Chapter 9.
Edward and I drive back from the hospital to Emmett's place to get my stuff, and my puppy, Wrinkles. Edward waits in the car as I go upstairs, get my bag, and come back down.
I'm holding the puppy in my arms once I'm down again, and Edward gets out of the car and opens the trunk for me, taking my bag from my shoulder as well. He eyes the puppy, one eyebrow raised.
"Don't ask..." I say through a soft giggle.
Edward smiles, running his fingers softly over the dog's head.
"Wrinkles, Edward. Edward, this is Wrinkles," I introduce.
"Wrinkles? That's fitting." He smiles again, shaking his head while I chuckle.
"Bella, what the fuck?!"
Caught up in the moment, we did not hear the vehicle pull up, and when Edward and I both turn, Emmett is already stumbling out of a cab across from us. In a couple strides, he's right in front of me, pulling Wrinkles' travel bag from my hand.
"Dammit, Bella, wait a second... let's talk this through."
He drops the bag on the street, frantically heading for the trunk, stumbling into Edward who stands there paralyzed.
Emmett gets my suitcase from the trunk and walks back to me, grabbing my arm. "Bella, please… You're not leaving tonight, c'mon!"
"Emmett, stop... " I cry, holding Wrinkles to my chest.
Within seconds, Emmett's hands are no longer on me, and I am left staring at Edward's back. He has a hand outstretched away from him and braced on Emmett's chest. The strain of the muscles in his back and shoulders is evident under his shirt, as his hands bar Emmett from taking another step.
"Emmett, don't do this." Edward's tone is sharp in anger. He reaches his other hand behind him, to me, keeping a connection with my arm. "You're drunk and not thinking straight. She wants to go and you are going to let her."
I peek around Edward to see that beneath his palm, Emmett's chest expands heavily with the force of his harsh breaths. When Emmett's eyes finally meet mine, they seem apologetic. He takes one step back, lowering his head, cursing under his breath.
Edward relaxes in front of me and lets go of my arm. He takes my bag back into the trunk and then moves closer to Emmett, gripping his elbow. "Let's get you upstairs."
Edward's eyes glance at me briefly, pinning me into place. "Please, stay here?" he begs, and then they're both gone.
~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~
I sit in the car with Wrinkles asleep on my lap. Edward drives in silence through the dark roads, shifting frequently in his seat. He avoids conversation every time I start it, so I lose myself in thought, staring at the trees flying by through the window.
Thankfully, the two-hour drive goes by in a heartbeat and it's raining in Frankfurt when we pull up to my place.
With a hand on the door handle, I turn to him. His face is controlled, serious but calmed. His eyes though, they scream a million things at me. "Um... thank you for driving me, Edward," I say softly. All I get from him is a fifth of a smile and a nod. "Well... not just driving but everything."
His hands grip the steering wheel tightly as he continues to try to smile to me. When he turns his head from me, I can see a wince set on his features as he quickly gets out of the car.
I follow his lead, trying to cover Wrinkles from the rain with my jacket. Edward already has my bag out when I reach the trunk of the car.
I grab the bag from him, unable to say goodbye just yet, even under the rush of the pelting rain. "Are you sure you don't want to come in for a bit... you know, stretch your legs... maybe have some coffee for the way back?"
"I'm fine, Isabella," he says, shutting the trunk. "I should get going. It's already very late."
"Okay... well... um... goodbye." My arms reach for him awkwardly. A weight settles on my stomach, not knowing if or when I will see him again. I guess it never occurred to me that I wouldn't be just breaking up with Emmett, but with the whole team, the whole family.
They're his friends. This is his life. If he doesn't want me in it after this, then that's it.
I hug myself tighter to Edward at the realization, my eyes filling with tears. And even though his arms don't hug me back, his body bends with mine, enveloping me in his warmth. His head tilts into my neck and I can feel his breath, coming through his nose, on my skin.
It's almost too much.
I let go of him, stumbling back. "Please, be careful on your way back," I let out, before I turn around and rush into my building without looking back.
The door of the building clicks behind me as I halt, once out of the rain.
I'm not even sure why I'm panting, but I need a minute to catch my breath. I set my bag and Wrinkles on the floor and rest with my back against the door, waiting a few seconds for my heart to slow down so I can head upstairs.
My heart jumps in my chest as the knock on the door behind me startles me. I turn to find Edward, standing on the other side of the glass door, looking down and drenched in rain.
As I fling the door open he shoots me a glance, his eyes dark and piercing.
"What's wrong?"
He moves forward, as if to come inside, but his hands grab onto each side of the doorframe, either helping him upright or restricting his access. He looks down again, kicking one of the steps with a groan.
When his eyes meet mine, my stomach flutters. I've always had a soft spot for his eyes — They often convey so much he doesn't say. "I just need to say one thing."
"Okay, but please come in... You're getting soaked!" I reach for his hand on the doorframe but he pulls back, both hands reaching for the back of his head.
He is shaking his head, his eyes full of anguish; a little scrunch deepening between his eyebrows.
"What is it?" I step out and he takes another step back. "Edward?"
"Nothing..." he finally says, breathing out harshly. "I... just..." He closes the distance between us and his hands hold my face and his lips meet my forehead. "Just take care of yourself out there, okay?" Then, with a deep breath, he's gone.
My mouth falls open and a pressure bundles in my chest as I stare at his back while he jogs to the car. I'm pretty much stunned into place as the last few seconds run through my mind over and over again. His fingers on my cheek, lips at my temple, a burning message on the tip of his tongue — a message which he adamantly refuses to tell.
I can't let him walk away without giving him another chance to speak his mind.
"Edward," I call, even though he's already opening the door of his car.
The rain pelts on me as I walk back out but he doesn't turn to look at me. "Is that really what you wanted to say?"
His hand grips the edge of the car door tighter. I see his shoulder move with a shuddering breath, before letting go and finally turning to face me. He still looks down as he takes a deep breath. "Yes," he says, finally looking up. His eyes say otherwise. "Just..." he stalls.
Against my better judgment, and without my permission, my body edges closer, coming between him and the door. "What?"
"Just don't disappear."
"I won't," I say wholeheartedly.
He breathes in relief, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Okay... now get inside, please. I don't want you to get sick, and I really need to go."
I hug him again, my arms around his waist. This time, his hand runs over my hair as I bury my face in his chest.
"Please..." he whispers into my hair. I can feel his hand fisting the back of my shirt, but then, with a soft groan, he drops it at his side.
I look up at him, wishing I knew what he was asking or why saying goodbye to him is so hard. Would it be too much if I asked him to stay with me? He looks completely drained and the thought of him having to drive back by himself at this hour eats at my conscience.
However, the struggle in his eyes begs me not to ask him to stay, so I don't. Instead, I hold myself to him for an extra second and then force my arms to let go.
I can't keep the tears much longer, especially under his gaze. So with a shaky smile and a little wave, I turn around and dart through the rain back into the building, without another look back.
~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~
A/N: Welp! Did anyone expect a kiss there? Let me know what you think, I love reading your reviews!