Be My Escape
EPOV
I walked out of the bathroom and tried to keep my cool, my latest discovery still swirling around in my head. Bella was laid out on the bed, propped up on her elbows and staring at the ceiling with a dazed but happy look on her face. I promised myself that I wouldn't mention what I had heard until the time was right and waited for my voice to stop catching in my throat before getting her attention.
"Hey, Bella, you want to go downstairs? I kind of got the feeling they wanted us," I said, keeping my voice under control. It almost broke when I said her name, but I managed to keep going so hopefully she wouldn't notice.
She brought her gaze to my face and nodded once, her eyes still that cloudy I'm-not-really-here look. I walked over to the side of the bed ad offered my hand. She extended hers towards mine, but missed. I grabbed on her wrist with my other hand and put hers in the one I had offered. She didn't react when I grabbed her wrist, and it set off little warning bells in the back of my mind.
"Bella, are you okay?" I asked nervously. I squeezed her and gently once and she jumped, like she was coming out of a trance. She blinked a few times and I could see the battle for focus in her eyes that told me she was looking at me. She nodded once and looked down at the bed.
Yeah, I'm okay. I just got a little caught up in what I was thinking about, she signed shyly. I smiled crookedly.
"So, I'm guessing you're not going to tell me what it was?" I asked mischievously. She smiled at me and shook her head. She looked like she was glad that she couldn't blush anymore. I pulled her up off the bed and entwined my fingers with hers. I felt her lean against me slightly as we made our way downstairs and couldn't keep a small smile from showing on my face.
We found Emmett, Jasper, and Carlisle sitting on the couch watching the six o'clock news. Alice, Rose, and Esme were nowhere to be found. My stomach growled loudly as we stepped into the living room and the three of them looked at me.
"Esme suspected you would be hungry, so she left some food on the counter for you," Carlisle said, beckoning towards the kitchen with a nod of his head.
"Should I even ask where they went off to?" I asked. All three shook their heads and turned back towards the TV.
I headed towards the kitchen, Bella holding on to my hand when I let my grip loosen. I thought she would want to wait in the living room, but that told me otherwise so I tightened my grip again. I spotted the slices of pizza and grabbed the plate with my free hand. They were a little on the cold side so I popped them in the microwave for a minute. I turned around and leaned against the counter and Bella wrapped her arms around my waist. I let her hand go and loosely wrapped mine around her. She laid her head on my chest and sighed softly when I rested my chin on top of her head. I was just letting my eyes drift closed when the microwave buzzed loudly in my ear, making me jump.
I sighed and turned enough so that I could get my food out without knocking myself out with the door and put the plate on the counter next to me. Bella didn't let go the whole time and I kissed her hair. She smiled up at me and I tentatively leaned down. My lips lightly brushed hers and she didn't pull away, her eyes getting a shy quality to them as she continued to look at me. I leaned farther down and kissed her lightly, giving her room to pull away if she wanted. She leaned into the kiss and I moved my mouth against hers. She did the same and we stood like that in the middle of the kitchen until I had to pull away, my breaths raspy. She sighed and put her head back on my chest contentedly.
I wrapped my arms slightly more tightly around her and took one away. I shakily grabbed a slice from my plate and ate, my hands unsteady from both hunger and lack of oxygen. I stopped shaking as much after I took my first few bites and finished both of them in record time. I scooted the plate into the sink without making it fall in and wiped my hand on the wash cloth hanging over the side. Bella stopped my hand before I could wipe my mouth and placed hers over mine. She moved her lips against mine for a few seconds before pulling away, a large smile on her face. I blinked a few times to make the room stop spinning and smiled back at her, even though I was confused as to why she was smiling.
You taste like pizza, she signed, trying not to burst into laughter. I laughed and shook my head before hugging her tightly against me. She wrapped her arm back around me and sighed deeply. I rubbed her back and leaned my chin on top of her head, smiling. My happiness was short-lived, though, when Alice flew in with Rose not that far behind her.
"We are stealing Bella from you, Casanova. I don't care if you don't like it," Alice said quickly. The two of them grabbed Bella before I could protest and had her out the door before I even blinked.
I mentally cursed their enhanced speed and sighed, running my hand through my hair. I didn't know what to do with myself, so I went into the living room and lay down on the couch. The other guys gave me a sympathetic look, but immediately turned back to whatever show was on. I tried to focus on the TV, but my mind kept wandering back to the events in the kitchen. To what happened. To Bella.
I didn't know it then, but as I thought about Bella, I slowly slipped into dreams about her.
*~*~*
BPOV
I let go of Edward as soon as Alice and Rosalie grabbed me, not wanting to get him hurt by holding on. They ran full speed up the stairs, dragging me by my arms, and locked the door once they set me on the bed. I sat there and put a hand to my forehead, trying to let the blurs settle into their usual positions.
I felt two people sit down next to me and a third was moving a chair near the bed. Alice and Rose grabbed my arms and turned me towards them and Esme smiled from her chair. I waited for them to say something, but got a feeling of déjà vu as they stayed quiet and stared at me. I shrugged my shoulders and looked at them expectantly. Alice sighed loudly, seeming to remember that I wasn't much for conversation.
"Tell them what you told me," she said seriously. I gave her my best blank but annoyed stare and she sighed again, louder.
"Fine. You have to go and make everything difficult," she complained, letting go of my arm. I went to throw them up on frustration, but her question made me freeze. The sad part was that I had already known what she was going to ask, and yet it still affected me.
"Do you love Edward?" she asked. I let my arms fall back onto the bed slowly, my gaze darting between Rose and Esme. I didn't know how they were going to react and hesitated.
"It's okay, Bella. They want to know," Alice said, trying to reassure me. I still didn't answer, trying to find out why I was so scared to answer. My only answers were that Rose was known to be overprotective and that Esme was his mother. Alice took my hand and I made myself nod once. All three of them squealed loudly and I flinched, my hands shooting up to my ears. They stopped once they saw me and started laughing. Esme sat down behind me and wrapped her arms around my shoulders from behind.
"Oh, I'm sorry, dear. This is going to sound very sappy, but we are just so happy you came to be here, especially with the effect you've had on Edward. He's a completely different person from the one we brought home from the hospital a year ago. He's the Edward we'd always thought we'd see. You've brought back the boy he used to be before the accident." Esme paused and I heard her sniff a couple times. I saw a glint near the corner of her eye as the fading sunlight hit the tears building up. I smiled softly and put a hand on hers. She composed herself and continued, moving back slightly so that I could turn towards her slightly.
"You've given him someone else to think about, instead of his restrictions. You are the distraction he needed to get his mind off of everything that was taken away from him. I'm not happy at all about what happened to you, but I am very happy that you decided to stay with us. You gave me the son I was missing and the daughter I didn't know I was." She gave me a crushing hug just then, and I hugged her back, letting her words sink in.
I felt something filling up. Something I had known was there and empty, but had paid no conscious attention to. As I felt Esme's embrace and heard Alice and Rose behind me, as I thought about everything that had happened between me and this family, as I thought about everything that had happened between Edward and me, I felt more and more complete. Like nothing had ever been taken from my life. Like I had never been missing anything from it.
Like I was home.
I broke down in Esme's arms, burying my face in her shoulder. Alice and Rose joined in the embrace, comforting me in the only way they really could. By letting me know just how right my epiphany was. I cried and cried for I don't know how long, but the tears finally slowed and I realized that Esme was talking to me, trying to soothe me.
"It's alright, Bella," she said into my hair. "Everything is okay now." She kept repeating that and a few other phrases until my tears finally stopped. I turned my head so that I was facing away from her and tried to compose myself. Esme rubbed my back and Alice and Rose both had a hand on my leg. I leaned back and raised my shaky hands.
Thank you, I signed to them, knowing they probably wouldn't know what I said anyway. Esme surprised me, though, by smiling and responding to me.
"You're welcome, dear, even though it isn't you who should be giving thanks." I gave her a surprised but confused look and she laughed lightly. "I've been watching what you do and what Edward says afterwards. I guess you could say I've been teaching myself. And plus, that one is my favorite." I laughed silently and she gave me another quick hug. She stood up and I felt Alice and Rose stand up as well.
"Come on," Alice said, extending her hands to me. "I think it's time to return you to your other half. Plus you still look pretty wiped." I yawned just as she said that and she pulled me to my feet.
"I don't know whether you're lucky or not, being what you are. You're just like us, but you're also just like humans. I guess it would depend on who you're talking to, huh?" she said. I shrugged and we made our way downstairs. She rattled on about a few things, making me happy she didn't expect much of a response.
We got to the living room and a blurry figure draped across the couch caught my attention. It looked like his arm was thrown over his eyes and his back was half against the back of the couch. I dropped Alice's hand and slowly walked over to him, not wanting to wake him up. I knelt down near his head and ran my fingers lightly through his hair. He sighed and turned his face into my hand. I felt someone come up behind me and Emmett's voice whispered in my ear.
"Do you want to stay down here with him or do you want me to take him upstairs?" he asked. I turned slightly, not taking my hand from Edward's face and pointed upstairs. Emmett nodded once and rubbed the top of my head with his huge hand playfully.
I swatted at him half-heartedly and he laughed quietly before standing and gently picking Edward up off the couch. I followed close behind as Emmett made his way upstairs. I slipped past and opened the door for him and he slowly set Edward down. He gave me a crushing huge before setting me down and closing the door as he walked out.
I laid down next to Edward under the covers and laid my head on his chest. He immediately turned towards me so that my head was under his and my face was almost against his neck. He wrapped his arms around me and held me tightly to him. I sighed contentedly and lightly kissed his neck before falling asleep in his embrace.
*~*~*
EPOV
Bella and I woke up the next morning to Esme barging in and telling us to get ready for school. I didn't believe she was serious at first, but the look she gave me when I asked told me all I needed to know. I grudgingly got up, stealing a kiss from Bella while she was stretching, and went over to my dresser. Arms wrapped around me from behind and lips briefly touched the base of my neck. I dropped the clothes I had grabbed back in their drawer and turn in her arms, taking her face in my hands.
"What about a proper good morning instead of all of the teasing, hm?" I said softly, leaning towards her. She smiled and went up on her toes to touch her lips to mine. I leaned down farther, giving her a short kiss on the lips before kissing her forehead.
"That's better," I said, smiling like an idiot. She laughed silently and shook her head.
She let go of me to go get her clothes and I grabbed the ones I had dropped back into the drawer. I didn't pay attention to what they were, only knowing it was a t-shirt and a pair of jeans. I went into the bathroom and Bella went into her room to get clothes. I changed quickly, brushed my teeth, and walked back out to wait for her. It wasn't even five minutes later that she walked back in, bag on her shoulder, beckoning me to come on. I grabbed my bag and took her hand, leading her downstairs.
Esme and Carlisle were waiting for us, a plate of French toast on the island counter in front of a stool. They were prepared just the way I liked them, with a little butter and a lot of maple syrup. I sat down on the stool and dropped my bag at my feet. Bella sat next to me and leaned back so she could put her foot against the seat of my chair, her toes just touching my thigh. I put one of my hands on her foot and started eating with the other.
"You should go hunting while you're waiting for me," I said casually, glancing at Bella. Her eyes were starting to darken around the edges. She shrugged nonchalantly, but I could see that she agreed with me. I patted her foot reassuringly.
"Go ahead. I'll still be here when you get back." She nodded and slid off the chair slowly. She wrapped her arms around my neck and kissed my cheek before starting to head towards the door.
"Do you mind if I come with you, dear? All of this stress has kept me out of the woods for a while," Esme asked. Bella shrugged and nodded before beckoning for her to come. Esme smiled and they were out the door before I could blink again. Carlisle laughed at my surprise.
"It's hard to get used to that, isn't it, son?" he asked. I nodded slowly and he laughed again. "Maybe it will be easier once you start being able to do it yourself." I looked down at my half-eaten breakfast and shrugged, quickly finishing what was left. Carlisle stood on the other side of the counter, quiet. I knew he was thinking about how to say something, but I wasn't sure if I wanted him to figure it out before I could leave. I saw him decide and mentally braced myself.
"What do you plan to do?" he asked. I froze and looked up at him, confused.
"Do about what?" I asked, slowly sliding off the stool. He looked frustrated, probably hoping that I would have known what he was talking about. He tried again.
"You and Bella. The two of you are not exactly official, even though you are acting like you are, from what I have seen." That made me blush, thinking about our sudden acts of PDA. I shrugged and walked over to the sink. "You realize that she is very fragile, mentally at least. What happened to her hurt her more than she lets on." I tilted my head to the side and laid my plate on the counter. I turned towards Carlisle, confused.
"What do you mean by that? I mean, I know she doesn't like to think about what happened, but what are you seeing that I'm not?" I asked, crossing my arms over my chest, not defensively but just curiously.
"She is always next to you, and is very reluctant to leave when she does. You have to convince her to hunt when she should be deciding that herself. Something happened to her that made her want to cling to whatever or whoever she can get. I cannot tell you for sure that it was having her parents taken from her, but something happened while she was with her sire before she changed that affected her ability to be free with her relationships. Now, she clings because of her fear of losing something or someone she cares about again." Carlisle paused, letting me think about what he said. I just didn't know what to say to it. I shrugged thoughtfully, trying to think about times that supported what he said. There were quite a few, and I nodded once.
"I get what you're saying. And I'm guessing it's also a hint to be careful with her, right?" I said, a small smile on my face. Carlisle chuckled and nodded back.
"Yes that's exactly what I am saying. I know you do not want to hurt her, Edward, but it's easier to not do that if you know what would hurt her. But enough about that. What about school? Are you going to keep using your chair or do you think you are ready to move on?" I slowly put my dish into the sink, my eyes gazing sightlessly out the window.
I hadn't thought about that yet. I figured it would be easier to just keep using my chair. I wouldn't have to explain anything to anyone, but what would happen if someone saw me walking around Forks? What would they say? What would I tell them? The more I thought about it the more I realized what a long-term pain keeping my ability to walk again a secret. I turned to Carlisle, slowly, still thinking.
"Do you…Do you think now…would be a good time to do that? Or should we wait and make it look more progressive?" I asked, looking at the floor. I looked up at Carlisle to see he was thinking, too.
"Well, your teachers already know, so it should not be very hard to explain. Just say that you started walking a while ago, but you used your chair so that your legs would not be over-exerted throughout the school day or something. Your teachers would be able to back you up on it that way," he said. I nodded slowly, thinking that was just about the only way to explain what happened without saying what really happened. He walked into the living room with a nod, telling me it was up to me to decide for sure.
I sat back down on the stool and laid my head on my arms on the counter. I stared out the window for a while, thinking about school and waiting for Bella to come back. My mind wandered to Christmas, which was only three weeks away, and tried to think of something I could get Bella. I had the terrifying thought of asking Alice for some advice, but decided she would be my last resort.
I sighed and closed my eyes, somehow managing to fall into a half-sleep until cool lips touched my cheek. I jumped slightly and Bella's hand landed on my back, keeping me from falling off the stool. I blinked my vision clear and smiled at Bella sleepily. She smiled back and shook her head at me, putting a hand against my cheek. She signed something to me, taking her hand from my back to do so, but my eyes didn't catch the signs.
"You want to try that again?" I asked sleepily. "I didn't catch it." She laughed quietly, but signed again.
Are you sure you want to go to school? You still look exhausted. I nodded and put my hand over hers on my face.
"I'm sure. And Carlisle and I talked about it. I'm going to stop using my chair. The teachers already know I can walk again, so we can stick to the story that I started to be able to walk again a while ago, but used my chair at school to make sure nothing happened while I wasn't at home. What do you think?" I asked, leaning back and stretching. My back twitched from the awkward position and I slumped against the back of the stool. Bella dragged the other stool next to mine and sat down so our thighs touched. She took one of my hands in both of hers and laid them in her lap. It made me think of my conversation with Carlisle, but I mentally shook it away.
Whatever you feel comfortable with, Edward. If that's what you want to do, then do it, she signed. We can just keep it in the truck in case you want to start using it during the day. Just tell everyone that you're still weak or something. I nodded.
"I guess I'll just try not using it. It would be a lot less of a hassle if I could just get rid of it." I squeezed her hand once and she nodded, a smile making its way onto her face. We sat there like that for a little while, Bella starting to play with my fingers. I looked at the clock and sighed just as the others came downstairs.
"Hey, little people!" Emmett said, rubbing his hand on top of my head roughly. He gave Bella a one-armed hug before slinging it over Rose's shoulder. Jasper made an attempt at a wave and Alice's eyes wouldn't leave our hands long enough for her to say anything at all.
"We should probably get going," I said, getting off the stool. Bella followed, not letting my hand leave hers. I twined our fingers together and squeezed her hand before grabbing both of our bags. She wrapped her free arm around my bicep and we walked towards the door. I heard Bella fish around in her pocket for her keys and tugged her over towards the garage.
"Why don't we take my car today? I haven't been able to use it in a while and we might as well finish surprising the entire school," I said, answering her confused expression. I opened the garage door and stood there for a few seconds, staring at the sheet we had thrown over it. Truth be told, I hadn't driven this car since before my accident, almost right after I got my driver's license, so I was itching to take it out.
"You want to help me get this off?" I asked Bella. She nodded and I moved over to the driver's side of the car. She moved up to the front passenger door and grabbed a handful of the dusty sheet. We pulled it off at the same time and the garage was flooded with sunlight reflecting off the silver of my Volvo.
We piled the sheet in front of it and I stood there, arms crossed over my chest, staring. It wasn't the best looking car on the road, but it definitely wasn't the worst. It was a sleek four-door with tinted windows and a small wing over the trunk. It looked like a supped-up sedan, only a lot more expensive.
I grabbed Bella's hand and walked over to the passenger side, grabbing the keys off the wall as I did so. I opened the door for her and she got in, smiling shyly. I closed her door, put our bags on the back seat, and walked over to the driver's side. I put the key in the ignition and turned it, smiling happily when the car immediately started up.
I backed it out of the garage slowly and stopped the car once I was far enough out. I hit the button to close the garage door and turned to see Emmett giving me an ecstatic thumbs-up. He ran over and I pulled the lever that opened the trunk so he could put my folded chair inside. Alice and Jasper headed out first in her Porsche and I followed, Emmett waving me on. He followed behind, probably to make sure I still remembered how to drive. That was something I wasn't going to forget. I glanced over at Bella, who proceeded to put her hand over mine on the shifter and thread her fingers between mine.
"You should feel very honored," I said, faking arrogance. She turned her head towards me and lifted one perfect eyebrow. I chuckled despite myself and tried to keep up the charade, failing miserably.
"I used to never let anyone in my car. It was my pride and joy. You are the first, madam," I said, squeezing her fingers. She laughs silently, but plays along.
Then, dear Sir, I am very honored indeed. Both of us start laughing again and she leans over. She places a light kiss on my cheek before leaning back and sighing as she looks out the window. I leave her to her thoughts as we pull into the parking lot, people already pointing out the foreign car.
I felt my stomach flip at the thought of all of the eyes that were going to be staring at me today and felt Bella squeeze my hand. My anxiety immediately dropped to a tolerable level, but I could still feel it threatening to blow up again.
I parked in between Alice and Emmett, whose Jeep was so tall with its overly large tires that I could only see the bottom of the door, and sat there. My hands were starting to shake and I dropped the keys as I shut off the car. I felt Jasper trying to help calm me, but his usual non-prodding effects were having almost no affect.
Bella pushed her arm rest up against the seat and sat down on the console, her legs towards the back of the car. She took my face in her hands and turned my head until I was facing her instead of staring out the windshield. She ran her thumbs over my cheeks soothingly, but I could still feel myself shaking. She took one hand from my face and started signing to me.
I'm right here, Edward. You are not doing this alone. I'm going to be right here for you, okay? She asked, running her fingers through my hair.
I took what had meant to be calming breaths, but they sounded more like hoarse choking ones. She kept running her thumb over my cheek as I tried to calm myself and I closed my eyes, just focusing on her. My breathing slowed down as I focused on her thumb on my face and her fingers in my hair. I let myself lean into her hand and sigh. I opened my eyes to find her smiling sympathetically at me.
You are not alone. We will make it through today together, just like every other day. We can always leave if it gets to be too much. She signed slowly but forcefully. I nodded once and she gently placed both of her hands back on my face. She leaned towards me and touched her lips to mine. We kissed for a few seconds before she leaned her forehead against mine and smiled at me. I kissed one corner of her mouth and then the other before she placed one more chaste kiss one my lips. She leaned back enough to get her hand between us where I could see it.
Are you okay now? She asked. I thought about it for a second and nodded.
"Yeah, I'm okay." She nodded once before getting back in her seat to get out.
I picked the keys up off the floor and got out, moving around to her side. I heard gasps as I held her door, people finally realizing just who the driver of the mysterious vehicle was. Bella got out and smiled at me, taking my hand and shutting the door. I reached in to the back seat and grabbed our bags, slinging mine over my shoulder. Bella took hers and threw it over her shoulder, her fingers holding the strings and her arm bent upwards.
Alice, Jasper, Emmett, and Rose joined us and we walked across the parking lot, the others giving me concerned looks. I just nodded once, letting them know I was okay. We made it to the sidewalk before a shrill voice erupted across the lot.
"Edward?!" Tanya practically screamed. I turned to see her standing next to her car with Lauren and Jessica. She started making her way towards me when Bella moved in front of me. I couldn't see Bella's face, but from the look on Tanya's, she definitely wasn't smiling at her.
Tanya stopped and put her hands on her hips, glaring at Bella. Bella tilted her head to one side and did the same, her pose looking much more graceful than Tanya's. I wrapped my arms around Bella's waist from behind her, lacing my arms through hers. She moved her hands to my arms and I rested my chin on her shoulder. I could see Bella's face now, and the evil grin that was there would have scared the I-don't-even-know-what out of me if I had been on the receiving end. Tanya gave one last half-hearted glare and walked back to her friends, trying to be smooth when she almost fell in her heels.
I held in a laugh and gently turned Bella back towards the school. She complied grudgingly, putting an arm possessively around my waist and locking on to my belt loops at my hips with her fingers. I draped my arm across her shoulders and we walked into the school, Bella's actions solidifying that she would be there for me when I needed her.
The six of us talked in the hallway for a while before we split up to our classrooms. Bella and I headed for Biology and were the first ones there. Mr. Banner smiled brightly when he saw me walking in, but he didn't comment. I couldn't have been more relieved for that.
Bella and I took our normal seats at the back and my gaze unconsciously moved towards the front, near the other side of the room. My eyes stopped on Lucas's seat and I shuddered, not wanting to imagine what would come out of his mouth once he got the chance. Bella must have felt it and slid her chair over until the two were touching. She wrapped her arms around one of mine and leaned her head on my shoulder. I sighed and kissed her forehead.
I watched as the rest of the class filed in, all eyes immediately going to me. I just stared out the window, trying to act like I didn't notice. I felt my face grow hotter as an uncontrollable blush made its way up my neck. Someone walked close to our table and sat down in front of Bella. I looked up to see Angela smiling at me.
"It's nice to see you up and about, Edward. I'm sure you're enjoying it after so long," she said shyly. I gave a half laugh.
"You have no idea. Makes you appreciate learning how to walk at an early age. You know, one where you don't even know of the existence of things like embarrassment," I said, waving my hand like it was no big deal. Angela laughed, still looking reserved. Her gaze moved to Bella for a second, who was staring at the door.
"I can't even begin to imagine," she said slowly, shaking her head. The bell rang and Angela turned around. Bella sighs deeply and closes her eyes, turning her head towards me. I looked over towards the door to see what made her so relieved and felt my whole body relax when I see the empty chair in the front of the room. Lucas wasn't at school.
Nothing could possibly make today any better now, I thought to myself, smiling as I turned towards the front of the room as Mr. Banner started his lesson. Bella shared my joy and kissed the back of my hand, sitting up straighter so she could pay attention.
A/N: Well, I missed my update day again last week, and I apologize. The weekend got a little hectic and cut into my writing time, and then my 18th birthday was Tuesday, so I lost more time there. To try to make up for that, this chapter is 15 pages long. It's not much more than usual, but hopefully it makes up for it! X-)
The song is Be My Escape by Relient K. Please review!