Chapter 3: The Invitation
Elizabeth looked at Bella with humble eyes for a moment as she had the most brilliant idea. "Darling, if you need a place to stay we have plenty of room at our home. You are more than welcome to come and stay with us." She smiled a very wide, friendly smile; she was really hoping that Bella would accept her invitation. "We love having guests, and we have not had any in such a long time now."
Edward closed his eyes for a long moment, feeling faint, and was glad that his mother was able to hint at home because he needed to go there himself and rest. He did not know how sick he truly was; he just thought it was another common cold. Finally opening his eyes, he looked towards his mother and nodded in agreement. "Yes, she does enjoy playing host. Please, I do insist that you join us if for nothing more than tea." Looking to Bella, he gave her a smile and held out his arm to her, even though he wanted nothing more than to lay in his bed and go to sleep.
Bella dropped her hand to smooth out the full skirt of her dress as she looked back and forth between the two of them. All she wanted to do was take off running but she felt oddly compelled to stay by Edward's side. "Of course, Mrs. Masen, I would be honored to stay at your home." She couldn't help but cringe slightly as the words left her lips. It was going to look quite strange when she showed up with no bags and no money after saying that she was visiting the city. Frowning, she racked her brain for an excuse as she bit the corner of her lip nervously. "I'm afraid I am going to sound like a charity case though. This morning after I left the train station my bags were stolen and I was left with only the clothes upon my back." Finally, she pulled her gaze back to Edward, noticed his extended arm, and took it without question.
Elizabeth stood there taking them both in, not quite knowing what to make of the strange beauty. There was just something off about the young girl, and she would figure out just what that something was. Smiling she nodded and glanced up at the darkening sky, which was beginning to look like rain. "Oh dear, that's terrible. Well do not worry; we have plenty of clean clothes you can borrow." She pursed her lips and folded her hands together. She was obviously pleased that Bella had not refused her offer. Without wasting a moment, she turned towards her son, "Edward, you take Bella home and show her where she can stay, second floor guest bedroom. And I shall stay here and see to getting you your jacket. I know all your measurements, so it will not be a problem." She smiled and waved them off before she turned around very quickly to hide a very faint cough.
Nothing escaped Edward, but he knew that now was not the time to question his mother so he simply began to turn and lead the fetching young beauty in the opposite direction. "This way, Miss Cullen, we live just down the street from here." Again, he could not help himself from staring down at the young girl, even though she was partially obstructed under the hideous hat she was wearing. He could feel the cold of her hand on his arm through his jacket, but he chalked it up to the fever. They walked in silence through the people milling on the street as Edward fought his brain to come up with something half way decent to say but thankfully, they were walking up the steps to the modest two story home. "Here we are, Miss. I will show you to the guest bedroom upstairs and then I must excuse myself for a moment."
Bella walked along in silence with him slowly as she struggled to take everything around her in. She had so many questions she wanted to ask him but for fear of being committed to an insane asylum against her will, she was opting to keep her mouth shut. As they walked, she kept her hand on his arm as lightly as possible knowing she could hurt him without meaning to with a flick of her finger and with that thought she gasped silently knowing now what he had tried to make so clear to her when she was human. Coming out of her stupor, she smiled up at him as he led her up the stairs. "It is a beautiful house Edward I can see why your mother is so apt to invite strangers home." Bella glanced into the guest bedroom before disengaging her hand from Edward's arm, "Again thank you for your kindness." With a step forward, she crossed into the room and seconds later, she heard his soft footsteps retreating down the stairs leaving her with her thoughts.