Stephe owns, yadda yadda.
Hi. Yeah, it's Thursday. I'm sorry, I'm blame the cold meds. I may not update next week, I want to catch up on writing the last few chapters and this week has been really hectic. I'll tweet about it (and everything else). ;)
Thanks to laurnorder and oscar519 for reading/betaing.
Thank you all so, so much for your love.
XOXO
Chapter 11 – Winning and Losing
"Where are you dragging me to today?" Edward asked over coffee the next morning. Bella aimed a gentle kick at him under the table and he laughed.
"You know there's nowhere else to go. You saw it all on the way in," Bella explained.
"No old stomping grounds? Favorite hangouts? Malt shops?" Edward grinned.
"No, Edward. I didn't grow up with Richie Cunningham." She rolled her eyes and got up to refill their coffee cups.
"Anybody home?" a voice called after the front door slammed. Bella smiled and dashed out of the kitchen to find Seth slipping out of his boots by the front door.
"Hey little buddy!" she yelled, throwing herself at him. He caught her and stumbled backward into the door laughing.
"I'm three feet taller than you, I don't think that nickname is really appropriate anymore," Seth said through his laughter.
"You'll always be that to me." She grinned up at him and he patted her head.
"I figured you'd come to check on Chief," Seth said as he pried himself from her grip and headed into the kitchen. "Did you bring me any cookies?" he asked, and then stopped short seeing Edward sitting at the kitchen table.
"Um… I did bring cookies. And Edward." Bella smiled sheepishly up at Seth. He laughed and stepped forward to shake Edward's hand.
"Edward Cullen, it's nice to meet you," Edward greeted him and slipped his arm around Bella's waist.
"This is Seth. My little buddy," Bella replied cheekily. Edward raised an eyebrow at her and she giggled.
"If you two will excuse me, I've got a phone call to make." Edward gave them a quick nod and went upstairs.
Bella watched him as he walked away but quickly turned her attention back to Seth.
"You've got some 'splaining to do," he said with his hands on his hips.
"About her handsome new boyfriend?" Sue asked as she entered the kitchen. She kissed her son's cheek and poured herself a cup of coffee.
"Yes. And why I've never heard of him." Seth scowled and Bella tried not to laugh. He was cute when he was trying to be the "overprotective brother".
"Don't feel bad, son. We didn't know either," Charlie explained from behind Bella. She threw her hands up, suddenly feeling surrounded.
"I said I was sorry!" Bella exclaimed.
"Actually, sweetheart – you didn't. But we understand." Sue patted her shoulder and smoothed her hair. Bella leaned into her, enjoying the affection from her "almost-mom".
"He's really, really great," Bella whispered. Seth smiled.
"I trust you," he said with a laugh.
"Did you check on your sister this morning?" Sue asked while the four of them sat around the table eating breakfast.
"I woke her up, actually. She said she didn't get much sleep last night, so I told her I'd bring her lunch," Seth explained.
Sue frowned but nodded.
"How is she?" Bella asked quietly. She had been so busy with work and Edward that she had fallen out of touch with Leah over the past few weeks. Bella felt awful about it, too, considering her friend's current situation.
"She's okay," Sue said with a shrug. "Worried, but okay.
Bella stared at her coffee mug. Leah's husband had recently been deployed – right after she found out she was expecting.
"And the baby?"
"Healthy," Seth told her. Bella nodded and picked at a spot on the table.
"She'd love to see you," Charlie said, pulling her from her thoughts.
Bella sighed and cast a glance toward the stairs.
"She'd be happy that you're happy." Sue squeezed her hand gently.
"I know," Bella replied, standing up and glancing around the table.
She made her way upstairs to get dressed and tell Edward that she actually did have plans for the day.
"Okay, baby. I'll see you tomorrow. I love you, too." Edward hung up his phone and leaned back against the pillows with a groan.
"What's wrong?" Bella closed the door and climbed onto the bed and snuggled up against his side.
"Emmett bought her a puppy," he explained. Bella laughed.
"A bribe?" She asked and felt him shrug.
"Maybe," Edward said, turning toward Bella and pulling her closer.
"Well, I don't think you have anything to worry about," she told him.
"Oh, I know." Edward laughed and pressed his lips to hers. "I think it will make her want to spend more time there, though."
"Will you let her?" Bella asked, running her fingers through his hair and pulling back so she could see his face.
"I've always felt that it should be her choice, you know? It's why I pick her up in the middle of the night if she wants to come home… Of course, now…"
"You just want what's best for her." Bella frowned.
"But I also want her to like me best," Edward whispered with a grin.
Bella laughed and kissed him again.
"She does. I can tell."
"Good." He chuckled and then fell silent as his hands ran down Bella's sides and one of his legs slipped between hers.
"Edward," she chastised.
"What's the point of hanging out in your bedroom if you won't even make out with me?" Edward teased.
"My father is downstairs!"
"That makes it so much more fun," he replied, pressing his lips to hers again.
"You're awful." Bella laughed and pushed him away then sat up and smoothed her hair.
"Did you decide what we're doing today?"
"I did," she replied, pulling him off the bed and kissing his neck.
"And?"
"We're going to the beach."
xXx
"You know it's too cold for the beach, right?" Edward finally asked once he and Bella had arrived in First Beach. He was right. As October approached, the days and nights began to get progressively cooler. Today they were both dressed in jeans and light jackets as they walked hand-in-hand down the beach.
"Well, we're not actually going to the beach," Bella explained, pulling him closer and breathing him in.
"Oh, really? You're just full of surprises aren't you?"
"We're going to see Leah," she said with a smile.
"Sue's daughter?"
"Right."
"Seth's sister?"
"You've been doing your homework," Bella teased.
"Your best friend?"
"One of them, yeah." Bella nodded. "She and her husband have this little cottage on the beach. Sam was deployed a few months ago, though."
Edward frowned. He didn't know anyone in the service, but he could only imagine how tough it would be to be away from someone you loved. He had a hard enough time being separated from Reagan for a few nights.
"It's about time your skinny ass got over here," a voice called from the front porch of the house they'd approached.
Bella laughed and practically jumped up the front steps. Edward watched, enthralled with her enthusiasm and the love she obviously felt for this woman. Then he watched her help Leah up from the old porch swing and rub a hand over her belly.
"Look at this baby!" Bella cried. Leah laughed and pulled her into a hug.
"I've missed you." Edward heard her say.
"You have no idea," Bella whispered back. "Oh! This is Edward. Edward this is Leah."
"I'm assuming you've already gotten plenty of shit for keeping this a secret so I'll keep my mouth shut." Leah smirked and shook Edward's hand.
"How very unlike you," Bella teased as Leah led them inside the little house. She made them all drinks and they settled in the living room.
"So Edward, Bella just decided to rip off the Band-Aid in terms of this whole 'meet the family' thing, huh?"
Edward chuckled and sipped his iced tea. "I agreed to it, so I can't really blame her. It's been nice."
"Charlie grilled him pretty good last night," Bella said with a laugh.
"Well, you can't blame him. I'd do the same to anyone Reagan might bring home." Edward shrugged and felt Bella stiffen beside him. It was the same reaction she'd had when he mentioned his daughter to Charlie.
"Reagan is Edward's daughter. She's seven," Bella explained to Leah's confused look. "She's actually the reason we met."
"She is, isn't she?" Edward smiled and squeezed her hand. "Do you know what you're having?" He turned his attention back to Leah, not want to seem rude but still wanting to wrap himself up in Bella.
"No," she replied, resting her hand over her stomach. "We wanted to find out, but it just feels wrong without Sam here."
"Understandable." Edward nodded. Leah smiled and changed the subject then, asking Bella about work and telling her about Sam's assignment.
They spent most of the morning with Leah, leaving just before lunchtime and finding a little diner on the way back to Forks.
Bella was quiet the whole way, seemingly lost in her own thoughts. Edward began to worry once they'd ordered lunch and she simply stared at her glass of water.
"Are you okay?" he asked as he reached over and took her hand.
"Yeah, I'm just worried about her, that's all." Bella frowned.
"She seems good, though. Strong."
"She is. I still worry, though."
"I'm sure she'll be fine," he said as he squeezed her hand. "I want to thank you."
"For what?" she asked, confused.
"For bringing me here. Letting me a little bit more into your world." Edward smiled.
"I'm not very good at that, am I?" Bella felt her face heat up in embarrassment.
"I understand, though. I do," he replied, trying to make her feel better. He did understand that it was hard to let new people in, especially when it came to family. There was always the chance that a relationship wouldn't work out and that was something that Edward had to worry about now that Reagan was involved.
But Edward was also very optimistic.
"I'll be better. I promise," she vowed seriously, then grinned, slid out of her side of the booth and joined him on his side. She smiled as she kissed him, her arms tight around his neck. They could have stayed like that for hours, but a not-so-subtle throat clearing broke them apart when the waitress arrived with their lunch. Bella laughed and ducked her head against Edward's shoulder while he thanked the woman.
"Well, I know that you like public displays of affection. I'll have to remember that for the way home," Edward said with a wink.
"Keep dreaming, Romeo."
xXx
After their bags were packed and goodbyes were said they were on the road again. Not before a quick chat with Charlie though.
"We'll be seeing you again soon, right Edward?" Charlie asked while Edward loaded his and Bella's bags into the car.
"Uh… yeah. Yes, sir. I suppose you will," Edward said with a nervous smile.
"And that little girl of yours. The way Bella talks about her – well, I'd like to know what's got my daughter so wrapped up," Charlie said with a laugh.
"You just wait. She'll have you wrapped around that dainty little finger in no time," Bella teased him.
"It's true." Edward shrugged, smiling to himself and enjoying the way Bella talked about his daughter.
"Please take care of yourself," he heard Bella say to her father.
"I will, kiddo," Charlie replied. She hugged him tightly and Charlie turned to Edward and shook his hand. "It was great to meet you… finally," he added with a wink in Bella's direction.
"Can it, old man," Bella called as she slipped into the car. Charlie laughed and waved as they drove away.
Edward drove, content with listening to Bella talk about her childhood and tell stories from her past. He felt like the weekend had opened up a little part of her that he had longed to know more about. She was, of course, careful not to get too in depth about her relationship with Jacob. For that Edward was grateful. He wanted to know more, but there were some things that could stay hidden… for now.
"So, Seth is screaming absolute bloody murder all because Leah is slipping grasshoppers under the bathroom door while he was in it!" Bella finished with a giggle. Edward laughed and squeezed her hand tightly then cast a quick glance over at her.
His chest tightened at the sight – sunglasses pushed up on her head, wide smile, and sun shining through her dark hair. She was beautiful.
And he was falling for her.
Hard.
"What are you thinking about?" Bella's voice broke his trance and her fingers in his hair sent a shiver through his body.
"Nothing," Edward muttered and focused on the road.
"Okay," she whispered with a smile, settling her head on his shoulder.
He sighed and kissed her forehead, then mentally zipped his lips because surely it was too early to be feeling that way. But then again… why wouldn't he feel that way?
The rest of the drive was quiet, both of them lost in their own thoughts.
Once they were inside Bella's apartment, she dropped her bag by the front door, slipped off her shoes and made her way into the kitchen.
"Do you and Rae want to come over here for dinner?" Bella asked as she pulled a bottle of water from the refrigerator. She turned around just in time to see him walking toward her, a dangerous look in his eyes. Bella nearly dropped the water in her hand as his arms wrapped around her and pulled her against him, his intentions perfectly clear. The plastic bottle fell to the ground with a dull thud when his lips met the skin of her neck.
"You teased me all weekend," he whispered before nipping her earlobe with his teeth.
"Did not," she gasped, arching into him and tangling her fingers in his hair. Edward chuckled and slipped his hands into the back pocket of her jeans.
"Maybe not, but I still thought about doing this," he told her before kissing her. Their lips moved together as need and want coursed through her body, leaving her gasping for breath and desperate for more.
He lifted her easily, the bedroom his main target, but they didn't make it that far. Bella wrapped her arms around him tightly and gave a quiet whimper when her back was pressed against the wall. Edward untangled her legs from around him and placed his hands on either side of her head, his lips back on her skin while he whispered sweet, quiet words to her.
She quickly pushed herself off the wall, her arms around his body as she pulled him to the couch. They toppled over into a mess of limbs tangled up on the leather sofa. Bella laughed and tugged at his t-shirt, her hands running over his lean body and bringing him back to her. Edward pulled away, moving slowly down her body. He pushed her shirt up before pulling it over her head and returning his attention back to the smooth skin of her stomach and then the button of her jeans. His breath was warm on her skin and she shivered under his touch.
"You're beautiful like this," he said as he slipped her jeans off.
"Only like this?" she teased.
"No, all the time," Edward answered, pulling her up and into his lap. He brushed her hair from her face and kissed her gently, then let his hands travel down. Her bra fell from his hands and she ran her fingers through his hair, bringing his mouth back to her skin and shifting her hips encouragingly.
Edward laughed against her skin. "So impatient," he murmured.
"Yeah, well… maybe I thought about it all weekend, too," she countered as she reached down to help him out of his jeans, not bothering to move from her spot in his lap. They laughed together until he finally pushed her off so he could take his pants off. He managed to extract his wallet before pulling her back into his lap.
"Safety first." He grinned. Bella shook her head and settled herself over him, watching his hands work between them. She placed her hands on his shoulders as she sunk down, her breath caught in her throat, stopping the words that she so desperately wanted to say to him. Her chest tightened at the look in his eyes and the gentle way he touched her. She only hoped he felt the same way.
Bella sighed and pulled him closer; enjoying the control he gave her and the freeness she felt when she was with him. Edward kissed her gently, teasing her mouth with his own until she gave a breathless laugh and pressed her lips to his. She could feel him smile as his fingers moved over her skin; drawing patterns and setting a fire that seemed to spread over every inch of her skin.
He whispered her name and gripped her shoulders, his lips on her neck as he pushed deeper. Bella wrapped her arms tighter around him, her movements faster and more desperate than before. She pressed her forehead against Edward's and closed her eyes, letting everything else take her over. He tangled his fingers in her hair and she opened her eyes, his grass-green ones answering the question she'd been asking herself earlier.
She kissed him then, pouring all she had into it, hoping he understood what it meant and how she felt. When she couldn't take it any longer, she pulled away, crying out quietly with her forehead pressed to his. He followed soon after with his lips on her skin and his hands in her hair, holding her close.
Edward released her face and leaned back against the couch, pulling her against his chest. They waited until their breathing evened out before speaking.
"Well… that was great, but I've got to go," Edward said with a light tap to Bella's backside.
She frowned down at him and he laughed.
"Kidding," he told her, pulling her down and kissing her nose.
"You're not funny," she called as she slipped off the couch and made her way into her bedroom. He followed, gathering their clothes on the way. He slipped on his boxers and pants while Bella was in the bathroom then sat at the edge of her bed. She gave him a small smile and walked toward him, freshly dressed in a tank top and shorts, and settled herself between his legs then kissed his head.
"I've got to pick up the kid," he said.
"I know." Bella nodded, resting her cheek against his hair. Edward's arms snaked around her waist and he hugged her tightly. "Thank you for coming with me this weekend. It really meant a lot."
"I was happy to do it, you know that."
"I know, that's why it means so much," she said, pulling back to kiss him.
"Anytime, sweetheart," Edward whispered.
"Hmm… nicknames, huh?"
"Maybe?" Edward grinned.
"Okay, Sugar-Tits. Call me later?"
Edward laughed and let her lead him into the living room to collect the rest of his clothes. He slipped on his shoes and pulled her to him one last time, not able to get enough of her.
"Sure thing."
"Tell Rae I miss her," Bella said as she walked him to the door.
"I will," he said, leaning down to kiss her cheek.
Bella sighed as she closed the door and leaned against it. It was there, she knew it was. She could see it in his eyes, feel it in her own heart. Getting either of them to act on it was going to be the difficult part.
xXx
Edward practically skipped up the front steps to pick up his daughter. The weekend with Bella gave him a renewed sense of hope. They'd both been able to open up a little bit about their past and their future. He knew they still had a ways to go until everything could be laid out, but Edward also knew that he and Bella were on the same page when it came to them.
He knocked and waited, listening to the sound of his daughter's laughter and the incessant barking that accompanied it.
Puppy.
"Hi!" Reagan cried as she briefly threw her arms around her father. "No, Chester!" She grabbed the puppy around the waist and hauled him back inside. Edward followed and closed the door quickly. He bent down and scratched the puppy behind the ears. Reagan beamed at him.
"Isn't he cute, Daddy? He's a Labrador. Emmett says one day he'll be bigger than me!" She giggled and held the puppy to her. Edward smiled and stood up, lifting Reagan up by the elbow.
"Very cute. Go get your stuff," he said just as Rosalie entered the foyer.
"Hey," she greeted him with a smile, mussing Reagan's curls.
"Daddy, can I stay here? I want to play with Chester." Reagan tugged on his shirt with a pout.
Edward frowned and looked between his daughter and her mother.
"It's late, baby," Edward told her. "We still have to eat dinner and–"
"Can't I eat dinner here, with Mommy?" She pleaded, holding his hand tightly.
"Reagan, I'm not driving all the way across town just to come back and get you in an hour," Edward tried to explain.
"Well, can't I stay the night?" She asked
"What?" Rosalie and Edward asked simultaneously.
"Can I stay here? Please Daddy?" Reagan clung to Rosalie's side and looked up at him with wide eyes.
Edward sighed and ran his hand through his hair. It was the very thing he had spoken to Bella about. His jealousy bubbled, and Edward briefly thought about refusing and making her come home with him. But, like he often did with Reagan, he let her have her way.
"That's fine," Edward replied. Rosalie smiled and untangled her daughter's arms from around her waist.
"Tell Daddy goodnight," she said.
Edward bent down and pulled Reagan into his arms. He held her tightly and kissed her cheek, determined to not let her see how disappointed he was.
"I love you, Daddy," Reagan said against his cheek. Edward smiled.
"I love you," he said as he pulled away and stood up. He gave Rosalie a quick nod before making his way out the door again.
Edward could have made it to Bella's house with his eyes closed, which was a good thing considering he could hardly focus on the road. He knocked and then walked in, finding the door already opened.
"That didn't take long," Bella called when she heard the door slam.
Edward tossed his keys on the kitchen counter and leaned against it, silent.
"What's wrong?" she asked when she finally turned around. "Where's Rae?"
"She wanted to stay," Edward said to his feet. Bella frowned and stepped toward him, settling herself between his feet and wrapping her arms around his neck.
"Fucking puppy," Bella muttered. Edward laughed loudly and pulled her against him, kissing Bella's cheek and feeling himself smile.
"Exactly," Edward replied. She smiled and kissed his chin.
"How about I get some stuff together and we stay at your place?" she suggested. Edward nodded and relinquished his grip on her.
She didn't ask him how he felt or what he was going to do. For that, Edward was grateful. He knew it wasn't such a big deal, but it still upset him. Reagan hadn't chosen Rose over him in months. He also knew it wasn't a competition; it was about his daughter's happiness. But, he thought as he and Bella drove back to his apartment, sometimes it was nice to think about his own happiness too.
