~Bella~
Edward slung his messenger bag over his shoulder, leaning down for a kiss. Seconds later I was pressed into the wall as his mouth devoured mine, his hands buried in my hair, holding me close. When we broke apart, he stared down at me, eyes hooded and dark.
"I think I need to be late for work."
I pushed at his chest. "Your mother and sister will be here in about twenty minutes, and I need to shower."
"They can wait in the car for a few minutes."
I couldn't stop my laughter. "What is going on with you? We made love twice last night, and again this morning."
He yanked me back to his chest, his voice low and rough. "We made love last night—this morning was fucking, Bella."
I felt my body flush with the dark promise of his words.
"Edward—"
He dropped his forehead to mine with sigh. "Seeing you last night with the kids, Bella. It did–it did something to me. I want that. I want that with you one day."
"And that makes you, ah . . . aroused?"
His laugh drifted across my skin. "It makes me ravenous for you. I can't get enough."
I reached up and cupped his face. He stared at me, his green eyes serious and dark, teeming with emotion.
"I want that with you, too."
"Yeah?"
"Yes."
"Want to start now?"
I bit my lip, then began to giggle. His crooked smile lit his face, and he dropped a kiss on my mouth.
"Maybe not with my mother and sister on their way," he relented. "But one day soon, we're going to discuss this, okay?"
I pushed up on my toes to kiss him again. "Okay."
"I love you."
I threw my arms around his neck, those words meaning so much to me. "I love you, Edward."
~o0o~
Shortly after Edward left, Esme and Alice arrived. Then the furniture showed up. The next several hours were a whirlwind of directions, moving, and arranging. Esme and I had spent hours picking out paint colors, pillows, accessories, and with her help, by the time we were done, my apartment would feel like home. She was amazing—she had a keen eye for detail, but still let me choose the things I liked best. After the bed had been set up, and the rest of the furniture was arranged, we moved around, adding the touches she had helped me get, along with the pieces I had brought with me.
It was a fun morning, although, I noticed her looking at me a few times, a strange look on her face. Once I slipped into the washroom to make sure I didn't have hickies on my neck, or some other evidence of Edward's passion from last night all over me. But, unless she could tell from the brightness of my eyes, I looked like myself. I was sure she couldn't see the one love bite Edward had left just over my heart. The tiny purple mark made me smile, thinking how he had marked me as his in the darkness of the night.
Edward had to work on a new install that weekend, but he texted a couple times to check up on the progress of "project Bella," as Alice referred to it. We finally took a break about two o'clock, and I set out a platter of sandwiches, and made us all lattes with the machine I had bought.
I loved what Esme had done with the apartment. The walls were a rich buttercream, which set off the dark green of my sofa. She had worked magic with the upholstery company and the two deep armchairs in a woven pattern with the green, cream, and claret color looked so pretty. The accessories she picked made the room homey and warm. My new dining table was round with four comfortable chairs, and there was a leaf inside I could expand to fit more people for dinner parties. My apartment was much smaller than Edward's was and I didn't have a second bedroom to use as an office, but Esme had found a little corner desk, and set it up for me. It was perfect.
I was looking forward to seeing Edward's reaction to the bedroom. The red padded headboard was plush. The matching footboard was curved, giving a sleigh bed look to the frame. The wood trim was dark and matched the rest of the furniture I picked out. The lines were clean and simple. We painted the walls a soft taupe, and the bedding was cream and chocolate—thick, luxurious, and inviting. Pretty, feminine touches of pillow, candles and some lace accents made it a welcoming, sexy looking room, and I knew Edward was going to enjoy spending time in it with me.
I sat back with a sigh, and smiled at Esme. "It's so lovely and feels like home already. I can't thank you enough."
"I'm so glad you're pleased."
She sounded so formal, and her smile had been forced today. I glanced at Alice then back to Esme. "Is something wrong?"
Esme sighed and pushed away her plate. I felt myself tensing up, wondering what she was about to say.
"Bella, have you spoken with your mother since last week?"
"No. After the awful way she behaved herself at dinner, I've decided not to stay in contact. Edward was right—she is bitter and nasty, likes to pick on me, and I won't allow that anymore." I paused and tilted my head. "I know Edward went and told her off, if that's what you're worried about, Esme."
She looked at the table, then back to me. "Edward told me you knew." She straightened her shoulders. "What he doesn't know, and what you don't know, is I went and said my piece, as well."
I gaped at her. "Pardon me?"
"I saw the room number before Carlisle gave Edward the keycard. After you left, I went upstairs."
I sat back in shock. I could only imagine my mother's reaction to another visitor from the Cullen family. "What did you say?"
Esme leaned forward, taking my hand. "You need to understand, Bella. I love my family. My husband and my children mean the world to me."
"I know that—it's obvious to anyone who meets you."
"I couldn't fathom knowing someone like your mother. The way she picked on you. The things she said to everyone." She frowned and huffed. "The fake smile on her face as she would use cruel words to belittle the people I love." She squeezed my hand. "Including you."
I squeezed her hand back, her words warming my heart.
"I held my tongue all night out of respect for you. But then I decided she showed no respect, and I couldn't keep it in."
"And?" I prompted.
"She wasn't happy to see me. She refused to let me in, so I said what I had to say in the hall. I didn't really care if anyone overheard me. I told her, as a mother, I was shocked she would treat her daughter in such a horrible fashion. That she would be so disrespectful to her that she would embarrass her in such a way. Then I informed her I was even more disgusted as a woman. We should bolster each other; treat one another with respect. Not degrade and tear someone down—especially your own flesh and blood. I said she should be ashamed of herself. That she wasn't a mother; she was a bully."
Alice snorted. "That's the short, slightly edited version. She was far louder and colorful."
"You were there?"
She shrugged. "She poked at me, too. I thought I should have the chance to say something."
"What did you say?"
"I told her that her hair looked like a beehive, her clothes were in bad taste, and she should sue her plastic surgeon." She sniffed. "She made fun of my hair. I hate that."
I stared between them. My mother would have had no idea what hit her. First Edward spoke his mind, then his mother and sister shamed her. I could only imagine her rage.
A small laugh escaped. "I bet poor Phil suffered because of leaving his keycard."
"I think he suffers a great deal because of her, on many levels. I don't feel sorry for him though. He needs to put her in her place."
Esme looked concerned. "Are you angry with us?"
I shook my head. "How can I be angry? You stuck up for me. Just like Edward does. No one has ever done that against my mother. I can't even begin to tell you how it makes me feel." I felt my lip start to tremble. "You make me feel . . . loved. Like part of the family."
Esme leaned forward, cupping my cheek. "You are. Edward loves you, therefore, so do we."
"He told you that?"
She shook her head. "I know my son. The way he looks at you? There is no doubt as to his feelings."
"I love him so much."
"I know." She smiled. "I know."
I inhaled a deep breath. "I thought a lot of about what happened. I should have told her to shut up and made her leave."
Esme smiled kindly. "She's your mother, Bella. It's hard to disrespect that sort of figure in your life."
"I still should have. I wrote her a letter the other day and sent it. I don't know if she will ever read it, but I said what I had to say."
"Which was?"
"That she wasn't welcome in my life anymore. She insulted people I cared about, and embarrassed me for the last time. She made it obvious she felt I wasn't good enough for her." I blinked away the emotion. "The truth is, she isn't good enough for me. Edward is right. She is bitter and unhappy, and she won't stop until I'm the same way. I refuse to let her impart that on me."
"How did you feel after you sent it?"
"Sad, relieved, lots of things. But I am done with her and the negativity. And, since I put it in the mailbox, I felt . . . lighter. Then I unfriended and blocked her on Facebook."
"Good. You have people who care around you."
"I know."
"Did you tell Edward?"
"No, I will."
"Let him help you. He would want to."
"I will. I'll tell him tonight."
"Okay. Now, let's finish up."
~o0o~
I stretched, feeling sleepy. After Esme and Alice left, I had a long, warm shower, which loosened my stiff muscles and washed away some of my emotions. I curled up on my new bed, looking around with a happy grin. I loved the entire department, but my bedroom, was amazing. I had lit some candles, got a glass of wine and the book I was reading, and planned to enjoy some quiet time. Edward had called, sounding exhausted, and told me he wasn't sure what time he would get out of the office.
"It's been one problem after another with this install, Bella," he said with a groan. "We want to get it done tonight and not have to come in tomorrow."
"No worries," I assured him. "You have your key. I'll be here when you're done. Or if you're too tired, go home and I'll see you tomorrow."
"Nope. I want to see your apartment and I want to wake up beside you. I'll be there." Then his voice dropped. "I think we have a new room to christen, my Bella. I am not missing that."
I shivered thinking of the dark promise his voice held. Since telling me he was in love with me, he had been more passionate and affectionate than ever—which I didn't think was possible. He sent flowers to the office. He showed up for lunch one day, took both Victoria and me out, then somehow managed to convince her I needed to have the afternoon off. He dragged me back to his place, and we spent the afternoon and the rest of the evening seeing how many condoms we could use. He'd been far too pleased when we ran out, and unbelievably he offered to go get more. He actually looked surprised when I told him no. The fact it was two in the morning and I was already certain I couldn't walk, seemed to have no bearing on the subject. He put forth a good argument, then relented and held me close. I ran my fingers through his hair until he fell asleep, his deep breathing lulling me into sleep, too. I woke up to his lips on my neck, and his voice in my ear. "I forgot one in my wallet, Bella."
It was one of the best nights of my life.
Tonight might prove to be second best.
I shut my eyes, relaxing into the deep pillow. A nap would probably be a good idea.
Build up my strength.
Yeah, a good idea for sure.
Thank you for reading. See you next week.
