Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight and/or its characters. What I would give for it, though…
Breaking the news to Charlie wasn't as bad as I had planned. He still eyed us reproachfully when Edward mentioned that we would be staying for two nights. Luckily, he did not give me another sex talk. I guessed that he finally gave in to the idea that I was getting married soon enough and that it entitled Edward and I to do whatever we wanted.
Unfortunately, I knew that nothing was going to happen. I didn't think that this trip would be the right time or place. I could always hope, though.
For the next three days, I tried to wheedle as much information about this mystery girl in Chicago. I only knew that she was a girl and she lived around that area. Edward was being very elusive about her identity, saying that it would be a surprise while giving me a secret smile and a kiss to my forehead.
"But Edward, you know that I hate surprises," I complained we were lying in my bed the day after he told me about my mystery guest. The next two days were going to torture me. Even though we were leaving in two days, we would not arrive in Chicago until 7:30 at night. When I had asked him why, he laughed, saying that it was custom, whatever that meant, and that the weather was most unpredictable over there.
Before he started to sing me my lullaby that would make me forget and fall asleep, I continued. "Could you tell me her name and age, at least?" I tried to sound as pleading and alluring as possible. I was still well aware of his weakness: my begging.
Sure enough, conflict flickered across his face.
"Bella, don't do this to me. You know how tempting you can be," my angel groaned.
Sensing his impaired defense, I kept at my attack. I wrapped my arms around his marble neck and whispered in his ear. "Please? Just a name and an age? Surely that won't spoil the surprise."
But it would spoil the anxiety that was building up in me ever since he revealed her gender. Just the thought of another competitor for Edward's heart made me shiver and cling to him even tighter. I didn't care that he constantly proclaimed his love for me. Jealousy was jealousy.
Edward's head moved so that my lips were not at his ear, but at his mouth. I instantly knew what he was trying to do. If he kissed me I would forget everything that I was working for. Just the scent of his breath so close and concentrated started to make me forgetful. I had to muster every ounce of effort to pull away and resist the temptation.
Instead I reached for his neck, covering it with butterfly kisses. "Please?" I muttered against his stone cold skin.
I could feel his whole body relaxing in defeat. Victory was mine.
He pulled me away from him, his perfect brow puckered. "You are the most tempting and seductive creature I have ever met, Bella Swan."
I grinned at him in triumph. I was finally getting some answers.
Edward still had that serious look on his face. "I am only telling you this, Bella: Her name is Marjorie Brady. She is sixteen years old. And no, she did not have any interest in me." Disturbance flashed though his eyes, as if the very thought was repulsive. His face softened and his lips pulled into my favorite crooked smile. He bent down and kissed my hair as he hugged me close. "She's very excited to finally meet you. I don't want to spoil her fun by telling you everything."
A wave of relief swept through me. She doesn't want him. That fact was music to my ears. I no longer felt that I was preparing myself for a battle between this Marjorie for Edward. He was mine.
But I had one more question for him, before I gave into his intoxicating scent and kisses. "How long?"
"Hmm?" Edward murmured as he glided his nose along my collarbone.
"How long has she been sixteen?" I asked tentatively, bracing myself for the worst answer possible.
I could feel him shake as he chuckled. "Not a chance. I promised her that I would leave all the story telling that I could until we are in Chicago."
Uh-oh. That was not the answer I was looking for.
Edward notice the change in my body as stress flowed through me. He looked up at me and his eyes smoldered unfairly. I was putty in his hands. "Now Bella, it is time for you to sleep."
He took my face in his cold hands and pressed his lips against mine. I wound my arms around his neck, pulling him closer. He grew more urgent in the kiss with one hand leaving my cheek and pressing me too him tightly around my waist. I had to pull away for air, wishing for the time when I would not have to worry about oxygen. His breathing was just as ragged as mine, but his topaz eyes still smoldered with excitement.
Edward pulled me closer to him and whispered in my ear, "Go to sleep now, Bella." He then sang my lullaby in his angel's voice. His arms wrapped around me in a protective shield of living stone.
"I love you, Edward Cullen. More than you can imagine," I told him as I drifted towards unconsciousness.
"I love you, Bella Swan. You are my everything," he replied in my ear.
I fell asleep in my lover's arms, his voice staying with me through the night.
A/N: Please review. I want to know how I can make this better. Thanks again to my three reviewers. As for the rest of you, I want your advice!
--Loie
