A/N: Okay here it is: The Date! Are you as excited to read it as I was to write it? I bet you are. I hope you like it. This chapter is longer than any so far. I had a lot that I had to get in there but I hope you find it was worth it.
Thanks again to all my faithful readers and reviewers. I swear I squeal like a little girl when I see a new review. New readers: welcome! Thanks to everyone who continues to read my story.
Now: On with the show!
Bella's POV
Gym passed relatively quickly and I once again did not seriously hurt anyone. I knocked a few people down but they bounced right back up pretty quickly so I figured they were okay. I apologized of course but you would figure that they knew by now not to get that close to me. Especially when we were playing volleyball.
I walked out of the Gym and Edward was already waiting for me. Oh to have the speed and agility to make it across the campus that fast without falling and hurting yourself. He reached down and took my hand and I think that holding Edward's hand had become one of my most favorite things to do. It was something we had fallen into quite easily and it felt natural to hold his hand now.
We made it to his car and Alice dragged me to her side.
"Don't forget to tell him we are taking you home tomorrow. Oh and I am so proud of you for what you did in the cafeteria! You were awesome!" She said.
"She's right." Rose said. "Good to see that I am rubbing off on you." She said, nudging me with her elbow.
"Well you are the baddest bitch I know." I said grinning.
"That you will ever know. And don't forget it." She said, fisting her hand on her hip and shaking her finger at me.
"I bow to your baddassedness, O Powerful One." I said, bowing to her mockingly.
"Whatever." She said laughing. "Get your ass home. And go to bed early. No dark circles under your eyes tomorrow or you are in big trouble."
"Yes, mother." I said wryly.
I looked over at Edward and when I caught his eye I nodded to let him know I was ready. I opened my door and got in. I waved at Alice and Rose and closed the door.
We had driven for a few minutes when I turned to him.
"Are you going to pick me up in the morning?" I asked him.
He gave me a grin.
"I think it is safe to say that I will be picking you up from now on until you tell me otherwise. I mean, if that is okay with you." He said, looking at me quickly.
"Oh! I mean, yeah, no that's cool with me. But tomorrow Alice and Rose are going to take me home tomorrow afternoon, just so you know."
"Oh. Okay. Why?" He looked mildly disappointed.
"You know, girl stuff. They don't trust me to dress myself for our date." I laughed.
He grinned at me, his eyes twinkling.
"You don't have to wear anything you know." He said, wiggling his eyebrows and laughing.
"Yeah I'm sure your parents would love that." I laughed.
"It'd be a first impression they'd never forget."
"No doubt. But I think that for the time being I will only be seen in public fully clothed."
He sighed dramatically. "Fine. Ruin all my fun."
I could only shake my head and laugh.
I woke up the next morning before my alarm. Not much before but I was happy for any small victory. I got up and showered quickly, eager to have the school day over. Standing under the shower I started to think about later tonight.
I hoped I didn't make a complete ass of myself. I had no idea what was expected on a date. I prayed to all that was holy that I did not do something completely embarrassing like spill soda all over myself or Edward.
What if I fell on my ass? Well he was usually there to catch me so that might be alright. What if his parents didn't like me? What if they told him to stop seeing me? Gah, I couldn't even start down the tracks of that train of thought or I would end up hiding in my closet tonight.
I would just have to hope that all went well. I didn't know what would happen tonight but I knew that worrying about it beforehand would give me an ulcer or something. I would play wait and see. I felt better after making that decision and got out before all the hot water was gone. That would not endear me to the other four people in the house for sure.
Edward picked me up again and the trip to school was quiet. I did learn though that Edward enjoyed classical music. It was playing softly when I got in.
"Clair de Lune?" I asked when I got inside.
"You know classical music?" He asked, surprised.
I nodded. "I listen to everything, from Mozart to Metallica to Saving Abel to The Black Eyed Peas to Linkin Park. I don't discriminate in my music tastes. I just like what I like." I said shrugging.
He nodded thoughtfully. "I am the same way I guess. If I like something it doesn't matter to me who it is. Music has always provoked an emotional response in me, no matter what kind it is."
"Me too. Like if I am in the mood to clean house I put on something with a lot of drums and guitar. If I am doing homework I will listen to Classical. Music just helps me focus."
He looked at me for a moment and smiled.
"Same here. We have more in common than I thought. I wonder what else we have in common. What is your favorite color?"
I looked into his emerald eyes.
"Green. You?" I said, blushing a little.
He looked deep into my eyes for a moment.
"Definitely brown." He said warmly.
Cue Stage 4 blush.
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The ride to school was spent that way. Edward and I fired questions back and forth, learning more about each other. He would ask a question and I would answer then vice versa.
We pulled up in front of the school and Alice and Rose were already there. Alice yanked open my door and practically hauled me out of the car.
"Jesus Alice are you taking steroids or something? You are five foot nothing but I think you could take even Emmett down."
"Ha ha Bella. No, I'm just excited." She said.
"When are you not excited Alice? I think the reason that you don't give blood is because your veins are filled with Red Bull." I laughed.
"That is still better than the reason why you don't. Miss Can't-even-get-a-papercut-or-I'll-pass-out." She said mockingly.
"That was one time, Alice." I said rolling my eyes.
"Tell that to Mrs. Harrison. I thought my ears would never stop ringing from the way she screamed when you hit the floor in English last year."
Okay, so I fainted when I smelled or saw blood. Lots of people have that problem, right? And it was not my fault last year. Mrs. Harrison had made me gather everyone's essays and when I was straightening them up I sliced open my finger. The next thing I knew I was in the Nurse's office. Stupid essays.
"Alright, enough about me. Why are you so excited this morning?" I asked dryly.
"Duh! You are having your very first ever date tonight. I am surprised that you are so calm, actually. Aren't you excited?" She asked, rolling back and forth on the balls of her feet.
I laughed. "I'm a duck on the pond Alice. Calm on the surface but churning underneath."
"Don't worry. Everything will be great, you'll see. I have a feeling about tonight. And you know how my feelings are." She was right. She wasn't clairvoyant but you didn't bet against her either.
I nodded. "Okay. I trust you. And I really can't wait. I feel like today is going to take forever."
I was right. Each class it felt like the clock was moving in reverse. The only bright spots of my day were the classes that I shared with Edward and lunch. Those hours seemed to pass too fast. Finally I was done with Gym and Edward walked with me to the parking lot.
He turned when we reached his car and leaned back against it, still holding my hand. He pulled me towards him so that there was only about a foot between us.
"So...the plan is I'm picking you up at six and we are eating at my house before leaving for Port Angeles, right?" He said.
I nodded. "Charlie and my mom want to meet you before we leave my house though."
He nodded and looked a little nervous. I felt better then, knowing that he might be nervous about our date too.
"Oh!" I said, remembering something. "I brought that book. I didn't want to forget to give it to you tonight." I said, reaching into my bag and handing him my well worn copy of Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.
"Don't Panic huh?" He said, running his fingers over the cover.
"Always good advice." I said laughing.
He released my hand and reached up to tuck a stray strand of hair behind my ear. My cheek tingled where he touched me.
He opened his mouth to speak but Alice interrupted.
"B-ell-aa! Come on! We only have so much time to get you ready!" She said, dragging me away.
"See you in a little while!" I called to Edward before being shoved into Rose's car.
I spent the next two hours being tortured, err "beautified". Alice went on a rampage through my closet, finally coming out with a pair of dark jeans and a pretty purple top I didn't even remember buying. It had three-quarter sleeves and a v-neck and was made of some really soft material I couldn't identify. She let me wear my Chucks since I would have to take them off anyway to put my bowling shoes on. Bowling was the only reason Alice would ever let me wear my Chucks on a date. That girl was always trying to get me into some sort of shoe that was guaranteed to end my life. Heels and a lack of coordination was practically suicide.
Rose worked her magic on my hair, curling it into soft waves that fell around my shoulders. My make up was light, just a little eyeliner and mascara and some pink lip gloss, which they made me put in my pocket for touch-ups. I wasn't carrying a purse so I put my money and ID card in my other pocket.
I looked at myself when they were done and almost gasped. I always had the same reaction when they were done with me. Somehow they were always able to transform me into someone beautiful. The girl looking at me in the mirror had brown eyes that were sparkling, flushed cheeks and a big smile.
"You guys are so completely awesome. Thank you so much!" I said, meeting their eyes in the mirror.
"Your welcome silly!" Alice said, hugging me gently so as to not mess up my hair.
"So," Rose said, "Are you going to kiss him tonight?"
I blushed. "I want to. But I have never kissed a boy in my life."
"We know. You could let him kiss you of course. But he would probably do that at the front door with your parents on the other side waiting for you to come inside." Rose said.
"Ugh. I hadn't thought of that." I said grimacing. "I would really hate for my parents to witness my first ever kiss."
"So kiss him somewhere else. I mean there is no rule he has to kiss you on the front porch. Just take an opportunity somewhere else." Alice said.
"Hmmm, well I will just see what happens. If it happens here oh well I suppose. At least I would have had my first kiss." I said.
"True." Alice said. She looked at her watch. "Okay we have about thirty minutes until he gets here. Rose and I need to be gone before then. Seeing the elves ruins the effect of the magic." She laughed.
"Funny Alice, I always thought of you as a pixie." I said laughing.
I went downstairs after they left and found my mom in the kitchen. Her eyes went wide when she saw me then welled up with tears.
"Oh Bella," she sniffled. "You look so amazing."
"Aww, Mom. Don't cry." I said, patting her on the back.
"I'm sorry. It's just that my baby is having her first date. I'm allowed to cry if I want. It is in the Mom's Handbook. Section 27 paragraph 4. Mother's may be permitted to cry and/or sob when their daughters are going out on their first date. So there." She said, giving me a watery laugh.
I laughed with her. "Ok, well just dry up before he gets here. He might decide I'm pathetic if my mom is this happy that a guy is taking me out." I teased.
She laughed and grabbed a paper towel, dabbing at her eyes.
"No one would ever think you are pathetic sweetie. Besides, he has a mom too. I'm pretty sure she is just as happy as I am that you two are going out."
I just shook my head, smiling. I really hoped his parents liked me.
Charlie came into the kitchen then and looked me over.
"You look nice Bells. You remember all the stuff you learned in class right? And No means No, remember." He said in a gentle yet fatherly tone.
I smiled softly at him. "Yes, I remember. And you know if I have to I will break his nose or anything else I can reach." I said laughing.
He nodded at me, smiling. "Okay, well bring him in here when he gets here. I want to meet the guy that has turned my household upside down in just three days."
I heard the doorbell ring then and went to get the door before Jessica or Lauren could. I was unsuccessful.
"I got it." I said, as Jessica turned the knob on the door. She did not open it all the way, only a few inches, before stopping to look at me.
"Oh, you'll get it." She said in a low tone. "You wait. You can pretty yourself up all you want Bella. Underneath you will always be nothing." I sighed and rolled my eyes.
"Good to know. Now get out of the way so I can open the door." I said.
In response she yanked open the door and suddenly all I could see was Edward.
Oh.
My.
God.
This man was gorgeous. Absolutely, one hundred percent, completely gorgeous.
He stood on my front porch looking like a GQ spread come to life. He had on dark jeans that fit him perfectly, emphasizing his long legs. He was wearing a long sleeve black button up shirt with the cuffs rolled up and his pale skin practically glowed in the soft light of the setting sun. His hair, while usually amazing, looked even more perfect and I wanted to run my fingers through it forever. When I finally met his eyes I saw that he was giving me the same once over. Our eyes locked and his eyes were twinkling and he was wearing my favorite grin.
"You know," He said softly. "I thought I knew what perfect looked like until I met you. Now I find myself redefining the word every time I see you."
Okay. Swoon.
I wish I could say I thought of something witty but all I could do is blush and hold the door open wider so he could come inside.
"Thank you." I managed at last.
"You guys are disgusting." Jessica sneered at us. I had forgotten she was there. Before I could speak she turned and walked out the door, closing it behind her. I just shook my head and started to lead Edward to the kitchen where my mom and Charlie were waiting.
Edward stopped me with a hand on my arm.
"Bella," he said. "Why do you put up with the way Jessica and Lauren treat you? It's not right."
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Renee's POV
I heard Edward pull up outside. The purr of his car was quiet but I was so excited that my girl was going on her first real date that I would have heard him arrive even if he walked.
The doorbell rang and I heard Bella half-run half-stumble into the hallway towards the front door. I swear that girl was born stumbling.
Charlie stiffened a little when he heard the doorbell. I knew that he loved Bella as much as if she was his own child and he was itching to meet this boy. I had told him to keep calm but the Dad/Police Chief in him was chomping at the bit.
"Let her bring him in to us. They are both nervous enough. Give them a chance to collect themselves before you go all Big Scary Dad on them okay?" I said softly, wrapping one arm around his waist. He nodded and relaxed slightly.
I heard their voices getting closer and could start to make out what they were saying now. Charlie cocked his ear in the direction of the doorway too so I knew he could hear them as well. Eavesdropping was not the nicest thing in the world to do but this was my daughter and I was her mother. I had permission, at times like these anyway.
"Bella," I heard a rather deep male voice say, "Why do you put up with the way Jessica and Lauren treat you? It's not right."
Charlie stiffened by my side and listened harder.
"Edward-." Bella said, her voice pleading.
"No, Bella. I was there when they talked to you in the hallway yesterday remember? I heard the horrible things they were saying to you. And then just now too. They should never speak to you that way. Why do you let them?" Edward said asked.
I heard Bella give a deep sigh.
"Okay, I'll tell you but you have to promise me not to tell my mom or Charlie. It will only upset them and there is nothing they can do about it anyway." She said.
Edward huffed out a breath. I could almost hear the mental struggle in his head.
"Fine." He said at last.
"Alright, well you know that Renee found me in an orphanage right? Well let's just say that they are not bright happy places. Renee is such a wonderful woman. She is a free spirit; she's happy and funny and caring and when she and Phil adopted me I was happier than I could remember being in a long time. Life at home was great. We all laughed and played and had so much fun together. Then Phil died."
I felt tears well up in my eyes at the mournful tone of her voice. I did miss Phil; even now that Charlie had made me so happy.
"Renee…well she was devastated, just completely wrecked. I had to take over the house stuff. You know, laundry and cleaning and making sure the bills were paid. I was only eleven. I even did the cooking. That is how I got this scar actually."
I knew what scar she meant. It ran from her wrist to halfway up her arm, almost to her elbow.
"I was cooking dinner one night and got burnt on the stove. Renee had to take me to the hospital. I think that was when she woke up from her depression." Bella said.
I remember that night so clearly. Bella was trying to be so brave but she knew she was hurt too. She had walked into the living room where I was sitting. She'd had to shake me a few times before I acknowledged her. I looked up to see my precious girl, looking so strong and so lost at the same time. She showed me where she had gotten hurt and something in me snapped. I realized then what I had been doing. Hiding in my grief while Bella was trying to be mother and daughter at the same time. I knew at that moment I would never put her through anything like that again. I felt the tears run down my face and Charlie drew me into his embrace.
"She was better after that. She started being Mom again. But the fire in her was almost gone. She just wasn't the same. Then she started going to a dating website and that is where she met Charlie."
I could hear the smile in her voice when she said Charlie's name. From the look on his face I knew he did too.
"Edward, it was amazing. Suddenly she was happy again. Smiling and laughing and she was the same Renee who had rescued me from that orphanage. That was Charlie. He did that. He gave me back my Mom. I can never repay him for that. Ever." She said.
"That's why you let the girls treat you so badly." Edward said, realization dawning in his voice.
"Yes, Charlie and Renee have enough to worry about. Raising three teenage girls is not cheap you know." She said on a soft laugh. "They don't need all the infighting to stress them out even more. The girls put on a nice face at home because they know that they will get in trouble if they are mean to me here. As long as Charlie and Mom are happy I can take anything the girls throw at me. It doesn't matter how they treat me, as long as it makes life easier for Charlie and Renee. I owe them both so much." I could hear the tears in her voice as she said the last part. Apparently Edward could too.
"Hey, hey." He said quietly. "Shhh, it's okay. I didn't mean to make you cry. Your parents are so lucky to have someone like you. You are the best person I know. Just please understand that I will never tolerate them speaking to you like that when I am around. You are too good a person and I care about you too much to ever allow that, alright?"
I like this Edward already I decided. He obviously cared for my girl and wanted to protect her. I appreciated that, especially when it seemed I was unable to do so. I looked up at Charlie and his expression was one of anger and awe.
"I can't believe my girls would do that to Bella." He said softly, though I could hear the anger in his tone.
"I'm so sorry Charlie." I said. I knew he hated hearing these things about Jessica and Lauren.
"No, I'm sorry. I'm sorry that they are hurting Bella and that I never noticed it before." He took my face in his hands. "She said she owes me but really I owe the both of you. The girls and I were lost without the two of you. I thank God every day that I finally listened to Billy's advice and went to that website. I would never have found you otherwise." He said, kissing me softly.
Tears welled up again. I shook my head. "We were both lucky to find each other. But, Charlie, what are we going to do? Bella doesn't want us to know what is happening but we can't allow it to continue either." I said in soft despair.
Charlie shook his head. "I don't know. We will figure something out. Now pull yourself together, sweetheart. They will be in here in a few seconds."
I hastily dabbed my eyes and turned with a large, albeit fake, smile on my face when Bella and Edward walked into the kitchen.
She had him by the hand and was almost dragging him into the room. He looked so adorably nervous and I smiled for real. This boy was taking care of my girl and nothing could have endeared him more to me.
"Mom, Charlie, this is Edward Cullen. Edward, these are my parents, Charlie and Renee." Bella said.
Edward stepped up to Charlie, his hand outstretched. "Mr. Swan, it is a pleasure to meet you, sir." He said respectfully, looking Charlie in the eye.
I could tell that Charlie liked him too because though he still looked somewhat stern, as father-of-a-girl-going-out-on-her-first-date should, his eyes were twinkling.
"It's nice to meet you too, Edward. Please call me Charlie." He said.
Edward's eyes widened for a fraction of a second. "Yes, sir. Thank you." He said.
"So where are you two off to tonight?" Charlie asked.
"My parents would like to meet Bella so my mother is making us dinner. Then we are going to go bowling in Port Angeles." Edward said.
"Ooh, that sounds nice." I said with a smile. "Bella, eleven." I said, reminding her of her curfew.
"Yes, Mom. I won't be late." She said, smiling.
"I will make sure she is home on time." Edward said.
"Alright." Charlie said. He fixed Edward with a serious father-to-teenage-boy look. "You take care of my girl now." He said.
Edward nodded his understanding. "I will, sir. Count on it."
Charlie nodded once before turning to Bella. His eyes softened as he looked at her.
"You have fun Bells." He said softly. She smiled up at him.
"Thanks Charlie, I will. See you guys later." She said. She started dragging Edward out of the kitchen again.
"Good night, Charlie, Mrs. Swan." Edward said as Bella pulled him from the room.
"Renee!" I called out to him.
I heard him say "yes, ma'am" before the front door shut behind him and they were gone.
I quickly turned to Charlie.
"I like him." I said. Charlie gave me an indulgent smile.
"I do too. But if he ever hurts her I will break out the shovel and the shotgun. You know that right?" He said. His expression was soft but I knew that he would not put up with anyone hurting Bella again, especially after what we had both heard tonight.
I nodded, before the tears started to well up in my eyes again. What had I ever done to deserve such a wonderful daughter and such a wonderful husband?
"Shh, sweetheart. It will be alright. We will figure this out together, okay?" Charlie said.
I dabbed at my eyes and wrapped my arms around him.
"I know we will. We have to do something special for Bella. Something to try to make it up to her for all that she has put up with for the last few years."
Charlie nodded into my hair. "What did you have in mind?" He asked.
I pulled back a little and smiled into his eyes.
"I know just the thing." I said.
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Edwards's POV
I managed to escape Bella's home unscathed and we were driving towards my house. Meeting Charlie and Renee had been nerve-racking. I had never really had to meet the father of a girl I was dating before and I was worried about making a good impression. Bella's mother had been nice and Charlie had been intimidating but not scary. I think it went well, all in all.
I was still amazed by what Bella had told me. I think I was finally starting to understand now why she put up with so much from her evil stepsisters. She felt like she owed it to Charlie and Renee. I still resolved to make sure that her stepsisters hurt her as little as possible.
Now, on our way to my house I had no idea what I was letting myself in for by having Bella over for dinner before we had even gone on our date. I was very hopeful that the cool parents I knew I had were home instead of the embarrass-me-at-every-turn-because-it's-funny ones.
We pulled into the long, almost three mile drive that led to the house. I loved the privacy that the house had. There were never unexpected visitors and you knew when you were alone that you were truly alone.
Bella sat in the passenger seat, fidgeting. She looked amazing tonight. Amazing was not a strong enough word. Beautiful, spectacular, gorgeous. They would do I supposed. She was wearing dark blue jeans and a purple top that made her skin glow and her eyes take on a hint of violet. She wore her dark hair curled down around her shoulders and she had on just a hint of makeup. She was biting down on her bottom lip like she did when she was nervous.
"Relax. They will love you, trust me." I said.
She looked over at me and gave me a small smile.
"I hope so. My stomach still feels like I swallowed a bucket of butterflies." She laughed.
"Why are you so nervous?" I asked.
"Weren't you nervous to meet Charlie and my mom?" I nodded. I had been very nervous actually. I wanted to continue to see Bella and I needed them to approve of me.
"Well I want to keep seeing you and I want them to approve of me. So I'm nervous." It was uncanny how she managed to echo my thoughts. And I was very happy that she wanted to date me as much as I wanted to date her.
"Well, I will tell you now that you have nothing to worry about. Remember what I told you happened when I came home after I met you?" She nodded. "They attribute all that to you. So do I actually. So they are prepared to adore you unless you do something really drastic like burn the house down or something." I laughed.
"Considering how clumsy I am I would not put it past me." She laughed and I could see some of the tension leave her.
We pulled up in front of the house and I heard Bella gasp.
"You live here?!" She said.
"Uh, yeah. Do you like it?" I asked.
"Silly question. It's beautiful. I can't wait to see the inside." She practically bolted from the car before I could get around to open it for her.
It was a large three story white house that to me had always looked like one of those southern plantation houses. It had a large veranda that was held up by large white columns and the shutters were painted a dark green. The front door was a bright red and it gave the house a cheery feeling.
I led Bella up the stairs and held the door open for her. She walked inside and looked around, a big smile on her face.
Carlisle and Esme were standing in the living room, waiting for us. I led Bella over to them.
"Mom, Dad this is Bella. Bella these are my parents, Carlisle and Esme." I said, gesturing.
"It is very nice to meet you both, Mr. and Mrs. Cullen. Edward has told me so many wonderful things about you." She said.
She reached her hand out and shook Carlisle's hand firmly. I could see the smile play around his lips as he released her hand.
She turned towards Esme and Esme wasted no time reaching forward to hug her. I knew that she had been waiting to do so ever since I had first told them about Bella.
Bella did not seem embarrassed at all by Esme's warm greeting. She hugged her back just as intensely. Esme let her go and stood back from her a little, smiling.
"Wow Mrs. Cullen. You give chocolate chip cookie hugs." Bella said. Esme and Carlisle looked at her inquiringly and I saw Bella's cheeks pinken.
"What do you mean dear?" Esme asked.
"Just that a hug from you feels warm and sweet and comforting, like a chocolate chip cookie." She shook her head, embarrassed. "Sorry, I have a knack for saying odd things. Just ignore me." Bella laughed.
"Oh no, dear. I think that is very sweet. Thank you. And please, call me Esme."
"Thank you Esme." Bella said shyly.
"Well, dinner is almost ready. Edward, do you mind setting the table while Esme and I finish in the kitchen?" Carlisle asked.
"Not at all." I replied.
Bella volunteered to help and I showed her where the napkins and plates were while I went into the kitchen to get the glasses and silverware.
Esme peeked around me the moment I walked in and apparently satisfied that Bella was not behind me, immediately pounced.
"Edward I love her already. She seems so sweet and shy and you didn't tell us how beautiful she is." She gushed.
"Just don't overwhelm her Mom. She was a nervous wreck on the way here, worried that you wouldn't like her. She is afraid of making a bad impression. And you see how easily embarrassed she is. That cookie thing had her blushing like crazy." I laughed.
"I thought that was really sweet. And a pretty good description of Esme's hugs too. They do make you feel like that. I just would never have thought to describe them that way." Carlisle laughed.
"Bella is always interesting if nothing else. If the food is ready lets go ahead and bring it in. We do still have an hour drive to Port Angeles to make." I said, grabbing the silverware and drinking glasses. Carlisle picked up the dish of cacciatore and we made our way out of the kitchen.
We all walked into the dining room and stopped short. Perched on each plate was an intricately folded napkin, all in different shapes.
"Bella? What are these?" Esme exclaimed.
Bella looked a little sheepish. "Sorry, old habit. My mom taught me how to fold napkins when I was young and it's something I do whenever we have a sit down dinner. It always seems to make everything so much nicer. I didn't realize what I was doing until I finished the last one. I can unfold them if you like." She said quickly.
"No! Don't do that!" Esme said smiling. "They are so beautiful and intricate. What are they?" She asked.
Bella blushed a little and pointed to the plate at the end of the table where Esme sat. "The one on your plate is a rose, beautiful and sweet. The one on Carlisle's plate is a water lily. They seem gentle and serene on the surface but are strong underneath. Edward's is a bird of paradise. They are beautiful and sought after." She winked at me. "This one is a swan, well because my last name is Swan." She shrugged. "Just one of many completely useless skills I have managed to pick up over the years." She giggled. Carlisle and Esme were looking at her in wonder.
"Well thank you for them dear. Now you are in trouble because I will want you to do this every time we have dinner now." Esme laughed and Bella relaxed.
"Time to eat." Carlisle said. He dished out helpings of cacciatore to everyone and sat down at the head of the table. He had moved his napkin to the side and now sat staring at it.
"What's wrong Dad?" I asked.
Carlisle shook his head sadly. "It seems a shame to unfold it now." We all laughed and he looked up sheepishly before smiling and shaking out the napkin and spreading it on his lap.
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Esme's POV
I watched Bella all during the meal. The more I found out about her the more I loved her. She was smart and funny and held herself with a certain confidence that showed what a strong person she was. She was also endearingly shy, with an innocence that you had to love.
I could see why Edward was taken with her from the very start. Of course she was beautiful with lovely dark hair and warm brown eyes. But I think there was so much more than that that had appealed to Edward. She seemed to always have a smile on her face or to find the humor in things. She had a way with words that kept you wondering what she was going to say next. She also seemed to give as good as she got with Edward. I watched as they bantered back and forth throughout the meal. Edward had a wickedly sarcastic streak and she held her own with him effortlessly, even leaving him speechless sometimes. Edward loved a challenge and I think this sweet girl was just the one to give it to him.
He focused his attention on her completely. Nothing she said or did seemed to escape him. His eyes sparkled when she laughed at his jokes and he was more relaxed and open than I had ever seen him. She had changed him in ways I don't think even he was aware of. I had never seen him smile so much before. He was playing the piano again for the first time in months. I don't think he was aware of it but I believed that the new song he was composing was about Bella. She had sparked something within him and I was very interested in learning more about the girl who had transformed my Edward.
The night he came home after meeting her would be burned into my memory forever. For as long as Edward had been with us he had never once called me Mom. I loved him with all my heart and longed for the day that he would feel comfortable enough to do so. As the years had passed I had resigned myself to the fact that he never would. I think that deep down he was afraid of being too attached. I knew that he'd had several foster parents, some only lasting for a few months before he was shipped to another family. Stability was something that he did not take for granted.
Yet even after all the time he had been with us and as much a part of the family he knew he was, inside I think he still held a little boy's fear of being sent away again. Whatever Bella had said to him had wiped that all away. I think for the first time he finally accepted that he was here to stay; that we wanted him forever.
Carlisle seemed to like Bella as much as I did. He told me that night, when Edward came home and had thanked us for adopting him, that he already felt a strong sense of protectiveness towards Bella. We had both been shocked when Edward had told us about the relationship she had with her stepsisters. I was astonished that she so willingly took their abuse so her parents could be happy and worry free. It was not something you would expect from a typical teenager. But I was quickly learning that Bella was not a typical teenager.
"Esme, that was delicious." Bella said, interrupting my reverie. "You have to give me the recipe."
"Of course dear. This is one of Edward's favorites actually." I said smiling.
Her eyes twinkled with mischief as she looked at Edward. "Then I definitely have to learn to make it. The way to a man's heart is through his stomach right?" She said smiling. Edward grinned at her.
"That's true." I said. "Why do you think Carlisle and I have been together so long?" I said laughing.
"That's right, angel. I only married you for your cooking skills." Carlisle said, winking at me.
"Thank you sweetie. I knew there had to be some reason." I chuckled.
"Mom this was great but I think we need to go ahead and get going. Bella's curfew is eleven and it is an hour drive both ways." Edward said. Both he and Bella stood up.
"Certainly. You kids go on. Your father will help me clean up." I said. Carlisle groaned dramatically.
"Oh don't give me that. Get your butt in that kitchen." I said, flicking my napkin at him as he passed beside me, picking up plates.
"Only if your cute butt follows after me." He whispered in my ear. His eyes were smoldering and I felt myself blushing. Even after all this time Carlisle could still send shivers of excitement up my spine with just a look.
"Why, Dr. Cullen what did you have in mind?" I said softly. His eyes flared and he looked back at Edward and Bella quickly before turning to me. He put his lips very close to my ear.
"Wait until the kids are gone and I will show you exactly what I have in mind." I felt my skin tingle at his words.
"Well you two have fun. Bella it was so nice to meet you. Please come again soon." I said.
"Thank you Esme, Carlisle. I had a good time. Have a good night." She said. Edward was escorting her out of the room, his hand on the small of her back.
I felt two arms wrap around my waist as soon as I heard the front door close. I turned and looked up into the heated gaze of my husband.
"Now, weren't you going to show me something?" I asked before reaching up to kiss him.
It was a while before the dishes got done.
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Bella's POV
The trip to Port Angeles was filled with quiet conversation. We didn't talk about much, just school and things like that. We pulled up in front of the bowling alley having made record time due to Edward's insane but exhilarating driving.
We secured a lane and paid for our shoes. I don't think that there is anything in the world more adorable than Edward Cullen in green and red bowling shoes.
After a lengthy search I finally managed to find a bowling ball that I could lift and that I could fit my fingers in. When I got back to the lane I saw the names that Edward had entered in for us.
Hot Stuff and Sweet Thang.
I almost dropped my bowling ball on my foot from laughing so hard.
"Hot Stuff" went first, knocking down about six pins with his first shot and two more with his second. Let me just say, if anyone can make bowling sexy it is Edward Cullen. Watching the way his shoulders moved as he swung that bowling ball and the way his legs bent and moved as he released it, well I would never look at bowling the same way ever again.
I managed to knock down seven pins on my first shot and then gutter ball the next one which made me giggle.
"You are going to at least try to give me a run for my money aren't you?" he asked smiling down at me.
"What's this? A challenge? Dear sir I accept." I said mockingly. He smiled and rolled his eyes.
I pretended to huff. "Alright, just for that it is on like Donkey Kong." I said sternly.
He burst out laughing.
We played four games. We flirted back and forth like crazy, issuing challenges to each other like "I bet you can't knock down all the pins on just the right hand side" etc.
I slipped twice, which is pretty good for me since it seems like the floors of bowling alleys were always covered in Crisco. Edward caught me both times and stayed pretty close to me after that, just in case he said. I was so not complaining.
We were actually both pretty good bowlers and even though Edward won three of the games he only beat me by about four pins each time. I ended up with a 220 average and his was 226 so always the gentleman Edward called it a draw.
We turned in our shoes and made our way outside. It was almost ten now and we needed to start on the way back to my house so I wouldn't miss curfew.
We walked out to the Volvo and when we made it to the passenger side I turned to Edward before he could open my door. He looked down at me with a question in his eyes.
"So, you know when we get to my house that my parents and my stepsisters will probably be watching us through the window." I said with a smile.
"Yes, you're probably right." He said, smiling back.
"Well I was thinking that instead of having an audience later we could kiss now." His eyebrows shot up in surprise. I felt my face turn red. Had I really just said that to him? What was he thinking about me now? Jesus, I wasn't even certain that he really did want to kiss me. I am such an idiot!
"Not that I was expecting a kiss or anything." I said quickly. "I mean…I want to kiss you but…I mean…I don't want you to feel like you have to kiss me because I said something…I mean…" My insane rambling was cut off by his cool fingers against my lips. He was smiling softly at me, his eyes twinkling with amusement.
"Bella?" He said, pulling his fingers from my lips and cupping my cheek with his hand.
"Hmmm?" It was the only response I felt capable of giving.
"Shut up." He said, just before his lips pressed against mine.
Cashmere. Satin. I didn't have a word to describe just how soft and silky Edward's lips were against mine. I could have read a thousand word essay about how amazing it was to kiss Edward Cullen and it would not have prepared me for the reality.
He tilted his head slightly and our lips fit together perfectly. His lips moved over mine, brushing against them once, twice and the third time they lingered, pressing soft little nibbling kisses against my lips. I copied his movements and then he opened his mouth, running his tongue across my bottom lip. I opened my mouth hesitantly and he dipped inside.
I felt as if I was on fire and melting into a puddle at the same time. My hands reached up of their own accord and plunged into his hair, gripping it in my fingers. It seemed to electrify Edward whose hands moved as well. One moved into my hair, fisting it lightly and the other cupped the nape of my neck. He pulled me tighter into his kiss as our tongues brushed softly together.
I felt dizzy for a moment and realized I needed oxygen. Edward came to the same realization and pulled back from me, resting his forehead against mine. Seeming unable to stop himself he continued to brush soft kisses against my lips, my cheek, my jaw before pulling me back into his arms and kissing me again. Who needs oxygen anyway? I would gladly give it up to kiss Edward forever.
Finally we broke apart and I curled myself around his lithe frame, our chests heaving together. When I could breathe normally again I pulled back slightly, though I did not let him go. I looked up at him and he was smiling down at me, emerald eyes sparkling even in the dim light of the parking lot.
"Wow." I said.
"Wow indeed." He said, laughing softly.
I pressed my face back into his chest, nuzzling gently and I felt him chuckle. His hands were running gentle trails up and down my spine.
"Bella?" He said.
"Yes?" I didn't move.
"Baby, we can't stand in the parking lot all night." He said in amusement.
My heart leapt at his endearment.
I nodded into his chest and pulled back from him, reaching up to cup his cheeks before pulling his head towards mine. I brushed my lips against his.
"Best first kiss ever." I said and was rewarded with my favorite grin.
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Edward's POV
I helped Bella into the car and made my way around to the driver's side. I paused for just a moment to take a steadying breath before climbing inside.
Bella was looking at me with a beautifully dreamy smile on her face. Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes were sparkling and her lips were just slightly swollen.
Those lips. Damn. I could kiss Bella forever. Her lips were even softer than I had imagined they would be and I had done a lot of imagining. I felt like I was made to kiss her, like I had been born with the sole purpose of kissing Bella Swan. It was all I could do not to pull over to the side of the road and continue where we had left off in the parking lot. I pulled out onto the highway and started on the way back to Forks instead.
I had been pleasantly surprised when she had suggested having our first kiss before I took her home. And now, considering how amazing it was and how close I had been to getting completely carried away I'm glad we had. I really didn't need Charlie coming outside brandishing a shotgun.
She had been so adorable in her ramblings. I was of course hoping for a goodnight kiss but hearing that she was too had been all the invitation I had needed.
Now we were driving back to her house, our hands intertwined between us. I would occasionally pull her soft warm hand to my lips and was rewarded with her beautiful smile. I would smile back and so we spent most of the drive back grinning at each other like two very happy idiots.
It seemed way too soon when we pulled up in front of her house. I parked the car and shut off the engine but made no move to get out. Bella looked like she did not want to get out either. I checked my watch; we still had ten minutes before she had to be inside.
I turned to her and she mimicked me, unbuckling her seatbelt to face me more fully.
"So…" I said. "I'm guessing that since you have never been kissed that you have never had a boyfriend either?" I said.
Her breath caught and she shook her head.
"Not unless you count going steady for four days in Junior High." She said laughing.
"Hmm, I suppose you could count that. Do you see me as a likely candidate for boyfriend then?" I asked. Her eyes widened for a second before she smiled at me brilliantly.
"Edward Cullen, are you asking me to be your girlfriend?" She said coyly.
"Isabella Swan, I am indeed. Do you accept?" I asked smiling.
In response she leaned forward quickly and pressed her lips to mine. She pulled back slightly and looked me in the eye.
"I most certainly do." She whispered. I could not resist kissing those beautiful lips so close to mine. She pulled back, a little breathless. I was having a hard time catching my breath as well.
"I have to go inside or I'll be late." She said softly, clearly unwilling to get out of the car.
I nodded and got out, walking over to open her door. She got out and stood next to me, wrapping her arms around my waist. I held her to me, stroking her beautiful dark hair.
She released me and turned towards the house. I fell into step beside her, taking her hand. I walked her up the steps and we stood facing each other at her door.
"I really had a great time Edward." She said smiling up at me.
I ran my fingers down her cheek and she blushed.
"Me too. Can I call you tomorrow?" I asked.
"I'll be very disappointed if you don't." She said.
I smiled and bent down to kiss her softly, mindful that now we may have an audience.
She kissed me back, softly but with enthusiasm. I smiled against her lips and pulled back.
"Good night my Bella. Sweet dreams." I said softly.
"Good night Edward. I know my dreams will be sweet because they will be about you." She smiled at me and opened her door, leaving me on the front porch staring like the lovesick idiot I was. The click of the door being shut broke me from my spell and I turned and leapt off the porch in my excitement. I managed to contain myself until I got in my car and waited until I was halfway down the road before I could hold it in no more.
"YES!" I yelled in victory.
Best first date ever!
