Sorry for the posting delay, I hope you enjoy getting to know Edward some more.

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

Chapter 6

Isabella chose to sleep while Edward did and when morning came, she made them breakfast and they spent the morning talking. She was disconcerted by the draw she felt to Edward so quickly.

He napped frequently, always seeking out her touch to ease his tension before he would doze.

The early days of his recovery weren't particularly productive, but Edward slowly felt stronger. And as his strength grew, so did his boldness.

It was six days after his arrival that Isabella used one of his naps to call Alice.

"I cannot believe you've lasted this long without calling. I've been expecting it for days."

"What do you see when you look into our future, Alice? I need some reassurance." Isabella pleaded.

"You know that isn't how it works, Isabella."

"I can't make a decision when I don't know any of the facts. What if he has a family, or a wife…"

"You care for him?" Alice asked.

"I want to, but I'm afraid."

"Well, if you weren't so caught up in your little bubble, you'd see that I've already done something to aid in that situation."

That caused Isabella to sit up. "What was that?"

"A notice was sent to every tablet in Skyelynn with a sketch of your young man, asking for any information on him. No one has come forward, and it has been weeks since a ship has arrived, the last one leaving didn't mention anyone missing from the crew."

Isabella growled in frustration. "Then what, Alice. He magically appeared in the forest and no one on this entire island has seen him before? That isn't realistic."

"Stranger things have happened, Isabella. I don't know enough to understand everything that's happening, but pushing away someone you've felt more for than any other person on this island because you're scared is not like you. You're fearless. Answers will come when it is time. For now, live."

"You believe something bigger is coming, don't you?" Isabella asked.

"There are only so many coincidences that can occur before they have to be counted as something more. A queen with visions, a mysterious stranger, and a healer who wills things into being..."

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"Think about things you've wanted that have happened with a little more than a thought or a word from you." There was something on the other end of the line that Isabella couldn't make out, but the queen soon returned. "I need to go, but we'll talk in a few days. Take care, Isabella."

"Goodbye, Alice."

Isabella settled deeper into the couch cushions, not feeling that much better after her conversation. While she was glad to hear there wasn't a wife or children wondering about Edward, the thought that he was so alone in the world was disheartening. It also made it harder to resist him.

And a large part of her didn't want to.

"Bre?" Edward's voice calling her nickname brought her attention to where he stood in the doorway to her home.

"I'm sorry, Edward. Did you say something?"

He shook his head and walked towards her. "No. But I don't like how sad you look sitting there. You worry about me, but I feel like no one worries after you."

Isabella chuckled a little. "My father worries for me plenty, believe me. My brother, on the other hand, is carefree."

Edward knelt at her feet in front of the couch. "No one else? No man or woman who would kill me if they knew what I was thinking?"

"What are you thinking?" Isabella asked.

Edward shook his head. "You didn't answer my question."

"There's no one. What were you thinking?" Isabella insisted.

"I was wondering if your lips taste as sweet as the jelly you spread on my bread at breakfast. Or if your hair is as soft as it looks, and how it would feel wrapped around my fingers. Or how much better I would sleep with you in my arms."

"Which of those would you like to know the answer to first?" Isabella breathed out.

"This," he whispered. He leaned forward and pressed his lips to hers.

The tentative brushes soon gave way to more purposeful kisses and caresses. Isabella sighed against his lips and the momentary opening of her mouth was an opportunity Edward did not miss. He pulled her closer as he rose up to meet her, passion rolling off him in waves.

Their moment was interrupted by an insistent knock on the door. "I'll be right back."

Isabella got up to answer the door, shocked to find her father standing outside. "Dad, is everything all right?"

"I should be asking you that. Where is this man you're caring for?"

"He stepped out a little while ago. Why? Has someone contacted the palace to say they know him?"

"No, but I think we should move him to the palace and he can recuperate there."

"For what reason? He's comfortably being treated here. I'm not moving my patient without a reason."

"I don't like you being here alone with him," Charles told her.

"So you don't trust me to make good decisions, understood."

"That isn't what I'm saying, Isabella. You know nothing about this man. He doesn't even know anything about himself. How can you trust him?"

"Doesn't it say more that in a moment where he has no memory, his first instinct is to be kind? Because that is what I do know about Edward. He is compassionate and helpful. He isn't pushing to be better tomorrow, but he is working very hard to remember who he is."

"Well, that's something, I guess," Charles muttered.

"I know you look at me and see mom, and that scares you because you lost her so young, but I'm not her. Please don't try and lock me in a cage to keep me safe."

"I can't lose you too," Charles pleaded.

"Trying to dictate my life to me could do exactly that. Now, I have to check on my garden and then make something for Edward and me for lunch. He still gets tired easily so I want to be ready when he returns."

"I guess that's your way of kicking me out."

"It is my way of saying I'm busy and this topic is one that never ends well with us. So please, go now before we both say things we'll regret."

"Take care, Isabella."

"You too, Dad. I love you."

"Love you too, always have." Charles let himself out without another glance and Isabella sighed at her father's continued mistrust of the world.

Isabella went in search of Edward, hopeful that he hadn't heard too much of what her father had said. He wasn't in the living quarters or kitchen of her home, and a search upstairs also turned up empty. She went outside, searching more frantically when she noticed Argus exit the forest. If the actions of an animal could show emotion, then Argus was the saddest rabbit ever as he hopped over to Isabella and rubbed his head against her calf. A knot formed in Isabella's stomach as she allowed the reality to set in.

Edward was gone.