Chapter 11

Edwards sat wide eyed staring in awe at a newly woken Bella. His hand still entwined into hers even as she sat back against the bed frame. As though snapping back suddenly into her senses her hand pulled aggressively out of his own as she then vanished from one side of the room to the other looking around her like a startled animal. His heart ached for her, he could only imagine how frightened and confused she must be waking up.

At least this time he was here with her. He wasn't going anywhere unless she asked.

"Bella." He stepped slowly closer with his hands raised to show he wasn't going to hurt her, "Hey, look at me." He whispered. Hearing his voice her eyes snapped to his face placing a hand on the wall behind her to steady herself. "W- what the hell happened?"

"What's the last thing you remember?"

He watched her forehead furrow in the most adorable way, "I – the battle." She looked to him for confirmation, "I used my powers…there was so many. And then, then I felt so tired…"

"You passed out." He answered for her.

"I- I what? But I can't –"

"According to Carlisle your body creates energy that you then use with your powers. Last night you used up too much of that energy, your body couldn't keep up." Unconsciously he reached out to softly take her hand, an action he didn't even think twice about, only this time to his surprise she didn't back away or even flinch. Was he imagining her leaning into his touch?

"Ah Isabella. Wonderful to see you awake and well." Aro's voice had her tearing herself away from his arms away taking a step back. He saw the change in her in an instance, her demeanour flipped instantly forcing a fake smile to their intruder.

Noticing how Bella had practically jumped away from him as Aro had entered he thought best to leave, despite how his chest screamed for him to stay.

"Thank you Aro, I assure you I'm feeling fine."

Her voice became muffled as he closed the doors behind him, now feeling empty at the loss of her.

"Edward, how is she? How's Bella?" Alice didn't miss a beat chipping him with questions.

"She's awake," He responded with a melancholy smile, "She was a little startled at first but I think she's fine now."

"Well that's no surprise." Emmett muttered, the sound distant as he headed off preparing to head back to his room."

"Hey! Where are you going? Get back in there." Alice stopped him.

He sighed running a hand through his hair. He wanted to, he wanted nothing more than to be at her side. "Bella practically ran to the other side of the room when Aro came in, I doubt she wants me in there right now."

Alice stared at him curiously, "So…you and Bella were close before Aro stormed in?" She teased. Edward ignored her but the gleam in his eyes told a lot. He hoped that there was still a chance for them. He held onto that desire, kept the feeling of Bella leaning into him close as if he could still feel her hand warm against his.

Hours passed. He did his best to stay occupied.

A stray knock at his door captured his attention.

Even more of a shock was Bella awaiting timidly at the other side.

He stood frozen in shock. Bella was at his door.

He had practised for this moment since long before they had gotten here. Since the moment he had left her he had tortured himself with the idea of running back, begging her for her forgiveness; only now it was here and everything fell to his feet.

"Edward. Hi." Bella spoke first. He was so frozen in on his self he missed the tint of nervousness in her own voice to caught up with his own. She was the only thing in his world that could ever hurt him.

"Bella." He somehow managed to muster out. He almost wanted to hit himself for how the words tumbled from his lips. "Hi."

"…Could I come in?"

"Yes. Yes of course." He practically fell at her feet. "You look great." She looked like a goddess draped in her black robe, her hair pulled back into a bun exposing the smooth skin of her neck, "I mean- you look better, more like yourself." He stuttered.

Bella dipped her head, the corner of her mouth twitching into a smile she did little to cover. "Thank you. I'm feeling better." The two stood staring at one another neither exactly knowing what to say. She had spent hours crafting and preparing what she wanted to say once she got the chance to speak to him, only now her mind was coming up blank.

Another pause.

"Edward…um, I wanted to talk." She started slowly with uncertainty, "I know I haven't been the easiest person to deal with since you got here."

"I don't blame you. I deserved it."

Bella shook her head barely noticeably though didn't argue whatever point she seemed to have. "I wanted- I wanted to apologise, both for some of the things I've said and how I've acted. It's just I've been in pain for so long…sometimes it's the only way I know how to be."

The sentence made Edward's heart soar, his mind raced, his eyes widened and so Bella continued.

"I've been mad for so long. Partly- partly because I let myself blame you for what I had become. And I don't just mean a Vampire I mean…" She looked shamefully down at her feet feeling uncomfortable, "I've killed people Edward. I've hurt people…and I enjoyed it." Edward opened his mouth to speak, to protest, but she pleaded that he wait till she finished. She needed to say this and say it now. "I know it's unfair to blame you for that. I made my own decisions."

You broke my trust. You made me feel inferior to you, you can't just make decisions for me, for our relationship. I know you said that you just wanted to keep me safe but, that makes me feel weak and unimportant Edward. It makes me feel like you don't value me as your equal."

He felt his heart drop to his stomach as quick as it had soared. He knew that everything she was saying was right, it made him feel nauseous. She had every right to never trust him again.

Glumly he could only stare down at his feet in shame, sure that the cracks tearing him apart were visible on his body for her to see. Could she? Could she with one look tell the kind of effect she had on him?

"But as angry as I am with you…I can't keep denying that- that I still love you."

He was so lost in his mind he was sure he heard her wrong. Was this a joke? A cruel take of breaking him apart a second time, one he was sure he wouldn't be able to survive this time. "You-you still love me?" He managed to choke his words feeling heavy like lead. "Even after everything I did?"

"Well. I mean, I-I'm not saying that I'm ready to jump into your arms and start where we left of but…maybe we could start as friends?"

He stared blankly at her, time seeming to slow down, nodding profoundly the words tumbling quickly from his mouth realising that he forgot to speak. "Yes. I would love that."

Bella smiled to herself sheepishly looking down at her feet finding humour in his enthusiasm then took a seat on the cushioned chair placed within the room. Mesmerised by the woman in front of him his feet followed after her, then staring overwhelmed at the wall he felt a hand inch closer to his own, slender fingers placed on top of his own. His chest seized with silent happiness.

"I uh-" He stuttered, "Bella I really do need to apologise. I didn't even realise- the pain that I caused you. And I know it's no excuse but I really am-" His words were cut off as Bella practically jumped into his arms her head burrowing into his chest. There was no awkwardness, his body softened into hers as familiarity took over between them. Instantly he felt whole again. "Friends can still hug." Her voice was muffled by his shirt yet he could still hear the timidity present in her voice.

"Edward."

"Yeah?" He whispered not wanting to break the bubble he was in, right now he had his entire world in his arms and he didn't want to lose that.

"I think we should probably go talk to your siblings."

He made no effort to move, he had to withhold the whine in his throat, "Are you sure? I'm fine with making them wait."

She laughed, he could feel her move against his frame, then much to his disappointment she pulled away leaving the air around him feeling empty and cold. But one look at her angelic face, a soft smile on her face he could hardly complain.

"Your sister see's the future. How I see it either we can talk to your entire family as once or wait for Alice to see something out of context." She stared him down, his heart panged with the familiarity.

He couldn't say no to her. Not ever again.