Chapter 15 - BPOV
I sit on the bed, watching as he flits restlessly around the room, picking up and putting down random objects, pacing, pointedly looking in any direction except mine. Despite the butterflies in my own stomach, I can't help but be amused.
"Edward, can you stand still for a minute, you're kinda making me dizzy."
He offers me a sheepish smile, "Sorry, Bella."
"It's okay. C'mere."
He remains standing, and I stand to meet him. He tentatively raises his eyes to meet mine as I approach him. I take his hand, my small palm enveloped in his larger one, his fingers instinctively curling around mine. "Bella…"
"What's wrong, Edward?" I lay a hand against the side of his face, my thumb gently stroking his cheek, and he leans into my touch, sighing softly.
"I have to tell you something…"
"What is it?" I prompt him.
"I knew about Mike cheating on you, and I never told you. I'm sorry. Maybe if I did, he wouldn't have yelled at you like that. We wouldn't have had to fight."
"Reality check, Edward…it isn't your fault."
His lips purse into a frown. "Bella…"
"No, let me finish. It needed to happen like this. I needed to be able to see Mike's flaws for myself. It's not your fault, Edward… He had some kind of hold over me, and it was almost like he had a piece of me."
"Did you get it back?"
"I think so, Edward… I think so," I answer, smiling.
I touch my fingers to his temple, smoothing his hair back against his forehead. "Three words, Edward, that I've been afraid to give anyone else. I've saved them for you. You can't be so hard on yourself. You're the one that has always been there."
I wrap my arms around him, hugging him lightly and I press a kiss to his mouth, "I trust you," brushing my lips to the crook of his neck, "I love you," a kiss to his throat, "I want you."
I press a soft kiss to his lips, and breathe, "It's always been you."
"I love you, too, Bella. I always have. Cause in the end, you're right," he kisses me once more, "It's always been you, too."