All Characters belong to Stephenie Meyer

I winced slightly as I felt the needle enter my hand. I tried to relax as I closed my eyes and lay back against the bed. The nurse was nice enough to get me an ice pack to help numb the area where the IV entered my hand. As soon as she was gone from the room I pulled my I-pod out anxious to discover what music Edward had chosen for me. He certainly had enough to choose from in his room.

I hit play and waited for the first song to begin. I was instantly blown away by the melody that filled my ears. It was like nothing I had ever heard before. It was so complex, rich, and above all else, beautiful. I could feel my jaw drop the more I listened. Where did he find this music? Who was the composer? I was completely blown away. The next song began soon after and was nothing short of extraordinary. It was softer, sweeter than the first. It caused tears to come to my eyes. There was something almost familiar about it, but I couldn't place it.

My eyes shot open as I realized how I knew the song that was playing. This was the same lullaby he hummed to me at night to help me sleep. Instantly I hit rewind to listen to the song again from the start. Every cadence was the same. It couldn't…I mean…was this…was he the pianist on my I-pod? Was he the composer of this amazing music? He said that he played and music was clearly a very large part of his life, but could he really be behind these extraordinary compositions?

I decided that I would ask Edward as soon as I could. He was waiting for me in the waiting area. I had insisted on going in alone to take my treatments. He had protested at first but relented once I explained why. It made it easier if I could shut out the world around me, and focus internally. For that I needed no distractions. Edward constituted a distraction; therefore he was banned from my room.

The tender sonata was too soothing to not respond to and I found myself relaxing more than I thought possible as the gently melodies flowed through me. This was one surprise I was thankful for.

I was already nauseated by the time the nurse came to disconnect me from the IV and send me home. I walked slowly from my room to where I knew Edward was waiting. I kept swallowing against the need to be sick. As soon as Edward saw me he came to my side and helped me out to the car.

"Please drive slow. I'm afraid of what might happen if you drive too fast." I whispered shutting my eyes tight.

"Ok." He said simply.

I took a few deep breaths as he pulled out of the parking space bending down to place my face in my hands. I rocked slowly back and forth as I dug my fingers through my hair. I just had to make it until we got home. I could do this. Maybe I should have asked Edward to drive fast. It wasn't like I was looking out the window or anything.

As soon as I felt the car stop I bolted for the house. I didn't even bother closing the door behind me as I ran up the stairs to the bathroom. I had made it home just in time. I sat with my head still bent over the toilet as I reached up to the handle and flushed. I groaned softly and felt dizzy as a fresh wave of nausea hit me. This was not going to be a fun day.

I slid across the floor and leaned up against the shower. I had learned from past experience that it was futile to leave the bathroom when I was like this.

"Are you all right?" I heard Edward ask from the doorway.

I looked up at him and noticed how alarmed he looked. I hadn't even known he was there. "Yeah. I'm f-" I clapped my hand across my face as quickly as I could and grabbed for the toilet. "Fine." I finished lamely once I was done.

"Oh Bella." Edward leaned down and took me into his cold arms and cradled me into his chest. He sat with me for the next few hours holding my hair back as needed and placing his cool hands to the back of my neck. Normally I would be embarrassed to have him see me like this, anyone really, but I was too sick to care at this point.

I was starting to feel cold and tried to get up but I felt his arms tighten around me keeping me in place.

"What do you need?" He asked softly.

"I want to go to bed. I'm cold."

Without another word he got up with me in his arms and carried me to my room. Ever so gently he placed me in my bed and tucked the covers in around me.

"Do you need more blankets?"

"Please." I answered as I curled up into a fetal position. Before I could explain to him where to look he was gone. He returned with three blankets in his arms and threw them over me. He did not lay down with me, but stayed sitting propped against the side of my bed gently caressing my hair.

I must have looked a fright, but he said nothing. His eyes roamed over my face and were filled with nothing but love and admiration.

I was starting to warm up and relaxed a little under the covers. "Thank you for the music. It was incredible."

He smiled crookedly, and even though I felt terribly sick I could feel my heart rate pick up ever so slightly at the sight.

He grinned obviously hearing the change in my heart rate. "I'm glad you liked it."

"I recognized one of the songs. It's one that you often hum to me."

"Yes." He smiled running the back of his hand across my cheek ever so softly, back and forth unrelentingly. "That is one of my favorites."

"Where did you get it?"

He smiled. "I didn't get it anywhere."

My eyes widened. "So that was your music and your playing?"

He chuckled once nodding his head. He leaned in kissing me briefly on the tip of my nose. "I wrote that lullaby with you in mind." He whispered.

My eyes filled with tears. "It was so beautiful." I replied softly.

"You are so beautiful." His eyes, now deep pools of liquid gold, held so much love for me it took my breath away.

It was quiet for a moment as I let it all sink in. I couldn't believe he had actually written me a song. "Thank you." I finally managed to whisper.

He smiled in response as he began to once again stroke my hair. "Why don't you try to sleep?"

"Can't." I was still feeling queasy though I no longer felt the need to sit by the toilet.

"Would you like me to read to you then?" He suggested.

I smiled. He was being so sweet, but I felt bad for making him do everything for me. "You don't have to. You've done enough."

"I've done nothing." He declared sternly. "What book would you like?"

I sighed, obviously he wasn't going to drop it. I thought for a moment about what book sounded good to me. I loved Jane Austen. I couldn't decide between Mansfield Park, or Pride and Prejudice. They were both favorites of mine.

"You decide." I finally said. "Over there," I said pointing with my chin towards my desk "is a collection of books by Jane Austen. I love them all."

He got up and retrieved the book then took up his previous position on the floor. He eyed the book for a brief second then flipped to a page. "Pride and Prejudice, it is." He announced before beginning to read.

I got lost in the cadences as Edward's velvety voice breathed new life to the words on the page. I found myself hanging on every word almost forgetting where I was. I closed my eyes and lay back on my pillows as Edward described a world much more simple than my own and drifted off to sleep.

"How is she doing?" I heard someone ask.

I was just starting to wake and I could hear talking near by. I opened my eyes and looked towards where the voices were coming from. In my doorway stood Edward and my father.

"She's been sleeping for a few hours now. It was rough when she first got home, but she seems to be doing better now." His voice sounded wary.

"Hey Dad." I replied sleepily, stretching my arms out from under the covers.

He smiled and came to my side. "Hey Bells. How ya doin' kid?"

"I'm ok. Are you home early?" I asked as I noticed it was still light out. Charlie usually didn't get home until after dark.

He smiled guiltily. "I wanted to make sure you were alright and didn't need anything."

"Dad, I'm fine. You didn't have to come home early. Edward's been with me. You should have just called." I said as I looked up at Edward still standing in the doorway grinning at me.

He nodded his head. "Have you had anything to eat? Can I get you some water maybe?"

I recoiled at the mere thought of food, but decided that fluids were a good idea. "Do we have any Gatorade?"

Charlie thought for a moment then frowned. "I don't think…"

"I'll get you some. Anything else you think you might want?" Edward called from the door way cutting Charlie off.

"You don't have to. I can drink water." I insisted.

"Don't be silly. What kind would you like?"

I shrugged. I hated the stuff truthfully, but whenever I was sick like this my body seemed to crave it. "The light blue kind if they have it I guess. Thanks."

"I'll be back as soon as I can. If you think of anything else you may like I have my cell on me. Can I get you anything Chief Swan?" He questioned politely.

"No-no Edward. Thanks. Call me Charlie. Let me walk you out."

I had a bad feeling about them being alone together and I looked reproachfully at my father.

He chuckled messing my hair. "Don't worry. I'll return him to you in one piece. I just want to ask him a few questions."

I frowned as I watched them leave my room together, but I was far too tired to protest. I lay my head back down and tucked myself back under the covers when I got an idea. I scanned my room quickly and found what I was looking for on my desk. Slowly I got up, staying a little hunched over for my stomach still ached, and retrieved my I-pod. I crawled back into bed content as I turned it on listening, once again, to Edward's sweet melodies.

"Hey."

My eyes flew open and I jumped. Edward was kneeling beside my bed. He had removed one of my earpieces and I could still feel his lips at my ear as he chuckled.

"I got your juice for you." He held a bottle up in one hand for me to see.

It took me a moment to calm down. I was half asleep when he arrived, completely wrapped up in his music to notice anyone come into my room.

I took a few deep breaths to calm down and took the bottle from him. "Thanks."

I took a few small sips afraid to upset my stomach and smiled. "So what did you and Charlie talk about?" I tried to sound casual, but even I could hear the burning curiosity in my voice.

He grinned. "Nothing too terrible. He was just being a protective father."

I furrowed my eyebrows together. "What did he say?" I demanded as I stifled a yawn.

He smiled reaching out and catching a stray piece of my hair in his hand and tucking it behind my ear. "He just wanted to know what my intentions were concerning you." He shrugged as if it were no big deal.

I blushed slightly. "What did you tell him?"

He smirked. "I told him that you are very special to me." He leaned down and kissed my forehead. "And I love you very much." His lips traveled down my check and to my jaw. "That I was here for the long haul, and would not be going anywhere." His lips were mere centimeters from mine at this point. I could actually taste his cool breath as my mouth started to water.

"Hmmm." I managed to say before his lips were on mine in a very sweet kiss.

"That must have made him happy." I managed to say as I gasped for air.

He shrugged as if making my father happy did not concern him. "It's the truth."

I stared into his eyes and could see nothing but love there and felt my throat tighten. "I love you so much." I managed to choke out.

He ducked his head and kissed me quickly on the lips. "I know." He smiled running a hand through my hair.

"Sleep. You look exhausted." He commanded.

I settled back into my bed feeling tired enough to sleep even though I had spent the better part of the day sleeping already. I closed my eyes and heard the familiar sound of Edward humming, what I knew now was, my lullaby.