Disclaimer: Don't own this. SMeyer owns all.
A/N: Thank you for the lovely reviews, I'm sorry this has taken so long to put up. Exams and assignments always seem to get in the way. Read on!
We are For Each Other
Part Three
**
She's never told anyone this, but about a year after she graduated, she had gone back to Dartmouth. She had been visiting New Hampshire to tie up a few loose ends before finally moving to Seattle. The decision had been made on a whim, and she'd quickly given it no second thoughts and jumped into a cab.
She wasn't prepared for the wave of nostalgia that swept through her when she arrived at the campus. The perfectly manicured lawns and the rust of the fall leaves sparked memories of a time that had long passed. She had strolled through the hallways, enjoying the quiet bustle of students, and the echoes of lectures in the auditoriums. Walking through the hallway, she'd stopped and examined the student noticeboard, eagerly skimming the various posters for groups, social nights and sporting events.
With a soft sigh, she had turned to leave; disappointed that she hadn't seen him. It had not been her original intention to spy on him, but despite her previous hurt from his lack of communication, she had been hopeful, wishful even, that she would spot his unusual bronze hair, his tall frame around the grounds.
With a final glance around the hall, she had walked out of the building, not even noticing the salty streaks of the tears that slipped out of her eyes.
**
There is a sharp ray of sun burning through her window and she rolls over, trying to get away from the light. She shifts uncomfortably, her dress is wrapped around her at an odd angle. Pressing her face into her pillow, she groans, willing the sun to disappear. When this doesn't happen, she sighs with exasperation and finally rolls over and opens her eyes and squints through the sunny haze in her room.
Oh, God. Her head.
She closes her eyes again, ignoring the dull pounding behind her eyelids. It's too bright. Way too bright.
Another three minutes pass before she finally gathers the courage to leave her bed. Yawning loudly, she stumbles blindly out of her bed, feeling her way through her hallway and into the living room. She peers through the sunshine that has penetrated her living room, and then groans again when pain hits just behind her eyes.
She should probably like, never drink again.
Whimpering softly, she presses the heel of her palms into her eyeballs, putting pressure where the pain becomes too much. She collapses onto her couch without opening her eyes, and curls into her cushions, content to lie dormant for the rest of the day. She snuggles further into the couch; her cushions are warm and smell heavenly.
Something picks at her memory but she ignores it, concentrating on the throbbing in her head. She settles deeper into her sofa and is almost asleep again when she feels the cushion beneath her move, and something warm rake through her hair, tingling her scalp.
At first she relaxes and sighs, the gentle touch soothing against the sharp ache.
When her cushion moves again, it also speaks.
"Bella? Are you all right?"
Her eyes fly open in shock, and she shrieks in surprise, bolting upright and whipping her head around to catch the intruder in her house. Her heart races into a frenzy when she spots Edward Cullen sitting on her sofa, eyes wide in concern and surprise.
Edward Cullen. Sitting on her sofa.
Her heart is pounding, flying, and her headache increases slightly in intensity.
He is still watching her, his eyes now patient, smiling softly at her. His hair is in disarray, and his white shirt is unbuttoned at the top, untucked. He looks relaxed, tired, day old stubble showing around his chin.
She gets up, moves away from him, still staring. He is still patiently waiting for her to speak.
The questions are coming in time to the throbbing in her head.
Why is he here? What happened last night? What can't she remember? Why does she feel ill all of a sudden?
With a soft cry, she covers her face with her hands and groans softly. What on earth is going on?
"Bella?" Edward's voice is anxious and she feels him move near to her, his hands grasp her upper arms gently. Her body responds to him, the warmth spreading over her skin.
She can't help it. Tears pool in her eyes. Her head hurts so much. And she can't for the life of her figure out what her former professor is doing in her apartment, looking very much like he spent the night.
When she replies, her voice cracks hopelessly.
"Edward? What are you doing here?"
She can't bring herself to look at him, to even try and understand what is happening here.
She feels his hands stiffen around her arms.
"I'm sorry?" His voice is gravelly and low, and it confuses her even further because she doesn't understand the emotion in his voice.
She is so afraid to look up. She is afraid to look at him. Most of all, she's afraid of what she can't remember.
She wipes her face and pushes the hair back from her cheeks, and finally looks at him.
His face is controlled but his eyes are tight, his eyebrows drawn together. He lets go of her, pushing his hands into his pockets and smiling tensely.
"What are you doing here, in my apartment," she explains, wiping the moisture from her eyes.
He takes another step away from her, his face is smooth, unreadable.
"I took you home last night Bella, you were feeling ill. We ran into each other at Dwayne's?"
Oh.Oh.
Huh.
He runs a harried hand through his hair and his smile doesn't reach his eyes.
"I just stayed to make sure you were fine, but I really have to get going" He retrieves his jacket from the floor and turns his body towards the doorway.
"Oh. Um," She is flustered, "thank you. That's so...kind of you. I'm sorry I didn't mean –"
"Bella," He holds up a hand to stop her. "It's fine. It was no trouble at all. I'm glad you're okay, but I really have to run"
He smiles at her now with genuine warmth and before she can even thank him again, or offer him coffee, he strides out of her apartment.
She watches him leave, and her heart sinks. Why did she just feel like she had done something really, really stupid?
**
She spends the morning showering, cleaning her apartment, and drinking three cups of coffee. Due to her lack of sleep from the previous night, she is also extremely irritated and upset. She bursts into tears when her hot water runs out in the shower, and cries again when she breaks a vase that her mother gave her.
Her mind is working overtime, trying to fill gaps, and make sense of the morning's bewildering events, and it is making her even more exhausted, more emotional.
When her phone rings, it's eleven. She watches the small device vibrate in circles on the table. She is fearful. Is it Edward? A friend? Or even worse, her mother?
Sighing, she picks it up, and smiles when the caller ID reads Dwayne.
"Hello?" She breathes, the relief in her voice evident.
"Oh my lord. I am so hung over. And I think I just took enough Advil to knock out a baby rhino" Dwayne drawls.
She laughs. Closes her eyes. "Hey Dwayne"
"Yes, my beauty, it is I. How are you? You don't sound so good. God, are you hung over too? You bitch, I didn't know you had it in you!"
She laughs again and sighs.
"Dwayne, you would not believe the morning I've had. Or the night," Her voice is rising in octaves and she can feel the tears brimming to the surface.
"Oh, honey, no. Don't do that. Come down to that place near Jefferson. I'm on my way over now, we can get some java" Dwayne soothes.
She sniffles. Then smiles
"Okay"
**
It is warm and cheerful outside, and when she reaches the cafe, Dwayne is sitting at a table in the direct light of the sun. Even from a mile away, she could have spotted his fluro green jeans and his wild, cherry red hair. How they became so close, she could never explain, but she knows she has found truly sweet and genuine person in him. He is everything she isn't – bold, witty, creative and incredibly intelligent.
They formed an unlikely friendship, and have continued it for many years now.
"Shit, Old Lady Swan" Dwayne grins when she approaches their table, "You trying out a new Halloween costume?"
She is too tired to muster a witty reply and shoots him a sullen look as she takes a seat opposite him
"Oh God, I'm sorry. Seriously though, what's with the get up?" He gestures to her body and she looks down, realizing that she didn't actually take notice of the clothes that she'd thrown on in a daze.
She is wearing a navy blue dress that she'd bought for her mother and Phil's anniversary. It is simple, but a Halloween costume?
"I meant the hair, your eyes. Racoon eyes and anorexia was in circulation last fall, sweetheart. Have you even looked at yourself?"
She shakes her head, brushing off his criticisms. Yes, she looks like crap.
"Dwayne," she says, her tone suggesting that she isn't in the mood for this banter. "This morning, Professor Cullen was in my apartment"
Dwayne spits out the sip of coffee he has just taken and spends the next minute coughing and trying not to choke while she watches in silence.
"Oh, God, You're serious," Dwayne says, wiping his mouth and looking at her with renewed respect and fascination.
"Did you...you know. Hit that?" He asks calmly, taking another sip of his latte.
She stares at him in disbelief. "No Dwayne!" she half shrieks, causing nearby customers to stare. "I did not HIT that!"
He nods seriously, and waits for her to continue.
"That's the thing," she explains, looking down. "I don't know...what happened. He said I was sick last night and he took me home. And he stayed just in case it was serious. But...I don't know Dwayne, it just doesn't seem right. It feels...I feel all wrong"
Dwayne puts down his coffee, leans back and crosses his legs.
"This is the Professor Cullen you're in love with right? The same one you've been pining over?"
She nods miserably.
"Okay," Dwayne sighs, "I need to tell you something"
Her head shoots back up at his confession. Could he possibly hold her missing piece?
"Just don't...crucify me or anything. I did what I had to do"
The confusion must be clear on her face because he leans forward and begins to explain.
"I know Professor Cullen. Or Edward. He actually taught me. But like, years ago," Dwayne says warily, watching her for signs of hysteria.
She doesn't respond. This sounds vaguely familiar to her.
When she doesn't say anything, Dwayne continues, taking her silence as encouragement.
"And like, I knew who he was. Remember that time you got drunk and you cried all over my brand new Calvin? I remembered...and then I saw what it had done to you, sweetie. That's why I never brought it up"
Dwayne emailed me a couple of years ago. He was looking to open a gallery, and he asked for some assistance. Wanted to know if I could help out with some contacts
"You wanted help with gallery," she says slowly
"Yeah," Dwayne nods, "Wait. I didn't tell you that"
No. Edward did.
"Bella?" Dwayne is waving a hand in front of her.
"Oh my God, I think I remember" she says, closing her eyes.
Dwayne is a very talented artist. It is a wonder that he wasn't scouted sooner.
Dwayne mentioned you're still at Little Brown. I'm impressed. A copy editor at your age is something to be proud of.
"You met with him, Dwayne. You never told me. How could you do that?" She can feel the tears thick in her throat.
Dwayne has the grace to look ashamed.
"Honey, I'm so sorry. This guy has obviously done something to you. Why would I want to remind you about it?"
She feels the heat of a tear trail down her left cheek.
"Dwayne," she whispers, "I thought he was gone. I wasn't sure if he even existed anymore"
"Bells, I love you, but you needed help moving on. You should see the way you carry yourself, the way you walk," He gazed at her with pity.
"Honey, it's like you're trying to hold yourself together. I've never gotten the full story from you, only the drunken parts, but whatever he did...it killed you. You're so affected by it"
She shakes her head again, as the memories are now coming thick and fast.
She looks up at Dwayne through the haze of tears that blur her eyes.
"I love him Dwayne. I love him. I could never stop. And I tried...I tried so hard," she sobs now, her voice shaking uncontrollably.
Dwayne reaches over and holds her hand.
"Honey," his own eyes are bright with unshed tears, "Whatever happened last night was important. And if he's here...and within your reach, you have to overcome your fear"
She is angry at herself. Angry at him. Angry at Dwayne for telling the truth.
She takes a shaky breath.
"I can't do this. I can't," She cries, closing her eyes and bowing her head.
"Bells, look at me," Dwayne commands, and offers her a smile when she raises her eyes to meet his.
"I'm not going to watch you fall apart over this guy again. Go and see him. You need to get this out of your system so you can truly move on. You deserve that. You can't spend the rest of your life-"
"Dwayne," She interrupts, her voice stronger now.
"Last night, I asked Edward to stay and I shouldn't have. I shouldn't have.."
"And he stayed?" Dwayne's features were incredulous
She nods. She is freaking out now.
"He stayed. And this morning, I asked him why he was here. And he shut down. I could see it in his eyes. I can't remember everything we said, but I saw it in his face"
Dwayne leans forward. "What are you afraid of sweetheart?" He presses her gently.
She wraps her arms around herself. She is afraid of everything.
"I'm afraid to believe that he really wants me. After everything that happened. How could he want me?"
Her friend smiles and even chuckles.
"You, Isabella Swan, are the most beautiful, kind hearted, intelligent, the most incredible woman I know. Honey, if you don't do this now, you know you won't ever come back to life".
She nods, willing herself to accept the truth in Dwayne's words.
She is holding on to them as a drowning person would a lifeline.
Dwayne gets up from his chair and walks around to her side, pulling her up by the shoulders. She is expecting him to punch her, or to psych her up in some way. Instead, he wraps his arms around her, pressing a kiss to the top of her head.
"Be brave, Bells," Dwayne tells her.
**
That is how approximately two hours later, she finds herself standing outside of Edward's residence. She hadn't known what to expect, but she had been surprised by the contemporary townhouse. It is modest, and the lawn and surrounding garden is neat, clean. Her heart thuds in her ears. She cannot believe she is standing outside his home.
There is a silver Volvo parked in the driveway so she knows he's there.
She is trembling now. Taking a deep breath, she raises a shaky fist to the door and raps twice.
She waits.
Forty seconds pass and she raises her hand to knock again but the door disappears from under her fingers.
In its place, Edward's face appears, shocked, and then quickly composed into an expression of soft surprise.
"Bella, what are you doing here?"
His gentle eyes search her face, and in his simple grey t-shirt and jeans, he takes her breath away.
She wants to cry again, but raises her chin.
Be brave.
She wants to deliver a confident line. She wants to prove her maturity, her strength.
She opens her mouth to do this, and she is disappointed in what comes out.
"Edward, I remember. I remember last night"
He simply watches her for a moment, and she wonders what he is thinking. He does not seem surprised, or angry. He looks sad. His eyebrows pull together, but she thinks that he sees the desperation in her eyes.
"I'm sorry for this morning," she babbles, "I was just tired and-"
"Bella," he interrupts her gently. "Come in before you catch a cold"
She snaps her mouth shut and laughs at herself.
She is making herself out to be a bumbling fool.
He moves out of the doorway and holds the door open wider so that she can enter. She swallows hard and doesn't trust her legs as she follows him inside.
Be brave, Bella.
Be brave.
**
A/N: I'm so sorry for ending it there, but my eyes are about to explode from out of my head! I also again, apologize for the late update. It's hard trying to find a spare second to write. This chapter explores some pretty important issues for Bella, I'm also trying to fill in some blanks as the story progresses. I originally intended for it to be a three part story, but the characters keep telling me different parts of the story, so it will be extended. The next part will be in Edwards POV. Also, I'm considering writing an extended epilogue, so if you'd be interested in me continuing this fic, then please let me know.
As always, thank you for reading. I truly appreciate you taking the time to check this out. Leave a review, with any thoughts and opinions on how the story's progressing. As a writer, the most difficult part is believing that there is someone actually out there and reading..so, if you're out there and you like/dislike, then please let me know. I am genuinely interested in any critique of my writing.
BlackBerry88