Thank you to Nic for the rec today on The Lemonade Stand! I appreciate it very much!
So a few people have been asking about the dates within the chapters. No, they're not really important unless you want to know about a certain game or something. However, I'm using them because I want to be really accurate, and it's much easier to keep things straight that way. So you don't really need to pay attention to the dates unless you want to fact check me, lol. I guess they're mostly just for me.
It's probably getting old but I will say thank you in every chapter. I appreciate your reviews, reads, and support so much and I wish there was more I could do for you. I'm so thankful!
…
August 29, 2015
"I don't know, Bella. Maybe you should just take Edward up on his offer," Tyler said as we walked out of the apartment building we had just toured. "Didn't you say he lives at Cortona? That's way better than any of the places you've seen."
I nodded, feeling discouraged. "I know. It's just that even though I want to live with him, I don't know if it's for the right reasons. Like, I'd be doing it out of necessity."
"Maybe not, though. Can you honestly say that you wouldn't move in with him tomorrow if the situation was different? Say Camille and I hadn't gotten engaged, and he asked you out the blue. Would you have the same reservations? Besides, between your schedule at the hospital and his schedule with the team, it's not like you'd spend that much more time together living in the same apartment."
"That's all true," I admitted. "It's just a lot to think about. I'd feel a lot better if Edward was here and we could talk about it. The separation sucks. I think I'll feel a lot better about this when he comes back home."
Tyler and I stopped for a late lunch before heading home, and the Cardinals game was playing at the bar.
"Is it weird?" Tyler asked, gesturing to the television. "Seeing the guy you're dating on television? Playing major league baseball?"
I laughed, nodding my head. "Yeah, kind of. It's still hard to reconcile the two, you know? Like there's Edward, the guy I'm dating, and then Edward, the Cardinals outfielder I see on television. I still can't believe someone like that would be with me."
"Bella, you're a catch," Tyler said, elbowing me playfully. "He's the lucky one."
"I think we're both lucky," I replied. "It's crazy how fast things have happened, but I wouldn't have it any other way."
…
"Another great game," I said into the phone. "This roadtrip has been good to you."
Edward laughed. "Thanks. It has, but I'm more than ready to come back to St. Louis. It's been a long trip, even though it's been a good one."
"I should be done at the hospital around five tomorrow," I said. "What time does your flight get in to St. Louis?"
"Eh, I think around 8? Do you want to meet for a late dinner?" Edward asked.
"I can just meet you at your apartment, if that's okay. I could have dinner waiting for you," I suggested, my heart racing a little.
"Are you kidding? That would be amazing. I haven't had a home cooked dinner in a long time," Edward said eagerly.
"Well, I'll be happy to do it," I said earnestly. "I thought that…well, I figured we could talk about the living situation thing. If that's still on the table, I mean."
"Bella. Of course it is," Edward said softly. "You have no idea how happy hearing you say that makes me."
"Even better than a four hit day today?" I asked teasing. Edward really had done a spectacular job today during the game, going four for four at the plate with two runs scored and an RBI. The Cardinals had gone on to win 6-0 against the Giants, much needed after they had lost to them in the playoffs last season.
Edward snorted, but then his voiced lowered when he spoke. "Yes, even better."
…
August 30, 2015
I checked the dish in the oven, smiling when I saw it was almost ready. I had texted Esme this morning and asked her what Edward's favorite food was, and was happy that it was something I knew how to make, easily. The roasted chicken would be ready just time for Edward to walk in the door, so I moved on to mashing the potatoes and finished up on the green beans.
I had just finished setting the table and pouring two glasses of wine when I heard a key in the door, and I ran to it to greet Edward.
His arms were around me before I could even say anything, and I hugged him back tightly. I closed my eyes and rested my cheek against the hardness of his muscled chest, breathing in his familiar scent. "It's so good to see you," I said after a minute. "I've missed you."
"You have no idea," Edward said, leaning down and kissing me firmly on the lips.
I smiled up at him for a moment, and then was startled when the timer in the chicken went off. "That's the chicken," I said, pecking Edward on the lips one more time before slipping out of his grasp. He followed me into the kitchen, dropping his full duffle bag on the floor in the hallway as he went.
He grinned when I pulled the chicken out of the oven and he saw what it was. "How did you know that was my favorite?"
"I might have done a little research," I said with a laugh. "Grab that hot pad and put it on the table for me, and then we can eat."
Edward did as I asked, and I couldn't help but smile at how wonderful and domestic this felt. We talked and laughed as we ate and drank, and it felt so good to be around Edward again. I had missed him so much while he was on the west coast, and lucky for us, we would have ten days together before the team left for another roadtrip with the team.
After dinner, we moved over to the couch, wrapped up in each other while Edward halfheartedly watched Sports Center. I could have fallen asleep right there, cradled in Edward's arms, but I knew that we had important things to talk about.
"I've been looking at apartments over the past week," I said after Edward turned the television off. "And there are a couple that interested me, but nothing that blew me away. I've thought more and more about it, and maybe moving in together wouldn't be so crazy."
"It wouldn't be crazy at all," Edward assured me. "Yeah, it's fast. But everything else has been, too. It's us, Bella. It's what works for us. Besides, when I'm not on the road, we have basically been spending every single night together. It's not like we're going to have a big change if we do this. And Bella, I was being serious when I said that I was all in. I'm committed, and I'm willing to say that, well, maybe…maybe this is it. I think you might be the one."
"You always know exactly what to say," I said, leaning my head against his chest. "But I think you're right."
"So you'll move in?" Edward asked, sounding eager.
I tried to hold back my smile, but I couldn't. "There are still things we should talk about," I pointed out. "Like I want to contribute, financially."
"Not necessary," Edward said immediately. "I already have the next five months paid for, and even if I didn't-"
"Well, then I'm paying for groceries," I interrupted. "And I'll pay for the cable bill. I'm not going to live here for free, Edward. That's not fair."
Edward sighed loudly, tipping his head back. "What are the chances I'm going to win this one?"
"Very slim," I said with a laugh. "I'm stubborn."
"You are," Edward agreed. "That's one the reasons I love you."
I stared at him for a moment, both of us smiling, but I didn't even have to think about my reply. It fell off my lips without hesitation or uncertainty. "I love you, too."
…
September 3, 2015
"You think that I had a lot of stuff?! I'm not sure this will all fit in the truck, Bella." Edward stood in the doorway of my bedroom, surveying my packed boxes.
I shoved him gently, laughing. "Hey, half of these are for Goodwill," I said defensively as Edward stood behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist. "I got rid of a lot of stuff, and I'm leaving the furniture here for Tyler and Camille to keep."
"I'm just giving you a hard time," Edward said, resting his chin on the top of my head. "You have way less stuff than I thought you would, actually."
"Well, let's get a move on," I said. "This stuff isn't going to load itself into the truck."
"You should have hired a mover, Bells," Tyler said, appearing in the doorway to help us move stuff. "Much easier."
I rolled my eyes at him playfully, shaking my head. "You wouldn't have been able to take the day off of work if I had done that. You should be thanking me, I think."
The three of us got the job done in a few hours, and then the boys let me treat them to drinks at a bar down the street.
We sat and talked for an hour before Camille joined us, and then indulged in even more drinks. Edward stopped at one, because he was driving me home and also had a game tomorrow, but we still had a fun time.
Camille and Tyler decided to stay, but Edward and I left around nine, excited for our first night of living together. Edward wrapped his arm around my shoulders and held me close as we walked out of the bar, but we were stopped halfway out the door.
"Edward Cullen? Holy shit, man, can I get your autograph? Guys, this is Edward-" The stranger tried to turn to his friends, but Edward stopped him.
"Shh, shh, I'll give you an autograph," Edward said quickly. "Sorry, but we're trying to leave."
He signed the hat the guy offered him with a sharpie I had in my purse, and then stepped outside to take a picture with him.
"It was nice to meet you," Edward said, shaking his hand.
I giggled as we walked away, and Edward groaned quietly. "You're famous," I teased as we got in his car.
"If his friends had heard him, we probably would have never gotten out of that bar," Edward said.
"Well, we can't have that," I said, reaching over and sliding my hand up his thigh. "Take me home, Edward."
He grinned, taking my hand and bringing it up to his mouth for a kiss. "I thought you'd never ask."
…
Well, they're living together. More on that next time, for sure. They're making the most of these opportunities they've been handed though, and so far are very happy.
I've been good (so far) about replying to every review for new chapters but if I miss you somehow and you had a question, please don't hesitate to PM me or add me on facebook, and I'd love to answer your questions.