A/N: Thank you for your comments, messages, favorites and follows. You've chosen Edward's POV for this chapter, there's a special surprise at the end.
Chapter 13
Edward's POV
Seeing Bella wearing my grandmother's earrings made me very happy. I knew they'll go perfectly on her. She has that classical beauty and elegance. At first I wasn't sure if she'll like them, but I knew Bella was the one I wanted to see with them. I wish my grandmother and Bella had met, I'm sure they'd have liked each other right away.
How can a devastating moment end in happiness? My grandma's death left me brokenhearted. I felt my whole world revolting and breaking into tiny pieces and to make things worse, I found out in my return that Bella was hospitalized and under life support. I regretted not saying good-bye to my grandma and I wasn't prepared to relive that emotion with Bella. Thank heavens I didn't have to go through that process again. I don't know what I'd have done without Bella.
I said I'd never loved anyone after Elena, but I was wrong. There's no comparison between Bella and Elena. The more time I spend with Bella I realized what Elena and I had wasn't love. I was so naïve at the time. Now I can see clearly. Elena was just taking advantage of me; I was the one in love, the one that kept the relationship moving forward. I'm glad I didn't give the earrings to Elena, she didn't deserve them. Maybe I'm being too harsh, maybe Elena did love me in a twisted way. I'll never know.
Now, my present and hopefully future is with Bella. My hope is growing now that I know Bella loves me, though I don't know what to say about her parents. Charlie's reaction surprised me, I've never been hit before and I have never hit someone. Renée on the other side seems to be cheerful and indulgent. I had to lie to my parents, something I hate doing, but I did it to be able to hang out with Bella. If they knew the true they wouldn't let me visit her.
I was about to sleep when I remember the kissing sessions I shared with Bella. Her lips are so delicate, I was afraid to hurt her. A sudden feeling of guilt hits me and the realization hurts even more. What had I done? I had given Bella an un-chivalrous treatment. She deserved better than that. She wasn't cheap, she wasn't ordinary. But what could I do right now? It wouldn't be proper to call her at this time, she would probably be sleeping. I couldn't let her think I had no respect for her, so I sent her a text message. While I waited for her reply I realized this wasn't the right way either. I had to talk to her in person. I waited and waited and never received her response. Maybe she had fallen sleep? It was very late and it had been a long day, so probably she was asleep. I decided to sleep and see Bella first thing in the morning. I'm fortunate to dream of Bella.
I swear I could smell her essence in the dream. It was so vivid, so real, and so good. Her smile lights up my life. But I realized my dream has come to an end. What's lighting up my day is the bright sun outside. This is another sign, today is going to be a great day. I checked my cell phone and realized Bella hasn't answered, but that doesn't stop me to get ready to pick her up. I need to amend things with Bella. While drying my hair I notice the faint bruise around my mouth and cheek, it doesn't look that bad, but it sure hurts. I'm just glad the bruise is fairly noticeable. My mom is an expert with bruises; she had to heal and hide uncle Eleazar's multiple scratches and bruises when they were young.
I have breakfast with my family. We try to share as much time as possible. That's something I love about my family. Alice and I drive our way to school, though I take a detour to pick up Bella right on time. I hate being late. Today I'm driving the BMW 1M Coupe, needless to say that I love this car; it was a surprise gift from my dad when we came to Forks. Bella is waiting for me at her porch, she looks lovely. As accustomed I head over and open the passenger door.
Bella seems to enjoy the songs being played in the stereo, I'm glad she likes the songs that I love. I can't wait any longer and I park in a spot near the entrance of the parking lot. I notice that Bella looks worried. I know the comments that are being said about her accident. I assure her that I'm here for her. I decide to go ahead according to plan. I apologize for my behavior and most important for not treating her like a lady. Bella seems surprised and she mentions she should have stopped me when I was kissing her. Secretly, I'm glad she didn't. "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." I grab the bouquet I assembled with flowers from my garden and handed it to Bella, she seems stunned and I caress her 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." Bella starts crying, that's a reaction I hadn't expected. I'm not sure if she's happy or if she's upset. As if she could read my thoughts, she hugs me and pats my hair. That's it, we belong to each other. I'm overloaded with many emotions and I shed some tears. That was unexpected too. But I guess everything with Bella is unexpected. Then she starts talking "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."
I hold her close to me and proceed to kiss her gently on the lips. Bella's response is very passionate and quite frankly I like it. Her hands are longing while going from my hair to my back. My muscles tense at her touch, to make things more interesting her hands are now on my chest. She's exploring it cautiously but determined. Her touch on my skin feels so good. Our passion is escalating quickly; her hands are now on my abdomen, she's exploring every muscle. She seems pleased with what she feels and I'm satisfied with the entire workout I do every day. I'm intoxicated with Bella, her touch, her essence. Everything about her is pleasant. Then clarity hits me and I realized where we are. We're in plain sight, well not exactly plain sight thanks to the smoky windows, but we are in the school parking lot. Although that's something to consider, I'm more worried about what could happen if we continue like this. To make my point, Bella's hand starts moving down my abs. I put my hands on hers and we take a moment to catch our breath.
We are now back in our respective seats. Most boys would have never stopped a girl from surrendering completely to them. I'm not one of those guys. It's a moral value that I'll never break. It's not because I made a promise to anyone, it's not a religious commitment either. It's something I treasure dearly and I want to share that moment with one girl. That girl would have to be my wife. I value Bella as a woman and I won't do something that belittles her. I just hope Bella feels the same way. It's not that I don't appreciate her delicate and beautiful body. I turn around and see Bella wiping some tears from her face. "I'm really sorry Bella. I don't know what got me. I wasn't thinking clearly, I don't want you to feel uncomfortable. Please, forgive me". I said while my hand rests on hers.
"I know Edward, I don't know what got me either. I… I've never done something like this." I'm glad to hear that. Maybe she thinks the same way as I do. "I guess we both got carried away with the moment. You make me so happy Bella." She thanks me for the flowers and hugs me. This time I kiss her blushing cheek.
Bella's POV
Edward puts his hands on mine and stops its journey. I catch my breath; I hadn't realized I was in desperate need of air. My face must be red as a tomato because I feel like if I had a fever; I'm so self-conscious right now, I don't know what got me. What was I trying to do? Why did Edward stop me all of the sudden? What does he thinks of me now? I'm not even sure of what to think about my involvement in the recent events… A word with S comes to my mind and I feel dirty. And just like that tears are pouring down my cheeks. I go back to my seat and try to steady myself, I wipe the tears with the back of my hand. Edward's blushing and chewing his lips, my nervous tick has spread to him. He seems to be chiding himself, then he sees me crying and holds my hand.
"I'm really sorry Bella. I don't know what got me. I wasn't thinking clearly, I don't want you to feel uncomfortable. Please, forgive me". It appears that I'm not the only one having remorse.
"I know Edward, I don't know what got me either. I… I've never done something like this." I bite my lower lip, I feel so ashamed.
"I guess we both got carried away with the moment. You make me so happy Bella." There's another blush on his cheeks.
"You make me more than happy Edward. I didn't thank you for the flowers, they're lovely." I hug him tight. He returns my display of affection with a peck on my cheek. This time I'm the one blushing.
"I guess we'll have to walk now, the parking lot is full of cars." Edward points to the once empty spots. I'm grateful the car has tinted windows. I blush just of thinking of having an audience. "I guess you're right" I look at the clock on the panel and add "We'd better hurry, it's almost time for the warning bell."
Edward unlocks the doors and I retrieve my backpack. I don't want to leave the flowers, but where will I put them? They'll wither in my locker. On my way to open the passenger door, I'm stopped by Edward gentleness as he helps me out of the car. We hold hands thru the parking lot. I can see people staring as we walk to the main entrance. I can even hear them gossiping about it. I feel so inhibited. Edward on the other side is beyond himself. He seems to be glowing and floating instead of walking. He's so confident; I wish to be like that.
We finally reach the door just in time as the bell rings.