Chapter Twelve

In the weeks that followed, Bella found herself smiling and laughing freely. She felt like a huge weight had been lifted off her shoulders, releasing her of the guilt she'd been holding onto for years. She and Edward were still spending every available moment they could together, and the more time she spent with him, the clearer her feelings became. She found herself falling in love, and, for once, the thought of being with him didn't scare her.

Sliding out of bed, Bella stretched before falling back onto her bed, giggling. She'd never felt so comfortable with herself, and it was a feeling she could get used to. A gentle knock on her bedroom door caught her attention.

"Come in," she sang, rolling onto her side.

Alice pushed open her bedroom door, appraising her roommate. Something was different, but she didn't know what. She liked seeing Bella being able to smile without it feeling forced.

"You're awfully cheerful this morning," she teased, crossing the room and climbing on the bed next to her.

"I had a good dream," Bella murmured, blushing. She'd dreamed of Edward all night. Of him holding her, them dancing, the feel of his lips brushing across hers. Nibbling on her lip, she felt her cheeks heat even more. "What's up?"

"Nothing." She reached over, pushing Bella's hair behind her ear, noticing the rosy tint to her skin. "I've just missed you. Feels like we haven't gotten to spend any time together. Let's do something today. Your pick."

"I can't," Bella said, sitting up. Guilt soared through her. She hadn't told Alice about her relationship with Edward, knowing she wouldn't accept him. She wouldn't give him a chance, branding him as just another loser from the bar.

"Why?" she pushed, mirroring Bella's position. "You're not working till later, are you?"

"No, but . . ."

"But what?" Alice's words came out harsher than she'd intended. "Have I done something to upset you?"

"Of course, you haven't," Bella replied, standing. Taking a deep breath, she decided to take the chance. "I have a date."

The look on Alice's face could only be described as disbelief. Bella didn't date.

Period.

She'd been trying to set her up for years with guys she'd met through work, but she always told her no and refused to give in at all. Standing, Alice ran her hands through her hair, trying to understand what was going on with her best friend. Who could have broken through her tough girl exterior in order to get close enough to know her?

"With who?"

Hesitating for just a moment, Bella answered her, "Edward."

"That idiot from the bistro who sent you into hiding for days?" Alice snarled.

Sliding her hand up to her chest, she nodded.

"What the hell, Bella?"

"I know, okay, but he's really great, and he likes me," Bella pleaded for her to understand.

"How long?" she wondered, lifting her eyes to her. "How long have you been seeing him? And don't lie to me, Bella; I know you better than anyone."

"A couple of months," she admitted.

Closing her eyes, Alice wrapped her arms around her body, trying to stifle the pain in her heart. Her best friend had been seeing someone for over a month but didn't trust her enough to tell her. "Does Carlisle know?"

"Yes," Bella mumbled. Shaking her head, Alice turned and walked out of the room. "Al, wait!"

"No," she yelled, storming into the living room. "You know, I get it. You're always going to trust Carlisle before you trust me, but, Bella, I'm here, too. You should have told me that you were seeing Edward."

"You would have jumped all over me for even thinking about going out with him." Bella grabbed Alice's arm, forcing her to face the truth. "Al, I love you, but you don't understand me at all."

"You're right, I don't." Pulling her arm out of Bella's hand, she took a step backward. "I don't want to fight, but I don't understand how you can work in that place with him."

"This has nothing to do with Carlisle or R&R," Bella hissed, feeling defensive. "This is about you not letting me make my own choices."

"Your own choices?" she scoffed. "If I left everything up to you, you'd be hiding from the world, letting that bastard father of yours kill you from the grave."

Flinching, Bella stumbled back, feeling the sting of her friend's words. Alice regretted them the moment they slipped from between her lips, knowing better than to mention her father to her at all. Before she could say anything, Bella turned and walked back into her bedroom, slamming the door. Walking over, Alice tried the knob, but it was locked. She should have expected it, knowing how much her words sliced right through her friend.

"Bella, please talk to me." Silence. Sighing, she leaned against the frame. "I'm sorry. I just don't want you to get hurt. How can you be sure that this Edward guy isn't going to break your heart?"

Her door swung open, and Bella came rushing out, pulling on her shirt, having grabbed the first item her hands could reach. Never in a million years had she expected Alice to lash out at her like that. "He won't break my heart."

"How can you be sure?" she pressed, chasing Bella through the apartment to the front door.

Pulling it open, she sighed, looking back at Alice. "Because I trusted him enough to tell him everything."

"You did?" Alice gasped, shocked. It took her almost a year before she trusted her enough to tell her anything, much less everything.

"He's different, Al." Bella smiled. "He doesn't care that I'm not perfect. He holds me when I feel overwhelmed, and . . ." Letting her words of love die in her throat, she took a deep breath. "If you can't accept him, then you can't accept me. Seems like you have a choice to make."

Closing the door behind her, she walked out of the apartment, leaving Alice with her mouth agape and a million thoughts running through her head. Crumbling onto the couch, Alice wrapped her arms around herself, letting her tears fall. She didn't want to lose Bella, but could she trust Edward enough not to destroy her?

—WSHB—

Edward laid on his black leather couch, one arm draped over his eyes, and trying his hardest to block out every humdrum noise attacking his senses. He managed to close all the blinds, shutting the light out completely, before lying down. He'd spent most of the night tossing and turning, trying to dull the pain radiating throughout his head. He'd been unsuccessful, however. By the time the sun started to rise, he found himself clammy and fighting bouts of nausea.

A thundering knock caused Edward to groan. Trying to keep his stomach intact, he scrambled to his feet, stumbling to the door. He leaned his head against the wood while he fumbled with the locks, trying to get his fingers to work properly. Once he got them, he pulled the door open, finding Bella standing before him.

He opened his mouth to greet her, but the moment he did, the bile he'd been fighting came rushing up. Spinning, he took off toward the bathroom, falling to his knees just in time to empty the limited contents of his stomach.

"Edward!" Bella called, chasing after him and forgetting all about her argument with Alice. He needed her right now. "Oh my God, love, are you okay?"

"Do I look okay?" he choked, spitting into the toilet.

Taken back by the harshness in his voice, she stood in the doorway, unsure of what she should do. He reached behind him, pulled the washcloth lying over the side of the porcelain claw foot tub, and brushed it over his mouth.

"I'm sorry," he mumbled, regretting his tone. "Just having a bad day."

"Oh." Unsure of what to say next, she crossed the bathroom and took the cloth, rinsing it under the cold water. "Here, nice and cold."

"Thanks." Stifling a groan, he stood, leaning with his hands on the vanity. Bella moved to the door while he rinsed out his mouth. "What are you doing here?"

"I thought we were going out today," she replied. Closing his eyes, he grunted, having forgotten about their date. "Are you sure you're okay? You're shaking."

"I'm fine," he snarked, brushing past her as he left the bathroom.

Heading back out to the living room, he sat on the couch again, sipping on his bottle of water. Bella followed, unsure what was going on. Sliding into his black recliner, she waited for him to say something, fearing she'd say the wrong thing again. Instead, Edward leaned back on the couch, covering his eyes with the cold washcloth. Taking the chance, Bella stood, moving over and sitting next to him. Without a word, Edward reached over, taking her hand in his.

"Is there something I can do?" she whispered, leaning her head on his shoulder.

"No," he murmured. "Just don't leave."

Adjusting their position, Bella moved so he could lay his head in her lap. He kept the washcloth over his eyes, wincing every few minutes. Gripping her hand tight, he held it against his chest. Using her free hand, she ran her fingers through his hair, smiling when he sighed.

It didn't take long for him to relax enough to slip off into a peaceful sleep, his exhaustion catching up to him. Bella held him, letting his dark hair twist around her fingers, watching the way his lips parted. His grip on her hand loosened, but she kept her hand over his heart, feeling the way his chest rose and fell under her palm.

Edward's phone rang. Reaching over, she grabbed it off the table, being careful not to wake him. "Hello?"

"This is Tanya from Dr. McCarty's office calling for Edward Masen," replied a nasal-toned voice, seeping through the phone.

"He can't come to the phone right now," Bella explained, speaking low enough so she didn't wake Edward. "May I take a message?"

"Can you remind him of his appointment tomorrow at two for a CAT scan?" she requested.

"Um, sure," Bella mumbled, looking down at him.

The woman on the phone thanked her before ending the call. Letting the phone slip through her fingers, Bella stared at him with horror etched on her face.

Suddenly, everything seemed to be spinning out of control.

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