Chapter Eight

The rest of the day was spent watching more re-runs of Friends, and once Edward had gotten bored of Friends, we watched Family Guy. Honestly, it was so much fun. It wasn't like when we used to hang out outside or in my truck. We were sheltered, and it was no longer cold. And I didn't have to worry about having to go home, because Edward was now living with me. I couldn't help the goofy grin that spread to my face whenever I thought about Edward living with me, sleeping with me. Me waking up to Edward every morning. And then I thought about him kissing me, and I really wanted to squeal out loud. I totally felt like Alice. And then I totally got it. Why she was always so freakishly happy: she had Jasper, it made sense now. She was in love. Even though I wasn't in love with Edward, I still felt as if I felt the same as her. I could love Edward someday, that was for sure.

Just as we were finishing up an episode of Two and a Half Men, I saw the headlights reflect off the TV. I jumped off the couch, automatically. "Charlie's home!" I screamed involuntarily. Edward's eyes got wide, but he didn't move. He was frozen. "What are you doing? Get upstairs!" I waved my arms frantically in front of his face. Finally, he jumped off the couch, throwing the blanket on the floor and ran up the stairs, his feet loudly padding on the hardwood floor. The minute my bedroom door slammed, the front door opened, and Charlie walked in.

As he hung his jacket in the closet door, I jumped back onto the couch, pulling the blanket over top of me, and aimlessly flicked through channels. I was nervous, little beads of sweat started to form on my forehead. "Hi, dad," I mumbled.

"Hey, Bells. Whatcha up too?"

"Um, watching some TV...." I said nervously, my eyes flicking to him hanging up his gun holster, and then back to the TV.

"Cool, did you make some supper?"

Shit. I had totally forgotten about supper. I was planning on making supper early so I could sit down and eat with Edward before Charlie got home, but I got hung up on being with Edward. "I forgot. Um, you want me to make you something?"

"If you want," he grunted in response.

"'Kay." I mumbled, turning the TV off and walking into the kitchen. Charlie automatically went into the living room when he was done hanging his shit up. "What do you want?" I hollered from the kitchen.

"Doesn't matter," he said, absently.

I looked around the cupboards, I wanted to make something nice for Edward. I knew he couldn't have been all that hungry, because we ate absently all day. Chips, pretzels, and lots of fruit. But I still wanted to make something for him, something special. I mean, he did give me his first kiss last night. It felt like a special occasion. But after looking in the cupboards, and the freezer, I couldn't really find anything all that special to make. So, I settled for fried fish and fries. Simple, easy and really good.

When I was finished, Charlie came and got a plate of supper, and walked back into the living room. I heard the roaring of the TV a couple moments later. Lots of yelling, and screaming: he obviously was watching another game. Well, it was Sunday after all.

I ate supper at the table by myself, like I did the night before. It sort of made me feel a little bit somber. I wanted to eat with Edward. I scarfed down my fish and fries, choking in the process. I chased it down with a tall glass of water then mumbled to Charlie that I had homework to do, and I grabbed another plate and some milk before running my way upstairs. I looked back and made sure Charlie didn't notice me walking up the stairs with a plate of food. Thankfully he didn't.

Edward was laying on his stomach on my bed, drawling absentminded patterns on my blanket. "Hi," I said with a smile. He looked at my face, and then at the plate in my hand. He licked his lips in anticipation and sat up, crossing his legs in front of him. I sat beside him, and handed him the plate and milk. He set the milk on my night stand, and dug into the food. When he took the first bite, he moaned and closed his eyes. "You're a really good cook," he said, taking another bite.

"Yeah." I blushed. I wasn't that good.

"You really are."

"I think you've just been deprived of real food for so long, you don't know what your talking about," I said awkwardly.

He stopped eating, placing the fork on the plate. It made a sound once they touched, and he sat the plate on his lap in front of him. "You really don't do good with compliments, do you?" I shook my head. "Why?" he asked, staring intently at me.

"I don't know… I don't really hear compliments all that often."

"Why?" He looked genuinely confused by that.

"I think that's a dumb question."

"I think it's a legit question. I mean, jesus, Bella, you're like all these good things, and I just can't wrap my head around it."

"I would disagree," I mumbled in a whisper.

"Okay, Bella. But for future reference: I'm gonna keep telling you what I love about you. All right?" he said firmly, picking his fork back up. I laughed, and nodded my head. I laid my head back, and listened to him eat. "So, where did you learn how to cook like this?"

"My mother. Took cooking classes together. I guess it kind of just stuck. Plus, Charlie doesn't know how to cook for the life of him. It all came back to me the first week of living with him." I smiled at the memory of Charlie burning the bacon the first day I got here. He made the whole house smell like smoke. We had to keep our windows and doors open all day.

"Oh." I heard him swallow one last time before he put his dirty dishes on my nightstand. He picked up the milk, and downed it in one drink, before replacing it and laying down beside me. "I really appreciate that. It was really good." He turned his head and smiled at me. I grinned back, and leaned over to kiss him gently on the lips. He smiled against my lips but kissed me back. It was gentle, but firm. His lips were moist from the milk, but they tasted like fish and salt. I leaned my head back once we parted lips, and smiled goofily at him. I seriously don't think I'd ever get used to that.

"I don't want to go to school tomorrow." I frowned at him.

"Well, I'll be here when you get back." He smiled, pulling me towards him. I wrapped my arms around his torso and he kissed my head.

I laughed, "You promise?"

He laughed. "Where would I go? And better yet. How would I get there?"

I nuzzled my face into his chest. "Okay. You better be here."

"I will." He yawned.

"Tired?"

He snickered. "I don't know why."

"It's okay, lets go to sleep. I'll be back in a second though." He nodded, and I let go of him. I heaved myself out of my bed, taking the dirty dishes down into the kitchen. Charlie was still watching whatever sport was on TV. "I'm going to bed, Dad." He grunted, and nodded his response, not taking his face off the TV. Well, at least he wasn't drunk anymore.

I ran into the bathroom, washing my face, and doing my nightly ritual that I used to do before Edward lived with me. I left my clothes on from today, because they were just pajamas. I walked back into my bedroom after I was all ready, and my teeth felt and smelled clean. Edward was already under the covers, which were pulled up to his neck, laying on his back. His hands were behind his head. I shut and locked the door behind me before I skipped over to him.

I set the alarm clock beside him to wake me up early enough to shower and get ready for school in the morning. Something I did every night before. I plopped on the bed beside Edward, pulling the covers back, getting myself situated. Nuzzling my face into the side of his body, he wrapped his arm securely around me. "Night," I mumbled with a yawn.

"Night, baby," he replied. I immediately felt tingles all over my body. I smiled into his chest, but didn't say anything. Apparently, pet names were cool, I didn't know that until then. Hopefully he wouldn't stop calling me that, ever.

Eventually I fell asleep listening to the gentle sound of his heart, and the shallowness of his breathing.

I woke up ten hours later to the blaring sound of my alarm clock. I snuggled closer to Edward, feeling his warmth. He groaned, and nuzzled his face into mine. I sighed before reaching over Edward and turning the noise off. Without another word, I heaved myself out of my warm, comfortable bed, and walked over to my dresser to pull out what I was going to wear that day. In the bathroom, I brushed my teeth and showered then got dressed and blow dried my hair as quietly as I could, so as not to wake Edward. I applied a little bit of make up, and went downstairs.

Charlie had left for work hours ago, so I didn't need to worry about him. I made myself toast for breakfast, too lazy to actually make something. I wanted to make Edward breakfast, but I was just way too lazy. By the time I had almost finished my toast, I heard my bedroom door open and padding of bare feet walking slowly on the floor. A couple moments later, I heard the bathroom door shut, and then the toilet flush. I instantly blushed, thinking about what Edward was doing in there. Then the bathroom door opened, and his loud feet made their way downstairs.

He stopped at the door of the kitchen, rubbing one hand through his hair and his other hand through his sleepy eyes. He was still wearing those sweat pants I had lent him. He needed more clothes, he couldn't just keep wearing the same thing around. And he needed a toothbrush and deodorant. I hadn't noticed his breath smelling or him smelling like BO, but he would need it eventually. "Hi," I squeaked, gulping. I would never get used to Edward shirtless.

"Hi," he mumbled groggily. "You going to school?"

I nodded. "Do you want anything for breakfast...I could make you...?" I trailed off.

"Nah, I'm good. I can cook something though, right?"

"As long as you don't burn the house down." I smiled. He grinned in return. "Well, I should probably go to school now," I frowned as I got up from my chair, and put my dirty dishes in the sink. I walked to the hallway, grabbing my book bag, and my jacket, slipping it on. I slipped my boots on, too. Thankfully, they were warm and dry now. "Well, I'll see you later…," I said awkwardly. I wasn't sure how to say goodbye.

He nodded shyly and walked over to me. "I'll be here." And he kissed me gently on the lips. Before I even had time to respond, he pulled away. I sighed quietly and nodded before leaving.

My school was boring. I couldn't stop thinking about Edward at all. It was worse with him being at my home than him being on the streets. He was so close, and I was stuck in school. When he was in Port Angeles, I guess I was so used to him being so far away. I don't know, I missed him, a lot.

When switching classes, Alice passed me in the hall. She gave me a wide grin, and I had a brilliant idea. "Hey, do you wanna come shopping with me after school?" I asked, she squealed.

"Sure. What stores do you wanna hit up? I'm sure there are lots of sales! Ah, maybe I should call Sue." Sue was that manager she had told us about the day in Port Angeles when I first met Edward.

"No, Alice. Edward...asked me to go shopping for him. He needs some stuff, and he doesn't know what to get. So he asked me to go for him…," I trailed off.

"Sure!" She beamed. "Meet me at my car after school, and we'll go to Port A." I nodded, and walked off to my next class.

By lunch time I was dying. I was desperate to get out of here and I knew I wouldn't make it the rest of the day without seeing him. But I was scared he'd think I was so clingy. But what does he know, right? Maybe I came home everyday at lunch before. He wouldn't know the difference. But it didn't help the fact that I was freakishly nervous by the time I pulled into my driveway. I made my way into the house, slipping my boots off at the door. The house was quiet, and the TV wasn't on, which I was sure was where Edward would be. I tip toed my way upstairs. My bedroom door was shut, but not locked. I pushed it open, only to find Edward laying stomach down on my bed. His eyes were closed, and small snores echoed in my room. I smiled, before shutting the door softly and walking back downstairs.

I made him some kraft dinner for lunch. I put some in a bowl and grabbed a glass of milk, walking upstairs with it. The bowl was hot, so it was difficult to hold on to. "Edward," I called, walking up the stairs. When I made it in my room, he was still sleeping. "Edward," I called again, this time he stirred before shooting up from the bed, his eyes wide. "Hi," I said with a big grin, "I made you some dinner."

"Why aren't you at school?" he asked groggily, taking the bowl.

"I come home everyday?" I mumbled, making it sound as if it was a question.

Edward saw right through me and laughed. "Right."

I blushed. "So, I'm going out with Alice after school and I won't be home right away. I'll probably get home right before Charlie does. But if not, just watch for his lights, and go upstairs or something if he comes home."

He nodded, and swallowed hard. "'Kay. Where you going?"

"Shopping. Anything you need me to pick you up?" He shook his head shyly.

I looked around the room aimlessly. "Shit, I was gonna bring up the TV."

"It's okay. You can bring it up later or something." He gave me a reassuring smile.

I went back to school after that, not having a lot of time to spend with Edward. My classes were boring, the usual people talking to me, like Michael Newton. I tended to ignore him as much as possible.

I had my last class with Rose. "Hey, what are you doing after school?" she whispered.

"Shopping," I mumbled, looking up at the front.

"With who?!" she squealed.

"Alice." Obviously.

"Why wasn't I invited?"

"Sorry. Do you want to come?" I asked.

"Yes." She kept her lips in a firm line. "Why are we going shopping?"

"I gotta pick some shit up."

"Okay." And then it was settled. After school Rose and I met Alice at her car and we drove to Port Angeles.

"What does he need?" Alice asked, looking at me from the rear view mirror.

"Um-" I started but was cut off by Rosalie.

"Who's he?" She asked swiftly turning around.

"Edwaaaard," Alice sing-songed, sticking her tongue out at me.

I laughed nervously, "Yeah."

"Who's Edward?" Rose asked, raising a brow.

"Bella's booooyfrieeend."

"Ha...ha..." I said nervously, looking out the window.

"How come you didn't tell me about this?" Rose looked peeved and I wanted to smack Alice.

"Um, it just happened? And I'm not even sure if he's my boyfriend."

"If he's not your boyfriend, then why are you buying him stuff?" Alice asked.

"You're buying him stuff?" This time it was Rose.

"No!" I sighed. "He's giving me money to pick him some shit up. And I'm not sure if he's my boyfriend... we haven't talked about that yet."

"Did you do him yet?" Rose asked with a laugh.

I covered my face with my hands. "Jesus, Rose, what are we, ten?"

She laughed. "They definitely kissed."

I gaped at her. "How do you know that?"

"I just do." She smirked. I sighed and pushed myself deeper into the upholstery of the car, completely embarrassed. Thankfully, it wasn't long before we arrived at the mall. "Where first?" Rose asked.

"Um, I don't know, clothing store?" I mumbled, getting out of the car.

Ten stores later, I picked out two pairs of jeans, three t-shirts, two sweaters, and a couple pairs of boxers. "Really, he can't buy his own boxers?" Alice asked, disgusted. I looked away, and laughed nervously, not sure how to respond to that. I bought him a couple pairs of sweats and pajama bottoms; something to wear around the house.

"What else does he need?" Alice asked, once we walked out of the store. I was lugging around five bags with me.

"Um, we should probably go to the drug store," I mumbled.

"Why?"

"He needs other stuff."

"Like what?"

"Like, just come on, so I can get home," I said.

We walked aimlessly around the store then stopped at the deodorant idle. "Oh my god, seriously. He can't buy his own pit stick?" Alice mumbled, rolling her eyes. Rose looked at me sceptically.

"Shut up. Lets just get this," I said, picking one off the shelf and putting it in my basket. I grabbed a razor and some body wash as well. I noticed a toothbrush on a shelf, and grabbed that as well when they weren't looking. It'd seem a little suspicious if my boyfriend, or whatever he was, didn't even own a toothbrush. "I think this is all I need." I think. I paid for everything, and we were finally leaving the store. I wasn't sure how long we were shopping for, but it seemed like a long ass time. It was dark outside, so it was after five, which means Charlie was probably going to beat me home.

It was quiet in the car for a while before Rose broke the silence, "I said yes to Emmett."

"Wha-" I started, but Alice cut me off, squealing.

"Oh my god! Did you really?"

I stuffed my face though the center console and grinned at Rose. Her face was bright red. "Yes," she nodded, "We went out last night. He was really sweet. Wasn't like I thought he would be."

"Aw, Rose," I cooed. Emmett was perfect for her, everyone had already known it and finally she realized it as well. "What did you guys do?"

"Um, it was pretty much a standard date. He took me out to dinner, and get this! He fricking pulled out my chair and held the door open."

"Aw!" Alice cried. "That's so fucking cute!"

"And then we went to the movies. I think he was surprised when I picked a horror movie over a chick flick." She laughed. "And he didn't even try to pull one over on me; I was kind of disappointed."

"Did you guys kiss?" I asked, surprising myself. Rose and Alice gaped at me, and I realized that my eyes were wide. And then we all burst out into fits of laughter.

"Yea, we did at the end. It was so nice." She sighed, happily. "But we talked a lot."

"Oh yeah?" Alice said with a grin.

"Yeah. Did you know that he was adopted?" She asked.

I shook my head. "No, but wow."

"I know." Rose said, leaning back in her seat. Conversation died down after Rose started talking about her date with Emmett. Honestly, it shocked me. I didn't think she was ever going to give Emmett a chance, but she did. And I was happy that she was happy.

Finally we arrived back in Forks. And I was feeling a little nervous about Edward's reaction to the stuff I had bought him. Back when I gave him money, or offered him different shit, he'd get so pissed. But this was different, he was living with me, and he couldn't wear the same clothes all the time. And surely Charlie would notice BO stinking up the house.

So when I was finally in my drive way, my palms were sweating. Charlie was home, which made me more anxious. I knew there was no way that Charlie would figure out that Edward was living there, but it still didn't ease my mind. "Hey, Bells. Where were you?" Charlie asked from the couch.

"Shopping with Alice and Rose."

"You have a nice time?"

"Yeah." I mumbled, throwing my boots in the closet, and hanging my jacket up. I started walking up the stairs with my bags in hand, but Charlie picked this day to be an observant dad.

"Sure got a lot of bags. What did you buy?" He asked, turning around from the couch.

"Just some clothes. You know, girl stuff," I mumbled, awkwardly. Charlie's face turned red, before he slowly turned back to the TV. I ran my way upstairs. Edward was sitting on my bed, his knees up to his chest looking just as anxious as I felt.

"Hi," I mumbled.

"Hi," he squeaked. I laughed.

"Are you scared to be home alone with my father?"

He sighed, "Is it that obvious?" I nodded. "Well, yeah it's very... nerve-racking..." I smiled, walking over to him with my bags in hand.

"I got you some stuff..." He opened his mouth, "but before you say anything. It's stuff you need. You need a toothbrush and deodorant. And you need clothes. You can't keep wearing the same thing everyday."

He nodded slowly. "What did you get?" I smiled shyly, and sat on the bed beside him, showing him everything I got him. "Jesus Christ! How much did that shit cost?"

I frowned. "You don't like it?" I knew I didn't have any idea what style Edward was, because I'd always seen him in neutral clothes. But I picked him stuff that I thought would look good on him.

"No. I do. Of course I do. But shit, Bella, this stuff must of cost you a fortune." He gaped at me.

"Don't worry about it," I mumbled, putting the stuff back in their bags.

"How can I not? Jesus! I can't pay you back. I don't have a job."

"You don't have to pay me back." I sighed, walking over to my dresser and emptying a drawer.

"What are you doing?" Edward asked, his voice high with nerves.

"Giving you room to put your things," I mumbled, as I put my clothes in different drawers in my dresser.

He sighed. "Just tell how much it cost?" I shook my head. "Please." I shook my head again, as I folded and placed his clothes neatly in the bottom drawer. "Fuck!" he whispered frantically, causing me to jump. "You don't want me to get mad at you for buying me shit, and I won't. I get it. I live here now, I live with you. And I'm fine with that. I'm okay with you buying me stuff. And I don't want to fight with you anymore. But I need to pay you back. No, I have to pay you back, so please. Please tell me how much the clothes were."

I sighed. "Two hundred, fifty-six dollars and seventy-eight cents," I mumbled. I heard a loud whistle coming from behind me on the bed. I sighed before turning around and crawling over to him. "Don't worry about it. You're not paying me back. I don't want your money, and I'd never take it."

"Where did you get that money?" he asked, gazing into my eyes.

"My mother."

"Your mother?"

"Her and Phill had a couple thousand dollars saved up. When they died, I got it when I turned eighteen."

"Oh."

"Yeah." I sighed. "So forget about it. It's only a couple hundred, it means nothing to me. And I want to do this for you. Please, just let me do this for you," I whispered, looking up into his eyes.

He nodded slowly, hugging me close to his body. We stayed like that for a couple minutes, his shallow breath ghosting across the nook of my neck. I rubbed his back and the back of his head. His hair was soft, so he must have had a shower today.

"Bella, do you want to cook supper or should I order a pizza?" I heard my father scream from downstairs. I jumped in Edward's arms.

I looked up at Edward and he mouthed, 'go cook!' So I hollered back, "I'll be down in a second!"

A/N: I love you.