Quick note: I did not do teasers this time because I ran out of time. But, I promise to do teasers next time! Hope you enjoy xx
Let Love Lie
Chapter 14 – Stop Running
BPOV
"Thanks again for coming with me to drop Riley off," Edward says as we stand outside my apartment door. He looks down at me and I feel myself being drawn closer to him.
"Edward," I whisper almost inaudibly, our bodies now almost touching. I can hear his breathing, uneven and shallow; smell him, a scent that I associate with him and only him, spearmint, Ralph Lauren's Romance cologne, and pure Edward. My lips part slightly as I look up at him through my eyelashes. My hands maneuver their way to Edward's chest and his hands find my jaw.
Edward leans down so our lips are almost touching.
"Bella," he whispers, seeking confirmation that I want this.
"Kiss me," I breathe against his mouth. His lips meet mine and I'm met with the familiar tingling sensation throughout my body. His lips are soft and urgent against mine, guiding them to move with his. My hands grabbed onto his shirt while his remained firm on either side of my jaw. He presses his body against mine and pushes me so we're against the door. I snake my arms around his neck and pull him impossibly closer. I moan into his mouth and he takes one hand from my face to get my key from my hand. He fumbles with the lock before he finally gets it.
I'm lifted into his arms and he holds me by the ass and carries me into the apartment. He kicks the door shut and takes me to the bedroom.
I can't find it in me to tell him to stop, or to care that we're not stopping. I feel whole being in his embrace again, feeling his lips sucking at my neck and his fingers roaming my sides after he lies me on the bed. His name escapes my mouth in a breathy moan. My fingers latch on the hem of his shirt and pull it up as far as I can. He pulls back so I can get the shirt off him before he takes it from me and throws it. He grabs both my hands and lifts them to lie on the mattress on either side of my head, our fingers laced together. His eyes bore into mine and I can see nervousness in them, hiding behind his mask of lust.
"Please," I whisper. He leaned down and kissed me hungrily again. His fingers unlatched from mine and trailed down my side to the hem of my shirt. He lifts it up and I arch my back so he can get it off me easier. He pulls his lips from mine and removes my shirt from my body. He unbuttons my jeans and pulls them down along with my panties while I unhook my bra impatiently. We throw the offending articles away from us.
Edward's hand teases my already dripping pussy making me cry out in ecstasy. I writhed on the bed underneath his touch, trying to grip onto my sanity. The intensity of his touch and the fulfillment after the longing is driving me insane.
"Edward," I whine. "Please," I beg.
"What do you need, Bella?" he whispers huskily against my jaw and nibbles at the skin.
"You," I moan.
"You've had me from day one." I groan at his teasing response.
"Fuck me," I demand. He sits up and pulls his pants off before lowering himself onto me again. He puts all his weight on one elbow and guides his cock to my entrance. I feel his tip against the sensitive flesh and gasp before whining out his name again. He shoves his cock the rest of the way into me and we cry out in unison. He's still for a moment, letting me get used to his size again, before he pulls out only to slam back in.
"Is this what you want?" he grunts as he thrusts into me hard.
"God, yes!" I pant as my body slowly slides across the bed at the force of his thrusts.
"Fuck," Edward groans as his pace quickens. In one swift movement Edward pulls me up so I'm riding him. His hands find my breasts and squeeze while his thumbs graze my nipples teasingly. I place my hands on his chest as I rock my hips and lean down to suck on his neck. I nip at the skin lightly with my teeth, knowing that it will leave a mark. He groans and I can feel it against my lips, the sensation running straight to my pussy.
I pull away from his neck to look at his face. He's already staring at me. I lean down and kiss him and his hands move from my breasts to my hips. He guides my body up his shaft before pulling me down roughly. I gasp as he goes impossibly deeper into me.
"Ahhh, Edward," I moan out. He helps lift me up again only to drive his cock into me, hitting my g-spot. I feel my legs begin trembling and my lower abdomen begins forming a knot of pleasure.
"Fuck, Baby, you're so tight," Edward grunts and flips us over. He begins pounding into me at his own pace again. His hand slides down my body until his fingers find my clit. He pinches it between his thumb and forefinger and I feel myself coming undone. I arch my back and try to grab hold onto the sheets to keep myself grounded. He pounds into me while I ride out my orgasm, bringing him to reach his own.
Edward rolls onto his side, pulling out of me. We're both out of breath and lay silently, trying to even our breathing. I'm lost in my thoughts—the main one being I just had sex with Edward Cullen. Oh my god. I just had sex with Edward Cullen. The man I told myself I would never let myself get close to again.
"Are you okay?" Edward asks as he pushes my hair off my sweaty forehead and I realize I've been lying here just staring at the ceiling.
"Y-yeah," I stutter out unconvincingly. "I just," I try to explain but stop short, scrunching my eyebrows together. "I'm just overwhelmed, I guess," I sigh. Edward sits up enough so he can look me in the eye.
"I thought you wanted this," he says confused.
"I did, I mean, I do," I say quickly. I sit up and hold the sheet to my chest. "It's just I don't think anything else can happen between us. I can't put my heart into this because I can't trust that you won't hurt me," I say as tears start forming in my eyes. "I wish I could, god, do I wish I could. I just can't, though." I feel my face crumple and the tears spill down my cheeks.
"Bella, please, don't cry," he whispers. "I know I hurt you and I don't expect you to gain my trust quickly. I need to earn it, I know. But sweetheart, please don't cry. I'm fine with just being friends for now. You don't regret this, do you?"
"God, no," I shake my head and sniffle. "I just don't think this can happen between us again. This was a one-time thing. I gave into my desires and that can't happen again. I can only handle a platonic relationship with you."
"Do you think you'd ever want to be with me like this again?" he asks, his eyes glued to the bed. I reach a hand under his chin.
"Edward, I want that now, but I can't let myself give into that wanting. I think I will always want to be with you but I can't. I'm over the fact that you lied, but that doesn't mean you get my trust back. Please understand," I whisper.
"I understand," he nods. "Friends?" he asks hopefully.
"Friends," I confirm.
XOXO
Another few weeks flew by. Alice and Jasper came home from their honeymoon on Thursday so now we're all hanging out at their house. It's now Saturday and we all have work off.
We're all sitting out on the patio. Edward is next to me with his arm draped over the back of my chair. Riley is sitting in my lap and I'm running my fingers through his wavy hair.
"So you two are cool again?" Emmett asks.
I have to admit, the first few days after Edward and I had sex were tense and awkward, but we got over it. Thankfully. We're back to being friends like we used to be before we started dating.
"Yeah," Edward shrugs.
"You two kissed?" Riley asks.
"What?" Edward asks confused. "No, Rie, why would we kiss?"
"Mommy and Daddy kiss when they stop fighting."
"He kissed my cheek," I told Riley.
"Which one?" Emmett muttered around his beer bottle. Rose smacked the back of his head. "Ow! Rosie," he whines.
"That's for being an inappropriate jerk," she says, probably censoring her language.
"I'm getting drinks, does anyone want anything? I have Bud Light and I made a pitcher of strawberry margaritas earlier." Alice asks as she stands.
"Bud Light," Edward answers. The guys agreed with him.
"Margarita," I smile. She looks at Rose.
"Water," Rose says. Edward, Jasper and Alice stare at her disbelievingly. Rose hardly ever turns down a margarita. "Well, we were saving this for later tonight, but seeing as you all can't handle that I won't drink a margarita I guess we'll tell you," she says before looking at Emmett.
"Rosie and I are having a baby," Emmett grins widely. Alice squeals and Jasper grins. I look over at Edward and he's smiling.
"Wait, Bella knew," Jasper states when he sees my lack of shock.
"I told her at your wedding," Emmett explains.
"And not me?" he asks.
"We decided Bella would be the godmother," Rose explains. "We felt it was only right to tell her first.
"Well congrats, you guys," Jasper smiles. Alice literally skips happily to get drinks. When she comes out again Rufus trails behind her.
"Hey Rufus," I smile when he sits next to me. I pat his head and in turn he licks my hand. Alice hands out drinks and I take a sip of mine. Riley climbs off my lap and takes Rufus out into the yard to play with him.
"So, I think I speak for everyone when I say we're curious as to how you guys worked things out," Rose says. I look at Edward and blush.
"You two banged," Emmett announced and my cheeks turned about ten shades of pink. Rose smacked him again.
"Will you behave?" she scolds.
"Is it true?" Alice asks.
"Yes, we had sex," Edward says reluctantly. "But it was a one time thing. We decided we're better off just staying friends."
"I'm just glad you two are speaking again," Jasper says and takes a swig of beer. "This past year has been hard for all of us." I look at Edward sadly. I never thought about how my fighting with Edward would affect our friends. He looks back and smiles; silently telling me it's okay.
"So, Rose, when are you due?" Edward asks, effectively changing the subject.
"December nineteenth," she grins.
"That's so soon!" Alice gushes.
"Six months," Rose nods. "Oh! And I'm starting to show," she stands up and grins. She lifts her shirt above her belly and turns to the side so we can see a small bump forming.
"Oh, wow," I say in awe.
"That's my son," Emmett grins. I roll my eyes at him.
"We're having a girl, Em," Rose says.
"You can't possibly know yet," Jasper pipes in.
"No, but I have a strong feeling it's a girl," she insists.
"Now you sound like Alice," Jasper says and leans back in his chair. Alice smacks him. "Al!" he protests.
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?"
"I just mean you always have feelings about things," he shrugs. She rolls her eyes and sits in his lap and he rests his chin on her shoulder.
"Uncle Eddie, Bella, come play with me," Riley calls. Edward and I look at each other before getting up and joining Riley on the play set.
"What are we doing?" Edward asks Riley.
"Push me!" Riley demands and sits on his swing.
"Is that the way you ask for something?" Edward lectures.
"Please?" Riley adds.
"Okay," he smirks. He grabs the rope of Riley's swing and pulls back before letting go. I sit on the swing next to them and swing slightly, dragging my feet in the sand underneath the swings.
Riley giggles gleefully as Edward pushes him into the air.
"Bella's turn!" Riley cries happily. Edward steps out of Riley's swinging path and looks at me with a quirked eyebrow. I giggle and shrug. He comes up behind me and pulls me backwards. He lets go and pushes lightly on the small of my back. I shoot into the crisp air, my hair whipping behind me, with Edward pushing me every time I return to ground level.
Alice calls Riley over and I'm left with just Edward. Somehow I feel like it was no accident. Edward stops pushing me and sits on the swing next to me. My swing slowly started losing momentum and I began swinging lower and lower until my feet could drag in the sand without me spinning. Once I'm fully stopped I'm aware of eyes on me. I look over and Edward is openly staring at me.
"What?" I smile. He shakes his head with a smile. My eyes drift down to his lips and I lick my own. I will myself to remove my eyes from them and to his eyes again. Once I do, my gaze is locked with his and I can't look away. His gaze leaves mine to flicker down to my lips. I pull my bottom lip between my teeth nervously. He reaches out and pulls my lip from my teeth.
A raindrop falls on my forehead and I flinch. I look up at the gray clouds looming over us. Raindrop after raindrop starts falling from the sky, the frequency quickly increasing. Edward stands up quickly and offers me his hand. I place my hand in his and allow him to pull me up.
"Race you?" I quirk an eyebrow.
"You sure you know what you're getting yourself into?" he counters, mimicking my expression. I lean in towards his ear being sure to brush my lips against his cheek.
"Go," I whisper seductively before pulling back quickly and running.
"You don't play fair!" he calls as he starts running after me. I quickly run into the house where everyone is into the living room and shut the door, locking it. Edward comes up to the door and grabs the handle, trying to open the door. I stick my tongue out at him.
"Bella! Open the door!" he calls through the door. I hold my hand up to my ear, pretending I can't hear him. "Guys, a little help?" he calls to everyone. He focuses on one of our friends and nods. I turn to see whom he was nodding to and no one's faces show any signs of guilt. I look back and Edward is gone. The front door! I start heading towards the front door but Jasper picks me up and throws me over his shoulder.
"Jeez, Jazz! Put me down!" I cry out. I hear the front door open.
"Where do you want me to take her?" Jasper asks.
"Bathroom," Edward says.
"What?" I ask as Jasper starts walking towards the bathroom. Edward's hair is dripping and his shirt is pretty well soaked. Once we're in the bathroom Jasper turns to Edward. I can feel him jerk his head. I don't see or hear what Edward say anything but the next thing I know I'm standing in the shower and there is a cold spray going down my front. I scream and shield my body with my hands.
"Payback is a bitch isn't it?" Edward asks. I squint my eyes open and he's the one holding the shower nozzle.
"Uncle!" I cry out. The water is shut off and I'm left shivering.
"Come on," he chuckles and holds his hand out. I swat it away and attempt to get out of the shower/tub myself. I slip and fall into Edward's body. "Oh, I see where you're going with this," he says thoughtfully.
"Asshole," my teeth clatter. Edward wraps a towel around me, still laughing softly. We go to walk out of the bathroom but Alice stops us.
"Don't even think about walking all over my house in your dripping wet clothes."
"What are we supposed to do then, Al?" I ask, shivering.
"I'll get you guys some dry clothes." She walks away and leaves Edward and me standing there, dripping water on the floor. Edward pulls his shirt over his head and it takes everything I have not to look down at his chest. I already have it memorized so no need, right? I know where every freckle, every blemish, is. Thinking about it makes my resolve falter briefly and I find myself looking at his chest for a moment before I catch myself. I look away and bite my lip.
"Enjoying the view?" Edward whispers huskily in my ear. I jump and turn to his incredibly close face.
"I don't know what you're t-talking about," I stutter out. He leans away and winks at me.
Alice chooses now to walk back in with a dry shirt for Edward and a robe for me.
"I'll throw your stuff in the drier," she says as she and Edward walk out so I can change. I strip out of my wet clothing down to nothing and pull the robe on, tying it tightly around my stomach. I pick up my clothes and walk out to the living room. Everyone looks up at me and Edward's eyes almost pop out of their sockets. Payback is a bitch, isn't it? I think mockingly. I grab a blanket from the back of Alice's couch and sit on the floor. I wrap myself in the blanket to try and warm myself up.
We all settle in and talk about random topics for the next few hours.
XOXO
Edward drives me back to the apartments and before we're even into the lobby I find myself getting anxious to get upstairs.
"Hey you two," Larry nods.
"Larry," we both smile back. We walk into the elevator and Edward presses our floor number and leans back against the railing on the wall. His fingers drum impatiently as the old contraption creaks up the building. I find my toes tapping in anticipation. I sneak a glance at Edward and find him looking at me, lust filling his eyes. His eyes shift to the floor when I catch him looking at me. After what feels like an eternity the elevator chimes, letting us know we've arrived at our floor. We both walk out and mumble an awkward goodbye before walking into our respective apartments.
I lean against the door and will myself not to go back out into the hall. My emotions get the best of me and I open the door to see him coming out of his apartment. We walk towards each other and he holds my face in his hands as his lips crash onto mine.
"A one time slip," I pant as he moves onto my neck.
"One time," he mumbles and nips at the skin. He lifts me and carries me into his apartment.
Once inside the apartment my shirt is ripped over my head, breaking our feverish kiss. Edward presses my back against the cool wall of his living room.
"Do you know," he pants against my neck, "what those looks were doing to me earlier?" I moan in response and pull him by the hair so his lips made contact with mine. His tongue wasted no time finding mine. He groans into my mouth as my hands trail through his hair and to his cheeks.
"Edward," I whimper when he pulls away to move to my neck. I unclasp my bra and pull it off as if it were on fire. Edward's hands leave my back to cup my breasts. I arch my back and his lips find purchase on one of my breasts. I use my legs to push his pants down. With a lot of effort I manage to get both his jeans and boxers down to the ground. He steps out of them and carries me to his room.
Edward lays me on to the bed before pulling my jeans and panties off in one swift motion. I wrap my arms around his neck and pull him down to kiss me. He breathes deeply into the kiss as he crawls all the way onto the bed, hovering over me. He untangles my arms from around his neck and pulls one of my legs up over his shoulder. He slides himself into me and I dig my head into the bed, my eyes rolling back.
XOXO
I wake up with Edward's arm wrapped around me. I'm a little sore from the previous night's activities, my girlie bits not getting that hard of action in a while. The last time Edward and I had sex it wasn't nearly as hunger-driven and as intense as last night. My muscles ache and I'm still exhausted. Edward skims his nose across my neck, his breath tickling my sensitive skin. I wriggle in his arms and giggle.
"Good morning," he mumbles into my hair.
"Morning," I smile, my eyes still closed. "What time is it?"
"Nearly eight. I have to leave for work in a little while," he yawns.
"Do you have to?" I whine.
"Unfortunately, I do," he sighs.
"So this one time slip is over?" I pout.
"It doesn't have to be a one time slip," he says, letting his words hang. I sigh and open my eyes before turning to look at him. I want so badly to say I want this to become more. I want to be in a relationship with him. There's only one thing that has a strong grip on me, holding me back, and that's fear. I'm afraid of giving him my heart and having it get broken again.
"I'm not ready for that," I finally whisper and look down at the sheets. He sighs and gets up. I close my eyes; feeling tears well up behind the lids. "You're mad," I point out the obvious.
"No, not mad," he says shortly as he pulls on his deep blue trousers, leaving them unbuttoned with a belt unfastened around his waist.
"Then what are you?" I ask. He pulls his matching shirt on and starts buttoning before answering.
"Irritated," he says, buttoning the last button. He begins tucking his shirt in and adds, "Disappointed." My heart sinks when the word leaves his lips. The tears that were swimming in my eyes spill over and down my cheeks.
"I'm sorry," I whisper.
"Well, dammit, Bella, what do you expect?" he asks heatedly. "Do you expect me to just be okay with this casual sex?" I open my mouth to say something but he doesn't let me speak. "Do you think I'm going to just wait around while you figure out all the shit in your head? I want more with you and I start thinking you want more too but then you shut me out. Not even that! You have sex with me then shut me out. You're using me, Bella," he rants.
"I'm not using you!" I say dumbly. He grabs his badge off the bedside table along with his beeper and cell phone.
"Whatever, I have to go to work. Feel free to stay," he waves his hand dismissively and heads for the door. He stops and doesn't look at me before saying, "I'm done with all of this. I'm taking myself out of this." After that he storms out. I sit on the bed and put my face in my hands while soft sobs wrack through my body. Am I using Edward? He must know that I do have feelings for him, right?
EPOV
I contemplate calling Bella all throughout work, hating the way we left things this morning. I can't bring myself to dial her number though; the pain is still too fresh. It's like she wants me one moment and the next she only wants sex. Her constant mood swings make my head physically ache. I rub my temples before pushing myself up from my chair. I grab my phone and walk out of my office.
"Chief, I'm headed out for the day," I say as I lean in his doorway.
"Can you just run downtown real fast? I just got a call about a break-in and was about to find someone to dispatch."
"Yeah, I'll head down. Where at?"
"That small bookstore off of fifth and union."
"Okay, I'll see what's going on."
"Cullen," Chief calls as I walk out. I pop my head back in. "Take back-up. I don't know the situation."
"Yes, Sir," I nod. I get two other guys to come with me and we make our way down to the bookshop, sirens wailing and lights flashing the whole way.
BPOV
About an hour after Edward leaves I pull on my clothes and head back to my apartment. I shower and get dressed, my eyes minimally puffy. I decide to walk to the bookstore and spend the day there reading and trying to forget the fight Edward and I just had. I hate the feeling I have in my gut. I'm nauseous and can't help but think it's from my disgust towards how I treated Edward. I had come to the conclusion that I had been using him, but it was in no way intentional.
Once at the bookstore I head to the back where the Jane Austen collection is. I curl up in a chair with Pride and Prejudice and begin reading.
I am at the part where Darcy is dancing with Elizabeth when I hear commotion coming from the front of the store. I peek around a bookshelf and see a masked man with a gun. My eyes go wide and I try to quietly move farther away from the man, to the opposite side of the store from him. I quickly text Alice and tell her to call the police and give her the name of the store I'm at and where it's located. As I send the text I accidentally knock a few books over and the man's head whips in my direction. I scramble to get out of sight but he spots me.
"You," he calls in a slight English accent and points his gun at me. I raise my hands over my head. "Over here," he motions with his gun. My legs begin to move on autopilot and I find myself at the front of the store. "All your money, in the bag," he gestures to the bag the cashier is frantically filling with the contents of the cash register.
"I-I have no money. I left m-my purse at home," I explain shakily.
"Empty your pockets," he demands. I pull out my driver's license and cell phone, placing them on the counter. "Back ones too," he says. I turn and stick my hands in my pockets, showing him they're empty. My phone vibrates on the counter and the man snatches it before I can reach for it. He opens it and reads my text. "Christ, Bitch, you called the cops?" he spits. I shake my head. "Then what the fuck is this?" he holds my phone out so I can see the screen. Alice had texted me telling me the cops were on their way. I gulp and look up at him.
The sirens can be heard blocks away.
"Put everything in there!" he shouts at the cashier, who cringes before hurrying to put everything from their safe in the bag. "You," he says to me. "Give me your car keys."
"I-I walked here," I squeak.
"Dammit," he spits when he hears the sirens closing in on us. "Back entrance?" the cashier shakes her head. "You, behind the counter," he gestures with his gun for me to go behind the counter. I quickly walk behind the counter. He points his gun at both of us.
"Here's how this is going to work," he says in an eerily calm voice. "The cops try and arrest me, you're both dead. You convince them to let me go and you live. Capische?" the cashier and I nod our heads.
"Seattle police!" a familiar voice calls. "Come out with your hands above your head!"
EPOV
We call out to the man inside that has two women at gunpoint. He has a mask over his head so we can't tell who it is. There's a bag filled with money on the counter. Behind the counter are the two women. One is clearly the cashier, their uniform giving them away. The other looks familiar. She looks over quickly and I feel my heart sink.
"Cullen, call your warning," Newton says but I'm frozen in anger. "Dammit," he mutters under his breath. "Come out or we're coming in!" he yells. I find my feet moving towards the entrance, my hands by my head, showing I'm not going to shoot him. "Cullen!" Newton calls as I open the door. I look back at him to silently tell him I know what I'm doing. He nods, letting me know he has my back. I walk into the bookstore and the bell makes the man jump and turn to me. Bella's eyes lock with mine and I can see the fear in them. Anger courses through me. No one makes my girl's eyes look like that and gets away with it.
"Sir, put the gun down," I manage a calm voice as I look at him. The gun is still pointing at the cashier and Bella but the man is looking at me.
"Let me get away, no strings attached, and I'll put it down," he bargains. His eyes move to look past me and I can tell Newton and Yorkie are right by the door, guns at the ready. "Tell them to back off," he says and points his gun at me. "Do it now," he says. Protocol says I should grab my gun, but my instincts are shouting at me to do what the man says. I start backing up towards the door and turn my head to tell the guys to put their guns away. That's when I hear the gun go off.
BPOV
Edward turns his head to the other policemen and the man fires. Edward's hit on his left shoulder and falls.
"Edward!" I shriek, tears falling over my eyelids. I move to go to him but the man points the gun at me.
"Stay the fuck there!" he shouts. More gunfire goes off, two more to be exact and I drop to the floor, covering my head. The cashier is right next to me, whimpering in fear. Tears are coating my cheeks as I wait for something to happen next. Another gun is fired and a body drops to the floor, right by the counter. I can feel my anxiety building and my breathing becomes shallow. I chant in my head that I'm fine and that everything is going to be okay. I focus on keeping my anxiety to a point low enough to keep an attack away.
"Ladies, are you all right?" an officer calls. "No one's going to hurt you now." At those words I scramble to my feet and run towards Edward. The officer catches me and I struggle against his grip.
"Edward!" I cry. "Please, let me go! I need to go to him!"
"How do you know him?" the officer asks. That's when I ask myself, what is he to me? I stop struggling and just look at him.
"It's complicated," I whisper. "Just please," I plead. The officer looks at the other and he nods. The officer lets me go and I run over to Edward and fall to my knees at his side. One of the officers is calling an ambulance on his radio.
"Edward," I cry and cup one of his cheeks. He's unconscious and but still breathing. "Wake up, please. You can't do this to me!" I shift to sit on my butt and grab his hand in mine.
Sirens wail as an ambulance pulls into the parking lot. Two paramedics come into the store with a stretcher.
"Miss, come on, let's give them some room to take Officer Cullen," the officer, who I now see is Officer Newton, says and grabs my arm. He helps me up and we step back so they can put Edward on the stretcher and hook him up to oxygen. They take him to the ambulance and I'm about to follow but am stopped by Officer Newton again. "Would you mind if I ask a few questions?"
"I need to go to the hospital," I say in a dead voice.
"Miss, we need to get some answers as to what happened here." Another ambulance pulls up and I watch the new paramedics come in for the burglar.
"Ask the cashier. I have more important things to do than answer your questions." I stomp away from him and realize I don't have a car. "Dammit!" I pull out my cell phone and call Alice.
"Yellow!" she answers.
"Al," I sigh.
"What? What's wrong? Are you okay?" she asks worriedly.
"I'm fine, but I need a huge favor before I tell you something."
"Anything."
"Pick me up and take me to the hospital." There's a pause.
"Why?" she eventually asks.
"Edward's been shot," my voice cracks towards the end of the sentence and I'm suddenly in hysterics. "H-he came to the bookstore a-and the man sh-shot him!" I cry. I hear Alice calling to Jasper before she tells me she'll be right there. I tell her I'll call Esme.
I take a deep breath to calm myself before calling Edward's parents.
"Bella, what a surprise," she says with a smile in her voice. I break down again.
"E-Esme," I cry.
"Honey, what's wrong?" she asks in a soothing tone only mother's can be good at.
"It's Edward," I choke out between sobs. "H-he's in the hospital wi-with a bullet wound." She's silent on the other end. "I-I don't know if he's okay. The other o-officer wouldn't l-let me go with him."
"I'm making a trip out there, I'll see you in a few hours," she rushes before hanging up. I sit on the curb and cry until Alice pulls up. I get in the front seat without saying a word, still trying to control my crying.
I look over to Alice and she looks like she is bursting at the seams to cry. I grab one of her hands and squeeze it between mine.
"What happened," she demands in a quivering voice.
"He turned his head to tell the other two officers to put their guns down and he was, the man just," I started but couldn't finish. Alice squeezes my hand. We pull into the parking lot and rush into the hospital. We stop at the front desk and ask where Edward would be.
We travel up to the third floor and wait in the lobby area of the trauma ward.
"Your parents are on their way," I whisper after a few minutes. Alice stops filling out Edward's paperwork to look at me.
"Bella, a few weeks ago you wanted nothing to do with Edward. What changed?" she asks in an almost condescending tone.
"I was running from my feelings before. I've stopped running." Alice goes back to the paperwork without saying a word. "I realized this morning that I've just been scared to give Edward my heart again," I continue. "The last thing he said to me was that he was done with me. I lost him, Al." She doesn't look up from the paperwork. I can tell that I've angered her. I pull my legs up and rest my cheek on my knees, facing my head away from Alice. Tears stream down my face as I silently cry.
After a while I got up and went over to the counter.
"Is there any news on how Edward is doing?" I ask. The woman looks up from the computer.
"Miss, when I know something, you'll know. But for now you just have to wait patiently."
"Okay," I say in a small voice. I sit a few seats away from Alice who still has yet to talk to me. She finished the paperwork a while ago. She's been texting Jasper for the last twenty minutes. I start nervously biting my nails in an attempt to keep my anxiety at bay. It's rising up again but this time stronger.
We should have heard something about Edward by now, right? I just want to know if he'll be okay. Then I'll go home and leave him be. That's what he wants. But it's not what I want. I unconsciously already gave Edward my heart again, and it was broken again.
I clamp my eyes shut and twine my hair between my fingers. I take deep breaths and imagine that everything is going to go back to normal, like it was last year. I imagine that Edward still wants me and that I have no worries.
Heels click on the linoleum, moving closer to me. I look up to the worried face of Esme.
"Mom," Alice calls and gets up, rushing over to her.
"Is there any news?" Esme whispers, her eyes glassy with tears.
"No, not yet," Alice sniffles. I get up and walk away. I end up in the cafeteria with a coffee in my shaky hands. I sit at a table with my knees pulled up to my chest again.
"Mind if I join you?" Carlisle's voice asks. I look up to him and I gesture for him to sit. "Are you okay?" he asks. I shake my head. "I'm not asking about whether you're okay regarding Edward. I'm asking regarding your anxiety." I shake my head again.
"It's only a matter of time until I get an attack. I've almost had one twice today," I say in a soft voice. He reaches in his jacket pocket and hands me a bottle of pills. Xanax. I smile meekly and thank him. I pop one in my mouth and swallow it.
"Is there any news about Edward?" I ask, looking down at my steaming cup of coffee.
"He's in surgery. That's all I know." I set my coffee down and scrub my hands over my face, sniffling.
"Alice is pissed at me and Edward and I fought the last time we talked," I confess.
"I know," he says. I drop my hands and look up at him confused. "Alice can't keep secrets, Bella." I nod, agreeing. Carlisle's cell phone goes off and he answers it.
"Come on, Bella," Carlisle says as he hangs up. "Edward's out of surgery. We can go see him."
"You go," I say. "He said he was done with me. I shouldn't be there."
"I think he would want you there," he insists. I shake my head. "Get home safely, then," he squeezes my shoulder before walking away. I wipe away a few stray tears before throwing out my untouched coffee. I walk out the main entrance and start walking back to the apartments.
EPOV
I open my eyes and squint at the bright light. I groan and clamp my eyes shut again.
"Edward, you're awake!" Mom's voice calls through a haze. I turn towards her voice and open my eyes.
"Hey," I say croakily with a smile. I look around the room and Alice and Dad accompany Mom.
"Your friends are out in the lobby. We said they could come in when you woke up," Dad says.
"Yeah, tell them to come in," I nod. I really want to see Bella and I'm confused as to why she isn't in here already. I thought she would have demanded to be in here. Dad walks out to get everyone.
"Where's Punk?" I ask.
"With a sitter. You know how he gets in hospitals," Alice frowns. I nod. Riley doesn't like being around doctors. They scare him even though his grandfather is one.
The door opens and Jasper, Emmett and Rosalie pile in behind Dad. I scrunch my eyebrows in confusion.
"Hey, Bro, you gave us quite a scare there," Emmett says as he leans against the wall across from my friends. Everyone makes themselves comfortable.
"Where's Bella?" I ask.
"We thought she was here already," Jasper says.
"She said you wouldn't want her here," Dad explains.
"I wouldn't blame you," Alice mutters. What? What did I miss?
"Hang on, what?" I ask confused.
"She told me about your fight this morning," Alice explains.
"Shit," I grumble. "Can someone give me my phone?" I ask as I point to the counter across the room. Emmett tosses it to me and I catch it in my right hang. I punch in her number on the touchpad and press the phone up to my ear. "Can I have some privacy? I would step out but that's not possible right now." Everyone nods or says okay before stepping out. Bella lets it ring and go to voicemail. I groan and try again.
After the fourth try I'm about to give up. I press call one more time. On the third ring she picks up.
"Hello?" she asks in a small voice.
"Where are you?" I ask, exasperation clear in my voice.
"Home," she says indifferently.
"Why?"
"You said you were done so I figured you wouldn't want me there."
"Bella, I was angry. I didn't mean it." She's silent on the other end. "Please say something," I whisper.
"What do you want me to say, Edward?" she asks, sounding worn.
"Say you'll come down here and forgive me for being an asshole."
"I shouldn't drive, I took a Xanax."
"Bella, I will get out of this hospital bed and come over there. You know I will," I bluff. She sighs.
"Fine, I'll be there," she mutters and hangs up. A small smile forms on my lips. I call everyone back in.
"What'd Bells say?" Emmett asks and Rosalie hits his arm, saying our conversation was private.
"Nothing really. She's coming down here. Then you all have to leave again so the two of us can get our shit straight," I explain. It's another fifteen minutes before Bella knocks and walks in. I look at the others and they walk out leaving Bella and me alone.
"Hey," I say. She stays by the door.
"Hi," she says. She looks exhausted.
"You can come in," I say. She keeps her eyes averted from me and sits in the chair next to my bed. "Bella," I say. "Please, Sweetheart, look at me." Her forehead creases and she looks at me. "I'm sorry for what I said this morning. I didn't mean it."
"Then why'd you say it?" she asks, her voice cracking.
"I was angry. I was being stupid. I know that's no excuse but it's the best I have."
"Today in the bookstore," she starts but stops to gather her thoughts. I sit silently waiting for her to continue. "When you were shot I was so scared. After everything was over Officer Newton asked me how I knew you and I couldn't even think of what to tell him. I wanted to say you were my best friend; that you were everything to me, but you told me you were done. I didn't know what to say and it hurt." Tears streak her cheeks by the time she finishes speaking.
"Baby, I messed up, I'm sorry. If I could take this morning back, I would," I tell her honestly. She looks away from my eyes to my hand. One of hers grabs it shyly and she holds it between both of hers.
"Is your shoulder okay?" she asks.
"Yeah, it's not too bad," I shrug my right shoulder. She rests her elbows on her knees and puts my hand up to her lips.
"I don't want to go back to being friends," she says after a few minutes. I look at her confused.
"Then what do you want?"
"I want to be with you, if you'll have me," she says softly. I grin at her words.
"I want that very much," I nod.
"Good," she smiles.
Hey everyone!
Sorry for making you all wait so long for an update! I was in Key West, FL for five days and have been swamped with schoolwork. So, I hope you enjoyed this chapter! I will update as soon as possible!
Reviewers get teasers, promise!
Lots of love,
Nikki