Chapter Twenty Five: Sweet

Edward escorted my father out of his house without a word.

Stayed silent until I was back in my own.

Without him.

And then spoke ones I couldn't hear.

Ones I'm still watching him speak through my living room window.

I don't know what he's saying...

The movement of his lips, though I stare at it, isn't clear enough for me to read from this distance...

But still I can't look away.

Because if my eyes only have moments more to see him, I don't want to waste a single one.

But then I hear a voice beside me. "Bella?"

And feel a warmth. A softness. And a fear, I think...

That I can't ignore. Even for him. "Yes, sweetheart?"

"Is something bad happening?"

"No," Jasper answers before I can. And with more certainty than I would have had. "I promise it's not, Aly."

I watch as she looks up at him, trying to decide, I think, if she should believe him. Or trust him. That he means what he says...

But I don't think she can. Decide.

Because then she looks at me. In a way that melts my heart.

And tells me to move...

Put something good in that jar...

For the sake of hers. "He's right... " Because he won't let it. "So, don't you worry about anything. Except maybe how big of a mountain of whipped cream you want on top of your ice cream sundae."

"I want a really big one," she says with a smile, because she knows no one would eat ice cream sundaes if something bad was happening. "But I want to wait for Edward. We can't eat ice cream sundaes without him."

"Definitely not," I agree. Because I do.

And want to believe I didn't just lie to her.

And that Jasper didn't.

And that we won't have to.

Eat ice cream sundaes...

Or do anything at all...

Without him.

Or each other.

Ever.

"Say when," Edward tells Aly, who, like him, already has a mouthful of the whipped cream he's now smothering her sundae with.

"When!" she squeals through giggles, because she didn't say it until her ice cream had vanished beneath a mountainous cloud of white.

One that's sweet, and in no way ominous, like the ones that may loom over our heads.

Edward still hasn't said a word. To me, anyway. That would tell me if he heard any of mine. Or my father's.

And his demeanor isn't giving anything away. Or telling me if he's going to take.

Because he's focused on Aly. And the promise he made to her.

Having ice cream sundaes for dessert was his idea. And one that she was instantly excited about. And, together, they went to the store this afternoon to get everything we'd need to make them.

And now, another promise has been kept. A simple one... but a promise, nonetheless.

To someone important to me. And, because she is, to him.

Because I'm important to him.

Something I can still see fierce and strong in his eyes as he turns to me. "Open up that crazy beautiful mouth," he says, a playful smirk touching his lips, and the can of whipped cream poised and ready in his hand.

I open... and he fills it with creamy sweetness... as his smirking mouth leans close to fill my ear with something else. "And be ready to open it again later, because - I hope you didn't think for a second I'd forgotten - you still have some unfinished business to tend to."

Better me than you... "Just say when... " I whisper back, compliant as I've ever been.

"That sounds so much better when you say it," he says with a snicker, before topping my ice cream with a generous squirt and then handing the can of whipped cream to a smiling Alice.

Smiling because he is. And because I am.

And because as long as we both are, she's happy.

Which only makes me happier.

If only I could say the same for Jasper...

Who I'm looking at now.

And who makes the smile fall from my face.

Because he's looking at me, too...

And not smiling.

Not happy.

Not at all.

"If you want to go, Alice, then go."

She looks at me as she answers her husband, anything but happy now. "We came in one car, Jasper. Or did you forget that?"

"I didn't forget," he tells her, "but if you want to go home, then what am I supposed to do?"

"Take me."

The plea in her answer this time is heartbreaking, but Jasper doesn't seem to hear it. "I want to talk to Bella before I go."

You should have said we, Jasper... not I. We. Before we go...

"You've been talking to her all night."

"So has everyone else."

"Do you need or want us to stay, Bella?" she asks me, instead of responding to him. "To talk about... anything? Now that Aly's asleep?"

"No, sweetie. I'm fine. Jasper, take her home."

"She can go by herself. I want to-"

Edward has been quietly watching their exchange - and me - but he's apparently reached his limit with Jasper's part of it. And, again, me... "If Bella needs anything... or anyone... I'm here. Just like you should be there for your wife, who told you she has a headache and would like to go home."

"I know you're new here..." Jasper returns spitefully, "but I'm not. And maybe she hasn't felt close enough to you to share things about her life... but there's nothing I don't know. And I'm-"

"Going to go take care of your wife," I finish for him, "because your friend is fine."

"You gave her something for her headache, Bella. And as soon as it kicks in and starts working, she'll be-"

"Making your bed on the couch," she finishes for him this time. And then turns to me. "I know your dad showing up here tonight is a big deal... and of course I care about how you feel about it... just as much as Jasper does... "

"I know that, Alice, it's okay."

"No, it's really not... but my head just hurts so bad... "

"I know," I tell her again, and wrap my arms around my suffering-too-much friend. "And that everything's going to be okay. Because Jasper's going to take you home now and tuck you into bed and take care of you."

He opens his mouth to speak, his stubborn blue eyes on me...

And I shoot him a look that tells him I want them somewhere else. On someone, and in a different place.

His.

Which isn't here with me.

And he just stands there for a moment... staring at me...

And then speaks words I understand. And can't be mad at him for.

"I meant what I told Aly. I need you to know that."

"I do," I tell him. "And I-"

"Nothing, Bella. It isn't and it won't. I won't let it. I won't ever let it."

But he needs to understand, too. That there are different kinds of bad things that could happen.

Things that he never, ever has to let.

So I slowly walk Alice to him, and push her gently into his arms.

And pray that he hears me.

"I know you won't."

"He won't what?" Edward asks a few moments after they pull away. Together.

"Sleep on the couch tonight. She'll never make him."

"I don't give a damn where he sleeps, Bella. As long as it isn't here. And you know it, so answer the question I asked you."

"Aly asked me earlier if something bad was happening. He answered her. And promised that nothing was."

"When was this and where was I?"

"You were outside with our uninvited guest."

"Jasper isn't the only one who wants to protect you, Bella. And who will. No matter what."

"I know," I say, even though I don't at all.

And he sees right through it. "You will."

And I want to believe him so badly...

But know that he doesn't know what he's saying.

Doesn't know how far he'd have to go to keep his promise.

And doesn't-

"I love you, Bella."

Oh God, I love you, too, Edward...

"You will know that. Believe it, And learn to not be afraid of it. Or afraid to trust it. If it kills me, you'll know."

"I know I have work to do... " I say instead of what I want to, "...unfinished business to tend to... but-"

My question disappears into his mouth.

His promising, loving mouth...

And takes with it all others.

All everything...

As he takes me slowly and quietly down the hall and into my bedroom, and once inside, closes and locks the door with quiet, gentle clicks.

"Nothing's more important than you," he whispers, pulling my sweater up and over my head. "And until you know that... " His fingertips move like delicate feathers down my arms until they reach my hands, and he brings them together to his lips. "I'm the one with work to do."

And then drops them. And my jeans at my feet, which he lifts free.

Before setting me...

God, I love you, too...

"I'm so sorry," I say, rushing into my kitchen and finding two beautiful, fresh, smiling faces. "Why didn't someone wake me up?"

"Edward said we should let you sleep," Aly says, looking up from her whisking of what I assume is pancake batter. "Until we were finished making breakfast for you. Then we were going to wake you up."

"Well, that was sweet... " Just like the reason - hours of reasons - that I was so tired and slept so late... "but you didn't have to... What can I help with?"

"Nothing," Edward answers, pulling a chair from the table and guiding me into it, before putting his lips to my ear. "Just like I told you last night."

Oh, you told me...

More than I ever dreamed of hearing...

Or feeling...

"Okay," I agree easily. "If that's what you want."

"It is," he confirms, and kisses my cheek. "For now, at least. "

"So, is there coffee for me to drink while I do nothing?"

"What do you think?" he asks, and walks away. And to it without waiting for my answer.

"I'll get the cream!" Aly squeals, as if it's an honor to do so, and dashes to the fridge.

And I just sit and watch them...

And let myself forget for just a moment how wrong everything could go.

And focus on how right it all is now.

How perfect...

When you do nothing.

Instead of...

Well...

Whoosh...

"How's your head today?"

"Much better, thanks. I feel like a new woman!"

"I'm glad, Alice... you look... " I start to tell her how she looks much better than she did last night, but her anxious energy distracts me. "Are you looking for something?"

"Where's your paper?" she asks, seemingly annoyed that it's not in her sight.

And perhaps mine? Though I don't know why... "I don't know, maybe still outside?"

"So, you haven't seen it?"

"The paper? Well, obviously not if I just said-"

"Yes, Bella, the PAPER."

Maybe Jasper did sleep on the couch last night... but it's hardly my fault if he did. Or if she made him. "No, I haven't," I say less than sweetly. Because I'm having a wonderful day and I'm not going to let her ruin it for me just because she might not be. "Why? Is there something special in it today that I should be aware of?"

"Not special, exactly, but... interesting."

"Interesting... okay, I'll bite. What is it?"

"News about the Catwoman case."

"News?" I repeat, growing more irritated. And maybe just a little nervous, though, like I said, I am having a wonderful day... so far, at least.

"Yeah... news. Seems they were dead on with that name."

"And why were they?" I ask, wishing she wasn't so entertained by it all. This thing that could ruin my wonderful...

"Because apparently a cat hair was found at one of the crime scenes. It was when the family went in to clear all of the victim's belongings out. And the victim did not have a cat."

A cat hair? Is that the piece of evidence Jasper and Edward were arguing about the other day?

"Apparently?"

"Yes. Just apparently. Because they don't have it now."

"The cat hair?"

"Yes. The cat hair."

"Why don't they?" I ask, suddenly afraid that I already know the answer.

"Well, because it was misplaced. Supposedly. According to an unidentified source. Something the cops wanted to keep a lid on, of course, the finding, since there was also losing... but someone didn't get the memo. And informed the press. And it was front page news this morning. And all over the television morning news. And-"

Why the hell is she smiling like that? Jesus, Alice... "And you're happy?"

"Call me... amused."

"Amused? Even though your husband is leading the investigation? And is probably now being laughed at and-"

"He's a big boy."

Who I think did a big thing. For me. I'd bet my life on it...

"Yes, he is. And one who should have his wife's support, and love, and respect, not-"

"Don't tell me what my husband should have, Bella! Or what I should give him! Don't you dare!"

"Then don't give me a reason to have to," I challenge. Because I owe him that much. This...

"You gave up the right to decide what he needed when you gave up him! You don't get to take it back!"

"I'm not trying to take anything back, Alice. You know better than that. And you know that I'm right about what I said. He deserves better than this from you!"

"Oh yeah? He deserves better? And what about you, Bella? What do you deserve?"

"I don't know," I say, much more softly, just as Figaro rubs against my leg.

"No?" she asks, watching him with a sudden interest that makes my blood run cold.

"No... " I repeat, and then jump, and look past her, startled and entranced by Edward and Aly's laughter exploding through the now-open front door.

But the spell is quickly broken.

Because Alice steps suddenly closer to me - a hard, heavy movement for her tiny, usually dancer-like presence - her focus seemingly now on my sweatshirt.

Which she then reaches out and pulls a hair from - one of Figaro's hairs - and holds it up between us. "Well, be careful what - and who - you try to hold on to... and defend... and whose side you take... support and respect... because someone else might. They might know exactly." And flicks the hair to the tile floor and walks away.

Leaving me to stare after her, frozen in her wake...

And wishing I was back in my bed.

In its safety.

And its warmth.

And...

"Bye, guys! And bye, Kitty!"

Its sweet oblivion.

xx

Sorry for the wait. I hope it was enough. And if it wasn't... well, it's simply all I had to give. This time.

See you the next? I hope?