Disclaimer: All character's belong to Stephenie Meyer.
Author's note at the end...like always.
We walked into Bella's house and she tossed her keys onto the table by the door. When the keys hit the table, I saw Moose's head shot up from where he was sleeping nearby.
"Make yourself comfortable, Edward. Would you like something to drink?" Bella asked. I said, "I wouldn't mind some water if you have some."
I took my jacket off and placed it on the back of her couch. I walked around to the front of the couch and sat down. A few seconds later I saw Moose walk over to me and sit in front of me.
"Hey there, boy. What are you doing over here?" I asked him.
Fantastic. You're talking to a dog. I knew you'd go off the deep end soon enough. Shut up.
Moose walked closer to me and he laid his head on my lap and gave a small whine. I scratched in between his ears and he gave another whine only this one sounded happier.
From behind me I heard Bella say, "You know, I've never seen him be so nice to anyone. He always barks or growls at someone if they get too close to the front door." She walked around the couch to stand in front of me and Moose and I looked up at her and said, "Well, you know they say that dogs can sense evil. Maybe I'm not evil."
Bella laughed, sat down on the couch next to me and asked, "Who says that? Moose, go lay on your bed, boy." Moose did as he was told and walked over to a different bed that was in the living room and laid down there. I chuckled at how well he listened to his "momma."
I turned to look at Bella again and saw that she had her head resting on the back of the couch and she had a smile on her face. I got brave and ran my fingers thru her hair. She made a humming sound and shifted her head so that she was resting on my shoulder. I wrapped my arm around her shoulder and made sure to mind where my hand was place.
Yes, it would show bad manners if you tried to cop a feel, wouldn't it? Would you go away?
...No.
I looked at a clock that Bella had mounted on her living room wall and saw that it was almost midnight and I started to feel bad for keeping Bella up so late. I voiced my thoughts to her.
"Bella, if you're tired I can go home and we can do this another night. I don't want to keep you up late if you have to work tomorrow," I whispered.
She chuckled and turned her head slightly so that she could see my face, "Edward, I told you outside that I don't want this night to end. I'm leaning on you with my eyes closed because I'm enjoying your smell. I don't even care how weird that sounds."
I chuckled with her this time and asked, "Well then, Ms. Swan, what do you say to getting this interrogation started? Are you conscious enough for it?" She nodded and straightened up. I immediately missed her warmth.
She turned on the couch and tucked one leg under her to sit facing me. She brushed her hair out of her face, smiled at me and said, "Alright, Mr. Cullen. Ask your questions."
So it began.
*-*-*-*
"Okay, I know your parents are still together and I know you're not an only child. But what I don't know is how many siblings you have and who they are and whatnot. So let's start there. Tell me about your siblings," I asked.
Bella smiled and answered, "Well, I have an older sister. Her name is Angela. She's twenty-eight years old and she is married to her high school sweetheart Ben Cheney. He's a really cool guy."
Bella paused for a second and I asked her, "Wait, Cheney? That name sounds so familiar. I've heard of him before."
Bella nodded and said, "I'm not surprised. Ben is an editor at Little, Brown publishing. He's made a name for himself. Angela is a college history professor. It was her favorite subject in school so when she went to college, she decided to get a degree in history and teaching. I always tell her that she basically decided to go to school forever," Bella giggled at her last sentence.
I chuckled with her and asked, "Any nieces or nephews yet?"
Bella smiled and said, "Yes, actually. I have a two year old niece and her name is Anna Leigh. She's the smartest two year old I have ever met, she's adorable."
I smiled and said, "I'm sure she is. I would love the chance to meet her, but we'll get there when we get there. Any other siblings?"
Bella nodded and replied, "Yeah, I have a younger brother. His name is James, he just turned twenty last month and he is currently in culinary school in Italy. We're all very proud of him for doing what he wants to do and for getting into such an amazing school. I miss him, though." Bella had a thoughtful look on her face when she spoke of her little brother and I knew she was thinking of how much she missed him.
I asked, "How long has he been in Italy?" Bella looked at me and replied, "He's been there for almost two years now. He was accepted after he turned eighteen and he's been there ever since. Like I said, we're proud, but it's hard not knowing where he is everyday. But this is his dream. Who are we to interfere with that?"
I nodded at her reasoning because I did understand. My parents never stopped Jasper or I from doing what we love. They always encouraged us to follow our dreams and so we did.
I was pulled out of my inner musings when I heard Bella trying to hide a big yawn. When I looked over at her, I realized how late it was and I felt bad.
"Please don't," Bella said. She looked at me, smiled and laid her head on my chest.
"Um, don't what?" I asked. She chuckled and I felt the vibrations of it on my chest. She raised her head, looked me in the eye and said, "Don't start feeling bad about keeping me up. It's my choice. Besides, I kinda like this new pillow of mine."
I could feel myself blushing when I replied, "Oh, really? So that's the only reason you want to be with me, huh? I'm a comfy pillow. I knew it." I chuckled at the end of my mini rant and she laughed with me. I kissed the top of her head and whispered into her hair, "I really should go, Bella. I don't want you to be tired tomorrow at work." She sighed and nodded her head, albiet reluctantly.
We stood up from her couch and Moose decided to help Bella walk me to the door. I opened the door, walked over the threshold and turned to look at Bella. I smiled at her and said, "Good night, Bella. Get some sleep, okay?" She smiled and said, "I promise I will. Text me when you get home, please. I need to know that my boyfriend is safe."
I smiled and nodded. I squatted down to be eye level with Moose and scratched him between his ears, "See you later, boy." He licked my hand in response and I took that as a good thing. I stood up from squat position and took a step towards Bella. I saw her blush just before I touched her lips with mine. It was a short, sweet kiss because I knew that if I made it any longer, I wouldn't want to go home. I slowly pulled away and whispered, "Sweet dreams, sweetheart."
*-*-*-*
I walked through my front door and realized that it felt really empty.
That's because you miss Bella. I really do. What a wuss. Shut the hell up.
I made my way to my bedroom and got ready for bed. Once I finished my nightly routine, I remembered that I had promised Bella I would text her when I got home. Still a wuss. Still not listening to you.
I grabbed my phone and sent Bella a text.
Hey, sorry I didn't text sooner.
I'm home and I''m all ready for bed.
Sweet dreams, sweetheart.
A few minutes later I got a response.
Glad to hear you're still in one piece.
I'll call you tomorrow after work.
Sweet dreams, handsome.
Yeah, tonight was a good night. I second the motion. Shut up, already. Then go to sleep.
Author's note: Hello, reader. You can throw tomatoes at me now! I took forever, didn't I? Hope your holidays went well and Happy new year to all. So, there's chapter 9. Hope you liked it. Right now, I have more free time to type, yes, but I also have stuff to do at home and with family.
Again, you can follow me on Twitter, LiveJournal or Tumblr.
Twitter: shotheatstring
LiveJournal: koahunani
Tumblr: shotheartstrings
Until next chapter!
