Chapter Ten: There is No Guarantee
"Well...what did you say?" Rosalie asked excitedly as I told her all about Paris. I had purposefully not told her about Edward telling me he loved me until the end because I knew she wouldn't care about anything else. "Please tell me you were honest with him."
"I told him that I loved him," I blushed.
"I knew it."
"You know I was only denying it because..."
"You're an idiot?"
"Yeah," I agreed. "And it just seemed so far fetched. When we started messing around...I never thought it would get to this point."
"I know," She smiled. "So what happens..."
"I don't wanna talk about it," My eyes immediately filled with tears at the thought of leaving next month. I had six weeks left with Edward and it didn't seem like enough time.
Nothing seemed like enough time.
But I was determined to make it the most incredible month and a half of our lives. And I think he was too. Yes, we both had our responsibilities, but if we could be together...we were together. It helped that Rosalie started spending the majority of her nights at Emmett's place which meant Edward could sleep in my dorm. It was kind of crazy in the morning but I couldn't have cared less.
I was also able to really convince my mom that Edward was a good thing. After letting her tell me this was a bad idea, she actually asked questions about him. She wanted to know about his life and I told her everything I could without invading Edward's privacy too much.
The two of us spent a lot of time with Riley and Bree in the last six weeks we had together. Riley had been released from the hospital almost three weeks after the accident in a wheel chair and a lot of physical therapy in front of him. Bree was still in denial about the severity of the situation, but he had finally managed to convince her to see a counselor about all that she was feeling.
Despite everything that was happening to him, I never really saw him discouraged. There were a few times that he would zone out and I had an idea that he was thinking about the time before he was wheelchair bound, but he was putting on a really good face. And Edward assured me it wasn't an act. Riley was just one of those people who knew the situation and just faced it. He said there wasn't any use on being upset and dwelling on the situation because that wasn't going to give him the use of his legs back.
I wished I had the amount of optimism Riley had about the loss of his mobility about leaving London.
It wasn't until we were cooking dinner together on a Friday after a long day of classes did I really realize how hard it was going to be when I felt. For the both of us.
"Babe, will you get my phone?" Edward called from the stove as I set the table for dinner. "It's in my bag on the couch."
"Sure," I smiled as I made my way into the room and found where the ringing was coming from. When I pulled his phone from the pocket, a pamphlet looking thing fell out along with it. "Here," I put his phone on the counter and went to pick up the papers to put them back.
I wasn't planning on snooping, but when I saw United stamped across the front, I couldn't help but be curious.
"You going on a trip or something?" I asked and when he turned around, he looked at me with a guilty look on his face. "I mean it's okay, but I wish you would have said something."
"Bella, I'm not going on a trip," He assured me as I set the tickets on the island while he continued cooking dinner.
"Then why do you have a plane ticket?" I asked as I examined the paper more carefully. May 17, 2011. May 17...why was that such a familiar date?
Oh.
"Edward, where are you going on May 17?" My heart rate was picking up.
"Nowhere," He lied.
"Please don't lie to me."
"I'm not going anywhere..." He took a deep breath. "Unless you tell me to come back with you."
"You bought a plane ticket?"
"I know we agreed that when you left that would be it...but I just thought..."
"You bought a plane ticket," I cried as tears streamed down my cheeks. "You're really willing to come back to the States for me?"
"I am," He nodded and I could smell that dinner was burning.
"But the ticket is?"
"Just in case," He whispered sadly. "Because if you told me to come with you at the airport, I don't think I could resist."
"I love you," I sighed as I leaned in and gently pressed my lips to his.
"I love you," He said as he winked at me and went to the stove to try and salvage dinner. But, he couldn't and we ended up ordering food and spent the night in his bed.
May 16.
It was the day I had been dreading since Edward walked into my life. This was our last night together and I think we were both determined to keep it together enough so he didn't end up using the ticket. As much as we wanted to be together, we didn't want to risk ever resenting the other.
"How are you doing?" Rosalie asked as we finished packing up our things. I had been crying since I woke up but she was pretending not to notice.
"Fine," I lied as I sniffled.
"Bella,"
"I really don't want to talk about this, Rosalie," I sighed. "If we talk about it I won't be able to have any composure at all."
"I was just going to ask if you wanted to keep this poster?" She pointed to the cheap poster of Big Ben we'd bought right after getting here.
"No," I shook my head. "We can toss it if you don't want it."
She gently took the poster off the wall and threw it in the bin. We packed the rest of our stuff in silence, both too afraid to say anything. I didn't want to admit it, but I kind of hated her at the moment. She got to go home with the man she loved. She got to finish school with him by her side. As much as I knew how good of an idea it was for Edward and me to go our sperate ways, it didn't make that little fact any easier to digest.
Once we were finished packing, I called Edward so we could spend our last day together. When he got there to pick me up, I could tell that he'd been crying but I was determined to have a good last day.
"Hey," I cupped his cheek as he took a deep breath. "We're going to have a good day."
"Yeah," He agreed as he took a long breath. "The best day ever."
"We're not thinking about...it."
"No."
"What do you wanna do?"
"I want," He smirked. "To take you home and spend all day and all night wrapped up in your arms."
"Oh yeah?"
"Absolutely."
"Sounds boring," I shrugged.
"Did I mention you would be completely naked?"
"Will you be naked too?"
"Maybe," He winked.
"I'm not leaving until I am guaranteed that you'll be naked with me."
"You wouldn't."
"Try me."
"You really wanna know what I plan on doing today?"
"Yes," I nodded.
"I'm going to take you to my flat, take all of your clothes off," He stepped closer to me so we were touching. "And fuck your brains out."
"Yes," I moaned as he gently nipped at my ear. He opened the car door for me and I slipped inside, pressing my knees together to try and ease the discomfort between my legs. Taunting me, Edward drove a lot slower than normal and I was about to tell him to pull over on the side of the road. I hadn't needed him like this since the start of our relationship and I liked it.
He parked his car in the small lot behind his building and slowly walked up the stairs with my hand in his. I knew he was doing it on purpose. The elevator was working just fine and we always took the elevator since he lived on the sixth floor. Again, I was so turned on I was about to just take him in the staircase.
"You're the worst," I moaned as he lazily searched for his keys once we finally got to his door.
"What? I can't find my keys."
"If you don't open the door I'm going to fuck you in the hallway," I threatened and he quickened his pace. He finally unlocked the door, pushed it open and I ran in front of him, pulling him inside. He had barely gotten the door shut when I pushed him up against it and attacked his mouth with mine. He nudged me back and then slammed me against the door as he reached for the bottom of my sweater.
"Much better," He smirked when I was topless. "You're so sexy. I love how sexy you are."
"Edward," I panted as I lifted his t-shirt over his head. "Please."
"What?"
I wanted to kill him.
"Please," I begged again.
"Bella, you need to be specific with me."
"Fuck me! I moaned as he palmed my breast through my bra. "Fuck me hard."
"Whatever you wish," His eyes darkened with lust as he picked me up off the ground and carried me over to the kitchen island.
"Trying to recreate anything?"
"What? This island is at a good height for fucking you," He winked as he yanked my jeans down. I was writhing beneath him as he gently peeled my panties down my legs, leaving me bare. I managed to unbuckle his pants and push them, along with his boxers, down his legs releasing his raging hard on.
"So fucking sexy," He moaned as I removed my bra, leaving both of us naked. He lined himself up and pushed into me, hard and fast. Don't get me wrong, I loved the slow and emotional sex but I really missed this kind of sex with him. There was something about the raw and powerful way he took me that had me screaming within seconds.
"Already?" He teased. "We just got started."
"Fuck!" I cursed as his pelvis met my clit, causing me to orgasm. I was panting so hard I barely noticed him picking me up and carrying me to the couch. All without pulling out I might add. He threw me down on the couch and continued to pound into me. "Yes! Edward! YES!"
"You're so..." He clenched his lips together. "Fucking tight. So good."
"Right there! Yes! There!" I cried as I pressed my hands up against the arm of the couch. "I'm gonna come!" He took his hand and moved his fingers to circle my clit and that sent me over the edge.
"Fuck, Bella!" He shuddered as he exploded into me at the same time I clamped down around him. He fell limp on top of me and we were both completely covered in a thin layer of sweat.
"Wow," I panted as I ran my fingers through his beautiful, bronze hair.
"That was...fucking incredible," He smiled as he lifted his head.
"Yeah," I agreed but I was barely thinking at the moment. "Can we do that again?"
"Of course..." He trailed off as my stomach growled. "Have you eaten today?"
"Yes," I lied as I pulled his face closer to mine.
"Bella,"
"No, but I can eat tomorrow when...come on. Round two."
"I'm making us lunch," He kissed me before rolling off of me and walking naked into his kitchen.
"I'm fine," I whined as I followed him.
"I'm making us some turkey sandwiches, Bella. Not a five-course meal," He teased as he bent down and grabbed what he needed from the fridge. He had such a cute butt. I was really going to miss that butt.
After we ate lunch, Edward made good work of his promise. We spent the entire afternoon naked in his bed. At a quarter to five, his alarm went off signaling that it was time to actually get up and ready for our last night together. He told me it was a surprise, but it was something he'd been planning for at least a month. Not knowing what to wear, he had Bree pick something up for me and I had to admit, she had excelent taste.
"This is beautiful," I sighed happily as I looked in the mirror once I was finished getting ready. "Thank you."
"I wanted this night to be perfect," He kissed my bare shoulder. "You all ready to go?"
"Yes," I nodded as I turned around in his arms. I was determined to spend as much time as possible snuggling close to him tonight since this was our last moments together. I grabbed his hand and he pulled me out of his apartment and walked us down to his car.
I assumed we were going to eat at his restaurant since it is where we first met, but we went towards downtown London. I didn't want to question him since he was so excited about what he'd planned, but I was dying to know where we were going. After driving into the heart of the city, he parked the car and got out to open my door.
"Do I get to know now?" I giggled as he gripped my hand.
"No," He shook his head annoyingly. He led me down the sidewalk and we stopped in front of a rather large building. I could tell he was getting more and more excited as we got into the elevator and went up. When we got to the desired floor, the elevator doors opened and my breath was taken away. It had to have been the most beautiful restaurants I had ever seen and that was saying something because I really loved Edward's restaurant.
"Edward," I breathed.
"Hello," The maitre'd greeted. "Reservation?"
"It's under Edward Cullen. Party of two."
"Of course. This way Mr. and Mrs. Cullen," He grabbed two menus and I jumped out of my skin.
Mrs. Cullen. What a nice ring to it.
Now I was being absolutely crazy.
The matrie'd led us to a table by the window and Edward had to push me the rest of the way to where we were being seated. The view was absolutely incredible and I was losing my mind at where we were and what we were doing.
"Your waiter will be right with you," The man smiled and then turned to walk away.
"So?" Edward asked, smiling at me.
"Edward this is...probably too expensive."
"I'm good friends with the head chef. He's giving me a good deal."
"How'd you score this?"
"Last minute cancellation and I told him to call me with anything good," He explained. "I didn't know we were going to be seated at one of the best tables in the house."
"I love you," I whispered as I reached across the table and gripped his hand tightly.
It was the definition of a picture perfect moment. The food was the best food I'd ever had...even better than Edward's food. THe view got prettier as the sun set. And it was just so good to just be together. We were just...us. Just Edward and Bella out on a date. In that moment, I wasn't leaving in twelve hours and he didn't live on a different continent than I did. We were just together and just enjoyed being together.
"Now what?" I asked after he'd paid and we made our way back downstairs.
"I figured we'd go explore downtown at night," He smiled. "There's something magical about Big Ben when he's all lit up."
"Magical, huh?" I teased. "Can't wait to see it up close."
After a short ten minute drive, Edward parked and we made our way closer to Big Ben. We stood on the bridge and just looked up at the beautiful structure. As much as I loved NYC, the EMpire State Building was nothing compared to the famous clock and I just added one more thing to the list I was really going to miss when I went home.
"Did you know that the clock tower isn't actually Big Ben?" Edward randomly asked as the air started to chill and a chill went up and down my spine.
"What are you talking about?" I asked as he removed his jacket and slipped it over my shoulders.
"Yeah, the bell inside the clock tower is technically Big Ben. The structure itself is literally just the Clock Tower."
"I don't believe you,"
"Riley told me."
"Do you believe everything Riley tells me?"
"And it's something that London natives get very annoyed at when they hear tourists talking about it," He smirked. "Like you."
"I bet you called it Big Ben until Riley told you."
"I did," He nodded. "But I learned not to."
"You've been referring to it as Big Ben since I got here,"
"I didn't want to confuse the American."
"You're American," I reminded him. "And you're being an ass."
"Hey," He nudged me.
"What?" I giggled at him.
"Remember when you hated me?" He asked. "And thought I was the lowest of lows."
"You didn't pay any attention to me and I thought you were attractive," I argued. "I was being silly and petty and of course I hated you."
"I'm glad we kept accidentally running into each other."
"Yeah accidentally," I laughed. "Was it really accidental?"
"Yeah, it really was."
"Seriously?"
"You're hot Bella and of course I was attracted to you but,"
"But what?"
"It wasn't like I was trying to get in your pants."
"You weren't?"
"No. Did you think I was?"
"I honestly don't know what I thought you were trying to do."
"I love you," He whispered as he kissed the top of my head.
"I love you too," I was trying not to cry at this point. "You still have that ticket?"
"Yep,"
"Okay," I nodded, biting my lip and really holding back tears. "Take me home,"
"As you wish," He smiled as he took my hand and led me back to the car.
When we got back to his flat, there was no rush. We took our time shedding each other of their clothes and even when we were finally naked in his bed, we just decided to worship each other. We had never been together like this before. Sure we'd been slow and passionate together, it hadn't been like this. We were so vulnerable with each other and when we climaxed, I couldn't help but cry.
This was it. This was our last night together and I just wanted to die at the thought of actually leaving him in the morning. I had a hard time falling asleep that night because I just wanted to keep my eyes on him so I'd never forget what he looked like.
I would never forget those green eyes, that was for sure.
A/N: So guys, this is the last chapter before she goes home to the States. I would have loved to write their weekend in Paris, but I thought it might get too repetitive. They would be doing the same stuff they'd been doing in London just in a different city. I didn't want it getting stale. I also know some of you are growing impatient with me and want to be getting back to the present day so I wanted to skip forward a little bit in their last month together for the same reasons I skipped over their Paris trip. I just didn't want it getting old. So I hope you enjoyed this chapter and cannot wait to hear your thoughts!