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Chapter 11 – Crazy Dreams

EDWARD

Bella was in my arms crying. It was my first instinct to push her away, but I knew I couldn't. I knew she was upset and needed this, and because she needed it, I knew I could do it.

Bella was innocent. Her touch wasn't a chess move in her mind. I knew this, because I saw the way she was hugging Jacob, sobbing softly. The poor little boy looked so distressed, and I hated that I had done that to them.

They both deserved so much better than me, but I was all they had. I needed to be better. I needed to be what they deserved, because there was no one else.

I carefully wrapped my arms around her and held her while she cried. She settled down, and I handed her the flowers I had picked. I realized when she'd stomped off that she had been mad, and I didn't want her to be mad. I remembered my dad bringing my mother flowers and was lucky to know where I could find some. My meadow was covered in orange, red and yellow flowers, but I had no idea what they were. I added some little white one I'd found on my way home. I hoped she wouldn't be so mad that she'd throw them in my face. I had seen that happen to my brother, Emmett, before. Bella was fiery, but I hoped she didn't hold a grudge. She didn't seem like the kind of person that would.

BELLA

He'd brought me flowers…beautiful little flowers, and he was holding me. I knew this was hard for him. Touching another human was not something he was comfortable with, but he was doing it, and I knew that maybe I was starting to get through that angry asshole exterior.

Once we put Jacob to sleep, I wiggled off the bed and we walked outside the hut, so we could talk without disturbing the baby.

Edward shuffled nervously, while I sat down on a rock and waited patiently. He sat on the ground in front of me and scratched his neck, like he did when he was nervous or uncomfortable.

"I should start by telling you about my family." He looked up at me to make sure I was listening. I smiled and nodded, encouraging him to speak. He let out a sigh. "I have one brother, and we're both adopted. Emmett and I, we're blood-related and were close, are close," he corrected. "He noticed before anyone else that I was very different. My parents knew something was off about me when they adopted me, but when my father started noticing me answering the thoughts of my brother when I was a toddler, he started testing me. He had me read his mind, and once he confirmed it, they tried to help me cope by giving me space, but sometimes my ability was too much, and it overwhelmed me." He ran his hands roughly through his hair and heaved a heavy sigh.

"It got to where I couldn't go out in public. At one point, they feared I was becoming agoraphobic, because I couldn't leave my house. We lived in a pretty rural area, so I mostly only had to deal with the thoughts of my family," he cleared his throat. "It's difficult when you hear your parent's true thoughts, about how much they worry about you. Parents usually say things to encourage you, but it's hard for them, when they really have so many doubts about their own abilities to raise a 'special' child. Most people don't realize their parents are full of doubts and fears until they're much older. Unfortunately, I learned at a young age that I was the cause of many sleepless nights for them, and that I'd never be normal," he choked on his words a little. "They loved me so much, but I was a difficult kid to work with at times."

I wanted to go to him, but again remembered he didn't like being touched.

"I couldn't attend public school, there were too many voices in my head, it was crippling. I curled up in a little ball under my desk, and my brother was called in to get me out from under it. After that, I was homeschooled. My mother was not happy about having to isolate me from other kids, but there was no way I could function in a group environment without going berserk. She knew I was different, but she didn't know I could read minds. She worked so hard with me, but I know I was a heavy burden for her. Still, she persevered and did her best, raising Emmett and I with love, despite how hard it was for her."

He kept saying he could read minds, and I was a little worried that he was mentally ill. I was stuck on an island with a crazy person. Great! Of course, the fact that he'd said he heard voices made me believe he was schizophrenic. I hoped he wasn't dangerous.

He must have noticed my worried face, because he chuckled blackly. "You don't believe me, do you?"

I cleared my throat and tried to sound encouraging. "Can you read my mind? Can you tell me what I'm thinking?"

He frowned. "No, I've never met anyone like you. You're silent to me. I thought I'd lost my ability in the plane crash, but I hear Jacob fine."

"You hear Jacob?"

His face twisted a little. "Yes." He closed his eyes and took in a deep breath. "His thoughts are so simply, so pure, not malicious, no resentment. There are no ulterior motives in babies. Most babies and small children's thoughts are pleasant. I don't mind being around them."

I wanted to believe him. God, I wanted to believe him, so bad it hurt. I wished it were true, but I didn't have any way to prove it. Was it just me, or was it a little too convenient that the only talking person was the one he couldn't read? I didn't want to upset him. I didn't want to make things worse. I just nodded for him to go on, but he sat silently, listening to the sounds of the night.

"You know, sometimes he thinks you're his mother. He often dreams of her. She used to let him sleep with her the way you let him sleep with you," Edward's eyes opened, and I worried.

What if he was some insane crazy person that had bombed the plane and took a baby? Maybe the baby really was his son. Maybe the woman really had been his wife, and he secretly wanted me to replace her?

Oh, my god! I was stuck with a psychopath on an island. That would just be my freaking luck.

"What are you thinking?" he asked curiously.

There was no way I was telling this loon that I was thinking he was nuts, and I'd figured out he was a psychopath. "Um, I was just thinking it's getting late, and we should get to bed. I'm clumsier if I don't sleep well," I lied.

He frowned and let out a huff. "You're right. You go ahead. Jacob is starting to stir," he said standing up.

I got up and headed to the door. I looked back to see if he was following me. I felt uncomfortable with him now. I regretted pushing him the way I had.

I noticed he wasn't following me, though. He was walking off into the forest. I let out a sigh of relief. He wouldn't be staying with me tonight. It was the first night I didn't miss Edward when he was gone.

A/N: Thanks for reading and please review!