Insert standard "I own nothing" disclaimer here. :)
Chapter Nine – Habits
With one hand on my book, I sat on the long black sofa in my second story room. It was hardly distracting reading this terrible book, and listening to Emmett and Rosalie's adorations was not helping anything.
Now I understood what Edward was saying about Alice and Jasper not being as flashy about their relationships.
Barely moving, I turned around and pressed play on the CD player he had given me. Edward had helped strengthen my CD collection in our ten years of seclusion. He had helped me strengthen a lot of things in that time. But no training could prime me for this waiting.
One hand was consigned to the silver phone resting in my lap. Each second that passed slowly, I toyed with the idea of calling him and demanding he come and be where I could see him.
I had decided that enough was enough. I was going to call him. I'd opened up the contacts list when I heard gentle tapping on the glass window.
When I reached the glass pane, his dazzling smile greeted me.
I felt complete again.
My trembling hands opened the window, not nearly fast enough. Just like he had done so many times when I was human, Edward climbed in through my bedroom window gracefully.
"We've got a front door, you know." I asked indignantly once both his feet stood solid on the ground. The window remained open as he stood an arm's length away from me, looking beautiful propping himself against the drywall.
"Old habits die hard." He said, leaning against my bedroom wall. "I've got to maintain my tree climbing abilities somehow."
I chuckled briefly, despite myself. Once the shock of finally seeing him again wore off, I flushed with irritation. "Why didn't you come sooner?"
His delicate laughter sounded like music. "Emmett...says I hog you. When he invited Jasper, he said that it was his turn to see you, and that we could hang out all we wanted tonight."
Emmett was the last person I was concerned about.
"There was nothing I could do, love. He threatened me on pain of death to stay away. Even persuaded Esme to keep me busy with a...tile backsplash in the kitchen." He grinned at the last part, but I remained impassive.
I took one cautious step towards him, looking at him earnestly, all the anguish I had suppressed quickly surfacing.
You know how much I hate being away from you for so long.
I felt weak as he pulled me into his arms. I rested my cheek against his stony chest, as he ran his fingers along my back. Waves of relief and contentment rippled throughout me.
It was absolute torture. I promise I will never subject you to that torment ever again.
He kissed my forehead tenderly, still attempting to pacify me. My unrestrained emotions were slowly reigned in as he embraced me. I could not doubt his sincerity for one brief second.
"Backsplash?" I said finally, all irritation obliterated from me.
"I'm never going to look at mosaics the same." He said with a casual grin. "Are you sure you're okay?"
I looked deep into his eyes, those alluring topaz eyes that I could drown in any day. "I'm feeling a little better now."
He unhesitatingly slipped his hand into mine. "Oh, by the way..." His free hand slipped into his pocket, pulling out something masked by his pale skin. "I thought...since we're not in school..." He snatched my left hand gently, stroking it softly. Tenderly, he slipped my silver wedding band—the ring that I had taken off, for "appearance's sake (it felt like everything I did now was for appearance's sake)—back onto my wavering hand. His smooth lips kissed the metal and skin, lingering along my fingers softly.
"I love you Mrs. Cullen." He whispered, kissing every inch of my hand, then my arm, leading to the side of my neck. With my face secured tightly in his grip, he gazed deep enough into my eyes that he could read every secret hidden deep in them.
"I missed hearing you say that." My voice was the softest whisper known to man. His sweet breath left me in a daze. "My name."
I could feel his smile as he continued to kiss me, his lips insatiably hungry.
"Speaking of which..." He said, breaking away. I groaned, trying to return to that same indulgent kiss. He held back, frustrating me effortlessly. "We should probably go hunting. We've got school tomorrow, and you know how strenuous it can be if you're even a little thirsty."
I didn't want to think about that right now. How hard my first whole day in school had been. How hard tomorrow would be, or the day after that, or the week following that. All I cared to dwell on was how blissful it felt holding Edward's hand, wearing his ring again, having him here in my room.
I wanted to dwell on the good things.
He snaked his arms around my waist, resting his lips along my ear. "We've got all night for that, love. Remember? Perk of being one of us—you don't have to sleep."
I took a deep breath, and agreed. He was right—constant hunting trips were an inevitable part of my life now. It was a reasonable price to pay for eternity with Edward.
So I climbed on his back, the cool breeze blowing through my hair, as we both climbed through onto the thick branches of the tree just outside my window. With his poise, we landed safely on the ground.
"Is it just you and me?" I asked, looking around, expecting another
He smiled wholeheartedly. "It's just me and you, love." He kissed the palm of my hand, still beaming. "Just you and me."
I took off running, with him shortly behind me. "Good. I like it when it's just you and me."
I didn't have to look to know that Edward was smiling, agreeing entirely.
Edward's back, so please hold back the torches and pitchforks! You can, however, unleash some reviews on me. I promise I won't complain. ;) If you haven't voted, do it now!!
