a/n: not sm, duh
i need to make a slight correction from last chapter. i'm pretty sure i put hyde park as the city bella's aunt and uncle live in when i meant to put highland park. hyde park is a street in another chicago suburb. i dont think anyone really noticed, but i did, and it bugged me. so until i have the time to change it, there ya go.
shout outs to: manyafandom, x-rosepetals-x, icefang7, bringmeback, Mdots, ScarboroughFairy, MelissaTheTwilightFan, ILoveJasperWhitlock, Becca, distorted realities, musicluv585, carmelinagunn, Michelle62092, ivmar2990, and Rosie jo. You guys make my day when you review.
again, longest chapter yet! i'm really excited for you guys to read it, esp after you all described anxiously waiting to find out what would happen over the weekend. i hope it doesn't disappoint. i know i like it.
"Bella! It's so good to see you!" Jan came running out the front door when she heard Roxanne pull up into the driveway.
"Roxanne!" Oh my god, I can't believe John's thoughts rested solely with the monster truck I was driving. Again, Jan and I exchanged rolling eyes at the man who loved his cars just a little too much.
"Well, come on in, dinner's almost ready! John, why don't you grab Bella's things." So Jan and I walked into the house and towards the delicious smell of roast. My mouth started watering immediately. I had missed real food. The stuff they gave you in the cafeteria just couldn't compare.
I helped Jan set the table and finish off with dinner preparations while John took my luggage upstairs and my dirty clothes to the basement for washing. After finishing the last minute details, I took a few seconds to survey the house. I loved Jan and John's place. It was a restored Victorian, with all the original details restored. But it also had the modern perks like central air, gourmet kitchen, and even an elevator for goodness' sake. It wasn't overly big, but much larger than they needed. Jan and John never had any children, but they did have several nieces and nephews, along with many empty rooms to house them when needed. I was happy to stay with them, knowing they truly did love the niece they hardly knew.
"Well, let's dig in, shall we?" It amazed me how, even though my aunt and uncle lived a relatively posh lifestyle, they were still so down to earth. I mean, what other house in the neighborhood would even allow something like Roxanne on the driveway?
"So tell me how things are going dear." John seemed interested in my life, which was a change from his one track mind on cars.
"Well, I have a really great roommate. Her name is Alice."
"Ooh, you should have her come stay with us one time!" Jan was eager to house as many people as possible.
"I'll keep that in mind, though she lives near here so she would probably just go stay with her parents." Jan's face fell a little bit. It was really cute. Dinner passed with more talk of college life. I carefully avoided any topics that might lead to interests in boys. I didn't feel like talking about Edward tonight. I was so stunned by his reaction to me earlier in lab. Talking about him would lead to thinking about him. And that was a dangerous road to travel down.
After dinner I helped Jan clean up while John went to the living room to watch a game in true Charlie fashion. You'd think they were brothers, rather than Jan being Charlie's sister, with how much alike they could be. Just then the phone rang.
"Hello?..Why hello Mary dear, it's been awhile. How are you enjoying school?...That's lovely dear…But of course you can. You'll get a chance to meet my wonderful niece Isabella…See you soon…Bye." Jan hung up the phone and turned to me, excited at this new turn of events.
"That was our neighbor's daughter, Mary. She's stopping by to drop off some of her mother's homemade pumpkin chocolate chip cookies. They're John's favorite!"
"Did I just hear you say pumpkin chocolate chip cookies?!" Jan and I laughed at John's selective hearing. Mention food and he was sure to respond, even during college football.
A few minutes later and there was a knock on the door. Jan got up to answer it and I heard her talking animatedly to the girl on the other side.
"Bella, come here and meet Mary!" I got up, rather sluggishly from all the food I ate at dinner, and made my way to the door. "Bella, this is Mary. Mary, Bella." Jan stepped out of the way and I found myself starting down at none other than…
"Alice?!" her smile lit up her small fairy face. Jan looked back and forth between us in confusion.
"You two know each other?"
"Jan, this is Alice, as in the Alice that I'm rooming with. I thought you said her name is Mary."
"Oh, Mary is my given name. But I go by Alice. Jan here just likes to call me by Mary because it reminds her of her childhood friend by the same name." Alice turned and smiled at Jan, who in turn smiled back. Seems that Alice's charm was far reaching and affected people, regardless of sex or age.
"Well don't just stand there in the doorway. Come in!" Alice followed us inside and to the living room. John dug into the plate of cookies straightway, holding one in each hand. He really did love those cookies. We all chatted about college at this point, well all of us except John who kept simultaneously shushing us and turning up the tv.
"Good lord John, give it a rest! We have dvr, just record it!"
"You know it's not the same!" John looked offended at the thought of watching a recorded game. Men.
"Jan, I was wondering if I could show Bella my place, maybe hang out for a bit. Would you be alright with that?" Alice had that same smile on again, the one that could melt the stoniest of hearts.
"But of course. Go have fun Bella. We'll leave the back door unlocked. Come back whenever, we won't be waiting up." I had to hand it to my aunt and uncle, they sure were easy going about me.
As soon as we left the house I rounded on Alice.
"What the hell Alice, you couldn't tell me you were their neighbors when I gave you the address?" This was becoming a trend, Alice leaving out crucial details.
"I could've…But where's the fun in that?" Now she was flashing that little wicked smile at me. "Don't be mad Bella. When I found out you were coming here, and who your aunt and uncle were, I knew I just had to come home too and spend some time with you! I would've missed you this weekend." She pouted at me then, trying to gain forgiveness.
"Don't you use that pout on me, missy! You just better not have any other tricks up your sleeves."
"Of course not!" Her look was a little too innocent. I did not trust my smallest of friends.
We were at her house at this point and I gasped at the sight. The architecture was modern, yet organic, reminiscent of Frank Lloyd Wright. The way the house blended in with the surrounding landscape was immaculate. The last time I was over at John and Jan's I wasn't able to see a majority of the house, it being too obscured by the trees, just the driveway with Alice's yellow Porsche. That stupid yellow car that should've clued me in to who these neighbors were the instant Alice had taken me to the mall. I can't believe I was so unobservant.
She opened her front door to reveal a stunning foyer, with bamboo flooring ("It's a renewable resource so of course my mom had to have it!") and the most amazing spiral staircase I'd ever seen.
"Wow Alice. Your place is gorgeous!"
"And you've only seen the outside and foyer. Come on, I'll give you the grand tour."
"Where are your parents? I'd love to meet them."
"Oh, you just missed them. They left a few minutes ago. They'll be gone all weekend on a mini vacation." I didn't understand why Alice looked so smug right now.
We walked along the bottom floor. They had a great room with a remarkable stone fireplace, squashy armchairs surrounding it. In one corner was a black baby grand piano which I could envision Edward sitting at, his gracefully long fingers dancing across the keys. The kitchen was state of the art. It had rich red cherry wood cabinets and dark grey granite countertops. Of course all the appliances were stainless steel. The dining room just off the kitchen was equally beautiful, with a very expensive looking crystal chandelier. But the living room was the highlight of all of those rooms. It was slightly sunken in, with those same bamboo flooring, only a parquet similar to that in Versailles. Though none of the seating was the same, they all went well together. There was such a wide variety of style that seemed to blend to form a rich environment. I had thought Edward's entertainment unit had been impressive, but it had nothing on what was in this living room. It too had a stone fireplace; with the largest tv I had ever seen hanging above it. Every movie you could think of graced the shelves surrounding it. And the electronics that went with it looked all too complicated for me to use.
"I have to say it again, wow!"
"Time for the upstairs!" So I followed Alice up the beautiful spiral staircase. "There are a total of 6 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms. One of the bedrooms, Edward's that is, is in the basement. We sent him to live in the dungeon because he's such a troll. The others are up here. I'll show you mine!"
We walked up to what was obviously her room. She opened the door and I was shocked at what I saw. I had expected to see the room coated in pinks, like our room. But it was a mixture of purples and greens, varying in hues and intensity. The overall effect was strange, it both excited and calmed at the same time. I guess it was true to the very nature of Alice.
"Do you like it?"
"Yes! Did you do the decorating?"
"But of course Bella. I am my mother's daughter after all." She looked pleased at my approval. "You wanna check out Edward's room?"
"Why would I want to do that?" I had to say that out loud. But on the inside I was dying to see what it looked like. I might be mad at him, but I didn't want to pass up the opportunity to nose around through his stuff.
"You know, denial isn't just a river in Egypt." I started laughing so hard I almost choked. I hadn't heard that joke in years. Hearing Alice say it was so odd; oddly hilarious.
"I can't believe you just said that! Alright, let's go snooping through Eddie boy's stuff."
"That's the spirit!"
We walked down the stairs that led to the basement and I noticed at once another piano, along with a drum set, guitar and trumpet on the far right side.
"Does Edward play all of those instruments?" How could one man be so talented?
"Yeah, he's annoyingly perfect sometimes."
Upon further inspection, I noticed a pool table, ping pong table, another large tv, and a bar in the far corner. It was definitely a place to come to hang out. To the left was a door, I assumed leading to Edward's room.
"Go ahead, take a peak." I stepped in front of Alice and slowly opened the door. It was kind of exhilarating, knowing I would see the room that Edward had spent so much time in.
"Leave me alone Alice. I'm still pissed off at you." What? Edward was in the room, facing away from me, looking down at something in his hands. He turned around and our eyes connected. I noticed his face flush a slight pink and felt my own face blaze with the heat of mine.
"Bella? What are you doing here?"
"I-I-I…Um..Alice was, um, giving me the tour of, um, your house." Why did I have to see him now?
"So if Alice is your tour guide, where is she now?" He craned his head to look around me. I spun on the spot about to yell at that little hellion, only to find myself utterly and completely alone.
"I hate you Alice." I mumbled to myself, so annoyed that she would do this to me. I was so completely out of my element that when Edward stepped up behind me and placed his hand on my shoulder, I nearly jumped out of my skin.
"Whoa, calm down. I didn't mean to scare you. Why don't you sit down?"
"No thank you. I'd much rather leave now." I was mad and I wanted him to know it. If I sat down in his room with him looking at me like he does, you know, all sexy like, then all traces of anger would disappear.
"Please, I insist." He not so gently pushed me towards his bed. "Sit." Is it weird that given the situation, hearing a commanding Edward was a turn on? It was. I am a freak.
"I really don't have time to sit and chat, I'm sure my aunt and uncle are wondering where I am." Lie. "So if you'll excuse me."
"About that, why are you even here? How did you get here? Alice left for a few minutes to take something to our neighbors' and all of a sudden you're walking into my room."
"It seems you're sister is a conniving, scheming, little imp."
"Well, yes, that's true. But what has she done this time?"
"My aunt and uncle are your next door neighbors, which Alice conveniently forgot to mention when I asked help with directions. Just like she forgot to mention our TA also happened to be her brother. Seems Alice has been behind all of this from the start." I felt my brow furrow in irritation at the nerve of my tiny friend.
"Yes, it seems that way, especially since she told me my mother wanted to spend the weekend together, only for me to find out that my parents would be gone the entire time. I really should thank Alice though." A hint of a smile graced those alluring lips.
What? What? What? That's all I could think. What? How could one man be so annoyingly bizarre? The weight of the past few weeks came crashing down on me and I suddenly felt very weary from the mental exertion I had spent on Edward's behalf.
"I really can't stand this anymore Edward. I don't know if you just suffer from multiple personality disorder or what. But I can't handle how often your whole self changes on the drop of a dime."
"I know, and you have to believe me when I tell you I'm sorry for that."
"I am so sick of your apologies Edward. I feel like you're always telling me sorry for one reason or another. Did it ever occur to you that you should just treat me in a way that made the apologies unnecessary?" I was yelling at this point, slightly hysterical. But it felt good to release this built in tension. I had been wanting to say this for awhile, but never really having the occasion to do so.
"Of course you're right. And for that I'm so…"
"Just shut up already with the sorries! What the hell is wrong with you?" Now I felt the hot tears running down my cheeks.
"Bella, please. Please don't cry Bella. Please, it breaks my heart. I know you don't want to hear me apologize but I need to. I have been horrible to you and there's no excuse for it. I will always feel the need to apologize because someone as wonderful as you should never cry over someone as horrible as me." I looked up at him now and found his eyes. I saw the glistening of moisture in them and wondered at this strange beautiful man standing in front of me.
"You're not horrible Edward. Maybe misguided, but never horrible. I wish you wouldn't put yourself down at my expense."
"Just let me explain myself and then if you want you can ignore me. I'm sure you will want to, and I wouldn't blame you." The mystery of Edward was finally unraveling in front of me. I sniffed and huffed a little, trying to get my overworked emotions in check.
"I'm listening." Edward smiled slightly at me again.
"I wasn't prepared to meet someone like you Bella. I had my whole life planned out: graduate, go to med school, become a doctor, things I had wanted my whole life. And then you show up, a temptation I hadn't dreamed of. Your very presence threatened to undermine my plans. And for that I thought I despised you. I'm sure you remember our first encounter. Looking back, I wasn't mad at you. I really despised myself. Because when I looked at you I saw what I had been lacking all these years."
"What? What were you lacking?"
"In a minute. I need to get this off my chest." His hand came up to his hair, running through those bronze locks, trying to ease the nerves he was feeling. I loved that gesture and wished I could run my hands through his hair too. "So I was rude to you, something I was brought up to never be, especially to a lady. But I couldn't deny just how physically attracted I was to you. The night at The Underground, before we got there, I realized the attraction extended past just your looks. You had a brain, something I was not used to seeing in most beautiful women. When I saw how James was eyeing you, I found myself becoming possessive and jealous, two things I had no right to feel concerning you. At this point I was still trying to push aside any feelings. But after our dance together, I knew I was in trouble. There was just no avoiding you.
Then, of course, James proved himself to be a bigger asshole then we'd originally thought, and I found myself afraid for your safety. Just as I was discovering these new feelings for you, you faced danger and I could not leave you. When you didn't call me that week, I felt stupid. I thought you were rejecting me. And I didn't know how to face you. Last Friday was amazing, Bella. I got to know you even better. I wanted to spend as much time with you as I could. But being the idiot I am, feared more rejection. If you did not share even a portion of the feelings I have for you, I didn't want to mess up the growing friendship we had."
"Edward, I…"
"Please Bella, let me finish. Did you know our texts and phone calls became the highlight of my week? I thrived on you. But still I couldn't ask you out. I am a coward. When I finally worked up the courage to ask you, thanks in part to Alice's persistence, you turned me down. Even then though, I was never mad at you. I berated myself. Because I should've known better than to think I stood a chance with you. You are so much more than any man deserves. And when I heard that vile Mike try and ask you out, I just couldn't handle it. To think of you with any guy drove me crazy. I didn't want you to see me like that, especially since you don't feel that way for me. If I can't have you like that, then I would settle as being friends. Do you understand now?"
"Yes, I think I do. But you never answered my question. What were you lacking before?"
"Don't you see Bella? All this time, my life was missing that one crucial piece, you." His voice was a ghost of a whisper. I almost didn't hear him. But my ears were so trained to the sound of his voice by this point.
"Edward…" I couldn't handle seeing him look so tortured. His eyes were swimming with unshed tears again and he was nervously wringing his hands. Here was the most handsome man I had ever laid eyes on, confessing his feelings for me; telling me he did not deserve me. I needed to tell him exactly how I felt, but suddenly words just weren't enough.
My fallen angel was looking at me expectantly. I saw trepidation in his eyes, waiting for me to turn him down, to tell him that I wanted to be just friends. The resolve in my body stiffened and I walked over to him as confidently as I could. I took hold of his face, placing each of my hands on his cheeks and pulled him down to meet my awaiting lips. I didn't dare close my eyes. I
needed to see his reaction. Shock registered in his emerald eyes, but then softening considerably the look changed to elation, before his lids slid shut. I allowed myself the same liberty.
The sensation his lips caused on mine was indescribable. I felt an electric current escape through his lips and spread to every part of my body, leaving those parts tingling in its wake. Our lips moved in a rhythm meant for more practiced partners. He drew his tongue out, lightly tracing my lower lip and the sensation caused me to audibly gasp. My open mouth was used to his advantage, as his tongue slipped inside my mouth. I felt him explore inside of my mouth and pull my own tongue out to dance in the rhythm our kiss had created.
My hands traveled from his face down to his chest as his hands came around my neck and pulled me in closer, tangling in my hair. He ran his long fingers down the length of it, moving them agonizingly slow down my back, coming to rest at the small of it. Suddenly, the need to feel his hair in my hands was too strong. When my fingers felt the softness of his gorgeous bronze hair, I took hold and began tugging and pulling it into a messy tangle. It felt so good to finally do what I had dreamt of doing from the first time I saw him. I was starting to feel light headed from the intensity of our kiss and from the lack of oxygen. I probably should've tried breathing through my nose, but all thought processes escaped my brain while kissing Edward.
"It's about fucking time!"
"Way to kill the mood Alice." Edward mumbled the words against my lips, sending pleasurable vibrations through my mouth. I had to resist the urge to moan in pleasure. I felt him smile then, in response to my reaction.
"I don't know whether to hug you or kill at this moment." I had been so annoyed, but if it wasn't for her meddling ways, I may not be in the arms of this god.
"You know you love me."
"I should've shut the door earlier." He winked at me and a soft giggle erupted from my lips.
"Did you ask her yet?" Alice was bouncing on the balls of her feet, staring down Edward.
"Um. No not yet." I turned and stared at him, wondering what else he had to say.
"Are you kidding me? Don't tell me you're nervous after kissing her like that!" Edward gave her the evil eye, silently asking her to shut the hell up.
"So Bella, I was wondering if maybe you would like to, I dunno, go see Brand New with me on Sunday. That is, if it's ok with your aunt and uncle."
"Edward I'm surprised you even have to ask! Of course I would love to go see them with you!" His crooked grin graced the handsome features on his face as he pulled two tickets out of his back pocket.
"So it's a date?" I asked him and he looked at me, a little weary, due to the last time this conversation had taken place.
"If you want it to be." I smiled at him, knowing full well he meant yes.
Unfortunately Alice didn't leave our sides for the rest of my time there. And all too soon Edward was walking me to my aunt and uncle's back door.
"Goodnight Bella. Will I see you tomorrow?"
"You can count on it."
He kissed me softly and left after making sure I was inside safely. We still had a lot to talk about, but after Edward's confession, I felt I understood him so much better. My lips were still tingling from the aftermath of our kiss. Thank god John and Jan were asleep. I didn't want them questioning my disheveled appearance.
Saturday I woke up to the smell of crisp bacon and eggs. I could get used to this! I came down the stairs and to find Jan at the stove and John stuffing his face at the table.
"Good morning sleepy head. Did you have fun with Alice last night?" With Alice…yeah right….
"I did, thanks for asking."
"She is such a sweetheart and a beautiful girl. Really, the entire family is good looking. The middle son, Edmund is it? You should meet him! He's quite the looker. He gets it from the father I'm sure. Carlisle is quite handsome."
"Hello? Jan you do know I'm right here. Stop drooling over other men in front of your husband."
"John, silly, you know you're the only man for me!" I was laughing in my chair throughout their entire conversation. For starters, Jan had called him Edmund. Really? And if she only knew how well I knew Edward…Plus her verbal ogling of Carlisle really was too much.
After breakfast I took a quick shower and pulled on my sweats, getting ready to start in on my massive pile of dirty clothes. I grabbed my book, knowing I'd have plenty of down time in between loads and headed for the basement.
"Bella, sweetie, John and I are going to run a few errands. We'll probably be gone until before dinner. Are you ok by yourself for awhile?"
"Oh yeah, I'll be busy with all this. Go on ahead, I'll see you later!"
I started my first load and was sitting down in the basement, trying to read but failing miserably. The Time Traveler's Wife was an intense love story and I found myself imagining Edward and I in the places of the two main characters. My mind was trying to contemplate having a man who loved you so much.
"I wonder what it's like."
"What what's like?"
"AGHHH!" I had to grab my chest in pain from my heart stopping so suddenly. Laughter filled my ears as I recognized the owner of the voice.
"Damnit Edward! What the hell are you thinking? Do you like sneaking up on poor unsuspecting women? You nearly gave me a heart attack! And how did you get inside? My aunt and uncle are gone!" His laughter died down abruptly and the smile he was wearing turned into a frown.
"I'm sorry. I didn't know I'd scare you so bad. I just wanted to surprise you is all. I saw John and Jan were leaving and I asked if I could go inside and keep you company. So they let me in. I didn't think there was a problem with that."
"Well they probably figured you'd announce yourself first instead of scaring the living daylights out of me."
"Don't be mad, please?" He was pouting at me, and the sight of his lips just emphasized the longing to kiss him again.
"You know I can't stay mad at you, otherwise I would've stopped talking to you a long time ago." His crooked smile was back as he closed the distance between us.
"Good, because if you had stopped talking to me at the beginning of the semester, I wouldn't be able to do this." He wrapped his arms around my waist and bent down slightly to kiss me.
Just like the night before, I felt the electricity flow between our lips. Edward's kissing was beyond words. I could spend all day attached to his lips, I wanted to. But before he could deepen it, the buzzer on the dryer went up, causing us both to jump.
"Hmm…seems I lose track of where we are when I'm kissing you." And he leaned in to steal another small kiss. When he pulled away he looked at me for a second before voicing his question. "This is ok, right?"
"It's more than ok. You know, all those things you told me last night, about how you felt and the fear of rejection? That's how I felt too, just so you know." Even though he had admitted all that to me last night, I still felt embarrassed saying it.
"So you like me?" cue that sexy smile.
"Yes."
"Good. I like you too." I highly doubt it's as much as I do. But hearing him say it is still nice. "So what's on the agenda for today?"
"You're looking at it." I gestured to the pile of clothes surrounding me.
"Would you like help?" I can't believe he was offering to help me with my laundry.
"Well, yes I would, but I don't want to keep you from your priorities. I'm sure you have school work that needs to be done."
"No I don't actually. I got ahead in my work when I had originally planned to invite you to the concert…besides, today you are my priority." It was so cheesy but still so right hearing that come from Edward.
We sat around in my aunt and uncle's basement talking easily about whatever came to mind. He asked me about the book I was reading. But as I explained it, he became really confused so I stopped. It was just something you had to read for yourself.
As my clothes dried, he helped me fold everything neatly. I didn't realize we had reached my underwear until Edward pulled out the purple thong I had worn the night of the club.
"I recognize these." He gave me a sly smile and wiggled his eyebrows at me. Oh my god. My face was on fire from the memory of Edward getting a nice peek at my ass.
"Give me those!" I tried snatching them away but he held on tight.
"What? It was a very memorable point in time for me. I didn't realize you had such sexy panties."
"Stop it Edward, you're embarrassing me."
"Do you have more like this?" He began rummaging through the pile of clean undergarments, in a desperate attempt to find more lingerie.
"Stop looking through my panties you perv!" I started slapping his hands away and he laughed like a mad man at my futile efforts to stop him. Seeing him so giddy made me laugh and before I knew it, he had me pinned to the ground, tickling me to the point of tears.
We were so distracted that I didn't hear Jan come down the stairs.
"Oh. Sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt anything." I'm sure the scene she walked in on was very suggestive. There we were, rolling around on the ground, my purple thong still in Edward's hand, with him on top of me, both of us gasping for air.
"Um, sorry Mrs. Stevens." Edward tried to straighten himself out and keep the blush down from his face.
"Jan, it's not what it looks like!" I was completely mortified.
"Ok, whatever you say. I'll be upstairs. When you guys are finished come on up." She walked away with a big smile on her face. Heaven help me if she told Charlie anything.
"I think we should go up now." I let out a nervous giggle.
"Yes. I agree." So without finishing my laundry we headed up to join John and Jan.
As we walked into the living room, I saw Alice chatting with John about, what else, cars. His face was lit up with enthusiasm as they discussed the pros and cons of foreign cars. When Alice spotted us she shot me another one of her wicked smiles. Oh great, what was she planning now?
"There you are Bella, I've been looking for you everywhere! I was wondering if you'd like to spend the night with me, we could do makeovers and everything!" I glared at her. She knew full well that I did not like makeovers. But she just winked at me.
"I think that sounds like a lot of fun Bella!" She smiled at me then turned to look at Alice. I didn't see the look Jan gave her, but it caused Alice's smile to grow ten times as big. So my aunt was in on it, whatever it was.
After gathering some things I followed Alice and Edward out the door to their house. No sooner than we had walked in the door when Alice announced she was going out with Jasper tonight.
"But, the sleepover?"
"Yeah, you two have fun with that." She waved and headed to the garage.
"You gotta hand it to her, the little girl knows what she's doing." Edward sounded a little excited and I found myself nervous at the thought of spending the night alone with him.
We decided to just order in, agreeing on Chinese and then made the decision to watch a movie.
"How about we watch a movie? You're pick?" I walked over to the wall of dvds and was overwhelmed with the choice.
"Really, we'll watch whatever I want? Hm…what about Fight Club?" Edward eyed me for a minute before he said anything.
"Is this just to watch Brad Pitt walk around with no shirt on?"
"Give me some credit, please. It's a good movie!"
Edward got the movie started and we settled down on the couch. I didn't know how close or far away I should sit from him, so I just sat in the middle of the couch and let him decide. He was at the far end, and when he saw where I sat he pouted at me and patted the spot right next to him.
When I sidled up next to him, he wrapped his arm around me, pulling me even closer to his chest.
"Much better."
We enjoyed the movie in silence until about half way through when I decided to tease Edward a bit.
"You know, you were right. I do enjoy looking at Brad Pitt shirtless. He has a really sexy body. Mmmm."
"Excuse me? What about me?" he looked genuinely hurt.
"Well I've never seen you shirtless so I can't really compare." It took him no time at all to whip his shirt off for me. I sat in stunned silence.
"Edward!"
"Like what you see? How do I match up to the ever popular Brad Pitt."
I did like what I saw. Edward's chest was lean and hard. His stomach sported a nice six pack, not overly defined but still chiseled. I couldn't stop my hand from reaching out and caressing every muscle there. I felt them tense and relax at my touch. How did I get so lucky as to be sitting next to this man, feeling him up?
"Well? What's the verdict?"
"Yes, hmm..it's quite nice…" He scooped me up and placed me in his lap then kissed me hard.
"Better than Brad Pitt?"
"Most definitely." My voice came out breathy and strained.
"Good, let's finish the movie." But he didn't move me off of his lap, a fact I was grateful for. I nuzzled in close to his chest and unwillingly started drifting to sleep with the comfort of his body so close to mine.
Sunday morning I found myself lying down in the most luxurious bed I'd ever slept in. I was so relaxed that it took me a minute to realize that I was laying next to Edward, his arms wrapped tightly around me.
"Good morning beautiful." He leaned down to give me a kiss but I shook him off.
"Nu uh." He looked hurt and confused at my rejection. "Morning breath." I mumbled the words in my hand so I wouldn't offend him with my breath.
"I'll survive." And he swooped down to kiss me before I could protest further.
"Have you been awake long?" he sounded much too cheerful this early in the morning.
"No, not long. But long enough to notice how peaceful you look while you sleep. You really are Sleeping Beauty." I don't think I'll ever get used to all of his compliments.
I wanted to stay in bed and just lounge around, but Edward told me it would probably be best to spend time with John and Jan since later that evening I'd be going to the concert then heading back to campus. So reluctantly we got up and after showering and changing, I headed back over to their house. Edward stayed at his place, to avoid suspicion, though I suspected Jan knew Alice's intentions all along.
I spent Sunday just being lazy with my aunt and uncle. John of course hogged the tv, flipping back and forth between the two football games. So I mostly read, getting close to finishing my book.
"Do you have plans for tonight Bella?" oops, I had almost completely forgotten that I hadn't told them about going to the concert tonight.
"Oh yeah, Edward is going to take me to a concert in the city."
"Sounds like fun!" Jan really was a great woman. I loved how enthusiastic she was. At times it reminded me of Renee, which is maybe why Charlie felt such a strong pull to my mother. I had to stop thinking about that though, because it was sad to see my father by himself when he still obviously loved my mother so much.
Edward came to pick me up a little after 8. In the driveway was the shiny silver car I had noticed the first time I stayed with John and Jan. He walked me over to my side, opening the door for me. He really was the perfect gentleman.
"So this is your little car huh?"
"It is not little. How many times do I have to say it! It's a Volvo!" he was getting really angry, that is until he heard me laugh. Then he cracked a little smile and joined in.
"You know, the night before I moved on campus I stayed with John and Jan and I noticed your's and Alice's car in the driveway. Funny how things worked out huh? I guess it really is a small world."
"That is funny. If I only knew the wonderful woman just feet away from me…maybe we could've avoided all the complications from before."
"It's odd because that night I had a really hard time falling asleep, nerves and all, but I heard Clair de Lune playing in the background and it helped me fall asleep-why are you smiling at me?"
"That was me." I gasped. But I really should've known. After listening to his cd, nothing should surprise me when it came to anything musical.
"You are way too amazing for your own good. Is there anything you can't do?"
"I dunno, but we can always find out later, right?"
We headed towards the city in comfortable silence. I was getting wound up in anticipation for the concert. I loved Brand New and was so looking forward to seeing them live again. Plus I kept hearing how amazing a venue The Metro was. Tonight was going to rock, literally.
"C'mon Edward, let's get closer!" As soon as we got in the building I was pulling him towards the stage.
"I dunno. Wouldn't you feel more comfortable in the back? Or maybe we could go sit somewhere."
"No way! Part of the experience of concerts is getting up close!"
"Yes, but it's so crowded and smelly and sweaty. Plus something could happen to you. Let's just stay back here."
"I don't think so pretty boy. You're coming with me up there." I knew most people hated being crowded, and most of the time I would agree. But when I went to concerts I loved to be right up there with everyone, feeling the bodies around me moving to the music. It was a strangely therapeutic feeling. And I never missed a chance to get as close to my favorite bands as I could.
Just then, the biggest, smelliest guy came walking up next to me. He had a beer in hand and no shirt on to cover up his gut. He turned away to say something to his friend and spilled his beer all over Edward.
"See? This is why we should've stayed in the back." I just laughed at how ironic the situation was.
We sat through the other acts, Edward glancing around nervously and me fidgeting impatiently for Brand New to take the stage. Finally it was time for the set. They walked out and I started yelling like a mad woman. Edward saw how excited I was and smiled in response to my enthusiasm.
They opened with Millstone, one of my personal favorites from their latest album. Watching Brand New at The Metro really was amazing. I found myself letting go of my inhibitions a bit and moving and singing along with the music. They played some more of their newer songs then started into Seventy Times 7, from their first album. Again, one of my favorite songs; it reminded me of Laurent and how much I wished I could scream the lyrics at him. The crowd got a little bit more rowdy with the beat of the song.
Edward and I were getting pushed further and further into the middle of the thrashing teenagers. Before I knew what was happening, I felt myself being hoisted up by the surrounding guys. I tried to grab onto Edward's hand but they pulled me up so quickly I didn't have a chance.
"Bella!" I saw Edward jump up, trying to grab a hold of me but it was no use. The crowd was carrying me far away from him. I was starting to get scared as random guys were putting their hands all over me. Then, the scariest thing of all happened. All the weight underneath me suddenly disappeared and I felt myself falling to the ground. I tried to turn around and catch myself, but I only twisted around halfway before I hit the beer covered ground.
"Owww.." I tried to stand but when I put weight on my left leg, I felt a stabbing pain shoot through it.
Apparently nobody noticed I fell, because the people around me were still jumping around. Someone's knee collided with my head while another person's foot made contact with my ribs. The pain from the fall and now the people running into me was becoming overwhelming.
I saw Edward running towards me, obviously yelling something, but I couldn't make out the sounds. He picked me up bridal style and started running toward the door. He was asking me questions but I had a hard time concentrating.
"Edward, I'm feeling really sleepy."
Again, he was trying to say something but I couldn't focus in on his words. My eyes started drooping until I felt Edward shake me and finally his words broke through.
"No sleeping Isabella!"
So what did you think? is the end too dramatic? i know, bella is always getting into dangerous situations, but that's bella for you. and it had to happen, sorry. hopefully i won't leave you waiting too long to find out what happens. maybe if you review i will be quicker. nah, i don't want to blackmail you guys.
but what about bella and edward huh? originally, i hadn't planned them to have their first kiss this weekend, but edward and bella were begging me to let them kiss already. and how could i deny edward when he says 'pretty please.' but i hope you guys liked it, since we've all been waiting for a bit now for the two of those to kiss already.
reviews would be splendid, let me know what you think, either way please! just imagine edward saying pretty please to you.