I've also had some serious writer's block, which means I've been writing and deleting, writing and deleting. I tried to keep this chapter from jumping around too much, but please tell me if it does, so I can keep it from happening next time. Not too much drama in this chapter. More fluff than anything else, but I'm trying to think of something incredibly dramatic. If you have any ideas, shoot me a PM.
Again, reviews are great if you have time. Constrictive criticism and ideas on where you think the story should go and what you'd like to see happen are also very much appreciated.
Enjoy! EDWARD POVFour weeks after my first dinner at the Swan's, Bella and I went from casually dating to exclusive.
Though she didn't want to label what we had past "this," I was comfortable in the knowledge that she was mine. She didn't care to date anyone else, and we spent as much time as possible together, mainly just talking. She was quickly becoming my best friend.
My family had mixed reactions. Emmett and Jasper were happy because I was happy. Carlisle was thrown by her appearance, but once he got to know her, quickly fell in love with her. Esme sparkled when she was around. Alice, of course, was thrilled.
Then there was Rosalie.
Neither Bella nor Rosalie cared for each other. Rose still considered Bella trash, something that had caused many fights between us. She was convinced I could do better. What she didn't understand was that there was no one better than Bella.
She approached me one night after I had gotten home from a date with Bella. I was just taking off my jacket when she walked in the room, her face pulled into an expression of disapproval. I sighed heavily.
"I don't want to hear it Rosalie." Like that ever worked.
"Edward, you could do so much better! I mean, look at her! You are the fantasy of every girl in school. You could have anyone you want. Jessica Stanley. Lauren Mallory. Any of the hundreds of girls at school. And who do you pick? Miss I-Have-An-Attitude-About-Everything. A girl who looks like she belongs in a trailer park and acts even worse!"
"That's enough!" I barked. I rarely lost my temper, but Rosalie was attacking the girl I was pretty sure I was falling in love with. "I don't want Jessica Stanley or Lauren Mallory, or any of the other girls at school. I want Bella. I'm happy with her. And just because you don't understand her, and just because you don't approve, does not give you the right to come in here and assault her character to me!"
"I'm just looking out for you, Edward! Believe me, girls like her use nice guys like you! The moment she has what she wants from you, she'll drop you like that." She snapped her fingers to illustrate her point. "And you'll be heartbroken and depressed, and she won't care." I scowled at her.
"You have no idea what you're talking about, Rosalie," I growled in a barely contained voice. "You. Don't. Know. Her." I bit out the last sentence between my teeth.
"Yes, I do, Edward. I've known girls like her. They're all the same." I struggled to keep my temper in check. I sighed out and counted to ten. When I finally spoke, my voice was strained.
"I appreciate your concern, Rosalie, but do me a favor and stay the hell out of my business, okay? Your opinions on the matter are not welcome, so back off." I stalked past her to the sanctity of my room.
Bella's opinions on Rosalie weren't much nicer. She saw Rose as stuck-up and vain, which she absolutely was, but what she never took the time to see was that as snotty and annoying as Rosalie was, she had a good heart and cared deeply about her family. Though I didn't agree with Rose's assessment of Bella, I was touched by her concern for my well being.
It was no surprise to me that Bella and Rosalie didn't get along. They were too different. What did surprise me was the relationship that developed between Bella and Alice. The perky pixie and the sharp-tongued vixen developed an unlikely alliance against Forks High and the students within. It was not uncommon for me to walk into the lunchroom and see the two of them sitting at our usual table; their heads so close together it was difficult to figure out where one ended and the other began. Their conversations were always the same: Alice gossiping about one thing or another, with Bella adding her snarky comments to the story.
Life was comfortable. Bella spent most afternoons at my house, hanging out with Alice and me. Alice had discovered Bella's interest in showtunes, so many days were spent with the three of us holed up in Alice's room, listening to CDs and talking.
Friday afternoon I had a session with my guidance counselor after school, so Bella caught a ride in Rosalie's car against her will. She wanted to stay and wait for me, but Alice was having none of it. Today was the day Alice had deemed "makeover day," much to Bella's dismay. Bella begged me to talk Alice down, but I told her it wasn't possible. Once Alice was on a mission, no amount of begging or pleading would stop her.
I fidgeted through my counseling session, eager to get home and see Bella. When the counselor finally released me, I ran out the door to the parking lot and jumped in my Volvo, throwing the car into reverse and leaving as quickly as possible. Every moment I was away from Bella was pure torture.
I drove as quickly as possible back to the house, screeching into the driveway and flying out of the car. I forced myself to stop and catch my breath before I went inside. I didn't want to appear too eager.
When I entered the house, my ears were assaulted by Alice singing along to Carol Channing at the top of her lungs. Badly. I smiled and headed toward the noise, pausing to knock at the door.
"Come in!" She sang, off-key. I opened the door and stopped.
Bella was standing in the middle of the room; her hair curled and pinned to the top of her head. Her make-up was subtle, giving her face a softer look even with the piercings. Her tanned legs were shown off in the tight red dress she wore that clung to every curve and swelled at her chest. Black high-heeled sandals completed the outfit.
She was Audrey Hepburn, Rita Hayworth, Marilyn Monroe. She was absolutely classic.
Once again, I had to remind myself to breathe.
"Wow," was all I could say. She groaned and rolled her eyes.
"Why did you let her play Bella Barbie? She tortured me for two fucking hours!" Her tone was annoyed, but I saw the smile that played at her lips.
"I promise I'll make it up to you," I laughed as I walked to her, ignoring the pounding of my heart. "You look amazing," I whispered in her ear, pressing my lips lightly to her earlobe. She shivered.
"Ahem," Alice coughed, reminding us of her presence. I kissed Bella on the cheek and walked over to my sister.
"You did a great job. She looks just as beautiful as always, just in a different way." Bella rolled her eyes again.
"Can I get out of this damn dress?"
"No!" Alice shouted. "We're going out." Bella and I both turned to her in surprise.
"What?" She asked, stunned. Alice smiled and bounced on the balls of her feet.
"I called your father and asked him if you could stay here tonight. He said yes, so we're going into Port Angeles to go dancing!" Bella shook her head adamantly.
"No fucking way! I don't dance, and even if I did, I'm not going out dressed like this."
"Ah, c'mon Bella! Why are you trying to spoil my fun?" Alice whined, pushing her lower lip out. I bit back a smile as Bella sighed.
"Fine! But you owe me so big. You're going to be paying my back for the rest of your life!"
***
BELLA POVWhy, oh why, did I let Alice talk me into this?
The club was packed with dancing bodies, the music pounding out the beat they were dancing to. The lights were dim, making it difficult to find individuals in the moving mass. It was like something out of a movie.
I was in Hell.
I always maintained a strict no-socializing-on-a-large-level policy. To think that one pout from Alice could break my resolve was ludicrous.
But that's what had happened.
It didn't seem right that someone as outgoing and perky as Alice should pout, so I gave in. Besides, Edward had looked excited at the prospect, and no way was I going to let him down.
While I refused to put a label on us, I knew deep down that I was falling in love with him. How could I not? He was charming, sensitive, gorgeous. But more importantly, I connected with him in a way I'd never connected with anyone before. Not even Mike. I never thought there would be anyone out there that would get me, but I was obviously wrong.
I looked over at Edward. He was so handsome in the green shirt that brought out his eyes, and the tight jeans that hugged every curve on his ripped body. His bronze hair was messy as always. He had his arm slung casually around my shoulders.
Alice, of course, looked amazing. Her blue halter dress fell just above her knees and shimmered in the dim lights. She had added four-inch heels to her tiny frame, and her hair was decorated with clips and glitter. She had really gone all out for tonight.
We made our way to a booth in the back of the club, dodging writhing bodies along the way. Once settled, Edward went to get us drinks—non-alcoholic, of course—and I was left wishing that I'd brought my fake I.D. There was no way I was getting through this night without liquid courage.
Alice chattered happily as we waited for Edward, enjoying the appreciative stares from the men on the dance floor. I watched her in amusement.
"I'm starting to think that the reason you dragged me out tonight was so that you could meet a guy," I gently teased her. She laughed her tinkling laugh.
"You caught me!" She smiled and shook her head. "Jasper's going to meet us here later, so I have to get all the phone numbers I can before he gets here!" Her eyes sparkled as I laughed, knowing that there was no way she would ever allow anything to come between them. I had witnessed them together, and while it was sickening, it was also kind of sweet.
Edward returned with our drinks, his face twisted in disgust.
"You should have heard the way the guys at the bar were talking about the two of you. It took all my willpower not to punch them." I smirked at Alice, who winked back at me.
"Are you jealous?" I whispered seductively in his ear, running my hand lightly along the inside of his leg. His breath hitched before he answered.
"It's not that. I just don't like them talking about you girls like you're pieces of meat. It's degrading." He shook his head. My heart melted.
How could one guy be so perfect?
The next hour passed surprisingly quickly. We talked and joked, making fun of the people on the dance floor and the poor guys at the bar who were trying so hard to pick up women. When Jasper finally jointed us, Alice started to sparkle more than before, and they went to dance, leaving Edward and I alone.
He was running his fingers through my hair casually, his head leaning against mine. I turned so that our foreheads were touching, and lightly pressed my lips to his. He seemed surprised, but after a few seconds he started to kiss me back. This was the first time we had really kissed since that drunken night on the beach.
It was better than I remembered.
We had spent most nights talking and cuddling, getting to really know each other. He seemed to understand that I needed time and space, and never tried to rush me or talk me in to something I wasn't ready for. I appreciated that more than he would ever know, and it made me that much more attracted to him.
I licked at his lips, trying to deepen the kiss, but he pulled away gently, pressing a soft finger to my lips. I looked at him, puzzled.
"What's wrong?" I asked, a little offended that he didn't want to kiss me.
"Absolutely nothing," was the reply. "I'm just not overly comfortable with PDA, that's all." A smile ghosted at my lips.
Of course Edward wasn't comfortable with it. He was raised to be respectful of women, and to him, making out with me in public was disrespectful. I was touched, but at the same time, I knew the opportunity to tease him was too good to pass up.
"Oh, really? And why is that, Boy Wonder?" I tacked on the nickname I knew he hated, trying to push his buttons.
"I just don't think it's anybody's business what we do in private," he answered defensively, his eyes darkening.
Okay, enough teasing.
I put my hand lightly on his arm. "I was just messing with you. Relax. We'll pick up where we left off later." He chuckled softly and tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear.
"Is that a promise?"
"You bet your ass it is."
***
EDWARD POVThe four of us got home around 3:30 to a pitch black house. We giggled as we quietly tried to make our way to our rooms, which was nearly impossible with Bella crashing into everything. Though we hadn't be drinking, anyone who saw us at the moment would have sworn we were drunk.
Alice wanted Bella to sleep in her room, but I had other plans. I wanted to fall asleep with Bella in my arms. I wanted to wake up to her beautiful smile and teasing laugh. Bella seemed to have the same idea, because she declined Alice's offer. They made plans for Bella to sneak into her room before Esme and Carlisle arose so there wouldn't be any trouble.
After we said goodnight, Bella and I walked quietly to my room, her hand securely in mine. I turned my back so she could change into the pajamas she borrowed from Alice, and she grudgingly did the same while I changed into mine.
Once in bed, I held her close, enjoying the feel of her head on my chest. It thrilled me to think that she could hear my heart race, so she'd know how she affected me.
My eyes were starting to get heavy when I felt her cool lips on my neck. Suddenly, I was wide awake.
She continued to kiss slowly up my neck to my jaw line, which she lightly traced with her tongue before moving up to my lips. She kissed me softly, tentatively, afraid I would push her away like I had at the club. Instead, I tightened my grip and pulled her closer.
She deepened the kiss, and our tongues started a battle for dominance. Her hands were everywhere at once: in my hair, on my chest, around my neck. I loved the feel of her lips on mine, and I groaned involuntarily and shifted so she wouldn't feel how she was affecting me.
She pulled away with a wicked smile and trailed her hands ever-so-gently down my stomach to the waistband of my sweats. My eyes widened as I realized what she was thinking, and I gently took her hand and tugged it away.
"Not tonight," I whispered heavily, cursing myself for turning her down. Her smile disappeared.
"I just don't want to rush anything," I hurried to explain. "You have no idea how hard this is for me…how much I want you in every way." I sat up and cradled her face in my hands. Her eyes were searching mine, filled with unspoken questions.
"You are too special to me to rush into anything we may regret later. I couldn't bear it if you regretted making love to me," I whispered, lowering my head to avert her eyes. Now it was her who cradled my face and tilted my chin so I would meet her eyes. They were warm and understanding.
"I could never regret that. But I understand if you think it's too soon, and you have no idea how much it means to me that you think of me that way." She kissed me lightly before I crushed her to me.
"I love you." The words slipped out, and I silently cursed myself, afraid I would scare her off. I heard her breath catch and I pulled away slowly, afraid of what her reaction would be.
Nothing could have prepared me for what I saw.
Her eyes were filled with tears, and she was smiling in disbelief. She shook her head.
"How can you love me? I'm such a mess." I smiled.
"Yes, but you're my mess. And I wouldn't have you any other way. I love you for the person you are, the person you want to become. You are truly one of a kind, Bella." Her face stretched into a grin as the tears spilled over to run down her cheeks. I gently brushed them off with my fingers.
I lost track of how much time went by before we lay down again, this time with her back pressed against me and my arms around her waist, one hand interlacing with hers. I listened to her breathing even out, then allowed myself to let my mind wander towards the oblivion of sleep. The last thing I heard before drifting off completely was her soft voice.
"I love you too."