Disclaimer: Twilight and its characters are owned by the Marvelous Ms. Meyers - no copyright infringement is intended. Please don't send your lawyers after me!

Author's note: Iadorepugs and athomejo are the reason we're here today - I would never have published without their support and assistance.

Updating without answering reviews again due to another busy day, but I hope you'll understand why when you read on :) Happy Monday, and happy final week of Listen With Your Heart (yep, only five more chapters...)

Chapter 21

We ended up at the same restaurant where the Deaf meetup was always held. There were a surprising number of our friends here, and Angela confessed she had invited them all to celebrate my jury tonight. I was shocked to learn that several of them had been at my performance – I had been so nervous that I hadn't even noticed them in the auditorium.

We sat in the middle of the crowd, visiting with several different people. I smiled when I saw Ben Cheney take the seat next to Angela and strike up a conversation. She had been interested in him for weeks, and I was pretty sure he liked her as well. It was good to see him step up and make a move. He made an effort to include me in the conversation, but I tried not to eavesdrop to allow him and Angela to talk.

Edward was sitting close enough to me that our thighs were pressed against one another, and his arm kept brushing mine as he and Victoria spoke. Even though there seemed to be enough room to spread out, I certainly wasn't going to complain. I was trying not to think about the end of the semester and school year, when I wouldn't have the excuse of ASL to spend time with Edward, wondering if our time together like this was coming to an end.

After Ben had excused himself to use the restroom, Angela's sigh caught my attention. Looked I wasn't the only one with a lot on her mind tonight.

What's wrong?

Have you ever been in love, Bella? she asked me. I noticed how her eyes followed Ben with a look of longing.

Yes, I replied, and it took all my will not to look at Edward when I said it.

Does he love you, too? Angela asked.

I frowned. There were times I thought maybe Edward had feelings for me; times where I would find him looking at me, or times when we touched that he seemed slow to pull back. Tonight even, hugging me and touching my face, and remaining close to my side. But he was an affectionate guy – I had seen him hug Angela, or pat Victoria's hand. I don't know, I signed. I doubt it.

What's not to love? Angela teased, and I forced a smile. I bet he loves to hear you sing.

No, he's never heard me sing. He's never heard me play piano. He's never even heard my voice.

I was startled by the feel of Edward's warm hand covering mine. I looked up, and the look in his eyes made my heart race. He smiled shyly and spoke, "Bella, I don't need to hear your voice to know that I love you, too."

"What?" I said, stunned. I hadn't realized he'd been listening to our conversation. My fingers formed the gloss, but my hands were shaking so badly I wasn't sure he'd be able to tell what I was signing.

He cupped my face with both hands and caressed my cheek. "I love you, Bella," he said softly.

"I love you too, Edward," I said, feeling a tear escape the corner of my eye and track down my cheek. Edward wiped it away with his thumb, then leaned down and very gently pressed his lips to mine.

His lips were warm and soft as they moved against mine. I sighed, wrapping my arms around his neck as he tilted his head and deepened our kiss, his tongue lightly tracing my bottom lip before delving within at my invitation.

It could have been seconds, minutes, or even hours – all I knew was I was finally in his arms, and I wasn't about to let him go.

"God, it's about time! Get a room!" Angela shouted, and I realized others were catcalling and whistling. I could feel my cheeks burn as I pulled away and buried my face in Edward's shoulder.

I felt his arms move and I laughed when I looked up and he was flipping off the room. "Want to get out of here?" he asked, and I nodded quickly.

Say it with me - FINALLY! Please let me know your thoughts.