Be My Valentine
"Valentine's Day sucks," Edward grumbled as he sat heavily on the chair.
"Your whining sucks," the brunette shot back, placing a bottle of Yuengling on the table in front of him. "Are you going to be hanging around long? 'Cuz if so, I'm having Heidi take over your table."
"Oh, good God, no," he moaned. "That woman refuses to accept the truth. What part of 'I like men' doesn't she understand?"
Bella pinched his cheek between her fingers and ruffled his hair. "We females just can't help ourselves around your dazzling prettiness. You're the genetic equivalent of magnetic north to our ovaries."
"Quit it," he grumbled, smacking her hand away. "On second thought, maybe I'd rather deal with Heidi."
"Whatever, you love me," Bella replied with a smirk. She pulled out a chair and joined him at the table.
Quirking an eyebrow, Edward glanced around the busy pub. "Sitting down on the job? You'd better hope the manager doesn't see you."
Bella let out a sardonic snort and brushed imaginary dust off her nametag. "Yeah, I hear that girl's a major bitch." She nudged his shoe with her toe. "By the way, you sounded great tonight on the guitar. Thanks again for helping me out."
He shrugged noncommittally. "No problem. It's not like I had anything else to do."
"Well, I still appreciate you stepping in at the last minute to cover for the sick guy. And so does Carlisle, as I'm sure you know."
Edward's frown deepened. "I'm trying my best not to think about him right now."
"Hey, come on." She put a gentle hand on his shoulder. "I know life hasn't exactly been roses for either of you lately, but you got through it together." Grimacing, Bella huffed a gust of air out through her nose. "Well, not actually together together, like, in the physical sense, but you know what I mean. Anyway, my point is that it's almost over. He'll be back in two days, so you can still have a Valentine's date with him—it'll just be a little later than usual."
"I know, I know," he replied, trying to pull his pouty lower lip back in. "Sorry for the shit attitude. I'd planned on staying in tonight so I wouldn't have to see all the happy couples being all happy and…couple-y. But you're right; it's almost over. Just ignore the whiny brat behind the curtain. I think I'm PMSing or something."
Bella rolled her eyes. "Uh huh. I'm sure that's what it is and not your actual stellar personality shining through. It's a good thing Carlisle has the patience of a saint."
"Don't you have some people to manage or small children to scare?" Edward muttered, doing his best to hide his grin behind the bottle in his hand.
After leveling a playful glare at him, she stood and smoothed out her clothes. "Alright, I'm going, but you'd better not sit here and try to drink your sorrows away. Unlike Carlisle, I have no problem leaving you passed out over a bar stool when I close up."
Edward smiled wistfully as Bella walked away. The events of the night he first stumbled into Cullen's Irish Pub were hazy in his memory, but he'd since heard all about them from Bella, Rosalie, and, of course, Carlisle. And though he hated the circumstances that led to him getting drunk off his ass and needing help from a complete stranger, the embarrassing debacle set the stage for him later making several new friends…including one he'd fallen pretty damned hard for.
Yes, he could see all the potential problems with jumping headfirst into another serious relationship so soon after having his heart destroyed, but his feelings for Carlisle were growing too strong to ignore. They'd been talking almost every day, and each time, he discovered something new to love about the man.
Love.
Was it possible he loved Carlisle already? His head said no, but his heart seemed to have other ideas. It sped up anytime Edward thought about him and threatened to beat out of his chest whenever they discussed seeing each other again. He was actually a little worried what it might do when they were finally able to move forward with their physical relationship.
There was a good chance he'd survive it, though. He happened to know from personal experience that Carlisle was talented in giving mouth-to-mouth.
"Still hoping I'll change my mind? Sorry, Masen, I just don't feel that way about you."
Edward looked up at the tall figure approaching his table and grinned. "I refuse to give up on us. One of these days, you'll see the light."
"Not gonna happen, but go ahead and think that if it makes you feel better." Jacob Black set a plate on the table and took a seat. "Although nothin' says love like my beer-battered fish and chips."
"No argument here," Edward replied, eagerly reaching for a fry. "What's with the personal delivery, by the way? Leah kick you out of the kitchen again?"
"No," Jake growled. "I just came to say hi, but if you're gonna be an asshole…"
"You're such a crappy liar. I know Bella sent you out here to annoy me so I'd stop moping over being alone for Valentine's Day."
"Is it working?"
"Well, you've got the annoying part down." Edward wiped off his fingers and sat back in his chair. "Seriously, though…I'm okay. Sure, I wish he was here and that the last six weeks hadn't been such a shit storm of epic proportions, but in the grand scheme of things, we're okay. I'm okay."
"I guess…" Jake said in a dubious voice.
Edward sighed as he thought back to New Year's Day, when Carlisle got the call from England. His uncle, Thomas, had been in a bad car accident and wasn't predicted to survive. When his Aunt Jane arrived at the hospital, she discovered that not only had Thomas lost his job just before Christmas, he'd also wasted most of their life savings on bad investments. Jane was an older, unemployed woman with disabilities, and she was having a difficult time handling the situation.
Carlisle, being the caring and compassionate person he was, booked the first flight available.
Though they were just getting to know each other at the time, Edward was very tempted to throw caution to the wind and go with him. Once he'd made the important decision to risk his heart again, his more impulsive side tried to take control. It required an enormous amount of willpower to drive his car away from the airport when he dropped off Carlisle, who promised to call as soon as he could.
The number on his caller ID the next day surprised him, but Carlisle proved to be a man of his word. Edward soon found himself upgrading his phone service to an international plan. Although money was hardly object for him, he didn't see the need to be wasteful.
"So, uh, how's the family business going?" Jake asked as if reading Edward's mind. "Still keeping your head above water?"
It turned out to be a good thing Edward stayed in town. A few days after Carlisle had left, Edward's father revealed that he was retiring earlier than planned from his position as CEO of his consulting firm. He wanted his son to have a more active role in the company and one day take over for him.
"It's not too bad, actually," Edward replied. "It's weird to be sitting on a board where most of the members are more than twice my age, but they've been helpful and polite—to my face, anyway."
Jake chuckled at his friend's wry grin. "I'm sure it doesn't hurt that you own more than half the company stock and could pretty much destroy their asses if they pissed you off."
"Yeah, there's that, too," Edward agreed smugly.
"How's your dad's heart doing?"
"It's responding well to the medication. Also, my mom's making him eat right and exercise, so I think he'll be sticking around for at least a little while longer."
"Good to hear it, man." Jake clapped Edward on the shoulder as he stood. "Well, I'd better head back to the kitchen before Leah has me sleep in the doghouse tonight. Catcha later."
They bumped fists, and then Jake walked away from the table. Edward considered him fondly as he tucked into his plate of food. Like the rest of Carlisle's friends and employees at the pub, Jake had welcomed him into the fold once word of their relationship got out. Edward had worried he was walking into the lion's den when Bella invited him over for drinks one night after closing, but the crew was genuinely interested in getting to know the man their boss was seeing.
Edward only wished he could see his boyfriend in person instead of via Skype.
Two more days, he reminded himself. Uncle Thomas had passed away three weeks prior, and Carlisle was finally satisfied enough with his aunt's situation to return home. In less than forty-eight hours, Edward would be waiting at the airport with a big smile and an even bigger need to jump into the arms of the person he cared so much about.
Maybe the person he even…loved.
His mind again turned to idea of allowing someone into his still-wounded heart when a deep, familiar voice pierced his thoughts.
"Edward…babe…is that you?"
A gasp slipped past his lips, and he was spinning in his chair before it occurred to him that he'd much rather have played it cool and detached.
"Oh my God, it is you! Shit, babe, it's so good to, um, see you again. I thought maybe, well…I'm just…fuck…how are you?"
Edward stared in stunned silence at the tall, rather flustered man in front of him. As usual, Felix was impeccably dressed in expensive clothes that flattered his muscular form. His dark hair was a different though; it looked like it hadn't been cut since Edward last saw him. The top was long enough to be pulled back into a small ponytail.
"Did you get my messages…the flowers?" Felix continued quietly. Remorse saturated his features. "Dammit, babe, I'm so so sorry about…you know…what I did. It was a terrible, stupid mistake—the biggest one I've ever made. I'd give anything to take it back. I'd give anything if you'd take me back."
Blood pounded in Edward's ears and warmed his face. Felix had begged forgiveness in the numerous voicemails, texts, and emails he'd sent since that night...but hearing the words in person, seeing his former love in person…
Edward reeled from the emotions surging through him. His hands curled into fists on top of his thighs.
"How could you do that me?" he finally managed to ask despite the choking tightness in his throat. "I fucking loved you! And I thought you felt the same way."
"I did…I do love you," Felix insisted. "I'd never been with anyone else before that night, I swear, and—"
"Honeybear, our table's ready…oh! It's Edward!"
A small figure stepped out from behind Felix's bulk. Edward couldn't place the man, but his thin, effeminate figure seemed familiar somehow…
Edward's eyes widened in horror as understanding set in.
"I'm so glad to finally meet you…well, officially, that is," the young man tittered excitedly. "I only caught a glimpse of you that day, but wow—you're even more gorgeous than I remember!"
Edward had no idea how to respond to that.
"Alec, be quiet for a second, okay?" Felix muttered, shame and embarrassment coloring his voice. "I swear, this isn't what it looks like," he tried explaining to Edward. "Alec and I aren't actually together. He knows how much I love you. It's just…"
"We like to fuck," Alec supplied helpfully. "I'm little, so Honeybear can throw me around a lot." He eyed Edward appreciatively and giggled. "And, I'm a power bottom, so we thought maybe you'd want to try topping for a change."
Edward gaped at the two in shock. He wondered if Felix was trying to pull some sick joke on him. Or maybe he was actually asleep and caught up in a stomach-churning nightmare.
Felix turned to Alec and began speaking in urgent tones. Edward, however, was only vaguely aware of their conversation. All he really wanted to do was grab his guitar case and bolt out the door, but his body seemed frozen in place.
"Edward, babe, please listen to me…"
He blinked a few times to clear his vision and realized that Felix was now kneeling in front of him, hands on his legs, Alec nowhere in sight. Repulsed by the other man's touch, Edward pushed his chair backward and shook his head.
"No," he rasped, "I don't want to hear anything you have to say. At all. In fact, get the hell away from me, and don't ever try to contact me again."
Face crumpling with grief, Felix reached out again. "Please, babe, just let me explain…"
"He said he doesn't want to hear it."
Edward's head whipped to the side toward the beautiful face of a certain blond bar owner he hadn't expected to see for another two days.
"Carlisle," he breathed, jumping up from his chair in delight. "You're back early!"
"Surprise, surprise," Carlisle said with a chuckle as he wrapped his arms around Edward's body. "I just couldn't be away from you a second longer."
The rest of the world faded away from Edward's mind when he felt warm lips on the skin just below his ear.
"Best surprise ever," he avowed, shivering from the delicious sensation. "I missed you so much."
Carlisle didn't get the chance to respond; Edward's insistent mouth prevented it. He kissed his boyfriend with six weeks' worth of intensifying emotion. Humming his enthusiastic agreement, Carlisle slid his hands down Edward's sides and grabbed hold of the belt loops on his jeans, using them to pull their hips closer together.
"Oh, my innocent eyes! I'm blinded by the lechery! Jeez, get a room, you two."
Carlisle snickered against Edward's lips, but the owner of the latter didn't find Bella's unexpected interjection at all amusing. He leaned back to gripe at her and was surprised to see Felix still standing a few feet away, looking on with a heartbroken expression.
All Edward felt was irritated impatience.
"Bye, Felix," he said tersely. "Have a nice life."
The other man met his stare for a long moment and then nodded sadly. Shoulders slumping in defeat, he turned and walked away.
"Whew. Glad that gigantic turd is outta here," Bella huffed dramatically. "Okay, you two lovebirds, untangle yourselves for a sec so I can give my boss a wildly inappropriate kiss."
She launched herself up Carlisle's tall frame and smacked her lips against his. Then, smiling broadly, she reached back to whack him hard on the ass.
"Welcome home, Carlisle," she said her grin becoming wry. "I didn't burn your bar down, and no one's trying to sue. You can thank me later. Now go have a really good night."
"And that's why she's my manager," Carlisle commented with a laugh as she headed toward the kitchen. He took Edward's hand and raised an eyebrow. "I also liked her idea about getting a room. Do you want to head upstairs?"
"You gonna carry me again?" Edward purred, already making his way toward the exit.
"Hey, I just got off a really long-ass flight across an ocean. Give an old man a break."
"Like thirty-six is all that old," Edward scoffed.
"It's older than twenty-five, that's for sure."
"Cradle-robber," Edward teased on their way up the stairs to Carlisle's apartment above the bar. "Now let's talk about how you supposedly got off on the plane. I hope it was long enough ago that you're ready for some more action."
"Crazy boy," Carlisle laughed, pinching Edward in the side. "That did not happen, but even if it had, I'm more than ready for you now."
They had just reached the apartment door, and to prove his point, Carlisle took Edward's palm and pressed it against the very hard bulge in his pants. The younger man groaned in anticipation. He tightened his fingers over the material and stroked upward.
"God, that feels good," Carlisle mumbled into Edward's neck. "You're making it difficult for me to think straight right now."
"What's there to think about other than how soon you can finally make me yours?" Edward's hand continued to squeeze and stroke.
"Yes, but it might be a good idea to…ah…don't you think…oh God…just…hold on a minute…" Carlisle reluctantly stilled Edward's hand with his own. "I'm worried about jumping into things right after your confrontation with Felix."
The mention of his ex's name quickly doused Edward's arousal. Rubbing his face in frustration, he allowed Carlisle to lead him inside the apartment.
"You really know how to kill a good mood, don't you?" he muttered.
Carlisle sat on the couch and pulled Edward down across his lap. His hand gently brushed disheveled bronze away from a furrowed forehead.
"I'm sorry. I wasn't helping to keep things, um…tame…between us. But as much I want you, your feelings come first to me. I'll be fine without sex, but I won't be fine if you're hurting."
Edward was quiet for a few moments, and Carlisle didn't press. He waited patiently until a warm gust of air breezed across his face.
"Yeah, seeing him really sucked," Edward admitted. "I was already in a crappy mood because I missed you. Then he shows up and is all like 'oh, babe, I'm so sorry, I want you back'—" Edward scowled at the memory. "Meeting Alec was just the cherry on top of that shit sundae."
"I only caught the end of the conversation, but I'm assuming Alec is Felix's new partner?"
Edward's frown deepened. "Apparently, Felix likes to use Twink Boy as a rag doll. And for some reason, they thought I'd be happy to get in on the action."
"Damn, Edward, I'm sorry," Carlisle murmured, pulling him closer into his chest. "I hate that he did that to you."
"I guess in some ways, it's flattering. I mean, he did say that he made the biggest mistake of his life. He looked really torn up about it, too." Edward sighed and buried his head in Carlisle's shirt, using it to muffle his groan of frustration. "Ugh, I can't believe I actually feel a little bad for the asshole."
"You know it's okay to still care, right?" Carlisle said softly. "You loved and wanted to marry the man. It's natural to feel conflicted after going through what you did. You can't expect your feelings to disappear overnight."
Edward sat up and moved to straddle his boyfriend's legs. He put his hands on Carlisle's shoulders.
"I know," he said earnestly. "But here's the thing: they practically did disappear the moment I met you. What that says about my relationship with Felix, I don't know, but I am sure that you already mean more to me than he ever did. Yes, it hurt to see him tonight, especially with the one he cheated on me for, but that was more because of what he did to me, in general—and not because I'm sad that we're over. In fact, I should probably send the dickweed a thank you note. I'd go through all that a hundred times over if it meant I'd get you in the end."
He took a deep breath and looked into Carlisle's striking blue eyes.
"What I'm really saying is that I love you. I love you so much."
"Oh, Edward," Carlisle whispered. He leaned forward to place a soft, sweet kiss on Edward's lips. "I love you, too. So much." His arms wrapped around the other man and hugged him close. "Come here, you."
They remained pressed together for several minutes, holding on tightly, one heart beating only inches away from the other. Edward was so filled with contentment and happiness that emotion flowed from him in the form of watery eyes. Sniffling quietly, he dabbed them dry on Carlisle's shoulder.
"Hey, what's wrong?" the older man asked, moving his head to the side so that he could see Edward's face. "What is it?"
"Nothing's wrong. I just…really love you," Edward answered shyly. "And I'm glad you're back."
Carlisle smiled and touched his lips to Edward's again. He began to trail his mouth to the other man's jaw, but Edward quickly reclaimed the kiss and deepened it. He rose off Carlisle's lap onto his knees and leaned into their connection.
"Damn, I forgot how good you tasted," Edward mumbled as his hands found their way into blond hair that was far too neat and unrumpled for his liking.
He saw it as his duty to remedy that situation.
Carlisle's own hands found a way to occupy themselves. They set off slowly exploring the firm landscape of Edward's chest through the material of his shirt.
Edward groaned when he felt the light brush of thumbs over his nipples.
"Are we done with the talking?" he asked in a strained voice. "If not, we'd better stop this party right now, because I'm a few seconds away from ripping your clothes off."
"Is that so?" Carlisle replied archly.
Before Edward could realize what was happening, he was pushed backward and then scooped up in Carlisle's arms.
"How the hell do you do that?" he asked, dazed. "We're pretty much the same height and body type, but you pick me up like it's nothing." He ran his hand over Carlisle's defined bicep. "These are amazing, but I'd expect them to be twice as big with how easy you move me around."
Carlisle smirked. "It's all in the technique, and I think you'll find I'm skilled in more than that one area."
Edward's dick twitched in his pants at the promise in Carlisle's words. He glanced around to find them in the bedroom. "So this means we're done talking, right?"
Carlisle set him down gently on the mattress and joined him there. Taking Edward's hands in his, he looked deep into the swirling green eyes.
"You said you're feeling okay, and I trust you to tell me if that changes at any point, no matter what's going on. I love you, and I want to do this—us—the right way. We've got plenty of time if you need it."
"I understand," Edward replied seriously. "I want to do things right, too." Then his eyes darkened. "But I don't need more time. What I need is you. Right now."
Green and blue shared a long, intense moment as the atmosphere in the room seemed to thicken and surge around them. Edward wetted his lips, and as if hearing the same unspoken command, they reached out to one another and began tugging frantically at clothing.
"Fuck, I've wanted this for so long," Edward grunted breathlessly. "Those six weeks felt more like six years. Six fucking never-ending years." His trembling fingers fumbled on the buttons to Carlisle's shirt. "Why the hell are you wearing this? Didn't you plan ahead? You had to have known you'd be losing this at some point."
"I definitely hoped but didn't want to take it for granted," Carlisle responded, his breath also coming short. "If anything, this helped remind me that I couldn't just take you on one of the restaurant tables before even saying hello."
"Like I would've had a problem with that. Feel free to do that anytime you want." Edward's voice was momentarily muffled as his Henley and tee shirt were pulled over his head. They landed on the floor an instant later.
"God, look at you." Carlisle stared hungrily at Edward's bare torso. "I'm going to taste every inch of your body," he promised, just before pushing him back roughly on the bed.
"Ditt—oh! Fuck me," Edward gasped as one of his nipples was sucked into a hot, wet mouth. His hips began to thrust forward in search of desperately needed friction. "Please tell me you're not gonna torture me for hours before I get to have you," he moaned. "Six weeks, Carlisle. Remember that."
"As much fun as that sounds, I'm in just as much pain as you."
Carlisle dipped his lower body so that the bulge in his pants rubbed against Edward's. Locking onto the younger man's mouth, he plunged his tongue inside and kissed him deep. Undeniable desire wracked his being and shuddered over his skin. Dimly, he was aware of his pants being unfastened and pushed down, along with his boxers. It wasn't until a firm hand closed around his cock that he was distracted from the pleasure of Edward's mouth.
"Going in straight for the kill, I see," Carlisle said through gritted teeth, trying to control his reaction. While he had no intention of being gentle and sedate their first time, he wanted to make love to Edward, not fuck him senseless. His boyfriend's evidently talented hand was not helping his resolve.
"If you think that feels good, wait 'til I suck you down my throat," Edward murmured breathily in his ear. He slowly stroked up and down the hardened shaft, reveling in his ability to affect Carlisle so visibly.
"What I think…is that you're a very bad boy…in a very good way."
Chest heaving, Carlisle reared back on his knees, pulling himself from Edward's grasp. He ignored the adorable pout being aimed his way and yanked on the button of Edward's jeans.
"My beautiful impatient boy," he muttered, jerking the pants off his body. "You're lucky I'm a nice person and have decided to give you exactly what you want." He sucked in a breath when he finally set eyes on Edward's thick, swollen cock, its tip glistening with moisture. "But first, I'm getting what I want."
Edward lifted his head off the mattress just in time to see Carlisle's mouth descend and take him in.
"Holy shit," he cried, his back arching stiffly. He hadn't been prepared for the onslaught of overwhelming sensations coursing though him. When he felt the warm wetness of a tongue flick back and forth over the ridged edge of his glans, his fingers clawed the bedspread and his head flopped back. "Oh God, Carlisle, that's so…fuck…good, and if you keep…oh yeah…I'm gonna…I can't…" His words dissolved into incoherent moaning as one slick finger slid into his ass, then two.
He whimpered pitifully when Carlisle removed his mouth from his rock-hard cock and laid a trail of kisses up his abdomen. "Please," he begged shamelessly.
"Yes," Carlisle murmured against his skin. He worked his way over Edward's chest, up the side of his neck, and across his jaw to his mouth. "I love you, Edward."
Though he had no idea when Carlisle had managed to get ahold of lubricant, Edward tensed eagerly upon hearing the click of tube's cap and the wet sounds of a cock being stroked in preparation. His legs seemed to spread wide of their own accord.
"Relax, sweet boy," Carlisle said, his voice soft and adoring. He kissed Edward once more before sitting up, taking himself in hand, and guiding the head of his cock to Edward's entrance. "Are you ready?"
Edward didn't say a word, instead responding by sliding his ass onto Carlisle's hardness. He took a deep breath and pushed out against the familiar burn, welcoming the man he loved into his body. Carlisle moved forward slowly, expertly, allowing plenty of time for adjustment.
"Yes," Edward hissed when Carlisle was fully inside. "So good. Even better than I imagined."
"Mm hmm" came Carlisle's tight response. He was finding it difficult to hold back from letting go and pounding into the incredible heat squeezing his cock. Sweat beading on his brow, he drew back and then pushed forward again with as much restraint as he could manage.
He pulled out slowly again. And pushed in. And pulled out.
"More Carlisle," Edward begged. "I need more."
Watching his lover's face closely, Carlisle increased the speed and force of his thrusts until Edward was writhing beneath him. But he was ever careful to keep his own burning passionate in check. It was Edward's first time with someone since Felix stomped on his heart, and Carlisle was determined to make it a good experience. He couldn't stand the thought of causing any more hurt.
And from what he could tell, Edward was feeling far from hurt. His head was thrown back, eyes closed, mouth open, sounds of ecstasy rumbling in his chest. Moaning, he hooked a leg over Carlisle's shoulder, inviting him deeper.
"Let go," he pleaded. "Let me have all of you. I want it so much."
"Edward—"
"I need you, Carlisle. Show me how much you love me." He tightened his muscles around Carlisle's length and used his hands to crash their bodies together.
"Fuck," Carlisle cried out as he gave into his desire. Hunching over, he grabbed Edward's hips to brace him against the driving power of his thrusts. Fire burned through his body and settled in his groin.
A glance down showed that Edward was in much the same state. His engorged dick slapped against his stomach each time Carlisle slammed into him, his sac was drawn up tight and ready. Edward clenched a fist around his shaft and began to stroke, but Carlisle batted his hand away.
"That's mine," he told him roughly, picking up a relentless rhythm that had Edward cursing nonsensically under his breath.
"So close," Edward panted. "So fucking close."
Carlisle could feel the smooth hardness throbbing against his fingers and palm. It drove him wild with lust.
"That's right, beautiful boy," he gritted out. "Give it to me…I want your cum all over my hand just like I'm about to fill you with mine…"
"Oh fuck, Carlisle…I'm gonna…gonna…FUCK!"
Edward's entire body jerked off the bed with the force of his explosion. He shuddered hard, squeezing tight around the cock in his ass and causing a sudden and surprising orgasm to rip through the whole of Carlisle's being. Wave after seemingly endless wave of pleasure—more than he could ever recall experiencing—knocked him senseless and heavy.
At some point after their mutual tremors stopped, Edward's leg slid off his shoulder and flopped down on the mattress. Carlisle took a page out of its notebook and collapsed on his side next to a very tired, very satisfied bronze-haired young man.
The room was silent for several minutes, save for the labored sounds of two oxygen-hungry sets of lungs. They lay together in contentment, basking in the sated joy of each other's love. Carlisle pressed lazy kisses to Edward's temple while the other played with the lightly colored hair dusted over his chest.
It was a quiet, throaty titter that first broke the quiet. Carlisle squeezed Edward's thigh and smiled.
"What's got you chuckling? Care to share?"
"Oh, I was just thinking about how differently this night went from what I expected," Edward replied, his tone playful and light. "At first, I figured I'd be drowning my sorrows alone in my apartment while counting the minutes until you came home. Then when Bella asked me to stand in for the sick performer, I was dreading being surrounded by all the nauseatingly lovey couples while still counting the minutes until you came home." Edward grinned. "This is so much better."
"So, are you trying to tell me that my surprise was a good one?"
"The very best."
Carlisle leaned forward and brushed his lips across Edward's.
"I'm so glad. Happy Valentine's Day, love."
A little late, but at least it's still February!
