10.
"I'm sorry, honey, but I don't think it's appropriate for you to be dating your friend's...father," Mom states seriously, frowning and slowly sipping her coffee.
I've been here all of five minutes and have barely taken my coat and boots off, and she's on my ass already. Today is Thursday and Christmas break is over in a few days. I hope she's not like this the entire time.
I scoff, as if her opinion on any of this actually matters. "Mom, please. I'm a big girl; I wouldn't...do that...put my heart on the line like that without knowing what I was getting into first. Oh, and let's not forget Kate. Do you actually think I'd jeopardize our friendship if what I felt for Edward wasn't...genuine?"
"Bella, please," she sighs, closing her eyes. "He's a grown man...you're a young, impressionable girl. What could the two of you possibly have in common?"
Sipping my coffee, I take my time to think about it. I'm not certain how to put it all into words she'll understand and I'm pretty sure telling her Edward's cock is magnificent isn't exactly what she wants to hear.
"Mom, he's nice to me. He respects me; treats me right. We talk and share things so naturally, and we can actually hold an intelligent conversation. That's refreshing for me." I stop for a moment and worry my bottom lip between my teeth. "Jeez, Mom, I can honestly tell you, guys my age can't hold a candle to him, and all I'm asking of you and Daddy is for you to support my decision."
I look away, close my eyes and shake my head, willing away the tears that are threatening to fall. I'm sort of glad Mom sent Dad out to the store for groceries before I got here, because I'm not sure how I would've gone about this conversation if he would have been around.
"Sweetie." She takes my hand in hers. I finally look at her face and she smiles softly. "We trust you. It's him we're not sure about. He has a lot more...experience."
By experience, I'm certain she means sex, but she can't possibly be stupid enough to think I'm still a virgin. I mean, for fuck's sake, she came to Planned Parenthood with me when I was sixteen to get the birth control pill.
I sigh dramatically and run my fingers through my hair. "He's willing to come to dinner and meet you guys...officially. You'll see, Mom...he's...he's...I love him, okay? And he says he loves me too." I shake my head and lick my lips, a tear sliding down my cheek. "Kate is behind us one hundred percent." I'm grasping at straws. "You saw her, right? Please, give me some credit, Mom." I'm getting really emotional over the thought of possibly not being able to see Edward with their blessing. I know deep down they can't stop me, but I guess part of me still wants their approval. They're my parents; I'm their only kid, so for a final clincher, I add, "These people took me in under their roof during the holidays when my own parents were off galavanting around some tropical island. I'm pretty sure they're good people, Mom."
She doesn't flinch at my words, but she does close her eyes and sigh; her lips forming a thin line. "Honey, I'm not saying they're bad people—"
"They're not. Edward is a sweet man. He's kind and compassionate, and a great dad. He raised Kate on his own after his divorce and has made her his priority the entire time. He's a family man, through and through." I pause to settle my nerves. "He and Kate together make my teeth hurt they're so freaking sweet." I smile, thinking about the two of them laughing and just being a loving family. "She loves him so much, and for her to be okay with our relationship is—" I take a deep breath and blow it out slowly "—amazing, Mom. They are special people."
"And you really love him?" She searches my face, and I nod. "And you're sure he loves you?"
"When we're together, it's like...time stops only for us." My smile widens and she smiles too. "I've watched you and Dad together my whole life, hoping I would someday know what the big deal was, and with Edward, I do. I now understand why you guys are always goofy around each other and touchy-feely."
She takes a deep breath, her lips quivering and her eyes watering at the corners. "Oh, honey..." She sniffs and wipes at her cheeks. "Invite him for dinner tomorrow night. I'll tell your father to take it easy—" She shakes her head and changes tactic. "I'll talk to your father, okay?"
I stand and walk around the table to hug her. "Thanks, Mom. I really missed you."
…
"So your parents want me to come over for dinner?" Edward asks as we chat on the phone.
His voice is comforting after the trying day I've had with my parents. They haven't been as bad as I had thought, though, but until they really meet Edward and get to know him, I'm not entirely out of the clear.
"Yes. I'm sorry...I know it's...I mean—" Fuck, I'm a damn stuttering mess like I was when we first met. This can't be good. Taking a deep breath, I clear my mind and let it drift to this past week. Edward's kisses; his hands on my body...pleasure... "I miss you," I whisper. "I know this may be weird for you. I'll understand if you don't want to come to dinner."
"Bella," he sighs into the phone, and I melt down into my bed where I'm currently laying. "We'll do this together, Beautiful. Don't worry about me. We're both adults."
"I know, I guess I'm scared," I confess, twirling a piece of hair around my finger and looking at the ceiling. Since this morning's conversation with my mother, I've been both looking forward to Edward's phone call and dreading it at the same time.
"Of what, baby? Talk to me." He sounds concerned and for some reason it makes my lips curl up in a soft smile. He loves me. It's clear in the concern he shows, but it's still difficult for me to wrap my head around that fact.
"I'm afraid of losing you, Edward. It was just supposed to be Christmas break, you know?" I take a deep breath, then continue, "And then I met you, and you're like, this perfect guy with the sexy smirk and lickable jaw." I close my eyes imagining his face and his lips; perfect and pouty and glistening. "And...and to add to the package—"
"Let's not talk about my package right now, Beautiful." He cuts me off mid embarrassing rant and I giggle at his double entendre. I hear him chuckle huskily at the other end of the line and wish that I was there with him, in his arms, enjoying his package. Jesus...his package...now I might need to recharge Jake.
"God, see, and you have a sense of humor." I sigh and smile at the same time. "You get me, completely."
I hear him move around, I'm pretty sure he's on his bed like I am. God, it's been less than a day and I miss his bed already. "I know, and you get me too. Nothing's going to happen, Bella. It's you and me, right?"
It was easier when we were in our little bubble of bliss under his roof. It's different now that we're in the outside world, surrounded by people that will judge our relationship. I know things probably won't be as easy for us as it would be if we were with people our own age, but I want us to work.
"Edward, can I ask you something?" I chew my bottom lip into oblivion, pondering my next question.
"Yeah, of course, sweetheart, anything." His voice is light and I know he'll understand. He always does. Whether it be a stupid immature giggle fit or this bout of uncertainty, he simply gets it.
I take a deep breath and let it out slowly. "Just...just promise me you won't break my heart, please?" Closing my watery eyes, I know we can't predict the future, but I'd like to think we can make this relationship something special, for both of us. I know it won't be without its challenges, but I don't see myself...wanting to be with someone else. I feel like I have this tunnel vision where Edward's concerned. All I see is him.
"Oh, Beautiful..." He sighs. "I would never intentionally do that to you. We'll get through this separation and issue with your parents," he assures me. "Once school starts and things go back to somewhat of a normal routine, we'll figure it out...together."
I smile at his comforting words, and feel some of the tension drain from my body. "Thank you, Edward. I really needed that from you."
We sign off with him telling me he loves me and will see me soon.
…
Dad seems calm about the whole thing. Turns out, Edward's firm handles Dad's company's taxes. Small world, huh? Yeah, I thought so too. Thankfully though, Edward's not the one assigned to my father's business. It just gives them something to talk about once they're in the same room.
After talking to Kate earlier, she assured me things would be okay. She's so incredibly positive about the whole "me banging her father" situation, and I can't help but feel like I won the best friend lottery.
She hitched a ride with Edward to come back into the city to see Garrett and won't be going home afterward. Edward's going to be home alone all weekend. The prospect of playing house with him is incredibly tempting, but I have to get my shit together to start classes on Monday and I don't want to ditch my parents for the whole weekend, since they sort of cut their vacation short to come home to me.
...
"They seem to be getting along well together, Bella." Mom is looking into the living room where Dad and Edward are laughing and holding a conversation.
"Yeah. Should I be concerned?" I frown, looking back at my mother.
"Don't sweat it, sweetie." She winks. "Your father would rather see you with a man that can take care of you, than with someone who can barely hold down a job. Stop worrying about it, you'll go grey," she warns, teasingly.
I throw my head back and chuckle softly. "Ha ha, Mother, thanks for that."
"Anytime, dear." She smirks and hands me a tray of hors d'oeuvres as we make our way back into the living room.
Conversation flows easily between my parents, Edward and I throughout the entire dinner, which surprises me because Edward isn't exactly the first guy I've brought home, he just seems to be the first guy they like.
As it turns out, my mom knows Esme pretty well from one of the book clubs she attends once a month. This surprises me, but it also makes me feel like another notch can be added in our favor.
By ten thirty, my parents bid us goodnight and go upstairs, leaving Edward and I alone in the living room.
Now, if I was still a horny teenager, we'd be making out on the couch and trying to be inconspicuous, but we're both adults and even if Edward weren't twice my age, it's still weird to sneak around my parents' house. After all, I haven't really called this house my home since I moved on campus.
"So...this is weird," I muse, enjoying the feel of his strong arms wrapped around my shoulders.
"What's so weird about it?" He breathes against my neck, kissing the spot below my ear and making me all tingly.
"Just...this isn't my house. I feel like we're desecrating a stranger's couch right now." I move to face him and rest my head against his chest. I can't handle him kissing me like that knowing we can't take things any further.
He wraps me up in a comforting hug and leans his cheek on the top of my head. "You want to come over tonight? I'll drive you back in the morning so you can spend time with your parents. I need to bring back one of Kate's bags she left on her bed anyway."
I look up at him and smile. "Are you serious right now?"
He presses his lips to mine in a promising kiss. "Of course I am, Beautiful. I'd be lying if I said my bed didn't feel empty last night."
Gah, this man and his words...
"Okay. Let me just run upstairs and get a few things." We stand and he holds my hand in his. "I'll let my parents know I'll be back in the morning."
...
And that's how I end up flat on my back with Edward hovering over me, his lips on my throat and his fingers buried deep inside me. "Ahh, Jesus...yes..."
I missed him. I missed his magic fingers. I missed his cock.
"I missed you too, baby," he whispers against my skin before taking a nipple into his mouth and flicking his tongue over it.
I guess I must've said that out loud. Oops.
"I want you...please, Edward...I need you," I stammer breathlessly, my orgasm almost there, but I want to come on his cock. I need to. I need him to feel him—the connection we share; that bond we have, I crave it.
I wrap my hand around his length and give him a few strokes as he positions himself between my parted thighs. Throwing his head back, he moans in pleasure and I feel myself becoming even more aroused at knowing I'm the one doing that to him.
"Fuck, Bella...I need to be inside you when I come, Beautiful." His voice sounds almost pained as he takes both my hands in his and holds them over my head.
I shift my hips upward seeking friction as he kisses me, his erection rubbing smoothly against the inside of my thigh.
"Please, Edward...stop teasing me," I plead. God, he's such a...a goddamned tease.
I feel him smile against my skin as he holds both my hands in one of his and brings his other hand to run up and down my soaked slit. "You're so wet for me, Bella."
Oh sweet Jesus... "Ung... Mmmhmmm." I'm not sure anything I say right now would make much sense.
He presses the tip of his cock against my opening and leans down, capturing my nipple lightly between his teeth, then smoothing the slight sting with his tongue. I moan and throw my head back and shift my hips as just the tip of him teases my entrance.
He's driving me fucking nuts.
"Christ, Edward... Fuck me, please," I cry out, my whole body ablaze from the torturous measures he's taking.
He chuckles and kisses me passionately before filling me with his glorious cock in one smooth thrust. I moan loudly from the pleasure as he goes in and out of me, and brings one of my legs over his shoulder to drive deeper into me.
I am moaning and cursing and praying for sweet release as Edward tells me how tight my pussy is and how fucking hot he thinks my tits are as they bounce around. His dirty words seem to be all I can focus on as I let my head fall back and relax my arms as the most incredible sensations shoot through my core. I can't move much as he takes control of my body, pleasuring me as he hits that spot that makes me see stars behind my eyelids, and makes my body shudder and clench.
He releases my hands and leans back. Kneeling, he sits on his ankles and brings me with him, not breaking our connection as he rests my ass over his thighs. I can't move or think. Fuck, I can hardly blink as Edward drives harder and harder into me, chasing his orgasm. Soon with a final grunt and some choice curse words, he comes and collapses over me, panting and sweating.
It's the best feeling, ever.
As we settle back on the bed, he looks at me with the softest expression on his handsome face. "God, I love you, Beautiful," he tells me, and I whisper back, "I love you too, Edward, so, so much."
Falling asleep together, happy and sated, seems to come so naturally.
When I wake up in the early hours of the morning and look at the most incredible man I've ever met lying next to me, I realize that nothing else matters. If we want this to work, it simply will. It'll be challenging, but what relationship isn't?
When Kate had offered me a place to stay for the holidays two weeks ago, I never imagined it would end with me in the arms of a man I have grown to love unconditionally. Not only did she give me a home for the holidays, she also gave me something more... She gave me a family and a sense of belonging; something I had been missing with my own parents lately.
I found a true home with Edward. Something I didn't even realize I needed or had been missing before meeting him. It might sound cliché but he has added an element of completion to my life.
Now, I cannot imagine my life without him.
Whatever the future brings, I know he'll be there—supporting me, loving me—and that we'll face it head on together.
...
...
Epilogue to follow tomorrow. xox
Some of you that read last year may not have gotten the chance to read it since it was pulled the same day I had posted it.