Chapter Six

The temperature outside starts to drop quite dramatically as we approach the end November. I'm a little sad about it. November has been sort of good to me, and it's just going to get colder.

My trip home is good for me, though I can't shake the feeling that something is happening that they're hiding from me. They tend to do that, given my habit of, well, reacting. It's something big, though. I can feel it. I can see it in the way that they act, around me, and around my mom. I wanted to ask, but I'm too afraid of what I'll be told.

So I don't ask. I rather just enjoy the last days of November, and embrace the start of December with as much gusto as the near freezing temperatures will allow.

Because, as we all know; with the cold, comes a new sense of irritability around campus that I'm not ashamed to admit applies to me as well. The weather just has the ability to make people miserable. As much as I love it, I'm not a fan of the turn in my attitude.

Which is why I nap.

If I'm asleep in my warm bed, I don't have to face the cold and the wet, and all the drama that comes with freezing brains. Even the library fills up with people who are only seeking warmth from the blistering cold. I hate it.

Seeing as Friday is my only afternoon off, I like to spend it in my dark bedroom, under my warm covers and I desperately try to forget what my friends and family expect of me.

What I expect of myself.

When I get back to the house, I stop by the kitchen to grab an apple. A Granny Smith, of course. I can't eat any other kind. The house is eerily quiet, but that doesn't mean that it's empty. Every week is crunch week these days. This upcoming exam period is mightily important in determining how the rest of the school year goes.

I trudge up the stairs, already dreaming about crawling into my bed. I've never been more grateful that I took the time to make it before I left for my Biochemistry class this morning.

As soon I'm in my room, I shut the door with my foot, drop my bag to the floor and collapse face-first on my bed. My groan is automatic as I let my body relax into the mattress, my eyes closed and my breathing steady. I just about manage to ignore the fact that I smell like laboratory chemicals.

I'm drifting, drifting...

Until my phone rings. Fuck. I can feel it vibrating in my pocket and, for a moment, I almost don't answer. People know what Friday afternoons mean to me, which is why I end up reaching blindly for my phone. It's probably important, I reason.

My eyes are still closed as I lift the phone up and swipe to the right.

"Hullo," I say, my voice slightly muffled by my pillow, as I roll over and stare at my bedroom ceiling.

"Edward."

I sit up quite suddenly. That name, in that tone of voice. "Bella, what's wrong?"

She's quiet for a moment, as if she's making a decision. Then: "I'm sorry to call like this," she says gently. "But I need your help. A favour, really."

I don't even hesitate. "What can I do?"

"Well..."

"Anything," I assure her.

She sighs, before I hear her suck in a deep breath. "My father just, umm, well, he just announced that he'll be running for a second term, and it's as if the entire great big world has gone crazy."

My body is tense. "Okay?"

"There are reporters outside, waiting to pounce, and I really don't want to have to fight through them."

"What do you need?"

"An escape," she whispers.

I smile to myself, practically jumping to my feet. Oh, I'm definitely not tired anymore. "Where are you right now?"

"The library," she says, as if I even have to ask. I can practically hear her rolling her eyes. "I literally cannot leave. They're covering all the exits. Even the damn fire escape ones, which, really, is incredibly unsafe, if you really think about it. It's hazardous. They could be arrested. Should they be arrested? They should. Gosh, they should be arrested for endanger - "

"Bella."

"Sorry," she says, sighing again. "I'm a little out of it at the moment. I don't really want them to be arrested. I just don't know what to do. Harry and Billy want to just push through, but I don't want to do that." She falls silent. "Please help."

Doesn't she know? Doesn't she yet know just what I would to for her? "Okay," I say, looking around my room. "I'm coming to get you."

"You are?"

"Don't sound so surprised, Swan," I say, trying to humour her. "Of course I'm coming. Hang tight."

I move towards my bedroom door, yank it open, and then scream for Jasper and Emmett. Maybe they hear the desperation in my voice, because they practically come running, the questions already in their eyes.

I wave them into my room and close the door, bringing the phone back up to my ear. "Operation Retrieve Swan shall commence very shortly," I say to Bella, and then I hang up.

I don't want to leave Bella waiting for too long, so I rush through what I need from my two best friends in the entire world, making sure that they know. This is important to me, because it's important to her. And, to be perfectly honest, they seem a little too excited about what we're about to do. They probably are, because they may be suffering from a bit of cabin fever.

When we're ready to go, I grab my keys and lead us down to the OB. She is parked out front, just waiting to be driven.

I hop in, start the engine, and then drive off before Emmett can even get his door closed. I'm a man on a mission as I race out of Fraternity Quad towards the main campus. I drop off Emmett and Jasper before we get anywhere near the library. Then I drive around the large building, and park on the road on the right of the building, slightly hidden by a small hill.

After I receive a text from Jasper to Emmett's phone, I call Bella from my own.

"Hello," she whispers.

"Operation Retrieve Swan is underway," I say, laughing lightly. I know I sound excited, but I can't help it. Really, this is the most fun that Emmett, Jasper and I have had all week. "In about a minute," I tell her; "start making your way towards the door."

"But they're all out there," she points out.

"Do you trust me?"

Bella doesn't even hesitate. "I do."

I start to think that her trust in me is the main reason why she called in the first place.

"Then make your way to the front doors," I say. "Bella, you're going to be able to walk right out of there. Just keep watch, all right? You'll know when. I'm in the orange car to the right. Head straight towards me. Walk; don't run. Act like you belong. Nobody notices normal people."

"Umm," she mumbles, still sounding unsure. Then: "Okay."

I laugh breathily. "I'm going to stay on the line. Keep the phone to your ear if you want. I'll be right here."

I hear her breath hitch, and I worry that I've said something wrong. I shake my head. There will be time to think about it later. With my own phone pressed to my ear, I call Jasper from Emmett's.

"Whitlock."

I force myself not to laugh. He's taking this so seriously.

"Retrieve Swan is a go. I repeat, Retrieve Swan is a go. Go! Go, go, go."

I can hear Bella giggle in my ear, and I suddenly can't wait to see her. "Are you on the move?" I ask her.

"I'm heading to the front door right now," she says. "There are so many people out there. They're all watching the doors, Edward, just waiting for me to step out."

"Give it a moment," I let her know.

She does. "Oh."

From my car, I can see the attention of the congregated people turn from the library's front doors to a fight that breaks out in the centre of the gathered crowd.

"That's my cue, isn't it?" she asks and, before I can respond; I hear her push on the library doors.

"Remember to walk," I remind her. "Just be calm, all right? Talk to me."

Her breathing is jagged, but I can tell it's not from running. It's something else; something that my mind is refusing to grasp. "Thank you for doing this."

"Just so you know, I expect payment," I say easily. "But seriously, Jazz and Em have been dying to get out of the house all day. And plus, they definitely relish the opportunity to kick the crap out of each other."

She can't stop her gasp. "That's them? It's for real?"

"Oh, Isabella Swan, you are so young," I sing-song. "It's all about authenticity. We have to make them believe."

"Jeez, Edward, you really are enjoying this a little too much, aren't you?"

My mouth opens to respond, but something like a strangled sound comes out instead when I lay eyes on her. She literally takes my breath away. Why oh why does the President's daughter have to be so fucking beautiful?

"It's the prize at the end I'm most looking forward to," I say, my voice perking up.

"And what's that?"

"You already said you weren't going to sleep with me."

She laughs out loud. "You're never going to let me forget about that, are you?"

I smile as I watch her approach the car. When she spots me looking at her, she drops the call and pockets her phone. She has this look of bewilderment on her face that makes my blood boil. I reach across the console to open the door for her, and she jumps into the passenger's seat without a second thought, ducking low enough that she's unrecognisable from the outside.

"Hi," she says, turning to look at me with kind, grateful eyes that threaten to overwhelm me.

"Seatbelt," is all I say to her, as I start to drive. I can feel her eyes on me once she's securely buckled up. I send a quick text to Jasper, and then I set both phones under my left leg. Bella has my absolute attention now even though my eyes are on the road.

I recognise the moment that she notices that I'm not heading towards Fraternity Quad.

"Uh, Edward, where are we going?"

I turn my head to look at her, aware that I'm smiling like an excitable schoolboy. "What? Did you think that this little rescue mission was going to cost you nothing? I wasn't kidding. I expect payment, Bella."

She laughs lightly. "So where are we going then?"

"Are you worried? Do you want to check in with Harry and Billy? Because they are totally right behind us."

Bella whips her head right around to see the infamous black SUV tailing us and, of course she waves. "Harry wasn't very happy with my plan," she admits.

I clear my throat.

"Or your plan."

"I guessed as much," I say. "You are sitting in my car right now." I fall silent for a moment, and then I gasp.

"What? What?"

"You're sitting in my car right now."

She laugh. "Sometimes I forget how dramatic you can be. Or excitable. It's adorable."

I stare at her. "Did you just call me cute?"

"No," she assures me. "I called you adorable. There's a difference." I don't see it. "But if this does turn out to be a kidnapping; I will definitely call you cute."

"Right." I laugh out loud. "Because I'm going to be stupid enough to kidnap the first daughter. Do I want to end up on the world's most wanted list?"

"I don't know," she says, her tone taking on a thoughtful quality. "People look for that kind of publicity, Edward. There are a lot of people out there who have crazy ideas."

"That I can believe," I admit, feeling hostile all of a sudden. I'm not entirely sure why though. Or I am, but I don't want to think about it.

She keeps her eyes on me, and I can tell that she notices a certain gravity descend over me. "You are attractive when you're acting child-like," she says in a voice so soft that I can barely hear her; "but you are wonderfully handsome when you're being serious."

She reaches over with her left hand and runs it through my hair. I have no idea how to respond, so I remain silent.

She clears her throat, as if she's just catching herself crossing a line that she's drawn very firmly between us. "You still haven't answered my question," she points out. "Where are we going?"

"Funny you should ask," I say, slowing down the car. "If you didn't talk so much and rather paid attention to the road, you would know that we're already here."

She fakes a laugh, but she does look out at our surroundings as I bring the car to a stop. We've driven quite a ways. You kind of have to, to get to anything remotely natural. Slowly, a wide smile spreads across her face, and my heart rate rises dangerously. "Edward Masen, are you trying to seduce me?"

"With Harry and Billy right out there... umm, I think not." I laugh, starting to open my door. "Come on," I say. "The view from the car isn't even that great. You've got to see it from the edge."

Bella hesitates. Maybe out of habit, I don't know, but she looks slightly panicked and I can only imagine why that is. I decide to pretend I don't notice as I continue to talk, climbing out of the car. She told me that she trusts me. I doubt that's changed in the last fifteen minutes.

"Before you ask me how I know this place exists," I say, watching as she eventually climbs out of the car as well; "I should tell you that my ex-girlfriend brought me here. And, before you comment on that, I should also let you know that she did it after she broke up with me. She legitimately tried to kill me."

Bella's eyes widen. "What?"

I shrug, laughing lightly. "Don't look so surprised. You said it yourself: I can be quite the asshole sometimes."

"But being an asshole doesn't mean you get sentenced to death."

"Tell that to Tanya. She was fucking crazy."

Bella just laughs. "Please tell me you're kidding," she practically pleads. "She didn't really try to kill you, did she?"

"She did," I tell her, nodding my head. "I swear she did, Bella. We were fighting, and one two three, I'm over the edge, holding on for dear life. I practically shit my pants."

"Gosh, you can be so dramatic," she says, continuing to laugh.

"This is true," I'm quick to agree. "I can be very dramatic when I want to be. My brother calls me Edith sometimes." When she glares at me, I automatically add: "And by saying that; I in no way mean to insult the female population."

"You already did." Bella steps towards me. "Asshole. Do you want me to push you down there as well?"

I laugh, though I can't mistake the slight intimidation I feel. Or is that arousal? "Well, wouldn't that be a story to tell our children?" I manage to get out.

She just stares at me for a moment, before she shakes her head. "You're never going to give up, are you?"

I can't help my grin. Perhaps there's actually a chance that I might wear her down if I keep at it. Edward Masen is nothing if not consistent. "If I told you I'm in love with you, would you reconsider?"

Her gaze snaps towards me, and I flinch. Too much too much. Shit shit shit. Take it back take it back. "Edward?"

"Uh..." I laugh, raising my hands in innocence as I try to play it off as some kind of joke. Except I'm fucking crying inside. What is wrong with me? "Hey," I admonish, shrugging slightly. "You said it yourself, didn't you? I'm dramatic."

She doesn't look entirely convinced, but I think she wants me to be joking. Nobody is ready for the potential reality that I'm not. "That you are," she declares, her gaze never once straying from my face. It's unnerving and deathly disarming.

Why is she looking at me like that?

"I find that I quite like dramatic," she says after a long silence, in which we just stare at each other, the amazing view completely forgotten. It's usually what happens when we're together. The great big world just ceases to exist and, dammit, I'm in love with her. I am. There's no denying it now. "Everyone I know can be quite serious," she continues. "You're definitely a breath of fresh air." It's as if she's speaking a truth unheard by even herself.

"Is it good air, or bad air?" I venture to ask.

"Good," she says with a knowing smile. "Definitely good."

I smile, feeling heat rise up my neck. I really hope she doesn't notice the tips of my ears. "Great. Now shut up," I say to distract her. "I'm trying to enjoy the view."

Bella eventually does as she's told, looking out at the panorama and visibly taking it all in. We're quiet in each other's presence, standing side by side as the rest of the worries of the world fall away. I barely notice when she takes hold of my hand, entwining our fingers, because it just feels like what has to be done in a moment like this one. Though, when she gives my fingers a slight squeeze; I'm forced to acknowledge this moment for what it is.

Isabella Swan is holding my hand, and she isn't letting go.

I force myself to remain calm. I dig the nails of my free hand into my palm to stop myself from looking at her. I need to appear unaffected, even though my heart is thumping wildly in my chest and my face is threatening to split into two from the sheer force of my smile.

Isabella Swan is holding my hand.

The girl of my dreams is actually holding my hand. The girl of everyone's dreams.

Bella can remain silent for exactly two minutes and fourteen seconds. "She didn't really try to kill you, did she?" she has to ask.

I laugh out loud, welcoming the opportunity to relieve some of the tension in my body. "Of course not," I say. "But I could tell that she was thinking about it. Those crazy eyes always give away the crazy plans."

She squeezes my hand again. "I'm glad you're not dead," she says seriously. "My life would definitely be missing something very special."

I keep my eyes on her. "And don't you know it."

We fall into silence again and, this time, Bella is able to hold it for longer. We stay up on that cliff for close to half an hour, her hand in mine and her head resting on my shoulder. Seriously, I couldn't have predicted a better way to spend my Friday afternoon than in content silence with Bella. This beats sleep any day.

At some point, I go to the car to check my phone. Jasper's sent a text, telling me that the reporters eventually vacated the library, but they are now camped out in front of Bella's Residence Hall.

Which is why, when we finally decide to leave, we go to Fraternity Quad.

Not many of the boys are hanging around the house when we arrive, so I don't have to do much sneaking to get Bella inside. I take her up to my bedroom and desperately try to make her feel as comfortable as possible. She ends up sitting on my bed, her shoes off and her body relaxed. Really, it unnerves me, and I can't help but bustle about, asking her if she needs anything more.

"I'm fine," she keeps assuring me. I just want everything to be perfect; to make sure that she would want to come back one day. "Stop fussing," she says. "Seriously, Edward. It's just me here. Just Bella."

I stop quite suddenly. "I know that," I tell her. "I mean, I know it's just you, which, incidentally, is what is so scary."

"Well, calm down, would you?" she says with a reassuring smile, and I do feel myself relax. "You're starting to stress me out."

I laugh, absently running a hand through my hair. "Okay. Okay. Move over then."

Bella shifts to her right to make space for me to sit down next to her. I don't actively try to touch her, even though the length of my body is practically glued to the length of hers.

"I thought we'd watch a movie," I offer, as I bring my laptop onto my lap and bring up my folder of movies. "As always, I've picked out the fan favourites. We have, of course, White House Down, Olympus has Fallen, my personal favourite, Chasing Liberty. There's..."

She cuts me off. "Edward," she says, rather seriously. Then she laughs gloriously. "What am I ever going to do with you?"

I shrug my shoulders. "Jeez, tough crowd." I switch to a different folder. Romantic comedies haven't failed me yet. "Okay, fine, we'll have to watch one of my all time favourites then: Just Go With It."

She's looking at me in that way again, as if she doesn't believe that someone like me can exist. I hope she can see her own sentiment reflected in my eyes because, seriously, where has this wonderful creature been all my life?

I start the movie, and relax into the pillows behind me, trying desperately not to lose myself in the heat of her.

We watch Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston run circles around each other until I suddenly pause the movie and declare that I'm famished, throwing in the faux-British accent for dramatic effect.

She laughs out loud, her body vibrating against mine. "Don't tell me you're also an excellent cook."

I give her a pointed look. "I wouldn't go so far as to say excellent, but I can whip up a mean meal when I'm on point."

She looks so comfortable lying here beside me, in my bed, that it takes every bit of my willpower to move. I stand up slowly, and I can feel her eyes on me as I walk towards my bedroom door. Before I leave, I turn back to look at her.

"I don't need to tell you not to go anywhere, right?" I say.

"I won't even move from this spot."

I let out a relieved breath. "Give me, umm, like ten minutes."

She smiles. "I'll be here."

I hesitate for a moment more, before I rush out of the room. I practically fly down the stairs and make a complete mess of the kitchen. Of course, the sounds of pans flying this way and that attract attention, but nobody is brave enough to ask me just why I've decided to try my hand at MasterChef tonight of all nights.

I prepare a tray of fruit, the pancake-waffle things that I've attempted to make, a box of juice, two glasses and a rose from the flower bouquet in our entrance hall. It's not much, unfortunately, but if ever I do take her out on a date; I swear I'll make it amazing. It's the only thing that gets me to leave the kitchen with my concoction.

I navigate the steps slowly, carefully. But, what I find when I return to my bedroom almost makes the tray hit the deck. Bella is standing up, her shoes on and her bag propped on the edge of my bed. She's even putting on her coat.

"Uh, what are you doing?" I ask immediately, moving to set the tray down on my desk.

"I think I should go home now, Edward."

I think of everything I can possibly say to get her to stay all at once, but all that comes out of my mouth is: "Oh."

"Gosh, don't look so sad," she says, smiling at me. "I just think that it's best if I go home now. It's getting quite late."

I can't hide my disappointment. Really, I feel gutted. "I don't want you to go," I say.

Bella's features soften, but she doesn't say anything.

"I mean," I add; "we haven't even finished watching the movie yet. At least watch until Jennifer Aniston and Nicole Kidman go at it in the ultimate Hawaii-off."

She looks thoughtful for a moment, and I don't allow myself to relax until she nods.

There's something off about her movements as she returns to her position on my bed. She even tenses when I resume my own position as well. I can't help thinking that something happened while I was out of the room. Before I press play on the movie, I turn my head to look at her.

"Bella, is everything okay?" I ask.

She's quiet for a solid minute, before she meets my gaze. "It's just that I was lying here," she begins; "and all I was thinking was that it was too warm and too perfect and too everything to warrant moving. There doesn't seem to be anywhere else I want to be. Right here, with you, on your bed is the place that I feel the calmest, Edward. Especially after today. It's what makes you so perfect, isn't it? You make it so that I'm able to forget that that other side of my life even exists."

Doesn't she know that she does the same for me?

She laces her fingers together, which is a clear sign of her nerves. "You also don't try to inject yourself into all of it," she continues, her gaze dropping to her hands. "For the most part, unlike nearly every other guy in existence, you aren't interested in me because I'm the President's daughter. You're interested in me because I'm Bella. That's it. That's what matters to you."

I can't even comprehend how relieved I am that she understands and believes that.

"I was just in here, and I kept thinking that I don't deserve to be here with you. Not like this. Not when I can't give you what you've told me that you want. I mean, you're so pure, and so normal, and I'm just going to ruin you, Edward. Look at your walls, for God's sake." I look at my walls. "I mean, you have movie posters. Posters of artworks, and even posters of Victoria Secret models. It's so damn adorable. This whole place is yours, with all your silly trinkets, your picture frames, your open closet and your untidy desk. This is who you are, and you've just invited me into it, whole-heartedly, and I -.

"Edward, you're truly one of a kind, and you're probably the only person I could feel anything remotely like this around. But I know I'm going to ruin you. I know it. Even if I do everything I can possibly do to prevent it, it's going to happen, and I won't be able to handle ever doing that to you. I can't. Which is why I can't give in. It's just becoming increasingly harder. Even being here with you is making it all the more difficult." She sighs. "I really should go home."

I have no idea what to say to her. She's never said as much as this about our current situation, and I can tell that she's given all of this a lot of thought. It deeply bothers her, and I don't have the words to make it better for her because all I want is for her to give in. I need her to.

"Edward?"

"Please don't go," I whisper. I just know that, if she walks out of that door right now, I'll lose her forever, and I can't. I want her to be mine.

She sighs again. "Just until the end of the movie," she says, shifting slightly and getting more comfortable.

She clearly doesn't anticipate falling asleep against me before 'Dolph Lundgren' even attempts to save the sheep from choking.

I don't intend to fall asleep either, but I do. And, when I wake up, she's still in my bed, held securely in my arms. Fuck. Now that I know what it's like to wake up to her; I'll never be able to sleep soundly ever again. Her right palm is pressed against my neck, her left fingers hold the fabric of my t-shirt, her legs hug my left leg and her breath is tickling my chin. She's so close to me, but I can't help feeling like she's still so far away.

Eventually, I disentangle myself from her and stand up. My room smells like her, a mixture of strawberries and girl. I have to open a window to let in some fresh air so I can think clearly. This girl is literally invading my mind and my body.

I watch her sleep for a moment, trying to commit to memory the image of her in my bed. It's everything and nothing at the same time, and I don't know how I feel about it. Because I know she can't stay. Or she won't. It's all really confusing now.

I head to the bathroom to grab a quick shower after doing a quick rounds of the house. I have a long day ahead of me with regards to schoolwork and a visit to the local SPCA with the sophomores and prospective recruits. The house is still eerily quiet, which is a good thing. If I'm going to get Bella out of here unnoticed, then I'm going to need the house to be as empty as possible.

She's awake when I return to my bedroom, dressed solely in a towel wrapped around my waist. Okay. I definitely didn't think this through. I feel terribly exposed as I stand there, awkwardly keeping my body turned away from her.

"Hi," I croak out, skulking towards my closet. "I, uh, didn't mean to wake you."

"You didn't," she says, her voice raspy from sleep, and I force myself not to groan. Jesus. The way she's looking at me... I'd be an idiot not to figure out that she likes what she sees. I'm not a particularly big guy like Emmett or Jasper, but I'm lean enough. I have a runner's body, which means chicken shit to me when her eyes are raking over my body the way that they are right now.

I reach for an old t-shirt on my desk chair and quickly slip it on. I disappear as much as I can into my closet and gather a pair of boxers, jeans and socks, before I head out of the room again. When I return fully dressed, she is also fully dressed, shoes, coat and all. I hang my damp towel up on one of my closet doors, before bending to retrieve a pair of sneakers.

"Harry and Billy have been rearing to go since the sun came up," I inform her, as I sit down on the end of my bed to put my shoes on and tie up my laces. "Rose texted; she said that the reporters went home around midnight. Of course, though, there's got to be increased speculation about where you spent the night, so we're going to have to get you out of here without a single person laying eyes on you."

She just nods.

"I trust my brothers, but I think even this bit of news is too much for most of them."

She just nods again.

"Do you want to use the bathroom?" I ask.

"Please."

I lead the way out of my room and down the hall. It's a bathroom that I share with Jasper and Emmett so it's relatively clean, if not currently steamy. I wait while she does whatever she does, and then we're going back to my bedroom. She looks calmer, a little more relaxed, and she finally speaks more than a single word to me.

"Did I snore?" she asks.

I can't help my smile. "No, but you do talk in your sleep."

"I do not," she counters immediately.

"You definitely do." I laugh lightly, teasingly. "Now I know why you were adamant about not sleeping with me."

She slaps my chest in response, and I trap her hand with one of my own.

"Well, now that you have, technically, slept with me, was it really that bad?"

She looks down at our feet, visibly trying to think of the best answer. It looks like she's fighting over what she wants to say, and what she knows she has to say. When she finally makes a decision, she raises her head and meets my gaze. "I don't even remember it."

I gasp, as I drag her hand over my chest to where my heart is. "All I ever do is love you and this is how you treat me."

She traps her bottom lip between her teeth and ohgod ohgod somebody help me.

"But I understand," I say, trying to distract myself from pulling her flush against me and kissing her senseless. "I totally understand. I'm just a piece of meat, that you sleep with and then leave in the morning."

She takes a deep breath. "Jesus, dramatic much?"

I can feel that this is it. Our little adventure ends now and, as much as I want to keep her locked away in my bedroom with me; there's an entire world going on out there that demands our attention. So I step back. "Harry and Billy are waiting," I say, releasing her hand and starting for the door. "We should get going."

She grabs my arm before I can fully turn away. "I'm sorry."

"For what?"

She squeezes my arm. "I'm sorry that I'm making it so difficult. I just don't want to ruin it, Edward. I couldn't bear that. What if I ruin it?"

"I don't think now is the time for this conversation," I say, and I mean it. "I'm still reeling over what you said in your sleep."

She swallows. "Are you ever going to tell me?"

"Let's go."

She doesn't release me. "Tell me."

I take a deep breath, preparing myself. "Yesterday, I was the person you called, Bella. You called me to come and get you. You called me and I came. I dropped everything, and I came to get you."

She swallows again, clearly uncomfortable with my tone or with my words.

"You asked me to save you."

"What?"

"In your sleep, Bella," I explain. "You asked me to save you."

She looks panicked. "Oh."

"I'm always going to save you."

For a moment, she looks like she has absolutely no idea what to say. Then something happens. Her features turn to a look of determination, then sublime relaxation. It's as if she's made some kind of decision, and I can't help but think it's about me.

Before she can say anything, I step forward and place a gentle kiss against the crown of her head. My lips linger, and I fight the urge to wrap my arms around her and just hold her.

I love her. I'm desperately in love with her, and it is probably the best and worst thing to ever happen to me.

"Right," I eventually say, clearing my throat; "so, let's go." I start for the door, her hand in mine, and I lead the way out of the house.

Harry pulls the car around the side street and we go through our neighbour's front yard to get to it. The entire thing is uneventful, really, and I'm grateful for it. Bella already has enough to deal with, now that the reporters are out for blood.

She bids me goodbye, placing a gentle kiss against my cheek and then she is gone. Harry takes off down the street and still I stand, watching as the car disappears from sight. Eventually, I let out a long, satisfied breath and then head back to the house.

I love her. I'm so in love with her.

And to think I was going to catch a fucking nap.