All characters belong to Stephenie Meyer

It was a rough night. My nausea eventually caught up with me and I spent a good part of my evening curled up on the bathroom floor. Edward left around eight to allow me to rest, or so he told Charlie. He appeared in my room again as soon as he had returned his car. It had bothered him that he was not able to help me while I was sick because Charlie was still awake. Charlie had done his best to help me. He got me a blanket to keep me warm. Eventually I sent him to bed. Begrudgingly, he left me alone, leaving a glass of water beside me just in case and with the charge to wake him if I needed anything. I once again laid down flat against the floor enjoying the feel of the cold on my skin. I draped the blanket over me to keep the chill off.

I knew the instant Charlie was sleeping because Edward was at my side taking me in his arms.

"Do you want some of your juice?" He offered in a low voice so as to not wake my father up. "Maybe it will help if you have something on your stomach."

I shook my head and leaned further into his chest. I was just so tired and weak. I hated this feeling, but there was nothing I could do about it. I closed my eyes and tried to will my stomach to stop churning, bit the more I thought about it the more nauseas I felt. I was thankful for Edward's presence. I was too weak to hold myself to the toilet anymore. He seemed to sense when I was going to be sick and would help me lean forward then pull me back into his arms.

I could feel my hair sticking to my neck as I broke out in a cold sweat, and I shivered briefly feeling chilled. He reached down and wrapped me securely in the blanket Charlie had given me and began rubbing soothing circles into my back. I closed my eyes as I concentrated on his touch.

"Thank you." I whispered in the early hours of the morning. He had been so unbelievably good to me. He never wavered. No matter what, it never seemed to bother him. He only seemed concerned about my comfort and how I was doing.

"Shhh. Just rest." He admonished me gently.

I felt horrid. My stomach was starting to settle minutely and I could feel my eyelids getting heavier by the second. I faintly remember hearing Edward hum my lullaby before the world around me turned black.

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

I opened my eyes to find my self in my bed again. Edward must have brought me to bed once I fell asleep. It was light outside it almost looked like midday. I looked around and found him sitting in my rocking chair reading. He looked so peaceful. I smiled as I watched him. Almost instantly he looked away from his book and at me.

He grinned. "You're awake." He put his book down and slowly came to my side. "How are you feeling?" I could hear the anxiety heavy in his voice.

"Tired." I admitted.

His eyes traced over my face for a minute. "You had a rough night."

I reached out from under the covers and touched his face with my hand. "Thank you." I muttered softly remembering all he had done for me.

He smiled slightly. "There's no need to thank me. I did nothing really." Before I could respond he added quickly. "Do you think you could drink something?"

I thought for a moment and realized that my stomach felt ok. At the mention of fluids I could feel how dry my mouth was and started to feel thirsty. "Yeah."

"I'll get your juice."

He left in a blink of an eye and returned quicker than what should be possible with a bottle of juice in his hand. I gingerly took a few swigs trying to be careful. I knew the worst was over, for now. I was just so very tired. I had a hard time keeping my eyes open. I felt guilty for monopolizing so much of Edward's time especially since I seemed to be unconscious for a large portion of it.

"Why don't you go home and see your family for a little while?" I suggested as I stifled a yawn.

He caressed my face with his long elegant fingers. "I'm not leaving your side."

I frowned as looked upon his face. His eyes were a dark gold and the circles under his eyes were turning deep purple once more.

"You look like you could use a break." I said eyeing him meaningfully.

He shook his head. "I'm perfectly fine."

"Edward, you have needs too. I'll just be sleeping most of the day. I'm too tired to do much else." I added in a sour tone. "Go, hunt. I'll be fine. Spend some time with your family. Please?"

"I'm not going anywhere." He muttered solemnly.

"Please? I feel bad for taking up so much of your time. I'm sure Emmett or Jasper would love to go with you. You could come back later tonight. Take your cell so that I can call you if I need anything. You can even ask Alice to check on me." I suggested shrewdly.

"You really want to get rid of me that bad?" He said trying to sound hurt, but I could clearly see the humor in his eyes.

"Please?"

He eyed me for a few minutes before taking his phone from his pocket. "Alice." I heard him say. I couldn't make out the rest of his conversation he was speaking too fast. Before long he shut his phone and sighed. "It's all set. Alice is going to check on you this afternoon. I'll leave her cell number with you so if you need anything you can call her. I won't be far. I'll be back before Charlie is home from work. Please take it easy. Do not under any circumstances hesitate to call me if you need something."

I smiled triumphantly. I couldn't hold the next yawn in and heard Edward laugh softly at me. "I'll stay until you fall asleep."

I closed my eyes and listened as Edward hummed my lullaby to me, relaxing to the sweet sound of his voice as sleep once again over took me.

I awoke hours latter feeling more rested but still tired. I looked around my room; despite knowing I would be alone and sighed finding no one there. I ran my hands through my hair and groaned. My hair was one big matted mess from the day before. Blushing I realized what a mess I must be. I decided it was time for a shower.

Slowly I got out of bed grabbing my bag of toiletries on my way and headed to the bathroom. I took one look at myself in the mirror and grimaced. I looked like hell. My skin was pasty and gray. I had deep dark circles under my eyes, which looked empty. My lips were puckered and very dry. My once beautiful hair was dull and matted.

I began brushing my hair trying to make some sense of the tangled mess on top of my head before I showered. It took longer than I thought it would to tame my think locks. My arms were tired as I reached in and turned the water on in the shower.

As soon as the water made contact with my body I relaxed. The sound of the water and the feel of it hitting my skin was heavenly. I leaned forward against the palms of my hands and allowed the water to simply run over me for a long time. Eventually I straightened up and began washing my hair. I was utterly exhausted by the time I finished grabbing my towel and wrapping it around me.

I trotted slowly to my room and collapsed on my bed not caring that I was still wet. My eyes were extremely heavy and I found I could no longer keep them open as I felt myself drift off to sleep.

"Bella." I felt someone shaking me. "Bella you need to wake up you're freezing."

I furrowed my brows fighting to stay asleep.

"Come on. You're going to get sick if you stay like this." I heard her say in a desperate tone. "Edward's going to kill me." I heard her say in a much quieter voice.

I opened my eyes and saw Alice standing over me looking relieved to finally see me awake.

She put her hands on her hips and smield. "Well it's about time. You need to get dressed."

I shivered involuntarily for the first time realizing how cold I felt. I wrapped my arms around me legs and held them close to my body.

"Come on. I'll help you."

She reached down and grabbed my hand as she pulled me to my feet. She turned around and handed me a very soft and warm looking maroon sweat suit. She handed me then danced back over to my bed where she went to work removing my old sheets. I got dressed as fast as I could. She was down with my bed before me and I was surprised to find all new blankets on it.

"Where did these come from?" I asked gesturing towards the new blankets on my bed.

She smiled pulling me back to my bed. "I thought you might like them. Their down and will keep you very warm."

I was speechless. I didn't understand why she was being so nice to me. "You didn't have to…"

"Oh stop, now turn around so I can brush your hair out."

I did as I was told. She was very gentle and before I knew it she was done.

"There." She announced with a smile. "Now get back in bed."

I did as I was told without complaint. Within minutes I could feel the warmth from the blankets warm me through to the bone. It was unlike anything I had ever felt before.

"I'll be right back."

I watched as she left my room and returned moments later with a bowl in her hands.

"I got you some chicken noodle soup. It should be easy on your stomach."

I sat up taking the bowl from her hands. She took a seat at the end of my bed watching me as I sipped at the soup. I had to admit it didn't taste half bad. I couldn't understand why she was doing all this for me. She didn't even really know me, and yet here she was taking care of me.

"Why are you doing this?" I finally asked unable to keep quiet any longer.

She smiled warmly taking the bowl from me and setting it on the floor. She reached forward touching my cheek briefly with her fingers. "Edward's been alone for so long, and now he has you. You mean more to him than you realize. He's changed so much since he's met you." She mused pausing briefly. "You are everything to my brother, and therefore mean a lot to our family. We're so thankful for all that you've done for him—for the happiness you've brought him."

I was caught off guard by her response and fell quiet as I stared into her golden eyes. I could find only truth there and was touched by her words.

"Now." She said after a few minutes of silence. "You should rest. Edward will be back in a few hours. If he finds out that I kept you awake talking when you should have been resting…well let's just say he will not be very pleased."

I smiled knowing exactly how Edward would be. "Thanks Alice." I said softly as I buried myself into my blankets and closed my eyes.

"Sleep well Bella." I heard her call as she took my bowl and left my room.

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I woke for the third time that day to find the sun starting to set. I looked around and smiled hugely finding Edward staring at me from the foot of my bed.

"Edward." I whispered as he came to my side stroking my hair with one of his hands. "When did you get back?" I asked examining his eyes to make sure he had fed. I was pleased to find them back to the bright gold color I loved.

"A little while ago. Did Alice take good care of you in my absence?"

"Yes, she did. Will you thank her for me when you see her again for all that she's done for me?"

He grinned nodding his head. "Of course."

"Would you like something to eat?"

"Is there anymore of the soup left from this afternoon?" I was afraid to eat anything else.

"I believe so. I'll be right back." He returned with a bowl in his hands with steam coming from it.

I took the bowl from him and gestured for him to join me on the bed. He sat down next to me gingerly and watched as I sipped at the soup.

Once I was done he took my bowl from me setting it on my desk. "Do you think you could sleep more?"

I shook my head. "I'm tired, but I can't sleep."

He came and lay down next to me holding me in his arms. "Will you promise me something?"

"Anything." I answered automatically.

"Could you maybe save big activities, such as showering, for when someone is around to help you?"

I frowned. "I don't need help with that." I wondered what Alice had told him.

"Please?" He asked his lips just above me ear. "I don't want you getting sick because you were too tired to get dressed to only find you passed out and shivering on your bed."

I scowled at my door. "It wasn't that bad."

"Please, Bella?" He pleaded one last time.

I sighed. "Fine." I grumbled.

I could feel him smile against my head. "Thank you."

It was silent for a few moments before he spoke again. "If you can't sleep what would you like to do?"

I thought for a moment then shrugged turning to face him. "We could just talk."

He smiled in agreement.

For the next few hours we talked about everything and anything. I learned more about his family and how they were very close. I was finally able to learn more about the one Cullen I had never met, Rosalie. I had always wondered about her. She was the only one who did not approve of me, but Edward told me not to worry she would come around eventually. I doubted him, but did not press the issue.

We shared our happiest moments with each other as well as our saddest. I was surprised to learn that both those moments for him involved me.

"If you could change one thing about your life what would it be?" I asked one time.

He thought for a moment. "I would not be a vampire. I would be human so that I could be with you without endangering your life every second we are together."

I reached out and cupped his face in my hands. "You don't endanger me. I've never felt safer than I do when I am in your arms."

He eyes tightened slightly as he stared at me. I could see the doubt in his eyes, but I spoke the truth.

"Alright, if you could change one thing about your life what would it be?" He countered.

I contemplated my answer for a few seconds before answering. "I would wish for more time so that I would have more with you."

He stared at me incredulously. "You wouldn't wish to not be sick?" He sounded confused.

"No." I answered honestly.

"Why not?" He demanded.

I shrugged as if it were obvious. "Then I never would have moved here and met you."

He blinked a few times as if in shock then shook his head. "You love me more than I deserve."

I smiled. "I think you have that backwards."

He said nothing as he leaned down kissing me gently on the lips. I wrapped my arms around his neck trying to make the kiss last longer. I felt him smile against my mouth as he pulled away. I was unable to keep the disappointment off my face.

He grinned at me. "Charlie will be home soon."

I nodded knowing what that meant. I watched as he got up and took up his position in my rocking chair. Without a word he reached over and grabbed, Pride and Prejudice, and began reading to me.

I closed my eyes as I listened to his voice, not bothering to listen to the words, and sighed contently.