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…
Now I just needed to figure out how to get information about Amber's daughter, Angela – where she lives, her last name, where her husband works. I already knew whom to call as I reached into my pocket and pulled out Kelly Mallory's number. I could 'pump' her for information. I chuckled at my own joke as I flipped open my phone and dialed the number.
Chapter 30 - Nightmares
"Bella! Bella! Bella!" Alice's voice was so loud; I had to hold my phone away from my ear, wincing at the sharp ringing it caused. Edward chuckled as I grimaced and I shook my head in disbelief. I hesitantly put my phone back up to my ear, ready to pull it away if there was the slightest indication that she would to start squealing again.
"Alice? Ow! Why are you yelling so loud?" I huffed, feeling a little irritated at Alice for interrupting my morning with Edward. Our flight got in last night and we had one more day together before he had to go back to work.
"Because, Bellah." When she said my name like that, I half expected her to put a 'Duh!' at the end of it. "It's our last Saturday to go shopping before the hospital charity thingy." I buried my face into Edward's chest, inhaling his scent as we snuggled on the couch. He was lazily flipping through the channels of the television, not really settling on anything to watch.
I turned my attention back to the phone conversation. "The hospital thingy?" I laughed. "You don't even know what it's called. I think you're just using it as an excuse to go shopping," I accused lightly.
"Do you have anything to wear? It is black tie, you know." She had me there. Buying a formal evening gown was not at the top of my priorities.
"No. But I am perfectly capable of buying a dress." I toyed with her. As much as I disliked shopping, I did like spending time with my favorite pixie.
"Sure, but can you get the best deal possible and have your own personal shopper to assist you?"
"Are you my personal shopper?"
"Usually, yes. But for this I thought we'd get a professional."
"Huh?"
"Have you forgotten what Rose does for a living? She has offered her services for the morning, but only until noon. So… get your butt in gear. I'll be there in 15 minutes." Before I could protest, Alice had already hung up the phone.
I turned to Edward, who eyed me with a furrowed brow. "What time is it?"
He looked over his shoulder towards the clock on the kitchen wall. "Almost eight. Are you being kidnapped in the name of shopping?"
"Yeah. Apparently Rose is going to help us find dresses for the charity fund raiser." Edward poked his lower lip out into a sad little pout. I mimicked his look brushing my thumb across his lip as I moved to get up. "It's only until noon and then I'll be back." I gave him feathery kisses before leaving to change my clothes. But, before I got two steps away, Edward grabbed my waist and pulled me back down. I landed with my back pressed up against his chest.
"Where are you going?" His breath fanned against my neck and I shivered in response. Edward chuckled and said, "As I see it, I've still got another 15 minutes with you and I don't want to lose a single moment." He kept one had wrapped around my waist while he brushed my hair off my shoulder with the other. He covered my neck with passionate kisses while playing with the hem of my tank top, his hands lightly brushing the sensitive skin my stomach. I moaned from the sudden warmth spreading through my body and flipped over so I was facing him. I attacked his lips with all my passion and slipping my hands under his shirt to caress his stomach.
What happened next was a complete surprise. Instead of backing off like he normally did, Edward flipped us over and stripped off his shirt in one deft move leaving hime shirtless.
"You're so beautiful, Bella. I love you," he whispered, his eyes shining with love and passion.
"I love you, too." I smiled shyly at him suddenly self-conscious. He leaned down and kissed me again, this time softly, passionately, our bodies pressed together. I brushed my fingers gently through his hair as he gently caressed my skin, our passion starting to grow fervent again.
"Argh! My eyes! My eyes!" Alice's voice shrieked causing Edward and I both jumped in surprise. Rose's laughter filled the room and my face immediately burned with embarrassment. Just before Edward dropped his head onto my shoulder and groaned, I saw his cheeks reddening like mine. I saw both Rose and Alice grinning at me from ear-to-ear from over Edward's shoulder.
"Come one guy! Don't you ever use the doorbell?" Edward mumbled.
"Edward, is this your shirt?" Rose waved Edward's shirt in front of my face and I quickly grabbed it. If I thought I couldn't be anymore embarrassed than I already was, I was wrong. Edward lifted his head and looked back at Alice and Rose.
"What if I don't want to let you have her?" He wrapped his arms around my waist and held me close.
"You had her for a whole week – it's our turn. Now get off her. You can resume in a couple of hours when we're done." Alice narrowed her eyes at Edward, daring him to challenge her.
"She's mine," he growled playfully at Alice and I laughed at their silliness and clutched Edward to me in mock fear. Edward put his lips to my ear and whispered, "Mine." It was for my ears only. My heart did a somersault in my chest at the thought of being Edward's.
"Mine," I whispered back, hoping he really did see me as his and not belonging to anyone else anymore.
"Rose, get the hose. I think it's the only way we'll get these two apart." Alice threatened.
"Will you settle for a glass of cold water?" I heard Rose filling up a glass as Edward lifted his head to look at me and widen his eyes. He moved off me pulling me up with him before he on his shirt.
"I'm up! Put. The. Water. Down." Edward enunciated each word through clenched teeth as he pointed at Rose, his eyes narrowing in a threat. Before I knew what was happening, Alice yanked me off the couch and pushed me towards the bedroom. We laughed the whole way as I waved at a grumbling Edward.
"Do you have any clothes here?" Alice eyed Edward's closet.
"Just stuff from the trip." I pointed to my suitcase.
"Fine. You go get yourself presentable and I'll pick out an outfit." Alice opened my suitcase and started rummaging through my belongings. I made quick work of cleaning my face and brushing my teeth. I pulled my hair into a low ponytail to one side and put on some lip-gloss.
I came out of the bathroom to find my clothing laid out for me. I put on the yellow sundress with white flowers and white cotton shrug, a pair of white flats completing the look. I sighed at not having anything clean here that wasn't a little more casual, wishing instead for a pair of capris and a tee shirt.
I stepped out into the family room only to have Alice and Rose practically run me out of the house while Edward and I shouted our goodbyes to each other.
"Come on. I can't even have a goodbye kiss?" I complained as they shoved me into Rose's red convertible.
"No way. You'll just take to long with all that lovey dovey dribble," Rose shot out as she slid into the driver's seat, Alice taking a spot in the back with her head poked into between the two front seats. I huffed and sat back in my seat, playfully pouting. Soon we were pulling into the parking lot a high-end store. As we approached the doors I could clearly see it was not open and I glanced at Alice and Rose.
"Um, Rose? This store isn't open yet." I pointed to the closed sign.
"It's not open to the public, but for special appointments it is." My mouth hung open. Rose smiled and shook her head at my reaction before she pushed me towards the door and said, "Now hurry or we're going to be late."
After we entered the store, we made our way back to the dressing rooms in the dress shop. A sales associate named Sharon greeted us and gave Rose a hug before quickly getting to work pulling dresses out for us to try.
"How was the trip?" Alice's voice full of her excitement even through the walls of dressing room stalls as we tried on dresses.
"It was perfect," I sighed with a happy smile as I smoothed down my dress before stepping out for Rose to critic.
"Details!" Her enthusiasm getting the better of her as she squealed like a junior high student, ripping open the door of her stall.
"Sounds like someone finally got some action," Rose said dryly, but her eyes were twinkling with humor.
"If what we saw this morning holds true, I would say so," Alice added, giggling as she saw my cheeks redden again.
"If you two had not barged in this morning, we probably would have. But, as far as whether or not Edward and I have… No, we have not." I looked at Rose's scowl and added, "But we did come to any understanding." I took a spin in front of the mirror to get a look at the dress from a different angle.
"What? You went on the quintessential right of passage for relationships - 'The Get- Away' and you don't even get laid?" Rose was almost shouting causing the store associates to turn and stare.
"Rose," I hissed as a self-conscious blush burned my cheeks now that she announced to the whole store that I didn't get laid on my trip.
"Hell, just tie him up to the bed post and have your way with him already. I guarantee you he'll thank you for it later." Rose gave me playful grin.
"I agree. Jump him and get it over with. I'm sure once you two have done the deed, he won't deny himself a repeat performance. He's bound to see how silly his objections are afterwards. Lightening isn't going to strike, hell isn't going to claim him right on the spot as one of their own, and he isn't going to be any less of a gentleman." I stared in shock at Alice's little speak. She managed it on a single breath.
"Look, Edward and I had a talk." I held up my hand to stop their comments and protests before I continued. "I told him I wouldn't ask him to go against what he feels is right or moral or gentlemanly. Whatever his qualms are about it, I can't just dismiss them because they are important to him and are part of what makes him the man that I love."
"Ugh, Bella. You sound just like him. You two are perfect for each other. But at this rate, you'll be living together for 20 years and still be celibate."
"Ah, that's where you're wrong." I winked at Alice.
Alice gasped and then started to bounce up and down. "You didn't! Did you really do it? Jasper said you talked to him and were really considering it."
"Did you call a lawyer?" Rose had a goofy grin on her face.
"I did!" My reaction felt strange. I was suddenly excited beyond belief that I was getting a divorce. And, for some reason, telling my friends didn't cause the usual feeling of dread that accompanied my thoughts on the subject.
"What did Edward say?" Alice stopped bouncing as she tried to contain herself.
"Is he excited? Have you made any plans for the minute the divorce is final?" Rose was wiggling her eyebrows suggestively and I couldn't help be laugh at how much of any influence Emmett was on her. On the other hand, maybe it was the other way around – who knows.
"Our last night in Chicago I told Edward that I had filed for divorce and an order of protection from James. He wasn't happy with me. He thinks I'm putting myself in too much danger for him."
Rose glowered at me. "Of course not. That boy wouldn't know a good thing it is sat on his face." However, as soon as her face broke out in a wicked smile, I knew she was going to make another crude comment about our lack of a sex-life. "Have you tried that? Sitting on his face – that should do the trick."
"Rose! You're as bad as Emmett!" I picked up a magazine and threw it at her.
"Bella, I can see Edward's point. Did Jasper show you everything he found about James?" Alice's face was suddenly sober.
"No. I didn't have time. Jasper met me on my lunch break at the school and I haven't talked to him since. Why? What did he find out?" I remembered the quick conversation I had with Jasper. If I had known he had additional information on James, I would have made more time for him.
"I think you should talk to Jasper. I know he talked to Edward about want he found out." Alice admitted a little sheepishly.
"When?" Why would Edward not say anything to me?
"Before your trip." I started to open my mouth to ask the obvious question, but Alice cut me off. "No, he didn't tell Edward you were considering a divorce. Actually, Edward called Jasper to ask what he had found out. He told Jasper he was taking you to visit your father's grave and wanted to see how serious the threat was from James."
"How was it – visiting your father's grave?" said Rose, cocking her head to one side.
"It was hard. There were so many things left unsaid that last time I spoke to my father, and I wished I had had the chance to tell him how much he meant to me. He's really gone." I tried blinking away the tears, but one managed to escape. Rose put her arm around me. Sometimes it felt surreal to have Rose as a friend – this was one of those moments.
"But after I made my peace with my father, it was like a weight had been lifted. I still miss him and regret how our relationship was troubled in those last couple of years. But this has helped me to move forward and continue to heal." I smiled a little knowing I was starting to get some closure.
"I'm so happy for you!" Alice wrapped her arms around my waist and hugged me. "That dress looks divine on you. I think you should get it." I hugged her back before stepping back turning back to Rose.
"I think you're right. Rose what do you think of this one?" I took one last twirl hoping to get her approval.
"I agree. That's the one. Get changed and I'll have Sharon take it up to the cash register." Rose motioned for the Sharon to come over, while I stepped back into the dressing room to change.
After I changed back into my street clothes, I came out and we watched Alice continue to try on dresses. She couldn't make up her mind, so she asked Sharon to put her favorites on hold and she would come back on Monday with her final decision.
While we waited for Alice to change, Rose turned to me. "Did you see anyone you know? Do you think anyone saw you?"
"No. We avoided people and public places. I did take him on a driving tour of my childhood memories, but we played it safe and stayed in the car, except for the ceme…" My voice drifted off as a strange feeling came over me.
"Bella? What is it? What's wrong?" Rose looked alarmed. I felt like the walls were closing in on me.
I shook my head to clear daze in my head, but the feeling remained. "When we started to leave the cemetery, I had the strangest feeling we were being watched, but there was no one else around."
"Were there any cars, people out walking?" Rose asked, trying to job my memory.
I laughed. "No. It was cold and rainy. Most people prefer the stay indoors. Of course this is Forks we're talking about, the rainiest place on earth," I said dryly. "I guess some of the die-hards could have been out."
"Yeah, but the feeling was there. You shouldn't dismiss it lightly." Rose shook her head, giving me a firm look.
"I remember looking around… there was a car parked a ways off with the driver's side window down a bit. Most people in Forks know – never leave your winds down, even on a sunny day because it always rains. It didn't look like there was anyone in the car. I mentioned it to Edward and he couldn't see anyone either, but just to be safe, we drove by to check. We didn't stop to get a closer look because as we drove by, it didn't look like there was anyone in it." I still felt like something was off, but couldn't place it.
"Do you think it's anything?" Alice's voice startled me a little. I was so absorbed in my memories; I hadn't noticed she had come out of the dressing room.
"I don't know. My intuition is telling me not to dismiss it. Of course, it really doesn't matter. I'm filing for divorce. James has to know I'm a live by now or at the very latest, with in the next couple of days."
"Do you have anyone you can call back home you can trust to see if anyone has been nosing around?" Alice seemed a little intense for some reason.
"Yeah, I do," I said giving Alice a cautious look.
"Call her – Now!" I jumped back a little when she practically yelled in my face like that.
"Jeesh. Settle down." Alice truly looked terrified. "What's wrong?" I asked, really starting to worry.
"Are you okay?" Rose grabbed Alice's shoulder.
"I just have a really bad feeling about this." Alice said in a shaky voice. She was really scared and it baffled me, but if it made her feel any better to call Angela, then I'd do it.
"It's okay, Alice. I'm calling." I pulled out my phone and dialed Angela's phone number. I rubbed Alice's back as I waited for Angela to answer.
"Hello?" Angela's voice reminded me of home.
"Hi Ang. How are things going?"
"Bella! I'm so glad you called. Are you back from your trip?" Her voice sounded a little off. Maybe everything was sounding off now that I was worried.
"Yeah, we just got back yesterday. Hey listen there' something I…" Angela cut me off immediately.
"Wait, I have to tell you something. Mom called a couple of days ago. She said there a man in town asking questions about Charlie. Said he knew your dad from their police academy days together. He seemed to know a lot about you and Charlie." I felt a chill run up my back and every hair on my skin stood up on end. I could feel the blood drain from my face.
"Bella, what it is?" Rose said touching my shoulder.
I put my hand over the receiver and said in a hushed voice, "someone was in Forks a few days ago, asking about Charlie." I removed my hand from the receiver and turned my attention back to Angela.
"Do you think he was legit? Was there anything off about him?" I tried to maintain my calm.
"Yes. He kept calling you Isabella." I inhaled sharply. My mother was the only one who called me that. No one ever called me that after she died, except Charlie and only when I was in trouble. Charlie always called me Bella or Bells and he always introduced me as such. If Charlie was anything, he was consistent.
"I'm calling Jasper." I barely heard Alice as she whipped out her phone.
"Did he give a name? What did he want?" I said in a shaky voice, my calm starting to crack.
"His name was Redding, Larry Redding. He wanted to 'catch-up' with Charlie, and when he found he was dead, he asked for directions to the cemetery to pay his respects."
"What day was that?" I closed my eyes, hoping she didn't say it.
"Wednesday." Angela confirmed my fears.
"No!" My voice came out strangled. Alice grabbed my free hand and squeezed it hard.
"What is it?" Angela immediately heard my distress over the phone.
"I was in Forks that day. I was at the cemetery!" I felt the fear start to claw its way back into my body. "What kind of car did he drive?" My calm was completely shattered a this point. All kinds of scenarios were running through my head, none of them good.
"I don't know, honey. Are you going to be okay?" Angela sound sad to have to give me bad news like this, although I really did appreciate her.
I took a deep breath to calm my nerves. It didn't work. "Yes, but I've got to make a few phone calls. Thanks, Ang, and tell you mom thanks. I appreciate her looking out for me."
"I will. Call me if you need anything. Okay?"
"Okay." I flipped my phone closed and looked at Rose's expectant face.
"Well?" She gave me a troubled look.
I took a deep breath before filling them in. "Apparently there was a man in Forks last Wednesday asking about my dad."
"Why are you suspicious?" Rose's features calmed a bit.
"He asked about me and he called me Isabella. No one called me that. No one." I reiterated that last part.
"Bella? What was his name?" Alice said, breaking away from her phone conversation for a moment.
"Larry Redding," I replied.
"Larry Redding," Alice repeated to Jasper on the phone. "Okay. I'll tell her. Call me when you have it. Love you too." Alice hung up her cell phone and turned to me.
"I gave Jasper his name. He's going to run a check on the name to see what he can find. Hopefully this is nothing, but if it is something, the guy probably didn't use his real name." Alice came over and put her arms around my waist.
"How long until he knows something?" I looked down at my little friend, anxious for more information. I appreciated the gesture and it did make me feel a little better.
"It depends on if he's in the system, how many Larry Reddings there are, at lot of things. But, Jasper said he would start with those with a connection to Florida. If this is connected to James, how do you suppose he figured out you were still alive?" Alice said while Rose rubbed my shoulder.
"I don't know. I'm going to have to think through that. I thought I was careful, but maybe I wasn't as diligent as I thought I was." I took a deep breath. No need to panic yet.
"Did Jasper say anything else?" Rose asked the question I was too distracted to ask.
"Yeah. For starters, we need to make sure you are never alone, just to be safe. Is Edward home today?"
"Yes, in fact he was quite put out that you kidnapped me this morning." I gave Alice a shaky smile.
"Oh, please! He's had you to himself for seven days straight," Rose scoffed.
Suddenly feeling vulnerable, I turned to Rose. "Hey, are we done here? I really don't feel like shopping anymore." I just wanted to curl up in a blanket with Edward and figure out what to do.
"Yeah, we can get your shoes sometime after work." Rose smiled at me.
I looked at Alice and said, "call me as soon as Jasper finds anything out."
"I will." We left the store after Rose made arrangements for me to pick-up my dress later in the week. When we got back to Edward's, Jasper was already there, filling Edward in on the situation.
"Shit, shit, shit!" Edward plunged his hands into his hair, pulling it in frustration. "I'm so sorry, Bella. I didn't think you would be in any danger. Who am I kidding? I should have listened to you. I knew you were scared of James and why you have put off visiting your father's grave, but I pushed my wants onto you anyway and now look what I've done. I've exposed you to that stupid private detective." He looked so pained and I felt remorse for bring this kind of drama and danger into his life. Just then, what Edward said hit me.
"Private detective?" My voice was barely a squeak. Edward grabbed my shoulders.
"Yes." Edward searched my eyes, his own full of remorse and fear.
"He's from Miami," Jasper added, his voice somber. I continued to look at Edward, wondering how I could make this easier on him.
"Sweetie. It's okay." I placed my hand on him cheek, trying to comfort him, but he wasn't listening. "Look, we don't even know if he saw me. In fact, he might not be working for James." Even as I uttered the words, I know it was ridiculous to entertain that idea.
"Ha! You've got be kidding me," Edward scoffed at the idea, just as I was mentally. "You heard Jasper, the man is from Miami. Who else would be looking for you? How many people want you dead?" Edward shuddered at that last thought and quickly pulled me into his arms and buried his head in my hair.
As Jasper started to fill us in on this Larry Redding, my mind kept wandering to how James knew I was alive. I kept going over and over my escape in my head, but nothing was clear. My mind felt muddled, as well as, stressed and tired. I laid my head on Edward's shoulder and let out an involuntary sigh.
After Rose, Alice and Jasper left, I started wishing they'd come back. Their presence here seemed to be the only thing holding Edward together. Jasper said it would take a few days to run a background check on this Larry Redding, so we would know then if he had a criminal record. What we did know was that he was a private investigator from Miami who specialized in surveillance and location services for high-end clients, or at least, those willing to pay. He was known for his discretion in keeping his clients' identities a safe from scrutiny and the law. Jasper had a feeling Larry's practices were shady at best, but we wouldn't know the extent to which Larry skirted the law until the background check was complete.
"Let's leave here. Go somewhere else. We could run." Edward had a panicked edge to his voice.
"No!" I was firm on this. "There is no way you can leave. You are too close to finishing your residency. I won't have you throwing away your career because my soon to be ex-husband is a monster." I could believe he would even consider such a thing.
"I don't care about that. I need to know you are safe. I… I… can't lose you." Edward's voice broke as the pain washed through his features.
"Oh, Edward." I kissed him gently. "You know I won't be alone. When I'm at work, I'll be surrounded by students and faculty. I will come straight back to your place."
"Our place," he corrected. 'You are moving in here with me. We practically live together anyway. Let's move your things over here." He chuckled, humorlessly at my shocked face. "I really wish we were moving in together under different circumstances, but that can't be helped now."
"Aw, you really know how to sweep a girl off her feet." I caressed his face with my hand. "Between you, Alice, Rose, Jasper, and Emmett, I think we got all the babysitting bases covered. We've been over this."
"I'm going to ask the hospital to move me to days as much as possible to minimize sleeping over with Alice or Rose." I opened my mouth to protest but Edward stopped me. "I just need to know you are safe. Now, let's get this contingency plan decided upon so we know what to do in case James does appear. We need to be able to get you out and somewhere far away from him."
*******
With each gust, I felt a shudder rip through my body as the wind drove the cold rain through my clothing. I was soaked, but the need to visit Charlie's grave one last time was overwhelming. I ran to his grave and collapsed in front of it, Edward trailing behind, calling my name.
"Daddy," I sobbed, recognizing that the only time I called him Daddy was when I felt vulnerable, lost. It nagged at the back of my mind because I knew I had Edward.
Slowly I became aware of the fact that Edward had not caught up with me. I looked behind me to see him standing there, frozen with a look of pain and horror on his face. I know my confused expression did nothing to help.
"Edward, what's wrong!" I couldn't hide the desperate way my voice sounded and I felt a knot form in the pit of my stomach.
That's when I noticed his eyes weren't looking at me, but just beyond me. A new panic started to take hold at the prospect of what would put that horror-stricken expression on his face.
I slowly turned my head, following his gazed, praying the whole time that it was not James standing behind me.
The air in my lungs came out in a whoosh when I saw no one there. The relief I felt was short-lived because something was causing Edward's pain. I looked back at him, my face full of confusion, questioning.
"Edward?" He simply raised his arm out in front of him and pointed behind me. I quickly turned my head again, looking at my parent's headstone. The cold air burned my lungs as I inhaled sharply, gasping at what I saw. My name carved into the headstone instead of Charlie's with today's date for my death date.
I started to rise to back away in horror when a hand – James's hand – burst forth from the ground beneath me and grabbed my throat, strangling the scream there and forcing it to cower in fear. I struggled to escape as I watched in disbelief as James clawed his way up through the dirt, a terrifying sneer deforming his lips. His eyes blazed a bloody crimson that bore into my soul as he poured his hate into me.
As James freed himself from the confines of the gave, he shoved me down into the damp, earthen hole. I continued my futile struggles, trying to get away. Every time I tried to scream, his hand on my throat tightened – no sound escaped his vise-like grip.
I desperately tried to find Edward. That's when I saw it. Next to mine name, was Edward's name, carved in a crude fashion, with the same death date as mine.
Even more panicked now than I was before, I frantically searched for Edward, my Edward. However, the sound of gunfire halted my search.
A single shot.
And Edward fell.
He was there on the ground next to me, blood on his hands as he clutched his chest, his eyes searching mine, fully of bewilderment.
"Why?" His voice was barely above a whisper and I watched in terror as the ground slowly sucked his body down into the grave.
"Edward!" I screamed just as James turned the gun on me.
The sensation of my upper body bolting straight up in bed was becoming familiar as my hair flew forward to cover my face in a brown cloud.
My gasping sobs soon filled the room. I jumped in surprise when a pair of warm strong hands grabbed my shoulders and pulled me back down on the bed. Instinctively I struggled, not sure if I was still dreaming or awake. The feeling of being pulled down was to close to my nightmare.
"Sh. Bella, love." Edward's beautiful voice choked with his concern. "It was only a dream. Bella, sh."
I surrendered to his warm embrace, sobbing as he stroked my hair, holding me tight against him. After a moment, my sobs quieted as the stupor of sleep cleared and the adrenaline rush from the nightmare subsided.
Sensing that my panic had calmed, Edward gently said, "Another nightmare?" I numbly nodded my head, my face buried into his chest.
"Bella, that's the third one this week," he said sadly. Actually, it was the fourth, but I didn't feel the need to tell him about the one I had the other night while he worked the night shift. I had stayed with Alice and Jasper. I was grateful I woke with a start instead of a scream, or I would have disturbed my hosts. Alice commented on the dark circles under my eyes that morning, but sleep eluded me for the rest of that night.
"It was awful," I choked out. "I had to watch as James killed you in front of me. I woke up just before he was going to kill me." My voice cracked several times.
"I know you've heard me say this now a hundred times, but I'm going to say it again, love. It's not worth this, please," Edward begged. "The stress of divorcing James is too much. Please, call your lawyer and tell him not to file. You've still got a few days left."
Thanks to a little glitch called residency, my lawyer was unable to file my divorce paperwork with the courts. When Edward and I returned from our trip, I was expecting some sort of response, at least, from James's lawyers concerning my miraculous return from the land of the dead. But unbeknownst to me, one must be a legal resident of the state of Arizona to file for divorce. My lawyer didn't catch the problem until after I left for Chicago. I was about two week shy of the required 90 days to establish residency when I applied.
As soon as Edward learned this, he took it upon himself to try to convince me to reconsider getting the divorce. When I asked about his change in attitude, he told me that when first I told him about it, he thought it was a done deal. The wheels of justice had been set in motion already, so there was nothing he could do but support my decision. Now that my divorce had been delayed, he had time to convince me otherwise.
"Please, reconsider what you're about to do. I can't deny that I love the thought of you being free. But I also saw first hand the aftermath of what that fiend did to you physically. And I can only imagine the other ways he tormented you." Edward's voice was rough with emotion and sleep.
"Sweetie, I have to do this." I yawned; it was still dark out.
"No, you don't, please! I fear that this move will only infuriate James. If he was upset when he out found you were alive, think of how angry he'll be when you file for a divorce. Besides, you aren't sleeping, you're scared, and nightmares fill our nights. Bella, look at how much this scares you and you haven't even served him the divorce papers. I'm begging you – don't do this."
"I have to; I need to face this head on. I–" Edward grabbed my arms and gently shook me.
"Stop! Why are you doing this?" Edward was beyond frustrated now, having asked this for the hundredth time. It was the same argument we'd been having all week, both of us too stubborn to concede to the other.
"I'm a hypocrite. Here I've wanted you to give yourself to me completely while I was unwilling to do the same. I cannot ask that of you until I have freed myself from my marriage," I admitted.
"You're not a hypocrite." He sighed and pulled me close. "Bella, not like this – not this. I couldn't live with myself if something happened to you, if he hurt you because of my silly excuses."
"Edward, I love that you're old-fashioned. It's what makes you who you are, the man I love more than life itself. I don't want you to change who you are for me, to compromise for me. Besides, it's the right thing to do – the responsible thing to do. I'm not running away from this, not now, not ever again." I gripped his shirt, trying to convince him.
Edward yawned and I could tell he was as exhausted as I was. "Let's at least cancel going to the benefit ball tomorrow, or is it tonight."
I pulled back immediately to look at him. "No way. Do you know what Alice will do to me if we do? Frankly I'm more scared of her at this moment than I am of James." My attempt to lighten Edward's mood didn't work.
"There's just so many people, so many faces. I worry that we will get separated and I'll lose you." Edward rubbed his hand over his face revealing just how weary he was.
"Let's go. I want to see you in a tux and besides, don't you want to see my new dress?" Edward sighed in defeat and shook his head.
"Okay, but do not leave my side for one minute. Understand?" His eyes burned with a fierceness that made me realize just how stressed he really was and I immediately felt guilty for pressing the issue.
"Okay," I mumbled just we drifted off to sleep again.
A/N: Woo Hoo! I broke 700 reviews! I'm so excited! Thanks for the support chickies! You. Are. Awesome. And sorry I didn't get a chance to respond to any of the reviews for Chapter 29, so here's my shout-out to everyone who reviewed!
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