All characters belong to Stephenie Meyer
NOTE—I know this is a long chapter. I just couldn't find a good place to split it up.
I just wanted to go to sleep. My mind was racing and sleep evaded me. In frustration I jumped up from my bed and went downstairs to start dinner for Charlie. I still didn't have much of an appetite so I decided to cook one of his favorite dishes. No reason why he shouldn't at least enjoy dinner.
There was nothing I could do about Edward's mind reading, I finally decided. If he could read my mind he had already heard my most personal thoughts, and there was nothing I could do to change that. Mind reading—it took less time than I thought to accept the fact that he could read minds than I thought it would. I guess after accepting the fact that vampires exist nothing was too outrageous to me anymore.
"Shoot." I groaned. Today was Wednesday. I was supposed to get the information for our project from Edward so that I could do my part today. It was due on Friday. I got distracted by him and completely forgot about the project and our meeting.
I looked over at the clock on the wall in the kitchen, 3:00. School was already out. Not that I would expect him to be waiting for me in the library. He had seen me leave the parking lot after all.
I bit my lower lip as I decided what to do. Finally, I reached for the phone book to find the number to the Cullen's. They were unlisted. 'Of course', I thought. 'If I were a family of vampires the last thing I would want is a human calling and bugging me.'
I knew Charlie could get me the number, but I wasn't sure if he would do it. It wasn't completely ethical after all, but I had no other choice.
The deputy answered after a few rings. "Forks police station, how may I help you?"
"Hi, is Chief Swan there?" I asked politely.
"May I ask who's calling?"
"It's his daughter, Bella."
"One moment."
I did not have to wait long. "Bells, what's wrong?" He sounded worried, but I couldn't blame him. It's not like I called him at work everyday.
"Nothing. I need a favor Dad."
"What's up?"
"Well," I began explaining the dilemma I had with the project due on Friday, going home early, and being unable to get my notes from Edward. "I was wondering if you could get me the number to the Cullen's so that I could call Edward and get the information I need."
"I don't know honey. That's not something we usually do."
"Please Dad. I really need it. I won't tell anyone how I got the number."
I heard him sigh. "Hold on." He agreed. I didn't have to wait long before he was back on the line rattling off numbers. "I mean it Bella, tell no one how you got this number you hear?"
"I promise dad. Thanks."
"Ok Bells rest and feel better. Don't wear yourself out."
"I won't. Bye Dad."
I bit my lip nervously as I dialed the number to his house. The phone hadn't even rung once before I heard a bell like voice on the other end.
"Hello." The voice was high and fairy like.
I paused. There was something in the way she said hello that made it sound more like a statement than greeting, as if she knew already who was calling.
"H-hi." I eventually stammered. "I was wondering if Edward was available. I mean home, there, at the house." I added quickly. My cheeks were burning as I realized what I had just said and how it could have been taken.
I heard musical laughter on the other end of the phone. "I'll get him for you."
I began biting my thumbnail as I anxiously waited for him to come to the phone.
"Hello."
I instantly recognized Edward's voice. "Hey, Edward it's…Bella."
"Is everything alright?" He asked immediately, his voice thick with concern.
"Everything is okay." I assured him. "I just…I mean…today I left early and…well it's Wednesday…and…" What was wrong with me? Why couldn't I just say what I needed? Why did just being on the phone with him cause every nerve in my body to be on edge?
"Yes," he encouraged, "did you need something?"
I took a deep and then just spit it out. "As you know I left early today…I wasn't feeling as good as I thought…anyway…I forgot about our meeting after school. I need your notes so that I can do my part of the booklet."
"Are you feeling better? I could do it for you if you like?"
I shook my head. "No, I said I would do it and I will. I just need the information you gathered."
"Would you like to meet somewhere? I could always drop my notes off at your house."
"No." I replied quickly, turning pink. The last thing I needed was Edward at my house alone with me as Charlie got home from work. That would be hard to explain. "Why don't we meet somewhere?"
"Where would you like to meet?"
The school was long since deserted, so that was out. There really weren't many options. I finally settled on the small coffee shop in town.
"How about the coffee shop."
"When?" He agreed without hesitation.
I looked around estimating how much time I needed to finish dinner. "About an hour? Is that ok?"
"I'll be there." He promised.
"See you then." I replied before hanging up the phone.
I finished with dinner as fast as I could. I left a note for Charlie explaining where to find dinner and where I was so he wouldn't worry. I climbed into my truck and started down the road, praying there wouldn't be anyone there I knew.
I pulled into the coffee shop finding his shiny silver Volvo already there. It didn't take me long to find him. He was sitting in the far corner alone with a pile of papers in front of him.
"Thanks for coming." I said as I reached his table.
"Please, have a seat." He smiled waving his slender hand towards the seat across from him. I hesitated for a moment but sat down.
His eyes roamed over my face as we sat in silence. His smile faltered as he once again took in the dark circles under my eyes.
I ducked my head. "So is that your research?" I asked pointing towards the papers on the table.
"Yes." He pushed the pile towards me. "I wasn't sure what information you would want in the booklet. There is more there then needed. Choose what you want to use and discard the rest."
As I was flipping through his research a waitress came to our table.
"Hello, my name is Becky. Is there anything I can get you?" She was tall with thick blonde hair. It did not escape my notice that she only spoke to Edward. I felt insignificant sitting next to him. This was the kind of girl he deserved. Someone beautiful, not plain like me.
"Bella?" He asked completely ignoring the waitress.
"A small hot chocolate." It sounded more like a question than statement.
"Make that two." He ordered.
"Can I get you anything else? Anything at all?" The implications behind her statement were nauseating.
Edward never looked her way. His eyes stayed on me as he raised his eyebrows expectantly. I shook my head in reply and he grinned.
"That will be all for now. Thank you." He replied dismissing her.
She looked disappointed as she walked away. Silence fell over us and I turned my attention to his research to alleviate the awkwardness I felt as he continued to stare at me.
"Wow." I couldn't help saying after looking over only a few pages. His handwriting was absolutely beautiful. It reminded me of an earlier time, something you might see in the early nineteen hundreds. His research was complete and comprehensive in everyway. He left nothing out.
I looked up at him in awe. "How did you do all this in one night?"
He grinned. "I tend to have a lot of time on my hands." He chuckled. "I don't sleep much."
"Or at all." I mumbled under my breath. He had to have stayed up all might to get this much done. Even then it was quite the task.
He began laughing and I looked at him with questioning eyes. Before I could say anything the waitress returned with our hot chocolate.
"Have you changed your mind? Is there anything else I could help you with?"
I rolled my eyes and looked away to find Edward's eyes had never left my face.
"No." He answered in a hard voice. "Thank you."
I glanced up at her. She looked let down. I bit my lip as I tried to hide my smile, returning my attention to the papers in front of me.
After a few minutes I reached forward for my drink. I looked up a half second too late and spilt half of the hot liquid on my hand. "Ahh." I said as I gritted my teeth against the burning sensation spreading across my fingers.
"Are you ok?" Edward asked quickly taking my hand in his. Relief was instant as his icy fingers wrapped around mine.
"So cold." I whispered as I stared at his hand covering mine.
"It'll help with the pain." He said simply. "How is your hand?"
"It's no big deal." Unfortunately, this was a normal occurrence for me being so clumsy. I tried to pull my hand free but he held it firm.
His fingers ran softly over the afflicted area so as to not hurt me. A new burning began to spread through my hand that had nothing to do with the burn itself. My hand began to tingle, and my heart raced, as he lightly blew across my fingers. His breath was glacial and felt so good in more ways than one. It smelt like nothing I had ever smelt before. It was intoxicating and I unconsciously began leaning in for more. Luckily, I caught myself before I got too close.
I swallowed hard snatching my hand from his grasp, surprising him. "I uh…" I stuttered tucking a piece of hair behind my ear. I shook my head so I could think more clearly. "Thanks." I flexed my fingers. I winced slightly, but shrugged it off. I had felt worse.
"I have to go." I muttered as I grabbed the papers from the table.
He placed his hands over mine on the table. "Bella, you need to have your hand looked at. I think you burnt it pretty badly."
I shook my head. "It's ok. I'll live." I shrugged.
"Please?" He said in a low pleading voice. I looked into his eyes and was caught off guard by the intensity I found there. I plopped back down in the chair I had recently vacated. I felt dizzy.
"What?" I asked in an unsteady voice.
"Please allow me to take you to the doctors."
I could do nothing but nod.
He smiled triumphantly. He threw some bills on the table before he led me to his car. He cradled my burnt hand gently in his as we walked outside. I had to admit his cold hand felt heavenly against my burn.
He opened my door for me and in less time than should have been possible he was in his car and we were driving down the road. He never once released my hand. I looked at my lap to hide the blush crossing my face. Of all the times to be clumsy I had to do it in front of Edward Cullen. His fingers slowly ran across my hand and my heart rate picked up at the contact. It was ridiculous how such a simply touch made me feel. I closed my eyes and swallowed hard, willing my heart to slow down.
I felt the car come to a stop and looked up to find we were already at the hospital. I sighed heavily. I hated the hospital; there really was no need for me to go. My hand already felt better. As he opened my door I opened my mouth to protest but he cut me off.
"You promised." He said in a soft reassuring tone. "I'll have my father look at it himself."
I sighed. Great just what I needed, I blushed feeling yet again embarrassed, was his entire family to know what a klutz I truly was?
He sat me down in a chair in the waiting room and gracefully walked over to speak with the receptionist. I looked around to find at least five people before me. This was going to be a long wait. I contemplated calling Charlie to let him know, but I didn't want him to worry.
I watched as Edward once again came to my side. "You ready?" He asked extending his hand for me to take.
"How did you get me in so fast?"
He reached down taking my hand in his, pulling me from the chair. "I have connections." He smirked.
We walked the rest of the way in silence to one of the many examination rooms. I sat down on the bed and Edward took a seat beside me keeping my injured hand in his grip. I bit my lip anxiously wondering how this would look to his father. Here was his son holding the hand of a girl in the emergency room.
Part of me wanted to ask Edward to leave and let me handle this alone, but the other half—larger half—yearned for the cold of his hand to keep the burning fire at bay. I enjoyed holding his hand more than I should.
My mouth opened slightly as I once again took in the, very young, and very handsome doctor Cullen. I heard Edward chuckle beside me and I blushed clenching my mouth shut.
The young doctor gave a meaningful glance towards Edward who nodded, before turning to smile at me.
"Hello Miss Swan. It's nice to see you again." He smirked.
I smiled hesitantly.
"What seems to be the problem?" He asked as his eyes focused in on our intertwined hands. "It seems in my sons haste to get you in he forgot to have you fill out any paper work." He grinned.
My blush depended as I pulled my hand free and held it up against my chest. "I dumped hot chocolate on my hand." I answered.
"May I look at it?" Dr. Cullen asked extending his hand towards mine.
I placed my hand in his and was somewhat surprised to find it just as hard and cold as Edward's. He turned it over a few times and ran his fingers over the afflicted area.
"Well, it's not too bad. Keep icing it the rest of tonight." He concluded releasing my hand. "It's going to be sore for a few days. I'll write you a prescription for some burn cream. It should help with the pain. If it is still burning in the morning I want to see you again. Alright?"
"Yes." I agreed. My hand was starting to burn again and I began blowing on it to help alleviate the pain. Edward noticed and quickly grabbed my hand providing me with instant relief. I blushed as I watched his father glance at our hands again and raise an eyebrow at Edward. He simply nodded again, but never released me. It looked as though they were having a secret conversation.
I frowned.
Dr. Cullen left after that and returned moments later with a slip of paper for me. I thanked him again and eagerly descended from the examination table. I was tired and just wanted to go home. I still had a lot of work to do. Edward once again escorted me to his car without a word.
I nibbled on my lip as he drove down the road back to the coffee shop.
"Thanks." I eventually said.
He smiled. "Don't mention it. I'm just glad you're going to be alright."
I opened my mouth to respond but quickly shut it as we drove past the coffee shop.
"Wait. You missed the turn."
"I'm not going to the coffee shop." He said simply.
My heart rate instantly sped up. "Where are you taking me?" I tried to keep the panic out of my tone.
"Relax Bella." He cooed. "You need to fill your prescription. It's getting late, the pharmacy will be closed soon." He explained easily.
"I don't have my wallet with me. It's ok I'll get it tomorrow."
He shook his head. "You need it tonight. Don't worry about it."
"I can't let you do that." I insisted.
He looked over at me oblivious to the road and once again turned the power of his eyes on me. "Please Bella. It will make me feel better."
Once again all I could do was nod. He smiled as he turned his attention back to the road.
"How do you do that?" I wondered out loud without thinking.
"Do what?" He sounded confused.
"Always get your way like that?"
He chuckled. "I don't always get my way." He smirked.
I grimaced. "You seem to with me."
He paused; a look of pain crossed his features. "Especially not with you." He whispered.
I snorted. "Sure seems that way."
He chuckled darkly. "Maybe to you."
I rolled my eyes and looked away glad to find the pharmacy straight ahead. He led me inside just as he had when we arrived at the hospital, hand in hand.
I groaned as I took in who was standing a row behind us. My luck had officially run out. Edward gave me an inquisitive look, which soon turned to knowing as Lauren stepped from her row into ours. She stopped short as her eyes took us in. She opened her mouth to speak but stopped once her eyes caught sight of Edward holding my hand. I tried to pull my hand free but he held on tightly.
"Hey Lauren." I smiled hesitantly raising my good hand to give a short wave.
She pursed her lips before answering. "Bella, Edward what brings you two here?"
"I burnt my hand." I explained motioning towards my injured hand, which Edward still held tightly.
"How on earth did you manage that?" Her voice sounded condescending.
"That's not important." Edward replied before I could. I looked at him surprised by what I found. He looked upset. I didn't understand why he would step in like that, or why he was so mad.
"If you'll excuse us Lauren I believe Bella's medicine is ready."
Lauren gawked after him as he ushered me to the pharmacists' counter. My medicine was indeed done.
He paid for my medicine along with a few other ointments and bandages he thought I might need just in case. It was pointless to argue. He still held my hand hostage even after we were in the car. He had bought me a few ice packs but I didn't resist. I liked the feel of his hand over mine. It just felt right.
As soon as we were alone I turned to him. "Why did you do that?"
A look of confusion crossed his face. "You needed the medicine."
I shook my head. "No, that's not what I meant. Why did you step in with Lauren like that? You looked really angry."
His free hand tightened on the steering wheel and I could see his knuckles turn white. "Lauren is a petty, ridiculous, little girl." He growled.
I squeezed his hand the best I could so as not to cause myself too much pain. He turned to look at me and once again his eyes held an ambivalent expression.
"Thank you." I said with deep sincerity.
He smiled my favorite crooked smile and gently stroked the back of my hand with his thumb.
I leaned back against the headrest of his car. I blushed as a rather large yawn escaped my lips.
"Excuse me." I muttered sheepishly.
"You're tired." It was a statement not a question.
I shrugged. "Doesn't matter. I'll sleep later tonight. I still have homework to do and a project to finish." I smiled before yawning again.
"I wish you'd let me do it for you. It really is no bother at all. That way you could get some mush needed rest."
I smiled. "Nope. You've done your part. It's my turn."
He frowned. "So stubborn."
I shrugged.
We pulled into the coffee shop parking lot just as it turned six o'clock. I sighed as I pulled my hand free.
"Thanks again for all your help tonight."
"Are you alright to drive?"
"I'll be fine. I'll have my part done tonight so we can assemble the packet tomorrow."
He frowned slightly. "You can take your time. You don't have to rush and get it done tonight."
"No. If I get it done tonight we can meet tomorrow after school to put it all together."
He smiled. "Until tomorrow then."
I turned and opened my door, reluctant to leave. My hand was starting to burn and I was anxious to get an ice pack on it, although I would have preferred Edward's hand.
"Oh, and Bella." He called as I was shutting the door.
"Yeah?" I asked leaning in slightly.
He grinned. "Sleep well."
"Thanks." I breathed shutting the door. I walked to my truck in a daze. So much had happened today, and there was still much to do.