End of Chapter 23

"I love you," I breathed out my eyes sinking closed.

"I love you, too, baby. Sleep now," he said tucking my legs into the truck, and shutting the door.

He then got in, started her up, and cranked the heat. The last thing I remembered before drifting off to sleep was pulling out of the parking lot and onto the streets of Port Angeles.

Chapter 24: You Don't Have To Be Strong (EPOV)

Bella fell asleep almost before we were out of the parking lot of the hospital. I didn't even turn on the radio for the drive home, because I didn't want to risk waking her. No doubt, by the look of the dark circles under her eyes, that she didn't sleep at all last night. Not that I could have, if I were in her shoes. I barely slept myself, worrying about her. I relaxed into the drive, and would occasionally look over at my sleeping beauty, still in awe that she was mine.

It is amazing how much the mind can ponder during the course of an hour drive. Most of my thoughts and fantasies as I drove were about Bella. I thought about her fears with Charlie's illness, and now started to picture what those events might be like with him there. I saw our life unfolding in a series of snapshots. A picture of Bella sandwiched between Charlie and Renee at graduation. Candid pictures of Charlie and Bella loading up her truck to drive to college. Then I pictured myself standing before Charlie asking his permission to marry Bella, and him smiling, patting me on the shoulder while he shook my hand. I looked over and smiled at Bella after that thought. Then I found myself standing at the front of a church watching Charlie and Bella come up the aisle together. A single tear on his face, as he puts her hand in mine and makes me promise to always take care of his baby girl. Finally, I see us pulling up in front of Charlie's house, and the rear doors busting open and a brown haired boy and a bronzed head little girl go sprinting up the walk yelling for their grandpa, as they both leap into his arms.

Bella stirred then, and I reached over taking her hand into mine as we breached the Forks city limits. When we pull into the driveway, I see my mother come to the door. She cranes her neck, and gives me a soft smile when she notices Bella's sleeping form in the passenger seat. I walk over, and scoop her up into my arms. She wraps her arms around my neck, and holds tight, though never quite breaking into consciousness. I shut the door of the truck with my foot, and head up to the house. I pause by the door, and kiss Esme on the cheek, as she reaches out and strokes Bella's hair.

"Poor dear," she says softly. "The guest bedroom is ready for her, if you want to take her there, Edward."

"Thanks, mom," I whispered as I ascended the stairs with my girl in my arms.

The guest bedroom was across from mine, and though I wished I could hold Bella in my arms while she slept, I didn't want to piss off my parents, or betray Charlie's trust in me while he was down. So I carried Bella into the guest room, and paused at the door staring at the queen sized bed wondering which side Bella liked to sleep on. I made a note to ask her that in the morning. I was hoping it was the left, because I liked the right. Rolling my eyes at my train of thought, I walked over, kneeled on the bed, and laid her exactly in the middle. I unlaced, and slid off her Chucks, and placed them on the floor. Before I left the room, I bent over and kissed her forehead, and then covered her up with the comforter. I looked up to find Esme standing in the doorway smiling at me, and she beckoned me with her hand.

Once out in the hallway, with the door quietly closed, Esme hugged me tightly.

"Edward, I have never been as proud of you, as I was today," she said smiling at me. "Today I saw the man I hoped you would become."

"Aw, mom," I blushed. "It was nothing, really."

"No, son," she said holding my face in her hands, so I had to look her in the eyes. "Caring, commitment when things get rough, love…it is everything."

I hugged her tight, and kissed her head.

"Has Emmett eaten all the pie yet? Dad asked me to save him a piece," I asked moving towards the stairs.

"No," she laughed, "but you better go and hide it now," she answered.

I walked down to the kitchen then, and cut a slice of mom's pie for Carlisle and myself. His, I wrapped in cellophane, and hid in our secret location. Emmett notoriously devourer mom's pie before the rest of us could get any, so Carlisle and I made a deal long ago, to save a piece for each other. I flipped open my phone as I sat down to my pie, sending a quick text to Carlisle letting him know we had arrived home safe, and that his pie was in the usual place.

I was flipping through my email on my phone and scraping the final pie remnants from my plate when I heard a scream from upstairs. Not just any scream, Bella screaming. I dropped my fork and phone, and took the stairs at what felt like 5 at a time. I raced to her door, and threw it open to find her sitting up in the middle of the bed, hugging her legs to her chest, and rocking with her head buried in her knees. I hurried over to her, and laid a gentle hand on her back as I sat on the bed next to her. She looked up at me with red eyes, and a sopping wet face, and flung herself into my arms.

"Oh, Edward," she sobbed. "He was tearing all the tubes out."

"Who was, love?" I asked as I saw the doorway full with the rest of my family.

"Charlie," she sobbed. I looked up at the rest and mouthed 'bad dream' before returning to smoothing Bella's hair down her back and rocking her in my arms. Esme gave me a nod of understanding, and closed the door, giving us, and more specifically Bella, some privacy.

"It was just a dream, love," I whispered into her hair. "Just a dream."

"It was so real!" She cried. "He was tearing out the IVs and everything, and there was blood everywhere. No one was stopping him!"

"Shhhh…" I whispered as I held her even closer. "My dad has him heavily sedated, I am sure after major surgery. That couldn't happen. It was just a terrible dream, sweetheart."

"Stay with me?" She asked, not knowing if she was asking my preference, or if it was parentally okay.

"I will stay with you until you fall asleep again," I said laying back, and pulling her to my side. "You were asleep when I brought you in, but you are in the bedroom across the hall from mine, so I will always be close if you need me."

"M'kay," she said groggily.

It wasn't long before her breathing started to even out, and her body started to relax in my arms. I continued to lie there rubbing her back, and enjoying the feel of her small frame curled up in the protective shell of mine. I felt my eyes starting to get heavier and heavier the longer I lay there in the silence, wrapped in Bella's warmth. So, with reluctance, I slid myself from Bella's embrace, covered her up, and headed to my room.

When I got there, I found my phone sitting on the edge of my desk, plugged into its charger. Alice, no doubt. I smiled at the thought of my sister, and how she somehow always knew what I needed. I dragged off my clothes, and slid on my sleep pants. I usually slept without a shirt, but pulled one on tonight, just in case Bella's bad dreams returned. I have no doubt that Esme was trusting and understanding of the situation, but after my talk with Carlisle, I am not sure how pleased he would be if he walked in to me holding Bella and being half naked, no matter how honorable my intensions.

Once I had brushed my teeth, I flipped off the light, and collapsed into my bed. I was fully prepared to fall into immediate slumber, but my mind kept drifting to the girl down the hall. Part of me stayed alert for any movement or sound from her room. I would hate for her to wake up again, disoriented, and afraid. I am not sure when I drifted off to sleep, but I woke to the feeling of a hand in my hair, a larger, masculine hand.

"Edward," I heard my dad whisper. "How long as she been in here?"

"How long has who been in where?" I grumbled, my face half buried in my pillow.

"How long has Bella been sleeping in your room?" He still said quietly. My eyes flew open then.

"What?" I said, and then quickly covered my mouth. There, asleep on my couch, wrapped in the fleece throw, was Bella. My dad laughed a little then.

"I take it you are as surprised to find her here as I am," he said smirking at me.

"Yes, dad, I swear to God, I didn't know she was in here," I whispered urgently.

"She must have been lonely, and needing just the comfort of nearness," Carlisle said gently. "She can stay, but that door stays open."

"Yes, sir," I answered, still stunned to find Bella in here.

"Good night, son," he said as he headed out of the room.

"Good night, dad," I said back.

I woke in the morning to find the couch empty, and the blanket folded and back in its place at the end of the couch. I got up, brushed my teeth, and headed downstairs for breakfast. When I got down to the kitchen, I found Esme sitting in one of the chairs at the counter with her coffee, and the paper.

"Where is everybody?" I asked, as I grabbed a bowl, spoon, and the Mini-Wheats.

"Your father is at work. Your brother is asleep. Your sister is doing some last minute Christmas shopping, and Bella is at the hospital," she concluded.

"Damn," I muttered.

"Edward!" She scoffed.

"Sorry," I muttered shamefully. "It's just that I wanted to go with her. In case she needed anything."

"She wanted you to sleep, dear," Esme said. "She said she didn't want you to have to sit in the waiting room all day, when she was sure you had better things to do."

"I guess," I complained to myself. "Hey mom, why wasn't Sue at the hospital yesterday? I kind of thought she might be, since her and Charlie are kind of dating, I guess."

"It's not that surprising, if you think about it," Esme explained. "It hasn't even been two whole years since Harry passed, and I think, with Charlie being sick, it brings up some demons for her. We all have our own methods of self-preservation, but I wouldn't doubt that she made some calls into her friends at the hospital to find out how he's been doing. Maybe even stopping by on a shift break. She's not family, but she might be able to get in to see him all the same being personnel."

"I hope she does," I added. "I am sure Bella could use a friendly face."

"Your dad is keeping an eye on her, too," she said with a smile. "So what are you up to today?"

"I am going to finish up Bella's Christmas present, I think, since the house is quiet for once," I said.

"What are you doing for her?" She asked her interest piqued.

"Can you keep a secret?" I asked.

"Of course!" She scoffed leaning in, even though we were alone.

"So can I," I whispered, and then leaned forward to kiss her cheek before taking my breakfast dishes over and loading them into the dishwasher.

"Edward!" She laughed. I winked and she waved me off as I headed upstairs.

The first thing I did when I got to my room was to text Bella.

Good morning, beautiful. I am sorry I missed you before you left. –E

Good morning to you, handsome. You looked so peaceful. I couldn't wake you. –B

Speaking of which, why didn't you wake me last night when you came in? –E

You knew I was there? –B

My dad woke me to ask why you were there. –E

Oops! Did you get in trouble? –B

No. He realized I didn't know you had come in, but he might not be so forgiving in the future. –E

Sorry. –B

Don't be. If it were up to me, you would have been asleep in my arms, and not on my couch. ;-) –E

Nurses are here to do some stuff. gtg ily -B

ily2 –E

After setting my phone down, I walked over to my large electronic keyboard that was set up next to my desk. I attached the cables that hung from it to my laptop, and started up my recording program. I was recording a CD of some of my favorite songs, and Bella's too, for her for Christmas. I was going to burn them to a CD, and then she could put them on her iPhone, later. I knew a gift like this was right up Bella's alley, because she didn't have a lot of money, and I knew she would feel self-conscious if I bought her something elaborate.

Like every time I play, I found myself immersed in what I was doing. I lost track of time, as I worked and reworked the tracks for the CD. I was just working through some Ray LaMontagne, when my phone rang. Sunday, when everyone was here for football, Bella had got laughing about something, and I had recorded it and made it her ringtone. I smiled now, as her laughter filled my room and my heart.

"Hello, beautiful," I answered.

"Hi there," she said through a smile. "What are you up to?"

"Playing. You?" I asked.

"I am grabbing some lunch in the café," she said.

"Lunch?" I looked up at the clock. "Holy crap, I didn't even realize what time it was."

"So what are you working on? Will you serenade me while I eat, so I don't feel so alone?" She asked, and I felt bad for not being there.

"I wish I could be there with you, and hold you in my arms," I said.

"I know you do, baby," she sighed. "Play for me. It's the next best thing."

"I'm actually working on a new song. It's inspired by last night," I noted with a smile on my face thinking of her asleep on my couch.

"Oh really, well then I am anxious to hear it!" She said, and I heard her settling in.

"It's a Ray Lamontagne song called 'Can I Stay'," I said while putting myself on speakerphone. "I am going to be singing along. You have been forewarned."

She laughed, and I smiled at the sound. I began singing and playing then, imagining Bella was sitting across from me with her legs bent up to her chest, and her thin arms wrapped around her legs. She has her head lying down on her knees, and is giving me that breathtaking smile she gives only me. The smile that conveys how much she loves me, and I pour that love right back through the song. When I finish, the phone is silent.

"Bella?" I ask wondering if the call dropped. I hear her sniff. "Sweetheart, are you OK?"

"That was beautiful, Edward," she almost whispers. "I love you so much."

"I love you, too, baby," I breathe out in relief.

I picked up my phone and continued to talk to her about how Charlie was doing as I walked downstairs and made myself some lunch. She said that he was awake at times, and insisted that she head home tonight before it got dark, so she thought she would be home in time for dinner. I told her that I would be sure to let Esme know.

"Call me before you leave, OK?" I ask.

"I will," she said. "I'll see you later."

"I'll be here," I said. "Love you. Text if you need me."

"I will," she said. "Bye!"

"Bye."

After passing the message onto Esme about Bella being home in time for dinner, I went upstairs and decided it was probably time to take a shower and get dressed. I tossed on a pair of dark washed jeans and black t-shirt after leaving the shower. I could hear the sound of the Playstation echoing up the stairs, and saw Emmett and Jasper battling it out in NCAA Football 10.

"I've got winner," I called out as I came down the stairs.

"That would be me," Jasper said lazily, as his Aggies scored once again on Emmett's Huskies.

"Shit," Emmett grumbled tossing his remote onto the coffee table. "Please come over here and salvage the Cullen name, brother."

"I've got to do something after that embarrassing display you just made," I laughed picking up the controller, and bumping fists with Jasper.

As Jasper and I are finishing up our game, my phone beeps. Jasper pauses the games and gives me an understanding smile.

Leaving at 5. See you soon! ily –B

ily2! Drive safe. –E

Alice walked in then, and stopped to give Jasper a kiss on the cheek.

"What'd you get me, babe?" He asked, and pretended to go for one of the bags.

"Not all the charm in your body is going to get you the answer to that question, Mr. Hale," she retorted through a loving smile.

"Don't be so sure about that," he said, and Emmett and I shot daggers at him. "Sorry, guys."

"That's our sister," I reminded him. "Being a brother yourself, you know what speech and actions go with that territory."

"Yes, I do," he said lowly now staring daggers at Emmett. Emmett coughed and looked away, and Jasper moaned in a I-don't-want-to-know way. "Same goes with little B, Edward. She may not be mine by blood, but I will see her respected as well."

"Same here, little bro," Emmett said. "Girl's been through too much for you to be an ass."

"I would never do anything to hurt her," I said looking at them with full sincerity. They nodded in an agreeing way that let me know they felt the same about Alice and Rose.

Just then Esme called out from the kitchen asking Jasper if he wanted to stay for dinner. He agreed, and Esme asked us to bring up the extra chairs from the basement. We turned off the game, and went to collect the chairs. I smiled as I walked past the Christmas tree that was set up in the living room, inhaling deeply as I passed. I loved Christmas, and I had so much that I was excited about. Then I thought of Bella, and how Charlie would still be in the hospital for Christmas Day. I had to make sure hers was as perfect as it could be, and I would need help.

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A/N: WOW! You guys blow me away week after week with your reviews! I am humbled by your love for my story and my characters. A lot of you asked last week, "Where was Sue?" Now you know. I just thought, this early on, and with her history, she might be antsy about being in the hospital waiting.

Thanks to starfish422 for turning me onto Ray LaMontagne, especially "Can I Stay".

I have submitted a story for The Age of Edward contest called "Bride Goes West". The first round of voting has started, so go vote! Lots of great stories there! http://www(dot)fanfiction(dot)net/u/1939261/The_Age_of_Edward

If you are looking for a fic rec, check out my site: http://ejfanfic(dot)blogspot(dot)com

I post the reviews I leave for everything I am reading there, and I have added a list on the side of all the updates that are in my queue.

Don't forget to check in over at the Forum: http://twilighted(dot)?f=44&t=3905&hilit=diseased+affair