the bars and heaving her body to a standing position. Edward braced his hold on her hips. "That was really smooth," he murmured.
"Jake has been helping me," Bella smiled, adjusting her hold on the bars. "I've been standing for five minutes at a time. My father and oldest son have set up a pair of bars and mats in our garage."
"You ready to take that next step?" Edward asked.
"I'm ready to take any steps," Bella snorted.
"Let's start simple. Try shifting your weight from foot to foot," Edward said. "Sway your body."
"What if I fall?" she asked.
"You won't. I won't let you, Bella," he said, squeezing her hips.
Bella felt a jolt of energy from his hands. His thumbs were just above the waistband of her leggings, caressing her skin and making her jittery, turning her on. She shifted weight on her feet. The muscles protested and she whimpered. She closed her eyes, focusing her attention on moving.
"Try picking up your foot as you sway, Bella," Edward commanded.
"Okay," she whispered, lifting up her right foot. It was heavy, but it moved at her request. She tried with her left foot, but it wouldn't lift. "Damn it."
"Your left side is a bit weaker than your right," Edward said. "We'll get them on even ground, Bella. I promise."
"Can I try to walk?" she asked.
"Right foot first, Bella," he said.
Bella nodded, shifting her weight again and taking a tiny step with her right foot. She gasped, smiling widely and blinking up at Edward. The grin on his face was beautiful as he encouraged her to repeat the action with her left foot. It didn't work and she began to stumble. She caught herself on the bars, shaking her head. Readjusting her grip, she took a more confident step with her right foot. With a groan, she stepped with her left foot and again, she stumbled. This time, she wasn't as quick and Edward caught her. Her arms were wrapped around his neck as he held her tiny body against his. "You did it, Bella," he whispered.
"I did it," she breathed, a wide smile spreading over her face. She hugged him tightly and he buried his nose into her neck, smelling her subtle perfume. He pulled back, caressing her cheek. Bella's eyes darkened and she licked her lips. Edward inched forward, wanting to taste her. Her fingers moved from his neck to his hair, twisting the strands tightly. "Edward …"
"Tell me no," he said, barely audible.
"Please?" she whimpered.
He couldn't deny the sound of her voice. With a low growl, he pressed his mouth to hers. Her lips were so soft and pliant against his. He nipped at her lips. She gasped and he slid his tongue between her lips. He twisted his body, gently lowering Bella to the mats. He held her to his body as he lay down next to her. Their kiss was fiery, with sighs and whimpers. Bella nibbled on his lower lip as his hands moved down her ribcage to lay on her ass. Bella lifted her right leg and allowed him to slip his thigh between her legs. Bella ground against him, feeling alive for the first time since her back decided to implode.
Edward pull back because his lungs were on fire. He looked at Bella. Her lips were swollen and the emptiness in her eyes was gone. "I shouldn't have done that, but I can't wait to do it again." He leaned down, brushing his lips over hers. She smiled against his mouth. "I don't know if I have the power to stay away from you, Bella. We've crossed this bridge. I've felt your lips against mine, your body tucked to me. I want you. I want this."
"Me, too," Bella whispered, her fingers tracing his lips. "You see me as a woman and not a mistake or something broken."
"You're a beautiful, vivacious woman and you were bruised. Never broken, Bella," he said, cupping her cheek. He kissed her again, desperate to feel her lips against his. She melted into his arms, clinging to him and trying to move even closer to him. He chuckled. "You are far too tempting, Beautiful Bella."
"Says the most handsome man I'd ever met," Bella quipped.
"And we're doing this in the wrong order," Edward chuckled, sitting up and pulling Bella with him. She struggled to balance, but Edward lifted her into his lap. "Better?"
"Yeah. My back is not as strong as it should be," Bella chuckled.
"We'll work on that," Edward said. "We've been focusing on your legs and not so much on your back when you're not in your chair."
"Only when I'm sitting without any sort of back support, but I don't want to talk about my recovery. I want to talk about this," she smirked, kissing him and sucking his lower lip between her teeth. Edward groaned, tasting her and losing himself in her kisses. He pulled back, pressing his forehead to hers. "You're really good at this."
"I'm inspired by you," Edward said. "You're just so kissable." He kissed her again before moving back but balancing her in his arms. "What I was saying is that we're doing this backwards. Usually a first kiss happens after a date. We haven't had a date."
"Are you asking me out?" Bella asked.
"Yes," he nodded, giving her his deliciously crooked grin. "Isabella Swan, will you go out on a date with me?"
"Edward Cullen, I'd be honored," she smirked.
A/N: Can we just … wow?! I love this Edward. He's so sweet and kind, but virile and sexy. Imagine Robert Pattinson in those sexy shirtless pictures from the latest Dior ad. That's my inspiration for this Edward. Yummy … pictures from that ad campaign will be used as picture teasers in upcoming chapters.
Anyhow, pictures from this chapter are on my blog. You can find a link for that on my profile. I'm also on Facebook: Tufano79's Twilight Fanfiction Appreciation. Twitter, too: tufano79.
Leave me some loving!