Disclaimer: I don't own the Twilight characters. They belong to Stephenie Meyer. You silly children should know that by now.
This chapter is a half chapter. It's a small section of Request in Edward's point of view. READ ON!
Chapter 10.5: Discourse
Edward Cullen
"Edward, you should tell her," Carlisle advised me. I nearly rolled my eyes.
"I will. Not here, or now," I mumbled, wanting to pass the subject. Especially with Bella sitting right there. This was not the time or place to tell her how absolutely infatuated with her I was.
"Soon though?" Of course I would tell her soon. I was bursting to tell her, but I wanted the atmosphere to be more romantic.
"Yes, very soon."
"Before the ball?" I didn't remember telling Carlisle about the Sweetheart's Ball– perhaps that was because I was only looking forward to the last ten minutes, where Bella would be mine. Her promise was something that I could easily keep. I would dance with her all night, but we both had dates. I couldn't suppress the urge I had to hunt this Jacob character, and immobilize him. Then Bella would be mine all night... Lauren had other friends she could dance with.
"Perhaps at it," I replied thoughtfully. The ball would be a sufficiently romantic atmosphere. I could tell her while we danced to the last song, which was guaranteed to be romantic. Bella spoke again, and her beautiful voice took me by surprise. Of course, I didn't forget she was there– how could I, with her intoxicating aroma?
"Girl still here." And she pointed to herself. I found it very amusing, and didn't crush the laughter the bubbled up in my throat. I threw my head back, and it exploded loudly. I immediately felt a little self conscious– was my laughter too loud? It was certainly louder than I had ever laughed. But Bella had been so... funny. It was one of the many things I loved about her.
Loved.
"Well, unless you want to tell me what that conversation was all about, I suggest you spring me so I can go back." She pouted adorably. I rolled my eyes, trying to be nonchalant, and pressed my lips into a tight line. I didn't want to irritate her. I started to hear a faint buzzing of thoughts. They were loud, but muddled. I heard only pieces. Healing... hurt?... injury... It was Bella's mother, worrying about her. I searched my mind, trying to remember her name. Renee. Bella worried about her during her sleep. Edward... break him... hurt my girl... Charlie, Bella's father... he really did not like me. I silently vowed to fix that.
"You'll be free to go in about an hour. We just need to make sure you're stable. Anyways, you have a few visitors." Carlisle's voice was distant, and I heard a soft tapping on the door. Charlie and Renee walked into the room together.
"Mom... Dad..." Bella's voice was weak. I wanted to tell her not to talk, to save her energy, to stroke her face and help her heal. I felt that this was all my fault. But I let her parents rush to her.
"Bella, I'm so glad you're okay!" Renee was very pleased that Bella was better. Charlie shot a furtive look at me, one that Bella didn't notice. I attempted a smile, but he turned away.
"Bella, are you sure you want to go back to school? After the accident, I'm not sure if I want you in that hazardous environment." Charlie looked awkward as he spoke. I knew there was more reason to why he didn't want her going back. I remembered his first impression of me– when I was with Tanya. I unconsciously wiped my mouth on the back of my hand, wanting to erase every memory I had with her. She was nothing compared to Bella. Nothing could compare to Bella.
"Dad, I'll be okay. I made a stupid decision– I tried to jump onto my friends bed. By the way, why aren't they here? For all they know, I could have died." Bella looked around, as if expecting Alice, Rose, Emmett and Jasper to pop up. I held in a chuckle.
"Actually, they weren't allowed," Carlisle said quickly. "Family members only." Considering yourself family yet, son? I had told Carlisle about my little... gift... the day that I had brought Bella to the hospital. Bella glanced at me, and I smiled innocently at her. Carlisle was saying something else.
"Dad? I have something I need to tell you," I started, looking nervously at my feet. Usually, I wasn't one for nerves, but I didn't want my own father to disown me for being different. I recalled perfectly his reaction to Alice's visions– shock, then acceptance. I could only hope that it would be the same for me. Carlisle looked up from his clipboard. "I can hear thoughts," I said very quietly. He sighed.
"I should have known. You and Alice, you two are something else," He replied, shaking his head slowly. His gaze flickered to Bella, who was lying peacefully on the bed, motionless. "Does she know?"
"Not yet."
"Will she know?"
"Maybe. I don't want to lose her," I answered, my voice muted. Carlisle nodded.
"She'll take it in stride," He assured me, before leaving.
"Edward..." I turned quickly towards Bella. She was awake? No, her eyes were still closed. Ah, sleep talking again. What would she say today? "Edward..." She moaned, a smile creeping across her face.
"Oh no Edward, you didn't! Please tell me you went to school!" Bella was groaning about something. I hated to see her upset, but I wondered what it was about. Carlisle had a small, but smug, smile on his face. He had told her that I refused to leave her side.
"Nope. I told Carlisle I wouldn't leave you, and I didn't." I didn't regret staying one bit. What was a little extra work, compared to making sure that Bella was alright? "Besides, I didn't mind sleeping in the chair." Bella moaned, upset. She was worrying about my welfare? When she had a cracked skull? Honestly, this girl needed to sort out her priorities.
"Edward, you didn't have to do that for me." Her voice was whiny.
"Bella, I wanted to," I replied truthfully. I would do anything for her.
"Anyways, I told you, you're interesting to watch sleep. You even said my name." My eyes twinkled mischievously. Her eyes began to widen in horror, when Renee coughed behind us. Bella's cheeks were tinted with a beautiful shade of red again.
"Edward, would you mind giving myself and Charlie some alone time with our daughter?" Well, that was forward. I opened my mouth to protest. I would never leave Bella's side willingly, unless it was she that ordered me away.
"Yes, of course. I need to speak with Edward anyways." Carlisle looked meaningfully at me. We need to talk. I grumbled about trite things, reluctantly following Carlisle out of the room. When we had walked halfway down the hall, I whirled around.
"I told you I didn't want to leave her," I snarled, fury boiling in my veins. Carlisle puckered a brow.
"Edward, I want to talk to you about that girl. The way you look at her, the way you protect her. It's very endearing. But have you ever thought what would happen to her when you get over her, just like every other girl?" I growled, my fists clenching. I had to let go of my anger somehow, but the hospital, with it's delicate instruments and vital papers, was not the place to do it.
"I will never hurt Bella," I vowed, venom dripping in my voice.
"How can you be so sure?" Carlisle asked, his voice calm. I threw up my hands.
"I've never been in love before this! Yes, I'm in love with her! And you know how she talks in her sleep? Want to know what she said Sunday night?" My fury softened as I recalled those four beautiful words. Carlisle waited for me to continue. "Edward, I love you." He smiled brightly.
"If you hurt her in any way... if you leave her... I'll be having a word with you," He promised.
"The only way I'd leave her is if she wanted me to." I turned on my heel, storming back towards Bella's room, my cheeks flushed slightly. I paused outside Bella's door, as I heard her mother's voice.
"Bella, I thought you weren't physically involved with this boy!" If that wasn't embarassing, then I didn't know what was. Renee was talking to Bella about sex... and myself.
"Mom, stop! This is so embarrassing!" Bella cried, and I heard the rustling of sheets, and assumed that she was pulling them over her face. I wouldn't have that. I composed my features as she started to speak again. "We haven't done anything, I'm just saying that I'm glad I don't have some illness that messes up my ability to reproduce... not that I plan on doing that in the near future." This conversation was turning out to be very interesting. Carlisle followed me into the room, holding in a chuckle.
Sure enough, Bella's face was covered with the sheet. I lightly placed my hands on top of hers, pulling the covers away from her lovely features.
"You shouldn't hide your beautiful face."
Author's Note: Yay for mini chapters!
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