All I Want is Everything
The characters belong to the Stephenie Meyer. I do not own or claim to own them.
Playlist: I Want You Back – Jackson 5 (Victorious cast)
Chapter Twelve: I Want You Back
BPOV
When Edward pulled up to the valet stand of Canlis, I was in awe. I hadn't expected he'd take me somewhere so upscale. From the stone entryway, there was a warmth and welcoming air.
Edward was out and around the car before I even contemplated getting out. The valet drove off and we entered the restaurant without a claim ticket.
A gentleman next to the maître d greeted us. "Good evening, Mr. Cullen." The gentleman offered his hand to me. I took hold, and was surprise when he bent and kissed my knuckles. "Might I say, Ms. Swan, you look lovely." I looked over at Edward, wondering who this gentleman was and how he knew my name.
"And a good evening to you, Mr. Canlis. Raymond will show you to your table."
Oh my, the owner. I hadn't expected him to be around, let alone greeting us when we arrived.
Raymond smiled at me. "You're going to love the view," he told me, moving away from the podium without picking up menus. "Please follow me. You'll be in the Caché. It was originally the owner's office," he told us, guiding us through the dining room and up a flight of stairs. "In recent years, the office was transformed into a private dining room and has become the hottest table in town."
Raymond moved aside after opening a door, allowing me to into the room. My jaw dropped at the spectacular view, sweeping across Lake Union and the Cascades beyond. Walking further in, I noticed the table was set and warmly lit with candles. It was intimate and exhilarating.
I jumped when my hair was brushed from my shoulder and Edward rested his chin there, as his hand glided up and down my arm. "I've seemed to have rendered you speechless again."
I nodded. There were no words for how astonished I was about this surprise. I took a small step forward, turning to face him a smile on my face. He pulled me into his arms, slowly swaying to music. Raising an eyebrow, I silently asked him.
"We have a few minutes before our server will be in." He kissed me tenderly, sweetly. When he pulled back, looking down at me, a caring expression in his eyes.
I swallowed. He still loved me his gazing told me though he didn't speak those words. Edward was always so easy to read. The question was did I still love him? I have been thinking about that single question since Jake came over a few hours after Edward left, returning to Forks for rehearsal. I still couldn't answer it.
"Let's sit," I whispered, not wanting to break the tranquility of the moment, as I slipped from his embrace.
EPOV
What just happened? I couldn't understand. Bella's face was serene when she turned to face me. She was beautiful in that moment and I had to hold her, kiss her. When I looked down at her, her expression became unreadable before she slipped away.
I quickly snapped out my thoughts, rushing to pull a chair out for her. "I've already ordered," I whispered in her ear, as our personal server entered with a tray.
Bella shivered, but said nothing as I sat across from her.
"Good evening, Mr. Cullen, Ms. Swan. I'm Christina," she said, placing the Canlis salad in front of each of us. Picking up the wine bottle, she poured each of a glass of Pinot Noir.
"Thanks, Christina," Bella said, briefly glancing at her.
"You're quite welcome, Ms. Swan. Will there be anything else?"
I shook my head. "Bella…"
"Edward…"
Bella glanced at me, motioning for me to continue. What was she going to say? "No, go ahead, Bella."
"Thank you," she murmured, touching my hand. The serene look was back.
I smiled in response, picking up my fork forgetting what I was about to say.
~~ AIWiE ~~
I could have taken Bella to my condo — I originally had planned to do just that. With the call from Alice earlier, I had to rush to finish making plans. Where I was taking Bella was closer to the Cullen Security office, the Sorrento Hotel. I already had us checked in, the passkey in shirt pocket.
I glanced over at Bella. I wasn't sure how she was going to interpret the rest of the evening.
BPOV
"Um, Edward?" I questioned when he pulled up to another valet stand.
"Yes."
"What are we doing here?"
Instead of getting out immediately, he turned taking my hands in his. "We're staying the night here."
He looked unsure and I wasn't sure what he had in mind. I closed my eyes, mentally calming myself before I could start panicking. I knew Edward, and he wouldn't do try anything.
"Then we should let the valet do their jobs." I opened my eyes, giving his hands a squeeze.
Edward had a whispered conversation with one of the valets after helping me out. "No need to worry," he said, leading me inside and bypassed the check-in desk.
"Don't we need to check-in and where are our bags?"
"I've already checked in and our bags should be in the room." He kissed my cheek while we waited for the elevator.
The room, or should I say suite, was huge. French doors separated the sitting room from the single bedroom. I wasn't worried at the moment. Two bags sat on the bed. "Why don't you go change," Edward suggested, taking off his jacket.
I snatched up my bag, walking into the bathroom. Marble countertops greeted me and held a vase of white roses. There was a card sitting out of the bouquet. I looked closer, reading the card, no envelope. Isabella. They were for me. I plucked it, pulling out a stiff card with a brief message.
Bella, I care for you deeply and hope you know that. Think nothing more of the rest of the evening meaning anything else. I expect nothing. Edward
I was in awe. Edward was going out of his way to make me comfortable. I'll admit when he pulled up at the hotel was very tempted to disappear, transport up to the spaceport. Then I looked at him, really looked. Him being unsure is what stopped me from reaching in my purse for my com-badge.
Standing in the bathroom, I came to the decision. I needed, no, wanted him back in my life and not just for the few weeks left until the show. It was too early to really know if I still loved him, but by admitting I wanted something more than friendship, I was opening myself up to the possibility of loving him again.
I opened my bag, and let a frustrated growl when I found a cami and short sleeping shorts. I didn't bring this for the weekend — a weekend I thought was going to be spent completely in Forks. Nor wear anything like this when Edward took care of me. Esme wouldn't have packed anything different than what I brought. Alice.
"Edward," I yelled, exiting the bathroom. I realized at the same time I couldn't reach the zipper. "I'm going to kill Alice, you want to help?"
"What has she done now?" he asked, leaning against the door, wine glasses dangling from one hand. He had removed his tie and unbuttoned his shirt some. I swallowed, holding up what was packed for me to sleep in. He groaned, swiping a hand down his face. "You don't have to kill her, I'm going to murder her and think I can talk Jasper into helping."
"No need. I'm sure there is a robe." I cracked a smile at his grin. "Would you unzip me?" I turned as he put the glasses down.
EPOV
I slowly lowered the zipper with shaky hands. "I'll be right out," Bella said as I stepped back.
My heart started racing the moment I touch zipper and had yet to stop. I took a deep breath, closing my eyes to calm myself.
I changed and was back in the sitting room before Bella stepped out of the bathroom. "I thought we could enjoy a bottle of sparkling cider and watch old movies."
She nodded, settled down next to me on the love sit. I selected a movie, It's A Wonderful Life, from the hotel's vast digital library.
Clarence was just learning of young George Bailey when Bella snuggled into me. I wrapped my arm around her, drawing her closer resting my cheek on her head. "Edward," she whispered, turning to look at me. Like last evening, she pressed her lips to mine. "I want you back…"
Whatever else she was going to say was cut off when my mouth crashed down against hers in a deep, gentle kiss. The movie was forgotten for a time.
Slowly, she pulled away, resting her head on my chest. I was content just holding her, as we both caught our breath.
A/N: I don't know why, but this chapter was hard to write. I hope you enjoyed it. Please review.