YES...and he wants to learn as much about Bella and love and all this stuff he has never experienced before. This whole thing has hit Edward like a ton of bricks...

Onyx and AO, you both are too kind. Unfortunately I don't posess a way with words talent like you ladies both have. (I have read many posts by both of you). Mine comes in little bitty spurts here and there.

I agree with you both! He has waited too long to miss even a nano second with her. I also think that it comforts him when she wakes up and she's glad that he's there. Like when she had the bad dream in Eclipse and she woke up and pressed her face against his chest. She was comforted that he was there. And then, the next morning, he asked her what the dream was and she couldn't remember but she was glad that he was there. I think that he likes that. I know that sometimes I watch my DH sleep and he seems so vulnerable and open. Maybe Edward sees something in Bella's face that he loves to see?

He wants to be with her, and he has nothing better to do that's more important than staying with her, I guess. He probably also likes seeing her safe and at peace, and maybe thinks about the days when he could be the same way.

But yes, as many others have said, he listens to what she says in her sleep. But I hope he realizes that some dreams don't make a whole lot of sense. Dream interpretation is an iffy business, as I see it.

I think it is because it is something he cannot do. Also, it is the only time that Bella is really uninhibitted and cannot be in control of what she says or looks while sleeping. I don't think he knew she talked in her sleep and it was a bonus of sorts.

Hubby loaned out my book (He's definitely in the dog house right now), so I can't check this. I was remembering Edward saying he was intrigued that she kept his secret after the van crash. That he had listened all day at school. That was part of what made him curious enough to check her out. I would think the other motives seen in these posts would have presented themselves as he was drawn to what he saw and heard in her room.

I don't think Debussey was a set-up, but I do think he heard her CD and got his from his collection in his room (remember it takes up a whole wall). He seemed surprised to see they match at the meadow, so I don't think he planned--And as someone mentioned, he was hunting that night before with Alice.

Once a vampire the body is always craving. It must be a rare thing to have the complete relaxation and peace of sleep. If a baby is sleeping in a room, it lulls me into a sleep. I know that Edward doesn't sleep, but to have that relaxing lull after constant frenzy must be a relief. Ironically, he gets it by resting next to the one whose blood stirs him the most.

After she's changed, if it ever happens, Edward won't be able to listen to her sleep talk. Won't that be interesting, he'll have no way of knowing what's going on in her head.

He relaxes by laying next to the one whose blood stirs him the most! Very well put! I just love it that he stays with her at nights. I would think that it might get boring but the picture of him just holding her all night and loving every second of it is just SO romantic!

wow, you've just about summed up everything for me, lisa! you have a beautiful way with words.

truly, watching bella sleep is both a sensual and emotional experience for edward. its definitely one of the scenes that i'm looking forward to in MS -- to know his exact thoughts and musings while watching bella sleep. and i'm really hoping that they pull this off very nicely in the movie. i hope they are able to put across just how MUCH of a sensual and emotional experience it is for edward.

its actually waaay beyond romantic -- the proper objective simply eludes me.

i would bet this is also one of the reasons why edward doesn't want bella to become a vampire just yet. watching her, holding her in her sleep is something that he will NEVER be able to do again once she's changed. bella's too much in a hurry to become one of them that sometimes i feel she doesn't realize how much she (and edward) can lose in the process. if i were bella, i would want to enjoy this as well, for as long as i possibly can!

Hmm, maybe. But he also says that none of those little things matter because he will get to keep Bella forever. I think that he enjoys watching her sleep because he knows that that's the only way he knows she's safe. Plus, he wants to be with her every moment that he can.

well it's like being a mom, I loved my baby's chubby little body (he was a major fatty with a million rolls) and as much as I loved those checks and how cute he was I was happy when he started to crawl and walk even though he lost his cubby thighs because it's him I love and not just the thighs-not that I didn't enjoy piching his chubby little face nor would I have given up a moment of it too soon-does this make sense to anyone but me?

in a way, this is what i meant -- "about not giving up such a moment too soon" as cullenfan put it. i agree with you muspia, that edward wants to spend every moment with bella, any which way he possibly can, and watching her sleep is one of these ways he can be with her, uninterrupted. and i also loved that scene in EC you referred to, when edward assured bella that none of those little human things matter because what's most important more than anything is keeping her forever. but he also said that he will certainly miss these little things. watching her sleep is one very sublime experience for him. there's bound to be some sentiment for such an experience once bella becomes like him, and he is no longer able to do it forever.

you know, sleeping with someone (and I mean sleeping) is really such an intimate thing; you are totally vulnerable. But since Edward can't sleep this is the next best thing for him. And also, he started to watch her sleep before she knew how he felt about her... it was his chance to be close to her without her being aware of it. No strings attached.
And it's WAAAAAAY hot, because it's Edward! There's no creepy factor here becasue he is so pure hearted.

Yeah, utterly_absurd, I think Edward will miss all those little things. I absolutely LOVE it when they have that talk and they clear things up! Him watching her sleep, and holding her while she's sleeping, just makes my heart flutter!