Disclaimer: Sadly I don't own any of these characters and instead, I must bow down to the creator of the best book series ever, Stephenie Meyer.

Persuasion: Chapter Eight

The next week passed without incident.

Luckily Alice had decided not to bug me for that week. There had been no calls from her and she hadn’t shown up at the house so it gave me a lot more time to spend with Edward.

We spent every waking moment together and whenever I went out I held on to his arm tightly, like I was afraid I would loose him. It was like I had a feeling that something bad would happen and nothing would be the same again. Like I would loose him and never be able to live through it.

My luck ran out after that one week.

I was sitting on the steps outside the house, the sun shining brightly on the street as the children played together. I flipped to the last page of my book, sighing at the happy ending. It was just like all the other books Mrs. Masen had lent me to read. I think I’d read every book she had in the house and this was the last one. I closed the book and put it on my lap as I watched the games on the street.

I felt his hands on my shoulders and I smiled. I leaned back; resting my head against his chest as his arms encircled me. We were silent for a moment as he kissed up and down my neck, myself rolling my head back, savouring the feeling of his lips against my skin. It was becoming difficult to keep anything about us a secret.

“Why must you tempt me so?” he whispered against my jaw.

“It’s apart of a woman’s nature,” I said with a smirk. “You men are just too weak to resist.”

“Hmm,” he murmured as he continued to kiss my neck. “Is that so?”

“Mmhmm,” I said closing my eyes to savour the moment better.

We were silent again as I opened my eyes.

Two little girls had their arms linked and were watching us from across the street, whispering to each other. When I caught them they giggled and continued skipping down the road. Showing affection in public was not something a proper woman would do, but I saw this more as a show of comfort. I was awfully bored and Edward was just here for my entertainment. I giggled at the thought as he kissed my shoulder, sending shivers down my spine.

“What’s this?” he asked in my ear with a chuckle.

“One of your mothers last books,” I sighed as he picked it up off my lap. “I think I’ve read your family out of house and home.”

He laughed again, his breath against my jaw. “Looks like you need new ones.”

“Yes,” I answered. “But I’m too comfortable to move at the moment.”

He chuckled and continued kissing my neck.

“Bella!”

I moaned when I heard my name, my eyes darting to see Alice hurrying as fast as her high-heeled feet could move down the street. We watched as she came to the gate, grinning at me.

“Sorry cousin,” she said, her grin changing to a smirk when she caught Edward behind me. “I’m in need of your partners assistance.”

“Assistance in what?” I asked, instantly cautious as she opened the gate and walked up to me.

“Shopping of course!” she cried, throwing her hands up in the air dramatically then winking at me. In other words it was time to try on the dress. I swallowed as she took my hand. “Come now. You need some woman time.”

I sighed, standing and breaking out of Edward’s grasp.

“Auntie!” Alice cried as Mrs. Masen appeared in the doorway. I took in Edward’s facial expression as he leaned against the wall, arms crossed and death stare eyes on his cousin.

“Good afternoon Alice,” she said with a smile. “What brings you here?”

“I will be taking Bella out,” she said with a perfect, innocent smile.

“I see,” she answered, looking at her son before back at us. “Have a joyous time then.”

“Come along Bella!” Alice cried, pulling on my arm as I frowned.

I pulled myself out of Alice’s grip for a moment so I could smile up at a grumpy Edward. “I’ll be back soon,” I promised in a whisper as Mrs. Masen went back inside and Alice waited impatiently with a tapping heel. I reached up and stroked his cheek once as he smiled slightly. He sighed and leaned down to kiss my forehead, making my skin tingle again.

“Come on Bella!” Alice cried. “We are wasting perfectly good day light!”

I waved to him as Alice grabbed my wrist and pulled me down the street. I didn’t take my eyes off him until we turned the corner.

“Ugh,” I sighed. “Alice, why must you take me on these silly outings?”

“Because,” she said with a grin. “My design is perfect.”

I groaned as we walked on to Main Street, now alive with people. We passed by the many clothing shops but she didn’t stop until we reached one I’d never even noticed before.

“Alice,” I said as she pulled me through the door. “There are so many shops on this street. Why this one?”

“It’s the best one on the street,” she told me as if it was obvious. Clearly I was a mental case if I didn’t know that.

She pulled me through to the back of the store where my dress was hanging up on a hook. I stopped as soon as I saw it. I wouldn’t admit it to her but I really liked it.

The skirt was long and almost reached my ankles with ruffles that would fan out whenever you would spin. The colour was a pale blue and the fabric a soft material as it ran through my fingers. The shoulders puffed out and I noticed how well the colour went with my pale skin.

Alice was ecstatic when I walked out from behind the curtain. She clapped her hands together motioning with her hand for me to spin. I did and she squealed with delight. “Oh, just wait Bella!” she cried. “When we get your hair done, maybe I few flowers from Auntie’s garden! You will be so beautiful!”

My cheeks went red as she giggled.

For the next few hours we searched the street for shoes and handbags to match the dress. I never knew Alice could be so picky. Everything I picked up she took and put it back down.

“Bella!” she’d cry. “You can’t possibly want to wear that!”

The sun was dipping behind the high Chicago buildings when we were finally finished, or close to it. But the dark clouds were rolling in and I could almost hear them screaming rain.

“I just need to do a few more bits,” she told me as we stood outside the dress shop.

I had an idea then.

“Alice,” I said. “Might there be a book store close by?”

She raised a brow at me as if I was insane. “Yes,” she answered slowly. “Around the corner. Why?”

“Well I just wanted to see what they might have,” I said with a shrug.

She pressed her lips together before nodding. She opened her purse and handed me a few coins. “Here,” she said. “Go pick up a book for yourself.”

“Alice,” I said in surprise as I tried to hand the money back to her. “I can not take this.”

“Yes you can,” she said, curling my fingers over the coins and nodding. “Go and get something. You have suffered enough, it is time to treat yourself.”

We both giggled as I nodded. “Thank you.”

“Not a problem,” she said. “You are like a sister to me now.”

I smiled and hugged her tightly before she shooed me away, telling me how to get to the store. “I’ll meet you there,” she said before walking into the dress shop.

I held the coins tightly in my hand as I walked down the street. I got many stares, as they all wondered why I had no man on my arm. It felt oddly empty without Edward holding it. I sighed and walked into the bookshop, knowing what I wanted. Mrs. Masen had told me about loving the story of Pride and Prejudice but not having a copy herself. I spotted the book and bought it so I could give her at least something for her kindness. I smiled at the thought of how ironic it was that we both loved the story.

Walking out on to the street the drops began to fall. I knew I had taken only a few minutes and Alice would still be at work so I decided to walk back to the dress shop to catch her there.

The street was darker now and the lamps above the street had just come on setting an eerie glow on the road. The cars lazily drove by as everyone made their way home for the night.

Suddenly I saw a few men come out of one of the bar’s I was passing, closing for the night. It was obvious they were no where near sober and they all stumbled around as I passed them, staying close to the curb of the road.

They stopped laughing when they spotted me. “Evening lady,” one of them laughed. I didn’t answer and they all went hysterical again. I turned the corner to see them all standing together in the circle, heads together. Stupid men, I thought as I walked on, the wind brushing against my skin and making the goose bumps rise.

I kept my head down as I walked and knew that soon Alice and I could go home and I’d be in Edward’s arms again. That thought made me all giddy inside and I laughed quietly at myself.

“Evening lady,” the familiar gruff voice came as I looked up. I stopped dead when I saw it was the same man, now leaning against the wall of one of the shops.

I kept walking past him, wondering where all the other people were.

Suddenly he grabbed my arm and spun me around to face him. My heartbeat went crazy but in complete fright. You could smell the alcohol from here.

“I said ‘evening lady’,” he growled as I tried to pull away. “You supposed to say somethin’.”

“Let me go, please,” I whispered as I tried to pull my arm away again. His grip hardened.

“That’s not what I’m talkin’ about,” he said.

I had to get myself out of this situation. I remembered Mama had taught me a few things to do when in this situation. I didn’t know the day would come when I needed to do this. I threw my hand back and let my palm smack him right across his dirty face. He instantly let go of me and I ran, throwing my high heels off.

I didn’t know where I was going but I knew I had to get away. The rain was starting to come down now and my clothes were getting soaked but I kept going. I was freezing by the time I rounded another corner, only to find it empty again. I stopped for a moment and that was the wrong thing to do.

He came up from behind me and pressed my back against the side of the building. I screamed loudly as his hand came down on my mouth.

“I no want to hear you now,” he growled as I kicked.

Please no! Not this! The tears came to my eyes as my heartbeat sped up. I tried to scream again but his hand drew back and smacked me right across my face. I fell to the ground in a heap, my head cracking against the pavement. I whimpered as the rain came down on my face and I felt weak. I wouldn’t be able to get myself out of this situation. My life was over before it had even begun. Please God send me an angel.

There was a scuffle behind me before the growls were heard. I couldn’t even lift my head to see what was happening. There was a cry of pain and then silence. Before I knew it I felt a warm hand on my face, stroking my cheek.

“Bella,” his voice cried. “Bella, please open your eyes.”

I did and my heart skipped a beat when I saw his face. Edward’s worried expression was staring down at me, his green eyes filled with pain. He let out a sigh of relief when our eyes met.

“Thank God,” I said as he stared at me. “I thought I lost you.”

I smiled a small smile, which hurt me too much. His hair was dripping wet from the rain although he was using his body as a shelter for me.

His eyes traced over the wound on my head and the scratches on my palms when I had fallen.

“Bastard,” he muttered under his breath before staring at me again. “Hold on Bella. I’m going to take you home.”

Home. I marvelled at the sense of the word.

I closed my eyes and soon he had lifted me off the ground and cradled me against his chest. I sighed in contentment as my head rolled back, the blood pulsing through my body. The fear I had had those few minutes ago had diminished and now all I felt was relief in his arms.

I must have passed out because the next thing I knew he was carrying me up to the house. Mrs. Masen’s cry was heard although I didn’t open my eyes.
“Oh goodness!” she cried out and I could feel her hands on my face. “What’s happened?”

He didn’t answer her as I heard Alice’s scream. Her sobs were heard just as the voices began to fade away.

My eyes opened to see him carrying me up the stairs and into my room, placing me gently on the bed. Mrs. Masen was right behind him as he leaned over to brush the wet bangs from my eyes.

“I’m going out to the hospital,” he told his mother without taking his eyes off me.

“Be quick,” she said, sitting beside me on the bed.

He nodded before leaving the room.

“Come along dear,” she said. “Let’s get you into dry clothes.”

I was like a rag doll as she helped me change into my nightdress. I felt limp and numb as she placed the blankets over me. Alice walked quickly into the room, her eyes red with tears.

“Oh Bella!” she sobbed. “I’m so sorry! I should have stayed with you! Oh! This is all my fault!”

“No, Alice,” I croaked.

Mrs. Masen hushed Alice and me. “Close your eyes Bella,” she said, using the wet cloth Alice had brought in to clean my forehead. I did as I was told and tried to relax my ridged muscles. But it was difficult without having his warm hand in mine, without having him stoke my hair. I moaned, as the pain became evident on my forehead.

I heard the doctor’s entrance and felt his cool fingers probing my head.

“Another catrastophy Miss. Swan?” the calm voice of Dr. Cullen asked. “This is becoming a usual.”

I didn’t answer as he cleaned my cuts and bandaged my head. It took a few moments before he stepped away to talk with Mrs. Masen.

I whimpered once and I finally felt the one I wanted. He stroked my cheek with his thumb as I sighed. With his other hand he took mine and kissed it carefully. I opened my eyes to see his shining in the lamp light.

“Don’t,” I murmured. “Don’t cry. Not over me.”

“Then tell me Bella,” he said, almost angry. “What should I cry for?”

I thought but shook my head. He exhaled in relief again.

“You don’t know what went through my mind when Alice told me she lost you,” he said, staring into my eyes.

“I left,” I muttered.

“But you shouldn’t have,” he sighed. “Now look at you.”

I shrugged which made me wince. “I’ve had worse.”

“I’m sure you have,” he said with a shake of his head.

“The doctor says she needs rest,” Mrs. Masen said from behind him.

“Yes, Bella,” he said. “Close your eyes.”

I sighed and did as I was told as I heard the door close behind Mrs. Masen. I could still feel Edward beside me as he leaned in to kiss my bandaged forehead.

“I love you,” he whispered against my skin and my heart jumped.

“I love you too,” I murmured as he began to stroke my cheek.