AN: Here we go again! Are you ready to meet the Cullens? I thought so. Enjoy!
SM owns the characters, I own a box of popsicles.
~x~
BPOV
"Bella, would you please calm down? Everything will be fine, it's just brunch." I couldn't stop fidgeting as he turned onto his parents' street. "And please stop gnawing on your lip, I happen to be quite fond of it," Edward added, reaching over he swept his thumb along my tender lower lip and soothed the raw flesh. He was always so gentle with me. Well, except for last night, I thought as I felt the need to squeeze my legs together to soothe the ache I felt thinking back on the previous evening.
By the time Edward had thoroughly finished working my body beyond oblivion again... and again..., we had missed our reservation time at the restaurant. We opted instead to go out for drinks and dancing. But first a much needed stop at the local greasy spoon for a quick bite to eat needing to replenish our carbohydrates after burning all of those calories earlier.
We had the quirkiest bartender, Riley, and whoa that boy was hot. Of course he thought the same thing about Edward and spent the night sending shy glances his way, and jealous glares my way. Not that I could blame him for wanting a piece of that. Edward wasn't the least bit uncomfortable as he joked back and forth with him. I'm pretty sure he was purposely flirting in order to get better service, but I'm not one to judge; our drinks never ran dry.
Edward led me out onto the dance floor and quickly became intimately acquainted with my two left feet, meanwhile he danced with grace and ease. I wanted nothing more than to move that effortlessly along with him. Edward was an attentive partner however, and by the end of the night, our bodies moved as one and I no longer felt awkward and bumbling on the dance floor.
As the night carried on and the cocktails flowed freely, our movements became more frantic, and much less graceful. Edward pulled me into a dark corner where we proceeded to grind on one another while we made out like drunken teenagers. It was getting harder and harder, (as Edward became harder and harder) to keep myself from ripping off his pants, lifting up my dress, and riding him across the dance floor. Eventually the two of us were so incredibly jazzed up that we agreed to call it a night and head back to Edward's before we were arrested for public indecency. Whatever, it would have been totally worth it.
After a car ride that took forever, we finally arrived at his building, slightly tipsy - well, Edward was slightly tipsy, I was flat out drunk - and fully charged with sexual energy. Spending the evening drinking, dancing, and rubbing up against this fuckhot, smoldering man had my girly bits positively undulating with desire for him. I couldn't climb on him fast enough.
It appeared that Edward shared my thoughts and we made out as we rode the elevator up to the penthouse, as we stumbled down the hallway, and as we entered the apartment. Somehow we managed to make it to the bed, but not without leaving a trail of clothing behind in our sexual wake.
Our love-making wasn't slow or delicate, nor was it the rough and rugged rendezvous we engaged in earlier in the evening, but it was exactly what it needed to be at that moment.
We fell asleep in a sweaty, rumpled heap on the bed, contented smiles on our faces, and slept peacefully until morning.
"Lebba, baby? Are you okay?" Edward looked at me with his soulful green eyes filled with concern.
"Hmm?" I asked, slipping from my little daydream and focused once again on the beautiful man beside me. "Oh fine, I'm fine." Edward reached for my hand and brought it up to his lips, slowly brushing them across my knuckles.
"Baby, I know you're nervous, but no matter what, I love you and nothing that could happen over the next few hours could ever change that." He moved his hand up to the back of my neck and slowly massaged the muscles at the base of my head, all the while keeping his eyes on the road. The man was truly gifted.
A huge breath escaped my lungs and the tension that had been building in my shoulders seemed to dissipate at Edward's loving words and gentle touches.
Before I knew it, we pulled into a beautiful gated community surrounded by lush green foliage and artfully designed landscape. Someone was obviously paid a lot of money to create such a beautiful aesthetic.
Edward reminded me for the millionth time that I had nothing to worry about as we walked up to the front door, which opened upon our arrival. Alice came bounding out and wrapped me in a fierce hug, taking my breath away. She grabbed my hand pulling me inside, all the while giving me a pep talk, doing her best to put me at ease. Her words were coming out a mile a minute and she was making my head spin. She led me into the kitchen offering me my choice of brunch cocktail - mimosa or bloody mary - of which I chose the latter. I preferred my vegetables served with a side of vodka.
Alice led us into the Cullens' very spacious, yet homey living room as she announced my arrival to the rest of the family, all of whom were sitting quietly and doing their very best to look like they weren't just dying to jump up and greet the object of Edward's affections. Sensing my nerves, Edward protectively wrapped his arm around my waist pulling me snugly into his side and he kissed the top of my head. It was so very comforting and exactly what I needed in that moment.
Looking at the faces of Edward's family and their wide, eager eyes, I let a quiet giggle escape my lips which worked to ease some of the tension I'd been holding in since our arrival. Everyone looked so very friendly - and beautiful - damn, this was a good-looking family.
All eyes were on me as we entered the spacious room, but oddly enough their not-so-subtle assessments weren't as scrutinizing as I'd feared they would be. I still had butterflies in my stomach, sure, but I didn't have the urge to flee, running screaming for the hills and never looking back, which might have been a recurring scenario that played out many times in my head on the drive over here.
I gave a shy wave and a soft "hello" and a beautiful woman who didn't look a day over thirty-five held her arms open in welcome. Her caramel candy colored hair fell in elegant waves across her shoulders, and her smile could not have been more gracious.
"Edward, sweetheart." She ushered us over and gave her son a tight squeeze before turning to look at me. She gave me an appraising look and smiled warmly at me. "And Bella, it's so lovely to finally meet you, dear. I'm Esme and I'm so very pleased that you've joined our family today."
She wrapped me in a soft, warm hug. I'm not quite sure I'd ever been hugged quite like this before. Like a mother hugs a daughter. Renee gave me plenty of hugs, but there was something so... maternal about the way Esme embraced me. She smelled like cinnamon, and cookies, and love. With one final squeeze the rest of my fears, worries, and insecurities just melted away.
"Thank you, Esme. Edward speaks so highly of both you and Dr. Cullen," I said gesturing to Edward's father who was now walking toward us.
"Please, call me Carlisle," he said giving me a megawatt smile showcasing his pearly whites. Carlisle was an extremely attractive man and I could only hope that Edward would age as gracefully as his parents. Uh, getting a little ahead of yourself there, Bella...
Alice took it upon herself to continue the introductions. "Bella," she sang as she joined a very handsome, wavy blonde-haired man who could only be her husband, "this is my Jasper!" She said with such pride and love in her voice.
Jasper flashed a lopsided grin my direction and laid on the southern charm as he introduced himself as the formal Texan that he is, complete with a bow as he bent to kiss my hand. I could just picture a younger Jasper and Edward palling around as cocky teenagers, both of them probably having to beat the ladies off with a stick. Hmm... Edward with a stick... maybe a flogger and... Oh right, now's not the time...
Once Jasper and I had finished with the pleasantries Emmett came barreling toward me and gripped me tightly around the waist, picking me up in the process as he welcomed me with a big bear hug. My feet were still off the ground as I managed to squeak out, "You must be Emmett."
"The one and only!" His voice boomed like a canon, and I couldn't help but take an instant liking to Edward's younger brother. "And this is my beautiful wife Rosalie, and our daughter Adele." The pride in his eyes radiated as he introduced his wife and daughter.
Rosalie was the most gorgeous woman I'd ever met. She was all long legs, blonde tresses, ruby lips and violet eyes, perfectly groomed from head to toe. Her smile was warm and inviting as she stretched out her free hand in welcome while the other held her daughter effortlessly. Adele was the spitting image of her mother with her curly blonde hair, but her dimples definitely came from Emmett along with that mischievous spark in her eyes that told me her daddy would be wielding a shotgun once this little lady started dating.
Having been introduced to the entire family I was very much at ease as we continued to make small talk while Esme saw to the final preparations for brunch. Edward never left my side and the expression on his face was joyous as he joked around with his family. He really thought highly of them, that much was clear.
Just before Esme announced that brunch was served true to Alice's warning Emmett didn't disappoint and asked me to pull his finger.
"Oh, Emmett, we both know you're going to fart whether or not I pull your finger, so let's skip the pretense, OK?" That said, I gave him a playful wink and looked at Edward who was beaming at my playful banter with his brother.
Emmett howled in laughter before saying, "I like you, Bella, there's no bullshitting you," and farted loudly. "Let's Eat!"
Rosalie playfully smacked him on the arm whispering "manners, Emmett," as Esme ushered us all into the dining room where I eyed the spread before me. There was just so much food. Quiche, a bowl of mixed berries with freshly-whipped cream, smoked salmon, croissants, danishes, bagels with cream cheese, a platter of imported meats and cheeses, prosciutto wrapped melon, and a tray of fresh veggies and hummus.
"This all looks so amazing. I hope you didn't go to all this trouble just for me."
"Nonsense, dear. It was no trouble," Esme said showing me to my seat.
Brunch was absolutely delicious. With every passing minute I grew more and more at ease, eating and talking comfortably amongst Edward's family. He was right, they were all perfectly lovely and I really did have nothing to worry about.
Our bellies were full and Edward excused us from the table explaining that he wanted to give me a tour of the house. And by 'give me a tour of the house,' of course he meant 'take me to his bedroom so we could make-out'.
And make-out we did. It started innocently enough, a kiss here a nibble there. Hands roaming freely across one another's bodies.
Edward was focusing on his favorite spot on my neck just below my ear. He knew it caused a frenzy within me every time. I gasped as he made a move to pull up my skirt and pull down my panties. "Edward, we can't fuck in your parents house while your entire family is waiting for us downstairs!" I half whispered with exasperation. "Have you any shame?"
Edward made a scene of checking his pockets and looking behind himself. "Nope, no shame here. I must have left it back at the condo." He grinned and made another move toward me, pinning me against his bed, his fingers nearing my center. I tried to resist. No really, I did. It's just that Edward was so much better at persuading than I was at resisting.
Before I knew it, he'd entered me, filling me to the hilt. I kept my mouth glued to his, afraid that I would belt out unsavory noises for the whole house to hear. The last thing I needed was for them to know what we were really doing up here. A few moments later we were sweaty and panting, but fully satisfied... at least for the time being. I'm not sure I'd ever get enough of this man.
After searching for my panties, which in Edward's haste to remove them had been flung onto his desk-lamp, I used my fingers to comb through my hair in an effort to look like I hadn't just been fucked in my boyfriend's parents' house before going back downstairs to join the rest of his family.
Alice handed me another bloody mary and we all sat in the living room and spent the next hour chatting about work, hobbies etc. Carlisle asked about my family and I explained that I was a single child of divorced parents; how I was raised mainly by Charlie and that my mom is a free spirit. I found out that Esme was the genius behind the landscape design that I admired so much as we entered the neighborhood. I knew she was a designer and that she was responsible for the aesthetic of The Esme, but her talents extended way beyond that of interior design.
As we prepared to say our goodbyes all the cocktails I drank were starting to talk to me. I figured I should use the bathroom before we started our drive back to the condo. Like an idiot I asked where it was.
"Didn't my son show you where the restrooms were during your tour?" Esme teased, her tone of voice indicating she knew exactly what we'd been doing. My face instantly heated, turning a brilliant shade of red, I'm sure. All I could do was stammer and look away, mortification written all over my face.
Emmett didn't miss a beat as he whooped out a "Hell yeah. Way to go, Eddo!" while the rest of the family tried their best not to snicker at our obvious dilemma. Edward was no help whatsoever as he just stood there grinning like a fool. Thankfully Rosalie took pity on me and showed me the way, hooking her arm through mine as she led me away from ground zero.
"I'm so completely mortified. I can't believe everyone knows what we were doing," I groaned, hanging my head as she led me down a long hallway.
Rosalie snorted and wrapped her arm around my shoulders giving me a squeeze. "Oh please, Bella. If I had a nickel for every time Emmett and I have been caught doing the naughty around this house I'd have Delly's college paid for. Cullen men just know what they're doing. Don't think I haven't seen that same twinkle in Esme's eyes every now and then when she and Carlisle have gone to 'freshen their drinks'. It's in their DNA, I think. This just shows that you fit right in with us."
"It's nice to see him this happy, you know," Rose said as we stopped in front of the guest bathroom. "I'm not sure I've ever seen him smile so much and I've been around this family for years."
I couldn't contain my smile, but then it faltered as I asked, "not even with Tanya?" I don't know why I felt compelled to bring her up, but I did and Rosalie's response was just what I needed to hear.
"That hag? Puh-lease. Tanya was a placeholder, she's the seat filler at the Oscars. You're the star. Never doubt that. We were talking as you two were... touring the house..." she said with a smirk. "It's obvious to all of us that Edward is head over heels in love with you. Even if he might not have said it yet."
"He's said it," I said shyly. "We've said it," I added. "I'm pretty in love with him, too." My smile was back in full force as I let the words fall down around us.
"I know," She said matter-of-factly as she smiled and walked away.
Before we left Alice and Rosalie made me promise to have a shopping day with them soon. Esme hugged me tight and whispered in my ear "Thank you for making my son so happy." It took everything in me to keep the tears at bay. She was such an amazing woman and I was happy to have her on my side. Carlisle kissed me on the cheek, saying how delighted he was to get to know me and hoped to see more of us soon.
Edward walked me to the car and stopped to open my door, grabbing me by the waist he pulled me in for a searing kiss. "What was that for?" I breathed trying not to lose my balance. Not that I minded in the least.
"Just for being you." He kissed my nose tenderly and helped me into my seat.
I looked up to see that the entire family was peeking at us through the front window and witnessed our display of affection. Their smiles could not have been bigger and neither could mine.
~x~
AN2: So, how did you enjoy brunch with the Cullens? Was it what you were expecting? I'll admit I had trouble with this chapter. I wanted things to feel organic, but it kept coming off kinda hokey. Anyway, this was the final result.
Also, I'm a judge for the High Times contest hosted by YogaGal and AngstGoddess003. You have until Feb 20 to submit your entries! Go to www . fanfiction . net/u/2685261/ (delete the spaces) to check out the details or to read the stories already submitted. Don't forget to vote when the time comes!