Twilight and all of its recognizable characters is owned by Stephenie Meyer, but I, Rochelle, own this particular malarkey-of-a-plot.
Thanks to the beta queens Tiffany and Nicole, for their sweetness & love, attention to detail, grammar greatness, and sentence savvy.
thanks to those who alerted, favorited, & reviewed (especially regulars like babette, readingmama, icelandgirl812, tnuccio. much love. thanks, jime22 & rpgirl27 - for reccing me elsewhere. hugs!)
Rose knelt beside me, bringing another box to the cobwebby corner of the room we were organizing. Today was finally moving day, and the Crowley brothers had brought their father's construction truck to help Em and Edward move furniture to the flat.
Emmett, being typically single and male, hadn't much in his room besides sparse furniture, clothing and dust, so our job was fairly easy, but we'd been at task throughout much of the morning, managing to pack up most of my brother's bedroom. I'd have done the same for Edward, but apparently he'd packed most of his things gradually over the last few evenings.
I was comfortable spending time alone with Rose; our conversations had grown easygoing and effortless over the few times we'd gone about as a group. She never patronized me, and I found myself wanting her opinion on certain matters.
"We'd have probably been together if not for all this shite with living in different parts of town," Rose was saying wistfully, a light frown marring her face as she studied one of Emmett's hurling championship trophies. He'd a whole collection of sports mementos, dating back to his earliest school days.
Folding the flaps of my now-full cardboard box, I looked over at her. "Probably," I agreed, nodding. I sat on the floor, looking around. "Well… I think we're done, then."
She sat down too, wiping her palms over the thighs of her jeans. "That wasn't too bad. They should be back soon, yeah?"
"Yeah," I agreed, studying her, the strands of buttermilk blonde in wisps around her face.
She smiled at me briefly, turning her attention to her nails.
"Rose?" I began cautiously, not wanting to seem nosy… when in fact, that's just what I was about to be.
"Hm?"
"Do your parents know about you and Em?"
Rose drew her knees into her chest, and then rested her cheek on top of them. "I haven't spoken to me da in years."
"Why?" I asked, my curiosity besting my manners.
"We …don't get along," she answered cryptically.
"Oh. I'm sorry," I chewed my lip repentantly, sort of wishing I hadn't brought it up at all.
She shrugged indifferently. "It's probably better this way; he'd kill me if he knew I was seeing a Catholic."
I nodded, understanding, because that's just the way it was. My own parents had strong opinions regarding the government of course, but they really loved and accepted Rose; they could see she was a good match for Emmett - despite their incongruous backgrounds.
"I don't mean to pry, Rose," I said, watching her closely.
Sighing, she shook her head. "You're not, and you'll find out soon enough so I might as well tell you… I got pregnant two months before graduating and me Mum and Da kicked me out."
I gaped openly, not understanding how anyone could treat their child that way. "But, then, what –"
"I lost it," she said dryly, anticipating my next question. "All that, and I didn't even have the baby."
"I'm so sorry," I whispered, my insides twisting.
While Rose was older than me, only a month younger than Emmett actually, she didn't look it; her skin stayed a flawless peaches and cream. Her eyes, and the things she spoke of, were the only things that betrayed any sort of aging at all, making her seem wise, as if she'd seen a lot. You'd never know by looking at her that she'd endured such loss, from both her parents and the child she'd never even known.
"Oh, Bella, 'twas years ago; it's alright. I did call my mother afterwards, to tell her I'd miscarried, and she offered me my old room but… I wanted nothing to do with that. I talk to her every now and then, but there isn't any point in me telling her anything," she continued.
We sat quietly for a while, resting, and I tried to absorb the weight of what she'd just told me.
Finally I spoke up, reaching out and patting her hand. "I'm so glad Em's with you. He's really happy," I said honestly.
She nodded, her own face opening up. "He's the best part of me life, Bella. I want to be with him always."
It warmed my heart to know Em had a girl like this in his corner… and that he treated her the way she deserved, as well.
"Judging by his face when he talks about you, that's quite likely," I grinned. "Out of curiosity, would you convert? If he…asked you to get married?"
"Oh, he's already asked me that, love," she said smugly, straightening her legs out.
My eyes nearly popped from their sockets. "What?!"
"Twas a casual conversation but, safe to say we both know where the other stands on that particular subject."
"Marriage or religion?"
"Both," Rose answered, folding her hands atop her legs. "I've no allegiance to anything. I mean, I was raised Protestant but… I can't recall the last time I stepped inside a church. As for marriage, I'd gladly commit to Emmett."
She was so matter of fact about it all, and that was refreshing. "Rose, how long have the two of ye been going around?" I asked.
"A year last month," she replied promptly.
"He did a fine job of keepin' that under wraps now didn't he?" I remarked, a bit indignant at being left out of the loop.
"He had to, hardly anyone knows. I've already been harassed about it…"
"By who?" I wanted to know.
"Certain… boys on the street. We try not to hang about in public much, but he does walk me home sometimes as you know. And Edward's been grand about letting us use his vehicle, so that helps," she explained.
My heart sank further and further as I listened. If I thought I had problems, poor Rose had it infinitely worse; not only was her man a Provo, and therefore constantly risking his freedom and his life, but society frowned severely on relationships like theirs. It wasn't unheard of for members of one group or the other to attack couples that chose to ignore such societal "rules".
I shuddered. "What will ye do?"
"Keep on sneaking about for now, I don't know. It doesn't make a difference really. When the time comes, we'll figure it out," she said, shrugging again.
"So, what about you and Edward?" she asked suddenly, catching me off guard with the change of topic.
My face warmed, just like it used to do whenever I'd think about him. "He's my first…everything," I admitted, picking at the hem of my jeans. For some reason, it was easy to confide things like that to Rose.
"Why am I not surprised?" she mused, chuckling.
"What do you mean?" I asked, sitting straighter in anticipation. It occurred to me that if she'd been seeing my brother for a year, then she'd plenty of insight as to who Edward was when he wasn't with me.
Or, at least, who he'd been – if there was a difference.
Rose's eyes shone like tiny oceans as she watched me, seemingly pondering her words. "Not that Emmett was the tame sort when I met him, but, Edward's a different story altogether."
My face must have fallen, because she rolled her eyes, scooting closer to snatch at my hand. "Oh, come now. You know he's different now, yeah? He's…satisfied."
Now my face was burning. "Satisfied?" I repeated, sounding and feeling really young.
She snickered quietly, obviously amused by the gamut of my expressions. "I didn't mean sexually satisfied, Bella, although I'm sure that's true as well. You say I'm good for Emmett, well, I think you're good for Edward. He's got something centering him now - before he sort of just blazed around town like he'd dogs nippin' at his arse."
That image was so ridiculous I had to laugh. It sounded about right, though.
"You see?" she pressed, quirking an eyebrow.
"I think so, yeah. But why'd you say you weren't surprised he was my first?"
"You're supposed to save yourself for marriage, aren't you?"
The blush was back; why, I had no idea. We were obviously getting everything out today.
"Erm, yes," I acknowledged sheepishly.
"Have you?"
I shook my head slowly.
"It's hard to resist something when it burns that brightly, isn't it? Especially when it burns for you," Rose smiled kindly, squeezing my fingers once before letting go. I knew she was likely speaking from experience again.
"I burned for him for a long time," I agreed.
She nodded. "I figured. But I meant Edward; he burns for you."
My heart skipped with giddy approval.
I loved that thought and imagined I could live on it alone…
The front door downstairs clicked open and hurried shut, the sounds exaggerated in the quiet, still house. Seconds later two pairs of footsteps came trotting up the stairs, culminating in Emmett and Tyler Crowley's entrance into the newly bare room.
"Done already?" Em stooped next to Rose, tilting her face up to his for a kiss. I looked away, allowing them their affectionate moment.
"Where's Edward?" I asked Tyler, getting to my feet. I hadn't seen Edward yet; he and Em had already left the house by the time I'd awoken.
"Downstairs," he answered, stacking two of the boxes closest to the door before hoisting them into his arms.
Grabbing another box, I followed Tyler back down to his father's monstrous white truck, parked out front on the curb. He unloaded his boxes into a corner of the truck bed before twisting around to take mine as well. Meanwhile I glanced around, my tummy twitchy and tense in anticipation of seeing Edward.
"What're you lookin' for?" He breathed close beside me, his lips brushing my ear, hands kept to himself. Knowing Edward, his intention had probably been to startle me but really… all he did was arouse me.
'You," I answered quickly, shunning coy and cute for frankness. I'd realized early on in our relationship how addicting he and his mouth were, and I spun around to kiss him right away.
Keeping my hands to myself, too, I stood on tip-toe and placed my mouth on his, nipping his lip with my teeth just a bit.
"Feck," he whisper-snarled, yanking his hands out of his pockets so he could hold my face.
His eyes were inches away, vivid green gems on a dull grey and cloudy day.
Tyler passed on his way back inside, pretending to ignore us.
"Sorry," I whispered, only slightly contrite.
Smiling, he kissed me properly, two little presses of lips giving way to a brief meeting of tongues before pulling away promptly. He snuck a glance at my house, probably looking to see if Emmett had reappeared yet, before focusing back on me.
"I miss you," I said, snaking my arms around his waist. He'd been busy for the past few days and I'd only seen him in passing, when he stopped by for a minute on his way home from work. A lot had been going on, apparently, in terms of the usual planning and plotting, but despite my boundless curiosity, for once I didn't want to know.
I knew that wouldn't last, but I'd finally realized – with my stint at the RUC station – I was in this for the long-haul. There would be plenty of time for me to stalk Edward's schedule later on; for now, I was going to enjoy my break from school in every way.
"I've been working extra, so I could take a few days off coming up," he explained, kissing my cheek before detaching himself to walk toward the house.
"What for?" I asked, excited at the prospect of us both having free time.
He shrugged, motioning for me to go in the front door ahead of him. "I have things to do, especially on September 13th."
Putting my little finger through Edward's belt loop, I eased him to a stop, and he turned around, grinning as we paused in the foyer. I could hear Rose's voice upstairs as it carried, followed by the deeper tones of Emmett's.
"My birthday?" I asked, pleased as punch and silly about it.
"Thought I didn't know when 'twas?" he teased, tugging my finger from his pants and hooking it around his finger instead.
Shrugging, I swung our joined hands gently. He was right; I would have never expected him to remember my birthday, especially not now, with our relationship this new and so much happening all around us.
Maybe Rose was right. Maybe… he did burn for me like I burned for him.
"I knew it was in September… but I had to ask Alice exactly when," he conceded.
"Aha!" I jabbed his chest playfully.
"When's my birthday, Bella?" he countered, folding his arms squinting at me.
"June…" I bit my lip, trying in vain to pinpoint it.
"Mhm," he said smugly. "June 20th."
"I'll remember," I promised, slipping my hands into my own pockets, containing them.
He inclined his head toward the staircase. "Let's get Emmett's things; I want to finish this sooner than later."
***
By the time the sun hung heavy and low in the sky, we were smudgy, sweaty messes – and not in the appealing sense. My flirty banter had long been suffocated by hours of unpacking, and endless trips in trucks and up staircases. All I could think about now was my shower at home and the scented soap Mum had bought toward the end of summer.
Rose was working the lunch shift at the pub the next day, so Em had taken Edward's car to bring her home earlier. It hadn't escaped my attention that they had been gone for hours, but I was too exhausted to care.
I was stationed in the kitchen, putting away plates Edward's mum had "found lying about". None of us really believed her when she said she'd discovered a full, matching set of dishes, from saucers to dinner plates, tucked away and forgotten in her cupboards. Like the curtains and the cutlery, we knew she'd snuck out and bought them for the boy's new flat.
Edward said Esme had been extra emotional for the past week, helping him pack and cooking his favorite meals. Alice and I had come to the conclusion that their mother's reaction likely stemmed from the fact that she'd been the last to really know of the boy's involvement with the IRA; she was probably overwhelmed with everything happening at once. Carlisle and my parents had all known, in varying degrees, for the last year or so (long before even I knew), so they'd had time to adjust.
Esme was simply trying to get used to an alternate universe in which her Edward wore masks over his face and set off car bombs in his spare time. I knew what she was going through to an extent, because I'd had to accept it recently too, but, he wasn't my child. I couldn't pretend to know how she really felt.
I'd have thought my Mum would be the outwardly sentimental, clingy one but she was being very matter of fact; she had handed Emmett a bag of rags and bleach this morning, telling him to clean the new place properly before dumping his belongings all over. She seemed alright with her first born leaving the nest, but I suspected that it was mostly an act, that she was tender too. She hadn't even seen the new flat yet, and I got the impression that she might be avoiding it for now.
Meanwhile, Emmett and Edward were obliviously tearing up and down the road all day. I'd the radio on in the kitchen and Edward was in his room, putting things away. Stretching, I placed the last dish on its shelf and rested my elbows on the counter, leaning heavily.
Edward joined me a moment later, mimicking my stance beside me. "Thanks for helping all day," he said, nudging my shoulder with his.
Yawning, I bumped him with my hip, too tired to even answer.
"Staying with me tonight?" How he had that playful, raffish glint in his eye, I'd no idea.
"Oh yeah, Mum would love that," I mumbled, feigning disapproval.
He shifted over so he was standing behind me, pressing his body into mine. Lowering my face to my hands, I tried not to laugh at his nonverbal, yet obvious, request. He was hard, and I was so tired it was making me giggly instead of amorous.
Placing his hands on either side of the counter, he caged me in. "Stop," I gasped, swatting at him.
"Why?" he asked, laughing now too. He turned me around to face him.
"Because I'm tired and dirty and need a bath," I whined, letting him pull my arms down.
He made an exaggerated show of looking me up and down. "Hm, yes, you do need a bath. I'll give you one."
"No! Em will be back soon," I tried to wiggle free, but now he and his hardness were pinning me against the counter again. Being physical with Edward always felt so good and right, but the last thing I needed was for my brother to come through the door and get an eyeful. He'd accepted that we were together, but shoving it in his face that way would just irritate him all over again.
"He's probably doing the same thing right now, with Rose." He was sweet-talking now, rubbing his thumbs just under the hem of my shirt.
I shivered, and my body curved toward his touch, even as I tried not to encourage him… verbally.
"I do wish Em would bring back the car though, I really need a shower," I sighed, staring past him at the wall.
"Take one here," he suggested.
"I can't, I haven't any clean clothes," I countered.
He shrugged. "That didn't stop you before," he reminded me, referring our first night together, at the safe house.
As I paused to reconsider, Edward took the opportunity to lead me to the bathroom. He closed and locked the door behind us, and then turned on the water, allowing the room to fill with steam.
He quickly peeled off his own clothes and started pulling at mine impatiently. "Come on," he urged.
"I'm not doing it in there," I said, twisting away so I could undress myself.
To his credit, he managed to leave me alone once we were inside the wet warmth of the tub. At first, it was strange to be naked with him, and not in a bed, strange to be naked together and not doing anything sexual. But as we took turns with the water and the bar of soap, sudsing up, talking tiredly, things between us naturally relaxed.
Half the time his attention was on my breasts as we nattered on, but that was to be expected… and I liked that he wanted me that way, anyway. I was musing over how this surely meant we were maturing as a couple when he reached over and softly squeezed my nipple, his fingers still slippery from soap.
"But I just rinsed off," I complained half-heartedly.
He grinned, doing the same to the other one. Then he palmed both my breasts, sliding his slippery hands all over them, giving up any semblance of casual conversation.
"You're like a little boy, obsessed with diddies," I laughed, amused by watching his hand, but also very turned on.
"Are there lots of little boys that do this to you?" he teased, coming closer.
"You know what I mean," I said, ignoring his erection bobbing between us - until it touched me.
"Edward," I warned, putting my hand out to stop him from coming any closer. I was petrified Emmett would come home and find us in here.
Dropping his hands, he stood right in front of me, water dripping from his hair. Frustrated I couldn't just have him when I wanted – when it was bloody convenient – I edged past him so that I was underneath the stream of water. I rinsed again, aware of him right behind me, watching…
My heart thumped heavily at his dark expression. "Are ye done?" I asked, looking over my shoulder.
He'd made up his mind.
"Yeah," he said, so I turned off the water and pulled aside the curtain.
There were no towels on the racks. We looked at each other.
"Please tell me you've towels somewhere," I said, feeling the slight chill in the room replace my need for a good romp.
Edward ran his hands back and forth through his hair, causing scattering droplets everywhere. "I feckin' hope so," he muttered, stepping out of the tub.
I'm sure my whole body blushed, watching him walk about naked as the day he was born. He looked perfect, but still, he'd no shame. He disappeared out the door and came back a minute later – with a bed sheet.
"So, I don't think we've towels after all but we do have sheets," he announced, holding one open for me.
"Edward! I knew I should've just bathed at home!" I cried, carefully climbing over the side of the tub and into the sheet. I scooped my dirty clothes of the floor and glared at him.
"Stop yer complaining," he laughed, sauntering back to his bedroom wrapped in a sheet of his own.
We dried off the best we could with what we had, and then he gave me a plain white shirt and the same jeans I'd borrowed the last time. I let the sheet down so I could pull the shirt over my head, but Edward was at my side in an instant, easing me onto the bed.
"You're still wet," I chided, ignoring the absolute ache between my legs.
"So are you," he said, rubbing himself against me as we moved to the center of the bed.
"You're awful," I whispered, loving that he was finally, finally in my arms the way I wanted. He kissed me soundly and just as I was really getting into it he slid down to my chest, sucking a nipple into his mouth.
"Back to those? You're insatiable…" I smiled, shuddering with how good he made me feel.
Giving one last lick, he released the breast he'd been suckling, and rested his face on me, gazing into my eyes. I loved him so much it made me quivery inside; I could feel it deeply, almost hurting me, in my stomach, my chest, my fingertips, in the heated secret place high between my thighs.
"I really do love you, Bella," he said seriously, startling me with the sameness of our thoughts.
I knew this moment was safely etched into my mind, and so as much as I liked seeing him where he was, I craved his kisses, so I gently pulled him up to me. He held his body over mine and we kissed, slowly, locked lips and sinuous tongues and sharp teeth.
My heart was pounding from Edward's antics and I was caught between desperate lust and a forced sense of modesty. I'd be mortified; maybe I'd even die, if Emmett ever heard us. "I'm afraid Em will come home soon," I admitted after a while.
Edward groaned, dropping his face to my neck. "God, I've wanted you all week."
"I want you too, I just…" I trailed off, not knowing what else to say. "Fine, let's do it. Quickly."
He sat back, grinning broadly. "You're definitely my kind of girl."
"Stop feckin' around and do it, then!" I cried, riling him up in spite of myself.
Reaching into his wallet, he pulled out a condom and rolled it on. He positioned himself between my legs, but then instead of hovering above me he slid down.
My breathing picked up and I automatically covered my face with my hands. I really liked - loved - how this felt, but it was so intimate and raw; there was no escaping the reality of it: he was tasting me.
"Bella," he coaxed after a moment.
"What?" I moaned, half stupid with pleasure.
"Stop hiding yer face," he said, going back to what he was doing.
I was so keenly aroused from all the kissing and touching and licking I crested seconds after his tongue touched me again, and had to push his head away when it got too sensitive. He climbed up my body and entered me right away, and I was so wet I received him easily, my muscles continuing to spasm with after-tingles.
For once, there was no one else around and it was apparent in the way we moved; no cautious movements or hushed whispers. He leaned back onto his knees and moved quickly, forcibly, his eyes flickering between mine and our connection. And I liked it.
I knew I was being louder than usual but I just didn't care; he felt divine inside and all over.
"It doesn't hurt, does it?" he asked, slowing down when my breath caught.
"No, don't stop," I whispered, sounding like someone else to myself.
His hips moved languidly again, his hands running lazily over my legs. "Do you want to turn around?"
I tickled my fingers across his belly when he stopped."Like how?"
"I mean," he pulled out, rolling me flat onto my stomach. "Like this."
With his hands on my hips, his thrusts were deep, almost too deep, but he went slowly, the sex more intense when we had it like this. It was primal and possessive, but I wasn't sure if I liked it because he felt far away; I couldn't see his face.
"Are you okay?" he whispered brokenly, lowering down and aligning our bodies so I felt more of our skin connect. Sweeping my hair aside, he sucked at my ear, his hot mouth melting me.
"Mhm," I moaned. Maybe I did like making love this way, so long as he kept our bodies close. He pulled my hips up slightly so that he could slip his fingers underneath to touch me and there was nowhere that he wasn't; I felt thoroughly consumed.
I felt like I could come again, if he just kept touching me, and I did. He followed right after, carefully collapsing on top of me the way I liked. It made me feel loved, and safe, and I could feel his heart racing against my skin.
When our breathing had slowed, he pulled out and sat on the edge of the bed, cleaning up. I sat up, too sore and spent and satisfied. And, as usual, glad I'd given in to his pursuit.
"Alright, now I'm worried," Edward said suddenly.
"About what?" I asked, reaching for his shirt to pull on.
He held up his watch, which had been lying on the floor in the mess next to his wallet.
"Em and Rose left four and a half hours ago. I knew they'd be gone awhile, but not this long," he remarked, yanking his jeans on and going to the window to look outside.
"Maybe…maybe they're just fooling around like ye said. Or they went for a drive," I said, getting worried myself.
"I wouldn't doubt it, only usually he calls to tell me if that's the case," he shrugged, turning from the window.
After cleaning up in the bathroom, again, I got dressed properly and went to the kitchen to boil water for tea. It was getting late, and I was hungry.
"I'm going to call Mum, tell her I'll be home later than I thought," I called to Edward.
"The phone's in the corner by the door," he called back, his voice echoing down the still-empty hallway.
I rang Mum, explaining the situation, choosing my words carefully so she wouldn't begin fretting over Em's whereabouts. As we were saying goodbye she reminded me of Pat O'Flynn's funeral the next morning, dampening my spirits.
Pat had been on my mind on and off all week, yet the day of his memorial service had still crept up on me. It was scheduled for ten o'clock, Sunday morning.
"Did you know Pat's funeral is tomorrow?" I asked Edward when he came into the kitchen.
Nodding, he picked up a spoon and began stirring the tea I'd made him.
"I forgot, I feel awful," I said, hating the constricted feeling in my chest. "Are ye going to go?"
"I'll go, I just have to mind myself," he shrugged, his voice wavering. He took a sip of tea and set the cup aside, swiping his hand over his face.
"In some ways it feels like he's been gone much longer than a week," I commented, thinking over all that had happened in the last seven days.
"And in some ways it feels like it just happened," he said, hoisting himself onto the counter.
I walked over to him and stood between his legs, putting my head on his chest. He stroked absently at my hair, but I knew he was elsewhere, mentally. My sleepiness started coming back, twice as bad, and I sagged comfortably against him, letting my eyes flutter shut.
Emmett came home just then, closing the door quietly behind him.
Opening my eyes, I tried to stifle a yawn as we looked at him expectantly.
"Sorry it took so long, we took a drive and got caught up talkin'," Emmett said quietly, leaning against the wall. He slid his hands in his pockets, in my opinion looking much too forlorn for just having had lengthy, lusty sexual relations with his girl.
Apparently Edward thought so too, because his hand stilled in my hair. "Y'alright, man? Ye look like shite." I turned around fully, watching Em closely.
He exhaled heavily and shook his head. "Rosie's pregnant."
"What?" My mouth fell open. "She just found out today?"
"We both found out today. She was…late, so I brought her to the doctor's office before it closed." He looked ashen, rubbing the back of his neck.
Edward had been silent, his legs dangling on either side of me. He'd started playing with my hair again. "You marryin' her?"
Emmett nodded. "I have to, but that's not what I'm worried about."
"She's Protestant," I sighed, twisting my hair into a loose knot. "She said she doesn't care though, maybe she can… just-"
"What, convert on the sly? Bella, there are people who know who she is. Just because she lives in a neighborhood different than the one she grew up in, doesn't mean she'll have no trouble. They've already messed with her at the pub," Emmett ranted, pushing off the wall.
"She can't work there anymore," Edward pointed out.
"As of today she doesn't," Em scowled.
We fell silent. After what Rose had shared earlier that morning, I wondered if she'd thought she couldn't get pregnant again, or couldn't carry a baby full-term. It didn't matter though, if my brother was anything like Edward – and I knew he probably was – it was likely they hadn't always been careful. They had been together for a year, giving them plenty of time to slip up.
"You want to marry her, right?" I asked, peeking up at Em. Rose had told me they'd discussed it, but I wanted to hear it from him.
He nodded. "Yeah, I love her. It's just a big feckin' mess."
"I've to bring her home," Edward announced, nodding toward me and sliding off the counter.
Emmett tossed him the keys. "I need to take a shower; we'll talk when ye get back."
"Bye Em," I murmured, grabbing my purse off the couch.
He hugged me, squeezing tight. "Bye, Bella."
The street was quiet as we made our way out to the Land Rover. It still smelled faintly of Rose's perfume, I thought - light and floral.
"What do you think they'll do?" I questioned, buckling my seatbelt.
"I wouldn't be surprised if they left Belfast, Bella. That's a rough situation to be in," Edward answered, putting the vehicle into gear as he pulled off the curb.
With his words, my stomach sank. Leave Belfast?
I felt like my life had been moving slowly, at a normal pace, for so long, and then with that one night at the pub, it had blown open. And now? Everything had been accelerated, everything was changing, and I couldn't keep up.
As the buildings flew by, I held Edward's hand across the console, wondering if this is what Esme felt like. Wondering if, when the dust settled, anything would be the same.
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