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Prompt: Frame
A/N: No beta.
Edward: "We made a pretty baby didn't we?"
[BPOV]
I was silent for what seemed like hours. With that one statement, Edward had taken us right back to high school and sex together and a precise and thorough acknowledgement of where we'd been.
"Yes... He's... He's a beautiful boy... Precious."
"I wonder if I'll ever see him," he mused quietly.
"Time will tell." I could sense that Edward wasn't saying everything that he wanted; only I wasn't quite close enough to try and draw him out so he could feel better.
"I guess I should just try to see you first, eh?" he sort of chuckled and I was grateful for his lighter tone.
"Yeah! Tomorrow and Saturday should be fun. I'm looking forward to seeing you guys, and the games here are insane."
"Great." I could've sworn he sounded a little deflated. Was it because I was inclusive of everyone else? "So I'll call when we're on the way and when we arrive. Rosalie will have a separate room, so if you and your friend want to stay, I'm sure there will be plenty of space."
"I'm looking forward to it."
"Me too." He was quiet for a second before saying, "I'll talk to you tomorrow then, okay?"
"Okay. I'm glad we talked Edward."
"Me too Bella. Sweet dreams, okay?"
"Thanks - same to you."
Naturally I slept like crap and by the time Edward called the next evening to tell me they were en route, my stomach was jumpy and I was buzzing around like a nervous bumble bee on speed. Angela came over to keep me company and we spent the next few hours gabbing and getting ready. When Edward called to say they'd arrived at the hotel, I told him we were on the way and hung up the phone to freak out in earnest.
Angela squeezed my hand and I just couldn't let go. I'd never loved anyone like Edward and I hadn't had the stomach to get serious with anyone else after Michael was born. I reiterated all of this to Angela as we drove over and by the time we got there, my palms were sweaty and I really felt like just running away.
We got the room number from the receptionist and I stayed silent as we went up. I must've cut off the circulation in Angela's hand because I wouldn't let it go. I was mindlessly clenching my jaw and clamped down on her hand the whole way to the room. When we got to their hallway, I took a deep breath and stopped. Angela turned to look at me, sympathy softening her features.
"I'm petrified!"
"Bella," Angela's voice was super calm and controlled. "He's just another guy. They're your friends. Just remember that if it sucks, all we have to do is tell them it was great but we're going home. Nothing is carved in stone. You don't have to be strong or perfect or even cool, okay?"
I closed my eyes and breathed a few more times. I tried to put myself in the room with them: Emmett, Rosalie, Angela, Edward, and the Ben person I didn't know...
"Are you okay?" Angela asked a few seconds later. She was worried.
"I'm visualizing a positive experience." I smiled as I said it, took some more calming breaths and forced my body to relax. It was like Angela said: I'd walk in, greet everyone, be myself, and if it sucked, we were completely free to go.
I felt a little better and opened my eyes, ready to move forward. We walked to the room and I lifted my hand to knock.
Edward.
Edward Cullen.
And then there he was, standing in the open doorframe, smiling softly and practically sparkling with joy.
"Bella!" he exclaimed, and then I was in his arms, my face tucked against his shirt, my arms loosely around his torso. I was shockingly aware of my chest crushed against him, our bodies close together, and I pulled away a little awkwardly. I could barely meet his eyes for a second before I felt all blush-y and overcome with the urge to burst into tears.
When Rosalie hugged me the tears forced their way out and I felt a profound mix of loss and reconciliation slam into me simultaneously. Next, Emmett scooped me up and swung me around so that by the time my feet were back on the floor, I was laughing happily and wiping tears away.
"Everyone, this is my friend Angela," I said, and pulled her into our circle. A guy I didn't know gave me his hand and said simply, "Ben."
I shook it happily, said, "Bella," in return and did a Vanna move to show off Angela. She smiled in a way that showed her charm and interest and shook Ben's hand, quickly making her acquaintance with the others as well.
"Drink?" offered Rose.
"Absolutely," I answered and followed her to the little kitchen area.
As I turned to survey the room, I tipped the beer bottle up, took that first ice-cold sip, and found Edward across the room.
He was smiling at me like I had just come home after a foreign war, and I had but one thought: God was he beautiful.
