Day 27

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"This isn't the right way." Edward twisted in his seat, pointing to the exit they'd just passed.

"Yes it is." Bella checked over her shoulder before she changed lanes. She'd been avoiding this conversation.

"But I live in New York. You said you were taking me home."

"Edward, where do your parents live?"

"New Jersey."

"Where does your sister live?"

"New Jersey."

"Where do my parents live?"

"New Jersey."

"Where do I live?"

"Look, if this is going to be one of those things were you ask me eight questions so I'll answer the way you want me to I'm on to you. I escaped New Jersey, I wasn't planning on going back."

"Okay." She signaled and moved right. "I'll get off at the next exit, drive you to your apartment, and leave you there. Alone."

"But, but, you said you'd take care of me."

"Yes. At my place. In New Jersey."

He crossed his arms and slouched down in his seat.

"Alice told me, saying you live in a walk-in closet is an insult to walk-in closets."

"It has a window. Closets don't have windows." She could tell he was pouting by the way his arms were crossed even as he stared out of the car.

"Your apartment only has a shower. I have a whirlpool tub."

He tilted his head. "Tell me of this tub."

"It's deep, long enough to stretch out. And there's a heater, so it keeps the water warm as loooong as you want."

"Hmmm. I should visit this tub. Just to be courteous."

"Oh yeah, that's you. All about the courtesy."

"I've been sick, you're supposed to be nice to me."

"If I had to watch another nurse or volunteer or anyone female be nice to you again I'd have to start practicing my surgical skills."

"They were just being friendly, you shouldn't hurt them."

"Who said I would be practicing on them?"

"I never knew you had this evil side."

"I never knew you had this whiney side."

"I'm tired of itching and not being able to scratch. A man likes to scratch things."

"I know. We're almost home."

Turning onto her street Bella sighed. She could see a swarm of balloons in front of her place even from the far end of the neighborhood. Some enterprising fans must have left their tributes to Edward Cullen at her house. She'd made sure all the balloons, flowers and teddy bears sent to Edward by strangers had been forwarded to the children's floor, after first removing the cards, notes, photos and phone numbers that came with them. A red lingerie teddy went straight into the garbage. All it took was that magazine cover, a few inappropriate pictures on the internet, and her Edward was suddenly being claimed by girls and full grown women from all over the world. She'd looked at the twitter accounts and tribute websites that sprung up overnight. Bella agreed: he was handsome and kind and smart and gorgeous, but these groupies didn't seem to get that he was hers! She had no idea how it had gotten out that she and Edward were connected, but it was 'out there' and despite their relationship being known, it was not being respected. They hadn't had one minute together as a normal couple, yet people were predicting the end of their relationship, stating they were only together because of the stress of their confinement. Otherwise normal woman had taken up wearing 'The Future Mrs. Cullen' and 'Nurse Cullen, Examine Me' tee shirts. It was rude and aggravating, but Edward found it funny.

"Babe," he'd said, probably when she was dabbing him with calamine lotion, "Those chicks don't know you. If they did, they'd realize they don't have a chance."

It was creepy that they'd found her address, and that they'd gotten into the gated community. There were some conspiracy theories floating around that Edward actually did have Ebola and 'Dr. Swan' was some kind of super expert, posing as a girlfriend when she was actually caring for him in secret so the public wouldn't panic. Some of the stories were quite romantic—that they met in Africa, these versions ignoring the fact that Africa was a continent and they'd been in different countries. Then there was the Tanya theory, fed by the woman herself, that Edward was secretly waiting to get well so that they could be reunited. This one irked Bella the most, she could admit to herself. Tanya had been with Edward on the outside—she had the pictures to prove it. She claimed that she forgave Edward for his indiscretions while in quarantine, although she didn't say it so politely. Tanya had said, "Edward was always a horny dude. He couldn't go that long without getting some, same as me. We have a understanding." She even used the stupid air quotes when she said understanding, as Bella saw in the video her mother had so kindly forwarded to her.

Did Bella believe her? No. But it still was an unsettling feeling, like having a giant pimple on your nose. It wasn't going to kill you, but everyone could see it and it was as annoying as hell. Tanya was that zit that wouldn't go away.

Edward must not have spotted the balloons yet. He loved them as much as they annoyed her. His eyes were closed, his head back against the seat. "When am I due for more Benadryl?"

"Half hour." She knew he knew the correct timing for his next dose, he was just hoping that if he asked again she'd push it a little closer for him. She wouldn't.

"Uggggh." Edward rubbed the palms of his hands together rapidly. It was a trick she showed him to take his mind off the place that was actually itching. He had pox everywhere. It was funny but not funny, as she dabbed the spots around his crotch. She'd volunteered for the duty, exerting her ownership of this part of his anatomy. She was happy that this wasn't the way she'd first seen him naked, there was nothing sexy about it. It was sad, even as he joked, to see him so uncomfortable.

The driveway was blocked by dozens of get well balloons and a bunch that read 'Welcome Home.'

Her mother came out the front door, waving at them.

"You're here!" Renee ran up to Edward's side as Bella parked. "Edward, let me help you out."

"Mom, he can walk. That's not his problem."

Her mother had been overwhelmingly contrite, at first. That somehow morphed into revisionist history as Renee claimed, "I always knew there was something off about Emmett." Bella knew that was entirely fictitious, her mother had been mad for Emmett since he first brought Renee flowers and jewelry. Looking back, Bella realized he'd courted her mother almost as much as he'd courted her.

"I cooked and Esme made some macaroni and cheese thing."

Her mother had a little bit of a love/hate thing going on with Edward's mother. She loved that Esme loved Bella, praising her intelligence and compassion. The problem was that Esme did not agree with Renee, that Edward and Bella should now stay put in the US of A forever and ever. Esme actually had the nerve to try to recruit Renee to travel with the Smile Train to help in a non-medical capacity.

"So, do you like the balloons?" Renee looked at them with the yearning of a dog for praise. "I brought the ones in front, but those others were already here. I thought Esme brought them, but she said she didn't even think of balloons." She said it with a sniff, as though not thinking of balloons to welcome them home was some kind of moral inadequacy.

"Yes, they're great." Bella thought they were anything but great, having overdosed on balloons through Edward's daily deliveries.

"Thanks Renee, they're super." Even with the crusted marks on his forehead and neck, Edward was disarmingly handsome.

Renee simpered back. "I'm glad someone appreciates them."

Bella rolled her eyes. How is it, that even as an adult, her mother could evoke those teenage feelings with one statement or glance? Then again, Bella had been back to her place a few times while Edward was in the hospital. Renee hadn't produced any balloon display for her. Great, she thought, now I've reverted to a jealous pre-teen. She loved her mother, but sometimes the woman brought out the worst in her.

For a minute, she wished they were back in quarantine, just the two of them talking and laughing and joking with Ben or Angela. She never thought she'd ever want to go back there, but the real world was more intrusive than she'd ever imaged. Maybe what they'd found in their quarantine wouldn't translate to the outside world.

"In we go." Renee held open the front door, waving them on like toddlers.

Bella liked her home, it was functional, clean and comfortable. Suddenly she worried that Edward would feel out of place. Maybe it was a mistake bringing him to her home, maybe he wouldn't be comfortable knowing she'd so recently lived with someone else in the same space. Emmett had kept surprisingly few things, besides his clothes, here. She didn't miss the big ugly recliner or the gaming system and oversized tv that went with him when he moved out. Her mother had replaced the bedding, so while it was the same bed the bedroom didn't look anything like it did when Emmett slept there. She'd been back and forth from the hospital a few times, but instead of relaxing on her plush sofa or getting a real sleep in her bed, she only rushed to get what needed to be done quickly, then headed back to Edward. He was her home now. This place was only where she kept her things.

She smiled as he entered the living room, looking around and nodding his head. His smile filled the place up.

Renee was fluttering, putting out bowls on the table. "I made soup. At last you'll get some good food."

Bella put her head down and smiled. She didn't want to point out that they'd had fantastic food in quarantine. Her mother meant well. It wasn't her fault that Bella just wanted to get Edward alone, even if he wasn't able to be intimate, she just wanted to be with him, in the quiet.

"Did you know, I heard on the news that Angelina Jolie has the chicken pox too? So I guess it happens."

Yes, Bella did know. Almost every person that had come in contact with her felt the need to mention it, that since someone famous had chicken pox as an adult, that Bella wasn't making up a story, since apparently her poor, pox covered boyfriend was not proof enough. Edward put his hand over hers. He didn't seem to mind the whole Angelina thing, but he'd heard Bella go off about it more than once, and must have sensed she was about to blow.

Renee remained oblivious to her daughter's distress. "This box came, addressed to Edward."

Great, Bella thought. What would this be? More sleazy pictures, another set of handcuffs, a second naughty nurse outfit?

"Oh, let's see." Edward had his hands on the box before she could protest. Bella suspected he was the kind of kid who'd hunt out, unwrap and rewrap all his Christmas presents.

She should warn him that…too late, he'd ripped it open already.

He pulled out a piece of paper. "There's a note."

There was always a note. 'You're so wonderful', 'You're my soul mate', 'Me and my twin sister want to do you, name the day and time'. His fan mail ranged from the sweet cartoon scribbles of children to lurid photographs. After vetting the slimy ones she felt like running through decontamination again. Of course she'd given Edward the sweet ones, so of course he expected nothing less than adorable.

"What?" His eyebrows went up as he read.

Bella snorted to herself as Renee ladled out the soup, waiting for Edward to explain.

"It's from Ben. They had to sanitize everything in my room. They were going to throw it out, but Ben put it in a bucket of bleach." As he shook the box it made a clinking sound. "It's the Sandcrawler. It came apart, but he said it's all here."

-21 days-Day 27-

Renee gathered the dishes from the table. "After I take care of these I'll go run Edward's bath."

"Mom, thanks, but I'll take care of that."

"Ok." Renee set the stack on the counter. "I'll go run—"

"Mom, thanks for all your help, but I think I can handle things from here."

Edward sat, trying not to squirm too much. He was itching, but if he showed it the two women would be on him immediately. He was waiting for the Benadryl, delivered exactly on time via Dr. Swan, to kick in. He felt a little guilty that he was enjoying the two of them essentially fighting over him. It was sweet of Bella's mother to care so much and it was funny that the strong, confident woman he fell in love with was whining over her mother's mothering.

And though Bella thought he was unaware of the extra special attention the female staff had been giving him, he was. He found that laughing it off worked best. Laughing acknowledged the person without giving them hope that he thought anything more of their behavior. The only woman he was concerned with was giving her mother the eye, as Renee continued not getting the hint that he and Bella really just wanted to be alone. For the first time, completely alone, without a guard, doctor, nurse, parent or epidemiologist within hearing range. He was going to have to say something. How to not offend, but still get the lady to leave?

"Bella, I think…I think I may have a new…outbreak."

"What? They should all be on the way out by now. Let me see it."

In reality, Edward had almost no shame and would strip as needed, wherever needed, which was how those pictures wound up on the internet. He needed to pretend that he could be embarrassed.

"It's kind of, umm." He glanced down at his lap a few times, till he could see Renee react. "I know you said the fresh ones are still contagious." He knew Bella's mother was extremely nervous about germs in general.

"Your father is going to be looking for his dinner soon. I better go." Renee closed the dishwasher. "Call me if you need anything, anything at all."

"We will." Bella looked visibly more relaxed than a minute ago.

"Thanks for the soup and everything Mrs. Swan."

"Now you call me Renee, I told you that, and you feel better." She blew a kiss and was out the door.

Bella stood until her mother's car started, then turned to Edward. "You did that on purpose."

"Are you mad?"

"No." She kissed the top of his head. "But I'm going to examine you anyway."

…

Bella sat on the side of the tub in shorts and a tee shirt while pouring more of the powdery stuff into the water, swirling it in with her hand.

He sniffed the air. "I usually have maple syrup and raisins with my oatmeal."

"I never had an oatmeal bath myself. How does it feel?"

"Come on in and find out." He enjoyed her playful smile as she answered him.

"Next time."

He eyed her legs and the smooth skin of her arms. He'd never had the chance to look at her at his leisure. Every minute together to this point had been at some level of drama. At least he'd been unconscious for a while, Bella had been aware of every crazy minute. There was something so right about being with her, but she was too far away. He wanted to touch her. She folded a towel, then bent over to pick up a piece of paper, showing him her lovely rear view. Parts of him that were under water started responding. That was a good thing, he noted, nothing wrong with his plumbing.

"I'm saving you a seat. You can sit in my lap."

She shook her head, "When you're better."

"Promises, promises." He slid down until the water reached his ears. "Although this feels nice, it's is not how I envisioned using your tub for the first time."

"Hmmm." Bella moved down to the tile floor next to the tub with her hand in the water. "What was your vision?"

Edward found her hand and stroked her fingers. "More bubbles and a lot less clothing on your part."

"Tell me more."

"Marry me."

"What?" Bella tried to pull her hand out of the water, but he held on tight. A little water splashed over the side.

He pulled her hand to his lips. "Marry me Bella. I love you. Whatever happens next, I want you with me."

"When?"

"If I can find someone who does underwater weddings, right now." He looked at her face, where it looked like she was fighting a smile and tears at the same time. "Since you asked when, I assume you mean yes, or is it only if it fits into your schedule—"

"Yes, yes yes!" She stood so she could kiss him better, but he took the opportunity to pull her onto his lap, the oatmealy water splashing over the side of the tub. Breaking contact with his lips, she said, "People will say we're crazy."

"That's not new for me."

"Does that mean you'll move to New Jersey?"

He made an exaggerated sigh. "Yes, even that." He sat up enough so that her head stayed above the water as he held her to his chest. "Wherever you are is my home. Even New Jersey."

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A/N: 1- In my opinion, New Jersey gets a bad rap. There are many beautiful places, but you won't see them from the infamous NJ Turnpike.

2-Pretty sure I messed up the day count, I was without internet for too long. The next epi-sort-of-chapter things will be a time jump, so don't expect the days to match up anymore

3- I forgot to thank Missus T for reccing me on the Lemonade Stand. Thank you kindly. I do appreciate it.

4- It's true, my little fangirl heart skipped a beat when I found that Planet Blue was following my little tale.