All Standard Disclaimers Apply

One Night in Vegas

Chapter Twenty-One

Bella's Point of View

I made a face as Edward place a bed tray in front of me; the smell of the chicken noodle soup instantly turning my stomach. I told Edward I wasn't hungry, but he kept insisting that I must eat something; obviously I didn't have much of a choice either. For the past two days he has been shoving food down my throat, and frankly I was getting tired of it. My bottom lip quivered as I looked up at him; not paying any attention to our parent's that had swiftly entered our room. Why couldn't people just leave me alone? "I don't want it." I said; to my distress my voice was a bit more whiney than I would have liked. I lightly pushed the tray back toward him all while hoping it didn't spill in the process.

Edward sat on the edge of the bed frowning. It was evident by his facial expression he was displeased. No doubt he was getting tired of having to force me to eat, but who could blame me for not wanting to? It never stayed down and I for one was not a big fan of vomiting. "Bella." He said sternly; moving the tray toward me once more. "If I had my way you wouldn't be laying in bed at home; you'd be at a hospital. I've appeased you enough. Now, it's time for you to do the same for me. Eat."

I glared at him; watching my mother cross the room in the corner of my eyes. I felt the bed shift under her weight on Edward's side of the bed. Not wanting to deal with him at the moment I looked away from him and met my mother's gaze. She smiled softly and reached out to tuck a strand of hair behind my ear. "You aren't being fair dear." She said softly; her fingers lightly caressing my cheek. A wave of betrayal washed over me and I felt tears sting my eyes. She was siding with him? Why was my mother siding with him? "Oh, don't you give me that look Isabella Marie. It will get you no where. That I can promise you."

I pouted; trying to figure out what 'look' she was talking about all while she continued to speak. "Edward is only trying to help you, though I don't see why. Ever kindness he has tried to show you, you have spat it back in his face. Now, stop being a big baby and eat." I drew my knees up to my chest and pulled the blanket up without thinking. Muttered curses escaped Edward's lips as the tray knocked over; spilling the contents of the soup over the bed. My eyes were wide as I stared down at the mess I caused and I instantly felt like an idiot. I looked over at Edward to apologize, but his back was now toward me and he was running his fingers through his bronze hair.

"E-Edward," I muttered as I reached out to him, "I'm sorry. I honestly didn't mean to." An over exaggerated sigh passed my mother's lips and I turned to look at her when it was obvious Edward wasn't going to return his attention to me. I looked at my mother with hope that she believed me that it was purely an accident. Surely raising me she would know how clumsy I was, but she merely shook her head.

"Come." She said; holding her hands out toward me. "The bed needs to be changed now. We might as well get you in the bath now." Reluctantly I reached out for my mother; allowing her to help me up from the bed. She waited until I was steady on my feet before releasing my hand and I quickly stepped aside as she moved to help Edward strip the bed. I instantly felt guilty. This was the second time they were doing so today, but somehow this felt more humiliating than when I hadn't made it out of bed quick enough and got sick every where. I couldn't help but shudder at the thought and looked down at my feet.

"Here, let me get that Edward." Esme said; speaking for the first time since entering the room. "You go take Bella to get cleaned up. The sheets will be fresh by the time you two are finished. I bit my lip when Edward didn't speak, but I knew he backed down and let his mother continue what he started when I felt his hand on my elbow. I looked up at him as he lead me toward our bathroom and wanted to cry. He was refusing to even look at me. It was just my luck to piss my husband off when I'm feeling like crap. To piss him off when all I wanted him to do was hold me, but then again I wouldn't let him. He had tried to do just that earlier and I had yelled at him demanding that he stop trying to smoother me. How messed up was I? No wonder he was mad.

Edward released my elbow once we were inside the bathroom and turned to shut the door behind us. Not knowing what to say to make the situation less tense I opted on saying nothing at all and moved to sit on the side of the Jacuzzi tube. Edward was instantly at my side and leaning over the tube to plug the drain before turning the water on. He waited a moment, testing the water, before stepping back and I stared up at him expectantly. "Will you bathe with me?" I asked softly before biting on my lower lip.

"I wouldn't want to smoother you." He spat my earlier words out with disinterest and quilt and pain tugged at my heart. I deserved that. I knew I did, but that didn't mean I was going to give up. I pushed myself up to my feet, willing myself not to cry no matter how desperately I wanted to, and made my way to his side. Without waiting for him to respond I wrapped my arms around his waist and buried my face into his chest. My hands took a hold of his shirt and I held on to it and him for dear life. Edward sighed and I felt him instantly relax; his own arms wrapping around me. "I don't know what to do." He admitted; his voice sounding broken. "When your fever goes down it doesn't stay down and when it spikes it gets dangerously high and no matter what I try to do to help you refuse."

I was quiet a moment and then I sighed. "I know I'm difficult." I said softly. I was sure my voice was muffled because I still had my face buried in his chest. "But I just rather not be fussed over. It's irritating and when I'm irritated I rebel."

Edward snorted and I lifted my head up to look at him questioningly. "No, really?" He asked. "I honestly couldn't tell." I frowned up at him and swatted him in the chest.

"Don't make fun of me." I whined. "I was just about to tell you I would try harder to work with you, but now I don't think I will." Edward chuckled softly and leaned down and pressed his lips to my forehead. His lips were cool against my skin and I felt myself shiver. Edward frowned and rubbed his hands over my arms.

"I'm sure you couldn't be anymore difficult than you are now." He said; his hands moving the bottom of my shirt. Boy, was he wrong about that. I lifted my arms as he pulled my shirt up and off and threw it to the floor. I shivered again and wrapped my arms around my upper body as Edward moved to pull off my sweat pants and under wear. I stepped out of them as the reached my ankles and turned quickly to get into the tube, but unfortunately for me quickly was too quickly and I stumbled forward. I squeaked as I tumbled toward the ground, but Edward's strong arms around my waist hindered God's (or my feet's?) plan with my face meeting the floor. "Jesus Bella." Edward muttered as he held me back up and steadying me on my feet. "Am I going to have to start carrying you around?"

I snorted and shook my head. "You might have to get the floors padded though. And the walls." I teased, or at least I attempted to, but clearly he wasn't amused. With another sigh he ushered me toward the tub and helped me inside before turning off the water. I sighed as I sank into the warm water and closed my eyes. After a moment I opened them and looked up at Edward who was sitting on the edge of the tub like I had been earlier. I bit my lower lip and sat up and pulled my legs up to my chest, thankfully I wasn't able to knock anything over this time. "Edward?" His gaze met mine and his brow rose. "Will you please join me. Will you please.... hold me." He stared down at me a moment and then nodded. I sighed in relief before smiling up at him. I watched him as he quickly shed his clothes and then kicked them aside.

I stood up; allowing Edward to get in the tub and to sit down before I too sat back down into the water. I positioned myself in between his legs and leaned my back against his chest. His arms instantly wrapped around me and I took a hold of him; closing my eyes and I sighed in contentment.

Or at least as content as someone could be while ill.

***

When I opened my eyes again I was in bed, not only wrapped up in warm clean sheets, but in my husband's arms. I turned slowly, not wanting to wake him and snuggled closer to him all while burying my face in his chest. I felt Edward stir and his arms wrapped more tightly around me before his lips found the top of my head. "Your temperature has gone down considerably." He muttered softly; his voice husky with sleep.

I lifted my head a bit too look up at him. His eyes were still closed and his lips were pressed in a thin line. From the dim morning light I noticed the dark circles that blackened his eyes for the first time and frowned. His parlor was also a few shades lighter than normal. "You look horrible." I said pushing myself up on my elbow; forcing Edward to release his hold on me.

Edward chuckled softly; opening his eyes to meet mine. "Why thank you love. Lack of sleep tends to do that to a person." My frown deepened. Had he not been sleeping? Guilt shook me as I sudden awareness dawned on me of why he hadn't been sleeping like he should. He had been staying up to keep an eye on me and I've done nothing but be an inconsiderate and bitchy.

"I'm so sorry." I said softly; sucking my lower lip in between my teeth. Edward merely smiled and pushed himself up; propping himself on his elbow and leaning forward to press his forehead against mine. A soft hum of relief escaped his lips and moved back; his simple smile now replaced with the cocky grin that always took my breath away.

"Much better." He said; obviously pleased. "Now, may I offer to get you something to eat, or will you throw a fit?" I cowered; feeling unbelievable guilty. I couldn't help but wonder why he put up with me at all. I was insufferable and I knew it.

"I could use something to eat." I said at last. I was starving, but I wasn't sure I was going to admit it. Not now anyway. Edward chuckled softly and threw the covers back over us.

"Glad to see someone is feeling better." He said as he got out of bed. I sat up and moved to get out with him, but he stopped me by placing his hands on my shoulder. I looked up at him with question in my eyes and he merely smiled. "Wait here." He said before brushing his lips over mine. "I want to for myself today so if everyone else has to believe you are still ill so be it."

I snorted and rolled my eyes. "And here I was thinking I was a horrible person because you had to put up with me while I was sick, but here you are planning to make our family believe I'm still under the weather. Talk about low." I teased.

It was Edward's turn to snort and I couldn't help but laugh. I really wasn't complaining. I had a lot of making up to do to him and what better way to do that alone and in bed? "Scrambled eggs, bacon, and toast?"

Edward smirked and nodded. "Scrambled eggs, bacon, and toast?" He repeated; his tone questioning. "What? Chicken noodle soup not good enough for you?"

I frowned; crossing my arms over my chest. "Hey, I'm sick. I can have whatever I want." I said; forcing my tone to be defensive. Edward merely laughed and headed for the door.

"Scrambled egg, bacon, and toast coming right up."

As the door closed behind him I instantly felt guilty again as I remembered how tired he looked. I plopped back down; kicking myself mentally. I should be the one down stairs cooking him breakfast. What kind of wife was I? With a sigh I rolled on to my stomach, burying my face in Edward's pillow and inhaling his scent. God, what was I to do?

I rolled over and crossed my arms over my chest and waited while I mentally kicked myself; wishing Edward would return already. After a moment my nose scrunched up as a fowl order assaulted it. I pushed myself up in the bed sniffing the air trying to figure out where the smell was coming from. Did I need to shower? I lifted my arm and sniffed myself. It definitely wasn't me. It was in that moment Edward came into the room with the plate of food on a tray in his hand that the smell came at me worse than ever and all I could think was 'my God doesn't expect me to eat that, does he?'

Obviously he did, but why? Couldn't he tell that it was spoiled? He quickly crossed the room and sat on the edge of the bed; placing the tray down in front of me. My empty stomach heaved and I covered my mouth as I gagged. The smell was unbearable. "Bella?" Edward question; concern etching across his features. I edged away from the food; staring at it in disbelief. How could anything smell so... horrid? Edward crawled across the bed, frowning, and pulled me into his arms. "Oh, sweetheart."He murmured softly. "I guess I jumped to conclusions."

I shook my head pushing him away. The smell was lingering to him and I couldn't stand it. "Don't you smell that? You can't tell me that you don't. It's repugnant!" I spat. Edward glanced over to the food; his brows etched together in confusion.

"It smells fine to me..."

Whooo! Two updates in one night! Are you proud of me of what? You should be. Please please pleeeeeeeeaaaase review! And while you do that I'll work on the next chapter. Yay for muse!

-Anna