Beam me up, Scotty. I let my geek flag fly yesterday and it led to some confusion. In old Star Trek episodes, the nameless guy in the red shirt usually died first. It was my way of saying that Rosalie's brother was fairly insignificant to the story. There will be some fallout from his death but he, himself, was irrelevant.

I don't own Twilight. I do own a large collection of pine needles scattered across the living-room.

Chapter 33

Edward woke up with something heavy pressing on his head and his pillow was oddly hard and warm. He tried to open his eyes but the room was too bright. He reached one hand up to feel what was on his head. He was very surprised to find a hand. His eyes opened suddenly then.

He tried to move his other hand but it was trapped under his pillow. As he woke up further, he realized where he was and what he was sleeping on. He was laying with his head nestled in Bella's lap. His hand was wedged under Bella's knee and her hand was in his hair.

Edward was giddy with excitement but also embarrassed to be found in this predicament. He hadn't been able to corner his mother to see if she would help him win Bella's affection. He was fairly certain that touching her leg was not the best way to let his intentions be known. He slowly slid his hand out from under her knee so he didn't wake her.

Edward turned his head in Bella's lap so that he could look at her face. In her sleep she looked very calm and serene. A few strands of hair had escaped her cap and curled across her face. He reached up and carefully tucked them back behind her ear.

Bella drew in a sharp breath and opened her eyes. She looked straight in front of her at first, eyes settling on the cradle, then dropped her chin and looked at the man in her lap. A blush blossomed across her cheeks as she realised the position they were in and the fact that he was looking back at her.

"Good morning" Edward said as he gazed into her eyes.

She had to blink her eyes a few times before she felt confident enough to answer.

"Good morning, Mister Cullen."

He chuckled at her. Always so proper, he thought.

"I'd hoped that, given the situation we are currently in, you might call me Edward."

Bella shook her head. He tried not to be disappointed. He wanted to hear his name from her lips.

"Very well, Miss Swan. How does the patient fare today?" He asked turning her attention back to Beth.

"She sleeps much easier than last night. Her breathing has improved."

Bella wanted to get up, to move about and restore feeling to her legs. She really wanted the necessary, but she did not want to remove the beautiful man from her lap.

Edward found he did not want to leave the comfort of the place where he lay his head. However, Katie was beginning to stir and would need attention. He sat up and looked over at his daughter who was giggling quietly to herself.

Bella stood up slowly, and carefully stretched her tired limbs. She walked over to Katie and picked her up, kissing her face over and over again. Katie's giggles grew louder. Bella bobbed a quick curtsey to Edward and excused her self and Katie to the other room.

After Bella had finished her morning ablutions she went back into the nursery to find Edward stroking Beth's damp curls.

"I'll take Katie, then, and make some breakfast?" She asked, rather than stated, wanting to defer to his wishes.

"Would you bring it up here? I don't want to leave Beth by herself."

She nodded when he asked his question, already planning breakfast in the nursery.

Katie was starting to fuss over the prolonged wait for her morning meal. The cup of warmed milk she had been given downstairs had only served to awaken her hunger further. Bella barely had time to steep the tea before the fussing began.

With Katie strapped firmly to her back, Bella carried the tray upstairs. Thankfully Edward had rebuilt the fire so toasting the bread she had sliced would be much faster. He managed the toast fork and the fire while Bella fed Katie. All in all it was a very domestic scene, one that sparked the imaginations of both, without the other realizing.

Beth continued to improve over the course of the day. Edward banished Bella and Katie to another room, suggesting that Bella nap while Katie slept, sighting that he had had the better sleep of the two. That declaration made Bella blush a very deep rose.

Katie was very happy to share her nap with Bella and they fell into a deep sleep quickly.

AN: Whoooohooo! He touched her leg.