Chapter 9 - Normal

Edward helped me pack, he'd picked out clothes that looked relatively normal and allowed me to bring some high-end and labeled stuff, not too much, but enough. By the time I had finished packing I had a trunk of clothes and a giant suitcase full of shoes, bags and accessories. Marcus and Felix loaded it into the limo & our family's private jet. I promised Edward that as soon as my stuff was in the loft, I'd give up the maids, butlers ,handlers, etc. After we'd unpacked our stuff, Edward and I settled into my huge queen bed. I laid my head on his chest and we watched TV. I was excited to be all alone with Edward, we had this whole place to ourselves. To just focus on us and our relationship was extremely important.

"Thank you," He kissed my head.

"For what?" I closed my eyes.

"For this, giving up the privileges that come with being rich, just to make me happy." He rested his chin on top of my head.

"It's nice, to just be us, nothing distracting me." My stomach growled.

He laughed. "Do you know how to cook?" He asked.

I bit my lip. "I've been cooked for." I blushed. His jaw dropped. He sat up and climbed out of bed pulling me with him.

"Let's go. It's time you learn how to cook." He chuckled.

"I do have a normal car, we can go out." I said quickly.

"Nope. You're going to learn how to cook. It won't kill you. Don't worry, I'll help you." He promised. I let him drag me to the kitchen. He started getting out pots and pans of all sizes.

"How does Italian sound?" He asked. I bit my lip, again, nervously. "We'll start easy. You can make the garlic bread." He said, confidently. I still wasn't sure. He leaned forward and captured my lips with his.

"Ti amo, Bella," He whispered when he pulled away. My insides melted and my knees felt weak. Italian, the language of love. I couldn't speak so I just nodded. He rummaged around in the cabinets, pulling out spaghetti and pasta sauce, and a bunch of other stuff. He grabbed a loaf of bread and sliced it in half. He put some butter and garlic in a small bowl and mixed it well. He motioned for me to come over. I walked over, nervously.

"Cooking is supposed to be messy, it's more fun that way." He said while I scrubbed my hands.

After I'd dried my hands he pulled me to stand in front of him and holding my hands he dipped them in the garlic and butter mixture, spreading it all over the bread, together. He was right this was fun. I couldn't stop laughing. We washed our hands when we finished & he slid the bread, laid out on a cookie sheet, into the preheated oven.

"I will teach you how to cook, even if it takes me years." He laughed.

"Years, huh? I'd like that." I said, sincerely. He kissed my cheek and put the spaghetti in the boiling water.

"You've never cooked anything." He asked again.

"I've cooked up some new facial cream on accident. Does that count?" I giggled. He walked over and wrapped his arms around me.

"No, it doesn't. But, food can be very sexy. It can help your skin." He noted. "It could be very fun, to play with your food." He grinned. I leaned my head on his chest, and sighed, content. He pulled away slightly to stir the noodles. He poured the pasta sauce into another pan and threw in some other stuff, I noticed garlic. Yeesh, we'd have horrible breath after dinner, for sure.

"Close your eyes and open your mouth." He ordered. I obeyed, surprised with the taste, it was the most amazing pasta sauce I'd ever had.

"Mmm," I moaned.

"My mother was Italian, she taught me how to cook." He said when I opened my eyes.

"It's really good." I said, honestly. "You know, we could watch a movie, while we eat." I offered.

"Let's just eat, Bella." He said, rolling his eyes. I nodded, while he loaded up the plates with our food. We ate in silence, I couldn't believe what an amazing cook he was.

After dinner, I scrubbed my hands and face before we climbed back into my bed, snuggling close. It was relaxing and perfect, oh so perfect. He played with my fingers, absently. Staring at my bare left ring finger. I could guess what he imagined there. An engagement ring or possibly a wedding ring. "You know, I kinda already have an engagement ring." I said honestly.

He froze. "You do?" He asked, nervously.

"It was my mother's. My dad gave it to me because I'm the oldest." I shrugged it off. "I love you." I mumbled, tangling my fingers with his.

"And I love you." He said, nuzzling my neck.

"Having you is enough. I don't need the material stuff." I said for the first time. "It's nice and all, but it's nothing compared to you or how I feel about you."

"I'm glad. Money is nice, but love, is everything." He whispered. I nodded my head and leaned against him, further, he gladly welcomed my weight, causing my body to only relax even more. I was so comfortable, but of course my phone rang. I grumbled when I saw who was calling. I pressed talk and worked to make my voice sound cheery

"Hi, daddy, how's Madrid?" I asked.

"Great, kitten. I hear you're on vacation with a new beau at the New York loft, unsupervised. Isabella, we've talked about this. You know how much I disapprove." My dad scolded.

"Daddy, I don't want be treated like a spoiled brat right now. I'd like to enjoy my new relationship, without your staff breathing down my neck, constantly. I've never done this before, please don't make me be waited on." I begged.

"This boy, you're seeing, he's respectable?"

"Yes, daddy, he's teaching me how to cook." I said proudly.

"How long are you planning on staying at the loft?"

"A few weeks, probably." I answered.

"This boy, he's treating you right?"

"Yes, of course." I said, happily.

"Okay kitten. I'll trust your judgment...for now. Have fun and be safe."

"I will. Thank you, daddy." I said before I hung up.

Edward looked at me like I was crazy.

"Don't. Okay. Just don't." I snapped.

But, of course, he had too.

"Daddy? What are you? 5." He cackled.

"Can it, Cullen." I growled.

"Seriously, you still call him, daddy?" Edward kept laughing.

I climbed out of bed and stormed into my bathroom, slamming the door, violently, behind me. I stood in front of my mirror, glaring at my reflection. I needed chocolate; Sweet3's bakery was just a block away, and I had cash. I opened the bathroom door and walked out into the living room to grab my coat and shoes.

"Bella, where are you going?" Edward asked.

"To the bakery, I need a treat, before I slap you." I griped and walked out the apartment door. I had just started down the hall when Edward grabbed my shoulder and pulled me to him.

"Stop. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to offend you. Come on, let's talk. Please, I don't like you being mad at me." He begged and his face showed that he was hurt.

"Come with me to the bakery, we can talk. It's not far." I promised. He nodded and grabbed his coat and shoes. When we got back from the bakery, we climbed into my bed, and talked for hours, just talking about everything, until we finally fell asleep in each others arms.