Name: ABSOLUTION

Author: Sdfreeze

Disclaimer: Characters belong to Stephenie Meyer

This story was last published on 6/20/10.

There are 24 chapters in this story.

This is the link for the TWILIGHTED forum for THE CUBE story.

http: / / www(dot)twilighted(dot)net/forum/viewtopic(dot)php?f=44&t=11931

All Sdfreeze story discussions should take place in THE CUBE discussion forum, to keep them together.

Chapter: 14

EDWARD

I was having a really hard time understanding what was going on. Bella looked shock as hell to see me, so she wasn't expecting me. I thought the hostess had made a mistake until she handed us both a card written by my mother.

I held it in my shaking hands and read, Surprise, make to most of the time I've given you. I love you.

I reluctantly sat down and looked at Bella's blushing face. "We've been had," I said with a chuckle.

"I was invited to a girl's night," she said and kept looking down.

"Bella," I called softly so she would look at me. "I'm glad you're here."

She smiled and my heart took off racing. She was so much prettier than I had remembered and I felt tears fill my eyes. Bella was right in front of me, and I had all evening with her. "You look so beautiful," I told her truthfully.

"So do you," she said shyly and I smiled.

I was brought some champagne and her glass was freshened. I held my glass out and said, "To wonderful surprises."

She clinked my glass and had to wipe a tear from her eye. I reached out and placed my hand over hers and the sensation was overwhelming. She raised her fingers and intertwined them with mine and I stared at them as if they belonged to someone else.

"I can't believe I'm here with you," I said and she nodded and sniffed a couple of times. I downed my glass in an attempt to gain some control of my emotions and reached over to touch her face with my fingertips.

"No crying," I said and she smiled as her tears spilled over her eyes.

"I had my makeup done, I didn't expect to be crying," she said with a laugh.

"I'm sorry about not sending you the email, I know I said I would but I…."

"You didn't send it?" she asked in surprise.

I shook my head shamefully and she said something to stun me, "I never checked to see if you did or not."

"Why?" I asked and then regretted it.

She took a deep breath and said, "Because Jessica told me you cheated on Tanya all the time."

God, I felt like an ass. Now I would have to tell her Jessica was right and she would walk out of here, happy to be rid of me. "I did, but…."

"You're mother told me you changed," she said to give me a bit of comfort.

"When did you see my mother?" I asked in shock.

"She came to Forks and took me to dinner."

"She took me to lunch," I laughed and wanted to have my mother put up for Sainthood.

"Your mother answered all kinds of questions for me," she said and I could tell she had something embarrassing on me.

"Did I tell you my mother is a pathological liar?" I asked and hoped she would buy it.

"She told me you do everything…big."

"Yes, when I make an ass of myself, I do it in a big way," I admitted and hoped it would cover all my bases.

"She also said you have a lot of nerve."

"I have no idea what you're talking about," I admitted and waited for her to clue me in.

"Your piercing," she said with raised eyebrows and I laughed loudly causing most of the patrons to look over at us.

I had so many things I could say and I rubbed my forehead as I tried to think them though before opening my big mouth, but just when I was ready to speak she said something to set my body on fire.

"I'm not sure I believe her, I think you'll need to prove it."

BELLA

I knew I was being flirtatious, and a bit bold, but he was wearing a freaking tux and we were talking about his penis. He was lucky I didn't pull my dress off where I sat. I knew something great was going to happen tonight, I could just feel it, but I had to admit I never dreamed it would be this great.

I also knew we had some difficult conversations ahead of us, but I had faith we could do it. A waitress walked up with plates of lobster and we both gave her a shocked expression. "Your meals and drinks are all covered," she said and winked at us both.

"You have such an awesome mom," I laughed.

He sat his elbow on the table and let his chin rest in his palm. "I do, and have I told you how unbelievably gorgeous you are?"

"One glass of champagne gets you this drunk," I teased and he smiled with his face still in his hand, the sight of it made me sigh and I wished we were alone and not facing the daunting task of lobster.

"I have an admission to make," he said just as the waitress walked up with two lobster bibs. She fastened it around his neck and I laughed, until she added one to me.

I watched her walk away and turned back to Edward, "An admission?"

"I have a bag packed in my car; I was heading to Forks tonight."

"Really, to do what?"

"Beg you to love me," he said and his eyes locked with mine.

"I've always loved you," I said with a full heart.

"Beg you to be mine," he clarified.

"I'm yours," I said and he rose from his seat and came to my side.

He held my face in his hands and kissed me softly as I leaned into him and gasped for air. We kissed several times, completely unaware of anyone else in the room and looking totally silly with the bibs. The steward came to fill our glasses again we broke apart.

"You have all night for love, enjoy the lobsters," he said and we both laughed. I could care less about the lobsters, but since someone paid for our dinner we better enjoy it.

We both began to eat and Edward finally had the nerve to bring up the difficult subjects.

EDWARD

"I was with Tanya out of guilt," I blurted out, knowing we needed to clear the air but hating to spoil the mood.

"I understand, I was doing the same thing," she admitted back to me.

"I never experienced love until I met you, I won't cheat on you, Bella," I said to reassure her but the truth was I would have to prove myself and hoped she would let me.

"Edward, I am not the person I was in college either, I don't hold your past against you."

"I work at the clinic next to the blood bank and although I'm a doctor I don't have any money," I said even though I didn't expect Bella to care.

"You're talking to a former nun," she laughed, "Who didn't even want the dresser in her room."

"Unless it was to hide her perfect breasts," I teased and noticed how she blushed. "In some ways Uganda was the happiest time of my life."

"Mine too," she said softly.

"I want to thank you for saving Lulu," I said and noticed how both of our eyes grew wet.

"I miss her," Bella whispered.

I nodded and looked at my plate, feeling the guilt of being so blessed. We both sat our forks down and took a drink. The hostess walked up to us with a smile and asked if we were enjoying our dinner.

"Did you know about this?" I asked and she pretended to lock her lips with a key.

"I have one more surprise," she said and pulled out a card and handed it to me. "Have a great night."

I opened the card to find a room key for the Four Seasons. I felt a bit uncomfortable, not that I didn't want Bella in my bed tonight, but I felt like I was assuming too much.

"What is it?" she asked.

I placed the card in my pocket and smiled, "My mother wishing us luck."

We both looked at our still full plates and took deep breaths. The only thing worse than having so much food was wasting so much food, so we began working on it again.

When we were offered dessert we both quickly declined. The sound of soft music resonated down from the observation deck and I smiled at Bella. "I would love to dance with you," I said as I stood.

"I'm not sure I will be able to control myself," she said as she took my hand.

"I'm praying you can't," I laughed.

BELLA

This entire night was a fantasy I never wanted to end. He pulled me into his arms and moved slowly to the music. I could fell his entire body against mine and it was heaven. I was a bit confused by his reaction to the room key. I had seen what was in the card, but he played it off. I didn't want to make him uncomfortable so I decided to wait a bit before I brought it up.

I could feel it when he started kissing my neck ever so lightly. I let my hand wander into his hair and run my nails across his scalp. It was then I became aware of something else happening to his body and I smiled to myself.

He pulled me tighter and I breathed into his ear causing him to moan. I had always wondered how people could be arrested for public indecency and now I knew. I was losing the ability to make proper judgments and all I could concentrate on was how much I wanted him.

"Edward," I said with much difficulty.

"Hummm," he said against my neck.

"Why did you hide the room key?" I asked as my body smoldered in his arms.

He pulled back to look at me and I wanted to scream for him to return to his original position. I wanted to smack myself for saying anything in the first place.

"You knew it was a key?" he asked.

"I saw it," I said as I refused to look at his eyes.

"I didn't want you to think I would just assume you would go to a hotel with me," he said and then leaned to speak into my ear. "Should I assume?"

"There is still the small matter of the piercing which needs to be cleared up," I said and he quickly took my hand and began leading me to the elevators. I laughed and pulled back to stop him.

"Are you okay with moving ahead or do you want to take it slower?" I asked him seriously.

He took a step towards me and ran his hand from my neck to the back of my head and leaned his forehead onto mine. "I love you, Bella Swan, and I had to live for months thinking you were dead. I don't want to waste a moment that can be spent showing you how much I love you."

I took a step closer so our bodies were right against one another and I kissed him with all the passion I could publicly display.

He suddenly pulled away and began looking around the room.

EDWARD

I heard it, loud and clear, maybe because I had been accustomed to that sound over the years, but Emmett's loud laugh was easily detectable.

I took Bella's hand and began walking around the large round room. I saw my entire family off to the side, huddled close together. Alice saw me first and her eyes grew wide as she tapped everyone and pointed in my direction.

They all turned to watch us walk towards them. "Why are you guys really here?" I asked in confusion.

I noticed Jasper and Rosalie were missing and wondered if there was another big announcement and Bella was just the icing on the cake. My father stepped forward and introduced himself to Bella; I was a bit embarrassed I didn't think to do it first.

"This is my brother Emmett, and my sister Alice, this is Bella," I said and watched Alice light up.

She took Bella from my arms and began commenting on her dress and shoes. Emmett elbowed me in the ribs and smiled, "She's hot."

"Stop it," I said and then smiled, "I know."

My mother gave me a tight hug and I thanked her profusely. "We were just leaving," I announced and my mother's eyes widened.

"Not yet, you can't leave for another few minutes," she said looking at her watch.

"There's more?" I gasped.

"Yes, one more little thing," she said with a worried look.

"Is it something for dad?" I asked trying to figure out what was going on.

"Oh be serious, your father has already received every award available."

I was beginning to get irritated by all the intrigue and wanted to get out of there and have Bella to myself. Alice was taking her entire attention and I blew out a long breath. My mother received a call and she suddenly began jumping around.

She pulled me and Bella to the middle of the room and placed Emmett and my father in front of us to block our view. "What's going on?" Bella whispered to me.

"I have no idea," I admitted and shook my head at the absurdity of my family.

"Okay," my mother yelled. "As you all know Jasper and Rosalie are not here with us tonight."

"Jasper's in Georgia," Alice said with confusion.

"And Rose it at a bridal shower," Emmet said.

"Wrong," my mother beamed. "They have been helping me with something. Rosalie is very active with the outreach group at our church and she works with refugees. Jasper's father sits on the board at a bank with a very important man, the CEO of Hanger Orthopedics."

We all looked at each other growing more and more confused and my frustration was reaching epic proportions. My mother finally said, "Bella and Edward, we hope this helps ease your pain in some way."

She pulled Emmett and my father out of the way to reveal Rosalie and Jasper. Then we saw Lulu, walking towards us, walking without any assistance and with two legs. Bella and I grabbed onto each other so we wouldn't fall. Lulu smiled with all her teeth showing and rushed towards us with her arms open. "Doctor, you were like my leg, I could feel you."

I pulled her into my arms and held her tightly as I sobbed. "I missed you so much, Lulu," I said into her hair.

"You saved your love, no?"

I pulled Bella into our hug too and said, "Yes Lulu, I saved my love."

"I stay strong, Bella's God tell her how to save me," she said and Bella was crying so hard she couldn't respond.

I'm sure the entire room thought we were all insane. We were dressed in party clothes and sobbing all over a small Ugandan child.

Surrogate a/n...would love to hear what you thought of this story. Reviews are love...and I'm sure that Sandi would like to see some!