Eternal Night

2. Repercussions

"Bella" His voice wafted over to me in my sleep. Its beauty washed over me and made my heart race and head spin instantly. His soft chuckle brought me closer to consciousness. He repeated my name twice more before I mustered up enough energy to open my eyes.

When I did he was still there, holding me close to him. His gorgeous yet dark eyes looked into mine, trying to read my soul. A small smile broke across his angelic features making him even more heavenly.

"Bella, no matter how much I would rather stay here holding you all day, Charlie is waiting downstairs to talk to you, and we have to go to school." His face immediately fell when he mentioned Charlie. My face mirrored his reaction; today Charlie would be talking to me about my motorcycle escapades.

"I'm going to die during this conversation." I said weakly. Edward ran the back of his hand up and down the line of my jaw. He didn't say anything, just continued to brush my face with his lips and fingers. I closed my eyes and reveled in his touch, he was trying to tell me he would be here and I knew in that moment it would be true. I nodded my head slightly in agreement with myself before I spoke.

"I know that you don't want to leave," I pressed my finger gently to his lips when his eyes were washed over with sheer worry. "But, I think that you need to go home and change, and you need to get something to drink. You can come pick me up for school in an hour; I promise I'll be here waiting."

Indecision was clear on his face. I didn't want him to leave either but if we were going to school, where emotions run high and thoughts are uncensored, he would need to have as much control as possible. Today was not going to be easy.

"One hour, you can come get me in one hour." I didn't even wait for his answer, I wasn't sure if he was intending to. I pushed myself up onto my elbows and lay a soft kiss on his forehead. When I pulled away his eyes were closed and he was breathing my scent in deeply, he gave me an almost imperceptible nod.

As I went up to grab my bathroom bag and some clothes his arms wrapped around my waist again. Now he kissed my forehead and whispered right into my ear 'one hour'. With that he was gone.

I shuffled into the bathroom and turned on the hot water. Right before I was going to strip down to get in I realized I had forgotten a shirt in my room. I ran back in and grabbed a blue long sleeved v-neck top. On my way back to the bathroom Charlie's voice drifted up the stairs.

"Bella hurry up in there I want to talk to you before you leave for school." I grimaced and winced at his tone. He was so distant and cold, not the usual Charlie. While in the shower washing my hair I couldn't help but think about how badly I had screwed everything up again. I did something that I had promised Charlie I would never do. He wasn't supposed to have to worry about me. With all that was sure to come I began to worry about his health. Harry wasn't that much younger than Charlie, and then I remembered Sue and Leah and the rest of the kids he had left behind.

I vowed right then and there that wouldn't be Charlie. I would take my punishment for what I had done without complaint. I have to try and cause him as little stress as possible, and repair the damage I have already done. I would also have to convince him to go get a check up at the hospital, just to be safe.

Before I could get too lost in my thoughts I rinsed my hair and got out. When I was done brushing my teeth and hair I got dressed and made my way downstairs. I smiled to myself when I made it down all twelve steps without tripping once. My small victory was short lived however, when my foot caught on a tackle box near the doorway of the kitchen.

When my face my contact with the linoleum of the kitchen floor Charlie's boot clad feet shuffled into my line of vision.

"Bells are you alright?" his voice was thick with concern as he pulled me up off the floor by my shoulders and settled me into one of the four mismatched chairs of the small table.

"I'm fine." He nodded and turned away back towards the counter. When he came towards me again he had a bowl of cereal for both him and me. Great, this was going to be a long conversation. I bunkered down in my chair and pulled my sweater closer to me, awaiting the inevitable.

We sat there for a minute staring into our bowls of cereal before he spoke.

"Isabella," Oh God, this is worse than I thought. "I don't know what to do with you. I'm glad that you aren't walking around here like a zombie anymore but this is unacceptable. You broke a promise to me that was very important, I can't even imagine what you were thinking when you decided to go through with this, and in all honesty, I'm not sure I want to know."

I nodded slightly in response, he was gauging my reactions. I couldn't even give him the respect he deserved by looking him in the eye. From my peripheral vision I saw his wrinkled face break into a deep grimace; the frown looked like it had been carved into his forehead by a sculptor. He sighed in exasperation.

"I'm going to work, I'll tell you your punishment when I get home later, because there will be one. Come home straight after school." In a more stern tone he added when he was at the doorway, "No visitors."

The crunch of the gravel was the last sound I heard before I rose from my seat and brought our bowls over to the sink. When I was washing them I began to sob uncontrollably. How could I have done this to him? What was I thinking? Surely hearing Edward was worth it, but was it worth hurting Charlie like this?

My breathing became so erratic I had to grip onto the sink with all my strength just to stay standing. My knees gave out and I slunk to the floor, my tears drenching my pants as they fell from my pink cheeks. Quickly my thoughts turned to getting myself under control; if Edward heard this I know he would blame himself. I tried in vain several times to calm my staggered breath, it was to no avail, it was like a flood gate had been opened and I could get it shut again.

I didn't even hear anything over my ruthless sobbing. It wasn't until I was in Edward's strong hold with his breath cooling my heated face I realized the door had opened. He had tuned off the sink and was now just sitting there holding me while I wept. I focused on matching my breathing to his and soon I was able to stop the flow of tears.

"I'm going to go change my pants." He released my frail body and watched me as I made my way slowly towards the staircase. I reached my room without tripping and changed into a new pair of jeans that Alice had gotten me at the mall.

Grabbing my backpack, I walked back down the stairs slowly tripping on the last one. I caught myself with the banister and held up a hand to say I was fine when Edward flinch in my direction. Righting myself I walked past him and out the front door, getting into the Volvo without another word.

He locked the front door and replaced the key beneath the eave. He shoved his hands in his pockets and in an instant he was sitting next to me in the car. The engine purred to life as he pulled out of the driveway, the blistering cold from outside suddenly hit me with its force and I began to shiver. Edward turned on the heat and laid his leather jacket over my lap.

Within five minutes we were sitting in silence in his parking space in the school parking lot. The rain began to pound mercilessly against the car. I could feel his gaze on me but I closed my eyes and refused to turn my head away from the front windshield. His finger touched the bottom of my chin and pulled my face slowly towards him, fine, but I don't have to open my eyes.

"Bella," His voice was so sad that I couldn't' stand it. I slowly opened my eyes only to be met with the sight of his glorious face right in front of my own. His sweet breath caressed my face as he leaned in to close the distance between us.

The coolness of his lips calmed me in a way only he could, my heart beat picked up and in seconds my hands were tangled in his bronze hair as his smoothed mine. Just when I was sure I couldn't breathe anymore he pulled away and rested his forehead against mine.

We sat there staring into each other's eyes, finding solace there until we heard a persistent tapping on the passenger side door. He looked up and glared as I turned my head to be met with the picture of Alice standing there smiling sadly in a pink raincoat.

"Class is starting in three minutes." She said calmly through the glass, with that she turned on her black heel and danced towards the building. I heard Edward's sigh as he turned to the backseat to grab his back pack. I was surprised when he handed me a dark blue raincoat similar to Alice's. I looked at him questioningly and he shrugged and said Alice must have seen this morning.

I handed him back his leather jacket and pulled this new one on. It fit perfectly and was lined with black flannel, incredibly warm. I small smile crept up onto my lips as I zipped it up and readied myself to dash towards the building. With the Hand on the door handle I flung it open and got out. I turned quickly to close it but I was intercepted by a white flash. Edward picked me up in his arms and ran human speed into the school building. My attempts to have him put me down were futile.

When we reached the classroom he put me down and smiled. I smiled back like instinct. Who could deny that face? He swooped down to kiss my quickly and then grabbed my hand and led me to the back of the class to our seats.

Our fingers remained intertwined under the desks and he rubbed small circles on the back of my hand all through English. When we parted so I could go to trig he kissed me again and brushed my hair away from my face. He walked backwards away from me smiling before he had to turn the corner towards the doors. When I walked into Trig I passed by Jessica's desk. I said a tentative hello, she might still be mad at me from that night all those months ago. My thoughts were confirmed when she snorted in response. I sighed and continued my way to the back of the room and sat down. I lay my head against the cool desk until the teacher began to drone on. The rest of classes before lunch dragged on, I only got to see Edward as he walked me to each class.

When I entered the lunch room with him by my side Jessica looked up and glared at me with all the force she could muster. Beside me I could hear the small threatening growls emitting from Edward's chest in response to, what I'm sure were not very nice, thoughts. I rested my palm on his chest and he looked away from her to me and instantly calmed down.

When we sat down at the lunch table Edward left for a minute to grab us some lunch, I felt him watching me the entire time. Sure enough when I turned my head towards him he was staring at me and I smiled. His crooked smile lit up his face in response. My heart beat began to increase rapidly and his chuckle could be heard all around the cafeteria.

People turned to look at him but when his eyes stayed locked with mine people turned to me, making me blush profusely. His laughter only increased and I heard Alice and Jasper giggling beside me. I turned my head away from him and buried my face in my arms.

Alice rubbed my back soothingly and Jasper continued to laugh softly.

"Please don't hide from me." The velvet voice reached my ears and I turned my head slightly to face him. "Sorry I embarrassed you. What can I do to keep you from being angry with me?" Before I could answer his lips were on mine again. As he pressed his lips harder to mine I let out the smallest of moans in the back of my throat which caused Jasper to burst out into laughter and Alice to cough trying to hide her own.

I pulled away and hid my blush again and Edward made a small whimpering sound. I grabbed his hand under the table and he immediately resumed rubbing circle on it. After a few minutes I felt the blush in my cheeks go down and I emerged from my little hiding place only to find Edwards gaze boring into the head of someone across the room. I turned to see he was looking at Mike. I rolled my eyes and tugged on his hand slightly to get his attention, when he looked at me I said,

"Whatever it is, ignore it, I'm sitting here." His eyes softened and he gave my hand a gentle squeeze. He looked up to Alice and they sat there staring at each other. I felt a wave of calm wash over me and realized that whatever they were talking about in one of their silent conversations was aggravating one or both of them.

A menacing hiss escaped Edward's mouth and Alice raised her eyebrow questioningly at him.

"You know I will be Alice." With that she seemed satisfied and leaned back into Jasper's arms. Jasper's eyes flashed quickly towards me before Edward nodded slightly and pulled me towards him. I didn't understand that entire exchange but I was content to be in Edward's arms. Charlie was going to punish me tonight so I had to enjoy what little peace I could when I still had some.

The rest of the day past in the same manner as the beginning had. As I made my way towards the parking lot with Edward my nerves began to get a hold on me. I would do anything to avoid seeing Charlie's disappointed face again. I felt calm again and threw a grateful glance over to Jasper who just nodded and kept walking toward his car with Alice.

"Hey! Cullen!" Edward turned around to respond to Mike who had just screamed across the entire parking lot to get his attention. Edward automatically began to growl from low in his chest.

"Edward." I said in warning. The sound didn't cut off but it was much lower so I could barley hear it.

"Why don't you go wait in the car Bella." His tone told me it wasn't really a question so I took the silver key he was attempting to hand me and walked over to the parking lot. Halfway there I turned to watch. Alice and Jasper were at my side within seconds watching the scene unfold.

Mike was talking to Edward and when he responded Mike got right up in his face. Edward stood stone still, his composure never breaking. Alice gasped beside me and I turned to see her being held up by Jasper, her eyes distant. When she came back into now she growled Mike's name.

All of our heads whipped around to where the boys were standing. Now Edward was talking quickly back to Mike whose face was becoming redder and redder in anger.

"Jasper go, go!" Jasper released Alice and started to run as quickly as he could towards the boys without attracting attention. He was too late. Mike drew back his fist and hit Edward square in the jaw.

"Oh my god, Edward!" I said and started to run to where he was. He hadn't even flinched when Mike's fist made contact with his marble skin. Mike was now crumpled on the ground swearing and holding his hand. At the sound of my voice Edward seemed to snap out of his angry trance.

He bent down to help Mike get to his feet and started to drag him over to the Volvo. Mike was in so much pain that he didn't seem to care the person whose face he just tried to bash in was practically carrying him. Mike was placed in the back seat and buckled in. I jumped into the passenger seat and strapped myself in, we were already moving.

I chanced a glance at Edward's face. His eyes were almost completely pitch black and his lips were formed into a stony line. His jaw was clenched tight and his grip on the steering wheel was making small dents.

Slowly I reached over with my hand and placed it on his leg. His knuckles began to un-tense from their death grip on the wheel but his face did not change. Good enough. With Edward's crazy driving we were at the hospital in ten minutes. After explaining to Carlisle what had happened to break two of Mike's fingers and a knuckle, we left.

When we pulled up to my house the headlights reflected off the brown paint of Charlie's cruiser.

"Oh god." I trembled. I had completely forgotten about Charlie's warning.

"This is my fault I'll explain." In a second he was at my door helping me out and towards the front door. Charlie tore open the front door and when his eyes landed on Edward, he visibly purpled.

"You, leave, now." He said while pointing an unrelenting finger at Edwards's chest.

"Mr. Swan, if you give me the chance to explain-" But Charlie cut him off.

"I think you've had enough chances." Charlie's voice was growing in volume. When Edward made no motions to leave Charlie opened his mouth again to yell but I intervened.

"Dad, Mike tried to punch Edward after school, and when Edward ducked his hand his a light pole in the parking lot. We had to bring him to the hospital, and I completely forgot to call, this is my fault, but you can call the hospital to confirm what I just told you if you want."

Both of them looked at me with shock on their faces. To be honest I was shocked at myself. I am a horrible liar. Charlie however seemed to believe me.

"Maybe I'll do that, but still, Edward you need to leave." Edward nodded and released my hand to walk away. I stood there and stared after him. He would come back right? When he was getting into his car he winked and his eyes flashed to my bedroom window as if confirming my thoughts. With that I turned to go into the house.

I had to walk past Charlie to get in. Right now he looked like a bull about to charge with his hot breath blowing harshly out of his nose, making visible attempts to calm down.

"In the kitchen Bella." He said as he shut the door.

I sat down in the same chair I had this morning. Charlie didn't come in right away and I was fidgeting. I got up and went to the sink. The bowls from this morning were sitting abandoned in a sea of murky white water and pieces of cereal. With a grimace I turned on the water and started to clean them.

"Leave that and come sit down."

"Sorry, I was running late this morning and I didn't have time to clean them."

"Come sit down." Clearly there would be no putting this off. I dried my hands and sat down again. He sat across from me with his hands folded on top of the table. His stare was making feel like I was under a microscope, and I was. He was watching for signs of the zombie still, and he was looking for what had changed about me to form me into the daughter who broke promises. I began to shift around in my seat, completely uncomfortable. I looked up at the sound of his voice.

"I've decided to give you one chance to explain why that piece of death metal was in my driveway yesterday, and why I was told it's yours." I gulped down the saliva that had begun to pool in my mouth and spoke.

"Dad, when Edward told me he was leaving that day he asked me to promise to be careful, knowing full well about my accident prone tendencies. After that day that I went to Jessica to Port Angeles I decided that I didn't feel like keeping promises anymore,"

"When I found the bikes they were falling apart and I brought them to La Push and asked Jake to fix them for me, and show me how to ride. I figured that if I was breaking promises, I shouldn't stop at one. I just needed to… I needed to fell like I had some control over what was happening to my life. I know it was stupid, it's one of the stupidest things I've ever done and I know I betrayed you. I'm sorry." My voice was cracking by the time I was halfway through and now silent tears rolled down me cheeks. This hurt, reliving my decision from the other side. I directed my eyes to the clock on the wall to avoid looking at him. I brought my hand covered in my long sleeve up to my face to wipe my cheeks.

Five minutes later I had stopped crying and was waiting for the yelling to start. I was shifting in my seat again.

"Dad, please, say something." I begged. He sighed and drew in a long breath. He puffed out his cheeks for a second and then released it.

"Okay. I see why you did it now, and I recognize the need to feel control in your life. However, that was not the way to do it." I nodded. "I think that you are confined to the house until further notice. I want you to call Newton's tomorrow and get your work schedule and give it to me. You will go to school, you will work when you have to, and other than that there will be absolutely no leaving this house. I'm going to have to call your mother about this and see what else she thinks would be a suitable punishment." With those words I visibly paled. He saw this and continued.

"I'm sorry about that Bella but I'm not sure what to do with you anymore. I ate already, if you aren't hungry then go upstairs and get ready for bed. Make sure you get up on time for school tomorrow; I'm leaving early for work."

He scooted his chair back away from the table and headed into the living room. The sounds of ESPN flowed into the kitchen and into my head. I sat there frozen.

"Bella, go upstairs if you aren't going to eat."

I pushed my chair away from the table and begun to climb the steps. I clung to the banister like it was a life preserver. On the last step my toe caught on the edge and I pitched forward. I never hit the ground because Edward picked me up and brought me into my room.

We sat on my bed for a few minutes before he spoke.

"Thank you for defending me, you didn't have to, it is my fault." I just shook my head.

"I don't care what people think anymore. This is what we have and I'm going to do everything in my power to keep it that way." With that I rose and went into the bathroom to shower. When I got out I realized I didn't have any spare clothes with me.

"Shoot." I grabbed my towel and wrapped it securely around myself. I crept back into to my room. Edward was lying on my bed with his hands behind his head. When I entered the room he opened his eyes and looked over at me. His eyes widened, I thought they were going to pop out of his head.

"I forgot my clothes..." I mumbled inaudibly. But he, of course, heard. His crooked grin broke across his face again. He rode from the bed and stroked my bare dripping shoulder with the back of his hand. My blush spread from my face down to my toes and my heart was crashing around in my chest.

His eyes twinkled in the moonlight and darkened slightly. His stare wasn't hungry, well, not for my blood.

"Let me get some for you." He picked me up by the waist and placed me softly in the rocking chair. He walked back over to my dresser and stood there staring at it with a contemplative look for a minute. In a flash he had a small pile of clothes folded neatly in his hands, he gave them to me and pushed me gently back towards the bathroom.

I was in shock. I walked in and closed the door. I looked down at the pile in my hands and begun to see what he gave me. There were green plaid flannel pants with pink satin ribbons to draw them shut. They said 'pink' on the bottom. I had a hot pink tank top and black underwear. I had never seen these clothes in my entire life.

When I saw the underwear my face went even redder. I looked in the mirror at myself; my face was redder than a strawberry skittle. I got dressed and brushed through my hair. When I went back into my room he was laying back in my bed. I crawled in next to him and lay my head on his chest. He looked down at me and smiled in approval.

"Tell Alice I said thanks." He laughed in response and grinned crookedly. He kissed me gently on the lips and smoothed my hair down to my waist. I fell asleep in his arms.

Songs: 'The Only Little Boy in New York" Simon & Garfunkel

'Red Rabbits' The Shins