What's this? It's my birthday yet you're the ones getting treats!
Oh go on then.
Normal disclaimers apply.
BPOV
A loud crash woke me suddenly and I sat up straight in -no, on- my old couch. The one I let Jake use to sleep on, covered in his blanket. I shook it off and got up too fast, my head spinning at the movement. That will teach me for drinking on an empty stomach. How did I get home anyway? Another crash alerted me to what woke me up in the first place. A thunderstorm raged outside. I shuffled around in the dark until I found my table lamp. I flicked the switch a few times to no avail. It would appear the storm has taken out the power. I pulled my cell phone out of my pocket and noticed I had a message from Edward on there.
Hey Bella. Hope you're alright when you read this. You got a little drunk last night so Emmett carried you home. I let Jake out and fed him some dinner. Speak to you soon. Edward.
Well damn! I'm meant to be winning this thing and I thought for sure helping Emmett with his catering job last night would have us level pegging. How the hell am I meant to gain the two steps back now?! I switched on the flashlight on my cell and I sighed in frustration before a loud pounding on my backdoor had me screeching in fright. Jake started barking and a flash of lightening back lit the silhouette of a large form outside.
"Bella?!" I heard the yell over the howling wind.
I rushed to the door and flung it open, letting a very soaked Edward in. "Edward! What are you doing? Are you crazy coming out in this?"
"Sorry. I didn't mean to scare you." He apologised, setting down the two battery operated camping lamps he was holding. "I know we didn't lock the door after us last night and I just wanted to check and make sure you're okay. I saw you had read the text I sent you, so I knew you were awake." He explained himself while slowly dripping a puddle onto my tiled floor. I lead him to my utility room where he shed his wet weather gear and I handed him a towel to dry off with. "Thank you." He smiled. A least I think he did. It was hard to see him in the dim light coming off of my phone. He handed the towel back and I placed it in the hamper to be washed.
"I would offer you a drink, but it's two in the morning and I have no power." I shrugged. "Would you like some water?" I asked with a dry laugh.
"No. I'm alright, thanks. Like I said, I only came round to check to see if you were okay."
"Well as you can see, I'm fine. No need to worry about me."
"I do worry Bella. You're a beautiful, single woman all by herself in this house. What sort of a gentleman would I be if I didn't check on you or look out for you?"
"I'm a big girl Edward. I can look after myself."
He stretched his hand across my kitchen island and covered my own. "Please, humour me on this. I was raised to protect the ones I care for. You're my friend Bella. I don't want to see you unnecessarily hurt when I know I can prevent it."
"That's really sweet of you. Okay." I acquiesced. "I accept your offers of help." I patted his hand with my free one and slipped both of them off of the counter top. "I should really let you get home and back to bed." I said, stifling a yawn. We both glanced to the back windows, through the half closed blinds where the storm was still raging outside. "Or maybe you can take my guest room. I don't want you going back out in that, even if it is only to next door."
He opened his mouth to speak but I cut him off. "This friendship works both ways Edward."
"Alright. Thank you." He grabbed the camping lamps and flicked them on, illuminating the room in their soft white glow. "After you." He handed me one of the lamps and followed me upstairs.
"Here's the spare room. The sheets are clean. I promise. The bathroom is at the end of the hall." I pointed at the door, not that he could see it in this light. "Emmett isn't going to mind you staying here is he?"
"Huh? No. Not at all. He sleeps like the dead. Only two things can wake him up in the morning. One of them is the smell of cooking food and the other... Let's just say the other involves another person being present."
I held my hands up. "No need to explain. I have a very active imagination. Goodnight Edward."
"Goodnight Bella."
000
I woke early the next day to bright sunlight streaming through my windows. I stretched like a cat at the warmth radiating through me from the yellow rays. I hopped out of bed and went to my window, gazing out at the aftermath of the storm. I was horrified at what I saw. Fence panels and debris scattered my lawn while my veggie patch had a fallen tree laying in it. Well there goes my good mood. I'm going to have to spend all weekend sorting that mess out.
I pulled on my robe and headed down stairs. Thankfully the electricity is back to full power and I could have my morning cup of coffee. As I open my fridge I'm struck with a horrible thought. What happened to all of mine and Emmett's hard work when the power went out? Would all of the food he had cooked and slaved over be ruined?
I worried my bottom lip while I waited for my coffee to finish brewing. I was so deep in thought while I poured myself a cup that I didn't hear Edward enter the room behind me. "Morning." He yawned, making me jump and slosh coffee all over the counter top.
"Bitch!" I cried, scalding my fingers on the hot liquid. I put my hand under the cold tap as Edward rushed forward to help me.
"Bella, are you okay?"
"No, thanks to you. You need a god damn bell like a cat. You can't creep up on people in their own homes."
"I didn't creep and you should run that under lukewarm water. Cold will make it worse." He sidled up next to me at the sink and adjusted the water temperature. "I'm sorry you got hurt." I turned to look at him and noticed he was topless. My mouth ran dry as I took him in. Smooth, tanned skin stretched taut across well defined muscles. He isn't muscular like Emmett, but you can tell he does his fair share of working out.
"It's not bad." I replied, tearing my gaze away and flexing my fingers in the stream of water. "Sorry for shouting."
"I forgive you. What's gotten you in such a bad mood anyway?"
"My garden has been destroyed by the storm." I sighed, fully pulling up the blind to my kitchen window so he could peer out.
"Oh wow! I'm sorry. I know how much you loved spending time out there."
"It's alright." I sighed. "Just another thing to add to my long list of things to get done this weekend."
"Give me an hour Bella. I can help you with this."
"Edward, I can't ask you to do that."
"One hour Bella." He pulled on his t-shirt from last night and exited via the back door, disappearing through the gate into his own garden. He forgot to take his lamps, rain coat and hat with him.
I shook my head at his behaviour and finished my coffee before heading upstairs to shower. If it was going to be a long weekend I might as well get started now.
000
I took longer than was necessary under the spray of water. For some reason I felt like I needed it. I climbed out and pulled a towel tight around me. Walking through my bedroom, movement outside caught my attention. I took a step closer to the window to see what was happening and immediately jumped back. There were five topless men roaming around my back garden while Jake raced around between them. Two were holding my fence panels in place while a third nailed them into the freshly erected posts. Another was picking up the debris and depositing it into a wheelbarrow which I know did not belong to me. And Edward, dear sweet Edward, was busy wielding a chainsaw, cutting down the branches and trunk of the tree that had fallen into smaller, easier to move pieces. The muscles rippled in his back as he effortlessly carved the machine through the wood. Damn Emmett was a lucky guy and I was a lucky bitch for having these amazing guys as my neighbours.
I gasped as another thought crossed my mind. How on earth was I going to out do them now?! Well fuck! I was going to have to host a god damn dinner party at this rate.
Two chapters in two days. Don't say I don't spoil you.
Much love my dears.
x
