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…

"If I don't walk you home now, I'm afraid I won't be able to let you leave, ever," he teased.

"Mmmm. Sounds perfect," I sighed dreamily. I felt Edward's chuckle vibrate his body underneath me.

"Come on Love, before I drag you back to my cave." He lifted me off his lap and set me on my feet. He stood up and put his arm around my waist as we left his house and walked over to mine. On the front porch Edward pulled me into another passion filled kiss before we broke apart breathless from our excitement.

"You'd better go before I drag you back to my cave and have my way with you." I laughed lightly mimicking his earlier statement.


Sleeping With A Monster


Chapter 16 – Complications

I was practically bouncing up and down in my car as I drove to the hospital. To say I was excited to see Edward in action was the understatement of the year. Ever since he asked me to come by on Wednesday, my imagination was constantly conjuring up visions of Edward, dressed in scrubs, his bronze hair messy and falling a little in his eyes, my favorite crooked smile planted on his kissable lips as his emerald green eyes burned with a fire that was just for me. I had taken to calling them my 'Sexy Edward' visions. The best part was when 'Sexy Edward' was starring in my dreams a few nights ago.

The hospital was not that far away from the school. Although I was pretty certain I could find it, Edward still insisted on providing with detail instruction so I wouldn't get lost. As the hospital came into view, my excitement grew. I was also nervous, finally coming to a decision about telling Edward the truth. Edward's shift would be ending in a few hours so I was going to ask him to come over when he got home so I could tell him the truth about my past. After our date last Friday, I came to realization that I was falling for him. It was not something I planned on happening, but there it was – funny how fate doesn't ask your permission to mess with your life. I could not deny my feeling anymore and because of this, I did not want any more secrets between us. The sense of safety I felt for him made me believe I could trust him with anything – my life, if necessary.

I pulled into the parking lot and quickly found a spot. I flipped open my phone and sent Edward a quick text letting him know I was here. He didn't reply right away, so I decided to go inside and see if I could find him. I all but ran inside the building. The front lobby was bright and airy featuring an atrium that was at least six stories tall with balconies overlooking the seating area below. The lobby looked inviting with the couches and chairs grouped into conversation area. The tables, fountains, foliage and trees completed the decor. Even the balconies above had overhanging foliage. As I neared the information desk, my phone chirped alerting me to a text message. I flipped it open to find a message from Edward.

E: You look beautiful.

I looked around realizing Edward could see me. I caught sight of him peaking around a corner at me, causing my face to break out in a wide grin. As he stepped out into the open and walked towards me, my breathing stopped. He was my 'Sexy Edward' vision come true. He quickly took me in his arms and kissed me soundly on the lips. My heart was crashing against my rib cage so hard I swear he could feel it. I started to get light-headed when I realized I wasn't breathing. I released the pent up breath in my lungs in a 'whoosh' just before I took in a ragged breath.

"Don't forget to breath, love," Edward whispered in my ear, chuckling at my reaction to him.

"I have to admit, you do dazzle me," I admitted without thinking.

"I do?" He seemed quite pleased at this new tidbit of information.

"Yes, so if I pass out… it's your responsibility to catch me before I fall," I teased even though my cheeks were burning with my embarrassment.

"I'll always be there to catch you." He looked into my eyes and caressed my cheek. My heart rejoiced at his admission, especially in light of the fact that I was going to tell him all my secrets later that evening.

"I like the sound of that." Then I furrowed my brow playfully. "I don't seem to have the same effect on you, though." I pouted a little for dramatic effect. Edward rubbed his thumb across my lower lip, poked out like a little child.

"Oh, you dazzle me every time I see you." He placed a chaste kiss on my lips. "I've become quite used to cold showers since meeting you," he said as he tried not to smirk. I raised one eyebrow in response before we pulled apart. Edward grabbed my hand and led me to the elevators. We rode the elevator in silence as he rubbed gentle circles into the palm of my hand with his thumb.

As the doors of the elevator opened, we walked out into a bright foyer. Edward led me over to the nurse's station where a woman sat doing some paperwork. She was pretty with her sleek black hair pulled into a low ponytail at the nape of her neck and dark almond shaped eyes were kind. She looked like she was in her probably in her early fifties. Her lemon yellow scrubs had bright red fire engines and ladder trucks all over it.

"Pamela?" Edward said. She looked up, her face visibly brightening when she saw who was addressing her. "I would like you to meet Bella Thomas. She's here to read during story time and, if there's time, accompany me on a few of my rounds." Pamela eyed at me for a moment before a warm smile spread over her face.

"So this is Bella. It's nice to put a face with the name." She winked at me as she offered a handshake. "Dr. Mason talks about you all the time," she said warmly. I looked up at Edward who ducked his head, looking a little embarrassed as a pink blush graced his cheeks. I could hardly contain my smile as I turned back to Pamela.

"It's good to meet you." I returned her handshake.

"Well, let's get started." Edward ushered me down the hall still a little embarrassed. I waved good-bye to Pamela as I left. I glanced up at Edward to see he was trying not to look at me.

"Sooo…," I said drawing out the word. "You talk about me, huh?" I was ecstatic that he 'talked about me all the time.' Edward looked at me and grinned sheepishly at me. Maybe I had nothing to worry about with Tanya.

"Yes. I guess I didn't realize how much until Pam mentioned it," he chuckled, still looking sheepish.

"Don't be embarrassed. I glad you think of me from time to time when you're not with me," I admitted with a shy smile as he put he arm around my shoulders.

Edward showed me around the Pediatric wing of the hospital introducing me to his co-workers. After meeting everyone, Edward took me to a common room. Clearly decorated for children, the room was painted bright colors with a mural of fairies, dragons, castles, knights in shining armor, princesses, horses, etc. along the long wall to the right of the entrance. The wall straight across from the entrance was full of windows, flooding the room the warm glow of natural light. In the far corner to the left was a playhouse with a toy kitchen and tons of toys. Next to that were several television sets with video games strewn about. The room had several conformation couches and armchairs, along with several beanbag chairs and video gaming chairs. There was a reading nook in the corner opposite the playhouse with a shelf full of books and a wooden glider rocking chair with a blue cushion. The glider reminded me of my grandmother Swan's chair that had graced the living room in my father's house for most of my life.

"Are you sure you're okay with reading to the children?" Edward said as I slowly walked into the room.

"I am a school teacher, you know." I smiled at him before walking over to the windows.

"Edward, this room is amazing. Makes me wish I were a kid and could stay here just to play here." I ran my hand along the windowsill as I looked out at the view of the surrounding area.

"The children will start arriving in about five minutes." Edward walked over and stood by me looking out the window with me. "Do you have any favorites you want to read?" He tilted his head towards the books on the shelf next to the rocker.

"Let me see what we have here." I walked over and knelt down in from of the books. Edward followed me over and I was surprised when he sat down on the floor next to me with his legs crossed. He grinned at me before he turned to the shelf and pulled out a book.

"This was one of my favorites when I was little." Edward's voice had a wistfulness quality to it that made him seem vulnerable. I looked at the book and saw that it was one of my favorites as well, The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein.

"Would you like me to read it to you, little Edward?" I said with a wink, teasing him lightly. Edward's laughter rang out in the room and warmed me inside.

"Oh, would you Miss Bella? Can I can sit in your lap on the rocking chair too," he begged with a twinkle in his eyes. I smacked his arm before I grabbed a book off the shelf, sat down in the chair and I opened my arms to him.

"Ready?" I laughed at his expression. "I think your patients would love to see their doctor sitting on my lap while I read you a book."

"You know what? I think you're right!" He jumped up from the floor and was on my lap with such blinding speed, I did not have time to react until it was too late. He was careful not to put his entire weight on me by supporting himself on his arms.

"Hey!" He jumped up when I poked his sides with my fingers.

"You're funny, Dr. Edward." I heard a soft giggle and we both looked down to see the cutest little girl smiling shyly up at Edward. Her eyes were black and button nose were adorable on her round face. She had russet colored-skin and long, straight, black hair. She reminded me a little of Jacob, from the gas station. She couldn't be more than six years old. I stood up to stand by Edward.

"Hi there, Claire Bear," Edward said with a huge grin as he lightly ruffled her hair. "I want you to meet Miss Bella. She's going to read a few stories today." Claire pulled up hands up to her mouth trying to hide her smile as she looked up at me from under her eyelashes. She twisted her body back and forth shyly.

"You have a very pretty night gown, Claire. You look like a princess." I smiled softly as I looked at her sleeping beauty nightgown.

"Thank-you," she mumbled into her hands as she twisted them against her mouth in embarrassment.

Claire inched over to Edward and tugged on his pant leg. He kneeled down to her level before she whispered in her ear as she watched me wide-eyed. Edward laughed softly before he shook his head at her but then he whispered something in her ear as his amused eyes looked at me. I raised my eyebrows at him in question about his secret conversation with Claire Bear. She giggled and nodded before she walked away. Edward straightened up and leaned into me.

"She wanted to know if you were Belle from Beauty and the Beast," he said in a low voice as Clair skipped over to the playhouse. I laughed at the compliment.

Several other children had made their way into the room and were starting to play. I saw Pamela standing at the door. As soon as she spotted us, she walked over to where Edward and I were standing.

"Dr. Mason? The Young's are here to talk about Claire." Pamela's worried face told me something was up with Claire Bear. "Do you want me to bring her along?"

"No. Let her stay here and play a bit." Edward's face looked tired and I could tell this family would receive bad news about the health of their child.

"Is she going to be okay?" I asked, saddened that a life so young has to deal with the bad things of the world.

"Yes, mostly likely. But she's got an uphill battle ahead of her." Edward left it at that, and I understood that he could not divulge the details of his patients' medical conditions to me. "I have to go, but I won't be too long. Will you be okay?" He looked a little disheartened.

"School teacher, remember? I think I can take it from here." I smiled reassuringly at him and nudged him towards the door. "Go take care of you patients, doctor." He smiled at me before he left with Pamela. I turned my attention to the children playing in the room.

"Who wants to read a story?" I asked, looking at the children. Most of the younger children got up from what they were doing and came over to me. The older kids where too engrossed in their video games to take notice and I didn't push it, knowing they would not be interested in most of the stories I would be reading.

"What's your name?" a little boy with brown curly hair asked curiously.

"Her name is Miss Bella," Claire said with more confidence now that she had some friends around her. "Dr. Edward thinks she's prettier than Belle from Beauty and the Beast," she whispered loudly to her friend. I was unable to repress my little smile as I tried to act as if I did not hear her.

"That's right, my name is Miss Bella." I walked over to the rocking chair and motioned for the kids to follow me. I sat down in the rocker and picked up the first book I had selected to read.

"May I read my favorite book to you?" I asked. A unanimous 'yay' greeted me! Almost immediately, Claire Bear climbed into my lap and leaned her body back against my body as she settled in for the story.

"Whatcha gonna read?" Standing in front of me was a precocious little redhead with her hands akimbo. I grinned at how cute she was.

"Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes." I showed them the cover of the book. "Now let's all sit down so everyone can see the pictures and we'll get started." I opened the book and started reading. I really loved this book. I had just as much fun reading the book to the children as they did to have it read to them. By the end of the book, the children were all repeating chrysanthemum three times with me at the appropriate times in the story and giggling wildly.

After we finished the book, I started taking requests for favorite books and reading them to the children. We were having such a good time, I didn't notice Edward standing in the doorway watching me until Claire Bear tugged on my sleeve.

"Dr. Edward is staring at you, Miss Bella," she giggled in my ear before she pointed to where Edward was standing. I looked up to see Edward watching me with a soft expression in his eyes and my favorite crooked smile. I smiled shyly at him as I felt the heat of my blushing skin on my face. I quickly looked back down at the book in my hands and finished reading it to the children.

"Mommy!" Claire squealed before she jumped off my lap and ran over to a beautiful woman with similar features as Claire. Her mother picked her up and hugged her tightly, clearly emotional before she carried her out of the room as a man, I assumed was Claire's father, he put his arm around them both as they disappeared down the hall.

"Hi kids. Let's all give Miss Bella a big thank-you for reading to us," Edward said just before I was greeted to a chorus of voices saying 'thank-you.' He made his way towards me through the sea of tiny bodies.

"Would you like to accompany me on the last of my rounds?" he asked as he held his hand out to me.

I smiled. "Of course." I took his hand, rose out of the chair and stretched a little after sitting for a while. As we walked out of the room, I was the recipient of numerous 'byes' and hugs with I returned with enthusiasm. Edward grinned at me.

"You're a hit. I think we should book a repeat performance," he said laughingly as we started visiting Edward's patients. It was fascinating to watch Edward interact with the children under his care. I was amazed at how good he was and how the children's faces lit up when he came into the room.

Reminds me of my reactions to him.

We were about three quarters of the way done, when I heard the overhead paging system call for 'Dr. Mason.' I could help but smile at that – Dr. Mason. Edward finished up with his patient before we walked back out into the hallway and down to Pamela's desk to see who paged him.

"Oh, Dr. Mason. There you are. Dr. Richards needs you on a consult in room 3021," she said before she handed Edward a folder.

"Thanks Pamela." Edward perused the contents of the folder.

"Are you having a good time Bella?" Pamela inquired as she turned to me and smiled.

"Yes. It has been fascinating watching Edward work. The kids love him." I tried not to sound like a proud parent. I glanced over at Edward who was beaming.

"Bella, I have to do a consult on another patient, but I can't take you with me." Edward looked at me with an apology on his face. He turned back to Pamela and said, "Pamela, can you show Bella to the waiting room around the corner there."

"Sure. Just give me a second to finishing entering this status report into the computer," she offered before she returned to her work.

"I'm sorry I can't take –," Edward started before I cut him off.

"It's okay. I understand. Now go and take care of your patient. I'll be alright until you get back." I placed a hand on his arm to let him know it was okay.

"I won't be long, Love." He gave me a quick kiss before he left.

"Are you ready, dear?" I hear Pamela's voice behind me and I turned around.

"Yeah," I sighed. We walked in silence for a moment. Pamela broke the silence first when she spoke.

"You know he's quite smitten with you," she said. I tried to stifle the giggle at her use of the word 'smitten'. Nobody used that word anymore and it was cute.

"I'm quite smitten with him too." I admitted with a blush and she gave me a knowing smile. I don't know why I was telling her this. Maybe it was because I wanted to shout it from the rooftops.

"Here we are. If you need anything, just let me know. We have some vending machines if you get hungry, there's a TV and some magazines." I nodded in response. Not wanting to keep her from her job, I thanked her and told her I would be fine.

I sank down in one of the chairs up against a wall and leaned my head back. I closed my eyes relaxing for a moment when I heard someone else come in the room. I opened my eyes a little to see another doctor sitting across the room talking on a cell phone.

She was tall and beautiful with long strawberry blonde hair that curled around her face and shoulders. She her red full lips and dark hard blue eyes stood out against her smooth lightly tanned skin. I could tell, in spite of the green unisex hospital scrubs she wore that she had a perfect body. I tried to tune out her conversation, not wanting to eaves drop. Unfortunately, the room wasn't big enough and her voice wasn't quiet enough. She did not seem to notice me there so I closed my eyes and went back to ignoring her. I had succeeded, too, until I heard it – 'Edward.'

Tanya POV

I stood in the doorway looking at this unremarkable woman, wondering what was so special about her to catch the eye of someone like Edward. She had brown hair, white skin, full pink lips and long eyelashes. Her eyes were closed so she was not alerted to my presence yet. Her clothing, a light green blouse tucked into a pair of black slacks and black flats, was in a word – boring – and did nothing to accentuate her slender form. She probably rushed over here from work, overeager to see Edward. 'Well, enjoy it while it lasts sister…' I thought to myself. Rose was right – this girl was certainly out of her league here. What did Rose say her name was? Beth, Bertha – no one names their kid that anymore. Bella! That's right, like Hella, as in 'A hella good it will do her with me around.'

I did not get nearly enough sleep today to be in a good mood for my shift tonight. My 'mood' did not really concern me. I got what I wanted last night. I always got what I wanted, if I wanted it when I went clubbing. Last night was no exception. Sebastian knew just what to give me without the fear of commitment. I left his place early this morning hoping to get some sleep. Of course, Rose interrupted my sleep to call me again, reminding me that Edward was stilling dating his neighbor. I know she has a fantasy of Edward and me settling down with the white picket fence and living happily-ever-after in marital bliss like she and Emmett. Frankly, I'm not interested in that life. I like the chase too much to settle for one man, like Rose did. I could not imagine being shackled to the same man for the rest of my life. However, that doesn't mean I can't have Edward in the meantime. The more he resisted me, the more I wanted him. The chase was the exciting part and I knew that once I caught him, I would move on to the next man and the thrill of chasing someone new.

The only thing that made tonight's shift bearable was that I would get to see Edward as his shift overlapped mine by an hour. Nevertheless, it seemed everywhere I went – the locker room, the front lobby, the elevator, the nurses' station – it was all the same. Everyone was whispering about woman that caught Edward's eye. Pamela said she was lovely. One of the first year interns described her as "Dark brown hair, big brown eyes, cute, petite – everything I'm not." I almost laughed aloud at that one. It was sickening how everyone was gushing over this Bella and I was ready to heave.

But it wasn't until I made my way up to the Pediatric Unit to start my rotation that I caught my first glimpse of Bella. I rounded the corner after stepping off the elevator when I took a step back as I caught sight of Edward and his 'little girl' talking by the nurse's station. I watched them with morbid fascination for a moment until he suddenly he kissed her and I felt a growl building in my chest. Who did she think she was, coming in here making a play for what is mine. I smiled as the predator in me recognized that this would make the hunt much more enjoyable.

I watched as Edward left the 'girl' behind while he walked down the hallway. Maybe she was leaving. I quickly recognized that was not the case when Pamela led her off towards the waiting room. I glanced down at my watch and I contemplated my first move, I didn't have much time. I decided it was time to make this girl understand that she was playing in the major leagues now. I would give her a dose of the real world and how the game is played. I waited until Pamela left the waiting room before I quietly stalked to the waiting room.

I was still looking at her from the doorway, trying to ascertain why Edward would want to be with someone like her that when he could be with me. Bella looked relaxed, her eyes closed with her leaned back on the wall behind her chair. I felt a smile curl the corners of my mouth as my plan formed in my mind. I would toy with her like a cat toys with a mouse before going in for the kill. I flipped open my phone and dialed before I quietly walked into the room and sat in one of the chairs on the other side of the room from her.

"Hey," I said quiet enough not to be understood from across the room, but loud enough to be heard as my friend answered the phone.

"Yeah, my shift just started," I replied in response to my friend's greeting and question. I knew my time was short so I got straight to the point.

"Listen I need to talk to you about Edward." I made sure I said his name with a little more volume than the rest of my conversation as I watched Bella's reaction intently from across the room. Jackpot! She twitched and her eyes opened and darted around the room before settling on me to watch me for moment. This was going to be too easy…

Bella POV

My ears burned. Did she say Edward? I opened my eyes again to see if maybe he had come into the room and she was merely greeting him. I was disappointed to find that it was still just the two of us in the waiting room. I was unnerved that this bombshell sitting in the room with me knew Edward. However, she was a doctor and she obviously worked here so it made sense she knew him. Maybe it was a different Edward. I could no longer deny wanting to hear her conversation so I shamelessly listened. I picked up a magazine to try to disguise my intentions and hopefully my reactions.

I could not make out everything she said but whenever she said 'Edward', it was a clear as day. About the time I started to sit up a little straighter, she started to talk louder as she started to gush about 'Edward.'

"I know we would make the perfect couple – both us of doctors," she boasted before she paused to listen to the person on the other end. My stomach fell and my mouth went dry. I tried to tell myself that there could be more than one doctor at this hospital with his name.

"Well, we've been dating on and off now for a while, but we've kept it quiet because the hospital frowns on that sort of thing," she said before pausing once again to listen. Who was she? Was she talking about my Edward? I knew we had not known each other long enough for me to claim his as mine, but I wanted to. I realized then more than ever that I did not know what my status was with Edward. Was I his girlfriend or were we just dating – getting to know each other and sharing some passion-filled kisses with no plans beyond that? I was brought up short out of my rant when the woman spoke again, me on the edge of my seat with a feeling of sickening anticipation.

"I know he does, but he never stays away long. He always comes back to me. All those other woman don't mean a thing. He's a man and he has needs and I'm okay with it, as long as I'm the one he comes back to." I could feel the panic start to spread out from my chest to my arms and stomach as it spread out through my system. What if Edward was a player, the type of man who used women for his own pleasure and nothing more? Was I was just another woman in his long line of conquests, waiting to be discarded when he got what he wanted?

"You have no idea – he's absolutely incredible in bed. You know he finally gave me a drawer at his place for my things." I felt my heart shrink in pain at the prospect that Edward might be sharing his bed with this woman. There was no contest; she was flawless, intelligent and exuded sex appeal.

Plus, Edward had never pushed the physical boundaries of our relationship beyond kissing. I was grateful Edward wasn't pressuring me for sex. We barely knew each other and he was always the gentleman with me, anyway. Maybe he wasn't a player. Maybe he wasn't interested in anything other than being friends with a few fringe benefits. As my internal battle raged, I was acutely aware of every sound around me and yet I could comprehend any of it. I felt frozen, trapped in a mire of self-doubt and fear.

I heard the PA system page a Dr. Butler and the woman made a move as if she was the one being paged. Just then, Pamela came into the room and her eyes narrowed at the woman on the phone who was saying her goodbyes to her caller. Pamela turned and looked at me and motioned for me to follow her.

"Edward is almost done, so I thought I'd rescue you." Pamela smiled at me while trying not to look at the woman on the phone. As I walked by, the woman looked me up and down in a dismissive sort of way as she flipped her phone shut. Pamela turned and looked at her.

"Tanya, didn't you hear your page?" Pamela asked in a bored tone.

Tanya!

I felt my heart rip open. That was Tanya. What were the chances that she had found another Edward who was a doctor who worked at the same hospital? I tried to reason, but I knew it was an idiotic hope. I felt numb as I slowly continued to trudge out into the hall.

"Sorry, Pamela. I was on the phone," Tanya sneered sweetly.

I could hear Pamela following me who was prattling on about something, but I did not hear what she was saying, unable to bring myself to focus on her words.

"Bella!" I heard his velvet voice call my name and my heart broke. I turned and looked up at Edward only to see him watching Tanya walking away in the opposite direction, his eyes full of apprehension. Edward brought his hand up and pinched the bridge of his nose between in thumb and forefinger before he looked down at me with a tight smile.

"You're as white as a ghost. Are you okay?" he said looking at me with a strange expression in his eyes. Was he worried that I had found out about Tanya? Please say it isn't true. Not willing to let him know that I was upset about what I had overheard, I planted a smile on my face that did not emulate my feelings. It reminded me of the smiles I used to wear when I was with James, as I hid my fear.

"I'm fine Edward, just a little tired." I could tell I had not fooled him. He eyed me skeptically for a moment.

"Did she say something…," he started to say, but then stopped short as his eyes shot past me to someone as I heard her voice.

"Edward," Tanya sang and I felt my face fall a little.

A/N: Bella, Bella, Bella… What's a girl to do when she's got a cat like Tanya after her man?

Now, I have to apologize to anybody who is familiar with the Mayo Clinics for not doing better research. I've never been to the Mayo Clinic in Arizona, or anywhere else for that matter. So when I decided, a little too late I might add, to do more thorough research. I discovered that the hospital in AZ does not have a Pediatric unit. It is located at their Rochester, Minnesota hospital. :} But since this is my universe, we will pretend that there is one in AZ! LOL. Sorry, I just figured that there was something more defined since they offered Pediatric residencies in Scottsdale.

Thanks to my wonderful readers and reviews! - SavageWoman