So so so sorry for the long update. I meant to update last week, actually. But things got out of hand. Enjoy! Thanks to Jamie for betaing. :P
EPOV:
"Ice cream in the morning is a good idea how?" Bella asked, grabbing the chocolate ice cream from the freezer.
She had to bend down to do so. Damn her butt looks ready to fit in my hands in those jeans. No Edward, stop. No inappropriate thinking about Bella, I scolded myself.
"Because we're not going to be eating ice cream, silly Bella. We're going to be making a smoothie." I said, grabbing the Oreo's from the bottom drawer.
"A smoothie? With ice cream and... Oreo's?" Bella asked confused.
"Yes, Bella. An Oreo smoothie. Have you never had one?"
Bella shook her head and I looked at her in shock. You have not lived until you have had an Oreo smoothie.
And no, I am not talking about those Oreo McFlurry's from McDonald's.
"Grab the milk from the fridge and I'll show you how it's done."
She complied and grabbed the low-fat milk from the fridge, curiously eyeing me the whole time.
I grabbed the cup of the smoothie maker and placed it down on the counter.
"Put a good few scoops of ice cream in the cup." I directed her.
"Edward, I don't know if I should do it. I'll mess it up!"
"Nonsense. I'll guide you." I said, kissing the top of her hand.
She sighed but complied anyways. She kept scooping until I told her to stop.
"Now pour some milk in, but not too much.. that's it. Now break four Oreo's apart into pieces."
"Like this?"
"Yes, just like that."
When she put the biscuits in the cup, I put the lid on it and brought it over to the counter.
I flipped it over and placed it onto the holder.
Flipping it on, it made a loud noise as it started, making Bella jump back.
She put half of it into a glass for her and half of it into a glass for me.
"I don't know if I want to try this." She said, sitting down. "It looks like dirt."
"Bella, come on. Just try it! You can't judge it by the look."
"But you made this recipe up by yourself, Edward!"
"I did not. Lots of people in the Philippines drink Oreo Smoothies. And I got the recipeonline. Please just try it. For me." I pouted, knowing she was a goner.
"Fine." She sighed, lifted the glass to her lips and wrinkling her nose.
Slowly, she parted her lips, and poured some contents in her mouth. Wincing as she swallowed.
She opened her eyes, widening at the drink and gulped down some more.
"I take it that you like it?" I chuckled.
"It's delicious, Edward! I can't believe I went so long without it!" She said, licking her lips.
"I told youuu." I sang.
"Whatever." She said, rolling her eyes and laughed.
We continued drinking in silence, when Bella decided to break it.
"Edward, there's something that I wanted to ask you about." She started.
"Hm? Go on. Please." I asked, interested already.
"The girl I saw you with at the movies a few weeks ago. Well, out of pure curiousity, I was wondering.. who is she?" Bella asked, blushing already.
"Tanya? Well, I don't want to lie to you. But she's my ex."
"Oh."
"But don't worry, there's nothing going on between us. At all."
Bella sighed happily, but creased her eyebrows again.
"Why did you guys.. uh.. break up? If you don't mind me asking." She asked quietly.
I sighed. This really wasn't something I wanted to talk about today.
"Tanya thought I was.. an inconvenience to her. We broke up after the doctors told me that I.. wasn't able to walk. She told me that she couldn't be with a man that was unable to do normal things." I muttered.
"We were together for three years before the.. accident. She said she was in love me. But truth be told, I wasn't with her. She kept pushing and pushing for sex. And whenever we did have sex, it wasn't out of love. It was so.. she wouldn't leave me and I could have a hot chick on my arm. I was really not a nice guy back then. And cliché as it sounds – the accident turned me into a decent guy. So, after Tanya left, I was alone. Emmett was out of town at the time and I had nobody to help me.." I stumbled off, not able to continue anymore.
My eyes were tearing up, and I felt Bella grip my hand softly.
She didn't know it, I'm sure, but that grip on my hand was more reassuring than any word the doctor's or my brother or family have ever spoken.
"I'm so sorry, Edward," She said, gripping my shoulder. "I wish I could've been there to help you or at least to have been there for you."
"I know," I sighed, leaning into her touch. "I wish I could tell you what happened, but it's just.. so hard."
"It's fine, Edward. Just take your time. I'll be here when and if you ever want to talk about it. Or anything, really. I will always be here for you." She promised. And that meant so much to me.
"So, you were a bad boy, huh?" She asked, wiggling her eyebrows.
"Don't even go there, Bella." I laughed.
BPOV:
It was nine by the time I was headed back to my apartment.
Alice had moved out last week, so I had the place to myself.
I had spent all day with Edward, like the past few weeks. They had flown by!
Edward was learning to trust me more bit by bit. He even let me help him on the couch the other day.
Turning the key in the hole, I was still smiling, but it dropped when I closed the door and got inside.
I heard shuffles from inside the apartment. Bad sign.
"Get her!" I heard and tried to run back outside, but was stopped by some large figure grabbing my body and forcing me onto the ground.
He covered my mouth and I was screaming, hoping somebody would hear my desperate cries for help.
Then his fist met my face.
APOV:
"Bella? Bellaaaa!" I called from inside the apartment.
She must still be at Edward's.
I came to return the house key, so I thought I'd leave it on the kitchen table when I saw a body under it.
"Bella!" I gasped, pulling her out from under it.
Bella's clothes were ripped, but not completely off. And her face.. it was all swollen like she had banged her head into a doorknob repeatedly.
"Bella? Bella, honey. Wake up!" I yelled, trying to get a response. But no response.
I ran to the living room, to get her cell for Edward's number. But the whole place had been empty.
Someone must have broken in and beaten Bella.
Oh my God.
I ran into the kitchen, hoisting Bella in my arms and took her to the hospital in my car.
I just hoped that she would make it.
EPOV:
"What happened?" I asked frantically as Rosalie, Emmett, Jasper and I had reached the hospital.
Jasper had reached a phone call half an hour ago from a frantic Alice, who was weeping into the phone about Bella.
Jasper picked us all up at my place and we drove to the hospital as fast we the car would go.
All we knew was that something awful had happened to Bella as soon as she got home last night.
I knew I should have walked her home last night. In the technically terms.
It was bad enough to have her in hospital.
"Bella was.. attacked. I'm guessing last night. She still hasn't woken up. I went to the apartment today to give back the key. And there was no answer. So I thought that I would leave the key on the table, and I saw her body.. all bloody and beaten. And I went to get her cell and the whole apartment had been swept clean! Someone must have robbed the place and Bella came home when they were there and.." Alice trailed off, sinking into Jasper's arms.
"How is she now?" I asked.
"They said she got some pretty bad blows to the head. And even has a few broken ribs. So she can't move much. She's sleeping now. But she should be up soon." Alice sniffled.
"May I.. go in and see her?" I pleaded.
"Of course, Edward." Alice said, moving aside.
I moved my way into the Bella's room and saw her lying in the bed.
Beaten, swollen and bruised. She had some stitches on her head and a bandage on her hand.
I got closer and took her hand in mine, kissing each knuckle and finger.
"Edward?" Bella rasped out, struggling to open her eyes.
"Yes, Bella. It's me." I said, continuing on kissing her hand.
"Where am I?" She whispered.
"The hospital. Alice brought you in."
"Oh. So that really did happen." She sighed, leaning back onto her pillow.
"What happened, Bella?" I whispered.
"I.. I was on my way home. I heard people moving inside. I w-went to go back out, run back to y-your place. I knew it wasn't safe. But I think they heard me. I heard them say something, to grab m-me. And a big guy grabbed me and threw me on the floor. I tried to scream. But no one heard me. I tried so hard for help and no one would come, Edward!" She cried out, sobbing.
"Shh," I murmured, trying to sooth her, "It's okay. I'm here now. Those men won't hurt you again." I assured her.
"So, then," She continued, "They started to punch me over and over. Ripping at me clothes. I thought they were going to.." She cut herself off by crying again.
"Bella, it's okay. You don't have to talk about it now. Not if you don't want to."
"But, I want to tell you."
"You can. But not now. You need your rest, love."
"But, I don't want to sleep. You'll leave!" She said, starting to tear up again.
"I'll be right here." I said firmly.
"Lie with me?" She begged.
I nodded, trying to hoist myself up and failing.
"Hey, guys. We're going to head off. Edward, you want a ride?" Rosalie asked.
Bella looked at me frantically, begging me with her eyes not to leave.
"No. I'm going to stay with Bella. Can one of you guys.. uh.. help me onto the bed."
Emmett hoisted me up by the legs and tucked me in with Bella.
"We'll see you guys soon." Alice said as they all kissed Bella on the forehead goodbye.
"Thank you for staying, Edward." She sighed, relieved.
"No problem. I don't think I would have left anyways."
"Good. I don't think that I could stay here without-" She yawned.
"Sleep, Bella. We can talk when you wake up. I will be right here."
"Promise?"
"Of course. I'll stay as long as you want me."
"Forever. Love you.." She mumbled as she fell into a slumber.
I held onto her tightly and allowed myself to sleep along with her.
Protecting her from the bad outside of these hospital walls.
Short, I know. :/ Didn't see that one coming did you?
Is this moving too fast? I keep feeling it is. But am I being paranoid?
Last week (Thursday) was my birthday. Hurrah. I'm nineteen now. Almost out of these hellish teenage years. Belated Birthday review? xD