AN: thanks again for reading and reviewing
Disclaimer: Stephanie Meyer's owns everything Twilight.
Beautiful Thing
The rest of the weekend flew by; I spent most of the time with Emmett and Edward. Edward and I would steal moments here and there. We weren't overly affectionate in front of Emmett, but we really didn't hide anything either. I had helped Sue with as much house cleaning as I could and worked with Charlie on maneuvering without my crutches.
I didn't have any more panic attacks, but I didn't remember any more about what exactly it was about Jake's voice that set me off. I also started having nightmares; they would increasingly worsen throughout the night. By Sunday night I was exhausted and worried about going back to school. I hadn't been able to talk to Edward about how to act there.
I woke up Monday before my alarm clock went off covered in sweat, a result from my last nightmare. I don't remember what happens in my dreams, but they always cause me to wake up in a cold sweat. I'm not sure if it's better to be thankful for the unknown of my subconscious or to fear it.
A little while later I was in the kitchen waiting for Emmett so we could leave for the day. He had run out of the room about 3 minutes ago swearing and mumbling something about lost work. He finally charged down the stairs grinning in victory holding a piece of crumpled paper.
When we were pulling into the parking lot of school. Edward was at my door before I could blink. He smiled at me and grabbed my waist to pull me out of the jeep. I looked quickly at Emmett, somewhat shocked that Edward was being this bold, but when I looked at my brother he was no where to be seen.
"Hey beautiful" Edward whispered, bringing my attention back to him, and he placed a small kiss on my forehead. I smiled shyly and said a small hello and reached into the vehicle and grabbed my bag and started walking towards our first class.
"No crutches?" Edward asked. I smiled at him and told him how well I did without them last night, but that they were still in the jeep if I did need them. Edward grinned at me and then scooped my hand into his and intertwined our fingers. He walked with me that way all the way to senior English.
The rest of the morning continued the way it had been for the first few months with one major exception. Edward met me at each of my classes and would walk me hand in hand to the next one. We had been receiving looks from students in the halls and in my classes but no one said anything to me.
Like the rest of the morning Edward met me outside of my AP history class and headed towards the cafeteria. When we reached the lunch room and had our trays in hand we headed over to our table. I put my food on the table and Rose smiled at me, Emmett however got up and motioned with his head and not saying a word for Edward to follow. As the two reached the doors to the cafeteria the entire room followed their movements with their eyes and then glanced at me once they were out of sight.
I noticed that Jasper was looking in the direction they went with a worried glance, but wasn't able to figure out what was worrying him. Rose slide over next to me and with Alice they began a mini interrogation. I remained quiet through it all, but my blush must have been enough for Alice because she let out a squeal and then began talking animatedly about the dance coming up and needing to find a dress. I was a little lost because I thought her and Rose had their dresses already.
The bang of the doors and Jasper letting out a relieved breath stopped the two girls from asking any more questions as Emmett and Edward returned. Rose moved back to her seat, but Edward slid in next to me and shocked the shit out of me by placing a kiss on my temple.
I took a moment to look him over for injuries, but couldn't find any bruises or scrapes that would indicate that Emmett had used physical violence on him. Also from the way he was sitting, not hunched over or clutching any body part secured my hope that they just talked and Edward came back unharmed.
Nothing else happened the rest of lunch or day, and Emmett didn't even mention Edward on our drive home.
Ж
Later that evening I was up in my bedroom finishing my school work and apparently I had fallen asleep because I was awoken by Charlie gently shaking my shoulder.
"Hey Bells phone's for you" Charlie then proceeded to hand me the handset. I gave him a confused look because I've never received a phone call and on top of that I don't remember giving anyone my number. Charlie just shrugged his shoulders and made his way out of my room.
"Hello" I stated questioningly into the receiver.
"Hey beautiful, how are you tonight?" Edward's sweet voice filtered into my ears and my face redden with each word he spoke.
"I'm fine, how are you" I asked still baffled about the phone call.
Edward proceeded to tell me about his day since we left school and how he told Charlie he was calling because of a homework question. I inquired why he needed a reason and he simply said
"Emmett knowing I'm your boyfriend is one thing, Charlie is your father and he carries a gun, and frankly that scares the ever loving shit out of me." I laughed for about 10 minutes straight, because he seemed truly scared of Charlie.
We talked a little more about our days, random topics that came up and then Edward asked if he could take me to a movie on Friday night. I said I would go if it was okay with Charlie and Sue.
Sue knocked on my door telling me goodnight and asked if I was done on the phone so she could bring it back downstairs. I blushed when I realized that Edward and I had been talking for about two hours. I quickly said goodbye to Edward and handed Sue the phone. As she took it she gave me a knowing look and said goodnight again.
Ж
The next two days were somewhat of a blur. I went to school and Edward continued walking me to class and giving me tiny kisses here and there and calling me at night. Sue had taken to getting the phone before Charlie, because Edward seemed to call at the same time. I think she knew we were afraid of what Charlie would say.
It was nearing 10pm on Wednesday night when Edward reminded me I still needed to ask my parents about Friday. I got a small chill up my spine when he said parents and it took me a moment to realize that was what they were. A knock on my door alerted me that Sue was ready to take the phone downstairs. I told Edward to hang on one second planning on asking Sue; I figured if I had her support she could help with Charlie.
However, a head covered in long dark hair did not peek into my bedroom, but rather a head with short brown hair and a mustache. I gulped and looked to the phone in my hand. I said a quick good bye to Edward and said I would see him tomorrow.
As soon as the phone was off Charlie walked into my room and pulled out my desk chair and took a seat. I had a feeling that we were not going to have a light conversation.
"So, Bells. Anything you want to tell me?" I started to panic because I didn't know if I was doing something wrong. Surely Emmett would have said something or Sue if I wasn't supposed to be on the phone so much or talking to Edward, but I didn't think Charlie knew that was who I was talking to.
"Hey, baby girl, calm down. I'm not upset." Charlie said as he noticed the stress on my face.
"I'm not as unobservant as the other two people in this house think I am. After all, I am the Chief of Police, and I didn't get that title for being able to eat the most donuts in under a minute." Charlie chuckled a little before he continued. "So, do you want to tell me what boy I need to bring the fear of God into?" he asked with a slight twinkle in his eye.
I blushed furiously and looked down at the comforter on my bed and mumbled "Edward Cullen."
"No Shit. Uh, I wonder if Carlisle knows. Well Bells, you certainly could do a lot worse than Edward. He's a good kid, and you know I've known him since he was a baby. I still think I need to have a chat with him. So, is he your boyfriend?" Charlie finished.
I nodded my head up and down slowly before gathering some strength. "Ca-ca" I cleared my throat and continued "Can I go to the movies with him on Friday night?" I asked.
"Sure, sure. On one condition." I looked up at Charlie waiting for him to finish. "You need to make another pie." I smiled and agreed quickly. Charlie laughed and took the phone and placed a small kiss on my forehead.
"Goodnight Bells, I love you" and he turned and walked out of the room.
Ж
The next day when I told Edward that Charlie and Sue gave their okay for the date you couldn't wipe off the smile that worked itself on his face. He scooped me up in his arms and twirled me around. Our celebration was broken up by my brother as soon as Edward's lips met mine.
"Alright, brother in the general vicinity. Dude, Ed, I may be cool with you dating my sister, but that does not mean that I need to see it." Edward chuckled at Emmett's request but agreed.
Before I knew it Friday night was here and I was currently standing in front of my closet trying to figure out what to wear. This has never been an issue for me in the past, but I didn't want to let Edward down. He was so excited for tonight, and I would be lying if I didn't say I felt the same. Alice and Rose had both offered to come over to help me get ready, however I turned them down. This was a first for me and Edward liked me for me so I wanted to do this on my own. That logic was was strong and stable until I actually opened my closet.
A knock on my door caused me to sigh and break my perusal of my closets contents.
"Hey Bella" Sue said as she entered my room. She shut the door and went to sit on my bed.
"How are you doing honey?" She asked softly, I shrugged my shoulders in response and went and sat next to her.
"Having problems finding what to wear?" I nodded at her question and she continued. "Well I guess we will just have to work together. So, he's taking you to dinner and a movie right." I confirmed our plans to her.
"Okay, it's cold outside so how about a pair of jeans and the black top that flows a little bit under the cinch, and the cropped white cardigan we bought the other week. And I think to top it off the black ugg boots we bought, because it looks like there is some snow starting to mix in with the rain and they will hold up better then your tennis shoes. Wait they don't reach the bottom of your brace do they?" I shook my head no, and she smiled and started laying out the clothes she mentioned.
I smiled and hugged her in thanks and started getting ready, forgoing make up as usual.
After about 30 minutes I heard the sound of a car coming into the driveway I started to make my way down the stairs as carefully as I could.
When I reached the bottom of the stairs I looked to a small sound to my right. Sue was in the corner with her hand covering her mouth, her eyes and her shaking body giving away her attempt not to laugh. I gave her a questioning look and she pointed with her free hand to the kitchen.
What I saw there caused me to have to cover up my own humor. In the kitchen Edward was sitting on a chair put in the middle of the room. His face was pale as he looked up at Charlie and Emmett towering over him, both with their arms crossed. It did not go unnoticed by me, or by Edward by the way his eyes kept flickering over to Charlie's side, the he was still in uniform and carrying his gun.
I couldn't hear what they were saying to him, but a small snort from Sue made Edward move his eyes to us and when he saw me he plead silently for me to rescue him. There was no way I couldn't take pity on that handsome face, so I began to hobble my way in between the two stern looking men.
"Hi Edward, you ready?" I ask as I put my hand on the back of both Emmett and Charlie's backs in an effort to get them to relax.
Edward jumped up right away and started to pull me towards the door saying a quick goodbye to my family. When we are outside he pulled me into a quick hug.
"Thank you buttercup. I have never been so scared of those two in my life." He kissed the top of my head before continuing. "you look beautiful by the way." I smiled shyly at him as he helped me into the SUV.
It took us about 45 minutes with Edward's driving to get to Port Angeles. The car ride was filled with small conversation, mainly focused on Edward's love of music. He held my hand the entire drive, and that kept the smile on my lips.
He took me to dinner at a small mom and pop restaurant and our conversation from the car continued. He ended up declaring that the next day that he would be educating me to the finer points of his music library.
The movie Edward took me to was a boy movie, no other way around it. It included the mob, guns, violence and sex, lots and lots of sex. Well that's what I assumed, Edward's lips kept me pretty distracted through the movie to really pay attention to it.
On the car ride home I asked him why he picked that movie, his answer made me giggle and blush.
"I've already seen it, and I figured it wouldn't be something you would want to see, therefore you would be more receptive to the idea of making out." I had to give the boy some credit for honesty and forethought.
"You sure are a thinker aren't you?" I asked him through my laughter as he just smiled proudly.
He parked the car a few houses down from my home and turned off the headlights. He leaned over when I gave him a questioning look.
"I figured that your dad and Emmett will be up and I wanted to give you a proper goodnight kiss." He whispered against my lips before crushing them to his.
After a few minutes he pulled us apart and drove the rest of the way to my house. He got out of the car and was at my door opening it before I had a chance to get out. I smiled and thanked him as I took his hand. He led me to the door that opened rather quickly with an impassive looking Charlie. He just stood their staring at us. Edward mumbled a quick goodbye and placed a small kiss on my cheek before racing back to his car.
Once he was out of sight I turned and looked back at Charlie who had a smug little grin on his face and let out a chuckle as he wrapped his arm around my shoulders and led me into the house.
Ж
Edward and I were at his house alone for the majority of the day. Sue and Esme were shopping again and Emmett was with Rosalie. As far as Carlisle and Charlie, I believe they were down at the reservation visiting Jacob's father Billy. I don't think Charlie was aware of the fact that I would be alone with Edward at his house, because I highly doubt we would be
As promised Edward spent Saturday educating me on his music collection. I was worried for a while that he was going to quiz me when he was done. I couldn't deny how it felt to see the passion that he expressed; I only hoped that I brought out a similar reaction to him.
When he wasn't talking about music or showing me different items he had in his room that related to music: a keyboard, a guitar, sheet music, his lips were attached to me. At one point things became extremely heated and we were forced to part when my knee, which was sans brace, couldn't hold the position any longer. With our breathing heavy Edward drew me into his arms and we fell asleep cuddled on his bed.
The sound of doors slamming shut alerted us to the fact that we were no longer the only presence in the house. Edward jumped off of the bed and began straightening things at a hurried pace when he heard our fathers' voices. He helped me stand and straighten myself as well and we both began to make our way down to the living room.
Edward was going extremely slowly and quietly, almost as if he was trying to James Bond it to the couch. However, his prowess left something to be desired by the sound of my father's shouting.
"We know where you two were, so just get your butts down here!" We both froze and Edward began walking faster, seeming to have recovered first; although his hand was shaking in mine.
Hand in hand we approached the kitchen where our fathers were sitting at the table on one side. I noticed two chairs opposite them were pushed out; their subtlety was astounding but like the smart little cookies that we were we found our butts in those empty seats.
Carlisle was the first to speak "Edward, Bella. Where are Esme and Sue?"
Edward cleared his throat before answering: "They went shopping in Port Angeles." Carlisle nodded his head in acknowledgment. Charlie took his cue next, they really seem to like this teaming up thing.
"And when exactly after they left did you two find it was a good idea to go up to Edward's room?" He asked looking at Edward and back to me causing both of us to fidget in our seats. However our hands stayed clasped and Edward gave mine a strong squeeze letting me know we were in this together.
Neither of us answered and both of the men facing us continued to stare us down, or at least I think that is what they were intending to do, but with Edward's comforting hand I was able to stay strong.
Esme and Sue chose the moment Charlie started to say something else to enter the room and greet their husbands. They looked at each other questioningly when neither man acknowledge their wife.
Sue started to speak but was cut off by Esme's gasp. Everyone in the room turned to look at her, but her eyes were focused on me, more precisely the juncture between my neck and shoulder that had become visible during my fidgeting.
Just as I noticed the focus of her stare so did everyone else and I could see out of the corner of my eye a small bruise beginning to form on my ivory skin. With that my face flushed redder than before, I didn't think that was possible.
Charlie turned a deadening look onto Edward and he visibly gulped, the smug grin that had began to grace his lips when he noticed his work wiped clean off of his face.
But before Charlie could lay into him Sue spoke up.
"So we are both pretty tired from shopping today I was thinking we could all just go to the Lodge for supper. I'll call Emmett and see if he wants to meet us there with Rose. Edward would you mind driving Bella, my back seat is full." After she was done she was pulling Charlie through the door with Esme dragging Carlisle behind them.
Edward and I just looked at each other sort of stunned that we didn't get in more trouble. I think he was thinking the same thing I was: grand ways to repay Sue and Esme.
Edward got up, smug grin back in place and got our coats and shoes and led me out to his SUV.
I just laughed at the proud look on his face once we started driving. He came to a stop at the end of the driveway and leaned over, pulling my coat and shirt in such a way he could see his handy-work.
"What, it's a beautiful thing," and with that we headed towards supper with our parents.
AN: I am still working on chapter 9 so I don't have a preview ready just yet, but I should warn you this was the last truly fluffy chapter for awhile. Please review!