Thank you to Iris, Midnight Cougar, ifyouweremine and SparklyMeg, as always

Sorry I didn't get to review replies. Life = crazy right now. I read every one and love seeing your thoughts on the story. Thank you.

Chapter 23

"Are you sure about this, honey?" Mom offered to help me find the spare blankets and pillows for Edward. We're currently in front of the closet at the top of the stairs, whispering quietly while Edward faces my dad. He thinks it's a little too convenient Edward doesn't have anywhere else to stay.

"Where else is he going to go, Mom?"

She opens the hall closet, and pulls out some old blankets and pillows for Edward's makeshift bed. "I just think him staying here isn't the best idea." She gives me the blankets, and we head back downstairs.

"Nothing's going to happen. He's on the couch, and I'll be upstairs. And it's not as if we're in that place, anyway." My stomach clenches at the thought, and I shake my head to clear my mind.

Mom, watching me intently, isn't as oblivious as I thought. "Hmm."

"Hmm what?"

"I know that look on your face. You were practically glowing when you arrived home."

I shrug. "We talked. That's all."

We stop once we get to the bottom of the stairs. "But he wants more."

I look to the couch where Edward's sitting. He's on the edge of his seat, rubbing his hands on his legs and talking to my dad. My dad nods a few times before they both sit back and focus on the television. I don't know what was said, but my dad's fighting a small grin.

"He says he does, that he always has. But I don't know…"

"Bella, I don't think he'd be here otherwise."

"I know. I'm just… I need to process what he told me. I mean, he told me why he stayed with Tanya, but he waited weeks to leave her. I feel like… like I'm second best or something."

She places her hand on my shoulder and squeezes softly. "Have you told him that?"

"No."

"Don't you think maybe you should?"

I nod. "I will. I just need to think without any distractions. Tonight's thrown me for a curveball. I don't even know how I'm feeling right now."

We both walk into the front room, and I place the blankets and pillows on the sofa next to Edward. My parents excuse themselves — my dad albeit reluctantly — and I sit in the chair he vacated.

"I'm sorry we don't have a spare bed for you."

He smiles. "Don't. I shouldn't have been so naive to think every town has city-like accommodations. It's nice of you and your parents to put me up. The couch will be just fine."

I stand and gesture to the kitchen. "Well, if you need anything, the glasses and mugs are in the cupboard next to the sink. My dad will be up early for his shift tomorrow, so I'm sorry if he wakes you. Um… Towels are in the closet by the bathroom, which is the second door on the right at the top of the stairs."

"Thank you."

"Um… If you need me, I'm the last room at the end of the hall."

He steps closer to me. "Am I allowed in there?"

I take a shaky breath. "If you need me."

He chuckles so low and raspy that the sound sends shivers down my back. "What I need?" His fingers trail up and down my arm, igniting something deep within my stomach. "What about what I want?"

He tries to close the distance between us, but I stop him with a hand on his stomach. He rests his on top and apologizes. "Sorry."

"I just… It might take some getting used to." I pull my hand away and take a step back. "You know where I am if you need me, right?"

"Sure." His eyes soften, and he sits back on the sofa. "'Night, Bella."

"'Night, Edward."

ooOoo

Upstairs, I get ready for bed in a daze. From the moment I arrived home to find Edward on my porch, my head and my heart have been conflicted. His words have been exactly what I needed — what I wanted — to hear, yet I can't forget the last few weeks. As much as I want to jump in head first without thinking of the consequences, I simply can't do it.

By the time I'm finished in the bathroom, the house is almost in complete darkness, lit only by the dull light coming from downstairs. My eyes are drawn to the top of the stairs where I can hear Edward moving about, no doubt making his bed. I stand there, barely moving, just waiting, until finally the light goes out.

Suddenly, it's like the air sizzles, as if there's some pull between us. I can still feel the tingle from where his fingers brushed up and down my arm, as well as his pounding heartbeat under my hand as it rested on his chest. It takes everything in me to go to my own room instead of sneaking downstairs.

Once in my room, I change quickly, pulling on an old t-shirt and a pair of boxers, before falling into bed. Sleep finds me easily.

ooOoo

It's still dark when I wake a short time later, and as hard as I try, I can't get back to sleep. I toss and turn, but knowing it has nothing to do with actually feeling awake and everything to do with Edward sleeping not too far away, I give up.

My mind's still too alert as it replays the events of the day. I remember how my heart fluttered at seeing Edward waiting for me on the porch. The fact he flew all this way just to see me, the news of his breakup, and my part in it send me into a tailspin.

Everything he said tonight was exactly what I wanted to hear, but believing him is proving to be more difficult. Every time I even think about saying yes and jumping in feet first, my head stops me.

I sigh and kick off the covers. With all this replaying in my head, I know sleep's a lost cause, so I head downstairs for some hot chocolate.

At least that's what I'm telling myself.

I tiptoe past my parents' room and down the stairs, missing the second step from the bottom, which has been known to creak.

"Couldn't sleep?"

I yelp, spinning around to face a very sleepy-looking Edward on the couch. He yawns, rubbing his eyes before looking back up at me.

"Edward!" I whisper-yell. "You scared the crap outta me!"

"Well, you weren't exactly quiet. You never snuck out of the house as a kid, did you?"

I point upstairs. "Police chief-dad, remember?"

"Right. So what're you doing up?" He throws his legs over, moving into a sitting position. He turns on the lamp next to him and wraps his blanket around his shoulder, yawning again.

He looks utterly adorable.

"Couldn't sleep," I admit.

"Sorry. Probably my fault."

I shrug. "I just have some things to think about."

"About me?"

"No… Yes…"

He looks down at his feet, elbows resting on his knees. "I won't let you down this time, Bella."

I forgo the hot chocolate I intended to make and take a seat next to him instead. He shares his blanket, and I cover my bare legs.

Silence surrounds us as we both figure out what to say. I don't know how to put all my thoughts into a sentence that actually makes sense, and I assume he's said all he can.

Everything lies with me for now.

"I… I think that's what scares me," I say softly. In the silence of the room, my admission feels huge, like I'm baring myself to him.

"Me letting you down?"

"I don't know if those are the right words. I just… You made me feel second best. Even now that you've ended things with her, I still feel like—"

"Bella, I—"

"Wait. Please let me get this out now." I wring my hands in front of me. "You've said from the beginning it was me you wanted, but you stayed with her. I had to plan your wedding, Edward. I even had to try on the friggin' bridesmaid dress." I laugh dryly. "It hurt so much. It just…"

"My words don't mean anything."

I shake my head. "No. Your actions went against everything you said."

My words hit home. Edward slumps forward, his hands now covering his face, and I know if I could see it, there'd be nothing but hurt and defeat. I don't want to hurt him, but he has to know how these last few weeks have affected me.

"I knew I'd made a mess; I guess I didn't realize how much."

"I just need some time."

He nods before finally looking up at me. Hurt laces his features briefly before he smiles softly. "I understand. So, should I go? Give you the time you need?"

I slide a bit closer to him so we're almost touching. "I need time, Edward, not space. All I mean is we're just going to have to take things really slowly. Prove to me you want me. Prove to me I can trust you."

ooOoo

A knock on my bedroom door wakes me the following morning. I moan, rolling over and hiding my head beneath my pillow.

"Sweetie? It's almost lunchtime."

I look up in time to see my mom peeking her head around the door. "You've slept long enough."

I moan again and flop back onto the bed. I stayed up talking to Edward until the tiny rays of sun began creeping along the floorboards. I knew my dad would be up for work soon after, so I quickly went back to bed. I didn't want us to have to face any awkward questions.

Giddy from my conversation with Edward, it took me a while to fall back asleep. He agreed we should take things slow, and neither of us could fight our smiles as he took my hand in his.

It was a start.

ooOoo

By the time I make it downstairs, I'm showered, changed, and absolutely starving. The smell of coffee lingers, and I can hear my mom singing along to the radio in the kitchen. I look for Edward and frown when I see his makeshift bed is gone with the blankets folded neatly on one side.

"Honey, you want some pancakes and bacon?"

My stomach growls in appreciation. "Yes, please."

I take a seat at the kitchen table while my mom works around me. I grin as she places a plateful in front of me, and I dig in immediately.

"You seem... happier."

"I do?"

"Hmm. That must've been some talk you two had last night."

I choke on my food, spitting out a few small pieces. "What? I mean… Where? How?"

She laughs. "You're not as stealthy as you think."

I roll my eyes. Clearly.

"So," she prompts. "Did you manage to sort things out?"

"I think so. I mean I told him about feeling second best, like you said, and we agreed we should take things slow."

"He said that?" She looks shocked.

"No, I did. He just agreed."

"And it's something you want?"

I shrug. "Yeah. I… There's something there. I can't just ignore it. I don't want to ignore it."

She smiles at me. "I'm glad everything's working out for you. You seem a lot happier than when you arrived."

"I am. I'd convinced myself Edward was a no-go area. To have him follow me across the country's a pretty big deal." I sigh. "We're gonna have our work cut out for us, but I think if we both want it enough, we'll be fine."

She frowns a little. "And his ex? Will she just go away quietly?"

I push my empty plate away. "I somehow doubt that, but we'll deal with her when the time comes. I'm not focusing on her now. Although… I should maybe check in with Jess." I can only imagine the shit storm Tanya's creating.

"Um…" I look back to the empty living room. "Do you know where Edward is?"

She grabs my plates, rinses them, and loads them into the dishwasher before answering. "Nope. He was on his way out this morning when I saw him. Said he had something to do, that he'd be back this afternoon."

I watch as she fights the smile on her face. "You know something," I accuse.

"Don't know what you're talking about."

"Liar."

She comes over and places on arm around my shoulders. "Bella, let him have his secrets. You told him he needed to prove it to you with actions, so let him."

I look up at her. "You spoke to him."

She grins. "I spoke to him."

"You know what he's planning."

"I know what he's planning." And with that, she goes upstairs, leaving me shocked, bewildered, and totally intrigued.

ooOoo

When one hour passes, I don't think anything of it.

When two hours pass, I start to watch the door.

When three hours pass and my dad returns from his shift with a knowing smile, I start to get irritated.

As four hours approach, I'm grabbing my car keys and on my way out the door when Edward walks in.

"Oh! You're here." He looks relieved but nervous.

"Where have you been?"

A mischievous look crosses his face. "Can you be ready in an hour?"

"Ready?" I question. "For what?"

He takes my hand, pulling me up from the couch. Instead of letting go, he pulls me close to him and cups my cheek.

"I'd like to take you on a date, Bella."

ooOoo

Thank you for reading!

Fic Rec: Thrust by exboyfriend - Navigating a town she left long ago, Bella finds herself caught in the midst of an age-old rivalry, an inked bad-boy and one complicated Edward Cullen. She'll be forced to choose between danger and safety, what her heart truly wants and what's best. This is the story of the thrills and the rush that serenade the calm and the hush, and this is the ride she'll be thrust into.

I know some of you are strictly E/B… if you are, I don't think this story will be for you. If you'd like spoilers, PM Me.