Hello again, ladies.
Glad you liked the meeting of the family. More steps forward for Edward in making Bella part of his life.
Many thanks to my pretty beta Songster for her help in working with this stuff.
I don't own Twilight. *Shrugs*
Now let's see what happens this week ...
O~o~O~LB~O~o~O
'Cinémas'
Sundays. Up until a few weeks ago, Sunday was just a day spent away from work and family. Monday through Friday, I spend at the studio; Saturdays, I spend with Rose and Marie; Sundays? Just a day in between.
Yet today, today is quite different. For starters, I'm here sitting at my kitchen table eating a bowl of cereal for breakfast. Cereal. Me. I don't do that, at all. I haven't had cereal for God knows how long. My usual breakfast consists of coffee or omelets on weekends when I go to this café downtown.
Chocolate sugary little balls floating in milk? Not so much.
But here I am, mesmerized by the crunching sound they make in my mouth, pretty much overcoming all others in the room. I don't remember them being this loud.
I had the weirdest urge to try this again a few days ago, so when I went online to place my monthly grocery order, I added cereal. I'm pretty sure when they delivered this, the guy was questioning my sanity.
I can't say I care that much about that. These things are completely addictive. Literally.
I look out the window and keep on eating my cereal. People walk up and down the streets, leisurely strolling under the Sunday sun. I smile at that. I seem to be noticing these kinds of things more and more. Just watching them, not feeling jealous about their happiness. Simply sharing that with them.
Today I'm heading over to Bella's place to have our Sunday movie date, just as we agreed last week. Lazy days like this are turning out to be more and more appealing as weeks go by. Weeks. I can't believe it's been three weeks since I met her by the fountain.
In my head I run through the movies we could watch today; I already have a few ideas, but everything seems so simple, not that I mind. Just the image of Bella curled up by my side on the couch is more than what I imagined just a few weeks ago, but I want to make it more special.
Between mouthfuls of cereal, an idea strikes. I can't believe I haven't thought of it before. So for the next hour, I check online to see if this would work, take a shower and dress. I already told Bella last night that I'd be taking her out to lunch today, so I know she won't be making any preparations for that. I just want it to be a surprise and I can't wait to see her reaction.
At noon, I'm kissing her hello. I always miss those lips.
"Well, aren't you happy to see me."
"You have no idea," I mumble in between kisses. "Girlfriend."
I feel the vibrations of her laughter against my mouth. I'll call her that every two seconds if she keeps doing that.
"Girlfriend, uh?" I nod and I notice that even though she looks like she's gonna start teasing me, her eyes shine with something more. That light brightens her whole face; the gold in her eyes more intense, her skin slightly pink.
Beautiful.
I take a loose strand that fell from her ponytail and place it behind her left ear. I love seeing her face clean with no make-up, she doesn't need it. Her skin feels so soft and I notice her shiver a little at my touch. I want to smile and be really smug about it, but her touch has the same effect on me.
My lips graze her left cheek and start trailing faint touches up to her ear, then down to her jaw, never allowing a true kiss to her skin. I'm just breathing her in and feeling her warm breath brush against my own skin. I continue with these slow touches and then move to the other side of her face. Without even looking, I can feel her skin warming up against my lips. She's getting flustered. Much like I am.
I end the cycle on her lips once again and I think she's had enough of my non-kisses, because I feel her hands on my neck the second I reach them and then she pulls me to her, kissing me with more passion.
Knowing that she wants me like this makes me hug her tightly to me. We kiss and touch and moan and pant, all in the doorway to her apartment. I move my hands to the hem of her shirt and I almost lose it when I touch the soft skin there. The image of me kissing and discovering more of it doesn't help with my control either.
By the time we part, her lips are flushed and her hair is all tangled. I did that? I hadn't noticed that we'd been running our hands in each other's hair as well.
"Will it ever stop being this ... intense?" She asks breathlessly, our foreheads touching.
"I hope not." God, I hope not.
"So, what are the plans for today? You said you wanted to go out to have lunch, but that's it. Are we coming back here to watch movies?" She asks after a few moments. It takes me quite some time to catch my own breath, I haven't been able to talk yet.
"Actually, I was thinking about a slight change of plans. Do you mind not coming back here after lunch?" I'll change my plans if she doesn't like them.
"Not at all. And now I'm intrigued."
"Good." I kiss her and reluctantly let her go and get her things before leaving the apartment.
We walk hand in hand for a couple of blocks and when I turn us in a different direction than the Métro, I can feel Bella wants to say something. I want to smile at her; I know she's curious and by the way she looks around, she wants to figure out where I'm taking her. I can't really see her eyes with her sunglasses on, but I know they are curious.
"Don't fret too much, baby. All I can say is that we're walking to the restaurant." Baby. That didn't sound as awkward as I thought to say. Now that we're 'official', those kinds of endearments feel easier, natural.
"You're mean," and her smile says the contrary.
We keep walking, as usual, holding hands and walk by the people that are also out on this Sunday afternoon. I barely notice the crowds around us, something that in the past might've unnerved me, now doesn't even register.
"I had fun yesterday with Rose and Marie."
"They did as well. I called Rose this morning and she said Marie can't stop talking about you. She even wants to practice more on her piano. She wants to impress you." Rose was very happy about this, maybe finally Marie will not get distracted from her lessons.
"Really?" She laughs loudly and dammit if I don't love that sound.
"They love you, just as I told you they would. Rose already wants you back at her house. She asked me to give you her number; I wasn't sure you wanted me to give your number out just like that."
"Can we visit the cabin again?" Now I just have to laugh.
I move her sunglasses to the top of her head and hold her face with my hands, leaning in to kiss the hell out of her. How can someone make me feel this way? Happy, free, lighter. Her soft moans fill our little bubble; I'm the only one who can hear them above the noise of the people and cars. We're probably giving people a show, but I couldn't care less about it. I just want to kiss my girl.
"You are incredible, Isabella Swan. You know that, right?"
Rolling her eyes and blushing a little, she kisses me back and whispers.
"You're not so bad yourself."
I place my arms on her waist and she encircles my neck with hers. With our foreheads touching, our arms linking us and the sight of her beautiful, bright eyes, we just ... are. Shadows of the people passing by us dance around her face and paint different figures on her skin, I almost try to discern what they form, but end up finding her gaze more interesting. I pay no attention to the people around us, it's just the two of us in this crowded street.
It's not until people start bumping into us and telling us to move out of the way, in a not so friendly way, that we realize that we were actually heading somewhere for lunch.
"Oops, I think we're getting in the way of people."
"Apparently." I still don't lose my hold on her though.
"Come on, I'm getting hungry and you're the only one who knows where we're going." Adjusting her sunglasses back, she tugs at my shirt.
"Ok, ok. Let's go." I kiss her forehead and lead the way.
O~o~O~LB~O~o~O
Soon we are on Avenue Kléber, in front of Hotel Le Raphaël. They have an incredible restaurant at the top floor, a terrace that overlooks the city.
"You brought me to a hotel?"
"Yes, to the restaurant on top: Les Jardins Plein Ciel. I think you'll like it."
The doors to the elevator open on that floor and we walk towards the Maitre'd, after I give him my name, he leads us to the terrace.
From the soft gasp coming form Bella, I think she really likes it.
This restaurant is not very high above the city, only the seventh floor, but we can see it clearly for miles. On one side of the terrace, we are very close to the Arc De Triomphe and we can also see the rest of the neighborhood. On the other side of it, you can see La Tour Eiffel and the south of the city as well as the river. The day is sunny and the sky is clear of clouds, so the sight is especially bright, leaving us to see easily well into the south of the city.
The terrace is surrounded by low bushes in different shapes and there are some tables being flanked by them, giving them some privacy. I originally wanted one of those, but it's a bit hard to see the city like that, so I requested one with a better view of the Arc De Triomphe. On the other side, where you can see La Tour Eiffel, the feel is more like a lounge, with low tables to have a drink and relax.
I look at Bella, taking in everything around her. Her eyes are fixed on the giant chessboard to the side.
"They did it in honor of Léonard Tauber, founder of the Chess Club of France. I've always been tempted to play with it."
"It's just so beautiful. The view is amazing."
"I'm glad you liked it. I hope we don't burn too much out here under the sun."
After we order, we eat and talk, checking out the view from time to time.
"Can I ask you something?"
"Of course, you can ask me anything you want." I'm surprised, she looks serious.
"Has Rose dated ever since what happened to her?"
I put my fork down and lean back into my chair. I'm surprised that Rose confided in her this fast, but Bella is so easy to talk to, so maybe things just happened. I do have to think about her question for a second.
"Edward, I'm so-"
"Don't be, it's okay. No, she hasn't. She can't really, I know she wants to, but it's like her body freezes when a man comes near her. She's been in therapy for years, but that has been the one thing she can't get past. Maybe when she finds someone she fits with, her body will let her get close." I hope so, she has so much to give still.
"I can understand that." She looks lost in her thoughts. "And you're right, when the time comes, she'll know." The way she says it shows that she knows what she's talking about. I want to ask her more about it, I hate seeing her this sad, but I don't want to push. God knows she's been patient with me so far.
I move forward and take her hand. With a small nod, she understands that I'll wait for her.
We keep talking and eating and even though we're pretty stuffed, when dessert gets here we all but jump on it. There is always room for dessert, no matter what.
There's an old couple near our table, whispering and giggling. The waiters bring some cake and it looks like they are celebrating their fiftieth anniversary. I smile at them and think about how it would be to get that far in your marriage. Fifty years? That's a lot of fights and routine, but also many happy moments. Children, family holidays, grandchildren.
I've always wanted that, something similar to what my parents have. I thought Renata wanted it as well, but I was too blind to see that she never would, with me at least.
"They look happy." Her voice interrupts my thoughts and when I look back at her, she's seeing the same image that I am.
"That's how I've always pictured my parents looking celebrating their anniversary." Even though she's smiling, it doesn't reach her eyes.
I don't know what to say to that. Of course they won't have that anymore. I don't know how I'd feel if one of my parents died, leaving the other one alone.
"Sorry. Lately I've been thinking a lot about it, considering my Dad will be getting married in a few months."
"Bella-"
"It's ok. I'm happy for him; I'm just sad for what could've happened with Mom, that's all."
"Tell me about them."
"My parents?" She finally gives me a real smile and looks happy to talk about them. I nod.
"Well, my Dad is a lawyer. We used to live in Forks, a few hours from Seattle, and he had a small office in Port Angeles. Another town near it. Mom stayed home and worked with her designs and stuff. Everyone came to our house for her creations, even from Port Angeles." She looks so proud.
"After Mom got really sick, we moved to Seattle for a while, for her treatment. We thought after she got better, perhaps we could go back to Forks. That never happened."
She looks back to the old couple.
"We buried her in Forks though. She always loved it there, the green, the air. She loved the rain. I haven't been back since coming here, but every year on her birthday, Dad and I talk for hours about her and remember those good days. We use Skype of all things. My Dad, skyping!" She laughs.
"I know she'd be happy about him getting married again. That was the thing about her, she wanted people around her to be happy." Much like she was. "We'll never forget her and she'd be pissed about him not moving on." She looks back at me once again, shaking her head.
"Dad lives in Seattle now, has a new office there and Sue, the woman he's marrying, is his partner there."
"What does he think of you living here? So far away?"
"He doesn't love it, but understands it's what I needed at the time. I think of Paris as home more and more now. I can't see myself moving back permanently."
That makes me feel relieved. She won't move even when I know that as a designer, we can really work wherever we want.
"I've lived here for so many years that I don't see myself going anywhere else either. I used to visit some relatives in Chicago, but that's it. I'd always come home." I smile, of course those visits used to last almost a month. We are a big family. I miss them.
We finish our dessert in silence and after I pay the bill, I lead her to the other side of the terrace, so we can see La Tour Eiffel.
I stand behind her, my arms caging her to the low wall surrounding it. I love that she leans back and gives a contented sigh. I hope I give her the peace that she does to me.
I rest my chin on her shoulder and then we watch the city below us. Cars moving, people walking. It's a perfect day to spend it outside. But with her close to me, I get distracted... with her body. I slowly start tracing my mouth down the side of her neck. I have to keep in mind that we are in a public place, so this is as far as I'll go. For now.
Her breaths get faster and I can see that I'm getting to her. She turns her head to look at me and just before kissing me, she exhales softly close to my mouth. Lemon and mint from our dessert washes over me.
She kisses me this time: her lips soft and her pace slow. The sun warming our skins, but like this, the warming sensation also starts from the inside out. She's absolutely setting me alight and I've never felt more alive.
My right hand slowly moves to her stomach and I feel her shaking a little, just before her own joins mine. I start tracing shapes on her covered skin and she follows my movement.
"Edward." She whispers against my lips, her breath hot and sweet.
I really want to move my hand and feel her bare skin but the uttering of my name reminds me that we are in public and I reluctantly pull away.
"Are you sure you don't want to go back to my place after lunch?" She says breathlessly, kissing my neck.
My brilliant idea for the afternoon doesn't sound so brilliant anymore.
"Yes," barely. "We can go back to your apartment afterwards."
"Ok." She sighs sadly as we pull away. I have to take some calming breaths before moving, but soon we are heading toward the elevator.
"Thank you for the lunch and this place. Great view, I wish I had a camera or a sketchbook." We talk on our way down to the lobby.
"We can come back whenever you want." I promise.
We walk hand in hand toward Métro Kléber station. What used to be just a means of transportation to move around the city, turned into something that takes us to discover the city together. I don't really care that the cars are crowded; it only allows me to be closer to her.
We just stare at each other all the way to our destination and I often have to remind myself to check the web of stations on the map inside the car, to prevent missing our stop.
We get to Métro Mairie des Lilas and I lead her to the building I hope she'll like.
"Edward." My name is a soft whisper when we reach our destination.
We are standing in front of Le Théâtre du Garde Chasse, the old municipal hall built in early 1900s. It was restored years ago and converted into a theater. The exterior is inspired by the Grand Trianon in Versailleswith wide stone stairs leading up to big glass doors.
"This is Le Théâtre du Garde Chasse. It hosts performing arts, cinéma and exhibitions all year long. It was restored about fifteen years ago and I think is a piece of art in itself. I checked online and it turns out that August is the month when Alfred Hitchcock was born, so they have marathons of his movies every weekend during this month. We're just in luck, being that this the last Sunday this will happen." She doesn't say anything, just stares at the building.
"I thought maybe something a little different for movie Sunday. If you don't like it, we can go back to your place and-"
"Edward, stop it. I love it."
We enter and just look around the place. It has painted frescoes, with wood paneling all around. Even with more modern decorations, the place has an old feel to it and I can tell this is a perfect place to watch old movies.
"What do you wanna see?" I ask her. I don't care which one we watch, it's her afternoon.
"Oh, let me see." We check the list of movies. "'Dial M for Murder' or 'Psycho', I can't choose. You do it." She looks excited at the list of movies, she really can't decide.
"Why not both? They are not playing at the same time." She brightens up.
"Are you sure? Wouldn't it be too much?"
"Not at all." Alone in a dark room with her doesn't sound so bad. I can hold her while watching 'Psycho'.
I buy the tickets for both movies and some candy. It's not movie Sunday without candies, even though this is only the second Sunday we are doing this. Better start a tradition now, Bella doesn't seem to mind, with all the candy she buys as well.
My kind of girl.
We go to take our seats and the room is as breathtaking as the rest of the theater; intricate designs adorn the walls and ceiling; red, comfortable chairs fill the room, chairs that are retracted depending on the events they held here.
"Look." Bella signals to the ceiling.
Up there, there is a Belle Epoque canvas decorating the center of it, being flanked by painted panels on each side. There are also hidden lights to enhance their details.
"I won't be able to watch the movie in here."
"We can come back on another day, when they have dances or something else. I'll check online." I love making plans for the future with her.
The lights dim and the movie starts. We can hear the projectors at the back of the room and even when the images are a little grainy, it's all part of the appeal.
We spend the next few hours in that dark room, eating candy and getting lost in the story. As I predicted, Bella holds me closer when we watch 'Psycho', even when we all know what happens, when and how. She also keeps stealing my candy but, when I offer it to her, she declines. I don't get it.
We also make out here and there. I never knew a Hitchcock movie would elicit such a response. Then again, we are in a dark theater room.
I start to consider that perhaps my idea to come here was not so bad after all.
O~o~O~LB~O~o~O
"So what did you think?" I ask her while we walk to the Métro station. Night is closely approaching and the air is much cooler than before. I can see her eyes without the sunglasses on now.
"It was a great idea, much better than staying at my place." I might debate that thought after our kissing at the restaurant.
"Good, we can do this again anytime you want."
After getting off at Charles de Gaulle – Etoile, we keep on walking to Bella's place.
"Well, well, well. If it isn't the infamous Edward Cullen."
I freeze.
That voice, that disgusting voice. Memories of blood and laughing and rumpled bed sheets flood my mind. I turn and sure enough, there he is. James.
"James." I can barely stomach the word.
"Hello to you, too. I knew it was you I saw from afar. I just had to come and say hi." I just want to erase that smug smile of his. The only thing stopping me at the moment is knowing that Bella is beside me and this would be too much for her.
"And who is this lovely lady by your side?" He extends his hand to Bella. I want to rip it off, how dare he even look at her, much less touch her. But I can't do anything like that, I don't own Bella, she can shake hands with whomever she wants.
And she doesn't.
"Hello, Mr. Cross." She doesn't move an inch and if looks could kill, James would be dust by now.
His smile falters for a second, but he quickly recovers. He's not getting to her and that pisses him off. It also doesn't escape me that she didn't introduce herself to him. I sure as hell won't.
"Yes, hello. Well, I have things to tend to. You know how it is, Cullen, models demand so much attention from you these days." He's challenging me to say something. God I want to.
"I wouldn't know. Times have changed."
We stare at each other and I'm slowly losing control here.
"Edward? We need to leave now if we're getting to where we need to on time." I feel her hand on my arm, grounding me.
"If you'll excuse us, Mr. Cross, Edward is very much in demand; we need to leave."
"I'm sure he is." He doesn't look pleased at the fact that I didn't react like he wanted me to or maybe because Bella dismissed him that easily.
We quickly turn and leave him there.
Everything is a blur as we keep walking. In the back of my mind, I know we're heading to her place. She's the one leading me and I have no idea how we get there. Next thing I know, I'm sitting on her couch with her in the background. I think I heard her saying something about coffee.
James. I haven't seen the bastard in years. Not this closely at least. I only see him from afar and at functions. Flashes to two years ago plague me.
Fuck.
"Edward? Just breathe." Through the fog, I hear her voice and do as she says. That, combined with her hands on my hair, slowly calms me. Enough that I can actually take in my surroundings more clearly.
It's dark outside by now and as usual, the square is still full of people. Sounds are coming from one of the open balcony doors.
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have reacted that way." I must've scared her.
"Nonsense. Standing in front of the man who your wife cheated on you with called for something much worse. It was hard for me to not kick him in the balls." She sounds so angry and the image of Bella kicking James' ass makes me smile.
"I share the sentiment. I did break his nose the time I found them in bed together." I cringe but the image of James lying on the floor, his face covered in blood, really makes me smile. It's short-lived. The actions that led to that are nothing to smile about.
And just like that, my past crosses paths with my present. I've been avoiding telling Bella what really happened back then, all this time. And just when I decide that I will open up with her, James appears and makes something that initially had no deadline, now stand in my face.
"Oh Edward, I'm so sorry. That must've been awful. And then seeing those pictures of the two of them together in every magazine and newspaper for weeks. That was just disgusting. I can barely imagine what you felt when you saw them in every newsstand."
I shake my head, in disbelief or maybe trying to clear it. I stand up and walk to the balcony doors. I can see the light from the square and the ones beyond, at the heart of the city. Beautiful, calming. Just like Bella.
How did this day go from something so perfect to this moment? This is not the idea I had in mind when I thought about bringing Bella back here.
I stare at my reflection and notice just how tired I look. I sigh and my breath leaves a fog mark on the window. Now I look blurry. Good, I don't even want to see myself when I say these next words.
It's time to say something, I only hope this is not my last day with Bella.
"It was. But the first time I saw them was not in the press." I close my eyes.
"What do you mean?"
I can't turn around to face her when I say the words. I don't think I can stand the horror and disappointment I'll see in her eyes, actually, I know I can't stand it.
"Bella, I-" I take a few breaths. Just say it. "I was the one who sent those pictures to the press."
So, um... yeah. Such a lovely date and then this has to happen.
And a little bit about Rose. We'll find her someone special, just for her ;-)
Ok, you'll find your answers about Edward in the next chapter. Sorry to cut it here, but it was the only place it made sense. I'm pretty sure you wouldn't have liked me cutting it on the next one, LOL.
Also, a little bit of a timeline... as you can see, I never mention exact dates for this story (I've only mentioned in passing that this is August), mostly because I never thought of a specific year for it. However, I do think in terms of months and weeks. So, here goes: this story starts with them meeting in the first Saturday of August, which makes this date happen in the last Sunday of said month, as was mentioned here. So now we're moving into September. I know, it's been a month in fic time. Never thought this would be a slow burn.
As a side note, August is indeed the month when Alfred Hitchcock was born, however, there were no marathons of his movies in the cinéma that E took B into. So, the place is real, but with the rest, I'm taking creative license. Gotta love it, lol.
You can find pics of the restaurant and its incredible view and of the cinéma and its beautiful frescos up on my profile. After all, it was a pretty date. One of my favorite chapters to write, actually ... until James, that is.
Next chapter... pieces that you've seen here and there will fall into place. THE talk. I promise.
Thanks again for reading and I'll see ya in two more weeks.
