Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyer owns everything Twilight…
ok…thank
you to the people who have so far reviewed. you are beyond sweet and
this one goes out to you.
ps the presets and sam sparro are
Australian artists! woot go Australia…aussie pride (it was
Australia Day yesters) so im trying to educate others with some good
music…lol…and share some of my beautiful inspiration!
anyways...enjoy this next chapter…
Chapter
11:
Date
Soundtrack
: The Fear You Won't Fall by Joshua Radin
"Look up. Yep, now eyes closed. Uh huh. Now, open up. Perfect," Rose said, evaluating her handiwork at applying my make-up. Alice had had to work late that night so had left strict instructions for Rose to help me get ready for my big date. I could hardly keep still as I sat on a stool in the bathroom. I was plucked and pampered, my brown hair cascading in loose curls around my shoulders. Rose used one of Alice's silver hair clips to pin a bit of hair up on one side so it was out of my face.
Rose did a fantastic job with my make-up, making it subtle to pass as natural yet still making my eyes look that bit bigger and my lips a little more luscious. My nails were drying with Rose's silver nail polish she promised would look 'killer' with the dress. Now all that was left was to get dressed and wait for Edward to arrive.
I
hadn't seem him at work today and I was rather relieved because
seeing him would mean trying to hide my downright excitement about
tonight and that was truly a difficult task. I looked around
anxiously for a clock and Rose noticed my agitation.
"Don't
worry Bella, it's only twenty to. You've got plenty of time. But
go get dressed. You need to keep your hands busy or you're going to
ruin those nails."
I put on my dress and shoes, clasping a silver charm bracelet my mother had given to me for my graduation. So far, there was only three charms. A mini graduation hat and a star from my parents and a Disney one I had bought with Rose and Alice on our trip to Disneyworld one year.
I was glad that Alice's ideas hadn't gotten overhand and she remained classically simple, as was my style. Comfort over beauty was my motto, much to Alice's disgrace, who couldn't understand why I would wear sweats over skinny jeans which did not allow my knees to bend. Who would've thought? Rose came in to see if I needed any help but she just smiled and adjusted the placement of my dress and a few loose hairs. She gave me a big hug.
"You really do look beautiful, Bella. He sure is a lucky guy," she said sincerely. "Not that he needs any luck. He got all the luck in the world becoming that hot!" It was typical of Rose to joke around in these times and I was really glad about it because I could feel the nerves starting to take over my previous excited emotions. Suddenly the door bell rang. I think my eyes went wide with fear because Rose chuckled, giving me a quick, reassuring kiss on the forehead before running to get the doorbell. I stood there in my room, completely scared stiff.
I
heard Rose unlocking the door and showing Edward in.
"Hi, I'm
Rosalie. Bella's best
friend and roomie. Nice to meet you, Edward." I was slightly
relieved that Rose actually said his name right. She'd been making
a habit out of calling him Eduardo at home. The humour seemed to
loosen me up a little bit more but I could still feel the butterflies
in my stomach.
"Very nice to meet you Rosalie." I heard Edward
say. With all the distance, I could still feel my knees weaken at his
voice.
"Oh, call me Rose. And trust me, the pleasure is all
mine!" Rose said, mischievously. There was a slight silence and I
realised that they were expecting my entrance. I started to panic. I
couldn't go out now, just a little more time would be great.
Luckily Rose came to my rescue, again! God, I really did love that
girl!
"Bella's
just getting ready. She'll be down in two ticks. Count them." and
I heard her footsteps running towards my room. I started taking deep
breaths to calm myself as Rose came into my room.
"Come on,
Bella. Can't keep him waiting! Gosh, he is gorgeous. Even better
close up! Go, Bella." she said in a whisper. I tried to let out a
laugh but my breaths were too quick for me to have much success with
that. Rose laughed, pulling me into a quick hug.
"You look gorgeous. He is gorgeous but waiting. So put him out of misery. He waited long enough for your call. Love ya, good luck and get your booty out there girl!" She handed me my clutch and coat, pushing me out the door. I don't know what did it, but I thought about the confidence Rose and Alice always had in any public situation, male species present or not. I called on that to maybe give me the courage to not stuff this up. With one last breath, I walked out to the lounge room, where Edward, ever so patiently, was waiting for me, dressed in a suit but no tie. I couldn't help but realise it was just like my dream.
His
eyes widened as I walked in.
"Wow, Bella. You look…amazing,"
I blushed furiously. I never knew how to respond to
compliments like this. Luckily he saved me from saying anything
stupid. "Of course, it's all in the dress. And which genius
picked it out for you? Great taste, I must say." I rolled my eyes
and relaxed at the thought that this night might not be so
nerve-racking after all.
"Shall we go?" I hinted. He led me to
the door, putting his hand on the small of my back, and as we reached
the door, I took a quick glance back and saw Rose giving me the big
thumbs up. I winked back at her before going through the door Edward
held open for me.
He led me right to his silver Volvo, parked outside the apartment block. I found myself thinking like Rose, judging the guy by his car. From my experience spending time with Rose who is car obsessed!, a Volvo meant the driver liked his speed yet was not a reckless guy, and still considered safety high on his priority list.
I had to say, Edward was looking even better every second. He was a good driver, if I could say the least. Though his eyes seemed to be on me a lot more than on the road, he had a steady hand and almost in built radar for incoming danger. We talked freely during the trip that before long, we had already arrived at our destination.
It must have been on the outskirts of town because the streets were rather quiet and dark, meaning this particular restaurant, Galileo's, stood out on the street. Even from the outside, it looked like one of those really fancy restaurants, with a doorman! As we entered, the doorman, took our coats, hanging it in a closet! and a friendly waitress brought us to a table towards the back, where it was more private. She was all smiles for Edward, obviously and hardly registered my presence.
But Edward hardly glanced at her as he held the chair out for me and sat on the opposite side. I tried to smile politely at the waitress but she just glared and stomped off to get the menus. I couldn't help but realise how VERY much this was like my dream. The private table at a fancy restaurant, dimly lit and beautifully romantic. Oh, it truly was a dream come true. Looking down at the menu though, the prices jumped out at me. With this type of furnishing, the prices obviously met the cost of the place.
"Edward, this place is beautiful. But it's far too pricy. I can't let you pay for something like this." However much I regretted saying this, it was true. I wasn't going to take advantage of him just for a date. Good dates don't always have to be at the most gorgeous restaurant I had ever discovered in New York! He merely scoffed at my concern.
"Oh,
Bella. Who said I was paying?" I immediately felt my jaw drop as I
realised the intention behind this statement. Did he mean? What did
he..? What?
No words could form in my mouth, but it continued to
open and close like a gaping fish, much to my later embarrassment.
Seeing my face, Edward laughed out loud.
"Gosh, Bella, I was
joking. Of course I'm paying. And if we don't have enough, I
guess we'll have to wash the dishes tonight." By that time, I
knew he was playing with me so, for his benefit I gave a heavily
sarcastic ha-ha! I turned back to the menu, having that sorted out -
but still a little guilty for him spending so much on me - and I
could feel his gaze still upon me.
"Besides," he suddenly said. "I have a special discount. I'd like you to meet my brother. Emmett, this is Bella." As he said this, a large, muscular man, who still looked not too uncomfortable in a suit came to our table. He had a dark brown crew cut and dimples on his cheeks as he gave this massive grin. When he smiled, his whole face seemed to light up and, already from first impressions, I could see this guy really liked to joke around, much like his sibling.
"Ah, the famous Bella. It is a pleasure to meet you. Edward won't stop going on about you!" he said in a loud booming voice. In such a quiet, intimate restaurant, his voice may have been a bit too loud as all the customers turned to look at us. I know my face turned bright red but Edward and Emmett were merely laughing. Emmett pulled a chair from an empty table next to us and took a seat.
"So,
um, brothers?" I said, looking between them, to try and find some
resemblance. Emmett laughed even more easily than Edward, and it was
a loud laugh, let me assure you that.
"Yeh, he's my little
brother. He's adopted by the way. So don't sweat if you can't
find the similarities." I must have looked surprised because Emmett
picked up on my obvious ignorance.
"Ah, I'm crushed bro. You
didn't even tell the girl about me? What? Ashamed? Thanks a lot,
bro. Means a lot." he said, pretending to hang his head as he fake
sobbed. Edward merely rolled his eyes as I struggled to contain my
laughter.
"Emmett
thinks he's really funny. Doesn't let us forget it either, do
you?" The loud 'sobs' immediately stopped as Emmett's head
snapped up.
"Coming from you little bro?" then he turned to
me. "You know this guy? Such a nerd. Always going about his music
or books. I mean, he works at a bar yet he still not getting any!"
This earned a playful punch from Edward and I giggled at the
brotherly immaturity. But Emmett continued his little story.
"And
then, you come along. It's all he talks about. And he's always
smiling! It's like having the male freaking Mary Poppins in the
house the way he sings in the shower and all. Girl, you changed him.
It's a little scary but it's better than poor, old miserable
Eddie. Thank you, Miss Bella, for giving my brother a smack where the
sun don't shine. Now, I can actually talk to this guy and not feel
like I need to go to therapy." Tears were rolling down my face with
laughter and however embarrassed Edward actually was, he was doing
really well to hide it and he soon joined in the laughter.
However, Emmett kept his straight face like what he said was the most momentous thing ever voiced which made Edward and I laugh all the more. I could feel all the eyes in the restaurant, even from the staff on our table but I didn't actually care. This was turning out to be a really good date.
Emmett
stood up as our laughter died down and clasped his hands looking very
official.
"So what can I get you kiddos? I would highly
recommend the Sea Bass, Bella. Our chef cooks the best in the whole
of New York. Personally,
I'd say best in America but I guess I'm kind of partial to the
guy. What do you say?" It was quite a change from playful, childish
Emmett to this guy who seemed so much like a dignitary or
something.
"Sure, I'd like the sea bass."
He took my menu
as he turned to Edward.
"Um, I'll have the same thing," he
said, holding out the menu for Emmett to take. Emmett rolled his eyes
and ruffled Edward's hand as he walked past. Edward sighed.
"So, that's Emmett. My so-called protective big brother but incredibly childish some. No, most of the time." Edward shook his head, in thought and I admired the relationship he had with his brother. I was rather shocked yet envious. You know, you hear all the stories about sibling rivalries and fights and me, nor any of my close friends have any siblings to have contradicted this fact for me. I grew up really thinking that siblings never really got on. But here was Edward, looking almost best buddies with Emmett and they weren't even biologically related. It was really heart-warming.
"He's done a great job with this place eh? It used to be some old pub with disgusting wallpaper and beer and smoke stains everywhere. But Emmett really saw something here and he changed it all around. My father helped him a bit financially so he could fix this place up. And now look at it! It's crazy but when Emmett puts his mind to it, he can really achieve something beautiful. And he's paid back my dad and the banks who gave him loans and is even mortgage free! Amazing!" Edward explained. Past my own awe for Emmett's dedication to this place, I could see in Edward's eyes that he was truly proud of brother. It was so sweet!
I eyed Edward's hand on the table and had just picked up the courage to move and place my hand on his when the waitress returned with a bottle of wine. I immediately snapped my hand away, embarrassed. As she poured the wine into our glasses she said with what sounded like gritted teeth, "Compliments of the manager." and left without another word. Edward and I looked over to Emmett who was talking to one of the other tables and when he looked up to us, we raised our glasses in silent thanks and sipped delicately.
"So, how's the Times treating you?" Edward asked. And from then, conversation flowed freely through the night. It was so easy to talk to Edward and he looked genuinely interested in what I had to say and I wasn't bored out of my brains talking to him either. We joked, laughed, argued a bit and listened to each others stories with great interest. All in all, it was fantastic, perfect even.
The meal was delicious. Emmett was right, the sea bass was amazing. I finished it eagerly much to Edward's amusement. I was much too full for dessert but we sat there for quite a while, just talking. A few times, his leg would brush mine under the table and I felt surges of electricity taser my body every time. It was exhilarating.
All through dinner, I fought the urge to reach out to him just to touch him but with every sense of self dignity and logical thinking I had left, I reigned myself in. it really was quite exhausting! Too soon it seemed, most of the guests had left and the kitchen staff for closing down for the night. Emmett rejoined us at our table and he shared some embarrassing stories of Edward in his childhood.
Time flew by, as it always seemed to when Edward was present and my eyes were starting to get droopy with tiredness. Edward immediately opted we call it a night and Emmett gave me a big bear hug telling me really quite heartily that it was a pleasure to meet me. I couldn't agree more as Edward helped me with my coat and led me to the car.
I fought against my sleepy eyes to stay awake and talk to Edward and when we fell into silence, we were pretty talked out but it wasn't like an awkward silence where either or both parties racked their brains for something to say. It was just comfortable where we just enjoying each others company and felt no need for words to enhance the moment.
It looked almost natural as Edward held my hand in my lap as he drove though I couldn't quite get over the electric shocks I was feeling through his touch. He courteously walked me right up to the apartment door. I didn't want to wake Rose or Alice as it was already past midnight so I unlocked the door and turned around to face him.
"Thank you Edward. Tonight was…just perfect." I couldn't into words how unbelievably great the date had been, but I didn't want to seem too forward. His face was within inches of mine. A place I very much liked it to be. I could smell his beautiful scent, his eyes locked on mine as if testing my reaction. I wanted to know it was ok and I started to lean in so I could finally taste those lips.
And the moment our lips met, should be marked down in history. It was like nothing I had ever encountered before. As his lips moved against mine delicately yet oh so firmly, my lips burned with the touch and I wanted more. My fingers intertwined in his gorgeous hair, tugging him closer. He took a step closer, his arms circling around my waist, bringing me ever closer. For the first time I felt my face going hot, not from embarrassment, but from the passion of this kiss.
I parted my mouth, allowing access to his tongue, meeting it with mine. His hands were firm on my back but one started to wander south, picking up the end of my skirt, bringing it up. This was wrong. Call me old-fashioned but I wasn't that easy. I wanted Edward so bad, he awakened this passion so unfamiliar to me yet I would have been happy for it to take over. But I had my own self preservation to think of and I just wasn't one of those girls. So I had to stop this before it went any further than I was ready to go.
"Edward?"
I tried to twist my way out of his grasp. I put my hand to his chest,
gently trying to push him away or at the very least to give him the
hint that I wanted, needed to stop.
"Edward?" I pleaded again.
He continued kissing me, the side of my lips, my jaw line, my neck,
my shoulder. If I wasn't enjoying it so much I would have put a lot
more conviction into my pleads but my voice faltered. But as I felt
my skirt going even higher, I immediately snapped out.
"Edward!" The harshness of my voice surprised myself and obviously Edward. He stepped back immediately looking guilty. I don't know what came over me but I was angry and it must have showed in my face because Edward looked suddenly apologetic. I ran inside and slammed the door shut to his pleas for me to let him explain. Oh, how I'd heard that all before. I thought you wanted this. Don't you want me? How typical? I leaned against the door, waiting for Edward's pleads and knocking to stop as I felt tears running down my cheeks.
Why? When I finally found myself falling for a guy I thought could possibly be past all those jock-like behaviours and be an actual genuine man not just interested in getting a girl into bed! he turned out to be just the same. Silence finally overcame the apartment and I slid down the door so I was sitting on the ground with my back to the door, letting my sobs take over me.
The
lights suddenly came on and two very panicked, yet tired girls in
their pyjamas came running towards me.
"Oh Bella!" Alice
came, kneeling beside me, trying her best to give me a hug in this
awkward position. Rose sunk to my other side, with a reassuring hand
stroking my head.
"He…he" I tried to get out. It was times
like these that I knew Alice would make a really great mum She rubbed
my back gently and spoke with this sweet, motherly voice.
"Shhh,
Bella. Don't say anything. Let it all out babe. Just don't talk.
Not now."
I don't know how long we sat there.
The three of us, at the door, me sobbing and my two best friends by my side, comforting me, telling me to just cry it all out. I fell asleep with mascara smeared down my face with my tears, curled into Rose's arms. I vaguely remembering Alice and Rose trying to carefully carry me to my room. But they made it as far as the couch. I felt warm towels wipe my face, the tightness in my hair, from the hair clip, and of my shoes removed and my dress replaced with some comfortable sweats. They adjusted the pillows and wrapped a big blanket around me. The last I remember was Alice's sweet, angelic voice humming me to sleep just like I was a little baby.
Sorry…but trust me…it had to happen. You'll see why.
