Disclaimer: All things Twilight belong to the wonderful Stephenie Meyer and not to me… sigh.I also don't own Sleeping with the Enemy. The book belongs to Nancy Price and the movie belongs to Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation.

Sleeping with a Monster

Previously…

"Yes, Uncle Carlisle. I'll take care of it," Edward said, pausing to listen to Carlisle again. "Sure, I'll show her around the neighborhood. Don't worry about a thing. Tell Aunt Esme I love her… Yeah, me too… Talk to you later. Bye." Edward finished the call and closed the phone. I walked out of the bedroom when he finished talking. As I walked into the family room, something Edward said hit me like a ton of bricks. Did he say uncle Carlisle? I gasped as I realized who Edward was. Edward's head snapped up when he heard me.

"Are you Carlisle's nephew?" I asked as my face started to pale.


Chapter 8 - Recognition

I couldn't believe it. How could Carlisle do this to me? I told him I didn't want anyone to know my circumstances. So what does he do? He sends me off to live next door to the one person besides Esme and himself who were there the night of my drowning. What if I couldn't trust Edward with my secret? I'm sure Carlisle trusts him, but this is my call not Carlisle's. And to make matters worse, he has seen me practically naked and covered in bruises. I groaned internally. I was angry, embarrassed, ashamed, confused. I could tell my face had drained of all color as my body was overcome by a myriad of emotions.

Edward looked at me and frowned a little. "Yes, I am. Is that going to be a problem?" To say he looked a little confused by my reaction was an understatement.

I wasn't sure if it was going to be a problem. He didn't seem to know me before I appeared on his doorstep. It seemed as though there was no spark of recognition on his part. Maybe he didn't recognize me. Maybe he did, but wasn't going to say anything per Carlisle's instructions. No wonder Carlisle was so nervous about me meeting Edward. It's not like the subject of how Edward knew Carlisle wouldn't come up. Of course I was going to find out. Maybe it wasn't the same nephew. I certainly didn't know all of Carlisle's extended family. But I had a sinking suspicion I already knew answer to that question. The jolt I felt to my system when Edward caught me outside earlier was familiar. It was the same jolt I felt when Carlisle's nephew, Edward, steadied me on the beach the night I drowned. Could it really be the same? I decided my best course of action was to play it cool. Maybe I was reading way too much into this. What I needed to do right now was control my panicking emotions. 'Get it together!' I chastised myself in my head.

"I was just a little surprised, that's all. Carlisle never told me you were his nephew. But no, it's not a problem," I finally managed to say. Edward raised one eyebrow at me and I could tell he did not believe me. Lying to Edward was going to be harder than I thought. Fortunately, he didn't press the matter. I was not sure how to proceed at this point, not without knowing what he may or may not know about me so I decided to ask him about his relationship with Carlisle.

"So, er… it sounds like you are close to Carlisle and Esme."

"Yes, very," Edward started cautiously, but then he turned the tables saying almost the same thing to me. "It sounds like you have a close relationship with them as well."

I wasn't sure how to proceed. I needed to stop the direction of our conversation before I gave away too much information. I had better call Carlisle soon. "Yes,

they have been really good to me," I said, just leaving it at that. I think Edward could tell I wasn't going to give him anymore information than he had given me.

"Well, I'm heading out to the grocery store in a little while. If you'd like I could give you a little tour of the area, show you the basics of the community so you can get around," he offered sincerely.

"That sounds great," I said, trying to feign a brighten mood. I didn't even fool myself.

"Good. Just come over when your ready and we'll go." Edward hesitated before he smirked and said, "Well, I'll leave you to call Carlisle and ask why he was so cryptic about me being his nephew." Then he started towards the door.

"I'll see you later Bella," he called over his shoulder. As I watched him walk out the door, I realized that I owed him a debt of gratitude for helping me three months ago in Miami.

"Thank-you Edward," I said softly after he left. I was wishing he would stay and at the same time glad he wasn't. I needed to call Carlisle and ask him those questions he kept pressing for earlier. I would say I had a few!

I looked at the door Edward had left through to go home and sighed wistfully. I didn't realize how safe I felt with him until he was gone. Wow. He was something else. I hope he doesn't realize who I am. And on that note I decided to call Carlisle. I picked up my phone off the kitchen counter and flipped it open. I hit the send button and waited for Carlisle to pickup the other end.

"Bella?" Carlisle answered the phone in worried tone.

"How could you, Carlisle? Why didn't you tell me? Does Edward know who I am? He is the same nephew that was there the night I drowned, isn't he? The one who swam with me?" I said in a rush of desperation for answers. I could feel the anger growing inside of me as I waited for his explanation.

"I'm sorry. I thought if I told you who Edward was, you wouldn't take me up on the rental. I was worried that you would disappear all together," Carlisle said, his voice full of regret. "I realize now that it was probably not the best way to keep your continued trust in me, but honestly, Bella. If you had known who Edward was, would you still have gone to Arizona?" Carlisle asked. I ignored his last question. We both knew the answer to that one – no.

"Is Edward the nephew that swam with me? The one who saw me like that?" I said in a small voice.

"Yes, he is," Carlisle said in an even tone.

"Does he know who I am? Does he know that I was that bruised and broken woman?" I said, my voice starting to panic a little. Please say he doesn't know me, PLEASE! The voice in my head said.

"No. I have not told him who you are. I just told you were the daughter of a colleague who needed a place to stay in his area. Did Edward recognize you?" he asked quietly concerning coloring his tone.

"Not that I could tell. Maybe he didn't get a good look at me that night. I hope I don't look too much like the broken Marie of three months ago," I said almost to myself.

"It was nighttime and you were unconscious for most of the time Edward was around," Carlisle added reassuringly.

"So what does Edward know about Marie?" I asked still worried.

"He knows your name was Marie and that you were faking your death," Carlisle started.

"Does he know why I was doing that?" I said before I really thought about it.

"Bella, it was quite evident why you were leaving James. Your body told it all. There were no secrets to what you were going through physically," Carlisle said sadly.

"Right. What else does he know?" I pressed again. I needed to be prepared.

"Edward asked if you were running from you husband or a boyfriend. I didn't tell him. He asked why you were faking your death and not just leaving. And I told Edward that I wouldn't break my promise to you and say nothing, except to say that faking your death was the only way to keep you safe. I told him you had resources and that you were probably going to change you name. I told him I did not know what your name would be or where you would go. Edward only knows what he saw that night." he finished calmly. What did Edward see that night. Was there anything else? I was unconscious for quite a while. What else happened? I had a sinking feeling that Carlisle hadn't told me everything from that night. I had too many questions swirling around in my head.

"What else did he see that night, Carlisle? All I remember is passing out on the beach and then waking up three days later," I asked, my voice raising slightly with my growing panic.

"When you passed out Edward caught you and Esme wrapped you in a blanket. Edward carried you to the car while Esme got you bag. He put you in the back with Esme and then we drove to the dock to pick up Emmett who was in the boat. Edward helped Emmett bring the boat in and tie it off. James and another man brought in the sailboat further down the dock, but we could hear James yelling in the phone at someone. Edward realized who James was by the conversation on the phone and from his friend." Carlisle paused for a moment.

"For a minute I thought Edward was going to tear into James. I don't think I've ever seen Edward that mad before," he mumbled almost to himself. "Emmett had to physically drag Edward back to the car. I told him that we couldn't risk James seeing you."

"Carlisle? Does Edward know James's name?" I asked apprehensively.

"Yes, but only his first name. He overheard the other man say James's name," Carlisle offered quietly.

"Is there anything else?" I said in a shaky voice.

"Edward asked about you again before he left to fly back home. But I didn't give him any more information," Carlisle finished.

"Okay." I let out a sigh of relief. "So who's this colleague that's supposed to be my father?" I asked. It was just one more thing I would have to keep straight. I will just add it to the stack of lies that had become my life. I practiced perfecting my story while I drove across country. I figured that would be the best time to get all the kinks in my story worked out. I wouldn't be anywhere long enough for anyone to suspect anything and if someone did, I could always move on to the next destination.

"Dr. Thomas, of course," Carlisle said his voice relaxing. When I hesitated he asked, "What name would you like for your fake father's first name?"

"Charlie," I answered without hesitation. "That's my father's name and it will be easier to remember. Slip ups are too easy with first names, so it's better to keep them the same," I explained.

"Okay, Charlie Thomas. I think we should have him deceased so we don't have to explain anything else as to where he lives, why he doesn't visit, why you don't visit, etc," Carlisle added. "We will make Charlie was a general practitioner so you won't have to act like you know anything about a medical specialty."

"Right. Charlie's wife was named Renee and she died when I was young. Charlie raised me by himself. He died last year. The closer it is to my own story, the easier it will be. It will seem almost natural to talk about. Besides, I would like to retain a little of by real life in my story." I let out a sad humorless laugh.

"I think maybe Charlie should be from Jacksonville instead of Miami," I added as an afterthought.

"Bella, I am sorry for not saying anything. I should have told you earlier." Carlisle's voice was regretful.

"It's okay Carlisle. It's not a bad as I thought. My only problem now is explaining to Edward my reaction to learning he was your nephew. I don't think I handled it very well," I said with a rueful laugh.

"Oh, I am sorry. Well, I think there is someone else here who's dying to talk to you, again," Carlisle said, finishing our conversation as he handed the phone to Esme.

"Hi, Bella. Long time no talk," Esme answered. I couldn't help but relax and laugh.

"It's been ages and ages!" I giggled.

"How did Edward do on the house? Does that boy have any decorating skills?" She said dubiously.

"It's okay. Pretty generic, but you have to remember, Esme. This is a rental," I acknowledged trying to down play how generic it really was. Maybe Edward wouldn't mind if I painted some walls and added some nice window treatments here and there. I didn't want to go overboard. What if I couldn't find a job here or ended up not staying in this area?

"Bella, we can't have you living in generic!" Esme exclaimed. "I think I'm going to have to come out there and help you do some decorating."

"Esme! Can we wait until I've move in, get settled and find a job? I think I've discovered your weakness!" I mumbled, shaking my head.

Esme sighed in disappointment. "Okay, but the minute you're settled, I'm coming out to visit. It's been far too long since I have see you or Edward. And I miss you both."

"Alright. It's a deal," I said with a giggle. "I miss you too Esme."

********

After I had unpacked my scant belongings and took inventory of what I would need from the store, I laid down on the bed and took a quick power nap. I was emotionally tired from the sudden turn of events of the afternoon. I awoke to sound of the doorbell. I quickly got up, pausing in the doorway of my bedroom to steady myself from the unexpected head rush. I walked into the entryway and opened the door.

There he stood, my own personal Greek statue! Now that I knew my identity was safe, I could relax. Well… Relaxing around Edward was a relative term since I was hyper-aware of him and continually thinking about kissing him. I couldn't help but smile shyly at him and he returned mine with the most dazzling smile.

"Are you ready to start your tour?" he asked.

"Sure, just let me freshen up a bit," I said as I stepped aside and motioned for him to come in. He followed me into the family room.

"Please have a seat anywhere you'd like." It felt a little weird playing 'hostess' to him in a house he owned, but he didn't seem to mind. He just did as he was told with an amused smile on his face.

I walked through the bedroom into the master bathroom and splashed my face with cool water to refresh myself, brushed my teeth and grabbed my purse. As I walked out into the family room, I ran my fingers through my hair to even out my slight bed head. Edward watched me with what seemed like a hungry look. Wow! I must have it bad. I'm even imagining Edward wants me. I thought to myself as I shook off the idea. Edward stood up from his seat at the dining room table and crossed over to me.

"Shall we?" He was standing very close to me while he held out his arm for me to take. My heart leapt in my chest as the prospect of touching Edward again.

"Quite the gentleman, aren't we?" I teased as I took his arm. I relished the now very familiar electrical pulse that passed through my body whenever I touched him. I wondered if he felt it to. I looked up at him from under my eyelashes and caught him staring at me intently. I blushed and looked down. I could feel the warmth of his body standing next to me and was aware of the muscles of his arm under my hand.

Edward was silent for a moment and did not move to walk to the door. I lifted my head and gazed into his eyes again. He looked like he wanted to say something.

He cleared his throat. "I thought maybe I could give you the tour first and then the grocery store last. Will that work for you?" I could tell that was not the question he was thinking about asking me, but I didn't press him.

"Sure, but you don't have to take me to the grocery store. I'm sure you have better things to do than go grocery shopping with me." Secretly I was hoping he would still go with me. I felt drawn to this man and I wanted to spend time with him.

"Bella." His voice was low and my heart thrilled at him saying my name. "I would like nothing better than to take you grocery shopping." He finished with a crooked smile and a beautiful laugh.

We locked up the house and Edward walked me over to a silver Volvo and opened the door for me. "Wow, what service!" I said with a smile before I winked at him

and slipped into the car. Edward just stood there blinking for a moment before he closed the door. Hmmm. I thought, maybe he feels the connection too. This thought made me worry that he might recognize the connection from three months ago. I needed to stop this line of thinking. I was already ashamed of my behavior earlier when I found out whom he was and needed to make amends. I calmed my fears as he walked around to his side of the car. He opened his door and slipped gracefully into his seat. He closed his door and put his keys in the ignition but made no move to start the car. He looked like he was mulling over his thoughts.

Edward looked over at me and furrowed his brow. "I have to ask… Have we met before?" I froze for a moment but quickly recovered. I needed to play it cool. Any reaction on my part could tip him off.

"Because I keep getting this feeling that I know you from somewhere," he added.


A/N: Sorry this took so long and sorry for the little cliffy. What can I say, I just seem to love them! I struggled with this chapter. Not because I didn't know what to write, I just couldn't decided which way to go with it. Sometimes too many options are a bad thing! Plus, I had to take the time go see Daniel Craig in all his James Bond goodness in "Quantum of Solace" last night. Mmmmm. He did not disappoint. :o :p

Thanks to everyone for reading and reviewing! I love it! Let me know what you think. – SavageWoman