She shook her head in disbelief. "I was shocked when Renée swallowed that one. I know you know better."
One day she will outgrow me, though. My worst fear, yet I prayed she was right, that she would want me forever.
"That's the beautiful thing about being human," I whispered. "Things change."
Her eyes narrowed. "Don't hold your breath," she retorted.
I laughed. I could hold my breath forever if I had too, though I would never do it for something as stupid as wanting Bella to leave me. The nurse came into the room brandishing a syringe.
Get out of my way. "Excuse me," she said harshly to me.
I got up and crossed to the end of the small room, leaning against the wall. I folded
My arms and waited. Bella kept her eyes on me, still apprehensive. I met her gaze calmly.
"Here you go, honey." The nurse smiled as she injected the medicine into Bella's IV. "You'll feel better now."
"Thanks," Bella mumbled, unenthusiastic. It didn't take long. Bella's head already began to lull from side to side.
"That ought to do it," the nurse muttered as Bella's eyelids drooped.
The nurse promptly left the room, eyeing me suspiciously.
Even though she was obviously losing consciousness I rushed over to Bella to place my hands on her face, to hold her head still.
"Stay." Bella slurred.
"I will," I promised. "Like I said, as long as it makes you happy..." I hesitated, not long enough for Bella to notice. "As long as it's what's best for you," I added to my statement.
"'S not the same thing," she mumbled more inarticulate words.
Watching her trying to beat off the medication was kind of...hilarious. I laughed.
"Don't worry about that now, Bella. You can argue with me when you wake up."
A cheesy grin spread across her face as her eyes became small slits. '"Kay."
I continued to try and suppress laughter. I was very glad Emmett wasn't here, the jokes would never end. Looking down at my now drunken beauty, I brought my lips to her ear.
"I love you," I whispered.
"Me, too."
"I know," I laughed quietly at my joke, remembering her saying that when I finally sucked the venom out of her wrist and told her I loved her.
Again, I tried to suppress laughter as her head lulled sideways, her lips puckering at a funny angle, facing the opposite direction of my face. I shook my head and brought my lips to hers. "Thanks," she sighed.
"Anytime," I chuckled.
She went limp in the bed, but was still struggling to reach reality.
"Ed..war?" she tried to say my name, but it came out all wrong.
"Yes?" I smiled down at her
"I'm betting on Alice," she mumbled, her words clearer this time.
My humor vanished, a frown replaced my smile. This argument was far from over, but no matter what, our deadlock would remain. I kissed her forehead and sat down next to her to hold her hand until she wakes again.
Epilogue: Dream
The month after Bella's accident flew by. After Charlie had cooled down and quit blaming me for her 'accident' - which he had every right to do since it was my fault - things had been comparatively free of danger...besides the obvious danger that I always presented.
Regardless of our now quiet and semi-uneventful life, I was quite content. It had only become habit for me to stay in her room every night and each day absorb every word that came out of her mouth - sarcastic or not.
Looking into the mirror I could see my dark eyes and deep blue circles under my eyes from where I hadn't hunted in a while. It was hard to take myself away from Bella for any period of time, so my hunting habits had become less gluttonous than usual. Before the prom, though I would hunt.
In the corner of my eye I caught the black bag with a post-it note with my name written on it. Alice had purchased for me a new tuxedo. Unzipping the bag, I grabbed the coat to examine it. It was made by some famous and outrageously expensive designer. But clothes, no matter what kind of an occasion, were her specialty and you just learned to not argue with her. Putting the black coat back into the closet and making sure all my accessories were there, I decided to give Charlie a call.
The phone rang a few times before I heard Charlie's gruff voice on the other end.
"Hello?"
"Good evening, Charlie. It's Edward," I said politely, using my smooth voice.
"Ah. Yes." He coughed and cleared his throat before whispering into the phone. "She's upstairs right now." He laughed lightly. "She has no clue."
I returned his laugh. She sure seemed a little slow about something so obvious. What could she possibly be thinking we were doing tonight? Surely she had noticed all the posters around school with today's date and the words PROM plastered all over every inch of the school building.
"Thanks, Charlie. I will be there in a few minutes."
"I'll make sure she's downstairs and ready," he chuckled under his breath, still whispering.
When I arrived outside of her house I could hear her complaining to Charlie.