Author's Note: First of all, a big thank you to all those who have taken time to review. I truly appreciate and enjoy it, I'm glad you're having fun with the story to! Now to something important, Edward and Bella's first date!
Disclaimer: I still don't own the Twilight characters, bah-humbug!
Trust
Edward drove through the big city as if he had been doing it all his life. There was full cloud cover that never burned off and a light sprinkle dusted the windshield of my truck. He messed with the radio for a few moments before giving up on it. "So, I hope you like Italian?" he asked me.
"I love Italian, as long as you're okay with the garlic?"
"Myth, garlic is the same as any other food to me- mildly repulsive," he grinned that crooked smile. "Just out of curiosity, do you eat fish?" he asked me.
"No, but it's not a cultural thing; I just can't stand it," I responded.
"So you don't eat when in your mermaid form?"
"No, not at all; we actually can't metabolize food mermaid form."
"Interesting, you still have to show us that you realize, your mermaid form that is. Carlisle is secretly dying to see, though he will never ask, he wouldn't want to impose."
"You on the other hand have no problem asking," I pointed out.
"Nope, I've already seen. Well, I've seen your perception of yourself that is, and honestly peoples perceptions of themselves are rarely ever accurate."
"What do you mean? I know what I look like," I retorted.
"You, like most women, see yourself inadequate. Women these days hold themselves to impossible and unattractive standards. I just don't understand why you all want to look like little girls. Trying to starve away your beautiful curves," Edward obviously had some pretty strong feelings about this.
"You've thought allot about this," I said trying to stall for a good response that would help defend women everywhere.
"I spend allot of time in other peoples heads, and about half the population is female, if only they knew what the other half thought."
"If only! Cut us a little slack though. I know I'll never be a size two or even a four simply because of what I am and the mass amount of food I have to eat, I settle at a size eight. But we are bombarded by the media and what they tell us is attractive. I don't necessarily think the stick figure is attractive either, but we all see our own imperfections, even you I bet don't see yourself right. Maybe, just maybe there is beauty in all of us, from the skinny to the curvy. If only we could see ourselves through the eyes of others rather than by the reflection in the harsh two dimensional mirror or the number on a scale."
"Now that is exactly what I am talking about, that is why you, Bella, are so very special and beautiful, because you have a brain on top of your stunning good looks."
"Well it takes one to know one," I pointed out lamely. I wasn't very good at taking compliments.
"No, you're not. But that's ok, practice will make perfect. We're here." Edward stopped the car and parked in a close spot then had my door open for me before my hand had reached the handle.
"Volterra? Nope, never been here before," I wondered if letting a man who hasn't eaten in almost a hundred years book a reservation was such a bright idea.
"I read the reviews," he assured as he opened the door to the restaurant and walked up to the hostess, "the name caught my attention, it is supposed to be wonderful."
"Right this way," the hostess lead us to a secluded table. The restaurant was not busy, mid day between lunch and dinner.
I ordered a coke, some bread sticks and salad to start then looked at the menu. I was really hungry, but I couldn't possibly order all the food I wanted. I wondered if Edward would run me though fast food afterwards; would he be offended?
"I would not be offended, but I have a better idea. Tell me what you want and we'll each order food. No one is going to watch us eat anyways; they'll assume I ate my share. Not that is matters what they think."
"It looks odd Edward, I don't need to stand out anymore than you do," I said slightly frustrated with his attitude. "It's not that I care that they think I am a pig, I need to blend in to."
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to upset you," Edward apologized.
"No, I'm sorry, it's ok. How about I order the mushroom ravoli and you order the lasagna?"
"Sounds like a plan," Edward agreed.
Our food was brought out quickly and yes I ate it all, barley coming up for a breath. "Are you full?" he asked as I polished off the lasagna.
"Yep! That was perfect."
"We'll pick up dessert later," Edward suggested as he grabbed the bill.
"That's really not necessary" I said as I reached for it too late.
"I'm a little out of touch with modern customs so please correct me if I am wrong. If a gentleman asks a lady on a date, is he not supposed to pay?"
"Well, yes, but you shouldn't feel obliged to go on a date with me simply because I am your guest. You wouldn't want to mislead me after all."
"In that case I must pay because this is a date and I wouldn't want to mislead you into thinking otherwise."
"Thank you," I smiled at him, at this point I could really only hope that he had a percentage of the feelings I was developing towards him. Feelings that I myself did not really understand. I didn't know anything about Edward, yet somehow I knew everything I needed to know. I knew he was kind, compassionate, curious, fun, I knew he daily battled the monster within and conquered it. I knew him by the people he surrounded himself with, people like Carlisle and Alice. I knew him by his soft touch, the way he kissed me the other day and the way he was cradling my hand on the table now. I knew all I needed to know to make my decision. I loved Edward.
"What are you thinking?" he asked me revealing that he had not overheard my decision.
"About you," I answered him as the waitress brought back the check and I started to gather up my purse.
"I suppose it's only fair, I spend much of my time these days thinking about you, are you ready to go?"
"Sure, where are we going?" I asked as we walked out of the restaurant.
"How good are you at Put-Put?" Edward asked, I almost laughed hearing the phrase put-put come out of his mouth.
"I love mini-golf, but I'm afraid I really suck at it," I admitted as we made our way across the parking lot still holding hands.
"Well then, I suppose we'll have to find a way to handicap me," Edward suggested.
"Ohh, I'm sure I'll figure out a way," I said as I gathered all my will and courage. I stopped walking pulled him back towards me, he gave in and moved closer. "I'm excellent at distractions," I moved my free hand up his back and laced my fingers in his tousled amber hair. Standing on my toes I pressed myself up against him and pulled his head towards mine. Our lips met as his free arm embraced around my back drawing me even closer to him. It was like I had never been kissed before.
I came alive in his arms kissing deeper and now holding him to me with both arms. Edward was following my lead as he now had one arm around my upper back and the other was tightly pulling me at the waist towards him, I'm pretty sure he was supporting most of my weight now.
I ended too soon as Edward drew away, "I'm stronger than I thought, I didn't hurt you at all did I?"
"Hurt me? No, Edward that was amazing, I," I was at a loss for words.
"I'm still a vampire, and you may smell different than humans, but you still smell delicious, we need to be careful Bella," he paused for a moment, "I was holding you too tight, Bella I think I might have hurt you."
"Edward I promise you, I'm more than fine," he wasn't going to take my word for it. I grabbed his hand again and walked him to the far side of the car out of sight of anyone around. I turned my back towards him and pulled up my shirt showing the skin of my back, "see? I'm fine!"
Edward held the shirt up as I dropped my hands to my side. He ran his cool finger tips over the skin and grazed them over the wrinkles that were my gills. It felt like a pleasant electric current flowed wherever his fingers touched. He seemed satisfied after a few moments and pulled my shirt back down as he turned me back around.
"Told you I'm fine," I smiled at him, "You'll find I'm a bit more hardy than the average human."
"Bella, seriously, I need you to tell me if I ever cause you any pain or this is not going to work. I'm not always able to get in your head," Edward seemed genuinely distraught.
"Edward," I said with all seriousness, "I will tell you if you hurt me. I trust you, please also trust me."
Alright you know the drill, if you enjoyed, click the review button below; if you were left wanting, click the review button below. Thanks!
