Dancing
I woke up to find my fingers still dancing across Bella's head, as she was nuzzled into my shoulder. I looked to see her bruise had become a darker purple and cringed at the thought of the pain she'd be in. Just as I thought this Bella's face contorted into pain, and she leaned back into my fingers.
"Baby, what's wrong?"
"Pain."
"Where does it hurt baby?"
"Pain."
"I know baby. Where does it hurt?"
"Head."
"Sorry baby."
I pulled my fingers away from her head, but her face contorted even more.
"Don't. I need you."
"But I thought I was hurting you baby."
"Not you. You help."
"Okay baby. Just relax."
Her head leaned into my fingers as I moved them back to her head. Sighing in relief, her face relaxed slightly.
"Is that better baby?"
"Mmhhmm. Love you."
"I love you too baby. So much."
"Are you alright honey?"
"I'm fine baby. My side hurts a little, but I can get something from Carlisle for that. I'm more worried about you baby. Your bruise is getting worse. Does it feel a lot worse or a bit?"
"Let's just say it feels like I've been dropped from a plane, hit by a bus and nearly drowned in a river."
"I'm sorry baby. We'll get Carlisle to get something for you."
"Can you help me to the bathroom Edward?"
"Do you want to try and walk, or do you want the chair?"
"I'd rather try walking."
"Okay love. Let me get my crutches and you can lean on them."
"Thanks honey."
I leaned down and kissed her forehead, before slowly sitting up. When I removed my fingers from her head she groaned.
"Sorry baby."
"It's not your fault."
I grabbed my crutches and leaned onto them, putting some of my weight on my legs. After a couple of seconds, I slowly made my way round to the others side of the bed. I leaned the crutches against the bed and helped Bella sit up carefully so as not to move her head to much. When her face contorted in pain I gave her a quick kiss and put my hand to her head. Cradling her head, I helped her put her weight onto her feet, whilst she grasped my shoulders. Once she was steady, I used my free hand to grab the crutches, slipping my hands through the cuffs. She slowly moved her hands down my arms and over my wrists.
I couldn't help how sexual this innocent touch was. If I could I'd have taken her last night and this morning. I knew how much she wanted it and how much I wanted it but it would cause her pain, and I couldn't do that to her. However, as soon as she's better I'll give her everything she wants.
I smiled down at her to see a worried look on her face.
"I've got you baby. You won't fall. Not ever."
She smiled up at me the worry leaving her face, but I could still see some in her eyes. She feels weak and useless, and I never wanted her to feel that way. To me, she will always be my amazing, strong, beautiful wife. No one can compare to her.
"You ready love."
"Yeah."
Ever so slowly, she lifted one foot and took a step closer to me. Every small step she'd take I'd take one to match hers, to show her we were doing this together. Half way across the room, she stopped and leaned more weight onto my crutches.
"You okay baby?"
"Just a bit dizzy. It should pass in a moment."
"Okay baby. Take your time."
She leaned her head into my chest and just stood there, breathing deeply. I removed one hand from the crutch and placed it lightly on the back of her head. My fingers gently tracing circles behind her ear, she sighed in relief. I applied a little more pressure, causing her to close her eyes and press her lips to my chest.
"Is that better baby?"
She responded with a soft "Mmmhhmm" sound as she tilted her head back into my hand. I kissed the top of her head as she presses another kiss to my chest. When she pulled back I cradled her head, looking down into her eyes.
"You okay now baby?"
"Yeah. Thanks honey."
"No problem love."
She leaned back and steadied herself once more on her feet, before continuing our trek to the bathroom. After another five minutes of slow walking, we finished our expedition across the room and I swung the bathroom open. I helped Bella sit down on the toilet before going back to get the bag Alice had dropped off. When I got back to Bella, she'd slipped to the floor and was leaning over the toilet seat, her eyes unfocused.
"I'm sorry baby. You'll get better soon baby. I promise."
I sat down behind her with my legs wrapped around her. My fingers went back to her head as she threw up into the toilet, my other hand rubbing soothing circles on his stomach.
"I got you baby. I'm here. It's okay, it's all gonna be okay."
When she finished she collapsed back into my arms her eyes fluttering shut. I held her in my arms; my fingers dancing across her bruise. My head dipped into the crook of her neck, as I kissed up her neck and along her shoulder. She rolled her head so it was leaning against mine.
"I love you."
"I love you too baby. Are you feeling better now?"
"Yeah. You always make me feel better, no matter what."
"I'm glad I can help baby. You don't feel sick or dizzy any more do you?"
"Hhhmmm. I'm alright."
"What about headaches baby? Do you still have one?"
"Not at the moment. My head physically hurts but not headache hurting. Your fingers are taking care of that problem. They feel so soft and gentle. They take the pain away."
"If it's the only thing I can do to help you feel better love, I'll never leave your side."
"Thank you honey. I love you."
"I love you too baby. So much."
I held her in my arms as she hummed in satisfaction.
"Do you want to get cleaned up now baby?"
"Yeah. That would be good. Can you help me stand?"
"Of course baby. Let me just get up."
I separated my arms and legs from Bella before climbing to my feet. My hands out, she grasped onto them as I pulled her up and into my body.
"You okay now? Do you want me to leave you too it baby?"
"No. Stay. I mean only if you want. You don't have to. You know what, I'll be alright."
"Calm down baby. I'll help if you need it, if not I'll stay anyway. No need to worry over something so small. I'll gladly help. Come on baby, let's get you washed."
"Thank you honey."
"No problem baby. It is just one of those things I'll always be here for."
She held onto my shoulders as I helped her change from the hospital gown into some yoga pants and one of my old tops. I found a wash cloth and carefully soaked it in warm water and gently cleaned Bella's face up, kissing each spot after wiping it.
"There you go baby. All clean. Do you want to do your teeth?"
"Yeah."
Slowly, she turned around whilst I wrapped my arms around her waist, my lips going to the back of her ear.
"That feels so good honey. You have no idea."
"Good. This is to make you feel amazing, not me baby. It's your turn to relax and I'll do what I can to ensure that happens. I love you baby."
I pressed a firmer kiss to her bruise resulting in a low moan from my Bella. Once she came out of her trance she quickly brushed her teeth and turned back in my arms.
"I love you Edward."
"As I love you baby. As I love you."
I caught her lips in a loving kiss, my hand returning to her head so as not to move her head too much.
"You're still tired baby. Let's get you back to bed love."
"I'm fine."
"No baby. You need to get your rest so you can get better and look after our little one. Just look after yourself baby."
"Okay. I'll get some sleep soon. Just hold me honey. You make me feel better."
"Do you wanna go back to the bed and rest your legs?"
"Uuhh. They feel quite heavy."
"Let's get you sat down then baby."
She held onto my arms as we made our way back into the small hospital room. Bella quickly stopped and leaned against me, her breathing coming in quick breaths.
"Shh. Shh baby. It's okay. Take your time baby. Deep breaths. In. Out. In. Out. There you go baby."
She leaned her forehead to my chest as I moved my fingers back to her head. My shirt started to become wet and I realised Bella was crying.
"I'm sorry baby. I know it hurts but it will be alright. Everything will be alright baby."
"I hate feeling so weak. I can't even walk across a small room without stopping."
"You're not weak Bella. You are my strong, amazing, beautiful wife and will never be anything less. Please don't cry baby."
I kissed the top of her head as her hands clung lightly to my shirt.
"Shall we try something new baby?"
When she just continued crying into my shirt I carried on.
"May I have this dance baby?"
"What?"
"I was hoping the beautiful girl in front of me would honour me with this dance. I'll ask again. May I have this dance baby?"
"You know I can't dance."
"There's always a first for everything baby. Just give it a go."
I hooked a finger under her chin and gently raised it so she was looking at me.
"Forget you can't walk, forget you are tired, forget you'll get dizzy, forget you can't dance because I've seen you dance baby. Think about my love for you and how my love for you has created a life inside of you. Think about our baby that will have the best life possible; a baby that will be loved by our parents, our family, by me and by you."
Carefully, I lifted her onto Bella onto my feet so her weight was on my toes.
"Just move with me baby."
My arms wrapped around her waist, one hand going to her head as she wrapped her arms around my waist. She leaned her head against my chest as I swayed us side to side. Her face screwed up in pain as she leaned her head into my hand.
"Relax baby. I got you. The pain will go soon baby."
I pressed my fingers to her bruise harder, massaging it soothingly, whilst continuing the swaying. Bella's arms tightened around me but not hard enough to disturb my stitches.
"Will you look at me baby?"
She shook her head into my chest ever so lightly, that I almost missed it.
"What's wrong baby? Is it your legs?"
She didn't move as I held her in my arms.
"Bella, what's wrong? Tell me what hurts."
Pulling away from her, I noticed her eyes had become unfocused again.
"Do you feel sick baby? Is it your head? Please baby, tell me what's wrong."
She took a deep breath as she started swaying side to side.
"Head."
It came out a whisper as she attempted to grasp my shirt, only to find she didn't have enough strength to do so. I pulled her back into my chest, my fingers dancing across her head as her body began to droop into me.
"Let's get you lying down baby. It won't hurt so bad if you are asleep."
"Can't move."
"We'll take it one step at a time baby. Together."
I pulled her as close to me as I could, my arms securing around her waist.
"Ready?"
I took her little moan as a yes and slowly lifted one foot, whilst balancing her on it.
"There we go baby. We'll do this nice and slowly. I don't want to move your head to much. It's better not to. I got you baby. I got you."
She collapsed into me further as I lowered my foot. I continued this across the room till we got to the bed.
"Here we go baby."
I lowered her to the bed cautiously, as she had no strength to hold herself up. With her head in one hand and the other holding her hip, I lay her down so her head was resting on the pillow. When I removed my hand from her head, she gripped the sheets, her face contorting in pain.
"I'm sorry baby. I didn't mean to let go."
My hand went back to her head, soothing the bruise. I cradled her cheek in my other hand wiping the few tears that had escaped. Kissing her nose, I nuzzled into her neck, kissing and sucking the sensitive skin there. I kissed along her shoulder and back to her neck, before moving up to her ear. I sucked the bruise behind her ear, gently massaging it with my tongue. My beautiful Bella's breathing calmed as I soothed her skin.
"Is that better baby?"
A small hand combed through my hair as I moved my lips back to her deep bruise. After a few minutes, I slowed my kissing so I was nuzzled into her ear.
"You feeling better now baby?"
"Yeah. My head is still pounding but it's bearable. You really helped honey. I love you."
"I love you too baby. Is there anything I can do to make you feel better?"
"Just hold me."
"I'll never let go."
Contentiously, I raised her into my arms and moved her over, laying her on my chest. As my fingers caressed her head and the others traced circles on her exposed hip, her breathing evened out as she fell into a relaxing sleep.
Not five minutes later did Carlisle knock on the door and enter. He took one look at us and smiled.
"Good morning son. Are you feeling alright? Any pain?"
"Morning Dad. I feel absolutely fine. A small stinging pain in my side but other than that as fit as a fiddle."
"That's good. I can get you some pain killers for that in a moment. Has Bella woken this morning?"
"Yeah. She fell asleep again five minutes ago. Her head's not been very good this morning. She woke up with an awful headache and then it got worse. I took her into the bathroom and her morning sickness caught up to her. I got her cleaned up but on the way back she slumped into my arms and lost all strength. I held onto her as I walked us back to the bed but she couldn't move a muscle. Her head was giving her a lot of pain. When I say a lot, I mean a lot. She gipped the sheets and tears leaked from her eyes. I've never seen her in so much pain before."
"I'll get some morphine for her immediately son. Give me a moment."
Swiftly, he left the room, leaving the door open a fraction before coming back in.
"This should help her."
He pulled her sleeve over her shoulder and injected her with a quick shot of morphine.
"Thanks dad."
"No problem son. Do you think it's the best idea touching her bruise?"
"Believe it or not, it helps her. She says the pain goes away and the headache dulls. If it's the only thing I can do to help then I'm glad."
"I've never seen anything like it. You two are quite the pair, I must say. Here take this. It should help with the pain in your side."
"Thanks."
I swallowed the little pill quickly and turned to see Carlisle writing in our files.
"You said you went to the bathroom. How did you get Bella there?"
"We walked together. I used my crutches and she leaned on my arms. It was really slow and she had one of those dizzy spells. I waited till she was alright before carrying on."
"Where you alright when walking?"
"Yeah. I felt no different."
"What about Bella? Other than her head how was she?"
"To the bathroom she was fine; it was on the way back, her legs grew heavy and tired. I lifted her onto my feet and walked us the rest of the way."
"It's good to see Bella trying to get her strength up again. I'm glad you had the initiative to hold onto Bella as you went. If she were to have fallen, it would have caused more damage than good. I'll go and collect the both of you some food and when Bella wakes up I'll give her a quick look over. From what you have said Bella won't be able to go home today as she wouldn't have the support she'd need to move around enough. I'm sure you will want to stay with her, and I'll allow you too. Normally, I wouldn't be allowed to as you are well enough to go home, but you're family."
"Thanks dad. Do you think you and mom could look after Eliza and Olly again tonight?
"We don't mind. They are great kids and they look up to you both. Charlie told us why they were with you in the first place. It's a shame, a real shame that this has happened to Eliza. She deserves better."
"She's had a hard life so far and Bella and I wanted to make it easier for her."
"We'll take good care of the both of them until you are both better. I'll go and get some food for the both of you and we'll wait for Bella to wake up and go from there. Charlie will be coming in later as to see how you are both doing but I'll wait till I know of Bella's condition before allowing him in."
"If she wakes up I'll let her know. Thanks dad. I'll see you soon."
"See you soon son."
He left the room again closing the door quickly.
The rest of the day passed reasonably well. Bella only left the bed when she needed the toilet but other than that she stayed in my arms the rest of the day. Her head got worse as the day went on but I was always there to help. Carlisle gave her several shots of morphine but they did little but make her weaker than before. Charlie came for a quick visit after we'd finished our lunch. He made sure we were both okay, thanked me for looking after Bella and assured us Casper wasn't going anywhere and that he was being transported to a cell in Seattle where they could keep him locked up better. Esme dropped by with Eliza and Olly later in the afternoon. They stayed till half eight when visiting hours ended. Carlisle gave Bella some stronger morphine to keep her asleep throughout the night instead of being awoken by her head. I held her as she drifted to sleep, my fingers holding her head lightly, soothing the pain. After a long time I fell into a deep sleep, dreaming of my wife.