Song Selection:
"Probably Wouldn't be This Way" by LeAnn Rimes
**Alice POV**
I hated sleeping in foreign beds, there was no bed more comfortable than my own. Jasper has fallen asleep almost the second his head hit the pillow. He was snoring quietly now, most likely from the alcohol, and that was not helping my own attempts at falling under. I usually kept a pair of earplugs with me, because I was so sleep sensitive, but I had forgotten them at home. I cursed myself internally before rolling over and trying to get comfortable on my side. That's when I first heard the noises.
The first sounds were almost a whimpering but then I heard a strangled cry. I knew it was Edward. My heart broke for that man and for my cousin. I'd never seen two more broken people in my life. The worst part was that they were both such good people, they truly deserved to find happiness. I debated with myself whether or not to go to Edward. I knew he would never actively seek either of us out if there was something he wanted to get off his chest and that made me even sadder. Jasper had suggested we stay here tonight after seeing Edward in his state earlier in the day. He divulged that Edward had some problems with depression and he was a little worried about him, since the meeting with Bella had gone so bad. After, tonight's debacle I was more pleased than ever that we had made that decision. I tried to ignore the whimpering from the other room, but when I heard the sob once more, I decided to go and investigate.
I knocked quietly on Edward's door, but didn't hear any other sounds other than the whimpering and the occasional sob. I slowly opened the door and peeked inside. Edward's sheets were tangled around his legs and his head was shaking violently back and forth in a “no” pattern. I debated what to do. I wasn't sure if I should try and wake him or try to comfort him in his violent sleep. Finally deciding on waking him from his dream, I went to his bed and shook him slightly whispering his name. His arm shot out, pinning me to the side of the bed. “Please don't go. Don't leave me,” he begged.
I honestly wasn't sure if he was awake or still dreaming as the room was so dark, and I couldn't see if his eyes were open or closed. I was such a sucker. There was no way I could turn away from him now, so I climbed slowly up into his bed, sitting and leaning back against his headboard and several overly stuffed pillows. Edward continued to hold onto me as I positioned myself and then laid his head down onto my legs. “Thank you, Bella” he whispered nearly crushing my heart once more.
I slowly started lightly scratching his scalp with my left hand while the right rubbed lightly on his back. I was relieved when I heard a soft sigh and moan come from his mouth. He settled into a comfortable sleep for awhile and I eventually dozed off myself.
A short time later I was startled awake by a half scream, my eyes practically bulging out of head as I tried to take in my surroundings and figure out what was going on. Edward was sitting upright in bed. I was certain he must have woken himself up, so I leaned forward and tried to relax him by rubbing his shoulders and telling him it was okay, he had just had a dream. He looked at me, eyes open but completely unfocused and I realized he was only partly awake. I convinced him to lie back down and he did willingly, once again putting his head on my thighs and his left arm across my hips pinning me to my spot. Sighing I began to gently rub his back again and his breathing evened out.
Moments later I saw Jasper peek his head in through the door. “Ali, are you in here?”
“Shhh,” I told him not wanting to wake Edward. “Yeah, sorry, Baby. I couldn't sleep listening to him and when I came in he begged me to stay. He thinks I'm Bella.” Jasper moved closer to the side of the bed and I reached out to hold his hand. “Are these nightmares normal for him, Jazz?”
Jasper bent over kissing the top of my head. “I don't know how often he's gotten them in the past six years, but yes, they were pretty regular when we were college roommates. I almost asked for a room change freshman year, but I just couldn't make myself do it. He was my closest friend there, and he was typically fine during the day, I just... well, I knew another roommate might not be so understanding, so I stayed.” I squeezed his hand tighter. This is why I loved Jasper, he was the most understanding and unselfish person I had ever met. I heard him chuckle a moment later. “You know, Edward's got quite the reputation, I hope you don't fall prey to his advances tonight, Darlin',” he joked.
I laughed softly, not wanting to wake him. “I'm sure this desperate Bella routine really makes all the girls swoon,” I said sarcastically. A more serious thought fleeted through my brain, “Actually, I can't believe that no one has ever tried to report this to the press, Jazz. This would be a PR nightmare.”
“I know which is why I wondered if they had decreased through the years. When we finished college, he was only getting them maybe once a month. You gonna be okay in here?” he asked eying me warily.
Poor Jasper, he looked so exhausted. “Go back to bed, sweetie. I'm fine, and I need to think anyway. There's got to be a way to get these two back together. They both want it. Bella too, I know it.”
He bent down to kiss my head once more, whispering “Good luck with that,” before he headed back to bed. I continued to rub Edward's back wondering how the hell I could ever fix this. Neither one of them was in any type of stable mental place to be starting a relationship. Both needed to fix themselves before they could work on each other.
I heard Edward mumble something about his Dad before another sob escaped and he squeezed me tighter. Jasper had once told me his father had passed, but I wasn't sure of when. I wondered how much Bella knew about that situation. It obviously seemed to affect him pretty severely. More pleading for Bella to stay or to come back followed and started I to feel hopeless, wondering if these nightmares would ever end.
When he quieted once again, I went back to my mental scheming. I would need a miracle for Bella to have an epiphany and breakthrough her doubts and guilt. She would be difficult to fix, but not impossible if she could ever see the light. Edward on the other hand, needed more than just fixed, he needed to be saved. He was drowning in his sadness and guilt, but he had something Bella did not. Determination and perseverance. I knew he would not give up on her and would stop at nothing to get her back and prove his love. Every ounce of these qualities were going to be necessary if he was planning on coming out of this intact.
Edward became more restless once again, sweat dampening his shirt as he thrashed about. He pulled my hand from his head and cradled it to his chest, hugging on to it like a life preserver. “I love you, please Bella. Please. Stay, stay, stay, I'll do anything. I'm sorry. Please,” he pleaded. Another strangled cry escaped before he continued. “Where is she? Jake, please. No, you don't understand. I have to find her. I know you know, tell me where she's at.” His head began shaking back and forth as he muttered a string of no's. Then suddenly he sat up still clutching my arm half shouting, half gasping “Bella.”
“Shhh... you're okay, Edward. It's just a dream. You're okay.” I tried once again. This time he really looked at me.
“Alice? What are you...” he asked in confusion before trailing off. “Nevermind. Thank you, for being here. I'm sorry.”
It appeared therapy session number one was officially starting. “Operation Save Edward” was in full effect.
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