Just want to give a heads up to you all. My classes end in two weeks. I have a paper due Thurs (nov 5), then my b-day is on Nov 7. I will try and get some writing done. I also will be going on vacation Nov 17-21. Yes I know I will miss 'New Moon' comming out in theaters, am a bit sad by that.
I will post chap 14 next week on Friday, as usual, if I have it back from my beta. She goes to school too, so may have to wait for that. She is working on it, give her time. As for chapter 15, again will get it started. I'm not sure if I will have internet connection while on vaca. If I don't I will post the next chapter when I return home on Saturday the 21st. I plan to write while on vacation. I have a long lay over, as well as the plane ride.
Thanks to my wonderful beta Truth in the Moon. She helps me so much.
DISCLAIMER: Don't own the Twilight Saga.
BPOV
"Bella, I want you to look after some things here at my apartment while I'm gone," Edward said to me once we were sitting down at the table for dinner. "As you know I'll be gone a month, so I need you to get my mail. I would also like you to empty out the rent collection drop box. I'm giving you a key; I want you to keep it after I come back," he finished. I just looked at him after he said he wanted me to keep the key.
"Are you sure you want me to have a key to your apartment, even after you come back?" I asked tentatively. I knew by then we would be together for three months and I was over here a lot as it is, but was I ready for that?...I guess I was. I loved him and we were very close to one another. I couldn't see myself without him.
"Yes I'm sure. Bella, I love you so much, I don't want to rush things but this feels right," he answered looking into my eyes.
"You're right; it does feel right. I just wanted to be sure," I said, taking a bit of my grilled chicken.
We sat there finishing our dinner. He told me when the rent was due and where the drop box was located. He said he would take care of the checks when he got home. I asked about the plants up on the roof, if they needed to be watered regularly. He said there was a sprinkler system up there and was set to water them every few days, even though it rains a lot here in Seattle.
After dinner we went to the living room to watch a movie. We snuggled on the couch together. I knew he wanted to get as much time as he could with me for the next twenty hours or so. He asked me to spend the night with him. I was a little hesitant to but he said he just wanted to hold me in his arms and know that I was going be ok while he was gone. I agreed and he assured me we weren't going to be doing anything more than how we were laying in the meadow a few days ago.
I could see the agony on his face about leaving me tomorrow. I kept trying to reassure him I'd be fine and that Rose would be there along with Alice and Jasper. I didn't know how else to tell him that he should only worry about getting there and helping put out the fires and come home as soon as possible.
I wasn't really paying attention to the movie. I kept thinking about tomorrow when his plane left at 3 p.m. Rose, Em, Edward, and I decided to meet at my apartment for lunch tomorrow and then head to the airport, seeing how my apartment was closer. We also wanted to carpool in Em's Jeep because it was big enough to hold all their gear and luggage. After a while I started to doze off. I was tired because I hadn't been sleeping well; I kept having this strange dream about Edward. He was in California and I saw him getting hurt somehow. The dreams weren't bad, but they kept adding to my nerves.
I didn't wake up until I felt Edward lifting me from the couch to carry me to his room. I curled and snuggled into his chest more, nuzzling my face into his neck. He set me on the bed and told me he would let me change into my pajamas. He gave me my small duffel bag and stepped out of the room. I wasn't totally comfortable with him seeing me half naked, even if I was in my bra and underwear. I quickly changed and climbed back into bed, calling him back in. He came in and took off his shirt and pants and getting into bed only wearing his boxer shorts. If I wasn't so tired I would have spent time looking at his chest and abs. He pulled me to his side and I rested my head on his chest, my favorite place for when we were laying down somewhere together. I quickly fell back to sleep with him stroking my arm and humming my lullaby softly.
I woke the next morning to the smell of bacon. I rolled over to see that Edward wasn't in bed. 'Huh, he must be making breakfast,' I thought. A few seconds later he came in with a cup of coffee.
"Good morning beautiful," he said, handing me the cup and giving me a kiss.
Hearing him say "Good morning beautiful" reminded me of that country song 'Good morning beautiful' by Steve Holy. Just thinking about that song was perfect for how I felt waking up to Edward. Only he was coming in with coffee instead of waking up right next to me. Either way I still had a smile on my face.
"Good morning," I replied, stifling a yawn.
"Did you sleep well?" he asked, taking a seat next to me on the bed.
"I slept perfectly. I could get used to sleeping in your arms," I answered.
"I could too. Did you know that you talk in your sleep?" he asked.
"Yes, what did I say?" I asked as I felt the blush creep up.
"Nothing more that you love me, which I already know," he said chuckling.
"Oh, well that's good. When I was younger and visiting dad for the summer, Jake and I would have campouts in the living room and I would say some very strange things," I explained with a light giggle.
He went back out to the kitchen to get breakfast. He gave me strict instruction that I was having breakfast in bed. When he came back, we both lounged in bed watching the morning news. Afterwards we just cuddled with each other until we had to get up and get ready. I took a quick shower while he cleaned the kitchen, then he got in.
I was putting my dirty clothes in my bag when he walked out of the bathroom only wearing his navy work pants and no shirt. And damn did he look hot while towel drying his hair. I couldn't help but stare at his phenomenal abs and sculpted chest. I was broken out of my trance by his chuckling.
"See something you like?" he asked, coming over to me beside the bed.
"Nope, not at all," I teased, zipping up my bag.
"Baby, I'm hurt," he pouted, kissing the back of my neck, which nearly made me moan.
"Babe, you know I was just kidding. Of course I saw something I like. Wait no, something I love," I said turning and putting my arms around his neck and giving him a proper kiss.
"Ok, that's better," he said leaning down and returning the kiss then putting on his navy blue Seattle Fire Department t-shirt and coming back to kiss me again. By God, if he didn't get any hotter in his shirt. The way it clung to his chest; I practically had to fan myself.
"We should probably head out. We have a lot to carry to my car," I said, removing myself from his arms. I really didn't want to but we needed to get to my apartment and meet Em and Rose. They were coming over at 11:30 for lunch. Since the boys' plane left at 3, we wanted to be at the airport around 1. You never know how long it could take to check in your luggage, and then go through security. Since Rose and I couldn't go past security we had to say goodbye before then.
"Alright let's get everything in the car," he said, picking up his carry-on bag that was at the foot of the bed.
He had a lot to take with him. Last night he brought home his fire suit, boots, and helmet. That alone took up one big duffle bag. The local fire department would provide them with the other necessary equipment needed. Then he had his work uniforms, like he was wearing now, and regular clothes in another bag. He knew he was going to have to do laundry while there. But he wanted to take enough so he wouldn't have to do too much. His carry-on bag was the small stuff like his toiletries and a few other little things.
We got everything loaded up in my car and were on our way to my apartment. We got there a few minutes before Rose and Em did. As we were getting out they pulled up next to us. We moved Edward's bags to the back of Emmett's jeep, and Rose grabbed her overnight bag because she was going to spend the weekend with me. Alice was going to come over and we were going to have an all girls weekend, complete with chick flicks, pints of Ben and Jerry's ice cream, popcorn and other such slumber party items.
The four of us entered my apartment. Edward and Emmett went to the living room, while Rose and I got the sandwiches made for lunch. We all sat in the living room watching TV. Rose commented on my necklace. I had told her and Alice what Edward did for my birthday Wednesday, but she hadn't seen me until today.
"That is such a beautiful pendant. Good job on picking that out Edward," Rose said, fingering the hearts intertwined together.
"When I saw it and the salesman explained what it signified I knew I had to get it. I wanted to give Bella something that represented that she will always have my heart and we will be together always," Edward answered after swallowing a bite of his sandwich.
"That's sweet," she replied before going back to her lunch sitting in her lap.
After that we all piled into the jeep and were on our way to the airport. Edward and I were in the back. My hand was in his, resting on his knee, and he was rubbing calming circles with his thumb. He knew I was going to have a hard time with him leaving, and I was sure he felt the same. Rose and Emmett were also holding hands in the front. Rose was sad about being away from Emmett for a month, but knew she would be fine. They had spent time apart before, just not this long.
We arrived at 1:20 p.m. and got everything unloaded. I was carrying Edward's small carry-on duffle bag and laptop bag, while he was pulling his duffle bag and suit case behind him. Rose was doing the same for Emmett while he was taking care of his heavy bags. Rose and I waited off to the side as they checked their bags and got their tickets.
"I can't believe this day is really here. He's really leaving for a month," I said, watching him as he was checking in. We noticed James and Matt were already here finishing getting checked in.
"I know. But this month will be over before we know it. When they come home we'll be wishing they were still gone so we can have so much fun hanging out without interruptions from them," she joked. I knew she was trying to brighten me up a bit.
"Yeah right. I don't know about that," I giggled. We'd have to see how I felt when he'd been gone for three weeks and if I desperately wanted him back soon. Oh, who was I kidding; I wanted him back right now and he hadn't even left yet.
"You'll be fine. You know they say 'Absence makes the heart grow fonder'," she said with a knowing smile.
"I know this will make our relationship stronger. I just wish he wasn't doing something so dangerous. I know he does it here; it's just that it's more sporadic. Over there he's doing it 24/7, so to speak," I explained.
"You have a point. But they'll be fine. They are trained for this," Rose said, putting her arm around my shoulders. The boys were done checking in and walking towards us.
"Ok were all checked in. Its 2:00 now so we have 30 minutes before we have to go through security," Emmett explained.
I was surprised he didn't have some witty comment. I wondered if he felt just as sad about going or if it was just a happy face for me and Rose. That thought had me feeling a little guilty. I guess I shouldn't have voiced my concerns so much. Emmett was like the big brother I never had and during the past month with the six of us hanging out, we got really close.
The four of us went up the escalators to where the terminals were located. We met up with James and Matt. They had their girlfriends with them also. We all sat down in the chairs and talked. It kept my mind off of Edward actually leaving. But it didn't last long. It was 2:20 and the line for security was starting to get a bit longer, so the boy's decided to go so they wouldn't be late for their flight.
"Bella, it's time for me to go," Edward said, standing up, still holding my hand.
"I don't want you to," I said, standing up and hugging him. I wrapped my arms around his waist and rested my head on his chest. He wrapped his arms around me and kissed my head.
"I know you don't, I don't either, but I have to," he said, pulling me back, putting his hands on either side of my face. I had unshed tears in my eyes. "Baby, don't cry."
"I can't help it. I love you so much," I said. I could feel a few tears leave my eyes. He wiped them away with his thumbs.
"I love you too. I'll call immediately once I land. It's only a bit over three hours," he explained after giving me a chaste kiss.
I leaned up again to give him a kiss. I ran my tongue over his bottom lip to deepen the kiss. I just wanted just to ingrain his kiss into memory. We stood there for who knows how long kissing. It wasn't until I heard someone clearing their throat did I pulled away from Edward. I looked to see Emmett and Rose standing off to my right.
"Edward we have to go now," Emmett said hesitantly. I still had tears in my eyes and they began to spill. I went over to give Emmet a hug goodbye while Rose and Edward were doing the same.
"Emmett, please be careful while you're down there," I said, looking up into his beautiful blue eyes.
"I will, Squirt. I'll make sure Edward is alright too. It's my job as his older brother," he said, puffing out his chest a bit. I just laughed quietly at his antics. Em had taken to calling me Squirt not long after Edward and I started dating.
I walked back over to Edward and he gave me one last kiss. He turned to pick up his bags and follow Emmett. James and Matt were already through security and headed for the gate from what I could see. I walked with Edward to the cutoff point.
"I'll call you right when I walk off the plane," he said, hugging me to his chest. He knew that was my favorite spot to rest my head.
"I love you," I said sadly with my voice cracking as I tried to hold back the tears.
"I love you too," he responded, placing a kiss on the top by head as he buried his face in my hair one last time.
He turned to walk down to the line. I felt Rose come next to me and pull me into her. We stood there watching as they went through the metal detectors and walked out of our sight. Rose and I turned to go back down the escalator and out to the jeep. She kept her arm around me as we walked. I was quiet the whole way home. I was amazed I handled him leaving better than I thought. I thought I would be a hysterical mess, blubbering and crying. But I wasn't; yes I was sad to see him leave, but I was oddly calm.
When we got back to my apartment Alice was already there setting up the living room for our slumber party. She had the air mattresses and sleeping bags set up already. The coffee table, which was up against the door to the balcony, had several DVD's and a few pints of Ben and Jerry's ice cream. I laughed at how she had everything done.
"Ali, thanks so much for doing all this," I said sitting on the couch.
"Bella, it was no problem. I figured you would be really down and wouldn't want to set it up," she said caringly.
"Actually I'm doing better than I thought. I thought was going to be a mess, but I'm calm with everything," I responded.
"That's good. Do you guys want to order Chinese for dinner?" Rose asked taking a seat next to me on the couch.
"Yeah, that sounds great. Let's get the usual and have it delivered." I said. I grabbed the ice cream and took them to the kitchen to put in the freezer so they wouldn't melt. As I was doing that Rose was calling in the order and Alice was finishing setting up the living room.
Once the food arrived, we put the first movie in, The Notebook, and started eating.
Before we started the movie, Alice and Rose wanted to know how last night went.
"So what did you guys do last night?" Alice asked from where she was sitting on the inflatable mattress.
"We had dinner, he gave me a key to his apartment so I could get his mail and the rent checks, and he told me to keep the key after he came back since I'm over there quite a bit. Then we watched a movie. After the movie he carried me to his room because I fell asleep. Then we just held each other while he hummed my lullaby. That was it. We pretty much just cuddled the whole time," I answered.
"That's really sweet, Bella. Are you going to give him a key for your apartment too? Once he gets back?" Rose asked.
"I should. When he asked me, I questioned him, but he said it just felt right. So I agreed."
"I know this is early, but have you thought about moving in with him?" Rose asked tentatively.
"I thought about it quickly this morning when I woke up and he came in with the coffee. But there's a problem with that. My lease isn't up 'till July of next year. So I won't be able to do anything without have to pay a big penalty," I said sadly. I really wouldn't have minded moving in with Edward sometime in the future. I really liked going to sleep in this arms and waking up to him brining me coffee.
"Oh, well forget that idea then," Alice declared laughing.
After the movie was over, I knew Edward would be calling soon to say that he was in LA. Sure enough three minutes later my cell rang along with Rose's.
"Hey babe," I said answering the phone.
"Hi beautiful. Just wanted to let you know we just got off the plane and headed for baggage claim. How are things going?" he asked.
"Good, we just got done watching The Notebook, about to put another movie in and eat some ice cream." I responded sitting back down on the couch after getting my phone that was in my purse on the kitchen table.
"Sounds like fun. I wish I was there to snuggle with you on the couch," he said, sounding sad.
"I know me too. Maybe after you guys get back the six of us could have a big campout in the living room or something like that," I suggested.
"That sounds like a wonderful idea. Hey the bags are starting to come through. I'll talk to ya tomorrow sometime. I love you," he said.
"I love you too, bye," I responded.
The girls and I watched a few more movies and pigged out on ice cream before we started to get tired. I had dozed off during the last movie, Pretty Woman. I woke up around 2 a.m. to the TV replaying the main menu of the DVD. I turned off the DVD player as well as the TV.
I looked over to see that Alice and Rose were in a tangled mess on arms and legs and chuckled quietly to myself. There were quite a few tissues lying beside them too. They must have been crying with each other as they were watching the movie, I thought. I quietly picked up the tissues and put them in an empty ice cream container and covered them with the blanket. I went back to my place on the couch and fell back asleep, dreaming of Edward and what we would do when he got back.
So what did ya think? Again, will do my best to get writing. Please review, would love to hear from you. Also thanks to those of you who gave me color ideas for Alice's wedding. Will see next chapter all about that. Until then...