Disclaimer: None of this is mine, nor will it ever be (sigh). I like to play with the characters that Stephenie Meyers created and make them do pervy things or become angels with a bad attitude.
So, Bella is Edward's mate. What does that mean for her? What does that mean for Edward? Now, all will be revealed, eventually. Up next will be Bella and her dealing with a very awkward, surly guardian angel, but something will bring them together. Whatever will that be?
Chapter Eight
BPOV
I woke up, my head was pounding and my arm aching, but not as bad as I thought it would be. I looked around, seeing that I was in the same room when I woke up after my attack. The same chocolate lab was curled up next to me. His tail was thumping on the bed. "Hey pooch," I said, scrubbing behind his ears. I got up and stumbled to the bathroom. I was dressed in a pair of pajamas, my own pajamas. Clumsily, I peed and tied my hair into a messy ponytail. When I walked back into the room, Edward was sitting on the bed with some breakfast on a tray. "How long was I asleep?"
"It's a little after noon," Edward replied, shifting uncomfortably on the bed. "How are you feeling?"
"Dizzy and a little woozy," I murmured. He shot up, helping me back to the bed. "Thanks. How did I get here?"
"I drove us," Edward answered, covering me with a blanket. "With Riley roaming around Port Angeles, I wanted to get you out of there. I hope you don't mind."
"Being here? No. You changing me? Yes," I said, arching a brow.
"Would you believe me if I told you that you changed yourself?" he asked, his ears turning pink. I shook my head. "Covered my eyes?"
"You're a guy, Edward. I'm not wearing a bra," I deadpanned.
"I didn't look. Honest," he breathed, tugging on his hair. "Are you hungry?"
"A little, but I'm afraid that my stomach will revolt. My belly is unsettled from the medications from last night," I said.
"Eat what you can, pretty Bella," he said, looking up at me expectantly. I arched a brow. "I swear that I didn't look. I just know that you were covered in coffee grounds and smelled like a hospital."
"It's okay, Edward. I'm just …" I blushed. I was ashamed of my body. I was covered with scars and reminders of my harsh childhood. "This smells good."
"Thank you," he said. "Do you want coffee, tea, milk?"
"Tea or milk," I answered. "Probably milk because of my arm."
"I'll be back," Edward smiled crookedly. I picked up the fork and tucked into the most delicious meal I'd eaten. Ever. Memories of his great cooking came to my thoughts, of the last time I had woken up in Edward's home. Edward came back with a tall glass of milk and cup of something steaming. "I made both. This tea is supposedly soothing for the soul. A friend of mine bought it for me."
"Do you need soothing?" I quipped.
"Sometimes," he chuckled. "How's the food?"
"Amazing," I smiled. "You're a great cook."
"Thank you," he replied. "Eat up. You need your strength so you can heal quickly."
"I can't eat all of this," I said.
"Whatever you don't finish, I'll devour," he laughed, but sobering quickly. "Look, Bella, I know you don't know me very well, but I am so hesitant to have you stay in that apartment. With Riley … he could show up at any point and you're not protected in that apartment ... there's no security and …"
"What are you saying, Edward?" I asked.
"Riley is very dangerous, Bella," he said, his hands clenching into harsh fists. "He's a monster." He looked up at me, his hand wrapping around my good one. "I'd like you to stay with me."
"Edward, as wonderful as that offer is, I have to refuse. I barely know you. I'm grateful for what you did for me last night and taking care of me, but Riley is not that bad. I'll just avoid staying after school …" I shrugged and then my eyes widened. "Shit! School! Do you have the note from Dr. Clearwater?"
"I do," Edward said, handing me the paperwork. "But, she said that you should take tomorrow off."
"I'm fine, Edward. I don't want to take the day off," I said. "Other than a headache, I'm not feeling as badly as I thought. And the headache is going away now that I've eaten." He scowled. "You'll be next door, right?"
"Of course," he answered. "But, I still think you should stay here."
"I can't. I don't want to take advantage of your hospitality," I murmured.
"You're not if I'm offering," he sighed, scrubbing his face. "Okay, you can go home after school tomorrow. You're still pale and I don't want you to take one of these pain pills without knowing how it'll impact with your body. Humor me and stay here tonight. Please?"
"I'll agree to that. I remember being very loopy after the pain meds from the IV," I said. "But, I need clothes for work." He held up a bag that was packed to the gills. I giggled. "Were you a boy scout as a child?"
"What's that?" he asked, his brow furrowed adorably.
"You are a total conundrum, Edward. You're impossibly sweet, but completely clueless about common things like cell phones, boy scouts and not changing unconscious women," I teased.
"I still didn't look," he argued, arching a brow. He blew out a breath and shot up. "I'll give you some time to finish your breakfast."
"I'd like to shower," I blushed. "Obviously, I don't want you to shower with me, but can you help wrap my cast?" Edward nodded, standing up and reaching toward me, as if to caress my cheek. However, he stuffed his hands into his pockets. He hunched as he left the room. I was confused and felt strangely bereft when his large presence left. Felix, the dog, woofed quietly, his tail wagging. I tossed him a piece of sausage and ate what I could, which wasn't much. When I was done, I tried to pick up the tray. Edward appeared out of thin air, taking it and gave me a brief smile, leaving quickly.
What's going on? Did I insult him when I said no to staying with him?
I brushed my teeth, pulling on a sweatshirt. I padded to the large kitchen. Edward was doing the dishes. He tensed when I came in and he turned, giving me another tight grin. "Did I do something to you? Did I offend you?"
"Never, pretty Bella," he said. "I just don't want you to feel like I'm invading your space or pressuring you."
"Why would you think that?"
"I don't know," he said, shaking his head. "Do you want me to wrap your cast?" I nodded. He took the supplies from the bag on the leather sofa in the living room. He expertly wrapped it and gave me a more genuine grin. "All set. Nothing will get in this."
"Thank you," I said. "And you're not invading my space. I'm grateful for what you've done for me. I haven't had anyone care about me, well, since ever."
"I'll gladly take care of you, Bella," he said, squeezing my fingers. I stood on my tiptoes, kissing his cheek and darting into the bathroom. I showered and it was a huge challenge. Washing my hair with one hand was tough. I also tried to keep my cast out of the stream of water, even though it was wrapped. I dried my hair as best I could, dressing in a pair of yoga pants. I don't think I could button the jeans Edward had stuffed in the bag. I tugged on a large sweatshirt, grabbing a towel and hairbrush.
In the living room, there was a fire blazing, some quiet music playing and Edward reading one of the teacher's editions. On his lap, he had a notebook and Angela's planner. "You planning for tomorrow?" I asked.
"I'm good for the week, but I need to get ready for the week following," Edward explained. "Do you need help with the hairbrush?"
"I'm fine," I said, trying to make it look like I was, but failing miserably.
"If you keep brushing, you're going to have to cut out that brush," Edward laughed, guiding me to the ottoman in front of his chair. With tenderness that surprised me, he brushed my hair and hummed quietly. "There … you have gorgeous hair … and it's not in one big huge knot."
"Thanks," I blushed. I turned and climbed into the chair with him, snuggling into his arms. Edward chuckled, wrapping his arms around me.
"Not that I'm complaining, but why are you turning into a cuddle bug?" he chuckled.
"I just needed to be close you," I murmured. "I feel safe with you." He smiled, leaning his cheek against my wet hair. I sighed, my eyes drooping and I drifted asleep, warmth surrounding me and the clean, spicy scent of Edward surrounding me.
Despite spending most of the day snoozing on Edward's chest, I crashed early that evening after I took the pain killer for my wrist. Edward watched me like a hawk, making sure I had no adverse effects. When he was happy that I was okay, he tucked me into bed with Felix curled next to me.
The next morning, I woke up and got dressed for work. I found a pair of leggings and a longer sweater. Tossing my hair up into a messy bun, I carried my duffel into the living room. Edward was dressed in a pair of black dress pants and a sweater, with a black leather blazer on top. He was jotting things down on a piece of paper. His hair was sticking up every which way and slightly damp. "Good morning," I said.
"It is," he said, pushing a steaming mug of coffee toward me along with cream and sugar. "How are you feeling? Your arm okay?"
"It doesn't hurt as much as I thought it would," I said, shrugging. "Do you think I need the sling?"
"Probably," Edward said, helping me put it on. "I have leftovers for lunch for us." He pushed an insulated bag toward me. "Plus, carrots with ranch dipping sauce, a cheese stick and a zebra cake." He beamed cherubically, nodding. "Oh, do you want water or soda?"
"You didn't have to make my lunch," I giggled. "But, thank you. I'll give you the bag when I'm done."
"Keep it," he said, sipping his water. Looking at his watch, he wrinkled his nose. "We should go. I live further away from town than your apartment. I want to make sure that everything is set up for the day." I nodded, finishing my coffee and breakfast he'd made as well. He carried my stuff, loading it into the sleek silver Volvo in his garage. Gallantly, he helped me into the passenger seat before sliding into the driver's side. Quiet music filled the interior and he drove us to school.
And he drove fast.
"Edward, can we slow down on these turns," I whimpered. "I'd like to get to work without puking."
"Sorry," he said, easing up his lead foot. Slightly.
Parking in the lot, Edward and I entered the school. We went to our respective rooms and went about our morning. By lunch, my arm was throbbing, but I was trying to not take a pill. From what I remembered of them, I was knocked out after I took them. I went to the nurse, asking for some ice, but I knew it would be useless. However, I needed some relief. Walking into the faculty lounge, I grimaced at the company inside … Lauren, Jessica and Britney … the third-grade team from hell. Biting back a groan, I put my lunch in the microwave and I needed to get out of there.
"God, Bella, you're throwing yourself at Angela's replacement," Lauren scoffed. "He's a god and is not worthy of you."
"Then, it's a good thing I'm not throwing myself at him," I argued back. "We're friends and I have to talk to him. We're team mates."
"Good. Because, I want him. Tyler and I are on a break and I need me some dick," Lauren said, adjusting her boobs. "Is he single?"
"I guess so," I shrugged. The microwave dinged. I pulled out my lunch and smiled curtly at the three of them. They were going on and on about Edward's physique. I was pissed off, but I had no reason to be. We were just friends.
Sitting at my desk, I inhaled the lasagna Edward gave me for lunch. It was the best I'd ever had. I was about to enjoy my cheese stick when Edward poked his head inside. "Oh, you're here. I was hoping to eat lunch with you."
"I'm avoiding the skank brigade, also known as the third-grade team," I snorted. "They were trying to figure out how big you were."
"I'm six-three," he answered, his brow furrowed and sitting down on one of the tables near my reading nook.
"They're not talking height, Edward," I deadpanned.
"I don't get it," he said. I pinched my nose and tried to not say it, but say what I meant. Or what they meant. "OOOOOH. Ewww!"
"You figured it out?" I chuckled.
"Yeah. I feel strangely violated," he shuddered. "Ugh!"
"Exactly. I couldn't handle, fake, plastic and horny today," I deadpanned. "What's up? How was your morning?"
"Good. The kids are really great," he beamed. "They seem to like it when I talk."
"You've got a cool accent," I answered. "I can't place it, though. It's English, but with something else mixed in."
"English, Eastern European and a touch Greek," he said. "I grew up just outside of Istanbul, but lived in Athens and then moved to Prague before settling in London."
"And you're an American citizen?" I asked.
"My father was in the army," he said, his ears reddening. "We traveled a lot. Anyway, I was wondering when we're starting the animal projects? Angela said tomorrow, but I wasn't sure if you were ready to go."
"If you're good, we can start tomorrow morning. We'll meet in my room and go over the expectations. We'll research on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday in the media center. Then, we can have them work in class the following week, preparing their oral presentations and poster displays for the presentations beginning on Monday," I said, checking my calendar. "Yeah?"
"Works for me. How's your wrist?" he asked.
"It hurts," I said, putting my arm back into the sling. Edward got up and leaned against my desk. He rested his hand on top of my cast, my pain almost disappearing with the warmth that spread under my skin. I looked up and saw that his face was pale, covered in sweat. His eyes were dull. "Edward?"
"What?" he replied, removing his hand and quirking his mouth up into a crooked grin.
"What did you do?" I asked.
"Nothing, pretty Bella," he said. "The kids are about to come back. Do you want me to bring your class back from recess?"
"Sure," I murmured. He nodded, standing up shakily and striding out of the room.
Something weird was going on with Edward … but what?
A/N: Bella's starting to notice Edward's eccentricities. But, will it be too late? Up next will be Edward and more of them getting to know each other. Plus, avoiding the skank brigade. When I worked in elementary school, the skank brigade were the first-grade teachers. They were all young and fawned over any single, young guy. I happened to fall into that category because I was a first-grade music teacher, but yeah … you'd be surprised.
Pictures of Bella's classroom are on my blog. You can find the link to that on my profile. I'm also on Facebook: Tufano79's Twilight Fanfiction Appreciation. Twitter, too: tufano79. Leave me some! ;-)
