I own nothing
Enjoy!!
Bpov
I had to get out of there. That was the only thing I could register to do, so I turned and ran, vaguely hearing Edward calling my name, but I couldn't stop and face him. He had been so nice about everything else about me. He didn't seem to care that I was poor, working multiple jobs and living in the worst and one of the most dangerous parts of the city. Now not only did he know that I worked a total of three jobs, he new I worked in a trashy club and was breaking the law – what with being underage and selling alcohol. Even if he could look past that it wasn't fair to him. He deserved better.
The shock on his face made me feel so ashamed. I had known him little more than a week and was already lying to him. I suppose technically I hadn't lied to him, I just hadn't told him.
I pushed my way past drunken and dancing bodies until I reached the hallway that lead to the toilets. I ran to the end and pushed open the emergency exit door and curled up into a ball almost immediately. Mere seconds later I felt a hand on my shoulder. Looking up made the tears I had tried so hard to hold back fall from my eyes. Instantly I was engulfed by warm arms as my tears stained his shirt.
Epov
I held Bella in my arms as she cried. I couldn't imagine why she ran. Was she embarrassed? I had told her countless times that I didn't care where she worked or where she lived. Did she not believe me? Regardless I sat on the cold pavement, stroking her soft hair and whispering words of comfort in her ear.
Minutes or hours could have past, I wouldn't know but eventually Bella lifted her head as she wiped away her tears.
"I'm sorry" She said. "I'm ruining your shirt"
I chuckled slightly. Trust Bella to worry about offending me. "Don't be silly sweetheart it's just a shirt" I told her.
Unfortunately Bella only gave a small smile that certainly didn't reach her eyes.
"What's wrong Bella?" I said as I tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear.
She looked up at me her eyes swimming with apprehension and unshed tears.
"It's okay don't worry about me I'm fine" She tried to smile which only caused a stray tear to slide down her cheek. Bella turned away, quickly scrubbing away her tears.
"Talk to me Bella, please" I begged. "It's clear your upset and I have a feeling it has something to do with me. I can't fix it if you don't tell me what it is"
It was quite literally killing me seeing Bella crying and not knowing how to comfort her but what was worse was knowing it was me that had caused her pain in the first place.
"I-I just.....I can't......" She stuttered out. Huffing out an irritated breath she began again. "I hate that you know I work here. I hate that you have seen where I live!" She turned to look at me, the pain and self loathing evident in both her eyes and her voice. "Your too good for me Edward. I don't deserve you"
I was about to interrupt and tell her that what she was saying was absurd but I didn't get a chance.
"There's nothing I can ever give you that is worth giving!" She was saying in between sobs now. "I work three shitty jobs that pay next to nothing! I live in what I can only describe as a shit hole! I'm fucking boring not to mention painful to look at! What could you possibly like about me?" She asked but didn't wait for an answer. She was pulling at the roots of her hair in frustration. "I like you Edward, truly I do, but I know that soon enough you will see how worthless I am and I don't think I will be able to take it." Another sob racked through her small frame and I took the chance to pull her back to me, hugging her to my chest. She clung onto the collar of my shirt like it was a life line.
"How many times have I told you that none of that matters to me?" I asked rhetorically. "I care for you more than you can imagine and seeing you like this is killing me!" Kissing her forehead I continued. "It's true that I don't like where you live or that you're working yourself into the ground" As I said this she began to pull away. "But that is purely because of how much you mean to me. If anything were to happen to you I don't know what I would do. I've seen how tired you are, each day I see the bags under your eyes are darker, your eyes are bloodshot." I stroked her hair. "As for not being able to give me anything frankly I don't care. All I want is you!"
"Why?" She whispered.
"Because your sweet, innocent, funny, intelligent, caring, beautiful the list could go on forever." I told her emphasizing the word 'beautiful' in the hope to make her realise that she really was.
A few moments later she replied quietly, only sniffling now. "You may believe that now but what about tomorrow? Next month? Next year?" She asked.
"My feelings will remain the same only more likely stronger" I told her sincerely.
We sat there a few more minutes until I felt her shiver and decided it was time to go back inside.
"Come on sweetheart let's get back inside" I suggested as I rose from the ground pulling Bella with me.
I knew that she was still not convinced that she was 'worthy' of me but I vowed to myself in that moment to do whatever it took to make her see that everything I said was the truth and that nothing could push me away.
I grabbed her hand placing a quick kiss on her knuckles and lead us back into the club.
"Wait!" Bella said tugging on my hand. I stopped and looked at her questioningly. "Um...you know I'm a bartender" I nodded, not quite getting where she was going with this. "Well um you also know that I'm 19" She whispered. I furrowed my brow in confusion before suddenly it clicked. She was underage.
"Oh!" I exclaimed. "Don't worry I won't tell anyone" I smiled crookedly at her knowing full well that she loved that smile. "Only if you don't tell on me buying drinks for my underage sister" I teased.
She smiled genuinely back at me this time. "Okay" She said simply, pulling me with her as she walked back into the club.
Bpov (Sunday)
My shift was about to finish and then I would be whisked away by Alice and Rosalie for the rest of the day to go shopping. Urgh I hate shopping. Not to mention I have no money. I heaved a sigh knowing that Alice wouldn't let me off regardless of my lack of funds.
Not two minutes later a short spiky haired girl and a blonde model walked in smiling widely at me.
"Are you ready?" Alice asked excitedly.
"Hello to you too Alice" I laughed. "I have a couple more minutes left then we can go" I told her.
Alice huffed, a pout forming on her lips and her arms folded across her chest. Rosalie rolled her eyes at Alice and turned to me.
"Hi Bella" She said kindly with a smile.
"Hey Rose" I replied shyly. I hadn't talked much to Rose; to be honest she intimidated me with both her beauty and her fierce personality. I did like her though; she had always been nice to me and gave me no reason to dislike her.
A few minutes later I had finished my shift, collected my stuff from my locker and was currently sat in a cab in between Alice and Rose playing mediator. They were having an argument about which was better. Jimmy Choo's or Manolo Blahnik's. I just tuned out their 'discussion' and looked out the window.
Apov
I was quite literally bouncing with excitement. Shopping was my favourite thing in the world and now I had my own personal Barbie to dress up. Okay I know that sounds bad but seriously Bella is a beautiful girl but she doesn't know what to do with it, she is in serious need of new clothes and that was where I came in. Shopping with Rosalie was still fun but she never let me dress her up. Occasionally she would let me pick out a dress for her to try on and ask my opinion about clothes but that was it. Now my limits where endless.
I looked over at Bella as we walked in to the mall. Her skin was a beautiful ivory, her hair a lovely chocolate brown. She was a bit too skinny in my book. Maybe I can get her to eat lots of fatty stuff for lunch. Despite her skinniness she still had lots of nice curves although they were being hidden by a loose blue t-shirt and a long sleeved grey shirt underneath. Huh that was odd, it was a surprisingly warm day today considering the time of year and she's wearing long sleeves? Thinking about it I've only ever seen her wearing long sleeves. Weird. She also had on a pair of jeans that didn't quite fit her. I was confident I would be able to find her a new wardrobe easily. Maybe I should get her some lingerie, I knew that shy Bella would not have any sexy pieces in her possession, and hell I know Edward would appreciate it.
We walked into a shop and I immediately started grabbing clothes and holding them up to Bella to see what they would look like, the ones I liked I made Bella hold, the ones I didn't like I threw back on the rack. Looking at Bella's face it was evident that she was shocked and a little scared but I just pulled her along with me. I heard a chuckle from Rosalie, probably from the look on Bella's face.
"Alice I don't think I can hold anymore clothes" Bella whined.
I sighed. "Alright go to the changing room, I'll be there in a minute" I told her.
She stumbled off to the changing rooms as I finished grabbing clothes and followed after her.
"Bella?" I asked once I was walking between the different cubicles, trying to work out which one she was in.
"In here Alice" She said. Her voice was coming from my left; I turned to it and slipped behind the curtain into her cubicle.
"Argh! Alice what are you doing? Get out!" She shouted. Covering herself up with the curtain.
"Why?" I asked confused.
She looked at me incredulously. "Because I'm getting changed!"
Again I'm confused. "So?"
Bella just pushes me out of the cubicle and pulls the curtain closed, telling me not to come in until she says.
We were now in our fourth store. Rosalie and I were sitting outside Bella's cubicle waiting for her to come out and show us a gorgeous dress I found. Both of us had already chosen the clothes we wanted and were just waiting for Bella who was taking forever.
Rose sighed. "Bells what's taking so long?"
"Um I can't get it done up. I don't think I like it anyway, I'm just gonna take it off" She replied in a strange voice, almost scared.
"What's not to like?" I asked her in disbelief. "The dress is gorgeous, the colour and the cut of the dress is perfect for you" I state.
"It just doesn't ...fit right" She said sounding unsure.
"Just come out and show us Bella, then we can tell you whether or not it fits right" Rose rolled her eyes.
"No, no! I'm just gonna take it off" She said a little too quickly.
My senses were telling me that something was up so I quickly stood from my chair and walked into Bella's changing room. I was not prepared for what I saw.
Bella was stood in front of the mirror staring at her wrists. She hadn't seen me yet. She was wearing the dress I picked out and it was both done up and fit her perfectly. Despite these facts I saw immediately why she didn't want to show us the dress. It hit mid thigh and only had one strap, the skin of her upper back and arms were on full view. Her back was covered in purple bruises, a particularly angry looking one on her left shoulder blade. There was a long cut running down from her right shoulder and down below the dress, two other smaller cuts were parallel in the middle of her back. The bruises continued down her arms mixing the more recent purple bruises with the older yellowing ones. She was still staring at her wrists, so I followed her gaze. There on the insides of her wrists were multiple cuts. Before I could stop myself I gasped, tears forming in my eyes for my new friend.
Bella's head snapped up, hers eyes meeting mine in the mirror. The range of emotions in her eyes scared me just as much as the cuts and bruises marring her body. In her eyes I could see; pain, sadness, shame, self disgust, and fear.
"Bel-" I started but was cut off.
"I'm just gonna take this dress off then I'll meet you outside" She said whilst turning her back against the wall and putting her arms behind her back, all the while not looking me in the eye. Her body was tense and she had a fake smile on her face.
I decided it would be better to leave her be and bring it up again at a later date. I would find out what was going on.
Bpov
This was what I was always worried would happen. Alice had seen the marks on my body, I had to think of an excuse quickly and I had to make sure she wouldn't tell anyone else, especially Edward. I don't think I would be able to cope with all the questions and looks of pity in their eyes. No. It was decided, I would tell a story to Alice, hope she believes it and get her to promise not to tell Edward or anyone else for that matter.
After we had some lunch and spent a little longer shopping Alice and Rosalie took me back to their apartment that they shared with the boys. Alice pulled out a key which she then inserted into the key hole labelled 'pent house' and turned it causing the lettering to light up, I felt my anxiety increase exponentially. The doors opened and I stood in awe. The place was amazing. There was a wall made of glass looking out on the city, the rest of the apartment was stylishly furnished. I noticed a baby grand piano and realised it must be Edwards.
"B! You trying to catch a fly?" Emmett shouted to me from his place on the sofa.
I immediately closed my mouth as a blush coloured my cheeks.
I looked over and saw that both Jasper and Edward were sat with him. Alice and Rosalie walked over and greeted their boyfriends. Following their lead I walked over to Edward, standing shyly at his side.
"Hi" I said biting my lip.
"Hey you" He replied, grabbing my hand and pulling me down next to him.
"How was your day?" I asked shyly. I had no idea why I was so shy all of a sudden. Maybe because of yesterday?
"Perfect now that your here" He told me as he leaned forward pressing his lips to mine. I moved my lips with his, loving the feeling. To soon a throat being cleared caused us to break apart. I looked up and saw Alice standing in front of us her arms crossed over her chest.
"Edward you're going to have to let Bella go, she needs to get ready" She told Edward.
"We're getting ready now?" I asked surprised. It was only 4 o'clock.
"Yes" Alice said looking at me like I was insane. "I'll give you two minutes then I want you upstairs, is that understood?"
"Yes mum" Edward said mockingly as the rest of us laughed.
"Good boy, you get a cookie" Alice replied in a funny voice, pinching his cheeks like a grandmother would.
With that she made her way upstairs.
"Should I be scared?" I asked Edward.
He nodded his head apologetically.
"If it gets too bad just scream and I'll come rescue you" He smiled a dazzling smile at me.
"You better do" I joked.
I continued to stare at Edward until I heard Alice calling.
"Bella! Rose! Times up! Now get away from your boys, they'll still be hear when we're finished!" Emmett, Jasper and Edward laughed while I groaned and hid my head in the crook of Edward's neck and Rosalie sighed, looking like this was a common occurrence.
"You better go baby or she'll just drag you up their" Edward said trying to hold back his chuckles.
I huffed and glared at him playfully. "Some boyfriend you are" I said as I stood up. As I started to walk away Edward grabbed my wrist and pulled me to him giving me a quick kiss on the lips before he released me.
Once Rosalie and I reached Alice's room I was shoved into a chair in front of a vanity table overflowing with different powders and bottles that I got queasy looking at them all. Immediately Alice started working on my make-up as Rosalie styled my hair into long waves and pinning a few back on the side. I didn't recognise myself in the mirror, Alice had kept it natural, only enhancing my cheek bones giving my skin a slight golden tint as opposed to my naturally pale skin. Rosalie then left to get dressed, leaving me alone with Alice.
This was my chance to talk to her. If I didn't speak now I may not be able to get her alone again anytime soon and who knows when she would decide to tell the others.
"Hey Al" I started, desperately trying to calm my nerves and hopefully fool her.
"Hmm" She responded as she looked through her wardrobe.
"You know those um" Crap! What the hell am I going to say?! "Bruises. On my back"
That seemed to get her attention as she turned around and faced me.
"Yeh..." She encouraged.
Guilt washed over me as I thought about what I was about to do, but it was my only choice. She didn't need or really want the truth if she knew how bad it was. "Can we just keep it between the two of us? It's just Edward will freak out if he saw and think the worst when it's nothing really. I'm just far too clumsy. You know that" I smiled at her. "I know he'll see eventually but we've only known each other a week, I just-"
"It's okay Bella" Alice chirped in. "My lips are sealed." She looked me in the eye. "But you promise that you would say something – to me or Edward or anyone of the others – if you were in trouble, or anything right?"
I didn't won't to make a promise I had already broken so I plastered a fake smile on my face and nodded.
"Okay" She replied but from the look in her eyes it seemed as though she knew exactly why I only nodded.
I went to the bathroom quickly before Rosalie entered the room again and dabbed on almost half a bottle of liquid cover up on to my bruises and cuts before slipping on the very dress that Alice had walked in on me wearing when she first noticed my cuts. When she first handed me the dress I was appalled that she would buy it but she quickly handed me a shrug that covered most of the marks on my arms and back and a leather jacket. She also bought me a bunch of bracelets to cover up the cuts on my wrists. I'd never been so grateful in all my life. Alice was without a doubt the most thoughtful and amazing person I had ever met.
Once we were all dressed and ready we made our way to the stairs. I made sure Alice and Rosalie went first. Partly because I was worried I would fall and with them in front they might be able to help me stop before I reached the bottom and partly because the three guys were standing at the bottom of the stairs and I hated any form of attention.
As I walked down the stairs I kept my eyes strictly on my feet, willing myself not to trip.
Amazingly I made it in one piece. I looked up, a triumphant smile on my lips and saw Edward standing barely a few feet away from me. His eyes were a dark green as he looked me over, his lips parted slightly. Eventually his eyes met mine and he started walking towards me.
Epov
I was sat in the living room with Jasper and Emmett when the girls got home. I turned and saw Bella standing awestruck just inside the door way.
"B! You trying to catch a fly?" My idiot brother joked.
I watched as Bella's cheeks flushed red. As much as I loved her blush I wished that Emmett would stop embarrassing her.
Bella seemed shy around me to begin with; the only explanation I could think of was because of our conversation last night. After a particularly nice make out session with my beautiful girlfriend I had successfully succeeded in making her relax, only to be interrupted by the devil's spawn. Alice.
After Bella was summoned I stayed with Jasper and Emmett a little while longer watching re-runs of 'The Office'. Eventually we all decided it was time to go get ready before the girls were done with their pampering. I walked up stairs and decided to see if I could hear the girls. Just as I pressed my ear to the door hoping to catch the girls talking about something interesting I was stopped by a throat being cleared behind me. I whirled round and came face to face with Rosalie, one delicate eye brow raised and arms crossed over her chest.
"Care to explain why you have your ear pressed against your sister's door?" She asked.
"Uh....I.....Um" I stuttered.
"Uh...Uh" Rosalie mocked. "Just go get changed before I change my mind and tell Alice" She warned, rolling her eyes.
"Thank you Rose" I said as I practically ran to my room. I did not want Alice on my back, especially not tonight when I could spend my time with Bella instead.
"Yeah yeah whatever" She said before walking into Alice's room.
I quickly got changed into a pair of dark blue jeans and a grey button down shirt. I slipped on some black shoes and grabbed my black jacket then made my way down stairs.
Jasper and Emmett were already there when I made it down stairs, Emmett greeted me by throwing me a beer.
"Thanks" I said.
"No problaimo" He replied. I rolled my eyes. Crazy idiot.
A few minutes after we had all finished our drinks the girls appeared. Rosalie was first which wasn't surprising due to her love of attention. She was wearing a skin tight shiny black dress and black heels. If anyone else were to wear that dress she would be immediately labelled a 'slut' but for some reason Rosalie was able to pull it off, skipping right past slutty and landing on sexy. I glanced at Emmett on my left and saw his mouth wide open and very close to drooling – most likely the reaction Rosalie was aiming for.
Next was Alice dressed in a pink dress with only one strap that was black sequined, she had matching black sequined heels to complete the outfit. I chose not to look at Jasper to see his reaction as I was sure it would give me night mares thinking of the pleasure he got out of seeing my baby sis dressed like that. Shudder.
Finally I caught sight of Bella staring at her feet as she tried desperately to make it down the stairs without falling flat on her face. I smiled at how utterly adorably she was. My eyes scanned her body; I took in her sexy black heels, her long pale legs, and her midnight blue dress that reached mid thigh, her exposed collarbone that was partially covered by a black leather jacket. At last my eyes reached her face which was framed by delicate waves of mahogany hair, a beautiful smile on her lips. As my eyes reached hers I felt myself grow even harder than I had when I first laid eyes on her stunning legs. I couldn't help myself any longer, I had to touch her and make sure she was real.
I quickly made my way over to her, gently cupping her face in my hands.
"You look amazing! Stunning!" I grinned as she blushed. "Don't be shy baby, I'm only stating a fact."
Her beautiful brown eyes looked up at me as she bit her lip. With great difficulty I held in my groan from seeing her plump, pink lip in between her teeth.
"Thank you" She said shyly. "You look good yourself"
I chuckled lightly. Trust Bella to shift the topic from herself. "I know" I sighed dramatically. "What can I say? I'm the physical meaning of perfection" I looked into her eyes once more and grinned just to make sure she knew I was joking. Suddenly she burst into fits of laughter, grabbing onto my shirt as she did so.
"Baby your wounding my ego!" I stated in mock hurt.
Still grinning from ear to ear and giggling occasionally she leaned up and placed a gentle kiss on my lips. I couldn't stop the grin that formed on my face – this was the first kiss she had ever initiated between us.
"You have nothing to worry about Edward. You're the most perfect man I've ever met" She told me, her voice unbelievably sexy but her cheeks giving away her embarrassment at admitting that to me.
"Is that so?" I asked as I raised an eyebrow at her while still grinning.
"Mmmhmm" She nodded and bit her lip again.
I moved even closer to her if that was possible, every inch of our bodies were touching and unlike a few seconds ago I let her feel what she did to me. She gasped at first and looked into my eyes shocked and lustful. She was blushing more than ever and biting hard on her bottom lip.
I raised my hand and pulled her lip from her teeth, leaning forward I whispered. "Good. Because you're the most perfect woman I've ever met" I closed the distance between us, crushing my lips to hers. Her hands gripped my hair, pulling slightly causing me to moan at the sensation. I slipped one hand to the back of her neck as the other gripped her hip tightly. I slipped my tongue out and gently let it slide across her lips, immediately I was granted entrance, our tongues meeting at last. I'll be damned if we get interrupted this time. I sucked her tongue into my mouth receiving a low moan and a harder tug on my hair. Eventually we were forced to separate; I rested my forehead against hers as we fought to get our breath back all the while having ridiculously goofy grins on our faces.
Hearing a girly squeal and quite chuckling I turned to see my siblings and their partners staring at us and fighting back laughter.
"My little boys all grown up!" Emmett said in a terrible imitation of a woman's voice.
I just rolled my eyes at him.
Alice came barrelling over and through herself at me. I grabbed onto her so she wouldn't fall, reaching out with her left arm she pulled Bella into the hug and squealed again.
"You two are so great together! I'm so happy for you guys!"
Laughing at her strange behaviour I replied. "Thanks Allie" I put her down. "How about we get going?"
"Yes! That's a wonderful idea!" She then turned, grabbed Jaspers hand and ran out the door shouting over her shoulder. "Get your ass' moving now! The taxi's waiting!"
I took Bella's hand and led her to the door. We reached the lobby and walked to the doors outside, just as Alice pulled the door open a taxi stopped right in front of her.
"How did she know it would be here when we got down?" Bella asked me quietly.
"Alice knows everything" I told her somewhat cryptically but it was true, Alice had a way of predicting things somehow.
After helping Bella into the car we sped off to whichever club Alice had chosen tonight.
We pulled up to the club Vivant but instead of joining the cue Rosalie and Alice walked straight towards the bouncer like always and flirted shamelessly until her let us in. As we walked past him on our way inside it didn't escape my notice that he was eyeing up Bella like she was a piece of meat. I pulled her tighter to my side in response.
We soon found a table near the back of the club and sat down. Emmett returned with the first round of drinks quickly and handed each of us our chosen drink. We stayed like that for the first hour just enjoying each others company and the pounding beat of the music until 'Way I are' by Timbaland, D.O.E, and Keri Hilson came on to which Alice clapped her hands together like a two year old and demanded that Rosalie and Bella go dance with her. Bella did not like that idea at all.
"No, no, no Alice I don't dance. Ever." She explained as she leaned into me for protection.
Alice put her hands on her hips and glared at my girlfriend. "Bella I did not get you all dressed up so you could sit on your toosh" Emmett, Rosalie, Jasper and me all laughed when she said 'Toosh' which earned us glares from both Alice and Bella. I shut up immediately.
"But Alice I really can't dance! I'll look like a complete idiot out there!" Bella whined as she pointed at the dance floor.
Alice rolled her eyes. "Oh please Bella, stop being so melodramatic you'll be fine! I'll personally tell you if you suck. Okay? Okay. Conversation over." She grabbed Bella before she or I had a chance to stop her and pulled her over to the dance floor, calling Rose to 'Get her ass over here now!' as she went.
I watched as Bella stood nervously not sure what to do in the swirling mass of bodies surrounding her. Rosalie and Alice danced around Bella trying to get her to loosen up and let go. Slowly she did just that as I watched in awe as my girlfriend swayed her hips to the beat, running her hands down her body. By the time the song was over I had a raging hard on again and was out of my seat making my way to my girl. I saw the guys around her looking ready to pounce and I sure as hell was not going to give them the chance.
Just as I was about to reach her the song 'Scream' again by Timbaland, Keri Hilson and Nicole Scherzinger came on. I moved behind Bella and put my hands on her hips, she immediately stiffened and went to pull away but I quickly leaned forward and whispered in her ear. "It's ok it's me" She leaned back until her back was pressed against my chest. Tightening my grip on her hips I moved mine with hers as I trailed kisses along her neck.
"You have no idea what watching you dance does to me. You are so unbelievably sexy." I told her in earnest.
"I think I do" She replied as she grinded her ass against my erection.
I groaned out loud and followed her lead by grinding back against her. I moved my hands from her hips and glided them over her flat stomach and further up until my thumbs skimmed the edge of her breasts, earning a moan from her. I then moved them down again leaving one hand splayed across her stomach and let the other glide down to the hem of her dress, I gathered it slightly as I felt the soft skin of her leg, stroking the inside of her thigh. Her head fell back against my shoulder as another moan fell from her lips.
"Do you like that baby?" I asked.
"Yes" She panted breathlessly.
She then turned to face me, instantly claiming my lips. I responded with just as much passion as I received. She hooked her left leg around my hip as my hands found their way to her delectable ass. We grinded and kissed our way through several more songs until Bella eventually admitted that her feat were hurting.
"Let's go sit down then" I said with a chaste kiss.
Once we were back at the table we received many comments about how intimately we were dancing and several jokes and innuendos from Emmett.
After another hour or so Bella let out a huge yawn and cuddled into my side.
"Are you tired sweetheart?" I asked as I stroked a strand of hair away from her forehead.
She replied with a yawn and a nod.
I turned to Alice who always seemed to be the decision maker of the group. "Allie I think it's time to head home. Bella's dead on her feet" Alice looked over to see Bella curled into my side yawning again.
"Okay let get going." She said. We all stood and made our way out of the club as Alice called a cab big enough to fit us all in.
"Edward" Bella said quietly to me. I turned to look down at her.
"Yeah baby?"
"Um how will I get home? I don't want them to see where I live, but we're all sharing a taxi. Can you guys just drop me off a few blocks before we get there?" She asked me with worry in her eyes.
"Bella I am not letting you walk home this late at night by yourself especially in the area that you live and you being practically dead on your feet" I told her. "You can stay at our place tonight"
She looked shocked. "But I have work in the morning and I don't have any clothes or my school things"
I smiled at her. "Bella I'm more than willing to drive you home in the morning so you can get changed, get you school things and then I'll take you to work and class" I told her.
"Edward I can't make you do that" She protested.
I chuckled slightly. "Baby you didn't make me offer"
"What are you laughing at Edward" Rosalie asked.
"Nothing much" I said with a smile as I stroked Bella's cheek. "But will you please convince my girlfriend here to stay the night?" I finished. Bella pouted and gave me a half hearted glare.
"Yeah Bella you have to stay!" Alice said. Suddenly her eyes grew excited and a smile spread across her lips. "Oh my god! We could have a slumber party!" She shouted as she jumped up and down clapping her hands.
"Al I think we're all way to beat to have a slumber party" Rose told her calmly.
Alice's face fell slightly.
"Come on little B! Please?" Emmett pouted and did his best attempt at puppy dog eyes. "Pwtty, pwtty Pwease"
Bella laughed tiredly then sighed and nodded, most likely knowing there was no point in arguing, she was outnumbered.
Just then the cab arrived and we all climbed in. Bella immediately rested her head on my shoulder and fell asleep.
Once we arrived at our apartment building I carried Bella inside bridal style, I noticed that Emmett to was carrying an asleep Rosalie, Alice being the only girl still awake. I spent the elevator ride staring at Bella's peaceful face.
I carried her as carefully as I could upstairs but I jostled her slightly as I attempted to open my bedroom door. Her eyes opened slowly as she took in her surroundings, when she focused on me she smiled brightly.
"Hey sleeping beauty" I smiled back at her.
"Hi" She looked down confused. "Why are you carrying me?"
"You fell asleep on the ride here" I said simply.
"Oh. Sorry." She said sheepishly.
"No need to be sorry sweetheart, you were tired" I said matter of factly.
I realised then that I should really ask her whether she was comfortable with sleeping in my room.
"Ah Bella would you be okay sleeping in my room or would you prefer the guest room?" I asked nervously.
She looked at me for a few moments seeming to contemplate something.
"Could I stay with you in your room?" She asked shyly.
A grinned spread across my face. "Of course you can"
I carried her the rest of the way into my room and set her on my bed.
I stood nervously scratching my head.
"Um I'll leave you to get changed" I said as I grabbed my pyjamas and moved towards the door.
"Edward?" Bella's quite voice called out to me.
I turned to her. "Yeah?"
She looked down at her hands blushing. "I don't have anything to sleep in" She said quietly.
"Oh" I moved over to my dresser. "I have a T-shirt and boxers you can wear. Or sweats if you'd prefer." I said as I pulled out said items.
"Do you have a long sleeved top? I don't want to get cold" She replied.
After a quick look I found an old long sleeved blue shirt. I handed her the shirt, boxers and sweats as she still hadn't told me which she would prefer.
I then left the room to let Bella get changed and quickly changed myself in the hallway. I paced up and down, nervously running my hands through my hair. I had no idea how long to give her; I didn't want to rush her. To occupy my mind I thought of how different Bella and I had been at the club. We were both more confident and daring, Bella especially, yet now we were back to being shy again. Although I loved the sexy, flirty Bella I also loved the shy and blushing Bella. I smiled at just the thought of her until suddenly I realised something. Loved? I had said I loved the sexy and shy sides of Bella. Not liked. Loved.
Holy cow I'm falling in love.
A few more minutes of absorbing this fact I decided that I had left her long enough and knocked on my bedroom door. I waited until I heard her faint 'come in' before I entered. Opening the door I saw that the main light was off but one of the bedside lamps was on giving the room a yellowy tint. I looked over at the bed to find Bella already tucked in on the left side with her back to the door and her head tilted slightly so she could just about see me. She gave me a timid smile as my eyes met hers. I returned the smile immediately.
I walked over to the bed a climbed in. Without even thinking I moved until I was tight against Bella's back and securely wrapped my arm around her. I waited to see if she would want to push me off or show any sign of discomfort but she didn't, instead she linked her fingers the mine at her waist.
I couldn't control the smile that spread across my lips or the feeling of completeness I felt at that small gesture. This felt right, having her in my arms, falling asleep with her. I never wanted to lose this feeling.
I gently pressed my lips to her neck before I said. "Good night love. Sweet dreams."
Bpov
I woke up in Edward's arms as he carried me to his room. After he explained that I had fallen asleep in the taxi he offered to let me sleep in either his room or the guest room. As nervous as I was I didn't want to be away from him or hurt his feelings by choosing the guestroom so after a little deliberation I chose to stay with him in his room. I knew that he wouldn't try anything, he was to kind and caring. I'm pretty sure he knew I wasn't ready yet. He grabbed me some of his clothes to wear then left the room.
I looked around his room and smiled. Typical guys room. I thought. His walls were a simple beige, there were overflowing shelves full of books, CD's and DVD's. I noticed on his dresser there was a picture of Edward with Alice, Emmett, Rosalie and Jasper that looked quite recent, another of what looked like Edward, Emmett and Alice when they were younger, maybe only around eight or nine. The last picture on the dresser was of Edward and his siblings with an older couple stood between them, I was guessing that these were his parents due to the similarities one of which Edward sharing his mother's hair. I noticed multiple items of clothes covering his floor as I made my way over to his bed. I quickly changed into a pair of his boxers and the long sleeved shirt, then laid my dress, jacket and bra neatly down on his desk chair.
After looking round his room a little longer I climbed into his giant bed and sighed as soon as I my head hit the pillow. I had never had the luxury of sleeping on such a comfy bed, it was like laying on a cloud.
A few minutes later I heard a gentle knock on the door and immediately started to get nervous again. Eventually I found my voice. "Come in" I said.
I heard the door open and close, I peaked over my shoulder to see Edward wearing only a pair of blue plaid pyjama pants and no shirt. If I died now I would have died happy. I was entranced by his abs as he moved to the bed. The bed dipped with his weight, I felt him move closer to me until my back was aligned with his bare chest, his arm wound around my waist and pulled me even closer to him.
His lips placed a gentle kiss against my neck, then I heard him whisper. "Good night love. Sweet dreams"
My heart swelled at his words. Love. He had called me love.
I had never felt so whole in all my life. Right here, right now I felt safe, protected..... loved. Even if he hadn't actually said he loved me I knew that he cared about me, my wish full thinking side hoped that that simple endearment meant something.
I knew that I was only a few days away from being head over heels in love with him, hell I might already be there.
I moved slightly to the side and placed a gentle kiss on his lips, watching him grin in response as I pulled away, whispering. "Good night Edward"
With that I rested my head on the pillow and let the comfort of Edwards arms and the feeling of protection wash over me and lull me into the most peaceful sleep I had had in years.
Well hello there, sorry again for the late update, I'm trying to apply to uni and it's stressing me out.
I was originally going to end the chapter before the club but because I took so long getting this out I thought I owed you guys a little bit more.
This is my longest chapter yet – 17 PAGES!!
Story recommendations:
Wednesday by coldplaywhore
Room 15 by coldplaywhore
Healing perfection by squarepancake
Leaf dances by ShilohPR
And I know I've recommended this story before but it is a really REALLY good story, you have to read it:
Elemental by tallulahbelle