Tainted Love

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~Chapter 7 - A Red Ribbon


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Lyin' here with you so close to me
It's hard to fight these feelings when it feels so hard to breathe
Caught up in this moment
Caught up in your smile

I've never opened up to anyone
So hard to hold back when I'm holding you in my arms
We don't need to rush this
Let's just take this slow

Just a kiss on your lips in the moonlight
Just a touch in the fire burning so bright
No I don't want to mess this thing up
I don't want to push too far
Just a shot in the dark that you just might
Be the one I've been waiting for my whole life
So baby I'm alright, with just a kiss goodnight

I know that if we give this a little time
It will only bring us closer to the love we wanna find
It's never felt so real, no it's never felt so right

Just a kiss on your lips in the moonlight
Just a touch in the fire burning so bright
No I don't want to mess this thing up
I don't want to push too far
Just a shot in the dark that you just might
Be the one I've been waiting for my whole life
So baby I'm alright, with just a kiss goodnight

No I don't want to say goodnight
I know it's time to leave, but you'll be in my dreams
Tonight
Tonight
Tonight

Just a kiss on your lips in the moonlight
Just a touch in the fire burning so bright
No I don't want to mess this thing up
I don't want to push too far
Just a shot in the dark that you just might
Be the one I've been waiting for my whole life
So baby I'm alright, oh, let's do this right, with just a kiss goodnight
With a kiss goodnight
Kiss goodnight
(Lady Antebellum - Just a kiss)

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We get back to Edward's apartment and it's barer than usual. "You found another place…" I exhale, unsteady. Moments like these… I just want to pluck every single blond hair from that tramps head - by the mother-fucking handful.

"No, but I've got until after the new year. My landlord gave me an extension…" he runs his hand through the front of his hair and when it comes undone, his hair is even more misplaced. I don't let him know that he rocks the messy hair; in fact it only makes me more insecure… "With my crazy schedule, I figured I should probably get started on packing." He appears so overwhelmed, I really don't know what to say...

"I see," I gently tap one of the boxes sprawled out in the middle of the floor with my foot.

"I've got a new realtor; Charles Brady…" he smiles. I contain that huge sigh of relief and offer a small nod of approval. "Everything okay? You've been kind of quiet since we left the club…"

"Yeah, I'm just tired…" I hate change, in any form. I was just starting to get comfortable being at his place, this place… and now he's going to move, to who knows where. It's just a lot to take in right now. I guess the bright side is that the cum bucket slut will no longer know where he lives…

"Oh, I've got something for you," he grins - excited. I follow his little back peddle down the hall to his bedroom. I'm sure he does… have something for me. However when he opens a brown shopping bag he'd left on the floor of his room, matching pajamas weren't at all what I was expecting.

I clutch the soft cotton and flannel fabrics he's handed me with a soft laugh. "Thank you…"

"What? Too corny?" His cheeks turn all shades of blush and he nervously laughs right along with me.

"I love them," I smile.

"Well, I'll let you go get changed first…" he steps aside to give me a clear path to the bathroom.

I quietly undress and shake out the set he's given me. I can't help but laugh again when I'm finally able to dissect the print… "Oh, you better be wearing yours," I call through the door.

"I will be," he laughs softly…

I shake my head because perhaps Alice's intuition was right, this time… Matching holiday pajamas. The top is a white t-shirt that has a female deer embroidered, she's wearing a red bow on her head and there's a few snowflakes sprinkled around her. It's so cheesy, it's cute and hysterical. Definitely worse than anything my grandmother would gift. The bottoms are a soft baby blue flannel - adorned with tiny presents, trees, snowflakes, bows and ribbons, stars, and what look like tiny heart decorated mugs of hot chocolate. They even came with a free holiday toothbrush, green with red bristles…

The fabrics are so soft, I'm willing to forgive what they look like. I might have misjudged them, kind of like my snuggie… Because by the time I finish washing my face and brushing my teeth, I'm in love…

"Are you wearing yours?" I call through the door. He better be wearing his…

"I'm decent," he doesn't quite answer my question. Oh hell, here goes nothing.

"You look ridiculously cute," he compliments the minute I step out while looking slightly uncomfortable himself. His are exactly the same as mine, except his deer has antlers tangled up in holiday lights - not very manly looking at all. Edward got the shorter end of the stick, I try not to giggle but fail miserably.

I can barely breathe when Edward goes into the bathroom with his free matching toothbrush… "I can still hear you," he calls from the bathroom. I climb onto his bed and laugh until my belly starts aching.

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I get settled into what has become my side of the bed; whether it's his or mine I get the left side. It just sort of happened…

Edward double checks to make sure everything is locked up and kills most of the lights. He comes around to his side of the bed and reaches back to tear away his Rudolph-esque t-shirt. Seeing his bare muscled chest in all it's glory; it definitely feels a lot like Christmas morning. I'm not the least bit sad that I didn't get to do the unwrapping…

He climbs into bed and reaches over me to kill the awkward modern looking lamp on my bedside table, since I've never been able to successfully find the switch myself… Tonight I catch a glimpse of a tattoo I'd never really seen before. On his left bicep, there's Bella in big bold fancy script lettering… I remember seeing vita further down on the side of his forearm, but the fonts aren't quite matching up. I'm almost certain - but afraid to ask in detail.

"How many tattoos do you have?" I ask, while he's still leaning over my lap.

"I thought I told you… Seventeen," he replies while still leaning over me so he can read my expression. The tattoos really don't bother me, yet anyway… I'm not even sure what most of them are. I've always been too shy and embarrassed to really look closely enough to dissect them all and his physique can be pretty damn distracting from the ink.

"I was just wondering, it looks like you have more than seventeen…" I remark.

"Fifty eight hours worth, some are bigger than others…" He leans back and shows me a biblical quote on his ribs. There's actually a dozen tattoos in this area but he's calling it one since it was all done at once. Knowing nothing about tattoos, I accept his logic and release an "Oh…" sound. "Can I see the others?"

"I thought you were tired," he laughs softly…

"Not too tired," definitely not too tired… Sweet baby Jesus, he turns on the lights and lets me run my fingers all over him. His entire back is covered with an angel that somewhat resembles Mother Mary over what appears to be a city skyline. It's so beautiful, I imagine a lot of the hours were invested solely in this piece here. He has a gun tattooed on the back of his right bicep which almost makes me giggle. Quite a few scriptures, some in English, others Latin.

He shows me a spider-web tattoo on his elbow. "Three rings for the first kill, and one line for every one after…" he explains. I'm still absorbing this information, but I'm more concerned with counting the lines.

"We're talking about people, right?" I think I counted nine…

"If you want to call them that," he sounds so desensitized when he says it… "Extreme cases only, when it's either them or me. Trust me, I'd gladly offer up all of my tax dollars to have them spend the rest of their lives rotting in a cell, but it doesn't always go down like that…" He quickly directs my attention back to the webbing… "This style of tat originated in prisons. It's how prisoners identify their kills. You see someone with a lot of rings - that's someone you probably don't want to mess with..."

"Yeah," I shake my head full of wonder… That's when I start pointing out the scars - which have suddenly become more fascinating than the tattoos. "This one?"

"You're going to end up having nightmares," he teases. Though it's probably the honest to God truth… "Gang banger, he got me twice in my hand here." He shows me two raised pink lines that run from his first knuckle and spread into his palm… "And three times here…" he points back to the ugly raised purple lines I'd originally asked about at the side of his abdomen.

"How many times have you been shot?" I absentmindedly ask, when I quickly realize not all of the scars look like stab wounds - but it's apparent he has more than just the three he pointed out.

"How many times have I been hit?" Reality is sinking in quickly… I'm sure that number will be far less than the times he's been shot at.

"Sure.." I breathe in and out deeply.

"Too many times for my liking," he pulls the sheet up and pools it around his waist. "Are you tired yet?" he laughs softly, but it's not his typical beautiful mesmerizing laugh. On some level I feel as if I've made him uncomfortable by asking too many questions. I still have plenty rolling around in my head, but agree it's time for sleep with a soft nod.

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It's still dark outside when I wake to the sound of the shower running… I roll over toward his side of the bed and the clock glows with a time stamp of just before six. I groan softly, I'm so not a morning person… Not ready to get up, I lie awake reflecting on everything Edward…

Every once in awhile I hear Edward moaning like those women do in the cheesy shampoo commercials. It doesn't take long for me to connect the dots... I'm a little surprised that he'd be uh.. doing that, with me just on the other side of the door… He must really love his shampoo…

The ache in my groin only intensifies with every soft grunt and moan that slips through the cracks of the bathroom door… I rub my thighs together in hopes to create enough friction to ease the growing - nearly unbearable ache. I will not touch myself in Edward's bed. Unfortunately, telling myself that doesn't help. The delicate flower down below is insistent on being pollinated. No, no, no… I try not to envision what he's doing in there… That helps a little - but his sounds of arousal are so distracting! I try to find the humor in the situation, but it's been soooo long

One long glorious moan later… The water stops and then I hear the shower curtain springing open… My face is probably ten shades of red as I pull the sheet and blanket up, tucking them tightly around my chin. I totally plan to pretend to be sleeping… Though I've got one eye cracked just a tiny slice… Just in case he decides to saunter out naked and give me a little peep show. I know, I'm going to hell... Slice of heaven first…

Ten minutes later and that peep show pipe dream has started to sail… The bathroom door opens and he's once again dressed for bed. He walks past my side of the bed and it isn't long before I feel his weight climb back into the bed. He scoots in so his knees are nestled right behind mine and wraps his arm around me…

A short while later and Edward's arm grows heavy with sleep. I find it next to impossible to sleep; without a cold shower… He smells so good, which isn't helping my problem any… I nearly moan like the cheesy actresses on the commercials. Sigh…

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"Good morning sleepy head…" I wake and yawn to the sound of Edward's voice. I slept terribly, though somehow I managed to get back to sleep and sleep a little while longer…

"Do we have to get up," I groan…

"No, but I thought maybe you'd want to go out and get some breakfast," he offers.

"I don't want to get dressed," I mumble with eyes closed.

"No? Well we can go in our P-J's," he so bluffs and I intend to call him on it.

It's just before ten and we're sitting in Starbucks wearing our matching pajamas. We're wearing our jackets, so the other patrons aren't getting the full effect… I'm not even wearing any shoes, just a pair of borrowed socks from Edward. Heels wouldn't really go with this outfit…

"What do you want to do today?" He asks, breaking into his muffin. Get laid… I'd ask him why he's so chipper this morning, but I already know the answer to that question. Then I start to wonder if that's the reason why he took a shower at my place. I don't have to wonder for long; the answer is too obvious. Damn…

"Be lazy…" Get laid… I insist.

"Lazy eh?" He laughs softly…

"Did you forget how?" I tease.

"Nooo," he throws a small piece of his muffin at me. "I just thought since we have all this time, you'd want to go do something…" Oh, I want to do something alright…

"Like a date?" I retrieve the small bit of muffin he tossed into my lap and throw it back at him. With a little showmanship, he catches it in his mouth.

"Hmm…" he purrs in thought. "Yes, a date. Not a speed date, because I'm going to need a hell of a lot longer than seven minutes…" I feel a sprinkling of sexual innuendo, this time I'm blaming me… Since it's apparent I'm the only one left unfulfilled this morning.

"You're never going to let me live that down!" I flick some of my crumbs in his direction.

"Five more minutes!" He laughs and I kick him under the table… "Alright, I'm done - for now…" his laughter ensues. I kick him again.

"What is it? Be mean to Bella day?" I whine.

"I kind of like it when you hurt me," he winks and now I'm afraid to kick him again…

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We go back to his place… I'm not sure when this date is supposed to start. Neither of us are working on making any real solid plans; apparently it was just an idea that was thrown out there…

We're lazily lying in Edward's bed, he's got the flat screen raised from this fancy box that hides it at the foot of his bed. I should have known… It's November, of course there's football…

Every once in awhile he startles me with his enthusiasm… Yelling and shaking his hand at the screen. I would have never pegged Edward for being a sports junkie, but he's in it to win it - like he's actually playing out on the field… Jake used to tease me for watching ice skating competitions on TV, he'd really ridicule the men in their costumes - but football players wear pants that are even tighter… But it's a manly sport, whatever…

I settle down into the pillows and debate on taking a nap, which wouldn't be so hard if it weren't quaking with Edward's quick movements every few minutes…

"Ahem…" he's so completely mesmerized by the tube… It's like I distract him for a nano-second and then he remembers he was watching football and ignores me…

I exhale really loud; almost huff - and he starts handing me more pillows and pushing over shares of the blanket…

"So…" I lean over and breathe along his ear. "Does that Smith guy really have a nicer ass than I do?"

"Smith is their quarterback," he corrects me without even answering my question.

During a commercial break I convince Edward to drive me home so I can get ready for our date, later I suppose… He listens to the game on the radio during the drive and I try not to be a bitch. With his schedule who knows how long its been since he's watched a game in real time. We're not even dating yet and I suck at this…

He takes a break from listening to the game and surprisingly walks me up to my door. Cornering me just inside the door he gives me a really sweet kiss and promises he'll call in a few hours - so I better be ready.

I'm pretty sure every time I kiss Edward I lose brain cells… I better be ready, but I have no idea what to prepare for. We never did make any solid plans.

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My machine is nearly full with messages. Alice has been calling all day and my father has been calling since yesterday. I pick up the phone and dial my father first, since he sounds worried sick.

"How's my baby girl?" His tone sounds really apologetic in comparison to our last conversation. He hasn't called me baby girl in forever… it's nice.

"I'm doing okay dad. I'm sorry for dropping this all on you, but I had to tell you eventually…" I laugh softly, trying to make light of the situation.

"I only wish you had told me sooner. I don't know what I could have done - knock some sense into Jake and maybe it wouldn't have gone this far…" I shake my head softly as I listen. Sure Jake respected my father - but if he couldn't respect me…

"He married me not you dad… He can't respect me - it was never going to work... I'm doing fine on my own. It's okay, shit happens - right?" I sniffle and blow a little air up into my eyes, sucking the waterworks back before they can start.

"It happens to the best of us... I just hate to think of you alone in a big city. You sure you don't want to move back home and keep your old dad company?" He offers.

"Alice and Edward don't live too far away, I still have friends… I'm not as miserable as Jake would like for you to believe," I insist.

"Edward huh?" He can see right through me…

"Yeah, you know him…" I submit.

"He's a good kid. I heard he's with some special unit that shall not be named, least that's what his mother says." Now he tells me… "His family is very proud. You know his younger brother Jasper enlisted in the army not too long ago. They had a parade here in town just before his deployment," he gossips like a little old lady. I can't imagine what he's already shared about my impending divorce.

"No, I hadn't heard…" I reply. That takes one brother out of the equation for Alice.

"Yeah his other brother Emmett and his wife Rose just had a little girl a couple years back. Edward was in their wedding about um… five years ago?" Sorry Alice…

"Why are we talking about Edward's family?" I laugh softly.

"Well, he has a very nice family… At least Edward visits me, which is more than I can say about my own daughter," he showers me with guilt. I should have seen that one coming…

"I know, I know…" I try not to roll my eyes.

"Are you coming down for Christmas?" He asks.

"I haven't figured that out yet; probably…" I try to appease him.

"What's Edward's number? I'll invite him and see that he brings you."

"Dad… I'm not a child," I groan.

"Don't be too proud Bells, I'm your dad. You can tell me anything. You know that, right?" Sigh…

"I have to get ready to go out for dinner, so I'll call you later - in a few days," I offer, honest.

"With Edward?" He asks.

"Maybe… What's it to you?" I taunt.

"I just want you to be happy Bells. Some grandchildren would be nice too… I won't say no more… but I'm not getting any younger," he reminds me all - the - friggin'- time. Like this is what I need right now!

"You better not call Edward, I'll talk to you later - love you." I quickly hang up before he starts up another conversation.

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Talking to my father leaves me feeling sorry for myself again. My father still has hopes, dreams, and aspirations for me… I'm just putting one foot in front of the other and hoping that I end up in a better place. I haven't received any call backs on any of the applications I submitted, which is really damn depressing. If I don't find a job soon I won't have a choice but to move in with someone… Probably my father, god help me. He'll nag until I get my shit together, which could certainly be motivating.

I call Edward to see where we're going so I know how to dress… "Oh… um, yeah… Fancy, I've got a surprise…"

"Fancy?" What!

"Formal," he clarifies but it sounds like he's chewing on something… Is he eating dinner before dinner?

The nicest dress hanging in my closet is the one I wore to an office Christmas party last year…

I go back and forth with whether or not it's too fancy… I have a couple glasses of wine to clear my head and fuck it… I shower, shave, dry and wrap my hair in hot curlers. The silk red floor length mermaid style dress slides on like butter. I shove a hand down the front of the strapless dress and adjust my boobs; at least I've still got a modest but amazing rack going for me.

I spin in front of the floor length mirror on the back of the bathroom door while I wait for my hair to finish setting, without warning I hear his voice in the back of my head. I can't believe you're going to wear that to an office party! Cover up, you look trashy! Who are you screwing, your boss! It makes your ass look big anyway, so wear it! I did, only because I had nothing else to wear. I left the house in tears that night… At least now it makes sense; why he couldn't attend with me... Too busy fucking her to give a shit…

I remove the rollers and run my fingers through my hair to loosen the curls. I part my hair and add a faux diamond and pearl studded comb, before stepping into my shimmering silver toned heels and buckling the crisscross strap at the ankle.

I can't stop looking at myself in the mirror. Hairspray, lots of it… I didn't think I looked that bad then, now I'm not so sure… The reflection doesn't look very familiar at all. My boobs, I love my boobs…

There's a knock at the door just as I start to debate digging out one of the several little black dresses I own…

I hesitate to open the door… Looking through the peep hole, I spot Edward waiting with a bouquet of red roses looking very polished in a tux. Begrudgingly, I open the door and quickly turn away… "Let me grab a shawl…" I start down the hall toward my bedroom…

"Wait, where are you going! Let me have a look at you," his voice is filled with so much enthusiasm - I'm afraid to disappoint. Slowly, I spin on my heel…

"Wow!" The bouquet slips from it's upright position to fall at his side.

"Please, don't make any jokes…" I exhale as he closes the gap between us.

"You look amazing… so beautiful," he starts tripping from one compliment to the next and we start to lose eye contact.

"You look fantastic too," I admit. Like he stepped right off of the front cover of a GQ magazine and landed in my… Where am I again?

"I'm the luckiest guy in the world tonight," he grins - finally offering me the bouquet of roses. "I got these for you," he smiles. I lean over the flowers to kiss him on the cheek and he turns his head and catches my lips with a soft laugh. It definitely breaks some of the tension, at least in my mind.

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Edward takes my arm and leads me down to his car where he helps load me into the passenger seat. The skirt requires a little tucking and he's glad to oblige. I turn to fasten my seat belt and notice a big white box tied with a red ribbon on the back seat…

"What's that?" I gesture a thumb toward the back seat as he hops in…

"A surprise," his eyes widen with more enthusiasm… I'm not sure I like surprises anymore, but seal my lips in a tight line and try to make sense of where we're headed once we hit the streets.

Downtown - there's plenty of traffic on the weekend.

We arrive at the Trump Tower, I've heard of it - driven by… Never have I actually gone inside. Edward carries the big white box and I pretend to tug at the ribbon once we reach the service desk. He quickly shifts it out of my reach, checks his reservations, and leaves the desk clerk with the box - with instructions to take it up to his room…

"You didn't say this was going to be an overnight trip…" I speak quietly at his side as we enter the elevator…

"Um…" he laughs softly. "Whatever happens… Just go along with it," he flashes me a big smile before leaning over to kiss my temple. "I'll let you kick me later," he offers just before he straightens and takes my arm. We stop at the sixteenth floor…

The doors open and I'm speechless… Immediately I become very self conscious and stare down toward my feet, allowing Edward to float me through the very large crowd. "What is this?" I murmur - nervousness heavily lacing my tone; it comes out sounding almost mumbled.

"The secret policeman ball," he announces without a care in the world…

"Looks like the secret is out of the bag," I quip and take a deep breath while trying to unknot my fingers, only to realize I'm trembling.

"It's a play on words, tradition… You're beautiful, now stop fidgeting," he scolds with a soft laugh. Almost immediately Edward is approached by what I quickly realize are fellow colleagues. I force a smile and watch them shake hands. I'm greeted with soft kisses on my cheek and humorous banter on how nice it is for Edward to bring a date that isn't related to him… "My mother," Edward notes before leading me deeper into the party. We're stopped several times on our path by others wanting to greet Edward. Finally after what seems like forever - we find our table.

There's a couple already seated. "This is the guy that does most of my paperwork at the office; Robert… and his stunning wife Emily…" Edward introduces us. "This is Bella…" He lingers on my name just a pause too long and I can't help but wonder what, if anything, he's told them about me.

"His partner," Robert corrects - taking my hand he offers it a gentle shake before passing it off to Emily. "How'd you manage to get a date?" He asks. Edward replies by connecting his fist jovially at Rob's shoulder…

"It's nice to meet you. Edward is very sweet," Emily gushes with a smile. I nod softly, forcing another of what will probably be many smiles during the course of the evening. "Gorgeous dress," she compliments.

"Thank you, it's nice to meet you too…" I speak, uncertain about EVERYTHING!

"How come you don't ever wear anything like that?" Rob asks and Emily takes her turn, playfully slapping Rob in the opposite arm. We're all wearing smiles by the time Edward pulls out a chair for me. Soon after a waiter comes by with champagne and I'm quick to grab my first glass…

"Just ignore him, his brain hasn't matured past twelve…" Edward whispers along my neck and I try my damnedest not to laugh and almost end up snorting. Dear God…

Dinner arrives, it looks expensive… lobster, venison, prime rib, and pheasant. Edward had already decided that I'd have the prime rib. Rob and Edward get venison, and Emily pheasant. Apparently this was something that had to be reserved and ordered ahead of time when Edward paid for his tickets… Knowing this was planned, I'm definitely kicking Edward later…

I don't have much of an appetite - especially when I realize my mashed potatoes aren't potatoes at all. "Celery root," Edward leans over and whispers just as I'm about to reach for my napkin. BlehWhat the hell is celery root?

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Dinner wraps up and they start auctioning off anything and everything you could possibly imagine. Something has been donated from nearly every business in town. Edward keeps offering to bid on my behalf and I keep shaking my head in a firm no. Rob and Edward keep competitively outbidding each other on several items, just to raise the final bid. Emily eventually curses them both and when their laughter dies it gets really quiet at our table. I haven't said not one word… I can't get comfortable.

A series of photos interchange on a big screen - various officers in many different settings. Some are definitely tear jerkers; tiny arms clinging to officers for dear life as they're rescued from only God knows what… Edward scaling down a building with only a rope from a rooftop… Edward bloodied at what looks like a police station. A photo of what looks like Rob standing in a locker room with soiled pants…

"Fuck you man," Rob grunts at Edward… I don't recognize many of the others, but I can't help but wonder who found the time to take some of these photos with the serious situations they represent.

Then they move onto an awards ceremony… The lights go out above the tables and focus solely on the stage, the decorative glass hurricanes with candles leave each table dimly lit. I feel the most secure I've felt all night, bathed in near darkness…

Until a spotlight starts spinning around the room… About an hour in - it stops at our table. I breathe a sigh of relief when it shifts to Rob. He's called to the stage and receives medals for honorable service, good conduct, and swat team member. He stands up at the podium and offers thanks, praises God, and doesn't forget to mention his wife and family… He does a little dance through the crowd as they continue to applaud and makes sure to rub it in and gloat when he reaches our table… "Honorable," he jabs at Edward…

"Just wait," Edward shrugs, leans back, and folds his arms over his chest while wearing a very cocky grin… Not two seconds later and the spotlight is facing us. Edward is noted to receive medals for honorable service, good conduct, educational achievement, excelled field training, specialized law enforcement, swat team member, and life saving. "You gave that last one to me," he taunts as he rises from his seat to pat Rob on the shoulder.

"..And I still haven't decided if I should thank you for that Edward," Emily teases and Rob rolls his eyes before applauding along with the crowd.

Edward reaches the podium and is handed several small velvet boxes along with certificates. Just as he's about to step in and start his thank you speech, he's shuffled over and the floor is taken from him.

"It's dedication like this that provides a brighter future for our children and our community… Edward," the speaker looks around for where Edward has gone - finds him, and motions him back over to the podium. "For your outstanding service, it's my sincerest pleasure to present you with our officer of the year award," he hands Edward another small velvet box with a certificate… They play a juggling game to shake hands before Edward is left at the podium with an insane amount of awards. I think he's received the highest tally of the night; definitely the biggest regard… Officer of the year…

"This is my town, I live in this great city - so it's more of a civil duty for me," Rob scoffs obviously jealous as Edward begins his speech and Emily elbows him; briefly distracting me. "I'd like to thank God and my fellow officers for keeping us safe. I couldn't do what I do without them - including you Rob, I couldn't ask for a better partner." Emily shakes her head as Rob stands and plays it up for the crowd. Edward laughs softly, he sounds nervous… "Well - I could, I'm just not sure anyone would listen" he teases and the crowd erupts in laughter.

"What about your wife?" Another big wig in a suit offers some assistance and whispers close enough to the microphone that everyone can hear. Obviously he doesn't know Edward very well… Soft laughter erupts within the crowd, from those that do know him.

"Well, she doesn't know it yet," more laughter ensues… "However, I do have someone special… Bella." The spotlight spins from Rob and lands on me again… Fuck! I force a smile and offer a small wave, the crowd cheers. "Who's been very supportive of my crazy schedule. I don't know what else to say… Umm… Tonight has been… awesome. So yeah - thank you all!" Edward raises his awards and offers a strong nod before slinking away from the podium. I offer a silent thanks to God that nobody knows I'm still legally married and hopefully they never find out… Awkward…

"Nice speech," Rob compliments and Emily nods in agreement before taking a sip from her glass of champagne. "But you're still a dick," Rob adds and Emily almost chokes. Edward laughs it off as he drops his awards on the table before lowering himself back into his seat.

"It was really nice," I offer with a soft nod of approval. Edward's cocky smile is long gone - having shifted into something I haven't seen in probably a decade, he's exceptionally bashful… I want to lean over and kiss him for being so adorable, but fear keeps me balanced in my chair.

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~End Chapter 7 - A Red Ribbon


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Thank you for all of the kind, wonderful reviews! I'm glad you're enjoying thus far. Looks like Bella is getting an early taste of Christmas. What do you think is waiting for Bella in the box? What would you like to see in that big white box tied with a red ribbon?