A/N: This is one of my favorite chapters :')

Bella's POV

Chapter 12

I've never seen Charlie so furious, for the first time I'm afraid he's lost his marbles. Mom and I try to stop him but he seems determine to use Edward as his punching bag. I'm not even sure why he's hitting Edward. "Dad, dad stop! Please stop it." Mom is frantic too. "Charlie, please stop; what are you doing?"

Edward is having a hard time, obviously he doesn't want to hurt Charlie but he's trying his best to defend himself. We finally managed to separate them. Edward's nose and mouth are covered with blood; I help him to stand up. I run to the kitchen and gather some paper towels to stop the hemorrhage. Mom and dad are in the living room, she's trying to calm him down. I head towards Edward and I'm stopped by my parents. Dad is a bit frantic and asks me if I'm ok, he tells me he doesn't want Edward to hurt me. He blames Edward for the bath incident. I try to explain him that Edward hasn't hurt me in any form; that I was just crying of happiness. Then I head to the porch where Edward is still trying to stop the blood loss with his jacket. I sit down next to him and hand him the paper towels, I help him to get clean. Luckily he's wearing a dark shirt so there's not a visible drop of blood. I worry that his nose is broken, but he assures me it's in perfect form. I can't find words to apologize for the incident. He tells me that I shouldn't worry, it wasn't my fault. He thinks that my dad thought that he had said or done something to upset me and that his instinct was to protect me. I tell him that's exactly what Charlie told me, but that I'm still shocked of his reaction.

Edward's cell phone rings and he answers the call. I hear as he explains that he was just saying good-bye to me and that he was caught up helping me studying. Then he stands up and tells me he's feeling better now and that his parents were making sure he was on his way home. I tell him that I'll take care of his jacket, he agrees. He doesn't want his parents asking questions about the blood on his jacket. He says he'll think of an explanation for his swollen lip. He doesn't look that bad, he does have a puffy lip and the skin around his nose, cheeks and lips is getting purplish. I tell him he could put a pack of frozen green peas to help with the swelling, he agrees and I run to the kitchen to grab the cold package. On my way out I'm escorted by my parents I instantly become protective and stand between them and Edward. Charlie is trying his best to apologize with Edward, he tells him his paternal instincts kicked in when he saw me crying and that he must have found out what was going on before striking Edward. They both shake hands. I'm left alone with Edward and I hand him the frozen peas. I apologize for a zillion time, Edward puts his finger on my lips and shakes his head. He says he would have reacted the same way if he saw his daughter crying next to a guy he barely knows.

I walk Edward to his car and we hug and kiss, this time Edward is the one to put an end to our kiss. He's still hurting. I feel really bad and I wish I could make him feel better. I watch as he goes into the road.

I go to my room and check that I have everything set for school. As I'm getting ready to sleep, my cell phone beeps and I check the incoming message: Thank you for a remarkable day. It's definitely one of my favorites. But there's something I'm regretting.

I'm concern about what he's regretting is it kissing me, giving me his grandma's earrings, coming to my house or all of the above? I hit reply: It was undeniably an interesting day. I've never had a day like this. What is it that you're regretting?

I stare at the cell phone wishing they had invented a real time body transfer device, so I could be in the same room with Edward and see his expression. At the same time I'm thankful they haven't invented a machine like that because I fear to see his features, what if he's regretting coming to my house or what is worst, what if he wishes he hadn't kissed me. I'll die if he feels that way. But I tell myself is time to pop out of my fantasy world and start thinking clearly. I could never be with someone like Edward. Things like that only happen in books and movies. There's not a charming prince waiting for me out there. And the fact that he hasn't replied tells me he's really considering his actions. I curl up in bed and close my eyes as I close them my cell phone beeps and I tell myself I should be strong and not read the message, I could still pretend I've found my bright and shiny knight. Yes, I could still have a perfect night and dream with that.

I'm awake by the alarm and grudgingly head to the bathroom to shower. Nothing like the warm water running thru my skin to start the day.

As I comb my hair, I remember I hadn't read the last message. I dread to read what it says, but I check it anyway: I think you should hear it and not just read it. I'll pick you up at 7:40. Won't be able to sleep until I see you.

Crap! I've forgotten about that, I look at my watch and realize is 7:30. I check myself in the mirror and add the finishing touches to my outfit. I look very pale, I can't wait for Spring to come. I apply some blush and lip gloss; that should do it. I run downstairs and heat some hot pockets on the microwave; I grab some orange juice from the fridge and pack everything on my bag. I walk to the porch and wait for Edward. He arrives just in time. I was expecting him to come on his Volvo but he's driving a stunning car, I've seen that type of car in magazines. It's definitely more expensive than the Volvo. And miraculously I recognized the blue and white triangles surrounded by a black circle with the initials BMW. It's a black sports car, Edward looks astonishing behind the steering wheel. He goes out of the car and opens the passenger door for me. I saunter to the car and greet Edward before getting in. I appreciate small gestures like this. Chivalry is an effective way to turn me on.

On our way to school we keep quiet most of the time. I like the music we're listening, I'm glad I recognize the majority of songs being played. We have a similar taste in music and that makes me glow even more. As we get closer to school, my heart is thumping franticly against my chest cavity. I feel my mouth getting dry and my hands are very cold. Edward stops the car right after we enter the school's parking lot. He's staring at me with piercing gray eyes, I feel that his gaze can rip through me. Finally, he speaks "There's nothing to worry Bella, I'm right beside you. I'll never let any bad happen to you, never doubt that." I have never felt protected or loved; Edward makes me feel that way. He's too good to be real "I know and I thank you for everything you've done for me. I have no way to give back a fragment of what you've given me." I try to ease the moment and tell him "You have a great taste in cars. They are fantastic." He still looks concern but he chuckles anyway "Bella, you don't have to return me any favor. It's been my way to thank you for bringing light to my life. You have no idea of what you mean for me and that brings me to continue our pending conversation."

I've forgotten about that, what could he be regretting? "As I told you last night there's something I regret from yesterday."

"Yes, I remember you mentioned it. What are you regretting?"

"I'm regretting not behaving like a gentleman with you, I shouldn't have kissed you like that." My biggest fear comes true, I knew it was too good to be true.

"Then, I'm regretting not behaving like a lady. I should have stopped you when you first kissed me."

"I don't regret kissing you, that was an important factor in making yesterday one of my favorite days. I do regret not asking you to be my girlfriend, I should have asked you that before kissing you." He wants me to be his girlfriend? I've never had a boyfriend before; I had thought it wasn't meant for me. He gently smoothes his fingers against my face, then he turns and grabs something from the back seat. Out of nowhere he takes a bouquet of lilies and jasmine. Once again he has left me speechless. He holds the bouquet in one hand and with the other hand he continues to stroke my face "I thought that I was alone and lost in the world. I was a wanderer heading nowhere, but you've become the compass I needed in my life; and for that I'm grateful. I know that I'm being selfish. I don't deserve you in my life, but it would make me very happy if you granted me the honor of being your boyfriend." I can't help but crying as I hear him saying those beautiful words. I thought I was the one being selfish, I thought I was the one wandering senseless every day. I didn't know I could mean something to someone. I hug him close to me and caress his hair with my hand, he smells wonderful. I suddenly feel my neck getting damp by the tears coming from his eyes. We get apart a few inches enough for me to see his face clearly. He looks beyond himself, he is expecting my answer. "You're not the only one that needed comfort and clarity. You are so dear to me and you make me feel safe and happy, and no one has made me feel that way before. So at the risk of being selfish it would be my honor to be your girlfriend." He brings me closer to him and caresses my hair, then he kisses me tenderly on my lips. I'm intoxicated with Edward, I want more of him. I stroke his hair with my hands, it feels like if I were touching clouds; it's so soft, so silky. I feel bubbly and chirpy. I've never thought I'd behave like this with a boy. I leave behind his hair, now my hands are moving toward his back. He's so firm I can feel his muscles flexing, suddenly I move my hands to his chest. It's hard and soft at the same time… Even with his jacket on I can feel each one of his abs, my hand is en route to his navel. He notices where I'm heading and I gasp at his reaction.

A/N: Thank you for reading my story. Each follow, favorite, review makes me happy and encourages me to keep writing.

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