One Night Only

Fifteen

At approximately 3:30 in morning, I received a frantic phone call from my stepmother Sue, urging me to come home as soon as I could. My father had a massive stroke and was having emergency surgery. I was aghast, shocked to the core. I couldn't believe what was happening but somehow, I managed to talk to Sue and reassure her that I would be there on the next flight. I hung up, stupefied beyond words. My poor father.

"Bella, what's wrong?" Edward asked sleepily. He must've woke up when he heard the phone ringing.

"It's my dad. . .he. . . he needs me," I whispered before bursting out in tears. Edward held me, my body wracking with my sobs. All I could think about was my dad, wondering if he would make it. I had a headache even entertaining the thought of losing him.

"Bella I don't understand, what's wrong with your father? Is he hurt? Alive?"

I fumbled over words as I cried, managing to explain what was wrong. He held me even tighter, softly rubbing my back, comforting me the best way he possibly could. I finally stopped crying but I was still distraught.

"I need to go to Washington," I said thickly. I scrambled out of the hold Edward had on me, wiping at my tear stained cheeks. Edward switched on the lamp on his side of the bed, concern etched in his face.

"Of course, Bella. Do you need me to book you a flight?" He asked softly. I nodded in response, grabbing my clothes and putting them on. Edward immediately got on the phone, dressing as he cradled the phone against his ear. I didn't really pay attention to what he was saying, my mind clouded in a thick fog. All I could think about was Charlie and if he would pull through. I wouldn't know what to do if I lost him.

"Bella?" I looked up into green pools filled with sympathy. "I managed to book you a flight for six. It was the earliest flight I could get." I nodded, grabbing the few belongings I had with me.

In the car, we remained silent as we drove through the sparse traffic of the city to my place. I emailed Carlisle, letting him know that I had an family emergency and wouldn't be in town for a while. At my apartment, Edward helped me efficiently pack a couple weeks worth of attire. As soon as we were done packing the necessities, we left and immediately headed over to JFK to await my flight. It wouldn't depart for another two and a half hours but I didn't care; my main focus was getting to Forks and being near my family.

"Bella, I'm going to grab a cup of coffee. Do you need anything?" Edward asked. I shook my head no. "Okay, I'll be right back." He kissed my head and left me alone with my thoughts. My head was pounding and I was exhausted mentally and physically, anxious to get out of here. I was a wreck and I felt like I was on the verge of a panic attack. I leaned forward, placing my head between my knees and took deep breaths. Before I knew it, Edward was before me, crouching down.

"Bella, are you okay?" He asked panicked. I was spiraling out of control, my emotions all over the place. "Bella focus on my voice. Count backwards from ten. Ten, nine, eight. . .that's it Bella. . .keep counting with me." Slowly but surely, I was able to stabilize my breaths and it was with Edward's help. I lifted my head and stared at him, his eyes filled with worry and I knew that I had to say it. He cared so much for me and despite the circumstances, he was here.

"I love you, Edward," I rasped, breaking down in tears. He gently cradled my face and kissed me sweetly. My heart soared at the absolute peace I felt as he held me and kissed me like I was the most precious thing in the world. When we finally pulled apart, our breaths were shallow from the intensity of our kiss. We stared at each other, our eyes speaking volumes of what was between us.

And then he said it, the words confirming what I already knew. "I love you too, Bella. I think I've loved you ever since you came home with me that night." A few stray tears slid down my cheeks and Edward softly wiped them away, cupping my face in his hands delicately. "I grew to love you—your stubbornness, your sarcasm. Everything about you Bella, I fell in love with. I never expected to love you but I did; I fell for you hard."

"I didn't either, but you made me love you, too," I admitted. We held on to each other until it was time for me to get on the plane. He walked me to the gate, my first class ticket and bags in hand. I looked at him and no longer saw the mask he wore to hide his true feelings for me. His green eyes were filled with absolute love and it warmed my body to my bones. This man loved me wholly and I felt as weightless as a feather.

"Did you talk to Alice?" he asked.

"I'll call her as soon as I get to Seattle. She's over the moon with her engagement to Jazz and I don't want to spoil it for her."

Edward shook his head in understanding and ran his fingers through my hair. "Have a safe trip and I hope your father recovers well. Call me as soon as you land."

"I will," I promised. Edward leaned forward and I met him half way for a kiss. I held on to him, cocooned in his warm embrace and I felt home. "I love you," I murmured softly, my head resting on his chest, my arms still wrapped around him.

"I love you too, Bella." He kissed my head and held me for a few more moments before letting me go. "You have to go, love. I'll be here when you get back."

I kissed him once more and turned to leave, handing my ticket to the attendant. I looked at him once more, waving goodbye. He returned the gesture with my favorite crooked smile, making my heart melt. I boarded the plane with a heavy heart both for my father and for Edward but I felt within my soul, that everything would be okay. I took a few deep breaths, slowly counting backwards from ten as the plane took off into the air.