A Powerful Love

Ugh, why is my ear cold? I squeezed my eyes shut and willed myself to fall back asleep, it didn't work. Something blew hard into my ear and I rolled over, my arm smacking something solid. My eyes flew open and I saw Edward holding his nose.

"Edward! Oh Edward I'm so sorry!"

He moved his hands and moved his jaw around, inhaling deeply through his nose.

"It's fine."

"Really, I am sorry."

He smiled at me and kissed my forehead.

"It's fine Bella, promise, but it's time to wake up."

"Mm, no."

"Mm, yes," he said with a laugh.

I groaned and pulled the blankets over my head.

"How long was I asleep?"

"About twenty minutes, I wanted to give you time to rest."

He came under the covers with me and pulled me to him, warming my body with his.

"Rise and shine, beautiful."

"But I'm comfy."

He laughed and pulled the covers off of me.

"Edward," I groaned.

He just laughed again and pulled them off the rest of the way, our naked bodies together on a bed, and exposed to the air. I shivered and huddled closer to him, pouting playfully.

"Edward, don't make me get up, pleeease?"

"I must," he said with a light chuckle.

He gently pulled away and stood up. I blushed at the sight of him, very naked, and very sexy.

"You are mean."

"I know. Now get up honey. Please?"

"Hmph."

"If you do, I promise to find a way for you to be able to sleep with me tonight."

He saw my look of confusion and smiled.

"In the literal sense darling, doing the other so soon would hurt you too much."

"Oooh. Well if you promise I can, then I might get up."

He laughed and disappeared into his bathroom for a moment, coming back with a pile of my clothes, including the lingerie, and wearing a wide, impish grin.

"You didn't tell me you had more."

"You didn't ask."

He grinned wider and put the pile on the bed, pulling out the one I thought was most embarrassing. It was a red push up bra and a matching red thong (both with lace) that went underneath a red mesh teddy. It was spaghetti strapped and only went down far enough to cover my ass cheeks. The red heels weren't much better. Six inches high and only one buckle to keep them fastened did nothing to help me think I could walk well in them.

"I want to see you wear this one next."

I could feel my cheeks turning a deep red.

"Why that one?"

"More teasing. I like teasing."

I laughed and he handed me my clothes I'd been wearing earlier, a tiny grin on his face.

"Your underwear seems to be missing."

"Edward!"

"I couldn't help it. Want it back?"

He was grinning at me, almost daring me. What a butthead.

"Please?"

"Please what?"

"Please Edward?"

He laughed and leaned forward, kissing y lips gently. He reached into his pocket and pulled out my plain white bikini-cut underwear and I snatched it away.

"You are the biggest butthead ever."

"Thank you."

I dressed quickly and he watched me, a lazy smile on his face.

"Shouldn't you be getting dressed?"

"You forget, it takes me about a minute to put on everything, including shoes and those take up most of that time. I'm not worried. Besides, it's fun watching you."

I groaned and finished dressing, raking my fingers through my hair. He handed me a brush with a smile.

"I knew you'd want this."

"Thank you."

I brushed my hair quickly, surprised that he'd thought of something so trivial for me.

I turned, satisfied with my hair and he was already fully dressed. I sighed.

"I don't even get to hug you before you get dressed?"

He smiled sadly.

"I'm sorry. Later, I promise."

"Swear?"

He pulled me close and kissed me, his lips chaste.

"I swear. Now we have to go downstairs. Will walking hurt too much?"

I moved my legs a bit. There was soreness, but not enough to make me wince.

"No, I'll be okay."

"Alright."

He took my hand in his and we walked slowly downstairs, Alice's voice carrying through the house.

"Oh yeah! Sorry Emmett, I'm just too smart for you."

His family was laughing, having fun. I felt a small tug at my heart. Old board games with his family was a tradition for us. What would happen when Edward was gone? His laughter wouldn't be in the mix. His family was like my own, would I still be wanted here? Edward seemed to sense my discomfort and he squeezed my hand as we got downstairs. Alice smiled as us and gestured at the coffee table.

"We're playing Monopoly and I'm kicking ass, come play."

Edward laughed and pulled me to the table, the both of us sitting on our knees next to Alice. Emmett was taking his turn and Alice leaned over to me.

"Next game you can play."

I shook my head with a soft smile.

"No thanks. I'm not nearly smart enough to play this game."

Edward looked at me, his mouth open in mock surprise.

"Bella don't say that! You're very intelligent."

"Whatever," I said, sticking my tongue out at him.

He laughed and I leaned against him, letting him rub my neck.

"Thanks Alice, but I don't really feel like playing."

She smiled at me and shrugged.

"Then you can watch me whip Emmett's ass."

"It's just luck Alice! Wait a few more turns and you'll be eating those words!"

"Bring it on!"

More laughter. I moved my knees out from under me and Edward did the same, holding me in his arms next to him. Suddenly, I wanted to be back in his room just so I could hold him and feel like the moment would never end. This wasn't fair. I loved Edward, why did he have to go? Surely if there was a God like they used to say, he wouldn't take away the person I loved? It wasn't right. Edward shook me then, breaking me out of my thoughts.

"Honey? Alice is asking you a question."

"Huh? Oh, sorry Alice. I was thinking."

"I asked you if you wanted to come with me tomorrow, to do some shopping."

"For clothes?"

"Groceries actually. Carlisle and the boys have plans for the morning I guess so I need some help carrying stuff."

"Oh. Sure, no problem."

Edward squeezed my arm and I looked up at him. He was faking a smile while his eyes were worried.

"Do you want something to drink?"

"Yeah, I think I do."

He helped me stand up with him and he led me to the kitchen, his hand warm on my arm. As soon as we were in the room he put his hands on my cheeks, gazing on me.

"Bella are you okay?"

"I'm fine."

"Are you sure? You look really sad."

His eyes widened and his arms fell slack to his sides.

"You regret earlier. Bella I'm so sorry-"

"That's not it. I don't regret a thing about it."

"What is it then? I know something's wrong."

"I've just been thinking."

"What about?"

"When you'll be gone."

His eyes grew sad.

"You don't know if I'll be leaving yet or not."

"Well, the chance of it then. How hard it will be to laugh and be around your family knowing you're not there."

He pulled me to him and held me close, his lips on the top of my head.

"I'm so sorry for all of this Bella. Just promise me no matter what you'll be happy, you'll still smile and laugh."

"I promise I'll try."

"Bella, please."

"I can only try Edward. Please understand."

"I do. I just want you to be happy Bella; it's all I've ever wanted."

"And I will be, as long as I know you're safe. When that changes, I can do my best to be happy, but I can't promise I always will be or that it will be easy, but I can promise to try."

He held me tight and I felt him shaking. I looked up and saw tears in his eyes.

"Edward I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said anything."

"It's alright Bella, that's not it."

"Did I do something wrong?"

He shook his head and held me tighter.

"No, no. I just love you."

"I love you too."

Edward suddenly took my head into his hands and kissed me with more passion than he had before with his family around. His lips were hot and heavy on mine and I could hardly breathe. I raked my fingers through his hair and pulled on it gently, breathing hard. He pulled me back, his hands in my hair and on my back. I was tight against him and he seemed to be kissing me like I was what made him breathe. He kissed down my throat and rested his face against it, panting.

"Always love me Bella."

"I will, I promise."

He lifted his head back to normal height and I put my face against his chest, trying not to cry. How was it possible to love someone so much it hurt? I'd read about it, but I'd never believed it was true. Now here it was, crashing down on me and soon he might be taken from me. I heard a quiet whimper and it took me a moment to realize it had come from me. Edward pulled me away from him and kissed my cheeks.

"Bella don't cry."

"I'm sorry."

I didn't want him to see me cry. I shouldn't be crying. I had to be strong for him, so he wouldn't worry about me. He held me tight and I sniffled, quieting myself. I heard a phone ring and Edward sighed, kissing my head again.

"That's probably your dad, wanting to make sure we're not being naughty children."

He had a small smile on his lips and I smiled back, glad that even with all that was going on we could still find ways to be happy. Edward let go of me, but took my hand, walking us to the living room where Esme spoke on the phone.

"Yes she's here. Oh no, she hasn't been a bother at all. A little quiet," she winked at me, "but she's been an angel as always."

She paused for a few moments, listening.

"Yes, I'll let her know, bye Charlie."

"What did he say?"

"He said he just wanted to make sure you were behaving and to tell you he loves you and he'll see you tomorrow night when you get home."

"Alright."

"Are you okay honey? You look a little pale."

"I'm fine, just tired."

Edward cut in then.

"Well actually, there's a cut on her back. She didn't want to bother dad by asking him to look for it but I think it might be getting infected."

Carlisle smiled at me.

"Oh don't worry about troubling me, I don't mind. You're just like one of my daughters. Come let me have a look."

Edward led me to the couch and Carlisle lifted up my shirt a little in the back.

"There's no cut here."

"It's um… a little higher."

"Ah. Well in that case, Edward if you could get her a towel from the bathroom. Alice, come stand in front of her will you?"

Edward disappeared into the bathroom down the hall and came back with a large pink towel, handing it to Alice.

"Alice, open that up and hold it in front of Bella's chest please."

I blushed as Alice unfolded the towel and held it in front of my boobs, looking like she was about to laugh. Carlisle took off my shirt and Alice pressed the towel against me, grinning.

"Dad can you hurry this up? I love Bella but not this much."

"Just a moment."

He touched the spot where it was and I winced.

"Hm. It's a bit swollen, red too. Edward, get that black bag next to the door and hand it to me please."

I couldn't look at Alice, I would start laughing. Edward came back with the black bag and sat in front of me with Alice, smiling. Carlisle rubbed something cold over the spot and I shivered while he spoke.

"This is just a little antibiotic cream to help the cut heal. I want you to have your dad, or I suppose Alice for tonight, rub it on the spot before you go to bed, and when you wake up."

"For how long?"

"We'll say a week."

"Okay."

"Oh, I'll give you some bandages to put over it too."

"Alright, thanks Carlisle."

"It's no trouble, just don't forget."

"I won't."

"Arms up."

I lifted my arms into the air and he pulled the shirt over my head, patting my back gently.

"All done."

Alice moved the towel and Edward stood up, taking my hand and squeezing it gently.

"You okay?" he whispered.

"I will be once I'm done being mortified."

He grinned at me and squeezed my hand again, pulling us down into an armchair together. I looked out the window and it was dark outside and I looked back to him, knowing that soon we would have to watch the news. Silently, they put away the board games and found places to sit, watching as Esme turned on the TV. It was as always, news of the war, the latest death toll, some weather, and then to the draft birthdays. I looked to Alice and Jasper and felt bad for them. They were already married, and Jasper practically lived here with her. This must be as bad for them as it was for me and Edward, maybe even more so.

"July 9th."

Rosalie actually started crying.

"A day later… that's all it would've taken…"

Emmett held her tight and kissed her forehead, whispering to her.

"October 31st."

The room was still, waiting.

"February 26th."

Then instead of ending like normal, one of the reporters was on screen.

"We have just received news that soldiers who have been away for over a year will be returning to the United States to patrol the rebel detention centers. The soldiers who've been drafted will take their places in other countries, but will only stay for six months, since it seems we need more troops to patrol the detention centers. England has been sending more troops to help us and it seems they have almost ridded themselves of all the rebels. We have hopes that soon, the world will have order again."

Emmett scoffed and I leaned into Edward's arm. If he went south, there would be less danger. Overseas, in certain parts, had the same story, but in Canada and Australia especially, there was nothing but constant murder and genocide. The news ended and Edward kissed me, holding me close.

"The family's going to be heading to bed soon. We can stay down here and watch some movies okay?"

"Can we go up to your room instead? I'm sorry… I shouldn't ask."

"It's alright, don't be sorry. Of course we can go up to my room, just wait a few minutes okay?"

"Alright."

He kept holding me in his arms while, one by one, members of his family said good-night. First, Emmett and Rosalie with their baby girl, Haleigh. Then, Jasper and Alice, whispering low to each other and Alice waving at me before the got to the stairs. And finally, Carlisle and Esme, stopping before us before going upstairs.

"Go to bed soon you two, you need to sleep."

"We will."

He held me for a while longer, just us alone in a dark room. Soon, he took me by the hand and pulled me to my feet.

"We should go upstairs soon if we don't want to be bothered."

"Do you think I'll be able to sleep with you tonight?"

"I think so."

We went upstairs where Alice stepped in our way grinning. Edward opened his mouth to speak but she held up a hand.

"Save it. Me and Jasper went down that road already. You can, but she has to be in my room before nine or they'll know about it when they start opening doors to call us down for breakfast."

I grinned at her.

"Thanks Alice."

"It's the least I can do."

She looked sternly at Edward and poked his chest.

"You be nice to her. If you do anything she doesn't like and I find out about it, I'll beat you senseless."

"Yes ma'am," he said with a laugh.

She handed me my bag and he took it from me, pulling me to his room. We undressed quickly and he pulled me into his bed, almost growling.

"Come here, I need this sexy body to warm me."

I blushed and huddled tight against him, kissing all over his neck.

"It's here as long as you like."

He kissed my forehead and stroked his fingers through my hair, humming low. I fought sleep to listen to him and even hummed along with him when I recognized the tune.

"Sleep Bella, I can't until you do."

"Mmm why?"

"Because, I have to know that you're sleeping well before I can."

I smiled and he kissed my lips gently, rubbing his hands along my back and through my hair.

"Sleep darling, I promise you'll like it."

I fought sleep as hard as I could, but in the end his persistence, and my exhaustion, won. I had no dreams, but I had never been warmer, or slept better before that night.