AN: I don't own twilight
How would you guys feel about...detailed intimate moments between Edward and Bella? Not a full on anything, but not a breaking dawn maneuver? It would mean that I have to change the rating, but whatever you guys want.
Chapter 12
I woke up to my blaring alarm clock, why did I choose the most obnoxious sound to wake me? At least it did get the job done and I awoke on the first alert, leaving plenty of time to shower and change. I did everything slightly faster this morning than usual, possibly due to the nerves of the date. Although, date didn't seem like the right word, we weren't seeing each other romantically, we weren't doing anything I wouldn't do with family or a close friend. However, my emotions treated this meeting the same as the dates Bella and I shared in our teen years, but that only made the truth more important, something I'd have to keep at the forefront of my mind all afternoon.
I packed only food I remembered Bella enjoyed; those revisited memories were sometimes painful, but also easy. They could be painful because I knew that things could never be like that again, not with anyone else or even Bella; the glory of first love was gone. On the other hand, the memories of happy times were also easy; it was easy to understand my emotions at the time, even if they were sometimes alien now.
I was extremely grateful when it became an appropriate time to go over to Bella's. I grabbed the picnic basket that was full of various food and drink that we both liked and a blanket, the grass was sure to still have traces of last night's rain spritz.
The road to Bella's house was much more familiar then it should be, after all, it wasn't a street I traveled frequently. However, I knew the familiarity had to do with my past life with Bella. He house was like a welcome second home, even if Charlie wasn't comfortable with that at the time.
When I finally reached Bella's newly acquired home, it was three minutes until eleven. I walked up the concrete drive and old porch- with a newly added child swing and folding chairs. I knocked on the door and heard the sound of high pitched giggling and quick footsteps. Momentarily the door opened and Bella stood in front of me with Ashley clinging to her leg. Bella smiled and open the door wider stepping aside carefully in a gesture that was welcoming me in.
I walked into the house I knew so well, I could tell you anything about it. For example, there was a stain on the carpet in the living room from a time Bella spent here over the summer as a child; she knocked a table over, also sending Charlie's guacamole to the ground.
Ashley let go of Bella's leg and was staring at me intently while Bella shut the door."Sorry I'm not exactly ready yet, but Ashley was being a little...difficult," Bella finally said, looking down at her daughter who was wearing a mischievous grin on her face. I finally got a good look at Bella, she still had old sweats on, no shoes, and her hair appeared knotted.
"It's okay; we're not in a big hurry."
"Mommy, will I get to see Esme?" Ashley finally spoke, tugging slightly on Bella's pant leg.
"Yes, Ashley, hold on," Bella looked from me to her daughter." Could you watch her for a minute?" She seemed timid to ask, almost as if she expected me to be insulted.
"Of course," I smiled at her.
Bella briefly glanced between her daughter and me again, finally she walked up the stairs and left Ashley and I in the foyer.
I decided to make conversation with Ashley so I knelt down to her height. She gave me puzzled look, pursing her lips like she was trying to figure out what I was doing. "Edward?" She mumbled questioningly, swaying from side to side.
"Hi Ashley." She swayed a minute longer before walking over to me, putting her small hands on my knees. "Are you excited to go see Esme?" I asked, in a strange hope to make conversation with a three year old. In response she bobbed her head up and down, causing her pig-tailed brown hair to move along with her. I noted that along with Bella's hair and completion, she had Bella's eyes, but they were interfered by another color that I couldn't make out.
Ashley began to tug on my fingers, analyzing them in a childlike manor. I was beginning to realize that even her simple movements could instantly remind me of her mother; maybe that's just how my brain works, leading everything back to Bella.
I began to hear uneven footing thumping down the stairs. I turned around to see that Bella had her old, black Vans, comfortably fitted jeans, and a blue sweater. Her long, wavy brown hair was now smoothed and held out of her face by a plain black head band. She was looking at Ashley, who was still amused by my hands and hadn't noticed Bella's entrance.
"Ashley, are you ready to go visit Esme?" Bella asked to grab her attention. Ashley looked up from my hand and shook her head quickly as a response to the question.
I grabbed Ashley as an attempt to help Bella as she grabbed Ashley's bag and car seat, and walked out to the Volvo. We arranged Ashley's car seat and settled her in; I was amazed at how cooperative she was for a toddler.
The drive to my parents' house was filled with small talk, mostly centered around each of our careers. Ashley stayed quiet, except for the one time she asked how long it was going to be until we got there.
Once we arrived Ashley appeared to be excited about spending the afternoon with my mother. When we were greeted by Esme at the door, Ashley clutched onto her leg until she was picked up. Bella and I only stayed momentarily and then went back to the car.
"Did you pack the lunch?" Bella asked once I pulled out of the woods.
"Yes, it's in the trunk," I gestured behind me and then changed the track number on the CD.
"I don't know if I should clap at the fact you made lunch," Bella muttered, using sarcasm while fixing the volume.
"You know, I am perfectly able to take care of myself. After all, I do live alone and I don't go to Esme for every little thing," I replied in a light tone, she already knew what I was telling her.
She rolled her eyes and looked out the window. Today seemed like a particularly peaceful day in Forks, there were little clouds in the sky and it was pretty warm, aside from the occasional breeze.
Neither of us attempted to make small talk to break the silence, we were both comfortable with no conversation. After about twenty minutes of driving I pulled over alongside the trails, although we wouldn't be talking any of them.
I got out of my Volvo and walked around the front of the car quickly to open Bella's door. She blushed and muttered "Thanks" in response, the followed me to the trunk of my car. I hit the corresponding button on my keys and grabbed the blanket and basket. I handed Bella the blanket and retrieved my sunglasses from the gym bag that was also in the back. I locked up my car and began to lead the way through the forest.
"Wow, it still looks the same," Bella muttered while we were walking towards the meadow, via my new short cut.
"Bella, it's a forest, of course it looks the same," I chuckled slightly.
"Well...it's not so much that it looks the same, it...feels the same," she looked at my face while I was giving her a puzzling look.
"I guess I'm not making any sense," she muttered looking down at her feet.
"I think I understand what you're saying. Almost like, everything feels right?" I asked cautiously, by my standards my life was right now.
"Yeah," she smiled at me.
We continued to talk about the forest, Charlie, college-although we stayed clear of anything outside of the classroom. Finally after close to two hours of walking - the time shortened due to my new path was extremely helpful- we made it through.
"The meadow," I acknowledged with a sweeping hand gesture.
