Disclaimer: Still not mine.

A/N: A longer A/N at the bottom. If you're still with me, hope this isn't too disappointing.

At Summer's End

Chapter 7

The way Bella reacted and the pat on my leg after seemed as though we were just friends. In fact we hadn't really come out to categorize this…thing…as a date. Not on the phone, not in person, nothing.

Suddenly the thought that she might not view this night the same way that I did made me start to panic. I thought this was a date….I wanted this to be a date.

My stomach began to turn over with nerves, the confidence that I had felt all night disappearing in a second.

"What's wrong Edward? You got quiet all of the sudden," Bella's voice broke through my silent breakdown. I felt her lightly lean against my side once again, which didn't help the war going on inside of me.

I swallowed thickly before turning towards her, needing to know her answer. "Bella…what does this night mean to you?"
BPOV

-oo-

Edward had given me the perfect night. I didn't expect him to think of something such as an outdoor movie. Also, the fact that it was one of my favorite movies of all-time made it even more special.

At first I got sucked into Johnny and Baby's story just as I always did. However when the movie started heating up, my mind quickly started replacing the faces of the actors with mine and Edward's.

It wasn't Patrick and Jennifer swaying close together, or in the water. That was Edward holding me tightly, his hand sliding slowly down my leg before hitching it over his hip. I could almost feel it from where I was sitting.

A moment later I came back to the present and could feel his eyes on me. Probably wondering why I was acting like an idiot. The only thing I managed to do around him was come across as spastic.

The way he was staring at me led me to believe that he either knew what I was thinking or trying to figure out how best to let me know he was ready to end the date.

As soon as I had that thought however, he was suddenly sitting directly next to me. He eventually gave me his jacket, which only confused me more. Edward had barely touched me all night. I really hoped I wasn't giving off some bitch vibe. Alice and Rosalie would occasionally comment on my stunted social skills, especially with the opposite sex.

Of course I ended up opening my big trap again about my balance problems. Edward cracked a teasing smile and reiterated words that the girls often made fun of me with.

I didn't mean for it to happen, but I felt myself closing up – not that I had been overly open to begin with.

We sat in silence for a few more moments before Edward cleared his throat. Now he was the one acting oddly.

I hesitantly asked him if there was something wrong.

This caused his eyes to shoot up to mine, an unreadable expression crossing his features.

"Bella…what does this night mean to you?"

For a few beats I just stared at him. My verbal and mental capacities seemed to have dried up with his question.

"What do you mean?" I finally asked.

His head dropped down, a slight shake of frustration rustling his hair.

"Please…don't answer a question with a question. You are already hard to read and I'm nervous enough." The screens lighting allowed me to see a slight tinting to Edward's cheeks.

He was being more straightforward than usual. It was pretty hot actually.

"Well…I thought it was us spending some alone time together. To get to know one another. Am I wrong?" I asked.

"Not necessarily…," he trailed off. "Crap! I don't know how to do this," he moaned.

"Do what Edward?"

"Talk to you. Okay. I sound like a fool with no brain function when I get around you!"

I couldn't help the slight chuckle that left my mouth. He looked so frustrated and…pained.

"Edward. I…really enjoy your company. I'm sorry I'm not better at this either." My eyes dropped to where my fingers twisted anxiously in my skirt.

"No…no. You're great Bella. Let me just say…I personally wanted this to be…uh…a date. That's what I was kind of trying to ask you earlier," he said softly.

"I thought that's what it was too Edward. All along. I promise."

I hesitantly placed my hand on top of one of his, the warmth coming from him instantly made me feel calmer.

"I guess we both just need to learn how to chill out, huh?" he asked with a sheepish smile.

"I'm trying…and will continue to try Edward. However, I'm not sure if it's just me, but every time we are together – it's so intense. Do you know what I mean?" I squeezed his hand, hoping he knew what I was trying to say.

I didn't have to wait long before his other hand came to lie on top of mine, his fingers lacing mine from atop.

My eyes were still trained on our hands when he cleared his throat again. "Will you please look at me Bella?"

Slowly, I raised my head, looking at Edward through my eyelashes. He was smiling so wide, his eye lit up against the movie screen.

"So let me recap the night thus far. You loved the movie, I had a mini meltdown over whether this was a date or not and we agree that whatever this is between us is probably beyond our control. Did I get everything?"

"I think so," I whispered.

He withdrew his hand from mine, leaving an empty feeling behind. However, just as soon as I had that thought, I felt it being replaced on my cheek.

"That's good then, isn't it?" he whispered, leaning in slowly. "Because I'm willing to surrender to the powers that be."

My eyes met his, now closer than they had ever been. "Me too."

The moment seemed to freeze around us. Any noise felt cut off except for our breathing, the stars seemed to sparkle brighter and the movie ceased to exist.

Edward's eyes dropped to my lips, unconsciously licking his own.

I was nervous and exhilarated with the thought of what was to come. Trying hard to not bite my lip, I leaned in a little more, trying to convey that I wanted him to make the next move.

His other hand encased the other side of my face, framing me delicately. Edward finally leaned in the rest of the way to where our lips were practically touching.

"Relax, beautiful," he breathed as soft as a summer breeze.

With that he softly captured my lips, caressing for a beat before pulling away. My eyes slowly opened and met his slightly dazed ones.

"That was…" he began before I pulled him back to me.

My hands met at the nape of his neck, where they played with the shorter hair there. I opened my mouth slightly before hesitantly running my tongue over his bottom lip. He let out a deep groan before opening his mouth and taking my bottom lip between his own. The kiss was unhurried and tender. Nibbling and suckling, a slow dance that he was in complete control of. Eventually Edward pulled away only to lean in and softly brush both my top and bottom lip individually.

We finally parted slightly, breathing heavier than we had been. The kiss was beyond what I expected. He was more than I expected.

"That was amazing…"I finished his sentence from a few minutes ago.

"You've got that right." Edward had another wide grin and slightly flushed cheeks.

The world seemed to catch up with us then, the park lights flickering on. During our little moment, we had missed the last part of the movie. I wasn't even the least bit sad about that either.

"I guess it's time to go," Edward sighed before slowly extracting my arms from around his neck. Before he let go, he lightly brushed his lips along the knuckles on my right hand.

We quietly picked up the remainder of our trash and folded the blanket. Edward grabbed the basket before throwing his arm casually across my shoulders.

"Let's get you home Cinderella. We don't want your carriage to turn into a pumpkin now do we?" he said lightly, winking at me as we walked back to the car.

I amended in that moment to quit thinking so damned much and just enjoy what was happening between us. That had been what I promised myself at the beginning of the summer, right? That kiss felt like the beginning of a new chapter in my life…and I couldn't wait to see what came next.

-oo-

A/N: *peeks around laptop screen* Hello…anyone still there? It's been...*checks calendar*…almost 5 months since I've updated. If people have flounced, I completely understand. Several factors played in to my long hiatus – writer's block, school demands, the holidays and other RL factors. I hope I haven't lost my touch. I wouldn't say I'm completely satisfied with this chapter, but I didn't want to withhold it any longer from you. I can't promise when the next update is…but I'm going to try like hell to do it a lot sooner than 5 months. I hope you can bear with me. I appreciate each and every person that even gives this a chance.