Disclaimer: I don't own twilight. If I did Cullens would have kicked volturi's ass.
Sleep is a relief when you are sick though falling asleep is the most difficult thing to do. It takes the pain and weakness away for a few minutes at least.
The most difficult part of being sick is the helplessness you feel. Your body betrays you. It doesn't do anything that you want it to. This makes you frustrated and sad which in turn makes the sickness much worse. Being with your loved ones is the only thing which brings a small relief.
I was always on my own when I got sick or otherwise. My mother, bless her heart tried to make me feel better in her own way but she was never a care giver. And Charlie, he was not a major part of my life before I came to Forks. I saw him only on vacations and stuff. I doubt that I was ever sick when he was around.
Now everything was different because I had Edward. I wanted to protest when he did things for me but inside my heart I knew that it was his way of loving me. I was touched that he was willing to take care of me no matter what.
I woke up next time to find him looking at me with a tender smile. I felt happy even though physically I felt worse than before. Everything ached. Guess the sob fest was not such a good idea. As always Edward beside me made the situation better.
"Good morning love. How are you feeling?"
"Fine.' I said with great difficulty.
My voice was nearly closed up.
"Here drink this" he said giving me a glass of water.
"Bella, I know that you are not fine. Please don't hide the truth to spare my feelings." He continued. His face was full of concern and regret. He looked like he was going to apologize again.
"Edward if you apologize one more time I will never talk to again." I said. I knew my voice was raised to few octaves.
Within seconds he was holding me close to his chest.
"Calm down love please. I won't apologize I promise."
I didn't know why I screamed at him. I think the medicine was messing with my head or may be the sickness was making me frustrated.
I smiled apolitically.
"Sorry Edward I don't know what made me react like that. I am really sorry."
"It's fine. It was my mistake. I should not have tried your patience by continuously apologizing."
"It's not that Edward. I know you feel guilty but it's not necessary. Look, I know you wanted me to see and experience how wonderful it was to actually feel the rain.
I never really liked it but being with you in rain made me forget all my previous feelings and really feel and enjoy it.
You showed me how beautiful it is to get lost in the sensation rather that thinking of anything else and it was wonderful. It was one of those moments that I would like to remember for the rest of eternity.
Now I know that I got sick because of it but it is still a beautiful memory. So don't spoil it by feeling guilty."
"I am sorry love. I never thought about it that way. I guess we should try to see the good in it rather than arguing. Now enough with all this, it is time for your medicine."
I made a face earning a chuckle from Edward as he handed me the medicine. When it was time for cough syrup I protested.
"It makes me loopy Edward." I said truthfully.
"It's ok love. Don't worry I love loopy Bella too." He said with a huge smile which made me loopy without the syrup.
I was tracing patterns on his chest when I realized that the day light was fading informing us that the day was ending. I also realized that Charlie would be home by now.
I tried to sit up but Edward's arms holding me stopped it.
"What is it love?" he asked.
"Edward, I have to get home. Charlie will be back soon. I know he hasn't said anything but I don't think he will appreciate that I am at your house all the time. Not to mention the fact that we didn't leave a note."
"Relax love. Carlisle already called him. In fact he will be here soon." He said kissing my hair.
Suddenly I realized that Charlie would definitely insist on taking me home and I was pretty sure that he would be constantly checking on me once we are there effectively stopping Edward from sneaking into my room. Not to mention the ride home without Edward.
I was starting to panic thinking about it. I knew being away from him physically hurts but adding sickness to the mixture would definitely kill me.
"It's ok love. I am sure Esme and Alice will be able to convince him to let you stay with us." Edward assured me but I was still worried.
He started to kiss down my jaw all the way to my neck distracting me. I knew he was doing it on purpose but I was far gone to care.
"Love, would you like to be on the couch downstairs or stay here when Charlie visits?" he asked.
"I think it would be better if I was downstairs. I don't think he will appreciate the fact that I in your room."
"We can always pretend that it's the guest room." He said with a mischievous smile.
"Are you kidding? This room screams your name. Besides, this place is personal to me. I don't want to share it with anyone else even if it is my own father."
"Ok then let's get my lady downstairs." He said lifting me in his arms.
"Is it really necessary? I have got legs you know." I said giggling.
"What kind of gentleman would I be if I let my beloved walk down the stairs when she is sick? Besides you carry my heart so it's just a way protect it."
"Edward, you do realize that it was really cheesy right?
"It's all part of the charm, love." He said winking at me making me giggle.
He laid me on the couch wrapping me in a couple of comforters. I protested but he was having none of it. He also made me wear the beanie with ear flaps.
"Oh look the teletubby is back!" Emmett shouted as he ran into the room.
I groaned remembering how he teased me by calling me teletubby when we went for the meeting with the Quileute elders. I glared at him making him laugh some more.
Soon we were joined by other Cullens.
"How are you feeling Bella?" Carlisle asked.
"I am fine." I said making Edward groan.
"Maybe not fine but I think the medicines are working. I feel loopy because of the cough syrup." I corrected making everyone chuckle.
Carlisle took my temperature and checked my pulse. He seemed satisfied by the results.
Edward told him about my concern about being away from him and they all agreed that it was better if I was here rather going with Charlie.
Soon Alice informed us that Charlie would be here in few minutes. Edward reluctantly left my side to sit with Alice while Esme took his spot holding my hand.
The doorbell rang making me nervous. Esme squeezed my hand to comfort me. I looked at Edward to see that he was restraining himself from jump up and running towards me.
I gave him a small smile to reassure him.
Soon Charlie came rushing towards me.
"Bells, are you ok?" he asked.
"I am fine dad. Just a slight fever and closed throat. Carlisle gave me medication so I will up running soon. Though I don't think Edward will allow me to run. He says I trip but its ok because he loves me." Edward cleared his throat to get me to stop my rambling but loopy medicine turned off my verbal filter.
"It's ok anyway because he catches me before I fall. My own personal superhero daddy." I knew I was lost cause when I called Charlie daddy because I had never called him anything other than dad for long time. Guess the cough syrup was a bad choice.
I could see the Cullens especially Emmett trying really hard from laughing except for Edward who looked nervous.
"Love, it is ok. He knows that. Maybe you should sleep now. Charlie, it is the cough syrup talking." He said turning to Charlie.
"Don't be nervous silly he won't hurt you. He loves me and I love you so he loves you too. What is not to love?" I asked feeling all proud for stating the obvious.
Charlie looked speechless. Carlisle soon took over and told Charlie that I was ok. He explained the medication etc. he suggested that it would be better for me to be here as Esme would be able to take care of me better. Charlie protested but agreed when Carlisle insisted and promised that I would be under supervision all the time.
I was silent the whole time. Suddenly I felt the urge to talk.
"Daddy, I love you." I said.
Charlie looked shocked but responded with a smile.
"I love you too bells."
"I know daddy. I love the Cullens too. I love Esme, Carlisle, Rose, Alice, Jasper and Emmett too even though he calls me teletubby. I love Edward too. He makes me feel beautiful and special. He makes me better. He ..." I was cut by Edwards's voice.
"Bella, I am sure Charlie knows that. Come on love you should sleep now."
"But I want to tell him how wonderful you are and how much you love me." I protested.
"Edward is right Bella. You should sleep. We can talk to Charlie tomorrow." Esme said helping me up.
"Ok. Love you daddy."
"Love you too bells." Charlie responded.
Esme helped me up the stairs and into bed. She tucked me. Soon I was asleep.
I woke up when I felt my eyelids being kissed.
"Good morning beautiful. How are you feeling today?" Edward greeted me.
"Much better." I replied. I did fell much better. My voice was still off but it was better and did feel stronger.
Suddenly I remembered what had happened the previous day and my face turned red as a tomato.
"Let me guess. Thinking about yesterday?" he asked with a chuckle.
"Did that really happen?"
"I am afraid so love. I tried to stop you but you were on a roll." He laughed.
"Edward it's not funny. How will I ever face Charlie now? Oh god!" I pulled my comforter over my face.
"It's ok love." He said pulling the comforter away from my face.
"How can you say that? Is he angry with me?"
"No love, he is not. He was amused but was little concerned about us."
"What do you mean?"
"He thinks you are too attached to me. He is afraid that I might break your heart or you would end up like your parents." He said with a sad expression.
"Edward, you of all people know that we are different. We are mates for god's sake. You know that we would never survive without each other."
"I know Bella. But I want him to trust me."
"Edward, he barely knows you. He thinks you are seventeen year teenager trying to steal his daughter." I said laughing.
"Well technically he is right. I am indeed seventeen and fully intending to steal his daughter."
"You know what I mean."
"I know love. You know me. I guess I just over reacted. I just want him to like me and trust me."
"He does Edward. He may get carried away when it's about me but I know he likes you. He is just being a dad."
Suddenly my stomach alerted us of my hunger.
The day passed soon with me and Edward cuddling and Emmett teasing. Soon it was time to go Charlie's. I was upset of leaving the Cullen house but missed my dad. Esme packed food for Charlie which I thanked her for.
Edward took me to Charlie's. I was sad as the Cullen house felt more like home to me than Charlie's.
I clung to him when it was time for him to leave even though he would be back soon. He kissed me gently promising that he would be in my room when I get there.
"Dad…! I am home…!" I called out as I walked into the house. My voice was still not normal but it was much better.
"In here Bells." he called from kitchen.
I went into the kitchen and sat on the chair.
"Esme sent you dinner." I said placing it on the table.
"That's kind of her. Did you eat?"
"Yep"
"How do you feel kiddo?"
"Much better dad." My face flooded with redness as I thought back to the previous day but Charlie seemed oblivious to my reaction. He looked thoughtful.
"The Cullens seem to be more attached to you"
"Yeah they are."
"So… you and Edward seem to be closer."
"Yeah. He is great." I didn't know where he was going with this.
"Well I know you are grown up but I am your father. It's my responsibility to look out for you. You are young and I trust you to be responsible to...you know…" he was struggling.
That when it clicked and I suddenly jumped up from the chair.
"Dad, if it's about sex, don't worry about it. Mom got it covered besides Edward is old school so don't worry." I was sure I was going to put tomato to shame with the color of my face.
"Old school? is that a new …" he did not complete before I cut in.
"Ok dad. I am a virgin so don't worry." I said as fast as I can.
"Ok, ok, fine. I didn't need to hear that. Ok go, lie down or something..." he said. His voice rising and his face blushing.
I walked as fast as I could from the room but I was sure I heard Charlie mumbling "I think Edward is not that bad after all."
I reached my room to find Edward laughing.
"It's not funny Edward." I said as got into bed.
"Love, it was pretty funny."
"Edward…"
"Ok love I won't laugh. But you have to admit that it was pretty funny"
I huffed crossing my arms.
"Sorry love. I promise I won't laugh again. Now try to get some sleep we have school tomorrow."
I groaned thinking about school. I was sure that new gossip about me would be in full force since I was absent for a few days along with the Cullens.
"Sleep my love." I heard Edward whisper before falling asleep.
A/N: wow 300+ reviews. I am sooo happy. thanks for all your reviews. They mean so much to me. Love you all.
The 'cough syrup making me loopy' is actually my own experience. I have no filter when I take those syrups. It is like truth serum and drugs mixed in one. I can't seem to shut up. Anyway hope you like the chapter. Pls review to let me know.
