"Are you sure?" Edward was now frantically jumping up and down, his nose high in the air, as if trying to catch a whiff of something.
"Pretty sure." Her voice was calm while her emotions were anything but. Who would have thought it would have come so early.
"Estrus waits for no man" Feeling suddenly tired Bella walked back over to the hotel couches, her faithful mate following her more like a puppy than a lion.
"I had no idea" Edward breathed, kneeling before her and rubbing his face against her wet stomach. Bella had been in the shower when she had smelt it, that fine baby powder and candy smell, she was all too identifiable with it, her sister and sisters-in-law always more than once came to visit her while they were pregnant. They had explained what it meant for her, for her mate and for her body. Apparently in regular lions a female lion will go in estrus for four to five days when it is the mating season and the whole meaning of it is that the sexual act triggers the female to release an egg, unlike humans, where the egg is released only once a month.
Leos took on both of these qualities in that a Leo will go into estrus when she first finds her mate, triggering a hormonal reaction in both called the mating heat in which they both are vulnerable to their hormones, and she will also go in estrus every ten months during her existence with her mate.
Bella had completely forgotten this and almost completely collapsed in the shower when she got a caught a whiff for herself. At first she had been overjoyed, she had yearned for her own cub for so many years and had accepted that she probably wouldn't have none, but then she thought of Edward. She had only known him for five days and now she was pregnant. She didn't know what her future would hold, especially with the apparently not- extinct vampires running around.
"Aren't you happy" Edward whispered up to his mate, who was sporting the most conflicted expression on her face. "I know it's soon and everything but…" he trailed off as Bella's eyes widened and she looked at him with something bordering on surprise.
"You mean you're not mad?" A smile was beginning to form over her beautiful lips, almost blinding Edward with the pure unadulterated joy emitting from them, but then her question resounded in his head.
"Mad?" cocking his head to the side he examined his mate "Why would I be mad, if anything I thought you would be upset."
Taking her hand within the confines of his he rose from his knees and pulled a confused Bella into his arms
"I love you and am more than happy that our cub is going to be here soon, almost exhilarated." He smiled that award winning grin.
Bella was in tears as she turned around and caught his mouth in a kiss so passionate, so earth shattering, they both were rendered speechless.
Snaking her fingers within his locks she whispered "I love you too and am so happy I finally found you".
Tears were shed as the two mates embraced each other, each taking gulps of each other's scents and delighting in the new scent that accompanied them. In ten months' time, they would have a little one to care for, nurture and love. A Leo's pregnancy was slightly longer than that of a human own, the reason being for their shifter abilities. Any shifter child should be able to shift by six to seven months, the average time babies began to crawl.
With one last longing kiss Edward whispered "You should probably get ready before we run out of time." Today they were returning home, surprisingly Edward's family only lived two blocks from Bella's own and were constantly communicating. This was part of the reason Edward had travelled to the jungle, too many mated pairs. Every single shifter in each family had found the love of their life except him, well except an elusive Bella, Renee had talked about from time to time. Who would have thought he would have found her. He still hadn't realized he actually knew and met her parents after the phone call until she had looked them up online, thanks to a very reliable Facebook.
Fate had funny ways of working.
Edward watched Bella dash to the bedroom and the whispering of bags were heard as she searched for something to wear. They had gone shopping yesterday to find appropriate clothes for Bella, though truth be told he didn't mind his mate wearing his clothes. There was something arousing in it; his smell overlaying hers, combining the two until it was just Bella and Edward.
So Bella had followed Edward around from Chinese shop to Chinese shop, the reason being Bella being foreign to the language. During her long years before permanently shifting Bella had learnt languages from Italian to German but Chinese eluded her, the symbols were too hard to write, let alone speak. She was lucky she had such a smart mate.
Once in the shops Bella had turned to a hurricane, grabbing clothes from traditional gowns to simple shorts and tank tops. She was fascinated with the wild variety plaguing the shops. The colors had swirled this way and that, bringing beautiful patterns to life while the design was stylish yet comfortable. The only problem came when it was time to pay for the purchases. A thing Edward had spent twenty minutes arguing about. She had finally assented when he said he was happy to buy things for someone other than himself.
It was the only day the pair had actually relaxed and explored the sights. After the fight with the vampire they both thought they had at least deserved one lazy day. The taste of Chinese food was delicious, the smells outstanding. Baby Bok Coy with mushroom sauce had been the highlight of that little tasting fiesta.
Edward had watched his mate get reunited with the world with a smile on his face. Even when she asked for his opinion on shoes he had no idea even existed, or forced him to taste foods that caused his tongue to swivel up and die. He had simply smiled at her and kissed her. He had learnt so much about her during that day, though he knew he hadn't even scraped the surface that is his Bella. He had learnt she liked all spicy foods, and feared clowns, something he had discovered when they passed a moving circus and the clown had jumped in front of Bella and caused the poor girl to jump behind Edward in unadulterated horror. He was glad the circus didn't sue when he broke its star actor's nose.
They had so many things in common as well. They both disagreed on the abuse of animals, and had both owned more than one pet during their childhood. Apparently anything other than fish Bella approved of.
Edward broke out of his musing when Bella entered the room wearing a navy blue mandarin dress. The weather was still blistering hot, proof to Edward's simple khakis and white tee shirt. Bella simply smiled at him when his mouth dropped open. She had discovered two days ago that Edward loved that color on her, a thing obviously true from the boner he was now sporting.
"So I'm assuming you like the dress." She said it cheekily, taunting her mate and practically laughing when his eyes popped out of his head when she bent over to pick up her bag.
"Perhaps a little too much." Edward breathed as he checked their temporary living arrangement. He checked the bathrooms, kitchenette and the bedrooms to make sure none of them were forgetting anything and then returned to the living room.
"I guess that's that" Bella said as she walked out into the hallway "I'm going to miss it"
"So will I love so will I" Edward said as he locked the door behind him and clasped his mate's hand within his own. "Perhaps we'll return one day."
Xxxxxxxxx
Bella could now attest to the fact that Leo males became more possessive when their female was either injured or pregnant. Once again Edward had managed to scare off an overly friendly baggage boy. The smile he had shot her did border on creepy though, especially when his eyes seemed to be glued to her chest.
In true Edward fashion, her mate had simply shot the teenager a cruel evil smile that even made her shiver, grabbed all two of the heavy suitcases in one hand and sweep his hand around her waist. A clear signal that even non- shifters could pick up on.
Mine.
Truth be told, instead of feeling pissed off she had gotten aroused.
She had felt warm, protective and aroused, especially when Edward flexed next to her, further intimidating the boy. Of course, Edward being Edward didn't miss the smell of arousal that started to emit from his mate and had kissed the curve where her neck met her shoulder. The curve where he had marked her two days ago.
And the curve that had her thighs clenching and center throbbing.
That is how Bella found herself, panting heavy with her eyes closed inside of Delta, with an equally frustrated Edward next to her.
They had bordered the plane close to four hours ago, and the day was simmering down to night, as it neared nine pm. They had a long journey ahead of them from China to the U.S.A, a total of six days. Of course they would be stopping over in various countries, countries where Edward hoped he could get rid of the obvious tent in his pants. He had been worried for Bella adjusting to air travel as she had never been in a plane before but she had enjoyed it so far, her eyes gazing from his crotch to outside her window, as if she couldn't figure out which site was more interesting.
"Love, you staring at me isn't really helping my situation" Edward said through clenched teeth, his fingers gripping the arm rest next to them. His hand trembled over her stomach where he had been caressing their cub. It seemed that over the last few hours his hand couldn't stay away from her stomach, always either rubbing or just simply resting his hand there. Bella found it endearing to know how their baby was already a huge part of their lives at no more than a few days old.
"Sorry." She said but her smile told a different story as she stared back out the window, enjoying the vast blueness under them. She gazed at the various fish that swam through that blueness, painting a picture of fantasy and mystical enchantment. It was times like these she thanked God for her shifting abilities, allowing her to see just how the world around her was formed and changed.
She often wondered that if humans had the same abilities as she if they would stop trying to destroy the things that gave them life. Would they stop trying to kill themselves and the world around them with abnormalities such as nuclear energy or stop the ridiculous sport hunting of animals that actually revolved around them?
"Attention passengers, we will be landing in Ankara in two more hours, for those stopping over, you will have five hours before your next plane arrives, for those staying, I and the employees of Delta would like to wish you a warm Ankara welcome."
The loud voice made Bella look up from her daze and she smiled at the sight next to her. Edward had fallen asleep next to her, his erection still prominent as his eyelids fluttered and his lips whispered over one another.
Smiling she ran her fingers through his long locks, reveling in the silky softness. He had done so much for her, he had practically saved her from herself, awakened things she didn't know she possessed and practically gave her the world.
Smiling as he whispered her name in his sleep, she took out a book she had purchased from the airport from her carry on.
When she had read the summary of 'Dark Fire' by Christine Feehan she had been intrigued by the fantasy humans had painted of the creatures they didn't know exist. She was enchanted by the prospect such as Carpathians, not knowing herself if such creatures existed.
In the quiet hum of the plane she read while stroking Edward's long locks, her eyes absorbing every interesting section, so totally absorbed she didn't realize the elderly woman next to her was staring until she spoke.
"You're fortunate, you know" surprised, Bella looked next to her, examining the petite elder with shiny graying hair.
"It's so hard to find young people actually in love today" she smiled, her eyes dancing with lost memories. Bella marked her page and turned to the woman.
"I know" she said, still running her fingers through her mate's hair "But I believe everyone still has that special person out there, even if they never find them".
"You sound just like me when I was your age" the woman smiled and Bella did as well but not for the same reason, she could have been the lady's grandmother three times over.
That is how the couple spent the remaining two hours on the flight. With Mrs. Cunner telling Bella about her days as a young child in Canada while being surprised by the seemingly young girl's extensive knowledge. They ran over topics such as the World Wars to independence.
Mrs. Cunner congratulated her on her pregnancy and whispered fortunes in the future.
And finally when the pilot announced their landing they said good bye to each other and turned back to their own devices.
"Sweetheart, time to get up" Bella whispered in Edward ear, caressing his cheek.
"Huh, what?" she laughed at his obviously confused face and kissed his forehead before standing up when the plane was almost cleared of people.
"I hadn't been much good company" Edward apologized as the pair entered the airport, and travelled with the crowd to the baggage carousel.
"It's okay, you were tired. Plus I talked to a nice woman during the flight" Bella said taking his hand within hers.
Xxxxxxxxxx
The pre-dawn hours greeted them as Edward walked onto the plane. Bella had fallen asleep almost immediately after they had finished making love at the Ankara Ogulturk Hotel. Edward had wanted to visit a five star hotel but Bella had managed to talk him out of it reasoning that they were only going to be there for two hours.
They spent three hours there before it was time to go. Apparently two orgasms weren't enough to relieve the tension from either of them. Not to mention Bella had gotten distracted by the large bathroom and didn't leave the tub until thirty minutes of using up all the hot water.
In the taxi Bella had talked and talked about the different sights until her poor brain had shut down on her. This is why Edward found himself carrying his sleepy mate in one hand and the luggage in the next. No one ever said being a shifter was a liability.
She smelt so fresh sleeping his arms, muttering his name and then signing. Once again he found himself using the word cute to describe her. Especially in her cute denim capris and a shirt that said 'I love China'.
Edward was sure every inch of his masculinity was draining out of him.
Now he was simply caressing Bella's stomach as the five hour flight dragged. They should be arriving in Rome by mid-day, which they would explore and rest up for a day or two and then catch another flight to Spain and then finally to Florida.
Edward wasn't going to be travelling any more for a while. The scents of alcohol, perfume and food assaulted his nose as he sat on the plane trying to distract himself. It swirled around his head until he could taste the scents on his tongue.
Disgusting.
The day was awakening as he stared out the window. The clouds adopting pink and velvet hues. The red sun rising, splashing crimson on the lakes and cities below. The stars reclined back to their proper place, vanishing until only a faint glow could be seen.
The jet was mostly empty, save one man snoring in the front section and another couple joining the mile high club in the bathroom.
Edward could hear every sound coming out of the small cubicle as was more than ready to jump off the flippin' plane.
Instead he decided to rest his head against the frame and wait for this hell to be over. He imagined his family's face when he came back with the most beautiful woman in the world. He imagined playing with his nieces and nephews and being probably introduced to Bella's family.
He must have drowsed off for the ringing of his cell phone brought him up short.
"I want to talk to her!" disoriented Edward stared at the phone in his hand, trying to understand the message and the person calling him.
"Huuhhh?" it turned into a yawn as he stretched and gazed at his mate who was still curled up in her seat, still as a rock.
"Edwarddddd, I want to talk to her" the voice took on a whining tone as Edward finally recognized who was calling him.
"You'll meet her when we arrive and she's sleeping now" Edward said, still drunk off of sleep.
"I'll be the first one right?"
"If you're the first one to be at the house when we arrive." Edward said, sitting up straight.
"So how's everything Lil Brother?"
And that is how Edward spent the first two hours of the flight, updating Alice on everything he could think of, excluding the pregnancy as he wanted to do that with Bella.
"Okay, I'll see you when I get there" Edward said, thanking the beeping sound emitting from his cell phone.
"Yeah yeah" Alice said, sounding way too happy.
"Good-bye" they both said and hanged up.
Edward really hoped things wouldn't be too hectic when they arrived.
A/N Thanks for all the reviews guys, read and loved each one. Anyway on to a different matter, concerning Breaking Teacher Etiquette, for those who were reading it, you should have noticed I deleted it. I am very sorry but thanks to one flame writer that, though said a lot of unnecessary comments probably because they can't write for themselves or just enjoyed my other writings, I don't know, did give me some insight on the story. I will be rewriting it this coming January, so look out for it.
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Silverdust101