AN: thank you all so much for the wonderful reviews and for reading.
Disclaimer: Stephanie Meyer's owns everything Twilight.
Late night secrets and living nightmares
I woke up to Edward's voice whispering in my ear telling me my family was getting ready to leave. I looked up at him and rubbed at my eyes in an effort to establish some level of coherency. He smiled down on me and placed another quick kiss on my lips and jumped up and began to help me stand.
We made our way down to the foyer where everyone was waiting for us. We said our goodbyes and went out to Sue's car. I was thankful that we had taken her vehicle, it was a chore always getting in Emmett's jeep and no way were we riding in the cruiser.
As we drove away I stared out the window trying to process what had happened in the library. I wasn't sure if it was a one time thing or how I was supposed to act around him now. I made a decision though not to question it tonight and just enjoy the lingering feel of his lips on mine.
We were home in no time and Emmett helped me up to my room while Charlie and Sue brought in some leftovers that Esme had sent with us.
"So little Bell, did you enjoy yourself today?" Emmett asked as he hovered in my door frame. Instantly I thought of the events in the library and a blush rose on my cheeks. I looked and saw Emmett wearing an odd expression obviously still waiting for my answer.
"I did, I think it was one of the best days of my life." This brought his dimpled smile to his face; he nodded and wished me a good night.
I fell asleep with my own smile permanently etched on my face.
Ж
I woke up the next morning on my own when I heard Emmett stomping down the stairs. I turned and looked at the clock and noticed it was almost noon. I sighed and rested my head back on the pillow trying to remember if I had ever slept this late in my life. This train of thought led me to remember what happened yesterday and why I was so content and relaxed enough to enjoy my slumber.
However my peaceful ideas didn't last long and my brain began turning various scenarios around in my head. With each new thought about what happened and what Edward was thinking and feeling my own anxiety and insecurities began to grow. By the time I was ready and at the staircase I had convinced myself that it didn't even happen and that I had dreamed it when I fell asleep in the library.
Satisfied with my decision about the true events of last night I made my way on my butt down the stairs and crutches sliding with me. Once I was at the bottom a hand was offered to me. I looked up and was staring at the beautiful green orbs of Edward Cullen.
We stared for a moment, neither of us saying anything, but Emmett broke us out of whatever trance we were in.
"Hey little Bell, I wondered how you got down the stairs with no help." He smiled at me and I took Edward's offered hand and began to stand.
I realized that he didn't let go of my hand right away and gave it a little squeeze and directed me to follow Emmett into the living room. Maybe it really did happen.
"So I was thinking with the moms in Seattle and the dads at work we should really live it up. Which means, I want neither of you two smarty-pants' trying to do homework." Emmett stated as he dropped into Charlie's chair as Edward helped me onto the couch.
I was a little shocked when he didn't move to the other couch in the living room, but instead sat down by me and placed my leg in his lap much like yesterday. We looked at each other and then both readily agreed to Emmett's request for no homework.
"With that said Emmett, what did you have in mind?" Edward asked while moving his hand up and down the part of my calf that wasn't covered with a brace.
"Well Eddie-my-boy, since you are hanging at Casa-de-Swan tonight with your dad working a double; I figured we could invite some of the boys from the rez up and just hang out, see where the spirit leads us, full-fill our hearts desires. Be all that w-umph" he was cut off by the throw pillow Edward tossed at his head.
"Basically play video games and watch movies and eat junk food." Edward stated, while Emmett nodded his head enthusiastically.
Both boys turned and looked at me, apparently waiting for my approval of the plans. I gave a slight nod. I really couldn't say no what they wanted to do as I was sort of confined to the house. Emmett smiled and went to get his phone to invite whoever over to the house.
Edward took advantage of Emmett's absence and leaned over and placed a quick kiss on my lips.
"Hey, I've been wanting to do that again since last night" he said quietly as he pulled a way at the sound of Emmett returning to the room.
My face was burning brighter than I ever thought was possible and looked down at my hands.
"The boys will be here in a few minutes." Emmett said, but before he sat down he huffed "I'm hungry." He then turned his eyes on me "Bella did you eat yet?"
I shook my head no and he marched into the kitchen, and there were bangs and grunts that had me worried as to what he was doing in there.
I took a deep breath and whispered to Edward "did last night really happen?"
Edward looked at me confused for a moment but nodded slowly before looking over his shoulder I assume to make sure Emmett wasn't coming.
"Is that okay?" he asked sounding nervous.
I smiled shyly at him and said it was. The smile that overtook his face was something I want to make happen as often as possible.
We weren't able to continue our conversation as Emmett had returned and held a sandwich. I noticed that there wasn't anything special about it; it had lettuce, ham, cheese and tomatoes. I looked at Emmett trying to figure out what was causing all the noise when he was in the kitchen, but I didn't get a chance to ask as a loud engine was heard alerting us to our guests.
Four very large boys from the reservation came into the house without knocking. I smelled the pizza first and then noticed the multiple boxes that the smaller one carried. I looked back at Emmett extremely confused because he just made a sandwich that I noticed was missing. Good Lord did he even chew?
I noticed that another boy was carrying a few cases of pop. They all grunted greetings to each other and I was seemingly invisible as everyone got situated. With the additional guests in the house Edward scooted closer to me and had the majority of my leg over his lap.
After Emmett took a bite of his first piece of pizza he pointed to the boys around the room. "Seth" the littler one, "Embry, Quil, and Jake; guys this is my sister Bella." The boys all mumbled hellos except for Jake. He stared a little too long at me without saying anything. I became a little tense under his gaze and Edward must have noticed because he gave my leg a slight squeeze and I assumed it was intended for comfort.
They were all fairly quiet as they ate and watched some movie that Emmett had put on. However, throughout the show I could feel eyes on me almost to the point that I thought holes were being drilled into my skull. A slight move of Edward's hand on my leg would usually distract me long enough to focus on eating. I had noticed during numerous meals that Emmett and Charlie would try to discreetly watch me to make sure I was eating and this was no different.
When the movie was over the boys decided they wanted to play some video games. I reached for my book at that time.
"Bella" Emmett dragged out my name when he saw me reaching for the object. I held it up a-la Vanna White and said "pleasure reading." He smiled and returned his attention to his friends.
"Hey Jake, how's your dad doing?" Edward asked while the others were still trying to decide what to play.
"He's alright. Just being the same old pain in the ass he always has been."
I was not prepared for what feelings I would have when he answered. They sent a chill through me and flashes of what happened a few weeks ago peppered my mind.
My breathing began to pick up and I felt as if the room was collapsing in on me. I faintly heard my name being called, but I couldn't even contemplate answering. I felt hands touch me that sent fear straight to my core and another pair that shocked but comforted me at the same time. The dual sensations only encouraged me to retreat within myself and I allowed myself to be cloaked in the darkness that had become my friend since moving to Forks.
Ж
For the first time in a while when I was starting to emerge from the darkness that consumed me it wasn't the insistent beeping of a heart monitor that drew me out, but instead soft whispers and what sounded like muffled shouting.
"Bella, are you okay? Can you hear me? Bella" the voice kept saying coating me with calm and security. At the same time that the voice was speaking I felt a hand was running up and down my cheek as well as my arms, leaving small burst of electricity in its wake.
A small groan escaped my lips, which apparently gave this voice permission to increase in volume. This was not my intention at all.
"Bella, are you okay buttercup?" I opened my eyes slowly and was met with a worried pair of green ones.
I nodded slowly, and my sight started to wander around the room and I noticed that I was moved into my bedroom. I was trying to remember what exactly had happened when a slam of a door somewhere in the house and what sounded like a stampede of hippos ascending the stairs broke my concentration.
The door to my bedroom was quickly opened and Emmett entered looking frazzled.
"Little Bell are you okay? Do we need to take you to see Carlisle? Should I call dad? What happened, you scared the every living shit out of me." He rushed out as he approached my bed, I turned my head and looked at Edward for some help, though I'm not sure what I was asking help for, but he appeared to understand.
"Em, I think she's okay and we don't need to take her in to see my dad. Plus your dad will be home soon from his shift and my dad said he was going stop by for a dinner break in between his shifts and we can tell them then."
Emmett agreed that was okay, but returned his worried gaze back over to me.
"Do you need anything, water, juice, pop, food? You look like you can use some food; I'll go make you a sandwich." He stated and the stampede made its decent down the stairs.
I looked back to Edward confused as to Emmett's logic and actions. He simply shrugged and went back to moving his hand up and down my face and my arms looking at me with an un-comprehensible amount of concern.
He leaned in to whisper "Are you sure you're okay?" I gave him a small smile and jerk of my head to show him that I was.
He looked back at my door over his shoulder quickly and then back to my eyes. His glance then shifted to my lips, back to my eyes and he approached my lips. This kiss was firmer than our others and our mouths opened at the same time, both apparently in search for oxygen. I'm not sure where my confidence came from, but I took the opportunity and slipped my tongue in between his lips He gasped at my boldness but then pushed his into mine. We battled for a while, my hands wrapped themselves around his neck and I began to play with his hair by running my fingers through it. He followed my lead and placed his hands on my waist. Both actions were meant to bring us closer to the other, and both had their desired intentions.
The herd of hippos was our best friend as it alerted us to my brother's return. We pulled apart quickly, both slightly flushed and breathing heavy.
When Emmett entered my room he ignored Edward and brought me the sandwich he had promised. It appeared to be made out of leftovers that Esme had sent with us yesterday. I looked up to his face and was met with a very proud looking face.
"Here ya go little Bell; the Emmett after thanksgiving hoagie special." He paused for a minute then his eyes started to squint and he focused on my face a little more intently then I felt comfortable with. However it was Edward that he addressed when he opened his mouth next.
"Are you sure we shouldn't take her to your dad Ed, I mean she looks a lot more flushed than I thought."
Edward quickly said that my color was returning and that I should be fine, but that they would keep an eye out for anything that looks funny.
I sighed in relief when I realized that Emmett didn't notice that my clothes were slightly ruffled and that Edward's hair was in more disarray than when Emmett went to the kitchen.
Ж
It was now 8 at night and I was in the living room alone with Charlie and Carlisle. Both had come to the house at 7, Charlie holding bags of Chinese food. We had eaten dinner and everything was fine until Emmett told them what happened today. I was hoping that the boys had forgotten during their marathon of video games they indulged in while I read after the incident.
So now I am sitting next to Carlisle and Charlie is in his chair both waiting for me to say what triggered my panic attack. The events were still a little fuzzy to me so it was taking a while, and I could see them both getting anxious the longer it took. I was replaying the events in my head for the millionth time in the past 15 minutes trying to figure out an answer when it hit me.
The sound of my voice shot their eyes up to me and they both appeared to be on the edge of their seats as if I was about to give them the solution for world hunger.
"We were sitting here waiting for some of Emmett and Edward's friends to come over. When they got there they had brought pizza and we were all eating and they were talking. I don't remember which boy it was, but one of them said something and I think it was the voice that set me off."
Charlie looked to be trying to figure out which person to murder while Carlisle had his doctor thinking face on.
"Bella, what was it about the voice that you think set you off as you put it?" he asked in a soft tone, Charlie had gotten up and was now pacing. I followed him with my eyes as he made a circuit around the living room.
"I'm not entirely sure, but I was scared, the voice it just sent shivers up my spine and I felt that I needed to get out of the situation. I guess with my leg and all of them in this room, fainting was my best option. However, I would have preferred to do it more gracefully and not have had all the hoop-la that led up to it." I tried to joke, Carlisle offered me a small smile and Charlie's had stopped pacing and was now looking at me.
"Emmett! Edward! Get down here." Charlie yelled towards the stairs. The boys had been instructed to go to Emmett's room while I was talking to Charlie and Carlisle. The herd of hippos returned a little loader this time with Edward's added presence.
"Hey pop, what's up?" Emmett asked as he plopped down next to me. Edward was standing in the corner and giving Charlie a nervous look. It didn't escape my notice that he was as far a way from Charlie as he could get in the room.
"Who did you guys have over here today?" Charlie asked them.
"Seth, Embry, Quil and Jake." Emmett answered looking a little confused to why Charlie bellowed for them for that question. Charlie nodded and then looked at Edward who flinched a little at Charlie's sudden movement.
Carlisle cleared his throat. "Boys, what happened before Bella fainted?" Edward seemed to be stunned silence because Charlie was looking at him with an odd expression on his face that Edward seemed to be unable to look away from.
Emmett answered. "We were hanging out and eating pizza. I was catching up with the boys and someone asked how Billy was and then Bella started breathing really hard and dropped her book and passed out." Charlie snapped his attention back to Emmett.
"Who asked and who answered?" Emmett looked a little confused as to what he was talking about, I think the rest of us in the room had a similar look because Charlie made an exasperated sigh and repeated his question with an additional few words.
"Who asked how Billy was and who answered."
"Oh" Edward said making his first noise since coming into the room. "I asked Jake and he answered."
The men in the room seemed to be processing this information while I was trying to remember which one Jake was. A freezing feeling came through my spine and I remembered the glare of coal eyes from the biggest boy today.
"Bells, did anyone say anything to you directly?" I shook my head at Charlie indicating that they hadn't.
After sitting for another 15 minutes Carlisle looked at his watched and stated that he had to go back to the hospital and I was allowed to go to my room to get ready for bed. Charlie, Emmett and Edward were going to watch some movie that I had no interest in.
I feel asleep that night trying to remember what it was about Jake's voice that caused me to freak out.
Ж
I woke up at 3 in the morning with a horrible headache. I remembered that Carlisle had given me a prescription for some medicine to help in case I get a headache; unfortunately the pills were left in the kitchen because I hadn't needed them earlier. I sighed and pulled myself out of bed, opting not to put my brace on. I hopped down the hallway and made my way down the stairs.
I was finishing the glass of water I had gotten to take my pills when a voice startled me, causing me to spit all of the water out of my mouth.
"Shit, sorry Bella." Edward said and approached me slowly.
As he made his way over to me I took the opportunity to look at him, and I had a whole lot more Edward to view. He was only wearing a pair of black basketball shorts, his chest was pretty defined and his legs were toned. His hair was everywhere from sleeping on it. He seemed to notice my appraisal of him and he cleared his throat. My eyes shot to his and the familiar blush rose to my cheeks. I looked down at the floor and realized that I was only wearing a tiny pair of gray shorts and a Mariners t-shirt Charlie had given me.
Edward's finger under my chin forced me to look at him. Once our eyes met he moved his hands to my cheeks and rubbed his thumbs along the bones in my face.
"You're beautiful" he mumbled before he dipped his head to kiss me. Quickly the kiss became heated, much like this afternoon. Before I realized it I was on the counter and Edward was standing between my legs. When breathing became too much of a necessity he moved his attention from my lips to my neck. His hands were wrapped around my back making small circles under the hem of my shirt near the top of my shorts.
I made a small moan or sigh, I'm not entirely sure which, but Edward brought his lips back to mine and gave me one good long kiss. He rested his head against mine and we just looked at each other.
"Bella, I want you to be my girl. Just mine. Will you please?" he asked quietly.
The smile on my face could probably be the sole energy source for all of the lights in Vegas and I nodded my head. Edward grinned at me and gave me a tight hug.
"What about Emmett?" I asked, because Edward was his friend and I didn't want to ruin that.
"What about him? We can tell him or not and just let him figure it out, but I don't want to hide it."
I thought for a moment and decided that we wouldn't tell him and if he figures it out then we will deal with it.
Edward helped me back to my room and gave me one last kiss and a wish goodnight. I thought about what all happened tonight. I realized that this would appear to be moving fast, but I couldn't find it in me to care. Edward made me feel safe, happy and cared for, plus the kisses were more than I ever imagined a kiss could be.
AN: Please review- again I have a preview available.