Chapter 10, Adored

from Edward

"Open your eyes." I balanced two dark stoneware plates and kicked my boots off at the canopied bed's edge.

"No." Stubborn and first light beautiful, she sniffled, wiping dramatic over red, weary eyes, creamy damp cheeks with a pink pajama sleeve. "Go away. You smell like earth… and dirt, vegetables… something…" I climbed in, fresh breakfast between.

"Mary likes my asparagus strata and the pancakes are for Mak and you need to get up." She shook, I scooped, tempting, fork prongs at her lips. "Bella… come on, babe."

"They can't leave until I get out of bed, and if I don't get out of bed, they can't leave." I sliced pancakes instead.

"While that's impressive, brilliant logic, you still need to say good bye." She squinted, opening dark sad eyes and a sassy mouth. Tasting, staring, she pushed a fisted hand towards me. I kissed knuckles, each and slow, taking the small photo from her hand. "What's this?"

"Jake and Makenna… when she was like two hours old. I think…" She motioned for another bite, shivering even beneath the covers. "Isn't she tiny and perfect? I'm going to give it to her. Where is she?"

"On the sofa… with the dog…" I eased lower, dusting her mussed waves off and away.

"Oh god… Charlotte… Is she giving the look?"

"What look?"

"The look… I don't know how to describe it… it's very dramatic and needy and I hate this day already. And it's snowing and it's cold and dangerous. Who takes road trips in February? Emily's stupid. My sister's absolutely ignorant and ridiculous. For as smart as she is... really, she's not. And I should've just bought them tickets and insisted… because if I did, then they couldn't say no and I bet the roads are icy…"

"Alec and I scraped the car already."

"You did? You helped them… see you're such a good person… I'm just hiding. Doing nothing. And you make apple pancakes… more, please…"

"Baked… apple…" I teased wanting to lighten, her tongue rolled inside her cheek, swallowing with narrowed eyes.

"Okay… baked apple pancakes… and your gorgeous and sexy and your heart is huge…" She shifted, straddling. A hot morning mess, tying tangles high on her head. "And how were you not taken and married and…" I smirked, straightening her pink and white stripped flannel top.

"Maybe you should do something about that…"

"Yeah… Like what?"

"Something permanent…" I mouthed, she swiveled, rocking to tempt over my denim covered erection. The seam of my blue sweater twisted between her fingers.

"Touch me…"

"You're stalling…" Nibbling her bottom lip, she opened two buttons from the top.

"Come on… baby… I need distraction… and love and…" Caressing over her breasts, she thumbed taut, pink nipples with an arched brow to taunt. I blew an exhale to resist, smoothing palms down either side of her warm neck.

"Bella…"

"You don't want to… really quick? I'll be quiet, promise…. You don't like our sex anymore…" She pouted, I scoffed beneath, gripping her hips.

"I love our sex." I pushed, pressed my erection at her center. "But you need to go out there and deal. Go say good bye…" She sighed, releasing, shoulders sagging. Her gaze trailed over and through the chilled glass behind the bed.

"She's always been here. I could get to her if she needed me, you know. I mean… I could hear her upstairs. I could check on her… always under this roof." Buttoning again, she breathed and settled. "This roof… Mary's roof not mine anymore… I'm homeless… so she and Tyler can be naked and free…"

"Shut up," I chuckled, punching her chin. "You're in rare form this morning. You're not homeless. You're my roommate now." Hovering, lips lingered over, soft touches traced my nose, jaw.

"Your live-in lover…" A smile, light laugh through our kiss.

"And…" I brushed up her thighs and between. "Tonight, we're gonna be naked in the loft."

"Don't forget Charlotte…" She pointed, I gnashed playful, then calmly kissed fingertips.

"How could I forget her? She weighs more than I do…"

"Give me something to focus on." I rocked, winking, she twisted her mouth wanting more.

"Okay... how about Jane's wedding this summer. And a visit from Henry..."

"Is their car packed?"

"Yes…"

"I need a car… we need a car…" She rambled, finally moving from the bed, progress.

"You want a car? I'll buy us a car…"

"I'll drive you around town. I'll be your chauffer and your lover... I may be lost in the kitchen, but I'm great in bed… and behind the wheel…" She grinned wide, squaring, smoothing her hair high.

"I'm sure you are." Wide eyes and a slap on my favorite ass earned me a tight, teasing grip over my cock. "Hey now…"

"Edward…" Suddenly still, I knew. Buried against my chest, forehead pressed, rolling we paused near the bedroom door. I gently stroked up, down her back to soothe and ready.

"She's going to be fine…"

"I believe you."

oOo*OB*oOo

A simply strung piano melody bridged and filled the last of the weighted moments. Mak and I, our most mastered duet, played for Mary, Tyler and all. One high, one low, as her smaller hand and fingers tapped in time against her knee. Bella stood behind, braiding long dark hair. "Aunt B, that's gross." Bella's snicker and sniff was the levity only she could share. She tickled the ends of Mak's hair over her damp eyes, nose.

"Slow the middle just a little bit. Start again?" I hoped, feeling Emily's approach. Moving flush against Bella from behind, Emily wrapped tight, arms across her chest. Surprise, a gasp peaked barely over the quiet music.

"I suck at matters of the heart, B. You know that. And I own it…" I breathed anxious, eavesdropping on the rushed, important words. "I'm sorry I hurt you…" Bella's emotion won, fierce, wet and overwhelmed. She tucked her face into her sister's arms, elbows resting under her chin. "Thank you for keeping her safe and making her smile for so long." Bella shook, Emily squeezed. "I'm a selfish bitch…. sometimes… but you got the good tits… call it even?" Bella scoffed through furious tears, turning to stare. Two intense, connected souls mirrored wits in silence.

"But you suck at French braiding. And on Tuesdays she likes Princess Leah knots… remember those… and I use the thin ribbons… I packed them in her back pack," Bella whispered, trembling. Emily smiled, slow to spread.

"B, I taught you how to French braid."

"So. So, what if you're sick? What if she really wants that and you can't or you're at the hospital working or in surgery or in traffic and…" Bella spun towards Alec. He stood wide eyed, bracing in his turn of the tirade. "You. Can you French braid?" He shook his head, chuckling. Mak and I watched stifling smiles, laughs. "You need to know. Come here."

"Bella, stop…" I begged quietly, thumbing along her wrist to calm.

"Tyler, pour her a drink…" Mary demanded.

"It's not even noon… " He laughed.

"Yeah, but it's going to be a long day with that one… trust me…"

"Oh very funny. You can all patronize me as much as you want." She pointed in a fluid sweep around the room, each a target. "But Alec, for the love of all that's holy, if you don't come over here…" She inhaled. "…and learn how to braid this child's hair, I'm going to rip what's left of my sad, pathetic and broken heart straight out of my chest and stomp on it."

"Aunt Mary you want us to strap her to the roof and take her with us?" Emily joked, pulling Bella into a rough, deep embrace. Mak's arms reached to join. Humor swelled, the antidote to the inevitable. Chaos and chatter swirled as farewells were told.

"Take care of Aunt B," Mak whispered near my neck as I lowered to hug.

"Of course I will. And as soon as you have your new address, I'm going to have your piano shipped there, okay?" She nodded, shyly wiping her face. "And we're going to fly out to see you soon." Bella pulled her near, falling to the eggplant-colored sofa…snuggling silent, kisses and laced fingers, they stared at Charlotte curled below.

"I love you."

"I love you too, Aunt B."

"Be the smartest and the sweetest."

"I will."

"I know you will… Do you want to go?" Bella whispered, Makenna nodded. She held her tiny, malformed hand against her cheek. "Okay… go, go then… beautiful girl…"

oOo*OB*oOo

"Jane, calm down. Seriously. I know, I know what time it is…" Bella gestured, cringing as we walked up Mary's paved side drive. "Please relax, you know how you get that speckled rash stuff when you're mad. Like that time senior year when… Okay. Jesus. Okay… shhh… Riley's with them, they're in front of me right now." She held her phone towards an eye rolling, casual groom to be and scooped Henry into a squeeze. "So… did you buy your dad a house?"

"No." He giggled, she tickled more. "But Mr. Riley said he's gonna show us a really cool three story one next time."

"Well, until then you two will just stay here," Mary insisted, smiling at Emmett. She pulled Henry into a hug, before settling on the bricked stoop.

"We need an address to get Henry registered for school next month…" Emmett bent, digging for the basketball nestled in a dense shrub. "And we need to get out of Edward and Bella's open loft. They're getting' a little edgy…" He winked at Aunt Mary, she tossed her head back in full naughty effect. Bella snuck a hand over my ass, whispering up and close.

"It's true. I need to be touched… properly and badly and soon…" My lips dusted her temple, humming to agree.

"You didn't enjoy being bent over the bathroom sink this morning?" I whispered only for us, breathing hot, teasing near her ear. "Sure seemed like it…"

"Oh my god, you have to stop… I mean it…" She gripped over my khaki back pocket tighter.

"Alright, ladies and gentlemen… I must go. I apparently have some vows to say tonight," Riley joked, kissing Mary's hand. "Bella… Jane said to remind you there's supposed to be four… not three… rhinestone flowers in your hair…" She matched his obvious sarcasm with a double thumbs up. "See you folks at the Coven Estate. I'll be the guy down front, looking handsome."

Mary busied Henry with yellow ribbon, white silk, and bow tying. Creative wedding projects, consumed summer days and transition. A natural bond formed and needed, the Swan energy and gentle way channeled easy. Bright eyed, wonder in a new space, Henry's anxiety and grief morphed into a new childhood mellow.

"Bella, what do ya say we challenge Edward to a little HORSE?" Emmett dribbled towards, passing from his chest to hers. Cocky, curled smile, she rolled the ball down her arm, palming it in my face.

"Let's go, smart ass…" I teased. August heat and shine punished, the small patch of corner pavement the most brutal in the afternoon. Bella moved quick, dribbling a left handed lay up. Fuck. Her short white shorts distracted, as sweat dripped and blurred my sight.

"Wait… wait…" Bella forced a circled swagger, narrowed eyes, pursed lips. "I think I figured out your problem… Ha." She pointed, tongue sweeping her bottom lip. She spun the ball with her right, over her left. "Huh, lefty…"

"Yeah, whatever… bring it," I smirked, tucking my mouth in a damp collar.

"As good as you usually work those hands, baby… what a pity…" She winked.

"Keep it up, babe, you'll be sorry later…"

"Ohhhhh…." They mocked wide-eyed in unison.

"Bella, you should have seen the point guards dancing around his sorry ass in high school."

"This is the best. It's golden. I mean you have no idea the joy and satisfaction I'm experiencing right now…" Her left-handed shots and torture drove on. I fought my best fight, pinching her ass, tugging her ponytail as often as allowed, but only to fail.

Leaping on my back, kisses pecked hard against a wet cheek, she giggled free. "Come on, lefty… no pouting… there has to be something I'm better at. Christ, baby. You're practically perfect otherwise." I walked, swinging violent, trying to throw her off in jest.

"Alright, alright, enough fun and games," Mary gestured wild, kissing over Henry's blonde curls. "We've got wedding biz-nass to deal with. I'm so glad that priss pot found someone as pretty as her to marry…" She pulled a crumpled list from her beaded apron pocket, a pencil from her peppered hair. "You boys load up the van. The flowers lined up in the kitchen go in last. Garment bags in the shop entry go in first. Bella… you come with me. I need one more check on the gown. You're backside's a little fuller than Jane's but I can guestimate…"

"What? No way… I'm sweaty and gross. You can't put me in her dress." Mary waved, spinning quick.

"Nah… it's fine… she got the family and friends discount, whole damn affair's outside anyway. She'll be glistening, sparkling sweat herself, don't worry. Zip it, kiss your man and follow me."

oOo*OB*oOo

"Oh boy… Someone's in trouble…" She winked, I stalked. Mouth parted, I ran a rough hand through damp hair. Fucking beautiful. "Aunt Mary you better get me out of this thing. He looks like he's going to eat me!" She peeked over purple dotted glasses, long pins balanced between her lips.

"You're such a romantic, old soul, Edward," she mumbled, teasing. I fell flush against the mirrored wall behind, blowing a steady exhale. "What is that look… something between puppy dog cute and smug sexy?"

"It's smug alright… like… I'm the luckiest son of a bitch in Chicago." Bella gasped, pouting, overtly dramatic.

"Only Chicago?" A pin pricked to punish, she jumped. "Oww…" Mary gathered, tossing tools into a white basket. "Don't move. I'll be right back." As she rushed to disappear, I moved, melted against. We stared, flirting, eyes heavy in the full length mirror ahead. My hands grazed gently down her exposed throat as she angled. I peppered kisses along, summer sun kissed bare shoulders.

"This is fucking torture, Bella," I whispered over honeyed, smooth skin.

"Yeah? Tell me…" Her hand worked up, tugging through the ends of my hair.

"I'm about to bend you over that chair and show you instead…" I breathed.

"Mmmm… my god we're so horny it's comical." She giggled, I groaned. "I'm in my best friend's wedding dress… you're so dirty." I bit her earlobe lightly.

"Yeah, I know…" Rubbing over and down the smooth white middle, I continued to dust kisses over her cheek. "How will yours look?"

"My what?"

"Wedding dress."

"Baby…" She shook, I sighed.

"Okay, I'll stop." We stared in the reflection ahead.

"I don't want you stop. Ever… I just… "

"Hey, hey… back off Hands McGhee. We've got to get shaking," Mary shouted, I staggered back, palms out in defense.

"I hung your suit by the bed." Bella smiled, blowing a kiss, I winked ducking out, heart pounding.

oOo*OB*oOo

"Whoa, babe… slow down," I struggled in a reception party haze of excitement and noise to avoid, chairs, heels, suspicious stares. Bella tugged playful, fingers laced, peeking over a glowing shoulder every few steps and stumbles. "Where are we going, do I need more wine?"

"Shhhh… very funny." We paused at a heavy, engraved mahogany door on the first floor of the Coven Estate. She slowly turned an oval, pewter handle and slid forward into the softly lit room. "Lock it… is there a lock?" I turned, securing our privacy. "Oh this looks like a library or something, hmmm?" We scanned and anxiously assessed the space. The moonlight through a high fixed stained glass window blended barely with a small desk lamp, lighting the dark furnishings and full wall shelves.

My dark silk tie slid through her hands, a lead to follow her backing into a mosaic of books and frames. I smirked knowing, fingertips dancing along her collarbone. "What's going on in that gorgeous head of yours?"

"I just can't wait until we get home… And Emmett and Henry will be there… and… your suit is killing me, it just hangs so… god… and your eyes with this tie and these pants…" Voice quivering, body trembling, she pushed my jacket off. Her hands smoothed up her thighs, pale yellow chiffon gliding up and along.

"You're beautiful…" I breathed, pressing forward, my erection evident between.

"I look like Big Bird."

"You fucking do not," I laughed, nipping gently at her plump, glossed lower lip. She pulled, grip strong my neck, we melted. My mouth brushed down her throat, up and again, tracing a wet path to her ear. Fingers worked quick to unbutton one too many on my white dress shirt. She worked my belt open, my pants, freeing my cock, touch warm, thumbing over the tip. "Bella… goddamn…"

My head fell, nestled, as I pushed the dress hem up further. "Fuck me… Baby, I want it…" She begged, I groaned. Dragging my nose along her jaw as she tipped her head. Nipping soft to heat, down and along her chin, I teased over her pussy. She reactively forced towards and against, as I moved damp fabric to the side. "Oh god… god, yes…." She lifted, wrapping a leg around my waist, spreading, panting. The beat and pound of live music beyond the door drowned moans and pleading. I straightened, grasping my cock, stroked inside her warmth. She fisted, twisting my shirt in her shaking hands as we stilled, adjusting.

"How…" Foreheads met, I licked my lips. "Tell me how…"

"You know…" She rotated, grinding to show and begin.

"I love you," I whispered at her wanting mouth, pulling back to set a hard, fast rhythm. Tangled legs below, hands above, I thrust, we burned. Dark, painted lashes fluttered, then widened as she gasped and reached.

"Edward… I love you… I'm there…" I felt her tighten, surrender. Covering her mouth rough with mine, swallowing the sweetest sounds. Tongues plunging desperate, I pumped once, twice, harder by the next until euphoric heat spread, exploding.

Wrapping, holding close, our breathing, hearts slowed. I splayed my hand under, along her jaw, thumbing her sparkling pink cheek. Urging her mouth back to mine, tongues tasted, slid easy as our bodies melted again to relax, sated. "I think you should fix your hair, before we head out…" She reached, feeling through, panicked, giggling.

"You fix it…" She spun, gripping the bookshelves for leverage, slipping back into tall heels. I adjusted, fastened loose curls, shiny flowered pins. She rubbed her ass against, teasing, impatient. "Edward…" She purred.

"Bella…" I warned, yet opened the first gold pearl button at her back, stroking my hardening length once and again… Irresistible… "Oh fuck… Mmmm…"

oOo*OB*oOo

I watched her dance, swinging ease, jazz and drinks flowed. Still high on a secret release, we were blissed in the present, ours and others we loved. Time and life finally in a forward motion. I settled, whipped and dizzy at a rousing table of young wedding revelers. I sipped my chilled bottled beer in the thick heat of the late summer night under American oaks dressed in lanterns and lights. Tyler, innate rhythm and groove, spun Bella around and across. Our eyes met brief on every turn and corner. The kids offered cards decked for magic tricks and fun. Suckered into foolish hijinx smarter than my own, as I sipped and calmed.

"Hey, you…" Bella shouted, arms lazy over Tyler's dark suit jacket. I stilled, surprised, lips wet over my amber bottle top. We matched smirks, sexier than the other. "Marry me…" She mouthed, winking. I played, taunting, a hand over my heart in fake attack, then toasted her with my beer… like our first.

My best swagger led me to cut in, claim my love as the music slowed. "You shouldn't tease about something like that, you know…"

"Maybe I'm not. I'm not teasing this time, anymore…" A twirl, fingers locked as she swayed silly. "Screw all this… We'll get in the car, drive south… or north… to Wisconsin… or Michigan. I don't care. Let's just do it. Next weekend… or now… I'm ready. Let's be all legal and such. Let's do it." She tugged my loose tie to lower. Our mouths grazed within a breath. "Marry me, Edward…"

"Yes."

a/n

And so it goes... sweet lovers and happy days.

Thank you so, so much for reading. xo

Hugs, love and thanks to the sweetest support... Obsmama and FFpassion.

Jaime, thank you for writing with me. This one was beyond goodness and fun. xxoo (- I couldn't agree more sweet phoebe and I look forward to more! xox)

An epilogue will post on Thursday, a short, sweet peek into their future. Thanks again for all the best words, keep in touch xo