Edward's POV: I was completely taken aback by Carlisle's news last week. Bella hadn't done anything or provoked anyone. Something wasn't adding up. She was paranoid, worrying about the mystery vampire, and even more worried about Charlie. She didn't know if he'd be safe or if he'd be a target again. I shared her fears.
Bella was going to be his personal home-nurse for a few days, but needed a male assistant for the hygienic portion. At the moment, she was fixing him a lunch with some materials she'd bought. She said it was 'therapy from the hospital crap'. Of all people, Bella would know; I can only imagine how many times she's had to stay in a hospital for durations of time for being so accident-prone. The hissing of the frying pan was not as attracting as the classical music playing in the background. I listened to the bars and notes. I was visualizing the timing, the bars, rests and both clefs conducting a flowing waltz for the piano, violin and cello. Beethoven's second piano concerto- a classic. I tried identifying what was cooking. Eggs? Toast? The last scent was particularly hard to guess. I entered the kitchen to see Bella flicking a strand of hair from her eyes. I slid my hands around her waist. "What's cooking?"
"I can't believe it. I just can't seem to please anyone anymore," said Bella, violently chopping a tomato to prove her discontent. "First, no-one's happy because I'm human. Then, they're less happy because a vampire tried to maul me and his psychotic girlfriend stalked me, prompting desertion followed by depression." I openly accepted the pang of pain, although neither of us wanted reminding of my idiocy. "After that, it became a werewolf versus vampire blow-up that scared the living shit out of me, then I become a vampire, and now my dad loses it because a vampire's manipulating him, and we don't know its motives-" she threw the tomatoes into the frying pan, "and it seems to make the connection between Charlie and me, thus linking me to you. To make matters worse, my dad's best friend happens to be dead, and Charlie's trying to get me back together with Jacob- or at least speaking to him and I-"
"Hush, Bella love. I understand." I stroked her hair and kissed her on the nape of the neck, "It can't get you, or Charlie. I promise."
"I hope you're right. But the entire time I'm there while the usual rent-a-nurse is in Bermuda, all I'll hear is 'Oh Bells, why don't you get Jacob to fix your truck?' and 'Hey Bells, why don't you send Edward home and let Jacob Black help me out. He volunteered, ya know?' and let's not forget 'Bells, Jacob's going to be around quite a bit; why don't you kids go bowling or something?' it would be so… uncomfortable. For all of us."
"He wouldn't say the last one."
"How do you know?"
"Because Forks isn't ready to have you unleashed into a bowling alley."
"Yeah! You'd demolish half the equipment and trip over Lord knows what into a full out face-first slide down the lane!" chimed Emmett from the living room where he was watching a football game.
"That's probably true…" she said slowly, a smile beginning to unfold on her lovely features.
"Relax, Bella. Nothing bad will happen." I assured. She plucked the tomatoes one by one out of the frying pan and onto the eggs and toast, grating pepper over them. She placed another piece of toast on top, and wrapped the sandwich for transport. She relaxed in my arms, and turned to face me.
"I'd better get some clothes ready," she said with a resigned sigh, "Alice will have already chosen what I'll-"
"Yep! And packed it all too!" she beamed, prancing into the kitchen. Bella groaned but giggled at the thought of what she'd find.
"Don't worry Bella, you have a pair of sweat pants in there too."
"Please tell me they aren't designer…"
"So…you want me to lie to you?"
I chuckled as Bella rolled her eyes. "No, I don't want you to lie. Just tell me they aren't new."
"That would be lying."
"Alice!"
Alice laughed and went to find Jasper, while Bella and I retreated to our room. Alice hadn't packed books or any of my things; she'd informed us before running off. I reached for a duffel bag in our closet and selected a few shirts from a drawer. Bella tossed me a pair of jeans from another. I bent to pack them after folding them again. I looked up and caught a pair of balled up socks between the eyes.
Bella laughed. "Gotcha."
I smirked, a plan formulating quickly in my mind. "Lucky shot."
"Nuh-uh." She retaliated.
"With your aim?" I countered.
"With your reflexes?" Ooh…touché. Two can play at that game.
I adjusted the duffel bag's position on the bed -yes, we still kept it- and jumped her. I tapped the back of her knees, causing them to buckle and scooped her legs into one arm. I had the other around her shoulders. Before she had an opportunity to do anything about it, I tossed her from the doorway. She landed squarely in the duffel bag with a 'plop', legs dangling out of an end. She didn't even cause the springs to bounce when she landed, much to our amusement. I went to assist her in climbing out of the bag. Bella crossed her arms and stuck out her bottom lip playfully.
"Lucky shot."
"Nuh-uh," I mimicked.
Esme interrupted with a light tap on the doorframe. "Alice said to interrupt, sorry. You're expected in ten minutes to be at Charlie's home. Carlisle is transporting the patient. Don't forget to feign eating while you're there, alright? Don't want him to feel out of place."
"Thanks Esme!" called Bella from her place in the duffel bag.
"Good Heavens, Edward, she's going with you, you're driving… you don't need to pack her with everything else."
"Agreed, but how will I ever get over 90 miles per hour?"
"Har har," said Bella sarcastically. I plucked her from the bag and steadied her on her feet next to me.
"Behave yourselves," Esme chuckled and she left us to finish packing. I tossed a few more items into the bag and slung it over my shoulder. We made our way down the stairs, and noticed Alice standing next to the base. She glanced at her watch. "3…2…1…"
"What are you counting to?" I asked in spite of myself.
We were about five stairs from the ground floor when Bella tripped. Alice extended her dainty arms and caught her in mid air.
"That. Get a move on- traffic's not on your side today."
"Thanks Alice," said Bella feebly.
"I'm used to it by now Bella, but you're welcome all the same." She smiled and handed me both Bella and her bag.
"I'll need a butler…" I joked as I hung Bella over one shoulder.
"No problem!" Emmett snatched her from my shoulder and bolted for the door.
"Do I get a tip?" he called from a distance.
"Yeah- next time, take the bags!" shouted Alice with a goodbye wave.
Alice's prediction about traffic had been right. We moved no slower than if Bella had been driving the truck on a clear highway. By the time we made it, twenty minutes late, Charlie was already in his favourite arm chair, propped up on cushions with a Coke in one hand. It had a pink bendy straw, much to his delight. I felt a strong sympathy for the man. He was content with simplicity and the little joys seemed to make his day. Bella said he was always like that. He was thrilled to see her, and surprisingly glad to see me as well. Charlie said he hadn't been alone for long; Carlisle left about five minutes ago. There was a folder on the kitchen table explaining to me how to 'handle with care'. I'd handled Bella when she was broken in so many places damn James to the deepest, darkest pits of hell for eternity, that I had an idea, but his skin would be tender and it would call for extra caution. Bella unwrapped the sandwich for him and balanced a plate on a cushion on his lap to catch the crumbs. He devoured it; either he was starving or it was his favourite. Either way…
Bella grabbed the duffel bags and carried them off to her bedroom. She moved to the kitchen and drew back the curtains. The clouds were dark and brooding; waiting for the perfect opportunity to open and unleash a torrent of rain. I read through the packages as Charlie unwillingly began to doze off. "The patient will slip in and out of sleep often, due to a combination of medications and general lack of energy." I read aloud to Bella, who entered the kitchen. She began reading the labels on the orange plastic containers, and memorizing which was which.
"This is manageable. His gauze needs to be changed daily, and pills administered as indicated but that's all." I had thought that it would be a full time occupation, potentially confusing and difficult when it came to administering medication. My job would be most difficult, considering Bella's prediction about getting shot when announcing our engagement almost came true. It would be awkward, no doubt, but I hoped it would go well. In all honesty, I was actually nervous. Regardless it was necessary. She hovered over my shoulder. "'Keep patient hydrated,' well, he's really thirsty all the time. Adjusting to life without beer for a while will be hardest for him."
"Could someone pass me the remote, please," called Charlie from the living room some time later. The phone rang the same moment. Bella answered and I went to the living room.
"The Sens are playing the Penguins tonight," he explained, "Last game in their series. Unless Debbie Travis plans to announce or renovate the rink, I don't think this is the right channel." I chuckled at the remark and found the sports network for him, before returning to the kitchen to get him another Coke. Bella was taking down numbers and directions galore; judging by the way she was gnawing the end of the pen; the tedious conversation was taking its toll. As I shared my vague predictions as to who would get in a brawl that night with Charlie, there was a knock at the door. I excused myself to answer it, and came face to face with one of the last people I ever wanted to see again in my lifetime: Jacob Black.
He seemed equally as surprised to see me.
"Jacob," I said civilly, moderate in tone and curbing the urge to close the door.
"—Edward," he replied curtly. I knew he was about to call me a leech, but somehow he'd managed to catch his tongue. Impressive. Jacob stepped past me into the house and strode towards Charlie to say hello. After the greetings were exchanged, there was a click from the receiver of the phone in the kitchen, and Bella came into the living room shaking her head.
"Mom's worried you're half dead and wanted to know everything. Additionally, she wants me to go with her and Phil to an ad-" she broke off mid sentence upon seeing Jacob.
"Hello Bella," He said, his voice coming hoarsely from his throat.
He looked at her with both ache and scrutiny. His eyes conveyed emotion, but his body conveyed uncertainty. I didn't like the way he looked at her; something didn't make sense. Bella was right about one thing: this would definitely be uncomfortable.