Author's Note: The kiss in the previous chapter was revised, based on the review from TheSingingGirl. I don't know if I really succeeded in conveying Edward's experience during those moments, but I think this is an improvement. My reviewers are great. Please keep the constructive criticism coming. And if you only have praise, not criticism, I love hearing that too!
Bella had spent a restless night. From the couch I heard her thrashing in her bed. In her sleep she called my name and begged me to come back. Apparently she missed having me beside her as much as I missed being there. I'd considered sneaking in, but the door to the master bedroom was between the guest room and the living room. If Phil or Renee wandered out of their room, I wouldn't have much warning, and I didn't think I could get past them and back in place without attracting notice. Every time I contemplated the idea, I reluctantly decided against it.
Because she slept so lightly, she woke up early. I heard her moving and abandoned my sleeping position. She came down the narrow hall quickly, bumping into the end table and setting the lamp rocking. I caught and steadied it.
"You're awake!" she exclaimed.
"Yes, Bella, I'm awake," I said dryly.
"Oh, you know what I mean. You're up." She looked tired, but I was too happy to see her to wish she had slept longer. I wasn't used to going so long without touching her. "I'll be back in a minute."
She tripped off to the bathroom, and I tidied the couch. When I heard her approaching, I turned swiftly and pounced. She let out a little shriek of surprise and found herself lying on top of me on the couch.
"I missed you," I whispered, running my hands over her arms and her back and kissing her throat. She didn't answer. She was already breathing faster. My mouth found hers, and for few heady minutes I let the tingling heat consume me. We were safe. Phil and Renee were sound asleep. Her lips were moving over my face now, and her hair fell all around me. I was immersed in a world of Bella, surrounded by her scent, her warmth and the sounds of her breathing and her heart racing. Her hands were trying to slip under my shirt. I restrained her. The movement was effortless for my muscles but a challenge to my willpower.
"Bella," I said sternly.
"Mmmmmm" she murmured, laying her head on my chest. "Why do you have to do that?"
"You know why," I said fondly, stroking her hair. Our back-and-forth on this topic wasn't always argumentative. Right now it felt like an affectionate habit. "Besides, Phil and Renee are just down the hall. You wouldn't want them to catch us, would you?"
"Hmph," she sniffed. "I've seen Renee making out with all sorts of unsuitable men over the years, sometimes on this same couch."
"Are you implying that I'm unsuitable?"
"You are unsuitable for me… now. But someday after I'm changed, I'll be just right for you. I hope." Little bursts of joy seemed to explode in my chest. Bella was in my arms and in my life, and I was going to keep her there. My only hope at the moment was that she understood how happy she made me.
"I love you the way you are."
She kissed my neck, and we lay quietly like that for a while.
"Hey," she said, suddenly scrambling up. "I have an idea." I followed her to the small kitchen, where she took out a frying pan and began removing things from the refrigerator. "I'm going to cook you breakfast."
Perhaps I had another hope as well— that Bella would never stop surprising me.
"Sit down," she ordered. I watched, mystified, as she fried an egg, prepared a slice of buttered toast, and poured orange juice. She set the plate and cup in front of me and then took the seat across the table. "Lovely," she pronounced.
"Do you want me to eat this?"
"Shhh," she cautioned. She reached across the table and moved the plate in front of her. She ate the toast and cut up the egg, taking one bite. "Now watch." She poured the juice back into the container, leaving the cup appearing as if it had been used. She slid the egg into the garbage disposal, but left the dirty plate and silverware in the sink. "Didn't you have a good breakfast?" she asked with a satisfied smile.
"Very well done. Now you're thinking like a Cullen."
She came around the table to sit on my lap. "Did I ever tell you," I began, but I was distracted by the thoughts and movement I heard in the other room. "Renee's awake," I informed her. Bella ran to embrace her mother as she emerged from the hallway.
"Good morning, Mom! We woke up early. Edward was hungry so I made him some breakfast. But I didn't have anything. I thought I'd eat with you."
"Good morning, both of you," Renee responded with a smile. Bella, Bella, Bella. My little girl is so beautiful. She moved to the counter, and now there was only one thing in her thoughts.
"Bella," I said. "Why don't you make a pot of coffee?"
"Only if you're drinking it, Edward," Renee said. "I'd kill for a cup of coffee, but I'm avoiding caffeine. I switched to herbal tea, but it isn't the same."
Bella flashed me a look. "Edward doesn't like coffee. He just thought you might want some."
Visions of steaming cups of coffee still danced in Renee's head, but apparently I'd gone a bit too far trying to ingratiate myself.