Friends with Benefits

Chapter Sixty-Four

Things I own: my sanity (though, that's debatable at times), not enough time to write and incredible friends and family!!

Things I don't: Twilight, Edward and Bella (Damn. It.)

Chapter Sixty-Four

BPOV

Five hours, three sets of x-rays, some pain meds and a diagnosis of a broken wrist and chipped bone in my ankle, I was back home. Edward had to carry me up the stairs since I couldn't exactly use crutches due to the purple cast that now adorned mywrist. Thankfully, my ankle was encased in a removable walking cast, but I couldn't put any weight on it for at least a week.

Once back at the apartment, Edward set me up on the couch and covered me with a fluffy blanket. I was tired, my eyelids drooping. "Sleep, Bells," he whispered, tucking my hair behind my ear. I couldn't fight it much longer and I slipped into a drug-induced nap. When I woke up again, Edward had placed a tray on the cocktail table. It was mainly finger foods. I was grateful that it was my left hand that was broken and not my right. Most of my food would have ended up on the floor. "You alright?"

"I hurt everywhere," I grumbled, trying to adjust my spot.

"I have no doubt," he snickered. "How did you fall?"

"I tripped on the last step, nearly face planting on the concrete. Thankfully, this," I held up my casted hand, "broke my fall. I can't believe it."

"We all have clumsy moments," he said, putting the tray over my legs. "When I was a freshman in high school, I tripped over my own feet because they were freaking huge and I fell, face-first, into a locker. This tooth is an implant." He pointed to one of his front teeth. "I also broke my nose and shattered my glasses, causing some damage to my corneas."

"Ouch," I cringed.

"Yeah. I looked like a bruiser, too. I had two black eyes from the broken nose and didn't get the tooth fixed for about a week. I was missing a tooth, had two black eyes and wore my old glasses that were thick and ugly. I begged my mom to let me stay home, but she forced me to go to school. She always wondered why I never had a girlfriend in high school. That week of me looking like a complete freak was the sole reason."

I nibbled on my meal, feeling woozy from the medication that the doctor gave me and just out of it in general. "Thank you for coming to get me. Alice wouldn't pick up her phone," I said.

"She was at a meeting with one of her investors. She wants to expand the store to include children's clothes," he chuckled."Alice called me while you were getting x-rayed."

"Crap! How am I supposed to help her out now?" I grumbled.

"She knew that you were only doing it temporarily. Apparently, a few days is as temporary as you get," Edward chuckled, swiping a chicken tender from my plate. "Jasper also called while you were napping. He'll be here in about an hour. He was at Alice's shop, helping her measure for the children's section."

"Hmmmm," I said, leaning back on the pillow.

"Do you want another pain pill?" he asked, picking up the prescription the doctor gave me.

"Not yet. Yes, I am hurting something awful, but I have to stay somewhat coherent so Jasper can get my lesson plans for my time off. Plus, I need to get the paperwork in order for my medical leave. How in the hell am I going to do this when I can't flipping walk?"

"Simple, I'll do it for you. Bella, the doctor said that you're off for at least three weeks. I know that most of the days will be covered by workman's comp, but the rest need to be handled under the medical leave act. I'm taking tomorrow off and I'll beyour gopher."

"Edward, Thursdays are when you're at the courthouse," I chided.

"Isabella Marie, don't be stubborn," he admonished. "I'm taking tomorrow off and probably the next day. I do not want to come home and find you bleeding on the floor because you decided to try taking the stairs without my help."

"I hate this. I hate relying on you. I'm disrupting your life," I huffed out.

"I'm partial to this kind of disruption, Bells. Let me take care of you. I'll expect the same if I take another tumble, cracking out the other tooth," he said, taking my hand in his. "Don't let your pride get in the way of the help you need. How are you going to shower? Cook your meals? Get around the apartment? I'm willing to do it, Bells."

A few tears escaped my eyes and again, I felt like I was using him. Not if you need it, Swan. He's got a point. Seeing me cry, he picked me up and cradled me in his arms. It made me feel guiltier. He rocked me gently and let me cry it out. I hated being this whiny, simpering girl. My emotions were a mess from my fall and from what I was trying to make sense of with Edward. A few moments later, the doorbell rang and Edward got up from the couch. Jasper walked in, covered in downy snowflakes. Edward left us in the family room and he went to make arrangements to take the next two days off. I spent nearly an hour and half going over my lesson plans with Jasper. He said he'd cover my history class, writing the lessons for that. I only had to create lessons for my English classes. By the time we were done, I had three weeks' worth of lessons and even a buffer if I was not released within that time frame.

When Jasper left, Edward swept me into his arms and carried me up to his bedroom. "I'm not sleeping with you. Not with this thing," I said, gesturing to my boot.

"I've got a king-sized bed and an attached bathroom. Please, Bells?" he wheedled. He was right. I nodded and he dashed into my room to get some pajamas for me. Helping me out of my clothes, he propped up my foot on some pillows and gave me my pain medication. Within moments, my eyes were drooping and I felt more confused than ever.

A/N: Edward is sooooooo acting like a boyfriend. Le sigh...Bella, pull your head out of your ass, girl! Leave me some!