A/N: Bet you didn't think you'd see this so quickly after the last post, eh? Well, I figured I owed it to you since I made you wait so long for the last one. This is a little bit fun, a little bit fluff, and a little bit of citrus. Mostly fun filler until the plot thickens...we're almost there. Have fun, kids. It'll get a little bit bumpy soon after this.

Also, if you want to come play with me on Twitter, my friend & P&P beta smfogleman finally guilt-tripped me enough to make me get an account. You can find me here: WBSerenade

One last thought before disclaimers. I've recently been asked several questions about why I've chosen to mold the story around the characters the way I have. My answer is simple. Because I want to. I never said I'd tow the Twilight line, nor did I promise this would be canon. This story is mine, and I'll shape it as I see fit.

SM owns all things Twilight. I own a brand new Twitter account and have no idea how to use it.

The song this chapter was named for is "Hands Down" by Dashboard Confessional.

Chapter Ten

Hands Down

EPOV

"Esme wasn't lying," Emmett said, shaking his head. "She really is beautiful, Edward."

"Tell me about it," I sighed. "I stammer like an idiot and walk into walls whenever I'm around her."

Bella had left the room to call Alice and invite her and Jasper to dinner with us, leaving Emmett the space to give me the third degree. I knew what was coming, but I still wasn't anywhere near prepared for it.

"So, do you want to tell me just what the hell you're doing, bro?" he asked.

I leaned against the counter and scrubbed my hand over my face. "I love her, man."

"How is that even possible?" he snorted. "You've known her all of what? A week?"

"I have absolutely no idea, Em. I'm as clueless as you are as to how it happened, but it doesn't make it any less true."

"I've heard of shitting where you eat, man, but this is a first for even me," Emmett teased.

"Don't be crass, jackass. It's not like that and you know it."

"Well, I hope you're prepared to reap the whirlwind, Ed, 'cause this is no small thing you've gotten yourself in to here. People could get hurt if this goes bad."

"Don't you think I know that? I'm not a total idiot, Emmett."

He laughed loudly, raising his hands in a gesture of surrender. "Chill, dude. Look, I'm happy for you. If you're sure about it, so am I. I just wanted to be sure you knew what you were getting yourself into."

"I've never been more sure of anything in my life," I replied honestly. "Apart from Lily, she's worth everything to me."

Our conversation was momentarily interrupted when Bella popped her head out of her bedroom door. "Alice and Jas want to come, but they have to stop at the apartment first after they land. Is eight thirty too late, guys?"

"Nope. Works for me. Rosie and I will meet all of you there," Emmett responded.

"Great! I'll let them know." Bella smiled. "I'll be out in a minute. You can resume your conversation about me now." She winked at me, and I couldn't help but laugh at the fact that we'd been caught with our hand in the proverbial cookie jar.

Emmett cocked an eyebrow in my direction. "Feisty, that one. I like her already. Wait until Rose meets her. They'll be an unstoppable force, those two."

"If Bella's friend Alice is anything like the spitfire she described her as, I think we all may be in trouble," I laughed. "I suggest you wear protective padding to dinner this evening, Em."

"Duly noted," he smirked.

* * *

Emmett left not long after Bella returned from her call with Alice. I'm pretty sure he was smitten with her, and I couldn't wait to spend time with my family and potential new friends tonight...and my girlfriend. I must have been grinning like an idiot, because Bella called me out on it.

"What's that look for?" she asked, smiling.

"I was just thinking about dinner tonight." I was attempting to deflect her attention from the real reason for my stupid grin.

"Oh, really? I've never seen someone smile about pork chops like that before," she teased.

"Okay, you caught me. I wasn't thinking about the pork chops." I took two steps forward and circled my arms around her waist, pressing her back against the counter and lifting her on to it.

"Then what was running through that brain of yours?" she asked. "It must have been something good to elicit that kind of a look on your face."

"Do you really want to know what I was thinking about?" I murmured as I nuzzled my nose in to her neck and her breath hitched.

"Only if you promise to say it in that exact same tone of voice," she whispered. "I don't think I can even describe what it's doing to me right now." Her hands skimmed down my back and found purchase on my ass.

"I was thinking," I began, punctuating each word with a kiss along her jaw until I reached her mouth, "that you're my girlfriend."

"And did that make you happy?" she breathed against my lips.

"More like ecstatic," I replied, sucking her plump bottom lip in between mine.

She pulled back momentarily, staring deeply in to my eyes. "Does that mean I get to call you my boyfriend, then? It's only fair, after all."

"You'd better," I growled, hungrily crushing my mouth to hers. "Say it," I begged as I came up for air.

"Edward Masen is my boyfriend," she giggled. "Jesus, we sound like we're in high school."

I had absolutely no self-control where Bella was concerned as it was, but hearing her claim me by calling me her boyfriend flipped a switch in me and drove me utterly insane with lust. I ground my hips against her and Bella rewarded me by wrapping her legs tightly around my waist.

"Bedroom, Edward. Now," she panted.

Being the good boyfriend I was, I readily complied.

* * *

I was perfectly content to lay in bed and make love to Bella for the rest of the day, but for some ungodly reason, she somehow got it in her head that we needed to get up and be productive. It was decided that we would take Jake for a walk, grab some coffee on the way, and then later head in to the city to buy Bella some much needed clothing since a good portion of hers were destroyed in the break-in.

Watching Bella getting dressed after her shower was...interesting. Of course, I was a man after all. Seeing the woman I love undress for me would always be highly erotic. But having her standing in front of me, slipping on her bra and panties, stirred up a whole different set of emotions in me. I groaned as she turned her bra around and slid her arms through the straps. My eyes were glued on her chest as she bent forward, letting her beautiful breasts fall into their proper place. It was a thoughtless action for her, something she did every day. But for me, seeing it in the flesh was so much more than that. It was a confirmation of the level of comfort she felt with me. I was almost as turned on as if she were disrobing for me...almost. I wondered if she had any idea what that one simple action did to me, and if she knew how insanely beautiful I thought she was.

"What?" she asked, catching me in the act of blatant ogling.

I rose from the bed and closed the distance between us, enveloping her in my arms and inhaling the freshly showered scent of her hair and skin.

"I was just wondering if you knew how unbelievably beautiful you really are," I replied, peppering her ear lobe with kisses.

Her body melted in to mine, and she softly moaned against my chest. "How do you do that?" she whispered.

"Do what?"

"Make my legs turn into Jell-O," she laughed.

I chuckled, gripping her hips tightly and kissing her neck. "I'm a talented man, Isabella. Haven't you figured that out by now?"

She pulled back, rolled her eyes and swatting at my chest playfully. Her smile lit up her entire face and I realized I would never get enough of seeing it. "Seriously, Edward, you need to stop with the phone sex voice or we'll never make it out of this house. I need coffee and clothes, in that order."

I kissed her forehead once before releasing her and allowing her to finish dressing. "I'll be in the living room attempting to get Jake on his leash," I snickered.

"Good luck with that!" she called out to me as I exited the bedroom.

"You're a real comedian, you know that?" I shouted back.

I could still hear her laughter all the way in the front of the house. With the exception of Lily's giggles, there was no sweeter sound in the world.

* * *

I stood in the doorway, leash in hand, staring at the beast in front of me. His head was tilted sideways, looking at me as if I were the one with the behavioral issues, not him.

"So, how shall we do this today, Jake? The easy way or the hard way?" I asked him.

He barked at me and took off towards the kitchen. Fucker. I wondered silently who I had pissed off in a former life to have ended up with the most disagreeable dog on the planet.

I walked towards the back of the apartment to find Jake firmly planted at Bella's side, nudging her hand with his nose, begging to be snuggled.

"Want me to try?" she asked.

"Be my guest," I replied, handing the leash to her.

She took it, then bent down so that she was at eye level with him and rubbed the top of his head. "So, Jake, here's how this is gonna work. You're going to sit here and be a good boy while I clip this leash on you, and then we're going to go for a walk. You'll be the sweet dog I know you can be, do everything I tell you to do and not embarrass us. Got it?"

He barked at her and I grinned, knowing full well there was no way in hell any of that would actually happen. So, of course, I nearly fell over out of pure shock when he sat completely still and allowed her to clip the leash onto his collar.

"Am I in love with a dog whisperer?" I asked.

She chuckled. "Nope. I think he just likes me."

"That's it. You are definitely not allowed to leave me now. He's never done that before. It's a miracle." I reached for her hand and Jake barked at me.

"Quiet, Jake," Bella said, earning a whimper from him in return.

"Ready for coffee?" I asked, pulling her along with me to the front door.

"Always," she replied as we walked out into the perfectly sunny day hand in hand...with an unbelievably obedient Jake walking beside us.

* * *

"I don't know how you did it, but I think Jake is a changed dog," I joked as we got back to the apartment and dropped him off.

"I'm just awesome, I guess," she laughed, shrugging her shoulders and looking about fifty different kinds of adorable.

"There's no guessing about it," I said, touching the tip of her nose with my finger. "You are awesome."

"See, there's that phone sex voice again," she said, shaking her head. "Get me on the subway before I go and do something to you in public that I could be arrested for."

My chest rumbled with laughter as I threw my arm around her shoulder and pulled her tightly to me. "While I'm happy to admit to wanting that more than anything at the moment, I promised to take you shopping, so let's get to it."

* * *

We made our way to Macy's and immediately headed for the ladies' department. It was all a little surreal for me, not having had a woman to shop for in years. Bella must have sensed my thoughts because she stopped me in the middle of the aisle and placed a tiny kiss against my cheek.

"You don't have to follow me around if you don't want to," she said softly. "I'm sure I can handle this by myself."

I chuckled. "Am I that obvious?"

"You do seem a bit stressed," she teased.

"I'm fine, really," I said. "It's just been a very long time since I've shopped for anything besides Underoos, you know?"

"Will it make it easier for you if I told you that you could join me in the fitting room?" she whispered in my ear.

I didn't bother to reply as I dragged her by the hand, running to the lingerie department. By time we reached it, we were both breathless and laughing.

Bella bent over at the waist, clutching her sides. "This isn't exactly the kind of clothing we came here for today, you know."

I pulled her against me and nibbled lightly on her ear. "Maybe not, but you just increased your shopping list tenfold with that little offer of yours."

I felt her body shudder, and a small moan escaped her lips. "Well, then, Mr. Masen," she began, "pick your poison."

Shopping for lingerie, as it turns out, is much more complicated than I had originally thought. For men, it's easy. We grab the package that says small, medium or large and we're on our way. But with women, there are so many factors to consider, like cup size and what would be worn over it. Who knew? I felt like I was getting a crash course in intimate apparel and I liked it. A lot.

I had never bought lingerie for Tanya. It wasn't that I didn't want to, but it just wasn't something that was important to either of us. Our sex was passionate, to be sure, but it was always rushed and needful...a means to an end.

But being with Bella was different. I wanted to see her in every piece of silk and lace I touched. Part of the thrill of it was imagining her in it. I found that my body reacted much more strongly to certain items, and as I wandered, I let that be my guide.

My eyes were drawn to a beautiful bra and panty set made of deep blue lace. I visualized the color against Bella's creamy skin, and found I was instantly hard. I smelled her behind me then, and she peeked over my arm to see what was in my hands.

"It figures you'd be drawn to the most expensive brand they carry," she chuckled.

"Really?" I asked, reaching for the tag. I hadn't even considered the price. I just wanted it for her, or more specifically, on her.

"That's a little beyond my budget, Edward. I could buy five bras for the price of the one you're holding. Why don't we try looking at something a little more reasonably priced." She moved to take the bra out of my hand and replace it on the rack, but I stilled her hand and pulled it to my chest.

"Sweetheart, I've already learned that you don't like people spending money on you, but please, this is as much for me as it is for you. Will you at least consider trying it on?" I gave her my best lost little puppy expression and prayed she fell for it.

Her eyes narrowed, and I knew that she was on to me. She was too smart for my own good. But she surprised me when she stood on the tips of her toes and kissed my cheek.

"All right, I'll try it on, but only because you looked so pathetic," she grinned.

I smiled from ear to ear, basking in my victory. "Then what are you waiting for, Ms. Swan. Get your butt in that fitting room."

Just to drive home my point, I gave her a light smack on the backside, to which she let out a little yelp. "Wow, excited much, there, Mr. Masen?"

"What was your first clue?" I snickered.

We got a few odd looks when she pulled me into the room with her, but I couldn't find it in myself to care. She pushed me down on the the leather stool and bent forward, kissing me square on the lips. "Now, behave yourself, Edward. I do not want to get kicked out of Macy's."

I raised two fingers, smirking at her. "Scout's honor."

I began to have flashbacks from the morning as I watched Bella get undressed. If seeing her put her clothes on was a turn on for me, then witnessing this - the slow removal of each feminine piece – was mind-blowing. I shifted in my seat, trying anything to relieve the now prominent ache in my groin as she unclasped her bra, setting her beautiful breasts free.

"Edward?" she called out, pulling me from my fantasies.

I shook my head in an attempt to clear it. "Yes?"

"Hook me up?"

"Of course," I stammered as I stood.

She faced the mirror with her back to me. I brushed her long hair over one of her shoulders and gently brought the sides together. I lifted my eyes to stare at her while I ran my fingertips over the strap. Melting backwards in to my chest, she closed her eyes and sighed.

"Open your eyes, Isabella," I begged as I skimmed my lips across the back of her neck and shoulders. She honored my request and stared at our reflection in the mirror.

"Do you see how amazing you look in this? It was made for you," I told her while moving my hands down along her sides, finally letting them come to rest on her hips.

A stunning smile graced her lips as she looked at our reflection. "All I see is two people who look like they were made for each other."

Hearing those words twisted my insides into knots and made my head spin, because they were the absolute truth. I turned her around to face me, pressing gentle kisses against her forehead. "Let me buy this for you, Bella. Seeing you feel good makes me so happy."

She rested her forehead against mine and nodded. "There's my girl," I said, smiling. "Thank you for letting me take care of you."

Once she relented and was able to see how much joy I received from buying her such beautiful things, we ended up purchasing a hell of a lot more than that one simple set. She was worth every penny and more to me, and I hoped it was just the start of her allowing me to take care of her. Just seeing the smile it brought to her face made me want to do it for the rest of my life, and I knew if she'd let me, that's exactly what I'd do.

* * *

By late afternoon, we'd hit damned near every section of the womens' department in Macy's, and Bella had a stunning new wardrobe. She'd joked that she felt like Vivian in Pretty Woman, and even went so far as to head to the mens' department to buy me a tie. I laughed loudly at that, saying that I never wore ties and that it would be wasted on me. That was, until she reminded me that I wouldn't be the one wearing the tie. My smirk, of course, left my face as my jaw practically hit the floor. I liked brazen Bella. Very much.

Once we were home, we realized we had a few hours before we had to meet everyone at the restaurant, so Bella and I decided to curl up together and take a nap. We crawled under the covers of her new bed and I wrapped my arms around her as she laid her head against my chest. Her breathing eventually slowed and she fell into a peaceful sleep. I stayed awake a while longer, enjoying the feel of her warm, tiny body pressed against mine.

I awoke to complete darkness. I rolled over, reaching for Bella, but she wasn't there. Switching on the bedside lamp, I rubbed my eyes and allowed them time to adjust to the light before rising from the bed to go and look for her.

I heard the shower running when I exited the bedroom, and immediately grinned, knowing what I wanted to do. Stripping my clothes of as I went, I opened the door and stepped inside. I could see her silhouette through the steam on the glass doors, and my body reacted instantly to the vision in front of me.

I opened the glass door and walked in, earning a gasp from Bella.

"You scared me!" she exclaimed.

"I'm sorry, sweetheart. That's the last thing I wanted to do," I replied, pulling her to me and moving us underneath the stream of the shower. "Why didn't you wake me?"

"You looked so peaceful. I didn't have the heart to," she said, smiling.

"I didn't like waking up without you next to me," I confessed. I wrapped my arms around her waist and licked at the trail of water that was streaming down her graceful neck.

"I'm sorry. It won't happen again," she promised.

"Do we have to go to dinner tonight?" I asked. "I don't think I want to share you with anyone."

"As perfect as that sounds, I really want to see Alice."

"Well, then I guess I'll just have to take what I can of you now, and save the rest for when we get back home." My hands worked their way up her back and into her hair, gently pressing her full, wet lips into mine.

"Edward," she whimpered, "we're going to be late for dinner."

"Damn right we are," I growled.

And, of course, we were.

* * *

We were only twenty minutes late, and judging by the look on Emmett's face, he knew exactly the reason why. "Edward, you're never late. What held you up?" He winked at Bella, who grinned profusely, and it took every ounce of strength I had not to throttle him across the small bar top.

"It was all my fault, actually," Bella stated. "I couldn't reach my back with the soap." She winked right back at Emmett and stepped past him, engulfing a tiny woman with jet black hair in her arms.

My brother and I stood there with our mouths hanging open, while Rosalie, Emmett's wife howled with laughter. "That is your Bella? Edward, don't screw this up. If you do, I may just have to choose her over you."

"But I'm family," I exclaimed, placing a hand over my heart and pretending to be hurt by her words.

"And I'll miss you," she said with a wink.

"Trust me, Rose," I stated seriously. "There's no way in hell I'll ever let her go."

She smiled at me as Bella returned to my side, with whom I assumed were Alice and Jasper. "Edward, this are my friends, Alice and Jasper."

I extended my hand to greet Alice, but she surprised me by jumping in to my arms and giving me a hug. "Thank you for taking care of Bella while we were away. I don't know what I would have done if something had happened to her."

"Trust me, Alice," I chuckled, setting her back down on the ground. "It was entirely my pleasure."

She stepped back and looked between Bella and me with a small smirk playing on her lips. "Exactly what in the world have you two been up to?" she asked with a raised eyebrow.

"What ever do you mean?" Bella teased.

"You know damned good and well what I mean, Bella," she laughed, pointing her finger between the Bella and myself.

"Alice, leave them alone, darlin'," the tall man behind her said. "I'm Jasper," he stated, extending his arm over her shoulder and his hand to me. "It's nice to finally meet you, Edward. Thanks for everything you've done for Bella and for us."

"It's been no trouble, really. I was happy to do it."

I turned my attention back to Bella. "So, you've already had the pleasure of meeting Emmett, and this is his wife, Rosalie."

"Nice to meet you, Rosalie," Bella said.

"You as well. I'm impressed with the way you put the big guy in his place," she said, thumbing in Emmett's direction. "It not often someone tells him to stick it. I enjoyed it immensely."

Everyone laughed as the rest of the introductions were made and we all ordered a drink at the bar before being led to our table.

"So, Bella, what was that you were saying earlier today about this place having some tasty-ass pork chops?" Emmett asked, leaning back and rubbing his hands together.

"Seriously, guys," Bella began, closing her eyes and sighing. "I'd give my first born child to be able to make them the way they do here. No one does them better."

I reached for her hand under the table and leaned towards her so that only she could hear me, whispering against her ear. "That may be so, but I doubt they could make a chocolate lava cake better than yours."

Her body stiffened beside me and her face flushed ten different shades of red as she contemplated my words. Everyone at the table eyed us curiously as Bella quickly rose from her seat and excused herself. She stared directly at me and motioned her eyes towards the back of the restaurant. I panicked when I realized that I'd probably embarrassed her in front of everyone, and kicked myself internally for crossing a line of propriety with her.

"What did you say to make her run off like that, jackass?" Emmett asked.

I simply shrugged, not wanting to admit to the stupidity of my words. "Um, I'll be right back. I'm going to talk to her."

I flew out of my seat and headed in the direction I had seen Bella walking. She was nowhere in sight as I stood at the back of the restaurant, and it was then I realized she was most likely in the restroom. I took a moment to control my breathing and figure out the best way to apologize for running my stupid mouth off.

Nervously, I lifted my hand and tapped on the glass door. "Bella? Bella baby, are you in there?"

"Edward?" was her breathy reply.

I placed my hands on either side of the door frame and rested my forehead against the glass. "Yes, it's me. I'm so sorry, Bella. I didn't mean to embarrass you in front of everyone. It was so stupid of me to say something as crass - "

Before I could continue groveling, the door opened and her tiny hand reached out. She grasped my wrist and quickly pulled me inside. The door slammed shut and I was shoved against it.

"Bella, what...?" But my words were cut off as her perfect mouth crashed against mine.

"Shut up, Edward," she moaned against my lips. "I'm not pissed off. I'm fucking turned on."

Oh...oh!

"Now be quiet and hurry up," she said while unbuckling my belt. "We don't have much time."

"Jesus Christ, Bella," I whimpered. "You're going to kill me."

Once again, she surprised me. Of all the scenarios I'd considered when I left the table in search of her, the one I found myself in was the furthest from my mind. It was just one reason on a long list that made me fall a little bit more in love with her every minute of the day.

I hadn't lied. I was certain her kiss would eventually kill me...and I'd die happy. Hands down, it was the best day I could ever remember.

A/N #2: Okay, yeah, so I cock-blocked the nookie. But you know, sometimes I think the innuendo is more fun. Besides, they're in the "newlywed phase." If I wrote about every one of their sexual encounters, this story would be nothing but smut. Hmm...not a bad idea.

Just a quickie...next chapter is the rest of the 'get to know ya" dinner. BUT, I've sort of had this funny little idea running around in my brain and I wanted your thoughts. Apparently (or, at least in my mind), Jake the Dog has quite a few things to say about Bella. Would you like to hear them? Let me know via reviews or PM's, and if the requests for it are great enough, you might just get a one-shot. Woof!