Edward's POV
I was thinking of skipping school and going to see Bella when Alice told me that the mutt was there with her since she had trouble seeing Bella again. So I decided to go to school. Bella would be missing school work while she got better and I decided it would be best if I took down notes for her. I remembered how meticulous she was about her notes and thought she would be happy to have me help her.
"That's a good idea Edward. I'll do the notes for the classes she has with me. The only class we don't have with her is gym so she won't miss any of her notes."
Alice thought to me from downstairs. I quickly put on the clothes she laid out for me. Only two pairs of underwear? No way. I put on three and put another five in my school bag just to be on the safe side. I started going downstairs and I was almost to the living room when I saw Alice talking to Carlisle.
"Where can I buy extra absorbent material Carlisle?"
"What would you want absorbent material for Alice?"
Look what you make me do. Now I have to lie to Carlisle. She was scolding me. What?
"What do I have to do with your shopping Alice?" I looked at her in surprise.
"Well it's for the project I'm doing for you Edward." What?
Just then Emmett walked in.
"She means the air freshener project she's doing to help Edward with Bella's psychological evaluation you asked him to do Carlisle."
Now it was Carlisle's turn to look at me in surprise.
"Yes. It's for the project I'm doing remember?" I gave Carlisle a desperate look.
"You had better explain what is going on Edward. I'll go along with this just this once. I guess you are keeping something from Emmett right? And I'm guessing it has something to do with the date you went on with Bella."
I nodded yes at him. I was in deep trouble.
"What's that got to do with absorbent material?" Carlisle thought at me.
I shook my shoulders to show I didn't know and looked at Alice for an explanation.
"I'm trying to learn how to make your underwear more absorbent Edward. It is to protect your modesty. Do you think wearing three pairs of underwear will protect you? I have no idea how many times you might want to …you know relieve your self and the decision is made in an instant. So there may not be time to take precautionary measures before hand. There are special material that can be used to absorb a lot of moisture. So if I can get the material make some new underwear it should do the job. Remember the spring catalog? I thought the stuff there looked sexy. I don't like your plain boxers. I'm sure Bella would like to see something more sexy on you." Alice thought at me.
WHAT? I was mortified. I hid my head in my hands and sat down on the stair way. I hope Carlisle doesn't figure it out. My hope was in vain. He kept looking at me and then Alice his mind working. He remembered the clothes from Saturday and how Esme told him what they smelt like and then he thought of how they would have got wet and how it could have been prevented had I been wearing something more absorbant. A slow smile spread across his face.
"Now I know Edward. Believe me it's a good idea."
Oh no! He didn't just say that. I was not going to wear anything from that catalog! They are simply too scandalous to even consider! But how can I enlighten Carlisle without getting Emmett suspicious? I put my school bag in front of me to cover more of me. I knew it didn't make much of a difference but I could have drilled a hole in the stairway just then to hide myself. To say I was humiliated is an understatement.
He looked at Alice.
"You can get them at .. ." Carlisle rattled off a long list of clothing manufacturers.
"Thanks Carlisle." "You'll look cute in the sexy collection Edward" The little pixie gave me a wicked smile.
I glared at her.
This is not happening to me! Not again.
"What? What would absorbent material have to do with air fresheners and Bella's evaluation?" Emmett laughed at his own joke.
Let's see how she gets out of that one. Then I realized she was on my side and prayed that she could come up with a brilliant explanation.
"Well the special material would absorb moisture so we can use a liquid air freshener and make it last longer and Edward can carry it around in his bag to dispel the scent of blood when he is with Bella."
She really should join the secret service. She was really and truly highly skilled. But then again I realized you needed people like Emmett to believe her. He never did take the time to analyse things that closely or he would have realized that something fishy was going on. I was thankful that Rosalie was out with Esme.
"Oh ok. You let me know if you need any help from me bro to change the special stuff or something." And he slapped my back.
Carlisle burst out laughing and covered it off as a cough. "I've got to hear what happened on Saturday Edward. You still owe me an explanation. I'll talk to you soon son."
I nodded ok. There was nothing to it. There was no way of avoiding talking with Carlisle. Guess I would have to face it head on. I hoped it wouldn't go that badly.
"You owe me more Edward, may be a nice little handbag to go with the dress."
I nodded yes at Alice as I went towards the Volvo with her to go to school.
Once we got to school I decided to forget about the whole underwear thing and get on with the note taking. I was glad that I could at least do something Bella needed for her. I don't know whether she would accept my help but I was going to do it anyway. I got the notes I had missed from yesterday as well so I that had a complete set of notes for both days.
As soon as school finished we rushed over to the hospital. I drove by the police station to make sure Charlie would be at work before we made the visit since Alice still couldn't see Bella that well. Alice burst out laughing at this.
"Oh come on Alice. I don't want him to throw a temper tantrum at me again and I don't want that to happen in front of Bella, what if she agreed with him and asked me to leave?"
"Ok ok. I get it Edward you are scared stiff of the police chief; A human at that. I guess what I read about boys being scared of their girl friend's father is true. It's so fascinating that it applies to vampires as well."
When we walked in Bella was awake.
Alice ran to her and hugged her. "Hey, Bella we took notes for you. We even have the stuff you missed from yesterday!"
"Thanks Alice. That's great. I was so worried about how I was going to catch up. I will only be able to go back tomorrow. But I still wouldn't be able to write anything though."
"I'll write all your notes for you in the classes I have with you Bella." I smiled and told her.
"Thanks Edward". Wow she used my name and she even looked very pleased with me. I couldn't help smiling at her. She returned my smile.
"So how are you doing today?"
"I will be able to go home in the evening. I could have gone now but I have to wait for Charlie's shift to end."
I quickly volunteered to take her home. Bella agreed she was also happy to leave the hospital. Alice helped her take a wash once we got her home and we settled Bella on the living room coach.
"Can we go through the lessons we missed? Or do you have to leave now?" Bella asked us.
Alice shot a look at me and replied.
"I have to go to Jasper he's waiting for me to go hunting but Edward is free today. He can stay and help you." Alice is a life saver.
"Sure Bella I'll stay as long as you need my help."
"Thanks Edward."
I thanked my lucky stars that I took down the notes. We went through the work she missed for about two hours when Bella started grimacing. I noticed that she was holding her hand at an odd angle trying to find a comfortable position.
"Bella can I hold your hand and sort of apply a cold compress to relieve the pain?"
I could see she was in two minds about this but finally agreed.
Wow. I was going to hold her hand again!
I slowly sat next to her in the couch edge and took her hand in mine. I saw her shudder and I couldn't control the shiver that ran through my body. I looked at her to see her reaction and she was staring right back at me.
Bella's POV
I felt the pain lessen in my hand but at the same time I felt a sort of electricity running through me. Oh god no! I couldn't believe it. He still had the power to do things to my body. I couldn't help the shudder that ran through me. I pretended nothing happened and frantically tried to bring down my heart rate. I thought of the bathroom floor that needed scrubbing and anything else that I could think of. He was slowly leaning towards me. His eyes which were golden before turned smoldering dark black; while I watched. It was the same colour as Saturday when he looked at me after he fell off the bike. I recognized that look from long ago. This was dangerous. He wasn't hungry for blood. My instincts told me that and they also told me that I was in deep trouble. I can't let him hurt me again. I won't survive it. It will finish me.
For the first time in my life I was scared of Edward Cullen. I wasn't scared because he was a vampire. I was scared at the power Edward still seemed to have over me. I decided I should make some kind of a distraction to break the spell. I had to think of Charlie and Renee and the future I was going to create for them.
I summoned all my energy and thought of all the heart ache I suffered that day in the woods when he left me. This was the first time I had willingly remembered it. The bathroom floors were not helping me right now and I was desperate. I was also scared because I felt that my emotional flood gates were about to open. I will not let my self feel again. I will not let him hurt me ever again. I couldn't afford to do that. I had to remind that to my traitorous body. I felt the searing pain in my chest open up the wide gaping hole. I didn't care I let it take over me. I was still looking into those eyes and felt them turn golden then another odd colour. It reminded me of Edwards' eyes when Jane tortured him. I felt the blackness descend on me and everything felt numb. This was it I was inside my shell no one can touch me here.
Edward's POV
I was holding Bella's hand stroking it and felt my body responding to her proximity. I stared into her beautiful eyes. I saw need there. The same want I felt. I leaned into her, I was about to take her sweet lips in mine when I saw the fear in her eyes. Then it turned to terror. Next a depth of pain that shook me to the core. The pain I felt in my heart in response to her pain made my chest gape wide open. I froze. Her body convulsed and then she fainted.
I stared at my Bella in horror. Angela's memories of Bella the day I left her looked so similar. Oh! god what have I done.
I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket.
"I'm coming. Don't do anything just wait. I can't see her. I called Carlisle." Alice's voice was frantic.
I heard the sound of a bike outside. The dog was here. I heard him call out.
"Bells, where are you."
I rushed and opened the door.
"Leech what are you doing here?"
"I gave Bella a lift from the hospital."
"Where is she?"
He saw her on the coach and froze. His memories also flew to the day I left and the way Bella was laying on the coach that day.
"What did you do to her you blood sucker!" He yelled at me while grabbing hold of her and shaking her.
"Bells wake up. I'm here love. You are safe. No one will ever hurt you again love. Wake up." He kissed her forehead.
She opened her eyes and looked at him. The most beautiful smile spread on her face.
"My sun."
What did she mean her sun? I felt my heart breaking all over again. He loved her. And she knew it and it looked like she loved him too.
Then she saw me and gave me the same smile. I felt my heart hoping again.
"What… what are you doing here Edward?"
I felt myself smile at her but now I was very confused.
"I brought you home from hospital and helped you with your school notes. Don't you remember?"
She furrowed her brow and then nodded yes.
"I remember us going through the notes now. Thank you for helping. Did I fall asleep? I didn't mean to I must have been very tired."
What? I was sure I didn't imagine what just happened with us. The dog was looking at me now. I decided if Bella didn't want him to know what happened I will go along with what she says.
"Yes. You fell asleep. You've had a tiring day." She smiled again.
I heard Alice burst in with Carlisle.
"Bella, Bella are you ok?" Alice hugged her. The mutt moved aside as if burnt.
What did you do to her Edward? You idiot what did you do? She was screaming in her mind at me.
I looked at Alice stunned. What did she mean what did I do to her?
"Sure, sure Alice. Why is everyone here?" Bella asked her.
"Oh we just came into check on you." Carlisle told her.
He checked Bella over and she smiled at him.
"Edward, Alice thought something was very wrong with Bella because everything disappeared after she fainted. So she dragged me over. Bella seems to be ok. Sorry if I interrupted anything."
I nodded slightly in acknowledgement.
"I brought you and Charlie some food. I knew you wouldn't be able to cook today." Jacob told Bella. Then he turned to me and said.
"You can leave now I'll be staying with Bella tonight. I had a good nap so that I can guard tonight."
"Thanks Jake. Alice have you seen anything from Victoria recently?" Bella asked Alice.
"No Bella."
"Then I guess I would be safe for now and Jake will be with me. You can go home. Thanks again for helping me. See you at school tomorrow."
I reluctantly said good night to Bella but decided to stay close by in the forest near Bella's house.
"Come with us Edward. I need to talk to you and Bella needs to be by herself now. She needs space from you if you are planning on spending time with her tomorrow at school."
Carlisle left us to go to the hospital again. We drove home in the Volvo.
As soon as we got home Alice grabbed my hand and pulled me to the tree trunk near the river where we usually sit to discuss things out of the hearing range of our family back at home.
"Edward, what were you thinking? You were going to kiss her weren't you Edward? I saw it."
"Yes. Alice I saw in her eyes how much she wanted me to. She even let me hold her hand."
"She wasn't ready! I told you to let her take the initiative! I told you to just be
friends with her! You should have just held her hand and soothed her wrist. She wasn't ready for anything more. She doesn't trust you anymore Edward. I don't think she even knows whether she has feelings for you. You have to let her come to you of her own free will. You have to let her make that decision. Please try to understand this Edward."
"I'm sorry Alice I just got carried away. I wanted her so much. Why did she act like she didn't remember fainting or what she felt before that? I saw the pain in her eyes. Oh god Alice! she was in so much pain. And I was helpless to help her."
"Of course you were. You were the one causing it or caused it in the first place."
She looked angry now.
I held my head in my hands I had just become friends with her again and I had tried to become her lover. How foolish and insensitive, I had not thought of her needs. Not asked her whether it was ok to kiss her. Be close to her. My behaviour was deplorable.
"Edward, listen to me. I feel she's pretending nothing happened because she doesn't want to deal with it right now. So I think we should go with that. We should continue to be her friends and help in her studies."
"Ok Alice. I trust you. I will try my best to be a good friend to her. No more unsolicited advances I promise."
"Oh you mean amorous advances?" with that the little pixie started running towards the house screaming.
"Edward is making amorous advances on Bella."
What! The little traitor; I ran after her trying to grab hold of her. But I was too late.
What do you think will happen next?