I do not own or claim to own any rights to Twilight. Thank you, Ms. Meyer for your creation. You've made so many people happy. I do own the rest of this story, so thank you for respecting my rights.

Bella Swan: The Unwanted Bride

A story by tumblin' di

Chapter 14: Guessing Games

The next few days were uneventful. Edward kept his promise and a tutor came over and we had a makeshift classroom in the library. The tutor was incredibly intelligent, and I realized just how much Edward was, too. Edward could be or do anything he wanted to. I'm sure a wife was never in his immediate plans. I imagined that he had planned on going off to college next year.

The weather was turning cooler and I was grateful for the warm clothes Edward had bought me. Being here began to feel normal. At night we would light a fire in the parlor. Edward would read the paper and I would read a book or sew. I was becoming accustomed to the rituals at church and I had made a few new friends there and in town. I told Edward how nice the butcher was and Edward said that he noticed that the meat we were getting seemed especially choice. Edward decided to join me on my shopping trips to meet some of the friends I had made.

Edward told me that he, Emmet and Jasper usually went out on Friday nights to spend time together. I wondered if that included Lauren? He suggested that maybe I should have a girls' night on Fridays while he was out.

I sent out invitations to Alice, Esme, Rosalie and Jessica. I made a couple of pies and a pot of coffee. We talked about fashion, boys and men, and even kissing. Esme and I exchanged knowing smiles. Esme had purchased some new sheet music and she played a couple of songs on the piano. We sang "And He'd Say "Oo-La-La Wee-Wee" and "Hail, Hail, The Gang's All Here."

Rosalie had a bottle of sherry hidden in her purse and we all had a small glass, giggling the whole time we sipped. Jessica liked to talk a bit too much, and although a little scatterbrained, she seemed harmless. We all decided that we had so much fun that we would get together every Friday.

It was the next day that things began to change between Edward and I. He no longer stayed in his room all day. He did some chores around the house to get it ready for the colder weather. Once when I was stirring a pot of vegetable soup, he put his hand on my waist and leaned over to smell what I was cooking. I picked up the spoon and blew on it to cool, then put it to his lips to taste. His cheek and hair rubbed against my face and I couldn't help but to lean back into him. His skin felt so good against mine and his lips were so close. I wondered that if we were really married would he have turned that extra inch to kiss me?

Later that night, I got up from the couch to retrieve some thread from the sewing basked next to the empty chair. Edward suggested that I start sitting there so I wouldn't have to keep getting up.

In his mother's chair, I felt like I really was Mrs. Masen, spending the evening next to the fire with my husband. I was darning a pair of Edward's socks—with all that money you would think he'd get rid of that ratty old pair. When I questioned him, he informed me that they were his lucky baseball socks. I told him they would last longer if he only wore them when he wanted to get lucky. I apparently know nothing about lucky baseball socks because he began to snicker at my comment. Boys.

The next Friday when the girls came over, an unexpected knock came at the door. Jasper and Emmet both greeted me like they were expected to be there, and then they walked into the foyer. I called Edward down from his room and he led the boys into the parlor. The ladies were surprised when the boys took seats in the room. I took Edward by the arm and brought him back to the foyer.

"What?"

"Why are Jasper and Emmet here?"

"It's my night to have them over. I told you about that, right?"

"Um, no Edward, you did not."

"I'm sure I did."

"Edward,I know that you know that it's more than a coincidence that Rosalie and Alice are here so don't play innocent with me."

He gave me an I don't know what you're talking about look and proceeded back into the parlor.

The girls each had a glass of port wine and the boys sipped on scotch and water as we played charades. Edward pulled The Jungle book . Oh my, Edward looked so scary prowling around the room like a lion. Esme had to shake me to pull me out of my stupor. Emmet kept shouting out answers like "Bella is having a baby" and "Edward Masen Junior". Really, Emmet? Edward looked like he was going to punch Emmet until I yelled at him about not breaking anything in the parlor. When it was Emmet's turn, Edward guess was "The tale of two black eyes from Royce King". Rosalie tried to act shocked, but it was obvious that she liked the attention.

After charades, we all went into the music room and I was surprised that Edward played the song that I loved so much at the symphony. He told me it was called Claire de Lune and that it was one of his favorites. I was so entranced by the music that I hadn't even realized that I had sat down on the piano bench next to him. He looked so beautiful and at peace when he played.

We all talked a bit and I found out that Emmet was working at an automobile repair shop on evenings and weekends. He felt that this was going to become a booming business and he wanted to open his own shop eventually. Rosalie was genuinely fascinated by the things Emmet told her and he was equally surprised that Rosalie was able to converse with him about autos. It seems that she even subscribed to Auto Mechanics Monthly Magazine.

Alice and Jasper didn't have much to say, they just sat close all evening, shyly taking glimpses of each other when they thought the other wasn't looking. Esme had to hold back a grin every time that they did.

After everyone left, Edward and I both headed to bed. I went to the bathroom and took a quick bath and washed my hair. I towel dried it as best as I could and I put on my old cotton nightgown and robe. As I was walking back to my room Edward and I bumped into each other in the hall—literally. We tried passing each other but each of us unsuccessful with figuring which side of the hall to pass on. Finally he put his hands on my shoulders to stop me. Instead of moving to the side, we both stood there. Edward's hands slowly moved to my back, then he stepped closer and one hand was at the small of my back and with the other he combed his fingers through my hair. He leaned in and rubbed his cheek against the top of my head. Then, he tilted my chin up and began looking at my lips. His eyelids were heavy, and I could smell a hint of whiskey on his breath. His thumb trailed down my jaw and softly rubbed my lips. I couldn't breathe and my knees were about to give out on me. Slowly, he leaned closer until his lips were a hair's breath away from my own. I could feel the warmth radiating from him. He touched his lips to mine for just a second and then pulled an inch away. He looked into my eyes for a moment and then leaned in again. First he kissed my top lip, then moved down and kissed the bottom. His lips then rubbed mine slightly from side to side. He wrapped his arm a little tighter around my waist and kissed with just a little more force. I reached my arms up to his neck and pulled him closer, losing my balance and practically falling into him. My fingers took on a mind of their own and I began running them through his hair. It felt like silk and I couldn't get enough. Edward was kissing and releasing, and we were making soft smacking noises. His hand slipped lower and he gave my backside a squeeze and pulled me very close. As he did this he let out a groan.

He immediately pulled himself back and away from me. I couldn't tell what he was thinking at all. Heck, I don't know if I could think at that point if I wanted to. He had a serious look on his face when he smoothed his hair back with his fingers.

"Goodnight Bella." Was all he said before he turned on his heel and went into the bathroom.

The next morning I was hoping that things had changed for the better between us. There was no doubt that I was in love with Edward. When he had kissed me last night I felt like I was on a star falling from the sky. My lips still ached at the loss of his and I wanted more.

For all I did to ruin his life, he was still kind and caring. I hoped beyond hope that he would come to know who I really was and have the same feelings that I did. My stomach was in knots, worrying about it.

Edward came down the stairs smiling, and I hoped it was a good sign that he didn't regret what happened in the hallway. Neither of us mentioned what happened, but we both had a moment when we looked at each other and smiled shyly. Edward came up to me while I was washing the breakfast dishes, and while he was twiddling with a lock of my hair, he suggested that after we did our chores and schoolwork we should take a drive to the beach and take a walk along Lake Michigan.

When we were finished, he put on a jacket and I put on one of my new heavy sweaters and we headed out. It was cool, so the beach was fairly deserted. We bought hot dogs from a cart and ate them as we walked, talking and dodging the waves so our feet wouldn't get wet. The beach ran for miles and we walked until the sun started to set and then we turned around and headed back to the car. The wind had picked up along the shore and I began to shiver. Edward insisted on taking his coat off and giving it to me to wear. It smelled like Edward and I loved it. When we were walking up the steep hill back to the car, Edward took my hand in his and helped me up. He didn't let go of it until he opened the passenger door for me.

Since we were already downtown, Edward drove around, showing me the lights of the city. It was spectacular. There were neon lights all over the buildings. People were coming and going even after dark. There were bars and taverns on every street corner and you could hear everything from jazz to blues to polkas wafting out of their doors. We passed a movie theater where Tarzan of the Apes was playing and the line was a block long. Edward pulled over at a corner and got out for a minute. When he came back he had a bag of hot cashews and we nibbled them as he drove.

When we got home it was very late so we both headed for the staircase as soon as we walked in. Edward stopped me before we went up.

"I hope you had a nice evening?"

"It was one of the best of my life. Thank you for taking me, Edward"

He lifted his hand and hesitated for a moment before reaching up to pull a lock of my hair back. Without giving it a thought, I stepped closer to him and placed my palms on his chest and looked up into his eyes.

"Goodnight Edward."

He gently wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me closer. My hands slid up his chest and around his neck and I stood on my toes. We both leaned in until our lips met. He kissed me sweetly and repeatedly on my lips and then along my jaw. I may have said "jelly" out loud as I was thinking about how my body felt, but I'm not sure.

Just like last time, one of his arms moved to the small of my back and the other to my hair. He began giving me small kisses up and down my neck and I thought I would faint. He suddenly took in a big breath of air and whispered in my ear: "You'd better get to your room. Now."

As I lay in my bed, I realized that I wanted more. I wanted to spend every moment of my life in Edward's arms. Without thinking, I threw off my covers and walked to my door. I put my hand on the knob and wondered what I would say if I went to him? I love you? I want you? I need you? I want to be your wife in every way—except that one, tiny little part Esme said men liked a lot, ew—everything except that.

I leaned my forehead against the door. I had enough courage to go to him, just not enough to handle being rejected. After a moment of deliberation, I went back to my bed alone.

A/N: I've had several requests, for an EPOV. It's not really what I had planned, but I have a draft of a short chapter with Edward's pov. I'll take a vote, so please let me know your preference.