( thanks for the great question Amontilado)

I was thinking about this one, and Im thinking that since he can't read her thoughts even in sleep, that it must frustrate him even more - so therefore he doesn't want to miss one little subconscious thing she might do.

The third wife was one thing I bet he was glad to pick up on
and the best was when she said she loved him....

What else might he get out of being there?

How about just the comfort of being with her, even if he can't technically ever sleep. Maybe for him this is the closest he can come to that, the peacefulness, tranquility and stillness of the night with the person he loves so deeply and completely.

Isn't that what love is, wanting to be in the same space with someone no matter what ?

what ever it is it's soooo stinking sexy!

I think Edward must love being able to watch her without interruption, or making Bella feel weird. He can just sit there and enjoy her heartbeat, her breathing, even her talking in her sleep. I bet he knows every single freckle and dipple on her face.

I can just imagine how he lies there patiently, waiting for her to stir into consciousness. *sigh* just to be with her!!

I think he has alterior motives too. It drives him insane that he can't read her thoughts. Her sleep talking is completely unedited and I think he totally looks forward to what she's going to say.

Like on the plane back from Italy he wanted her to go to sleep so he could hear her true thoughts about the situation. I love that!

Jenny! this is what I love - now when I go back and reread that part I will be thinking about what you said!!

Oh, I love that!

Jenny wrote:


Good point.

I'm re-vamping Twilight and just came across this...

After the meadow scene. Bella has just realized that Edward has been watching her.

"I was curious about you"
"you spied on me?" But somehow I couldn't infuse my voice with the proper outrage. I was flattered.
He was unrepentant. "What else is there to do at night?"

"How often?"
"Hmmm?" He sounded as if I pulled him away from some other train of thought.
I still didn't turn around. "How often do you come here?"
"I come here almost every night"
I whirled around. "Why?"
"You're interesting when you sleep. You talk"

I think he started out watching her at night out of boredom and curiosity and as his feelings for her grew, he then just wanted to be near her. And, of course, listen to any juicy tidbits she might spill in her sleep.

I think he really got a kick out of her saying his name and also It was the first time he heard her say I Love You, actually I think it's the first time he's heard any girl say I Love You! This is all so new to him and makes him feel special too, I think!

You know...I have some vague recollection of a Q&A w/ Stephenie saying that Edward first started coming to watch Bella sleep to kind of build his strength against her smell....or something like that...

Lisa 314 is right for me personally. I mean if I were in Edward's situation and could not sleep, being with that person would be the only time Id have absolute tranquility and peace.

I think I read that too CaliCat, he was testing himself.

I think it started with curiosity and what not, but I agree it has a lot to do with just being near her, and getting an uneditted peak at her thoughts. Plus, I think he does it for her too. When I was dating my hubby I would make him stay WAY too late, just to talk to me and then I would start falling asleep in the middle of conversations. He would always stay with me for awhile, b/c it made me feel safe in a way I can't describe. I think it's sort of like that for Bella too.

I think that the first chapter of Midnight Sun talks about it kind of being a test for him--am I right? It's been awhile since I read that.

And, Oh man it is incredibly sexy!!!