Bella MacLeod's Twilight Fanfiction

Faith, Hope, And Love

By Momma2Fan

Chapter 16:

Admissions and Interruptions…

Esme stared at the couple who only had eyes for each other. She couldn’t help the smile that graced her face, nor the feeling she was intruding somehow.

“Hello, Sweetheart. Did you have a good drive?”

Edward glanced away from Bella for the first time and smiled at his mother. “Yeah, it was fine.”

“Good. Well, let me show you where everything is and then I’ll get out of your way.” Esme led Edward into the kitchen and showed him where all of Bella’s medications were. She knew she didn’t really need to give him instructions, but the mother in her couldn’t stop. “She has a tendency to get tired in the afternoon, so…”

“Mom, I think I can handle it. Thanks for being here with her.”

Edward kissed her cheek.

“Like I would be anywhere else. Bella is like my daughter. I love her, too.”

“I know you do. Now, go spend some time with Dad.”

Esme didn’t have to be told twice, and with a quick hug to Bella, she was out the door, leaving the pair of them alone for the first time.

Edward sauntered out of the kitchen and into the living room, where he sat down beside Bella. “How are you feeling?”

She shrugged, “It depends, I guess. Sometimes I feel great, like I can walk a mile…then other times my head is pounding so bad I can’t keep my eyes open.”

He reached his hand out and ran it down her cheek. “I’m sorry, Bella. Trust me, it’ll get better.”

Bella opened her mouth to speak, but nothing came out. She so desperately wanted to tell him how she felt, but something was holding her back. She wasn’t sure why, but part of her was afraid. Edward had bravely confessed and here she was, with the man she loved sitting in front of her, and she couldn’t speak.

Edward watched the myriad of emotions cross her face and needed to know what she was thinking. “What’s wrong?”

Bella took a deep breath. “I have something I need to tell you, but I’m so afraid of what will happen when I do.”

“Bella, you can tell me anything.” Edward reached out and took her hand in his.

She looked into his beautiful emerald eyes. She wasn’t sure what she was looking for, but the love shining back at her gave her the courage she needed.

“I’ve been miserable and lonely for so long. You see, when I was ten I met this guy and he’s great, but he’s also my best friend. I always thought that was all he was…until my senior year in high school. I was dating this one person and he betrayed me with someone I thought was my friend. That scared me. I didn’t want to ruin this friendship by confessing my feelings and then ending up alone…again.

“But you see, by not telling him how I felt, I have essentially been alone anyway. Although I’ve had him in my life, I have kept him at arm’s length. If this accident has taught me anything, it’s life is too short to be afraid of the ‘what if’s.’ I don’t want to spend another minute of my life without him by my side.”

Edward’s eyes were glistening with emotion. He wanted so badly to pull her into his arms, but he needed to hear the words. “Bella…” he whispered.

Bella swallowed thickly. “I love you, Edward. I have for so long.”

Edward didn’t need to hear anymore. He gently pulled her to him and pressed his lips to hers. The kiss was slow and easy, and everything a first kiss should be. He didn’t rush it, knowing they had the rest of their lives ahead of them. For now, Bella still needed to heal.

**FHL**

“Alice, I think we need to give Bella some more time. We don’t need to go there right now.” Jasper tried to reason with his girlfriend.

“I know, we’ll only stay for a little while. I haven’t seen her in over a week. I just want to check on her.”

“Alice, Edward was coming back in town. I don’t want to intrude on their time together.” 

“Jasper, please! We won’t stay long and then we will go see Em and Rose.”

Shaking his head, knowing this was a bad idea, he put his boots on and followed Alice out to the car. During the forty minute drive, neither one spoke. Jasper was irritated that she was so insistent, and Alice was irritated that he was so resistant.

When they finally reached Bella’s house, Alice rushed from the vehicle and was already at the door before Jasper had even gotten out of the car.

Edward pulled open the door and was shocked to see the pair of them there. “What are you guys doing here?”