Chapter 7—Relaxation is the Best Medicine
There must be quite a few things that a hot bath won't cure, but I don't know many of them.
Sylvia Plath
Bella's POV
After being shown which room would be mine, I walked through Edward's bedroom and into his bathroom. I'd been in this room twice but hadn't taken the time to look around—I was too frightened. It was huge. My small childhood bedroom could fit inside at least two times. The bathroom was mostly black and white marble with silver accents.
I set my bags next to the sink nearest the bathtub. From one bag, I took out all my toiletries. I read the label on the shampoo bottle—Strawberry. The bottle fell from my hand. My hands flew to my mouth as it hit the floor and bounced. I hadn't mentioned my preference in shampoo scent, and I certainly didn't pick the product out.
How did Alice or Edward know? Was it a guess on their part? Or had they just picked out something they thought I would like? I had too many questions with no answers until I asked for them.
I went back to the bags to pull out a terry cloth robe and, as I did so, another bottle tumbled out. A little shriek of surprise escaped from me as the bottle rolled into the sink. With a shaking hand, I reached out and picked up the bottle—strawberry conditioner.
However Alice or Edward knew didn't matter; I silently thanked them. The scent of strawberries always relaxed me and reminded me of my mom giving me a bath when I was a child. I wiped away the wayward tear that had fallen at the thought of my mother. I missed her and Dad so much.
I swiped at my eyes again as I moved to the enormous bathtub, gathering my hair up into a messy bun. After turning the faucets on, I dropped a couple fragrant bath oil beads into the slowly filling tub.
The hot water lapped up over me as I settled in. Knots I didn't even know I had melted away. Sighing and closing my eyes, I immersed myself to the shoulders in the fragrant water, just relaxing—not allowing myself to think much on the cold or lukewarm showers I'd taken the past three years.
I took my time in washing, scrubbing every inch of my body and cleansing my hair twice. When I finally got out, almost an hour later, I felt like a new person.
Slipping into my robe, I cautiously made my way from Edward's room to the room he had indicated—right next to his. My breath caught in my chest moments after I walked into the room. Like Edward's, it was beautifully decorated. Earth tones of varying shades of green and brown welcomed and beckoned me farther into the peaceful escape.
The bed called to me. It was decorated with long lengths of wispy cream material that extended from each bedpost to the center of the bed where they were tied to a ring. The material was wrapped around each post, too.
I felt a bit faint. It was as if I had stepped from reality into a dream—my dream. I had no idea how it was possible, but I had dreamed of this room before.
I moved slowly around the room, running my hand along the dresser and touching the candleholders fitted with white candles. Gazing into the mirror, I found I was smiling and it was actually reaching my eyes. Through the mirrors reflection, I saw a clear vase filled with sea glass of varying shades of blues, reds, and greens. They were all colors of protection in one way or another. I knew blue was a safeguard used during sleep, green was for safety and healing, but how red worked I wasn't sure.
I shifted my gaze as I turned around. In one corner sat a chair, and piled in front and on top of it were all the shopping bags. I didn't want to think about putting everything away and just grabbed the Victoria's Secret bag. After dumping it on the burnt orange and cream bedspread, I selected a pair of white boy shorts and a blue pajama set—pants and a cami. The pants were a little big even when I tightened the drawstring, but they didn't fall down. Luckily, the cami fit and was long enough to cover what the pants didn't—the top of the boy shorts.
After removing the tags from the rest of the pajamas and undergarments, I folded and placed everything in a dresser drawer. My gaze drifted to the rest of the bags. I sighed—might as well put everything away.
"I thought I'd better check on you," Edward said from the doorway sometime later, causing me to nearly jump out of my skin and shriek.
I had gotten used to the quiet, and his sudden voice frightened me. With my hand on my chest, I turned to face him.
"I'm sorry," he said, leaning against the wall. "I didn't mean to scare you. You've been in here for quite some time, and I was beginning to worry."
I stared at him. He was worried about me? I was used to being by myself when at home, not that my last residence was much of a home. Not knowing what to say, I motioned to the bags that were still on the floor and to the hangers on the bed, hoping that was enough of an explanation.
Edward's POV
I couldn't believe the number of bags there were. Apparently, I'd lost count after the many trips I'd made to the car. I'd been reluctant to leave Bella alone with Alice, but they were getting along and both had shooed me away. To say I'd been grateful when I got back from one trip to the car would be an understatement. In my absence, they had traversed Victoria's Secret. That would've been some experience for me. The last girl I dated had wanted me to go into a similar store with her, and I flat out refused—we'd broken up a short time later.
When Alice had pulled me to the side in one of the stores, I'd been mildly surprised by our conversation, not after what Esme had asked earlier when she and Carlisle met Bella.
"Edward, why didn't you tell anyone that you were dating again?"
"What are you trying to say?" I whispered, blatantly ignoring the question.
"Don't take this the wrong way. Bella is sweet, but I can't help thinking she's hiding something."
I stared at my baby sister, playing dumb. I knew she was hiding a few things from Alice. On the ride from the Embassy to Ian's shop, Bella was adamant about no one else being told about her captivity, and nothing I said changed her mind.
"Don't look at me like you don't know what I'm talking about."
"I don't. Please enlighten me."
"Well, I haven't been around her that long, but the way she stiffened when I hugged her is a start. Then, she screamed when one of the seamstresses touched her. What was that all about? Ian's her cousin and had no clue she was like that."
Great! Alice decides now is the time to be observant. "And you think I know what she's hiding?" I was outraged.
"You've been dating her. You can't tell me you haven't sensed anything odd about her."
The only odd thing I've noticed is my pull to be near Bella, I thought. I wasn't going to tell Alice that. "No. I haven't. I'm still getting to know her."
Alice said nothing, but her tight-lipped stare spoke volumes.
Shaking myself from that earlier chat, I looked up and noticed the time. Bella and I had gotten back over two hours ago. She should be out of the bath by now. I had fully expected her to come searching for me, but she hadn't. I prayed nothing had happened to her.
Making my way to her room, I found that the door was open. I had no clue what propriety called for in this situation. She was essentially a guest in my home, so I should respect her privacy, but then there was the open door—an invitation to come in. I decided it was safe to go part of the way into the room.
"I thought I'd better check on you," I said.
Bella gave a little shriek as she turned. Her right hand was on her chest.
My heart stuttered and nearly stopped when I took Bella in. She was radiant in the blue pajamas. My hands itched to draw her to me and kiss the living—
I shook my head. My thoughts were heading in a dangerous direction.
She stared at me and slowly motioned to the bags. The pile had shrunken some, but there were still too many to count littering the floor.
"Want some help?"
Bella continued to gaze questioningly at me with lowered eyelids. Her mouth was slightly opened, too. It was like she was stupefied by my offer. It took her a few seconds before she found her voice.
"You—you want to help me?" She pointed at me and then to herself. There was a hint of bewildered shock in her voice.
Her question slapped me in the face. Had Jacob never offered to help her with such a simple task? "Don't you want help?" I countered, putting the ball in her court.
Her expression slowly began to change to one of … appreciation?
"Ummmm … sure."
"I'll take care of all the hanging."
She pointed to the bed. "Everything there can be hung."
I flipped a switch on the wall intercom and soft piano music filled her room. "I hope you don't mind. I find music helps make the job easier and go faster."
She said nothing and went back to pulling items out of bags, folding and placing select tops and bottoms into the dresser. She handed me things from time to time.
The silence was getting to me. Not turning from my task, I said, "I was thinking that once we're done here, we could wander up to the home theater and watch a movie."
Nothing.
Not a single word.
"Only if you want to," I added. "I won't force you to do anything you don't want to."
Still nothing.
"I'll even let you pick the movie. I have a wide selection."
"No Strings Attached," she said in a small voice.
"I think I have the movie." I hung the last top and turned toward her, watching in horror as her face paled and she fell to the floor. "Bella!" I shouted, diving across the short distance between us and catching her head right before it hit the floor.
Remembering Ms. Cope's instruction from last night, I checked that Bella had a pulse and was breathing. I blew out a relieved breath. Her pulse was weak and slow, but present, and she was breathing.
Without Ms. Cope being at the house, I was afraid to leave Bella's side, but Carlisle had asked me to notify him if she fainted again. I felt my pockets, hoping that I had my cell with me. Luck was on my side. I had it.
"Hello?" Carlisle answered after the third or fourth ring.
"Bella's fainted again," I said.
"Where are you?"
"At home. In the bedroom next to mine."
"What's the code to the gate? I don't have the clicker you gave me."
"My parents' wedding anniversary."
"We'll be there in five minutes."
"You're close? Who's with you?"
"Esme's with me. We're at a dinner party a few doors down from your place, the Greenberg's."
"That was tonight. I forgot." I groaned. Dan and Martha were great neighbors and even better clients. For me to miss their party … I shook my head. There was nothing I could do about it now.
"Don't worry. Esme told them that you had a matter to take care of and it couldn't wait," Carlisle explained.
I ended the called a short time later. Bella hadn't moved, much like she hadn't the previous night. I didn't like that she was lying on the floor and moving her wasn't an option. Oh how I wished Ms. Cope hadn't taken the evening off; she'd let me know if it was safe to move her. I pulled two pillows from the bed and slipped them under her feet before covering her with the blanket. Not sure what else I could do, I stood and started pacing the room while tugging at my hair.
A short while later, a moan resounded from where she lay on the floor and had me back on my knees. "Easy," I said in a low voice.
Bella blinked up at me in confusion. It was like she didn't recognize me but at the same time did.
"You fainted," I said, leaning farther over her.
She blinked again and reaching a hand up, she touched my face. A gasp escaped her, and she withdrew her hand slightly. Slowly, recognition dawned in her deep, chocolate brown eyes. Those endless eyes drew me closer to her.
And that was how Carlisle and Esme found Bella and me. I was hovering over her, just inches away from kissing her.
"Edward!" Carlisle cried. "Has she stopped breathing?"
I moved away from Bella so fast that you would've thought I had been struck by lightning.
"Well, that certainly answers the question," Esme said, chuckling.
I glared at Esme. I was in no way mad at her, but my actions were puzzling the hell out of me. Standing, I swapped places with Carlisle.
Esme moved her head toward the door.
I shook my head. There was no way I was leaving. Something was wrong with Bella, and I was hell bent on finding out what was causing her fainting spells. "I'm not leaving."
Esme pointed toward the door. "Out!"
Her tone usually made me start and then obey, but I stood my ground. "I will not leave. I've been charged with protecting Bella, and protect her I will." My voice was firm and steady, leaving no room for question or argument.
Of course Esme was not going to be swayed and argued anyway. "She's not in any danger," she said, pointing to the door again.
"There is no way to know that for sure." I crossed my arms. I wasn't going anywhere.
"He can stay," Bella said. Her voice was small voice and sounded a bit scared.
I didn't know what to think about Bella wanting me to stay. The fact that Esme was trying to eject me from the room left my mind. Sitting on the bed, I watched as Carlisle examined Bella and listened as he asked her a few questions.
"Did you sense anything strange before you collapsed?" Carlisle asked.
That question struck me as odd.
"What makes you ask that?" I inquired.
"I'm not sure," Bella answered at the same time. "Maybe."
"Can you describe what you felt?" Carlisle asked as he helped her sit up.
Bella closed her eyes, sighing. "It felt like I was in a kaleidoscope. The room was a swirl, but not spinning, more like looking through a prism. It was disorienting. The temperature rose and the next thing I know, I'm looking up at Edward."
"Edward, did you feel a temperature change?" Esme asked, looking at me.
I was puzzled by what Bella said. "No. We were putting away clothes, I turned around and she was starting to collapse."
"Edward, call Malcolm," Carlisle instructed, turning to look at me. "Tell him what happened, and that he needs to get here as soon as he can."
I sat there and stared wide-eyed at my adoptive father for a long moment before complying with his request. How did he know Malcolm? I didn't take the time to ask. Pulling out my cell, I automatically dialed Malcolm's personal line, disregarding the late hour.
"Hello?" Malcolm answered groggily.
"I'm sorry to wake you, but Bella's fainted again."
"She what?" he asked, sounding wide awake now.
"She fainted. Carlisle is here and has examined her, but you're needed."
"I was afraid of this," he muttered. "I'll be at there in a half hour. Give her a cup of cocoa. It should help."
Before I could ask how cocoa would help, I heard dead silence on the other end and knew Malcolm had hung up.
"He's on his way." I stood and started to walk out of the room.
"Where are you going?" Esme asked, halting my progress.
"To the kitchen to make hot chocolate," I answered, stuffing my phone back into my pocket.
Fortunately, no one followed me. There was something I was missing, and it was clear to me that Carlisle and Esme were hiding whatever they knew from me.
They must have recognized Bella.
I had to trust that they would tell me if I needed to know.
A/N: First, I want to say this about the "strawberry" shampoo. I have a reason, and have hinted some in this chapter.
Second, don't hurt me for the "almost" kiss. True, both have feelings developing for the other, but I want it to be special and magical when they finally come together. It will be worth the wait.
Finally, thanks to JCat and Jennej for editing this chapter. I don't know what I would do without them. They both pointed out small things that I missed when I went through it, they even found a slight plot-hole that would have caused a few questions.
Be safe this week, and watch for trick-or-treaters.
Oh, pictures have been posted on my Facebook group, Stories by Swervin35. The links is on my profile.