I don't own Twilight!
Cookies and a Kiss
I woke up the next morning, gasping for breath and bathed in a cold sweat. I had another dream, which after yesterday's events wasn't that much of a surprise. I took some deep breaths, and after a few minutes was able to calm down. I took a few more minutes to just lay in the calm quiet of my room before letting out a sigh and rolling out of bed. After a pit stop in the bathroom I made my way downstairs to see what my parents were up to.
"Hey sweetie," my mom said as I shuffled into the kitchen.
"Hi mom," I replied as I plopped down in the nearest chair.
"I made you breakfast," she said as she set a plate with two waffles on it in front of me. I looked at them skeptically as I picked up my fork and poked at one. They looked okay, but I was still apprehensive.
"Relax," my mom said with a scowl, "they are just Eggos."
"Sorry mom," I said while I cut off a piece with my fork and ate it. My mom set a glass of juice next to my plate before turning back the counter and picking up the coffee mug she had left there.
"Where is Dad?" I asked when I didn't see him sitting in the kitchen or living room.
"Charlie had to run into work, but he will be back this afternoon," my mom explained.
"Oh, okay," I replied as I continued to eat.
"So, are you ready for tomorrow?" my mom asked and I knew she was referring to my therapy session.
"I guess," I replied, "I'm nervous, but I am glad that Edward will be there with me."
"You really like him, don't you?" my mom asked with a twinkle in her eye that made me nervous.
"Well yeah, he saved my life," I replied trying not rise to the bait.
"You know that is not what I mean," my mom said.
"Nope. I have no idea what you mean," I replied as my gaze fell back down to my waffle.
"Bella," my mom groaned.
Fine," I sighed, still staring at my waffle, "maybe I have a teeny tiny crush on him."
"Yeah, well I would be worried if you didn't," my mom said with a smirk, "The boy is sweet, brave, selfless, and incredibly attractive." I rolled my eyes and just as my mom finished talking the doorbell rang.
"Thank God," I mumbled as my mom went to go answer the door.
"Hey Esme," I heard my mom say as she opened the door. I tried to think of what Esme could possibly doing here. My thoughts were interrupted when my mom and Esme, who was carrying a wrapped plate, walked into the kitchen.
"Hi Bella," Esme said.
"Hi Esme," I replied as I pushed my plate away.
"I'll give you guys a minute," my mom said before leaving the room.
"How are you doing after yesterday?" Esme asked as she sat in the chair next to mine.
"I'm okay," I replied, "How is Edward?"
"Edward is alright. I think he had a dream last night though," Esme said, and I heard the concern in her voice.
"I had one too," I replied quietly.
"I'm so sorry," Esme said as she reached over squeezed my hand.
"It's okay," I replied with a shrug.
"No it's not," Esme said, "None of this is okay."
"You're right, it's not." I agreed.
"I came here because I wanted to thank you," Esme said.
"For what?" I asked.
"For saving my son's life," Esme said with tears in her eyes.
"I just did what anyone what do," I said, embarrassed by the praise.
"No Bella, you went above and beyond, you risked your own life," she said, "I will be forever grateful to you."
"Edward saved my life too," I said.
"I know," Esme said with a watery smile, "I have never been more proud of him." I glanced over to the plate that was sitting next to Esme. She followed my gaze and smiled when she saw what had distracted me.
"I know it's not much," she said as she put the plate in front of me, "but I made you some cookies."
"Thank you so much," I said as pulled off the plastic wrap.
I looked down at the frosted sugar cookies on the plate and felt my mouth water when the warm cookie scent filled my nostrils. I grabbed one off the plate and moaned when I took a bite. It was soft, sweet, and delicious.
"These are so good!" I said as fished the cookie and reached for another.
"I am glad you like them," she said with a smile.
"I'm going to have to hide these from my dad," I said and Esme laughed. I wasn't kidding, though. If my dad got a hold of these I would never see them again, and that would be a tragedy.
"I should probably get going," Esme said a minute later.
"Are you sure?" I asked.
"Yes. Edward wasn't in the best of moods this morning, and I want to get home to check on him," she replied as she stood.
"Oh, is it because of the dream he had?" I said worriedly.
"I think so," she said, looking frustrated, "He won't talk to me about it, though."
"Is it okay if I call him later?" I asked.
"Of course," Esme said, and just as she was about to walk out of the room she turned back and faced me, "Actually, would you like to come with me? I know he would love see you."
"Absolutely," I replied, "Just let me ask my mom."
"You can go," my mom called from the other room.
"I just need to change before we go," I said as I stood up.
"Take your time," Esme said as I hurried up the stairs and she joined my mom in the living room. It didn't take long for me to pick out jeans and sweatshirt to wear, but with my new sling there was no way I could get it on by myself.
I went the top of the stairs and yelled down to my mom that I needed help, and she hurried up to dress me and reapply the sling. Once that was done, she went back downstairs and I went to the bathroom to run a brush through my hair and put on some make up. I headed down the stairs, and when I got to the bottom I saw my mom and Esme chatting happily on the couch.
"Ready to go?" Esme said with a smile when she saw me.
"Yep," I said as I slid my shoes on.
"Have fun," my mom said with a wink in my direction as she held the door open for us.
"Goodbye Mom," I said as I followed Esme out the door to her car. Esme and I talked about trivial things during the drive, and before I knew it we were pulling up to the gorgeous house in the woods.
"I don't think I will get used to how amazing your house is," I admitted as we climbed out of the car.
"Thank you, I am glad you like it," Esme said as we walked up the porch steps. "I know I've loved it from the first moment I saw it."
"I understand why," I said as we walked through the front door. Edward was sitting on the couch in the living room, watching TV, and when he looked over and saw me, he smiled.
"Bella," he said happily.
"Hi Edward," I replied with a shy smile.
"You were a bit down this morning, so I figured you could use a little company," Esme said.
"Thanks Mom," Edward said.
"You're welcome," she replied and went over to kiss his forehead. "Where is your father?"
"Up in his office," Edward explained, "He said he wanted to do some research on some new surgical technique."
"Where is your sister?" Emse asked.
"In her room," Edward said with a roll of eyes, "I heard her yelling about having nothing to wear about ten minutes ago.
"Alright," Esme said with a sigh, "I better go see how much of a disaster her room is now. Bella, please sit down and make yourself comfortable."
I did what Esme said, and went over to join Edward on the couch.
"What are you watching" I asked.
"Um, Castle," he said.
"That's the show with the writer who follows the detective around, right?" I asked.
"Yep," Edward said.
"Is it any good?" I asked.
"Yeah, it actually is pretty good," Edward replied, "Alice got me hooked on it because she is obsessed with the lead actor, Nathan Fillion." We watched in silence for a while, and I had to admit it was pretty good.
"So, did you have a dream last night?" I asked during a commercial.
"Yeah," Edward said as he picked at the blanket sitting next to him on the couch. "I guess that makes sense after yesterday though, right?"
"Right," I agreed, "I had one too."
"Was I in it?" Edward asked as he let his arm rest behind me on the couch.
"Um, yeah," I admitted, "We were at the restaurant and Mike ran in and started shooting. You pulled me under the table and we hid. Then suddenly another shot rang out and you fell forward into my lap. You got shot in the back, and I tried to save you, but I couldn't. Then Mike pulled up the table cloth and pointed to gun at me. That was when I woke up."
Edward's arm had tightened around me while I was talking and I had snuggled closer to his side.
"I'm so sorry, Bella," he said.
"It's not your fault," I said, "Do you want to tell me about your dream?"
"It was similar to yours," Edward said, "We were at the restaurant. We were looking at our menus and the waiter came over to ask what we wanted. When we looked it was Mike and he had a gun pointed at us. I tried to dive across the table to push you out of the way, but he fired and it was too late. You slumped down in your chair and then I woke up."
"I wish I could find a way to make this stop for both of us," I said.
"Well, hopefully tomorrow will help," Edward said, referring to our appointment.
"I hope so," I said.
"Being here with you like this helps too," Edward said as he looked down at me.
"Yeah it does," I whispered quietly as looked up and met his gaze.
Edward lowered his head toward mine and gently pressed his lips to mine. Edward's lips were warm and soft as moved against mine. Nothing else could have made more feel more alive than the warmth and tenderness in this kiss.
A wolf whistle from behind us made us jump apart. I looked over and saw Alice standing on the stairs with a smirk on her face.
"Dammit Alice," Edward said.
"Sorry," she said as she skipped down the stairs, "I couldn't resist."
"Yeah I bet," Edward grumbled.
"Don't be mad," Alice said, "I'm really happy for you guys. You deserve a little happiness after everything you've gone through."
"Thank you," I said with a small smile.
"No, thank you!" Alice said as she sat down next to me and took my good hand in both of hers, "You saved my brother's life."
"Well, he saved mine too," I said, getting embarrassed again.
"I know," she said as she looked over at her brother and smiled. Esme and Carlisle walked down the stairs and smiled when they saw the three of us on the couch.
"Are you guys hungry?" Esme asked, "I was just about to make lunch."
We all nodded and she and Carlisle headed into the kitchen.
"Bella, that reminds me, did you like the cookies mom and I made for you?" Alice asked.
"Yes, I…crap!" I cursed.
"What?" Edward asked concerned.
"I forgot to hide the cookies before I left," I moaned, "My parents are probably going to finish them before I get home."
"If they do I can make you more," Alice promised.
"Really?" I asked, "Because they were amazing."
"Of course, I am glad you liked them," Alice beamed, "So, what are you guys watching?"
"Castle," Edward said.
"Well I am glad to see my excellent taste in TV shows has rubbed off on you, Edward," Alice said and we all laughed.
It felt good to laugh. It seemed that like all the members of the Cullen family were helping me heal. It seemed strange to think that a little more than a week ago I really didn't know any of them, and now they seemed like family to me.
It probably should have scared me that I fit in with them so effortlessly, but it didn't. It comforted me to know that I had such a wonderful support system.
AN: Thanks to my beta Jenn! Thanks also to everyone who review the last chapter it means a lot. I am so sorry that I didn't get reply to your reviews or thank you personally, but I figured that you guys have waited long enough for this chapter I didn't want to delay it.
The next chapter will be about them going to therapy I promise. I fully intended to have that in this chapter, but I sat down to write and this came out.
PLEASE REVIEW! THANK YOU :)