This isn't beta'd. Any mistakes are my own.
Bella's hand was wrapped tightly around Edward's as he drove her to the hospital.
Her phone had rang when they were still out in the meadow and it was Deputy Mark telling her that Charlie had been attacked by an animal.
"He'll be alright," Edward assured her as he sped down the winding road.
The trees passed them in a streak of green that made Bella dizzy.
"He wouldn't tell me what kind of animal it was," She told him, her fingers tight around his.
"I don't think he knew what kind of animal it was," He told her.
Her stomach rolled nervously; making her nauseous. Her fingers rubbed circles around Edward's cold ones, trying to soothe herself.
"I think he should retire," She muttered as she looked at Edward.
He chuckled, "Not much happens around Forks, Bella."
"I know but... I just... I don't want anything to happen to him," She said.
He squeezed her hand, "Deputy Mark would have told you if it was serious," He told her.
"I know, I'm just always worried about my dad, he doesn't take care of himself, you know?" She mumbled.
"He's still alive after being alone," He reminded her.
"You're right," She sighed but the nagging feeling still ate at her.
"Carlisle is there, he'll make sure everything's alright," He promised.
Edward pulled into a parking spot quickly and got out to open Bella's door for her. They walked into the hospital together hand in hand and Edward felt the tension in Bella. She practically ran toward's the receptionist.
"Hi, my dad was brought in, Charlie Swan," She told the elderly woman at the computer.
"Chief Swan? Yes, he's in room four, you can go back, dear," She said and pointed toward her right.
Bella nodded and said thanks before quickly pulling Edward with her down the hallway. When they got to door, Edward hesitated.
"Shall I leave you here to spend time with your father?" He wondered and brushed his fingers through her hair.
She bit her lip, thinking, "Yeah, maybe it's not the best time to introduce you to my dad, don't want to give him a heart attack," She said quietly.
He smiled at her, thinking she was so cute, before leaning down slowly to brush his lips with hers. She wrapped her arms around his neck and never wanted to let go. They stayed locked together before a passing nurse cleared her throat at them. Bella's face burned as she pulled away reluctantly.
"God, I love it when you blush, you're so lovely," Edward whispered to her as he trailed his finger down her cheek.
She giggled, "Will you call me later?" She questioned.
"Always," He replied and leaned down to press his lips to her warm cheek.
Bella watched him disappear around the corner before taking in a deep breath. She readied herself for what she might see of her dad and pushed open the door. Charlie sat on the side of the hospital bed and looked annoyed. She smiled when she saw that, relieved he was alright.
"Oh, dad! I was so worried!" She said and threw her arms around him.
He was almost knocked over but caught himself with one hand while he wrapped the other around Bella.
He patted her back, "I'm alright, Bells, you know it'll take more then an animal to take me down," He joked.
She pulled back, swiping at her cheeks, "What kind of animal was it? Jesus, look at your neck!" She winced as she stared at the large bite mark.
His fingers went up to touch the wound but he stopped himself, "It's nothing- see, it's not even bleeding anymore," He assured her.
She peered closer and scrunched up her nose, "It looks like human teeth," She commented as her eyes shifted back to her dad's face.
He grunted and cleared his throat, "It was definitely some kind of animal, didn't get a good look at it myself because it was dark but I do not want you going into those woods alone, ever," He said sternly, no room for argument.
She nodded her agreement, "Of course, dad."
He sighed heavily, exhausted from everything, "Let's go home, I need to sleep," He told her as he heaved himself up.
She wrapped her arm around his shoulders, bracing him, "I'm so glad you're okay," She told him as they made their way out of the hospital.
Over the next few days, Bella didn't see much of her dad. He mostly slept during the days and was up all night. She thought it was possibly ptsd from the animal attack and he'd work through it.
She lay on her bed that night, unable to sleep, before deciding to call Edward.
"Hi, beautiful," He answered on the first ring.
Bella smiled, his voice made her insides liquid, "What are you doing?" She wondered.
"Thinking about you," He said smoothly.
She rolled her eyes with a giggle, "Smooth guy," She teased.
"Always. What about you? What are you doing?" He asked.
"Thinking about how you should come over and sneak in through my window," She said softly.
He hummed, "Do you want me to?" He questioned.
She breathed out softly, "Yes, I really do, it's been too long since you've kissed me."
She could practically feel his smile through the phone, "Open your window for me," He told her.
She grinned and hopped out of bed, slowly sliding her window up, "Open and ready for you," She replied.
Before she could say goodbye, he was at her window.
"Jeez, you're crazy," She laughed in surprise as she backed away to let him climb through.
"Crazy for you," He deadpanned.
Her cheeks warmed and she shook her head, "Were you just waiting around the corner? Waiting for me to call you and tell you to come over?" She teased him.
"I'm always waiting for you, Bella," He told her.
She could smell his sweet scent and closed her eyes in pleasure. With her eyes closed, Edward approached her. Their chests touched and he could feel the pounding of her heart so intensely against his still skin. He moved forward, forcing her to back up. She opened her eyes and watched him as he backed her to her bed. The back of her thighs touched her mattress before she fell backwards with a giggle that made Edward smile. He loved the sounds she made, every single one of them. He climbed atop of her and she wrapped her thighs around his waist. It caused him to groan and shake his head at her.
"Temptress," He accused as he stared down at her beautiful face.
"You didn't say we couldn't play," She argued and ran her tongue across her bottom lip.
He held back his groan, "What did you have in mind?" He asked hesitantly.
She grinned at him, "I just want you to touch me, it can be at your own pace, I'm a virgin too, Edward, don't forget," She reminded him, her cheeks pink.
Edward wet his lips and tried to decide where he should touch her.
Down the hall, in his bedroom, Charlie was restless. He was burning. He felt like his skin was on fire and trying to crawl off of him. His hair had fallen out in chunks in the shower which had caused a panic attack. He had no idea what was happening. He knew he was sick but he didn't know with what. Had that creature given him a disease? Did rabies look like this? He didn't want to scare Bella or her boyfriend that he knew was currently in her bedroom. He didn't know how it was possible but he could hear them in her bedroom, hear the moving bodies and the breathing. Although, he could only hear one heartbeat and he was sure it was Bellas. Interesting. Why did Bella's new boyfriend not have a heartbeat?
What concerned Charlie was the need for... something. He couldn't place it. There was a clawing need inside him for something. A hunger he couldn't sate. All he knew was he was itching to tear something apart. He wanted to kill. He could smell the blood running through Bella's veins and shook his head.
No. Not my baby girl. He told the voice inside his head.
It told him to destroy. To feast. But he shoved it back down, refusing to succumb to those feelings. Something warned him of Bella's boyfriend. A threat, it had told him. A threat to himself. He bared his teeth in response and felt the sharpness against his thin skin. He gasped and covered his mouth with his hand in shock. What was happening?
He could hear hands smoothly down skin and soft moans and it made him sick. He wanted to go inside Bella's room and tear the intruder apart. He clenched his fists tightly and told himself to stop. Without another thought, he made his way quietly down the stairs and into the kitchen. He stood in front of the refrigerator and breathed in deeply. He could smell it - what he wanted, what he craved. Blood. He opened the door and found the raw steaks. With no hesitation he ate the raw meat and finished it off with the blood in the bottom of the white styrofoam. He moaned, licking his lips, and the ache inside him lessened. Relieved, he went back into his bedroom. He would not hurt his baby girl. Never.
Edward could hear Charlie moving around and it unsettled him.
His eyebrows pulled together as he listened to Charlie eat something out of the refrigerator. Through his muddled thoughts, he could see it was raw meat. Charlie's thoughts were fuzzy and thick with rage. It made Edward want to gather Bella in his arms and race her back to his house where it was safe. The sound of Charlie's beating heart also concerned Edward. It was slow, much slower then a healthy humans should be. Charlie's scent smelled wrong to Edward and he was sure Charlie was sick.
Edward focused back on the warm, beautiful girl underneath him, "Do you want to see my house?" He asked her.
Her eyes widened in surprise, "Right now? Are your parents home?" She wondered.
He thought about it for a brief moment, "No, Carlisle is at the hospital and I believe Esme went with him to keep him company, as for my siblings, I believe they are out for the evening," He told her.
Bella chewed on her bottom lip, "I do want to see your room but..." She paused, thinking it would be a bad idea to leave Charlie by himself.
"Your father will be alright," He assured her.
She laughed quietly, "Can you read my mind?" She accused playfully.
"I wish," He whispered and then pressed his lips to her cheek.
She clung to his neck, "Okay, let's go see your house then," She agreed and sat up slowly.
Her head was woozy from all of their making out and she didn't want to pass out on him.
Edward could hear Charlie's irritation from the other room and it startled him. It was almost as if Charlie could hear the two of them talking but that wasn't possible with weak human ears. Edward's own monster was on alert. He was not easily spooked but something was not right and he didn't want Bella to be around it.
"Spend the night with me and we'll go to school together," He told her.
Bella's heart sped up at the thought of sleeping next to Edward and she wanted to. She really did but she didn't think she could leave her dad by himself. What if something happened while she was gone?
"What about..." She started.
"He can take care of himself, Bella, and he can call you if something happens," He said; trying to keep the urgency out of his voice.
Her teeth gnawed at her lips before she finally nodded, "Okay, I'll leave a note in case he comes looking for me," She said and then wrote out a note saying she was staying the night at a friends and catching a ride to school with them.
She had no idea how her dad would react by this but he constantly left her alone with notes so she thought it would be okay. She packed a small bag with a change of clothes for school and then grabbed her backbag.
"Ready," She told Edward with a smile.
Edward grabbed her bags, throwing them over his shoulders easily.
He smiled back at her, "Let's go," and held out his hand for her.