Chapter 11: Restorations

Bella's POV

I sighed quietly as I finished packing my parent's clothes into the same box my old ones were in. It was hard to move my parent's belongings, but it was my house now; I needed to let go of the past. Having their clothes and personal belongings untouched in the room that once belonged to them was an unnecessary reminder of everything I had lost, the life I had lost.

I heard Esme moving around the house. She was still here even though she's been in my house since yesterday. I knew my house was in bad shape if she was still taking inventory.

I heaved the box into my arms and headed toward the attic. Like I said before, I was not going to throw my parent's belongings away. I would just store them until they wasted away.

It took several trips to finish moving everything, but I was pleased that it didn't take as much time as I expected. My house was a complete mess: dust covered everything, and it looked like the dust bunnies would come alive and hop away. I was pretty sure that I had species of insects and arachnids that mankind has yet to discover living in my house. I really needed to clean the place up.

Before I could begin, sweet Esme called out to me. She was ready to give me the verdict.

"Bella, dear, I think you should stay with us until you house has been repaired. I don't feel comfortable with you living here right now. There are some broken pipes and floorboards that need to be fixed before you move in. Some of the woods has also rotted away. We have a spare room is you would like to use it.

"I frowned slightly. "Thank you, Esme, but I wouldn't want to be an inconvenience."
She laughed lightly. "Not at all, dear."

I bit my lip. "How long do you think it will take to fix it?"

She looked away for a second before answering. "About half a year, maybe longer."

I sighed softly as I internally cursed myself. I should have taken better care of my parent's house. I looked at Esme. I appreciate it. Thank you."

She waved her hand with a smile on her face. "No need to thank me. I'm happy to help." Excitement lit up her eyes. "Bella, can I ask you a favor."

"Yes?" I said it like a question. What would she want from me when she has everything?

"Well, it's a hobby of mine… I love to restore old buildings, and I would love to work on yours."

I smiled at her and laughed slightly. "It's more like you're doing a favor for me."

She laughed with me. "How would you like it done dear?"

I thought about it for a second. "I… I would like to keep it similar to how it was when it was first made."

She beamed at me. "Consider it done." She looked at me with eyes that held an unnamed emotion. It looked like pride or something similar to it. "I'm so happy Edward has you. You make him so happy. I can see why he loves you." She laughed and rolled her eyes. "If I asked Emmett how he would like a house restored, he would respond with something crazy like towers or moats."

I laughed with her. Emmett was like the big brother I never had. He treated me like I was an actual person unlike his mate.

I bit my lip and looked down at the ground. I didn't know what to do now. I wanted to go back to Edward, but I didn't want to leave Esme alone. Esme seemed to know what I was thinking. "Go," she said with a smile and lightly pushed me toward the door. "I know he's anxious to see you as well."

I smiled at her, grateful for her kind heart, but I still hesitated. "Are you sure you don't need any help?" I asked her.

She shook her head. "I'm just going to take a quick look around and see what I can save and what I have to replace." She got a thoughtful look on her face, and walked away to start her project. I smiled and took off to Edward's house.

I was still conflicted about leaving Esme alone to work on my house. It seemed like I should be there to help since it was mine. I should at least stay to clean. I didn't want to force Esme to do that. I started to slow down running as I went to Edward's house. Edward and I lived close by as humans, something I was grateful for. I didn't want to have to change into a wolf to get to his house. By the time I was about to turn around and help Esme, I saw Edward by his house. I didn't have a choice after I saw him.

I smiled at him and ran into his arms. He laughed lightly and kissed my forehead. "Hello, love," he murmured softly.

I laughed. "Hi." I bit my lip, still thinking of Esme.

"What's troubling you, love?" He asked. He groaned when I didn't respond. "Bella."

I sighed. "I hate leaving her alone to fix my house. I should be there to help her even if it is just to clean the house."

Edward surprised me by laughing. "Trust me, you're doing her a favor by being here. You don't know Esme when she has a new project. You would just get in her way even if you were trying to help. She'll get done fast and also do a better job if you leave her be."

I sighed again. "You know I have a hard time sitting by when people are working."

He kissed my forehead. "That I know. But you know what love? That is one of the qualities I love about you."

I beamed at him as he lead me into his house. Emmett and Jasper were sitting in front of a board game. I could see the look of frustration on Emmett's face as he was clearly losing. I repressed a giggle when I saw Alice helping Jasper by mouthing Emmett's next moves. Rosalie was no where to be seen.

"So," I began as we walked into Edward's room, "Esme told me my house is in too bad of shape that it's not safe to live there, even for a monster like me." I smiled slightly at the dirty look Edward gave me. "Esme asked me to take a spare room here."

His frown transformed into a radiant smile. "How long are you going to have to stay here?"

I pursed my lips. "Esme said it would take about six months or more to fix my house."

His smile grew. "You know, you don't have to stay in the spare room."

I looked at him, confused. "What do you mean?"

"Well, you're my mate so there shouldn't be any problem with you staying in my room. Besides, I don't have to sleep so there shouldn't be a problem."

I bit my lip as I considered. I wondered if staying in Edward's room would cause any gossip between the Cullens, but quickly diminished that thought. They wouldn't find it strange; they were all married after all. It also would mean less room and money spent to fix a temporary room…

"If that's what you would like, then yes," I said with a small smile on my lips.

"It's no problem at all love." He looked at his couch though with speculation in his eyes. "It wouldn't be very comfortable for you to sleep on this…" He smiled suddenly. "Alice would love the chance to shop for anything."

I sighed. Of course she would. Alice was a bundle of energy that had no spending limit. She was my complete opposite, but I found myself thinking of her as my best friend, a sister at times as well. Alice would be all too happy to do anything to help Edward with anything. She seemed genuinely pleased that I was with Edward which made me like her more.

I smiled at Edward and agreed knowing that it would be more comfortable for me to sleep on a bed as well as more comfortable to be by him as well.

If I got to spend eternity this way with Edward, then I would be happy.