That's Why You're Beautiful

Chapter Thirteen

"Alice, Alice, calm down," I soothed, taking my usual seat beside her. "Calm down. It's gonna be okay! I promise."

"No it's not," she whimpered. "I'll be a f-freak!"

I wrapped my arm gently around her shoulder, feeling her shaking underneath me. "It's completely normal for this to happen, Alice. It'll grow back eventually. Maybe you can do something different with it, then. And besides," I said, gaining confidence with my argument. "There are always plenty of wigs out there. You can give them a try."

She sniffed, glancing tentatively at Jasper.

"Al, darling, I'll love you however you look. You should know that by now."

A tiny smile made its way onto her lips and she leaned back against her pillow. The hair in her hands dropped to the floor and I quickly swept it under the bed with my foot. She soon fell asleep, clearly tired from all of her emotional outbursts. I sighed heavily, wondering how she would cope when she would eventually lose all of her hair.

"I'm sorry that I panicked," Jasper suddenly said after a while. "I... I just didn't know what to do. She was hysterical..."

He looked a little helpless and lost at that moment, so I tried to give him my most reassuring smile.

"Alice will get through this, I know she will. In a few month's time, you'll be husband and wife and it'll all be a bad memory. You'll see."

He just sighed.

"Anyway, if you don't mind, I just need to go and see if Edward's still in the cafe." I stood up and walked over to the door. "I felt a bit guilty about leaving him so abruptly."

"You're spending a lot of time with him," Jasper replied.

"Thanks for that observation."

He raised his eyebrows but said nothing else.

***

I was beyond pleased to see Edward still sitting there when I made my way back. Despite everything that had just happened, the thought of talking to him made me feel a little bit better. I couldn't understand why, just accepted it.

He was staring at the table apparently deep in thought and, once I said hello, he jumped a little in surprise.

"Bella," he said, slowly smiling. "I didn't expect you t-to come back here."

I took a seat. "Yeah, I'm sorry. I felt awful about leaving you like that."

He shook his head. "Don't be. I understand completely. H-how is Alice now?"

"Um..." I bit my lip awkwardly. "She's started to lose some of her hair."

"Oh. I really am s-sorry to hear that." He paused. "It'll g-grow back though..."

I met his eyes. "That's what I said to her. I doubt it was any consolation."

"Having you there was probably enough."

"Yeah..." I shifted around uncomfortably. "And Jasper, of course."

We were silent for a moment, both staring off into space. It randomly occurred to me that I had meant to ask him something but couldn't help cringing at the thought of doing so. It was likely he'd say no or feel really awkward about it all... But then again...

"Bella?" Edward suddenly asked, and my eyes refocused on his face. "Are y-you alright?"

"Yeah, sorry. I was just thinking."

"You've r-really had so much to worry about lately," he said. "It's not f-fair."

"It's been selfish of me to burden those worries on you, too," I sighed, staring at my hands which were twisting around on the table. "With the whole-"

"Bella, if y-you're going to apologise again for that incident with Emmett, then please don't," he interrupted. "It wasn't your f-fault."

I was about to protest further but was startled to feel his warm hand on mine. My heart beat immediately accelerated and I experienced that tingly feeling again.

"I-I'm going for an interview tomorrow," I stammered, internally frowning at my inability to speak properly. "And... and-"

I couldn't bring myself to say it. I was going to sound so self-centred once more, constantly asking for Edward's help.

"And what, Bella?" he asked, leaning a little closer.

"I was wondering if you'd please come with me," I blurted in a rush, feeling my cheeks heating up. I avoided his gaze, focusing on the feeling of his skin against mine. That didn't really help with my jumbled thoughts.

"Bella," he started. "I-"

"I'm sorry, I understand if you can't come. I'm just... I'm just scared," I admitted, still looking at the table. "I'm being selfish but-"

"Bella," he cut in, and the way he said my name caused me to look up and meet his gaze. He smiled fractionally. "Of c-course I'll go with you. I'll support you anytime."

My chest felt a little heavy at that point. "Thank you," I whispered, feeling a little blinded from an emotion building up inside of me. I couldn't really understand what it was.

"What t-time is it?" he asked, taking out his phone.

"I'm gonna go at eleven in the morning," I told him and watched as he concentrated on typing in the numbers. His eyebrows furrowed together and his tongue poked out a little, causing me to smile uncontrollably to myself.

"Do you w-want me to take you there?" he offered.

I opened and closed my mouth a few times before managing an answer. "That's... that's so kind of you." He stayed silent. "Well, if it's not too much trouble..."

He shook his head. "It's no p-problem."

"I'll be in the hospital overnight, I'm staying with Alice."

He nodded. "So I could meet you here at half past t-ten, would that be alright?"

"That's great." I bit my lip. "Thank you."

He smiled widely, showing me most of his lovely teeth. "Like I said, it's n-no problem."

***

When I woke the following morning, my neck was sore and my whole body ached. I cursed to myself as I stretched out and wiggled my toes. Alice was asleep next to me and so was Jasper. I sighed heavily, glancing at my watch. It was 9am and everything was strangely quiet around me.

"Morning, Bells."

I glanced over at Alice and saw her slowly sitting upright against her head board. I gave her a small smile which soon disappeared as my gaze moved to her pillow. She soon followed my eyes and clamped her hand over her mouth at the sight.

There were clumps of hair lying there.

"Oh my god!" she sobbed. "I... I-"

"It's OK," I soothed, doing my usual job. "It was going to happen anyway. Don't worry."

"B-But..." she managed, trailing off helplessly.

"I know." She rested her head against my shoulder and I couldn't help noticing the bare spots on the back of her head. "Just think about what Jasper said."

She sniffed, wiping at her eyes. "It's... it's h-hard."

"But you'll get through this." I felt like I was a broken record, always repeating the same things over and over. "You really will."

We were both quiet and the only sound I could hear was Jasper's gentle breathing.

"How long is it until the wedding now?" I asked, desperate to keep her spirits up and change the subject.

"Just under a month," she answered, smiling. "You realise we're having a hen night in three weeks, right?"

I raised my hand to my forehead dramatically. "Oh God! Someone help me!"

She nudged me weakly in the ribs. "You'll love it. And besides, we've got to stay off the alcohol."

"Just be gentle with me," I pleaded, grinning at her.

"Sure, sure."

***

Just over an hour later, Edward appeared at the ward and knocked on the door. I glanced at Alice and Jasper, wondering if I should let him in. They nodded, obviously wanting to meet him for something.

"Hi," I smiled, inviting him inside. "Thanks for coming."

He looked a little nervous but still managed a reply. "No p-problem."

"Um, I thought you might want to meet Alice and Jasper," I said, gesturing towards them. "I've told them plenty about you."

His face lit up like a Christmas tree. "I'm Edward. Edward Cullen. It's nice to m-meet you both."

Jasper stood up and shook his hand. "It was very brave of you to save Bella from Emmett."

"Thank you," he replied quietly. His gaze shifted to Alice who was looking at him a little disapprovingly. "How are you f-feeling? Bella always t-tells me about you..."

Alice's face softened. "I'm OK, thank you. As good as I can be."

Edward smiled gently. "You're very courageous."

"She is," I agreed.

"Why are you here, if you don't mind me asking?" Jasper said, sitting back down beside Alice.

"Oh... hasn't B-Bella told you?" Edward frowned, glancing at me.

"Edward's coming with me to the police station," I explained. "I needed some support and he kindly agreed to go."

Jasper narrowed his eyes somewhat mischieviously. "Alright..."

"We'd better go actually," I said, noticing the time. "Call me if anything happens."

"Good luck," Jasper called after us.

"Wait, Bella!" Alice shouted. "Can I just have a quick word with you?"

"We're a bit pushed for time Alice."

"I won't be a sec, I promise."

I looked over at Edward apologetically and left him standing outside. I closed the door behind me and waited for Alice.

"Promise me something, Bells."

"Uh... OK..." I answered carefully.

"If you're going to be..." she paused, searching for a word. "Socialising with Edward a lot more from now on, please let me give him a makeover."

I stared at her, open-mouthed and probably catching flies. "I'm sorry? And what do you mean, socialising?"

She and Jasper exchanged a very odd, knowing look. "Well, Bells, lets be honest. He isn't the most fashion conscious of all people."

I rolled my eyes but couldn't say no. "Alright. Whatever. If he lets you."

She grinned happily. "Oh he will. And I've got a feeling we'll be seeing a lot more of him from now on, anyway."

My hand rested on the door handle. "What do you mean by that?"

"You'll see," she winked.

I sighed heavily. "Well I'll see you both later. Like I said, call me if anything happens."

"Alright Bella," Jasper smiled. "Good luck."

I opened the door. "I may just need it."

***

Edward opened the door of his car for me and I took a seat, making myself comfortable. The inside of his Volvo was completely tidy and smelled vaguely of air freshener.

He took his seat behind the wheel and smiled nervously at me. The engine started up and he drove down the road in a strangely relaxing silence.

"How are you feeling?" he asked suddenly.

"A little nervous," I admitted. "My father was a police man, but I still find them intimidating."

"Oh, how are t-things with your parents?" he asked as we stopped at some traffic lights. "I forgot to ask."

"It's all good," I replied. "I'm so pleased I got back in touch."

His lips tugged into a smile. "Glad to h-hear it."

"How about you? You're always asking about me yet I don't know that much about you."

I noticed that his hands gripped a little tighter on the wheel. "What d-do you need to know?"

I had to think about this and realised how inappropriate I was being. "I'm sorry. Maybe I'm getting too personal here."

"I don't mind."

The car started up again and we moved forwards, travelling steadily past the traffic.

"I lied to you."

My eyes widened a little in surprise. "What do you mean, Edward?"

"I..." he paused, looking directly ahead. "I haven't been c-completely truthful."

I waited patiently in silence, feeling a little worried.

"There's a reason w-why I spend so much time at the hospital with my father," he said slowly. "I had a p-problem."

"A problem?"

He nodded. "I was an a-alcoholic."

I swallowed, unable to say anything. That was certainly a surprise.

"My accident... well, when I was in the car, there was... somebody else in there with m-me. My best friend." He broke off for a while. "He... he didn't survive."

"I'm sorry," I said quietly, reaching over to rub his shoulder. His whole body was tense and rigid.

"For a while I honestly believed it was my f-fault. I thought I'd k-killed him." I hadn't realised before, but he was shaking now. "I still feel awful in case the same thing happens again.... I'm taking a risk driving y-you to the s-station really... I can't b-bear thinking about hurting someone so-"

I interrupted him. "Edward, you don't still blame yourself, do you?"

He calmed down a little. "No. I... I don't think so." He took in a deep breath. "After the accident I turned to alcohol, thinking that it would s-solve my problems. I took up new interests, t-trying to create a new life and l-leave the past behind. I hadn't t-told my father how I was f-feeling and bottled it all up."

I watched him carefully, realising just how much he was telling me. "This happened for months and months... but I realised I couldn't g-go on any longer and... I told him. I told him and he's b-been helping me ever since. I h-have weak moments and h-have to see him a lot of the time. I c-can confide in him."

I was really surprised by just how much I didn't know. I felt so sorry for him... I could have helped.

"Edward, I'm r-really sorry about that," I sighed. "You could h-have told me."

He didn't say anything, just stared ahead.

"Is that why you came to see me in the first place? To try and help yourself?"

He nodded slowly. "I thought it would h-help."

"It has, really. I met you."

He looked over at me momentarily, smiling a little.

"Thank you for l-listening to that, Bella," he said. "I'm sorry for l-lying but we've both s-shared so much with eachother now."

I nodded, realising how awful our pasts were; we had a lot in common. "It's brought us closer." I hadn't meant to say that aloud and I cringed, realising that I had.

"If you ever have any... weak moments, you can always talk to me too," I offered after a tense moment.

He met my gaze. "That m-means a lot. Thank you, Bella."

We sat in silence for the rest of the journey and I realised a few more things as I thought to myself. Edward and myself had a close bond, and he was genuinely one of the nicest men I had ever met. He was brilliant and caring and sensitive, unlike many people these days. It still caused me to wince thinking back to the way I had first treated him but I hoped that, after all we'd been through together since, he would forgive me.

I really did need Edward now. He was wonderful, somebody who I could always rely on.

And his touch makes you tingle.

I frowned, thinking about that. I couldn't make any sense of it.

"We're here," he announced, making me start a little. In front of us stood the grand, grey police station and I shivered slightly.

"It'll b-be fine," he said, parking the car. He cut off the engine and looked over at me. There was something new in his expression too, and I hoped that it was trust.

"Ready?" he asked, resting his fingers on the door handle. He placed his other hand on mine, rubbing soothing circles with his thumb.

I took a deep breath. "Let's get this over with."

***

"I can't believe it!" I squealed.

Edward smiled widely at me as I signed some papers.

"He deserves everything he gets," he replied.

"So they've practically guaranteed that he's going to jail now," I said shakily. The relief was overwhelming.

"Yup," Edward said. "And you don't even have to appear in c-court."

"What a bonus," I laughed.

As we walked outside and towards his car, I suddenly had another overwhelming urge to hug him. I ignored all my instincts and did so, gripping onto him tightly. He was frozen for a moment but soon hugged me back, wrapping his arms around my body. It felt wonderful, even better than the last time.

We pulled away, meeting each other's eyes from a mere few inches apart. I took a deep breath and swallowed, suddenly feeling nervous.

My phone beeped in my pocket and I closed my eyes, backing away and reaching to retrieve it. I had a text message and quickly opened it. My eyes widened in disbelief once I had read the content.

"Oh my God."

Argh, mini cliffhanger. Anyway I hope you liked that chapter. There were plenty of Edward/Bella moments and some stuff about Edward's past.

Just thought I'd say, I've just released a new story called 'Completely Irresistible' which is Bella/Carlisle, so please read that if you have the time!

Now, if you leave me a review, I'll tell Edward to hug you too. Bargain! Also, I was thinking that I could have a question for the reviews like many other people do, and this is it: If you had such a horrible past like Edward or Bella, would you tell anyone new you meet or would you just bottle it up?

Answer it if you like... I'll feel a little foolish otherwise :P I'll just call it a test run. Anyway, bye for now!!