Baby Isabella

Chapter 25

Alice and I talked for a while. Of course, she wouldn't tell me exactly what would happen, but she helped to sooth my worries of making a fool of myself. I knew she would find ways to block Edward out until I could muster the courage to talk to him myself... if I'd ever be able to.

Eventually, we continued on to lighter subjects. When she would drag me along for clothes shopping, what the weather was for the next few days, and what celebrity drama would come out next in her favorite magazines. I promised her we would go shopping soon for the coming spring. Before I knew it, the guys were back. Alice gave me a little smile and turned away as they approached the house. I hoped more than ever that she could keep Edward from knowing for however long I needed.

Alice got up and sped off to Jasper. Emmett disappeared somewhere, probably to find Rosalie who had returned shortly after our talk about Edward. After a moment Edward appeared in the spot Alice had just vacated, wearing different clothes than he was in this morning.

"Did you change?" I asked, looking at his new outfit.

He chuckled, "Emmett insisted he could beat Jasper and I in a fight. He lost but he managed to distract me long enough to tackle me. You know how Esme hates when we get dirt on everything."

"You only won 'cause you're a cheater!" Emmett yelled from the other room. I laughed. Edward shook his head.

"How was lunch with Jessica and Angela?" He turned his attention back to me. I felt my cheeks warm.

"It was fine. Jessica likes Mike now so maybe she can get him to leave me alone." I was suddenly worried he could read my thoughts on my face and know there was more to the conversation.

He didn't seem to notice, "She'd be doing you a favor."

"I'd owe her big time," I shifted in my seat, "You mentioned last night that Tanya came back."

His smile faded, "Yes. Tanya got back to their house in Denali last night." 

I waited for him to continue.

"She has apologized, though it's hard to tell if it's sincere when I can't read her thoughts. Carlisle talked to Eleazor shortly after Kate called and let him know that she is welcome to return when she feels that she is able to apologize to you in person and when you are comfortable with her being here."

"You don't look too happy with that decision." I noticed.

He glowered, "She won't get anywhere near you if I have anything to say about it."

I felt my face warm again. "I'm glad she is home and that they don't all hate me," he seemed to tense a bit, "but I'll need some time before I'm ready to see her again."

Edward visibly relaxed, relieved at my response. I knew my family would support me whenever I decided I was ready. I also knew that she probably wouldn't receive a warm welcome if she were to come anytime soon.

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Edward and I eventually made our way to his music room. It was our regular space to relax, him at the piano and me in a comfy chair that was added when he noticed I liked to be in the room while he played. I was lost in my book and the music he was playing.

I must have dozed off at some point. I woke up with a light blanket laid over me and my book on the side table with a bookmark where I had left off. The sun was nearly set but a few rays shone in as Edward continued to play the piano. I recognized it immediately as my song. I watched, transfixed, while the light reflected off his hands as his fingers danced across the keys. He appeared to be the most at peace he had been in weeks. I was still staring when he turned to me, the last notes still ringing in the air.

"Did I wake you?" he asked. I blinked and it felt like a spell was broken.

"No," I cleared the hoarseness in my voice, "I didn't realize I was so tired." I yawned as I finished my sentence.

Edward chuckled. "Still tired it seems. It's about time for dinner, what are you hungry for?"

I thought for a moment. "I'm not really hungry, I had a big lunch." I didn't mention how I had lost my appetite shortly after getting my food.

Edward stood up and crossed the room, kneeling down in front of me.

"Can I check your bruises?" He asked gently.

I sat up a bit, knowing he wouldn't rest until he could check them again, like he had nearly every day.

"They're almost gone, I can barely see them." They had lasted a bit longer than normal. Though Tanya didn't use her full strength, they had still gotten very dark. My pale complexion seemed to make them linger even longer at nearly 3 weeks since the injury.

"Just because you can't see them doesn't mean I can't" Edward carefully slid my shirt off my shoulder to inspect it. 

He gingerly touched the bruise to make sure it was healing correctly. The cold touch of his skin had been greatly appreciated when they had been sore, saving the need for an ice pack. He continued to check the bruise on my side. With the same care he had with my shoulder, he checked my side for anything strange or for any lingering pain. 

He looked up at me, though I tried very hard not to make eye contact, "Does it hurt?"

"No, I don't feel either of them anymore." 

He looked at me for a moment, trying to sense a lie. He finally accepted that I was okay and readjusted my shirt before leaning back. I yawned again and he smirked.

"Alright sleepy head, let's get you to bed." He stood.

I moved to get up when he reached down and picked me up.

"You know I can walk on my own." I yawned again.

"With your luck you'd fall before you made in out of the room." He chuckled as he carried me to my room.

"No, I would have at least made it halfway down the hall." I protested.

He set me down in front of my closet. "Guess we'll never know."

He was sitting on the side of my bed when I came out of the closet in my pajamas. I crawled under the blankets, and he laid beside me on top of them. We talked a bit about his music and my books. It didn't take long for me to drift back to sleep.