“You know me, Bella; fine is never any good with me.” She smiled as I wolfed down her soup. After I had finished, and the tray had been taken away, I snuggled into Edward, feeling like an afternoon nap.

“That better?” Jasper called from the kitchen. I knew he had something to do with my sudden tiredness.

“Much better, thanks.” I smiled, winking at him. 

“As long as your sure, darling.” Emse said, musically. “Edward, why don’t you take Bella out for a slow little walk out by the river? Get some fresh air into her lungs.” Edward nodded and I felt his cold hands mold into my figure as he led me out towards the back door. It felt so good to feel a breeze on my face, and to get some fresh air into me. We talked a lot as we walked, trying to pass the time. I guess. Edward would always start the conversations, knowing just what to say when I started to stare into space.

"Bella, can I ask you something?” Think carefully about this, Bella.

“Yes, of course.”

“And you promise you won’t get mad?”

“Edward,” I looked down at myself, “It’s not like I can go anywhere without you helping me hobble back. Come on, ask away.

“Bella, I know you didn’t get all this,” He hand caressed my throbbing cheek, “From a fall down the stairs. Please. You have to let us help you. But first you have to start by telling me the truth." Edward whispered as he stroked my new blacky purple bruise on my cheek.

"There is nothing you can do." I cried through my fresh salty tears.

"Bella, there has to be something. We both know, we all know that not even you would get a bruise like this from falling down that stairs. Please, let me in.”

“Your right, I didn’t this from falling down the stairs.” I placed my hand on his chin, forcing our gazes to meet. “But you have to trust me. You have to let me deal with it myself. In time, I will slowly let you in, to know my past, but for now, just know that I am safe with Cain, okay?”

“Bella, but you are in …” I knew that was a lot for him to take in and accept but he had to.

“Edward, I know. I know that what I just said might be hard to accept, but I wouldn’t be telling you this if I couldn’t handle this myself. I know what I am doing. No mind reading and no future searching, I mean it.” He fearful eyes closed, and his head fell. I pulled him close and rested his head on the ground before doing my best to lie down next to him and not to burst his eardrums at the same time. I leaned my head against his chest, his arms opening me eagerly as I looked into his eyes.

“You don’t know how difficult and absolutely painful that is going to be. If there is something or someone hurting you and I have to power to stop it, I intend to do something about it."

“Trust me.” I whispered before reaching up and embracing him in a tender but passionate kiss.

“Always.”