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Chapter 13

"You're fidgeting."

"Am not."

"Yes, you are," I tell the beautiful woman standing beside me in the elevator—the beautiful woman who I would like nothing more than to be taking against the wall right now. Since the second she stepped out of her car and I saw the long… long… slit up her sexy leg, I've thought of nothing but running my tongue along that bare milky white skin, directly up to the Promised Land.

"I'm nervous," she admits, watching the numbers on the elevator as they climb.

"About what?" I ask, watching her profile. Her side-swept hair looks so silky and smooth. I want to feel it, touch it... and then make a mess of it.

"You," she says in a flustered tone. "I've never brought a guy to one of these things."

"Never?" I ask incredulously.

"Never."

"Why now?" I ask as the elevator approaches the top floor.

"A few of the nurses were trying to set me up with one of the new residents. To get them off my back, I told them I already had a date. If I came without one, they would still be trying to set me up." She lets out a huff as the elevator doors open. "So, here we are."

My stomach drops a little at her confession. I mean, I didn't let myself get my hopes up that there was any more to this night than what she had said… a favor. I'm scratching her back. But the fact that my being here makes her nervous and uncomfortable goes against everything inside me. The only thing I want to do is make her happy… make her feel good. I want to ease her, not make her break out in hives.

"If my being here is too stressful for you, I can fake an illness or something."

We pass a couple, and Bella greets them. I nod.

"You'd do that?" she asks, and my stomach drops even further.

Stop being fucking Prince Charming, Cullen. Maybe Emmett is right. Maybe I lost my balls. Or maybe I chopped them off the day I agreed to be Bella's fuck buddy, and she now has possession of them.

"Uh, if you wanted me to. Sure."

She stops and yanks my arm, pulling me into a dark corner. "Kiss me."

"What?" I ask, wondering if she's the one who's sick. "I don't want to mess up… this," I say, waving to her gorgeous, put-together form.

Her hands grip the lapel of my tuxedo, and she pulls me to her, our mouths colliding. Her tongue forces its way into my mouth, and I happily oblige, taking her in greedily. I'm careful with the hair, but I press my body to hers, pushing her into the wall. After a minute or two, we slow down. I nip at her bottom lip, and she slides her arms up and around my neck, her lips ghosting over my cheek.

"Thank you for being here."

"You're welcome."

"Let's go mingle," she says, pushing off the wall and looping her arm through mine.

"Okay."

I smile and walk her toward the double doors. The music that could be heard from the hall gets louder, and people are everywhere. Lots of sparkling dresses and men dressed in tails. A waiter walks by, offering us a glass of champagne. Bella and I both gladly accept. If she's feeling anything like me, she needs it. Between Bella's nerves and our impromptu make-out session, I could actually use a shot of whiskey, but this champagne will do for now.

"Bella," a familiar voice says, approaching from behind. My body tenses until I feel Bella's hand on my arm.

"Tina, you look gorgeous," Bella says, leaning forward and placing a kiss on the cheek of the woman I've only seen one other place.

The club.

What the fuck is she doing here?"

"Edward," Bella says. "I believe you know my friend, Tina."

I force a smile and offer my hand. "Yes, nice to see you."

"So good to see you," she says with a raised eyebrow. I watch as her gaze shifts from me to Bella and back. My being here is obviously just as much a shock to her. "Well, I was on my way to the bar. Y'all enjoy yourselves."

"You too," Bella says as she walks off.

I down what's left in my glass as Bella and I turn to watch the crowd.

"I guess I should've mentioned that I work with Tina. She's a nurse in the ER," she says without looking at me. "She's who invited me to the club."

"So Tina daylights as a nurse." I nod and let out a low chuckle. "She looked shocked as shit to see me here."

"Yeah, probably would've been good to mention you to her. Kinda slipped my mind."

"Small world."

"Yeah," she says, laughing. And I'm happy to hear it.

"We should dance."

"Oh, you dance?" she asks, looking over her shoulder at me, and I realize it's going to be damn near painful to keep myself in check tonight.

She offers me her hand, and I take it, following her out onto the dance floor. A slow song comes on, and I pull her close, loving the way she feels pressed up against me. She smells amazing. The sweet and spice I've grown accustomed to is in full force tonight, and I want to drown in it… in her.

After a couple of songs, a man steps up to the microphone and taps it. Bella turns to the stage, and I stand to her side, placing my hand at the small of her back, needing to touch her.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I'd like to welcome everyone to this year's Charlie Swan Holiday Gala."

The room erupts in applause, and I follow suit, clapping, but my mind is stuck on the Charlie Swan part.

"As you all know, Dr. Swan was passionate about many things, two of those being this hospital and our Cardiac Program. It was through his foundation that the Cardiac Wing was built, and it's through this gala that it stays open. A hospital requires generous donations from wonderful people like those of you in this room tonight. As chief of staff, I'd like to thank you for your contributions."

The band begins to play again, and Bella and I both take another glass of champagne as a tray passes by. People begin to mingle again. A few stop and say, "Merry Christmas" or "it's good to see you". Bella smiles politely and returns hugs or kisses on the cheek. I stand a step away, giving her space.

The man who was on stage a few minutes ago walks up, telling her how beautiful she looks and how proud her father would be.

With that one statement, he just answered the question swirling in my mind. Charlie Swan is Bella's dad… or was Bella's dad.

"How happy would Charlie be tonight?" he asks, looking around the room.

"He'd be really happy," she says, smiling, but there's a hint of sadness there.

"Have you heard the news?" the man asks.

"I don't think so," Bella says, her eyebrows drawing together. "What news?"

"Dr. Black is coming back to be head of cardio."

I watch Bella's face morph from confused to happy… and then to something else. Scared? Nervous?

"Oh, really? I hadn't heard."

"Well, you know how these things go, but as of tonight, he's slated to be back at Mercy by the new year."

"That's… great," Bella says, smiling up at him, but I can see something else behind that smile. I'm not sure what it is, but it's something.

"Charlie would be really happy about that. Am I right?"

"Definitely."

"Well, I'll let you get back to the party." He kisses her cheek and nods to me as he walks away.

Bella lets out a deep sigh and stiffens a little when I place my hand on her back. "Everything okay?" I ask.

"I think I'm ready to go."

"Sure," I say, taking her empty champagne glass and setting it on another tray as it goes by. "Let's get out of here."

I want to ask so many questions, but instead, I guide her through the crowd, back down the hall and into the elevator. I let the quiet settle between us and instead of walking her to her car, since she insisted on us meeting in the parking lot, I lead her to mine. She doesn't argue nor hesitate. Once we're inside, I start the car up and head to the one place I like to go to when I'm feeling a little stressed.

Besides the Omni.

"In and Out," Bella sighs as we pull into the drive.

"I'm sorry. I guess I should've asked."

"No, this is perfect."

We both order a double-double animal style and fries well done. Bella opts for a root beer float, and I stick with a Coke. I just can't do ice cream with my burger. Besides, there's no way she'll be able to finish all of that, so I'm banking on getting at least half of her float.

After we get our order, we pull up under the street light and start digging in. Bella doesn't fight me over the ketchup like Emmett does, claiming she doesn't like ketchup on her fries because it "hides the delicious potato flavor". I think I like her more than I did five minutes ago. We'll need to go on more In and Out dates.

Ten minutes later, we're both leaned back in our seats, and Bella is sucking up the last drink of her float.

Guess I was wrong.

"So," I say, trying to start a conversation without freaking her out or making her upset.

"I'm sorry," she says, playing with the straw in her cup.

"For what?"

"I should've given you some sort of prep course. I feel like I took you in there blind. And on top of that, I've been a hot mess all night. Sometimes I don't know why you put up with me." She says that last part quietly, looking out the window.

"You've got the hot part right."

She turns and gives me a small smile. After taking a deep breath, she says, "So, Charlie was my dad… is my dad. He died seven years ago."

"I'm sorry."

She nods sadly. "I miss him, especially on nights like tonight."

"How did he die?"

"Heart attack. How crazy is that? World-renowned heart surgeon, and he died of a heart attack."

"That's awful."

"He wouldn't have been able to save himself," she says, looking back out the window. "Jake… uh, Dr. Black… He tried to save him, but it wasn't his fault either."

Things are starting to make more sense. The more I learn about her, unintentional or not, the more the puzzle pieces of Bella Swan start to fall into place.

I want to take her to the hotel and have my way with her, but instead, I drop her off at her car at the hospital. When I walk around and open her door for her, she leans in and kisses me deeply.

"Thank you for tonight and for being so understanding."

"You're welcome."

"I guess I'll see you Sunday," she says, sliding into her SUV.

"Yeah, I'll see you Sunday," I tell her, making sure her and her gorgeous dress are tucked safely inside before I shut her door. Once again, I stand in the parking lot and watch her tail lights as she drives away.

It's only two days, but it'll be two days too long. I miss her the second she's out of sight.

.

.

.

.

"I thought you were going to stand me up," I say, leaning down and kissing her nose and then her cheek.

"I might've taken the scenic route." She laughs. "But I brought wine," she says, holding up the bottle proudly.

"My mom will love you even more than she probably does already. And you wouldn't have taken the scenic route if you would've let me pick you up."

"I like driving myself."

It's not a real date if I don't pick you up. That's what I want to say because I think deep down, that's her rationale. It can't be because she doesn't want Luke to see us together, because we see each other every Sunday. Maybe it's her mom. Regardless of the reasoning or the fact she drove herself, I'm glad she's here.

"Let's get inside."

I walk her up to the porch and open the door for her. My mom is there instantly, wrapping Bella in a hug.

"It's so good to meet you," my mom says. "Edward has told us so much about you." Bella's eyes widen over my mom's shoulder, and I can't help but laugh.

"Bella," my dad says as my mom ushers her into the kitchen,qq where everyone else seems to be congregated. "I'm so glad you came."

"It's nice to meet you, Mr. Cullen."

"Call me Carlisle, please."

"Wait a second. Like the Carlisle Cullen?" she asks, her eyes widening again. "Sex Talk with Dr. Cullen?"

"The one and only," my dad says proudly.

My mom laughs, swatting my dad with a kitchen towel. "Don't start with that, Bella. His ego can hardly fit through the door as it is."

"Oh, my god," Bella mouths to me, and I see her cheeks flush with pink.

"Hi, Bella," my sister greets. "I'm Alice."

"You're on the show too."

"Every Tuesday and Thursday."

"I… I mean, I don't listen religiously or anything. But uh, some of the nurses are always listening in the…"

"Don't worry about it, Bella," Jasper says, walking over and draping an arm over my sister's shoulders. "Everyone in this kitchen listens to Sex Talk with Dr. Cullen. And these two were his guinea pigs," he says, laughing.

"Actually, Esme gave them the initial sex talk. She didn't trust me to stick with the basics," my dad says.

"He would've brought up anal on the first day," Jasper adds, earning an eyeroll from my mother.

"And no one should bring up anal on the first day," Emmett chimes in, reaching over the counter for a meatball.

"Can we not talk about anal in the kitchen?" my mother says in her most chastising voice.

"Anal's definitely a day-two topic."

"Enough with the anal," my mom says loudly.

I look over to see Bella hiding her laugh and a beautiful blush on her cheeks.

"Welcome to the Cullens'," I whisper in her hair, pulling her to me. "Nothing says Merry Christmas like anal talk in the kitchen with your parents." She hides her face in my chest and loses it.

"Bella," I say, trying to change the subject. "This is Jasper, my brother-in-law."

"How do you do?" Jasper says in his deep Texas drawl.

"And this is Rosalie Hale," I say, gesturing to the tall blonde standing beside Emmett.

Rose's well-manicured brow arches as she smiles. "Bella, nice to see you again."

"Wait. You two know each other?" I ask, pulling back to look down at Bella.

The sly, knowing smile on her face tells me they do.

"We met once."

"At the club," Rose adds.

"Oh, at the sex club?" my sister asks excitedly.

Bella's big brown eyes shoot up to me, pleading for help, but I have none to offer.

"They all know about the club. I probably should've mentioned that. Nothing is off limits here at Casa de Cullen." She jabs me in the ribs, but I can't help laughing.

"Jasper and Alice want to go there for their anniversary," Rose says.

"Since Edward and I are pretty much black-listed, Alice will probably be hitting you two up for a connection," Emmett adds.

"Black-listed?"

"Yeah, after Emmett carried Rose out of the club over his shoulder like a fucking caveman, Sam told him never to come back."

Bella laughs again, tilting her head back and exposing her gorgeous neck. I would love to be sucking on it right now if we weren't in a room full of people. "Oh, my god. That's hysterical."

"Hey, it easily could've been Edward," Emmett says, pointing a finger at me.

"But it wasn't. You were always so afraid I was going to get your ass kicked out, and you went and did it yourself."

"Can we not talk about this?" Emmett pleads.

"Oh, but it's so much fun giving you shit," Bella says with a playful smile.

"Oh, I like her already," Alice says.

After dinner and dessert, my dad, Jasper, Emmett, and I pour ourselves a couple of fingers of Christmas cheer, also known as Maker's Mark Black Label. We stand at the bar in my mom and dad's sitting room and watch as the girls laugh themselves silly.

I love seeing Bella like that. I love having her here… with me. I love everything about this night.

As if she feels my eyes on her, she looks my way and smiles… a big, genuine smile… and it lights up the room more than the glow of the fat Christmas tree in the corner.

Whether she knows it or not, she gave me my Christmas wish.

A/Ns:

Jenny Kate: So much happening in this chapter...and I'm not "tooting our own horn", just stating the facts. ;)

Jiff: Not meaning to sound egotistical but I'd have to agree with that statement.

Jenny Kate: All kidding aside, Edward learned several things about Bella and Bella definitely got a hefty dose of the Cullens.

Jiff: Oh, those Cullens…never a dull moment, that's for sure. LOL

Jenny Kate: Definitely not. LOL. It's fun to see them all interact. And you gotta love a good family convo about anal.

Jiff: I mean, if you can't discuss anal sex with your family during the holidays, when can you?

Jenny Kate: Truth. I'm looking forward to what's in store for our couple in the new year.

Jiff: Things seem to be getting better and better, don't they?

Jenny Kate: Things are also getting better for us. Thanks for hanging in there with us while we battled the plague. Hope everyone's New Year is off to a great, happy, healthy start. (Sending get well vibes to Geeky and Pamela.)

Jiff: Love y'all!