Memories

"Remember all those years ago when we were 16. We'd known each other only three weeks. I was staying over with Alice and Rose when I heard you playing your guitar in your room. The others were asleep, so I followed the noise and saw you there. You were sat on your bed, your legs crossed with a pencil behind your ear and paper in front of you. I stood in the doorway, watching you get lost in the music. Your face was relaxed, eyes closed with a gentle smile on your face. You looked up and gave me one of your crooked smiles. I wasn't in control of my actions as I walked into your room and sat down next to you. I'd completely forgotten my glasses were on until I realised I could see properly. I went to take them off but you grabbed my hands, taking them in yours. You said, 'Don't, I like them, they're you.' It was the first time anyone had really accepted me because of my glasses. I then leaned in and kissed your cheek before backing away; scared I'd gone too far. When you put your guitar to the side and wrapped your arms around me, I instantly relaxed and wrapped my arms around you. We talked for a while before you asked 'Will you go somewhere with me tomorrow?' I knew I'd go anywhere with you but tried to hide my enthusiasm so you wouldn't think me desperate."

"I'd never think you desperate."

"I said yes and I saw a glint light up your eyes. Hope flooded me as the thought that you may like me even a bit entered my mind. You then wrapped your arm around me, pulling me closer to you. I saw the worry in your eyes so leaned my head on your shoulder, easing the worry. We lay down, in each other's arms talking, until I fell asleep. I woke up later that night as someone opened the door to your room. Carlisle and Esme stood in the doorway, unaware that I was awake. They stood in each other's arms, just looking at us until Esme spoke. She said 'They look so sweet together. I've seen the change in Edward since Bella arrived. He's so much happier, lighter.' Carlisle then said 'He's found love. Bella will be his only love; I just hope they work out or we'll have a hard time picking him up.' 'I can see the love in Bella's eyes when she looks at Edward. The others haven't noticed, but I have. She acts differently when he's in the room. They'll work it out. I'd be surprised if they weren't together by the end of the week.' They then closed the door and I heard their footsteps growing fainter. You loved me and that made my heart swell. I leaned up and moved your hair from your forehead and kissed your forehead before leaning down to your ear and said 'I love you Edward.' It was the first time I'd said that to any guy and it was the first time I knew you were the only one I'd ever love. One of your crooked smiles covered your face and your arms tightened around me. I lay back down next to you and just as I was on the verge of sleep, I felt you lips press against my forehead and four simple words, I believed I'd imagined came from your lips."

"I love you Bella."

"Exactly."

I lowered my lips to hers giving her a gentle kiss.

"Do you remember the next sleepover you had? No one knew we were going out and it was hard hiding it from Alice when she had to know everything about everyone. It was late in the evening, when we thought the house to be asleep, when you came into my room. We lay together talking about everything and anything, until you started drifting to sleep. Your head lay on my shoulder, one hand across my chest, my arms around your waist and lips on your head when the door was thrown open. Light flooded into the room as an angry Alice stormed in followed by Rose, Emmett and Jasper. She started yelling at you for leaving her room when it was a girl's sleepover until Jasper pulled her back. He said 'I think you should let her off Alice, it seems there's more to them than friends.' You buried your face into my chest as Alice stopped shouting. 'How long have you been going out?' I must say Alice was quite blunt when asking. After she had the information she wanted she left the room to let us sleep. You'd fallen asleep, by the time Esme and Carlisle stood at the door. The only words I could catch were from Esme. She said 'I knew it.' Before I drifted to sleep."

"Esme really noticed a lot didn't she?"

"Yeah. I guess because she works from home with her interior designing work she has the time to work these things out."

My lips descended on Bella's again, starting up a heated kissing session until Bella yawned.

"You ready for some sleep baby?"

"Yeah. I'm shattered."

"I'll get you some painkillers and those hot compresses Carlisle talked about."

"Thanks honey."

I rolled from the bed and slid some pyjama pants on. I grabbed the phone and pressed one.

"Good evening Mr. Cullen. What can I do for you?"

"Do you think you could get two hot compresses for my wife? She has bad legs and the doctor requested she put something hot on her legs tonight."

"Of course Mr. Cullen. Someone will be up with those as soon as possible."

"Thank you. I'm sorry for the late hour."

"It's no problem Mr. Cullen. I'll be here all night if you need anything else."

"Thank you."

I hung the phone up and turned back to Bella.

"They'll be here in a moment baby."

"Mmhhmm."

"Take this baby. It will help with the pain, then you can go to sleep. I'll make sure your legs are alright baby."

"Thank you honey. I love you."

"I love you too baby."

I handed her the painkiller. Which she swallowed before lying back on the sea of pillows and falling asleep. I grabbed one of my tops and pulled it over her head to keep her warm before pulling the comforter over her. I went into the bathroom and drained the bath from the now cold water and gathered up our clothes. I took a towel into the bedroom and carefully attempted to dry Bella's hair without waking her.

A gentle knock came from the door and I swung it open to see the receptionist from earlier.

"Here you go Mr. Cullen. Have a good evening."

"Thank you."

"Is there anything else I can help with?"

"Can you change the time of our breakfast to ten o'clock please and have it left outside?"

"Of course Mr. Cullen."

"Thank you. That's everything. Thank you for the help and I am sorry for the time. It has been a long day."

"I understand Mr. Cullen. My husband and I were very much the same. It's nice to see men looking after their wives and not the other way around. Have a good evening."

"You too."

I closed the door as she walked away and turned back to my sleeping wife.