A/N This fic follows BD canon up until the day Edward goes hunting off of Isle Esme; Bella doesn't wake up unwell whilst hes' gone. We pick up the day after Edward's gone hunting. Please enjoy, maybe leave a review, I hope to update soon!
I was high above the clouds, looking out a plane window. I could see mom waving. Phil held her hand, and between them sat a puppy. My body filled with warmth - this would be her compacted, simple family from now on, she'd be happy like this.
Before I knew it I was alighting the plane, alone; blinding light and a sticky heat assaulted me, where was I?
"Bella…." His voice, soft and warm, right by my ear. Where was he? I couldn't locate him in the brightness. "Wake up, love."
Real world scepticism flushed through my thoughts; Renee doesn't own a puppy - she's far too flighty for that kind of commitment. Also, how would I have seen mom and Phil from 30,000 ft up in a plane? The missing time frame between flying and landing made sense – it had all simply been the glitch of a logistically unfeasible (but totally believable at the time) dream.
"Ghnrrnn" was the intelligent complaint that left my mouth as I awoke. I only had to try opening my eyes once before I realised the blinding brightness in my dream existed in this reality too, and no I did not want to look at it.
"It's nearly noon, you've been asleep for 11 hours." The cool words murmured in my ear slipped down my neck, transforming into a delicate stream of kisses to my shoulder.
"So?" I sighed, revelling in my limbo of sleepy awakeness. I felt his body curl closer to mine, spooning me.
"So we've been here over three weeks…" a cool hand slipped over my hip, up to my waist, "…and as much as I'd like to stay here, with you, forever…", he paused to place his lips against the back of my neck, while the wandering hand slid forth over my stomach, up my ribcage, "…we have responsibilities we must attend to." His hand stalled beneath my breast as he placed a quick kiss on my neck, and then withdrew all contact between us.
I rolled over, a frown on my face expressing how displeased I was with his departure from the bed. I managed to wrench open my eyes in time to watch him pull a t-shirt over his head. His boxers were already on. Damn.
"But you only went hunting yesterday!" I protested, stretching my legs and arms out to starfish across the bed, "surely that's your responsibility taken care of for another two weeks?"
I heard him rifling through the contents of his suitcase, but he didn't answer.
To be quite honest, it bothered me enough when I woke up without him yesterday as he went to the mainland to hunt. For the few hours I was left to my own devices I was completed unsettled, I ended up watching old movies and napping on the couch, and snacking on peanut butter straight out the jar with a spoon.
I stared at the ceiling, realising how truly relaxed my life had been whilst on Isle Esme. The thought of returning to civilisation, and responsibilities, was not at all appealing right now.
The rifling noise stopped, and suddenly a college prospectus blocked my view of the ceiling fan. A multi-ethnic group of teens sat with books across their laps on a green lawn, a large, Georgian-style building shaded them.
"It's time to think about college, Bella."
Ugh, real life, actual responsibilities? I was asleep two minutes ago, and now he wants to talk four-year commitments to an education I'm not entirely sure I want?
"Edward-" I began, before a finger placed on my lips silenced me. I met his eyes, frustrated at his interruption. He simply smiled.
"Bella," he mocked, before softening his voice, "you said you wanted to do this." There was almost a hidden question in his voice, doubting his words.
"I do," I smiled, and his eyes brightened again, "just not quite yet…". Sitting up, I captured his lips with my own.
He caught on to what I wanted immediately, and pulled away all too quickly, "we can still do that at college, you know," humour danced in his eyes.
"I'll never make it to any classes with you in my bed, and you know that!" I laughed, envisioning our life. Our married life.
Groggy, and displeased I slam the kill button on my alarm clock – 7am. I slump out of bed and pull on a dressing gown. My nose follows the scent of fresh-ground coffee. I never used to drink coffee, but I'm a student now, and it has become a lifeline.
Edward is in the kitchen, pouring out a shot of espresso into a mug of hot, frothy milk. "Mmmm, I love you," I mumble, sliding onto a stool at the kitchen table and taking the mug from his hands.
"Having any regrets yet?" he taunts. I briefly consider being irritated at him, before I realise I don't have the energy to rise to his teasing.
"All of the regrets," I affirm, taking a glorious first sip. My head harbours a dull ache, and I barely keep my eyes open. Last night I went to my first college party.
Edward came with, of course, and made sure I was safe, and didn't drink too much. I was surprised he didn't stop me from drinking at all – but when I was handed my first red cup from a girl I sat with in seminars, he simply smiled.
He encourages all my human experiences, but I wish this once that he hadn't. The memories come flooding back.
"Oh no." I gasp, "I danced." A shocked statement.
He grins back at me, the cat who ate the goddamned canary, "yes, yes you did."
"It was bad, oh my, oh no, it was so bad!" Flickers of colourful lights and smiling faces dance back into my memories. One memory stands out, Edward, across the room, watching me, expression unreadable. I bury my face in my hands.
"Define bad." He scoots onto the stool next to mine, and whispers in my ear, "you managed to seduce me into coming home with you…"
"We're married," I groan, "you had to come home with me!"
I was drawn out of my daydream by Edward, who, now stood by the bed, scooped me up into a fireman carry over his shoulder. "You will make it to your classes, even if I have to drag you out of bed like this every day" he said, as he walked us toward the bedroom door.
I laughed, "fine by me, but I don't think it's my physical ability to leave bed that'll be the problem… it'll be your libido that holds us back."
He stilled, turned around, and gently threw me back onto the mattress. His face was in front of mine as he crawled on top of me, "my libido will be the problem?" he asked incredulously.
Beneath him, I lay breathless, still slightly stunned by the turnaround. His eyes turned dark as they moved from my face to observe my still naked body. My knees weakened.
He didn't have to touch me with his hands, I felt his eyes. And it broke me. I leant forward, throwing my arms around his neck to bring his mouth to mine.
I kissed him hard, moaning as I pressed against him. He pushed back against me, and unwrapped my arms from around his neck so he could hold them above my head. I felt hot and bothered by the time he pulled away – presumably to allow me time to breathe. But when I opened my eyes again, his dark, smouldering gaze had given way to playful golden eyes, "my libido will be the problem?" he repeated.
I yanked my wrists out of his hold above my head, "that's what I said," I clarified, defiance in my gaze. Then my stomach made its presence known with a gentle rumble.
He smiled, and kissed me gently. "Come on, little human, we should probably get you fed."
He rolled out of bed to pass me a soft gown Alice had thoughtfully packed. I got out of bed and bypassed him to pick up the shirt he'd left on the floor last night.
"You know what I'm really craving?" I mused as we reached the kitchen.
"Haven't a clue, my love," he chuckled, as he cracked two eggs into a pan.
A/N: It's been, what? 5 years since my last story? I was barely in high school last time I wrote a story on , and now I'm in the final year of my bachelor's degree? Where has the time gone?! Hope you continue to read!