Edward had never seen anyone happier than Esme the moment she set eyes on Kate. Carlisle closed his office door behind them while Esme practically ran toward Kate and embraced her as if she hadn't seen her for years. It was a wonderful sight to see although Edward could hear Kate's verbal protests on her mother's affection, he was sure she didn't mind it too much. Edward was still reeling from earlier when Carlisle remarked how lovely it was to see such affection between a mother and daughter. Edward however was only half listening and Carlisle caught onto that immediately. There were times when Edward wished Carlisle didn't know him or understand him and yet the man knew him better than he knew himself. Written across Carlisle's face was the plainly obvious question followed by a barrage of questioning and intrusive thoughts.
'What did you do? What am I missing? What are you hiding?'
They were all thought that Carlisle had almost screamed at him in silence as they both watched Esme fuss over Kate to the extreme. Edward had no answers for Carlisle as he could barely register what had happened within him, let alone explain it to someone else. The idea that he could feel, feel more in those past minutes than in so many years before scared him and yet it was something he had longed for these past few decades. He had watched Alice and Jasper dance around each other, their love pure and childlike in its existence where as Rose and Emmett were two of the most physical people he knew. He had longed to find that one person who could relate to him, that someone whom he could love honestly and purely so much so that nothing else mattered. Standing there and watching Kate he felt like another life was possible, a life in which he was as much a human as she was and a life where he was no longer the monster he had condemned himself to be. Now he found there mere idea of such an all-consuming feeling irregular and confusing.
"Later Carlisle." Edward whispered as Esme looked across to the pair practically beaming.
Dutifully Edward smiled back toward her knowing that he would steal Carlisle away and see if he could coax any answers from the only man he considered to be a father. Edward could already hear the words of compassion and faith that Carlisle might speak and yet he wanted so badly to hear it from the man himself. He wanted to hear the voice of Carlisle Cullen, so resolute in his convictions that his words would be transformed into something more.
"Thank you so much for this Edward." Esme gushed, "I knew I could trust you with Kate."
If only she knew, Edward thought smiling and nodding appropriately. Perhaps if Edward had confessed the previous few moments to Esme her opinion would most likely be changed dramatically however he felt that keeping quiet was his best choice. After all, a sudden gushing confession was the last thing he wanted and of course to know what Kate felt was high on his list before such an admission.
"Look at the time. I cannot charge any more overtime here this week. Might I suggest that we leave and let Kate meet the rest of the family?" Carlisle suggested getting the feeling that Edward was keeping something rather significant from him.
In a split second Edward could see Esme's eagerness and Kate's doubts flit across their faces like books waiting to be read. Carlisle looked toward Edward and nodded before he reached and grabbed Kate's bag. Carlisle took his keys from his pocket as he held his arm out for Esme who took the outstretched arm almost immediately. Edward cautiously walked to Kate's side and smiled at her offering her his own arm, only to be met with a look that told him she was going to do everything the hard way. The girl was stubborn and fixated on not requiring help, two things which Edward could both understand and loath.
"You ever get that feeling that you are about to walk to your death?" Kate asked him quite honestly.
It was her innocent eyes and stare seemed to ask Edward to melt right there and then. He was sure there was going to be no trouble and no death but that all depended on how the others reacted to her. He couldn't deny that he was a little apprehensive about the meeting however if Carlisle deemed it would be safe then who was he to question it. Carlisle had rarely been wrong when it came to such matters and even then Edward trusted Carlisle with every fibre of his being. It was something he couldn't change now.
"No I cannot say that I have and you should not feel like that. Carlisle would not have suggested this if he thought there would be a great risk for you." He replied smiling.
His words met an air of sarcasm for Kate who simply grumbled nervously as she walked at a painfully slow pace. For Edward acting like human was easy enough, his already slow pace of walking could be mind numbing however this. This movement he could only liken to driving a sports car through rush hour traffic.
"Edward... just in case you failed to notice... those two" Kate said pointing to Carlisle and Esme who were walking a good few feet in front of them.
Both were nearly drooling on each other she thought as Edward laughed softly. Again she forgot that the mind reader was right beside her, it was one of those quirks that had been fun to begin with but became slightly annoying as time went on. She made a mental note to herself to watch what she thought before reminding herself he could hear every random word.
"Well do you really think they are even thinking or using their brains for anything other than a Jane Austin novel?" Kate added.
Edward saw her point though he would watch over Kate even if Carlisle and Esme seemed to be too enthralled with each other to do so. Love he thought, he had told Alice that if he ever went as soppy as her and Jasper or as sex crazed as Rose and Emmett to kill him out right. There was no way he could live like that; never in a lifetime or as many lifetimes as he had could he live like they did. For a long time he had been content with what he had, much like Carlisle Edward had no wish to find a mate or that elusive other half. That was until today. Today when he felt his world had been shaken to the core by a simple few seconds.
"Even if they are too caught up in each other you still have me. My family all know to behave; we have rules about eating house guests." He teased. "Everything shall be fine. Just stay close and try not to bleed anywhere!"
Edward chuckled as he saw her face light up again. The brilliant smile that flashed across her features enraptured him entirely. He wondered if she even knew the effect of her smile or simply the effect she had on him. It was then he felt Kate's arm move around his waist. He felt her lean against him as she stopped walking holding onto him as the heat ebbed away against his cool skin. For a moment he paused and wondered what the correct response was though before he had a chance to think too much about it he found his arm around her shoulders. Holding her to him instinctively as if she was a long-lost treasure he had just found.
"Is everything okay?" Edward asked curiously glancing down at her.
In an instant Edward could see why she had stopped moving. Her other hand was clutched to her side again and her thoughts were mostly focused on the pain that radiated there.
"I just need a minute." She gasped softly, "Sorry about this."
"Kate we should get Carlisle..."
"NO." She almost yelled staring up at him, "Edward, please can I ask for your help?"
The question caused Edward to stare right back at her. He was lost by the fact she was actually asking and not insisting she could do everything herself. He considered calling Carlisle back however against his better judgement he nodded to her.
"Anything you need Kate, anything at all." He replied keeping a firm grip on her.
"Maybe just a little slower with the walking if that is okay?" She asked taking a few mind numbing slow steps.
Edward fought the urge to groan at the prospect wondering if they would make it to the entrance of the hospital by nightfall however for Kate he would keep the snail's pace without question. It took Esme and Carlisle only a few minutes to reach the black Mercedes in the parking lot. Kate and Edward appeared about ten minutes later seeing Esme and Carlisle both seated comfortably in the front seats of the car chatting away to each other while Esme kept checking on their progress.
"Hang on." Edward said.
Kate could hardly register that her feet were no longer on the ground as she found herself looking at the back of a headrest inside the car. Carlisle and Esme both turned to face her as Edward appeared at the other side of the car and slid in gracefully. She reluctantly let out a breath as Edward grinned and pulled the car door shut.
"Don't do that to me please... I don't work at lightning speed." Kate muttered sarcastically seeing the three faces staring at her.
"Are you ready to go?" Carlisle asked softly seeing Kate nod in response.
The car took off slowly at first before the speed increased little by little. Kate found that her hand automatically tightened on the door as her eyes struggled to take in the road and trees. It became a blur when the car hit the main road and then she felt the sudden coolness on her hand. Edward had moved his hand over towards hers while his arm found its way around her shoulders again. Kate leant against him trying to reconcile the unnatural safeness that came over her when he was around. Edward could see the eyes of Carlisle and Esme taking their glances at the pair of them. Esme's thoughts of how wonderful it was her daughter finally had a good friend and Carlisle's thoughts that consisted of a soft warning and cautiousness. Edward tried to ignore them both staring out of the window and smiling as he felt the heat from her warm him considerably.
"Try not to look out of the window." Edward said as Kate stared at the back of the car seat.
Her thoughts were distant though Edward knew she didn't like the speed they were travelling. A sudden image of the crash flashed into her thoughts as Edward held her protectively. He listened to her heartbeat quicken while her grip on his hand became tighter and tighter with every passing minute. It did not hurt him but Edward knew she was scared if not terrified of the cars fast speed. Something he had not thought twice about when they had left the hospital. He had always found if he failed or was scared of something the easiest way to get over things was to do it again. That was fine for a vampire but not for a human. The car took a sharp left as they began to travel along the road to the house. Edward pointed out of the tinted window toward a multi-story house set into the forest. It was like something from a fairy tale she thought. Tall glass windows on almost every side held the features of the most amazing house she had set eyes upon.
"Amazing." She gasped as Edward chuckled.
"It is rather good for jumping from and easy access for hunting and it has lots and lots of light and open space. What more could we ask for." Edward explained.
Kate shrugged as she tore her gaze from the house. It was odd to be staying somewhere so extravagant, even the cottage in the middle of the forest was a project that they had spent enough on for it to be habitable rather than 'done up'. It was the bare minimum of repairs that were needed and anything more could be dealt with later on. Yet the Cullen house was practically a palace to her.
"And there was me thinking vampires lived in coffins... how silly of me. It's the nice houses and supermodels to look out for." She said without thinking.
It seemed to make Carlisle laugh and Edward smile sheepishly. Her sense of humour was a little sarcastic though he felt she would get along with Emmett well. It was edging toward mid day as the car pulled up alongside the house. Carlisle and Esme of course left Edward and Kate to make their way into the house. Edward watched Carlisle take Kate's bag from the trunk of his car before he led Esme inside. This was it. The end of her life Kate thought as she felt herself carefully lifted from the car once again. Totally against her wishes but for some reason beyond her understanding Edward seemed to disregard them.
Edward stood beside her, his eyes looking toward the house and then toward her a little eager for her to meet the rest of his family. Kate on the other hand was more sceptical and a little tense to say the least. It was a complete change from the hospital when all she wanted was to get out of there. Walking into a house full of vampires, her only worry would be if they liked her if she was a vampire herself however there was just that small significant factor of being human. Step one is how to stay alive she thought to herself. Step two is to live long enough to say hello and three to get to say goodbye. A three-stage plan and one she hoped she could put into action. Again that sturdy and solid arm was around her waist leading her up the steps to the open front door. Edward was talking but Kate could not hear a word. Her eyes fixed upon the door frame waiting for someone to jump out and kill her. She was so sure her life was over she forgot to breath and ended up gasping slightly.
A worried glance was given to Edward from her as he merely smiled reassuringly. Already the family had caught her scent and no one was having and trouble with her Edward was sure. However she was not standing in front of his family just by the front door. Slowly they walked around the corner and into a pristine living room. White sofas and chairs decorated the open space around a marble fireplace. Such a grand house she thought as they walked towards Carlisle and Esme who were standing talking in the kitchen. A warm smile graced both their respective parents' faces as Edwards lopsided grin appeared. Kate looked around seeing no other family members and for a moment she let herself relax. The tension she had felt seemed to disappear as Carlisle cleared his throat preparing to speak.
"ALICE... JASPER... Can you come down here please?" Carlisle asked.
Kate noted that the only raised part of his tone was that of their names. Otherwise Carlisle was talking as if they were in the same room. Before Kate had blinked Edward and Esme had switched places. It took Kate a moment to realise that her mother had taken the place of Edward and was currently steering her around to look at a two teenagers much like herself. The first was a short; pixie like girl with a smile to rival all others gave quick glances between Kate and Esme. Her eyes darting over their every feature as she appeared to dance towards them. The girl threw her arms around the neck of Esme greeting her with a small kiss on the cheek and a brief hug. Kate gulped as the girl turned her attention towards her.
"Hello Kate, I'm Alice Cullen." She said, as Kate nodded.
The teenager who stood behind her took a few steps forward. He was only a little taller than Alice, with the same pale complexion and golden eyes yet he seemed to wear a tortured look. Something Kate found both alarming and curious. Alice took Jasper's hand and held it out to Kate motioning for her to take it. Reluctantly she shook his hand as Alice seemed pleased with the action.
"This is Jasper Hale my husband. It is a pleasure to meet you both. I am glad that Carlisle offered our home to you. This means I have two more victims." Alice said all too happily.
Kate shot a worried glance toward Edward who simply rolled his eyes passively. In an instant Kate considered running for the door as she took a step back only to bump straight into Esme. The small bump caused her to wince slightly before regaining her cautious look. It was only when she looked back toward Edward she noticed that he was in a deep conversation with Carlisle and it was a conversation that she couldn't hear.
"Oh pardon my manors I do not mean victim in that way. My family all suffer from my great sense of style and to have two more subjects to work with is a dream come true. You would be willing to let me try out some new styles with you both. Carlisle is a less than willing subject and so are Edward and Emmett. Jasper has a little more tolerance for me though." Alice rambled.
'The hell I will be a victim of Alice' Kate thought as Esme smiled and nodded towards Alice.
"That is a lovely offer Alice. I am sure that we will both help you with what we can." Esme said as Alice danced from foot to foot.
Someone so excitable at the prospect of new people in a house was a new concept for her. Either Alice was on some form of vampire happy pill or she was just too happy for her own good. Kate turned her thoughts to Esme as she realised that she had surrendered them to the fate of Alice Cullen. 'Traitor' she thought as Edward chuckled looking back toward them both.
"Nice to meet you Alice and Jasper." Kate said almost forgetting talk.
Her eyes scanned Jasper who kept a respectful distance no doubt having trouble with the fact she was a living breathing human being. It was an awkward silence that fell over the room with no one volunteering any words or question. Again Carlisle broke the temporary silence that had covered them all.
"Well now since you kids have been introduced." He began.
'Don't say it' Kate thought as she closed her eyes for a brief moment wishing that she had said something before Carlisle. 'Don't you dare leave?' She thought as Edward seemed amused by the goings on.
"Esme, I promised to show you my book collection in my study. Shall we?" He asked holding out his arm as Kate watched her mother take it.
'Mutiny... Traitor, abandon ship' Kate thought as she watched Carlisle lead her mother up a flight of stairs. She felt suddenly vulnerable stood in the kitchen with three vampires and no hope of any escape. It had been different when it was just Edward there, for some reason she felt safe and protected when he was there but now. Now she felt alone and nervous at what was to come.
"I bet books isn't the only thing he wants to show her either!" She said without thinking too much about whose company she was in.
Her comment received several hoots of laughter while Kate turned a deep shade of red. Her eyes were cast directly at the floor immediately in front of her wishing she could just fall through it. 'God I need and internal edit system' She thought as she picked at her fingers not having the guts to look at the three faces around her.
"Don't worry about Esme. She will be fine, Carlisle is about to bore her with books that is all." Alice said as Jasper smiled clearly amused.
Kate looked at their faces surprised to see not a hint of ill feeling or even annoyance at her comment. It made her smile as she shrugged tentatively. Jasper walked and sat down on a chair that was across on the other side of the room. Kate just blinked and he appeared there without any kind of warning while Alice suddenly became vacant as Edward looked towards his sister.
"Carry her Edward. She trips by the sofa" Alice chimed.
Kate again did not have time to think before she was placed gently at the end of the sofa. A sharp pain in her chest caused her to yelp slightly though as soon as it was there it disappeared. She watched as the three concerned faces all crowded around her fussing over how she was sitting and what she looked like.
"What's wrong? I did not mean to hurt you... CARLISLE!" Edward yelled as Kate shook her head.
"I'm fine Dr Cullen. Edwards being a drama queen." She called hoping that he heard her.
She did not want fussed over especially not by those who wanted to eat her. Alice grinned as she nodded in a silent agreement with her drama queen comment.
"It's just my ribs... Moving tends to make them hurt, breathing does that too, along with every other possible thing I do. Though walking I haven't done much of that." She said sarcastically as Alice giggled.
"I like her already." Alice announced jumping gracefully onto the sofa next to her.
Edward took up a place next to Jasper who held a blank stare over toward them something that was both off-putting and borderline nerve-wracking.
"Carrying you so you don't fall, it's for your own safety. I can see things coming. Edward is fast enough to get to you as we all are. So don't worry you have a family of vampires watching over you." Alice said as Jasper chimed in with his opinion.
"Battle plans. I have been planning for three days straight. Emmett managed to get your timetable from school and we have worked out that apart from gym class. One or two of us will be with you or near you at all times. So you are going to be the most well protected human in Forks."
For some reason Kate had a strange feeling about Jasper. He did not look at her the way Alice or Edward did. There was something she found strange about him and even down to his planning of whom was going to be around her. It was odd but she shrugged it off after all where was there a safer place to be than in a house full of vampires?
"Erm thanks I guess. Jasper, I do appreciate this... But please don't go out of the way." Kate said as Edward smirked.
"Jasper just wants an excuse to plan a strategy." Edward explained, "Alice if you are going to ask then ask but please stop asking me what I think!"
Kate caught the tail end of a glare directed at Edward as she looked at Jasper who was held an amused look. Kate chose to do the same as she looked to Alice. 'Not a guinea pig... Please' she thought as the girl seemed to be extremely excitable about things Kate had no idea.
"Fine Edward. So Kate, in your current condition us taking you out would not be wise. So movies... We have a whole selection of them. I can make you popcorn as well; I shall be back in two minutes." Alice said.
With that she threw the TV control to Jasper before she darted to the kitchen and the sound of pots and pans being moved around filled the room. Kate watched as Jasper flicked from channel to channel at speed while Edward stared at the screen. Kate could not keep up as the screen flashed from one scene to the next. Perhaps Edward was having more luck keeping up but then he was a lot faster than she was.
"Dracula? Now there is a film, not extremely accurate though the special effects are tolerable." Jasper announced as Edward laughed.
"It wouldn't be a film without garlic and crosses. Oooh coffins too." Edward added.
For lack of understand Kate was glad when Alice returned even if it was to fill her in on why Dracula was not extremely accurate. In her hands balanced large glass dish filled to the brim with popcorn. The sweet smell made Kate's stomach rumble a little as Alice placed it down on the sofa.
"For you my new human friend" She said as she rolled her eyes looking at the film choice.
Again Alice sat beside Kate in a trance like state for a few minutes. The smile on her face seemed to be content and happy as Jasper waved for the popcorn dish to be passed across. Kate passed it over; without much of a thought but soon small missiles of popcorn began to be thrown between Edward and Jasper. It did not take long for the supply to run out as they stopped and looked at the damage. The floor covered in popcorn and Alice had a few pieces stuck in her hair which seemed to only make Edward and Jasper happier. Alice drew her legs up onto the sofa and watched as Jasper shoved Edward from his seat and they began to tousle. Kate began to giggle instantly regretting it as short stabs of pain shot through her as she took to grinning instead.
"How really pathetic." A voice chastised.
Jasper and Edward subsided their short bout glancing behind the sofa their hair covered in popcorn and sly grins covered their faces. Alice helped readjust Kate to see Rose. There stood a tall and extremely beautiful blonde woman who looked as if she had been pulled straight from the pages of Forbes magazine. Kate smiled at the girl only to receive a glare in return. Kate lost her happy face as she just looked plainly at Rose trying to decide what to do for the best.
"I take it this... is the human." Rose scoffed before making a rude gesture towards Kate as she walked around to the front of the sofa, her eyes never leaving Kate. "Hmm... nothing special about her. What do you think Emmett?"
Rose shot a glance towards the window as Emmett bounded through it. Kate felt a little fear as the woman spoke; her heart nearly doubled its pace as Emmett stepped into the room from the window. He landed with surprising grace considering his size. 'I am gonna be killed by a giant' she thought as Edward cracked out laughing. The only none threatening part about the man was his goofy smile. Kate tried to push herself as far back into the sofa as possible the moment Emmett walked towards her. He stopped just short of her as he laughed; it was a loud booming laugh that she was sure could make the glass in the windows shake.
"Not made my mind up yet Rose. Want to hear a joke?" Emmett asked as Alice turned to Kate.
"Say no. You really do not want to get him started." Alice warned.
Kate noted the almost pleading tone in Alice's voice as Emmett huffed. He turned around for a moment before he turned back again the same smile etched on his face.
"Too late. What do you get if you cross a vampire bat and a mummy?" Emmett asked, as Alice smacked a hand to her head.
Alice moved over to Jaspers lap on the floor as Emmett stretched out on the sofa, placing his arm around the back of his head while Rose stood and tapped her foot in annoyance. Emmett took up most of the space on the sofa and even with the small area Kate was using she was sure if he wanted to he could easily use that space too.
"I don't know" Kate's voice barely audible.
"A flying band-aid or a gift-wrapped bat." He said laughing. "Now tell me that wasn't a good one. Been working on it for a day or so now... got plenty more if you have time? It's good to have a fresh audience."
Emmett's words caused a unified groan throughout the room. Kate however sat and listened to Emmett's jokes for a good few hours laughing for most of the afternoon. The laughing hurt almost causing tears but she decided it was worth it as her smile never faltered all afternoon. The jokes were bad and some took a little explaining as a lot of his material from previous decades got lost in translation. It was early evening as everyone sat around in the seats as Kate began to wonder about Esme. Alice saw her glances towards the stairs as again her eyes went out of focus and the vague stare returned.
"They left to go hunting Kate. Nothing to worry about" Alice told her.
Jasper, Emmett and Rose ignored the worrying glances between Alice and Edward who were carrying on a conversation unheard to Kate as they watched the ending of Van Helsing. Kate looked between them both as her brow furrowed wondering what was happening that she didn't know about, that was until Edward looked at the time and stood bold upright.
"Alice it's seven in the evening." Edward announced rather panicked.
Emmett sighed and said his goodbyes explaining that he had other business to take care of as Rose led him away up stairs. Rose did not even speak she simply left. All afternoon she had only answered to her family taking only a few minutes each hour to glare at Kate and then immerse herself in the films they had been watching.
"What happens at seven?" Kate asked as Alice giggled.
"We need to feed you silly. Therefore we decided that seven was a good time for you to eat today. Esme has left specific instructions for us to microwave you a meal." Alice said in her happy little tone.
"It has been a fun afternoon Kate. Have a pleasant meal." Jasper said as Kate smiled and thanked him.
Jasper left the living room just as Alice and Edward wrestled with the instructions on the back of a chicken dinner meal. She could hear their arguments about how Esme said to do it and what the instructions on the packet told them to do. For a while Kate found the scene amusing as Edward then tried to understand the instructions on the microwave itself. Pushing herself up from the sofa Kate winced again feeling a little light-headed.
"Alice, please don't make a fuss." Kate said. "I think I'm just going to go to bed."
Edward found himself spinning on the spot as he saw Kate standing behind them. There was no doubt in his mind that Carlisle needed to take a look at Kate if not only for Esme but for his own sanity. He could hear her thoughts and yet her face was that of calm, it was two completely different things and yet Edward could do nothing but worry.
"Here I'll help you get settled in." Edward told her walking to her side at a human pace. "Do you think you can manage the stairs or do you need a little help?"
Once again the 'don't even bother' look crossed Kate's face much to his own amusement as they made a start for the stairs as Alice followed behind them.
"I will have that microwave working by tomorrow I promise." Alice announced, "Or I have seen that Carlisle will attempt cooking and the results are mixed."
For some reason Edward hardly saw Carlisle standing over a stove and cooking a dinner. Perhaps it was because the latter had never happened or maybe it seemed too out of character for a man that was so used to a different diet. Still as Edward climbed the stairs next to Kate he found himself smiling at the thought of Carlisle becoming that little bit more domesticated. Alice followed behind as it took almost ten minutes to reach Kate's room, Edward had considered many times just carrying her however Alice had warned him against it. It took Kate another fifteen minutes to change aided by Alice who fussed over her choice of night clothes. When Edward knocked and entered her room she was stretched out on the bed wearing pink teddy bear covered pyjamas that Edward could only assume were not provided by Alice.
"How are you feeling?" Edward asked as Kate sat up slowly and shrugged.
"Just a little tired but please stop worrying." She said glancing down at the floor, "I told you I don't want to bother anyone here."
Edward nodded slightly before taking a few further steps into the room. Alice had done a great job with it and without the books and boxes the place looked more in keeping with the human theme than ever. He pulled up a chair next to her bed just as he had at the hospital and sat quietly for a moment considering his next words.
"Kate I told you I would look after you so there is a certain amount of worry entailed." Edward said softly seeing her smile, "You do believe that I will look after you and make sure that nothing happens to you?"
It was a question Edward wanted only one answer to. A question he felt burn a hole into his chest as he leaned forward in his chair, gazing at her face that held no clue as to her answer.
"Strangely enough I do believe you Edward." She said smiling warmly, "Considering you're supposed to drink my blood, you make me feel oddly safe."
Kate blushed a little at her confession. It was strange to be so completely open with someone other than her mother and even then there were certain things she couldn't honestly say. With Edward it was different; with Edward it felt like she could say anything and he would listen to her no matter how insane or crazy it was. It was a feeling that she loved and at the same time she was utterly confused by it. Feeling safe when a vampire was mere feet away was absurd even if her mother was one. Edward tried to hide his glee at those words. The simple thought that she felt safe around him filled him with an unexpected surge of happiness and warmth. Something he had not expected as he glanced toward her. He could see the blush that filled her pale cheeks and the way she stared at the foot of the bed not lifting her eyes for a minute.
"Thank you, that is nice to know." Edward said as he stood up from the chair. "I will leave you to sleep but should you require anything just shout... or think it."
With that he began to leave as he saw her smile and look toward him. Edward could hear she was debating something though he did his best to respect her privacy. It lasted all of a few seconds as curiosity got to him.
"Edward?" She asked, "Are you busy tonight?"
Edward shook his head having no other plans for the evening. Usually he would immerse himself in a book or listen to Carlisle speak about the latest medical advances however he doubted he would be doing either. With Esme around Edward had noticed Carlisle's focus was mainly on her and as for the book he somehow felt he wouldn't be able to concentrate.
"No I find I am quite free tonight." He answered stopping in his tracks.
"I know this is stupid but..." Kate began once again looking toward the floor. "Would you mind staying? I think I would sleep better knowing you are there."
Had his heart had a beat he was sure it would have leapt from his chest having heard those words. He knew his answer without any thought as he walked over to the bed.
"Of course, I will most certainly stay in that chair until you wake." Edward said.
He saw Kate smile again as she shuffled back into the bed wincing here and there. After she was comfortable Edward pulled a few of the blankets Alice had arranged over her as he stared down at her. The red strands of hair were splayed across the white pillows and the electric blue eyes stared up at him. In one swift movement he pressed his cool lips to her forehead before wishing her a good night and sitting in the chair once again.