Chapter 19
Soon Edward was standing in the doorway, I got up to excuse myself but as I left I said, "Please give this note to Bella when she wakes up. It says 'if you are mad that I'm gone please call me and I'll come and get you. Emmett/ Emmy.' Good luck man."
I got downstairs and I said to Carlisle, "I hope you can understand. She was never out of my sight and I knew I could run with her at any time."
"Emmett, my only problem is that you let her have five drinks. She is a small thing and she'll pay the price later.
Esme said, "That is not Emmett's fault, Carlisle."
"I'm going to go. I have left a note with Edward that if Bella wants me to come and get her I will."
Carlisle said, "Thanks, you're a true friend, brother, uncle, or I guess as Bella calls you, a fantastic godfather for her."
"Thanks Carlisle. She is the little sister I never had."
EPOV
"Carlisle, what am I going to do?" I screamed at him.
"You have to let her live Edward; that is what she wants. She may be innocent about love and romance, but she's worldly and strong in regards to everything else. She glows and you keep trying to extinguish her flame. If you extinguish that flame, she won't be Bella anymore. Let her learn to shoot a gun. It's going to be in here on the target range. Who knows she may not even like it!"
"Her water skills are amazing and I bet her scuba diving will be as good or better."
"You said after you and Tanya broke up, you wanted someone that likes to explore the outdoors with you. And that is Bella. But that also means that she has to be strong, but for some reason you can't accept that."
We talked for another hour until we got the text from Emmett. I had settled down some until I found out Emmett wasn't coming back. For the next twenty minutes, we all texted Emmett but he wasn't answering.
Finally, I got the gibberish text from Emmett. I waited another ten minutes and no explanation came so that is when Carlisle called Emmett. I called Esme after I heard what Carlisle said to Emmett and let her know who was coming. It got a bit heated between Carlisle and Emmett and as Carlisle and I were driving to my place, it continued. I quickly went in and got myself shorts and a tee for the next day and pajamas. Plus I grabbed yoga pants and a tee plus pajamas for Bella. Oh yeah, she may get sick and I grabbed a second outfit just in case.
When we finally made it to Carlisle's house, Esme let us in and she told me where Bella was. I went running up the stairs and saw my little innocent Bella laying there on the bed curled up in the fetal position. I just wanted to hold her so that I could tell her nothing would ever happen to her. But that is not what she wanted. She wanted to be a part of all of us and she did deserve it; she was right. I just loved her so much I couldn't let go.
A few hours later I started to hear her mumbling, unfortunately ten minutes later, she went running for the bathroom. I was quickly standing right behind her holding her hair. "Go away, Eddy. I don't need you." And she pushed at my legs as she threw up again.
"Bella."
"No Eddy," she yelled at me. She pulled her hair from me and laid down on the tile floor
Esme came into the bathroom. We quietly traded places. I moved to the door jamb, stayed and watched.
Esme helped brush Bella's hair aside. "What? Stop touching me," Bella mumbled.
"Bella, honey. It's Esme. Let me help you get back to bed."
"Esme, what are you doing here?"
"Honey, you're at my house."
"What? Why? Oh shit!" Poor Bella threw up again. "I feel like crap," Bella groaned to Esme.
"I can understand," Esme said as she rubbed Bella's back.
"Do you want to try and go back to bed now?"
"My mouth."
"Got it covered Bella. Come on."
They went to the sink. Esme helped support Bella while she brushed her teeth.
I backed out into the bedroom and Esme brought her back to bed.
"Thank you, Esme. You're so nice and don't boss me around or tell me what to do not like someone else does."
"Bella, can you drink this?" Esme asked her.
Bella did and curled up to go back to sleep. Just as I thought she was asleep, she jumped some and sat up. "Esme, why am I at your house? Why are you taking care of me? My guards?"
"Honey, you're fine and safe. Carlisle is your guard right now, plus Edward is here, too."
"Where is Emmett?"
"He left to go back to work; but he left you a note that says if you need him to just call. Now why don't you lay back down and go back to sleep. When you wake up later, I promise you'll feel better."
"Thank you, mommy." Bella really did pass out this time; she laid back down and curled up in the fetal position.
Esme took my hand and pulled me out of the guest room as she left. "She's going to be out now for a couple hours, just let her sleep this off."
"Esme, how do you do it?"
"Edward, relax just think how long she has been by herself and self sufficient?"
"But Esme, guns?"
"Edward, I'm trained with one. That's what happens when you are involved with the CIA. Emily and Angela can handle a gun, as well."
"But it's my job to protect her."
Carlisle then said, "Edward, if you had to protect Emmett and knew how good he was with a gun, would you let him carry one to help protect the both of you?"
"Of course."
Esme punched me.
"What Esme?"
"You're so sexist. No wonder Bella got pissed at you and got drunk."
"Carlisle, why are all the women ganging up on me? So I want to keep them safe."
"Edward, love them and care for them; that is how they feel safe. Not by you locking them away from danger. As Bella has told you, she has been taking care of herself for so long. Edward, when there is a gun pointing at her or someone she loves, I guarantee she'll take guidance from you. But having her trained so that if you two are trapped and she has decent aim that she can be your backup would make you both happy. I really don't want to see either of you hurt. I guarantee that if she saw someone pointing a gun at your back, she would dive in and take the bullet to protect you."
"Oh my God," and I got up and walked outside. I think the last line that Carlisle said finally got it through my thick skull. He's so right she would and so would I. I loved her so much I would die protecting her.
I just walked through the woods on the back of their property for a while trying to clear my head. A text on my phone finally brought me back to reality.
It was from Carlisle and said - she is awake and asking 4 you. I ran back to the house and Carlisle met me on the deck.
"What?" I said.
"Just relax. Esme is trying to get her to eat something light and then you can see her. She doesn't feel very good."
"I'm sure she doesn't. She's so small and five drinks."
"Edward, you aren't going to lecture her. She just wants your shoulder to lean on. Better question is why did you walk out while we were talking?"
"Because you finally said the right words to get it through my thick skull about Bella and how much I care for her. You're right. I do want her to be able to protect herself because I know we would each give our lives to save the other. I'm sorry I'm so damn stubborn."
"But you also care and love the same way. You need to let her be herself and relax. No one is going to hurt her except maybe you emotionally. You need to relax and enjoy your time together just like you did yesterday."
"Maybe tomorrow, when she's feeling better, you can take her to see The Princess and the Frog."
"Carlisle, a romantic movie, as well as a cartoon, you have to be kidding."
"You love her, right?"
"Yes."
"Take her and I promise, it won't be terrible."
"Fine. Can I go see her now?"
"Yes and be nice. Be the gentleman that is hidden under all your stubborn crap."
"Yes, sir and thanks." and I shoke his hand and I sprinted for the stairs.
I passed Esme and she said, "Be nice and come down for dinner when you are ready."
"Okay."
I went to Bella's door, "May I please come in Bella?"
"Yes," she moaned, "but just be quiet my head is pounding."
"Okay."
"Is it okay if I sit on your bed?"
"Yes, just be quiet."
"Did Esme give you more Tylenol?"
"Yes, Edward, would you just hold me? And we can talk later."
"Of course."
Bella took her pillow, laid it down in my lap and then laid on her side. I rubbed her back with my one hand. How could I not love her and protect her? I thought to myself. She was in all this pain because of me; I caused her to go drink because I had pissed her off. I sent Emmett a text and said - I'm so sorry man that you had to watch Bella like that it was my fault. I think Carlisle finally got through to me today.
No problem, man, just quit pissing her off and love her instead.
I'll see you tomorrow night at the house because Carlisle insisted someone stay with her.
Okay you two are responsible for dinner
Deal
Bella woke a couple of hours later and was looking straight up at me. "Hi Edward."
"How are you feeling now?"
"Better, now that there is no light out."
"Oh Bella, I'm sorry I guess you'll have to remember that too much alcohol adds to your migraines."
"It does. I guess I learned that today."
"Bella, I'm so sorry for making you feel so small."
"Edward, can you hold that thought I need to go to the bathroom?"
"Are you okay or do you need help?"
"No, I think I'll be fine."
So I went to the bathroom, then I opened the door and said, "Esme said I have clothes around here."
"Sure." I grabbed her pajamas or so I thought.
When Bella came out, I gasped.
"Bella, I know technically I'm not your boyfriend right now. But you look incredible in my t-shirt and your pajama pants. If I was still teaching you about romance, I would come over, kiss you and tell you you look incredible in my clothes. I would continue kissing you and carry you back to bed. And if we were even more involved, I would land up making love to you because it is incredibly hot to see your significant other in your clothes. But instead, I'll kiss your nose carry you back to bed and let you lay back down."
"Now, Bella just sleep tonight. I'll be next door if you need me and tomorrow we'll talk. I'm sorry I was such a jerk."
"Edward, answer me two questions before you leave."
"What?"
"Are you going to stand in my way for gun training and are we back to being boyfriend and girlfriend?"
"Yes and if you want to then yes."
"Thank you, Edward and good night."
BPOV
As I went to sleep, I said to myself, "I'll never drink five drinks again." My head felt like it would explode and I felt like someone had run over me.
EPOV
I went downstairs finally and ate a leftover plate Esme had for me and then I found Carlisle in his study.
"Thank you. She's soundly sleeping probably for the night."
Carlisle smiled and I said, "I know she is. Esme slipped her a natural sleeping concoction."
"How about next week when you get back from Catalina we start the practice?"
"No let her start Thursday. I want to see if she is sore or not."
"She is tough; she'll be fine."
"I know; I never thought I would find someone like her."
"You did. And you two deserve each other."
"Thanks, Carlisle. I'm going to turn in."
"I'll see you at work on Wednesday."
A/N Happy New Year all. See you in the new year with an update on Sunday. Please review.