* All my thanks to Dunna for her loyal service and friendship. Barista Training is a better story because of her. It IS a story because of her.
* Now for a PSA- Hello, my name is eDWardsheadboard and I am a clinger. I am clinging to this story in a way I had not anticipated. Namely, I don't want to end it. And the end is near (around 5 chapters), but I am struggling to get chapters written and published. I apologize for not sticking to my updating schedule. Thank you for your consistent reading and reviewing.
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* Stephenie Meyer owns Twilight and its characters. I just really love them. No copyright infringement intended.
* Here's another short chapter. I hope you enjoy it.
~ Remember- Edward got the keys to his new house. Emmett called because he met Aro. Oh, and Bella got some oral pleasure-it was about time.
Chapter 21- Singular
"Emmett, what happened?"
"Aro Slade happened."
"Um, what exactly happened?" I can hear the panic in my own voice. If Aro found Emmett, then he knows about… Carlisle.
"Well, my dear, let's just say I handled it, but you seriously owe me. That guy could crush me into tiny pieces."
"Ugh, Emmett, start at the beginning." Edward appears from the kitchen wide eyed, pants unbuttoned. My heart is pounding in my ears as I try to concentrate.
"I was in the back and I heard Eric at the counter arguing with someone about confidentiality and stating that we didn't have the customer he was looking for in our system."
"Judge Aro came in?"
"Yeah, Bella, I could smell the garlic on his breath as he screamed at me." Shit, shit, shit.
"Okay, well…what happened next?"
"I came to the front and realized who he was. I told him that I processed the order. I also told him that I knew he was Judge Aro Slade and I was aware of his stance on legalized marijuana. Then he really lit into me and told me this was exactly the kind of dangerous situation that he wanted to protect the public from. So, I asked him where his wife had been getting her marijuana before she came to see me."
"Emmett, you didn't!" Edward crosses the room with furrowed eyebrows and begins massaging my tense shoulders.
"I most certainly did!" The tone of his voice is suddenly elevated and urgent. "Truth is truth. I wasn't going to let him come in here and accuse me of endangering people when he is dealing with criminals on the side. He acted like he's above the law and I was the criminal. So I set him straight."
"Set him straight how?" Edward's hands still and he turns me around to face him. He has panic in his eyes, mirroring the panic in my heart. Carlisle is bound to find out about all of this and then … I don't even know what would happen then…and Nessie…
"I reminded him that we provide a public service. That our product is safer because we are under constant scrutiny thanks to people like him. I reminded him that most Oncologists in the area prescribe marijuana treatment including his wife's doctor." I squint my eyes to prepare for the inevitable words that are coming next.
"He told me they had denied the prescription, Bella. Do you want to explain that?"
"Not really," I squint my eyes and hopes he doesn't push. Edward runs his hands up and down my arms a few times.
He does. "Bella…"
"Emmett, the truth is that the prescription came from a real doctor who knew she was taking drugs off the street. He made sure she wasn't going to have any drug interactions."
"Trust me, Bella. We verify every prescription that comes in here. We don't need unnecessary heat from the government. We deal with their shit enough. I know your boyfriend's Father is legit."
Now for the question I am dreading to ask, but know I have to. "Did you tell Aro who the prescribing doctor was?"
"How fucking stupid do you think I am?"
"I don't but… did you tell him?"
"Hell, no. Somehow there was a deep crease over the doctor information at the top of the written prescription when I scanned it into the system. It's unreadable."
"Wow, that was quick thinking, Emmett."
"I know," he brags, "I told you I recognized the last name when Sylvia came in the first time."
"Sulpicia," I correct him.
"Oh, yeah, I know. I changed that it when I typed her info into the computer. That's why Eric couldn't find her when he tried. Aro was looking for Sulpicia Slade and we honestly don't have a customer with that name. We also don't have a customer with her exact address either."
"You changed her name?"
"Yep, Sylvia Spade. I changed the last digit in her address and phone number to an "8" also. Nobody but me would ever be able to find her information in our system."
"I can't believe you actually helped Aro Slade after all his public criticism of your industry. I don't know what to say."
"Um…'Thank you'… duh."
I chuckle at his bluntness. "Well, thank you, Emmett, but I know that doesn't really cover it."
"True, but the bottle of Jameson would show me that you really mean it."
"Okay, okay. I'll buy the biggest bottle I can find. I can't believe he just left without a fight."
"Bella, it wasn't all that easy. He accused me of dealing illegally."
"What did you say?"
"I said that typos happen all the time. I actually turned the monitor around and showed him her information. Then I pointed out that if he had a hard time locating it, so would anyone else. He thanked me in the end."
"Is he buying you a bottle of Jameson too?"
"No, but I got the satisfaction of telling him that I was proud to provide necessary medical products for people with long term illnesses and I didn't think anyone should have to buy medicine behind a 7-11. Honestly, that might have been better than the whiskey."
"I'm glad you got that satisfaction, Emmett. Thanks for taking care of all that for me. We really appreciate it."
"No problem. Talk to you later, Bella."
I hang up the phone and turn to an anxious Edward.
"What was that about?" he asks.
"Judge Aro came in questioning Emmett about the prescription, demanding answers."
"And?" Edward's eyes are open wide and he's slacked jawed.
"And, Emmett handled. He had hidden Sulpicia's information well and protected us at the same time."
"So, it's over?"
"I don't know about over, but Aro doesn't need James for pot anymore. The custody case will be decided fairly at least."
"I guess that's good. Now if we could only get James' farm off our property without any consequences." And it's like a light bulb goes off in my head at that exact moment.
"Edward! Why didn't I think of this before? We should force him to sell his crop to Emmett. He could get the money somewhat honestly and your family would know they were helping people and not putting drugs in the hands of kids."
"I can't imagine my parents getting more involved than they already are, but I guess it wouldn't hurt to mention it." I snuggle into his chest and savor the feeling of being in his arms for a moment.
"Don't think I forgot that I owe you one. Because I didn't." I sigh.
"You don't owe me, Bella. Please." He waves his hand in the air like it doesn't matter.
I pull back and look at him for a minute. His cheeks are flushed and he looks uncomfortable.
"Um, Edward, I owe you and I want to pay up."
"You do?" The shock in his eyes is plain as day.
I bite my bottom lip and nod. "I really, really do." He leans down and presses his lips to mine, tenderly at first but the intensity grows quickly. His tongue is forceful against mine and I have to pull back for a breath.
I take advantage of the moment and lower my hands to the button fly of his jeans. I slowly push the metal circle through the top hole while I guide Edward backwards to the wall by the fireplace. As soon as he can support himself on the wall, I pull the rest of the buttons free in one swift motion.
Edward gasp-moans and I look up to see his eyes full of dark lust. Fuck, he's sexy. I lower myself to my knees maintaining eye contact the entire time and I pull his pants off with the boxers one leg at a time.
It's obvious he's fighting to keep his eyes open as I lean in and run my tongue around the tip of his waiting cock. I'm the one to break eye contact at the first taste of him. I spend the next minute or so tracing his top ridge with my tongue, exploring every inch.
Once I have that area fairly well memorized, I run my tongue down the entire length of his shaft and back up to that intriguing ridge. He moans loudly as I sweep my tongue across the top tasting the tiny drop at the tip. Then I slide to the opposite side and back around.
I kind of want to repeat that entire process again, but I can sense his anticipatory frustration and I don't want to torture him. Too much. So I lean closer and pull him into mouth only to the ridge of the head. I hear him exhale sharply and I look up at him. He's a beautiful sight with his head tossed back against the wall and mouth open. His hands are balled into fists next to his waist and pressed firmly against the wall like he's trying to restrain them.
I slowly begin to lower my mouth over the rest of his solid shaft and when I can't take any more in, I reach out with both hands and take hold of his, interlocking our fingers. I turn my head slowly from side to side as I pull back pressing with my tongue as I go. When I open my eyes his head is still tilted toward the ceiling so I can't really see him.
I slowly release him, savoring the taste of his precum. "Edward, I want you to watch what I'm doing to do you and I want you to know I enjoy it." A sweet moan escapes his lips and then his tongue darts out to wet them. I lift his hands to the sides of my head. He tentatively massages my scalp as I put my mouth back to work.
Every time I glance up he's got his eyes locked on me. The lust they display is all the encouragement I need to keep going and up my game. My right hand gently massages his soft sac and my left hand is on his ass so I can pull him toward me. Edward becomes rock solid everywhere I can feel him and he tries to pull away from me. His grip on my hair is firm.
"Be-Bel-la I'm- stop-I'm…" He tries to carefully pull my head away using my hair.
"Mm-mm," I murmur my negative response to him, slightly shaking my head. I am not going to miss the highlight of this show. Instead I hollow out my cheeks even more, pull on him slightly harder and increase my pace. That does it.
"Oh, Bella… aaaaaaahhhh." And I taste him in that moment, but his eyes are hidden behind his tightly closed eyes. After a moment he releases my hair and leans over slowly, pulling me up next to him. Edward's arms wrap around me. I lean my head against his chest where his strong heartbeat is still pounding under his solid chest.
"That was amazing, Bella. Thank you." I feel his soft kiss on the top of my head.
"It was my pleasure," I say honestly. We stand there silently for a few minutes before he releases me.
"I'll be right back," he whispers. He retreats down the hallway. I decide I should put the new bedding in the right room, so I head toward the kitchen.
"Knock, knock," I hear Esme's voice in the entryway. Oops, I guess we forgot to lock the door. Again.
"In here, Esme," I answer her from the kitchen in a tone that sounds like embarrassment to my own ears, considering the things I was doing to her son a few seconds ago.
She appears in the doorway as I try to fight a massive blush."I'm glad you're here, Bella. I actually wanted to talk to you about Edward's birthday. I just want to make sure we're all set for it."
"I think so. Are you still up for hosting?" I kind of forgot about his birthday with everything else we've had going on.
"I am, but I wondered if Edward might prefer to have it here instead."
"Hmmm, well, he won't be settled in at all and since I was hoping to surprise him, I can't exactly ask him. I think we better stick with the plan, but I'll make sure we have some basics here in case people drift over."
"I think that sounds perfect. Nessie can go to bed at our house and the party can continue late into the night if that's what you guys decide."
"Thank you, Esme. You're really wonderful. We couldn't do any of this without you."
She walks toward me and takes my hand between both of hers. "Bella, I am truly grateful for you as well. Edward needs you and you've proven that you're here for him. Carlisle will come around, just you wait."
I swallow the lump in my throat. "Okay. Thanks."
"Hey, what are two of my favorite girls doing in here?" Edward startles us.
"Oh, um, we're just…" I stammer.
"We're just discussing this kitchen and its desperate need for a make-over. What do you think of French country, Dear?"
"Mom, you know I don't know anything about that stuff. Ask Bella what she likes." They both turn to me at the same time.
I feel my cheeks flush. I don't want to be put under this pressure. This is exactly what I get for being a bad liar. "Edward, you're the chef and it's your house. I think you should decide."
"French country it is," Esme states matter of factly. "I'll bring some ideas by later. Right now I'm running out to meet Carlisle."
"Oh, are you guys having lunch out?" I ask.
Her lips curl up in a secretive grin. "No, just an impromptu treat." I swear I can see her blush before she leaves us alone in the kitchen.
"What…" I'm dumbstruck.
"I just don't even ask anymore because I'm one hundred percent sure I don't want to know." He shakes his head and pulls me in for a tight embrace.
"Can we move your stuff in this weekend?" He asks without letting me go.
"Oh, um. I think this weekend is bad. Besides, why don't we get Nessie's room set up and the master bedroom painted. After that, I'll feel better about moving in."
"You're not having second thoughts, are you?" He steps back and looks at me intently. The worry is extremely evident in his eyes.
"No, Edward. I'm not. I just…I just don't want to make it any more stressful than absolutely necessary. That's all." How many times have I tried to lie in the last ten minutes?
He squints his eyes slightly, like he doesn't quite believe me, but drops it. "Okay, Baby. How do you feel about a fun filled afternoon at the hardware store?"
"Will you be there?" I flirt.
"Of course."
"Sounds perfect." I lean up and kiss him, happy I'm back to comfortable honesty.
We spend the rest of the day selecting paint and window coverings. I'm completely blown away by how much decorative light fixtures and faucets cost. Edward tries to make me choose things I like without considering the cost, but I don't have the first clue how to do that. He insists that it's all an investment and he wants to make sure I take some sort of ownership in the house. I'm not really there yet. It's his house.
-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-
Wednesday afternoon we're back in court with Judge Aro. The air is thick with tension and Edward has been a nervous wreck all day. Apparently, the social worker had a meeting with Nessie this morning and was supposed to share a report with Aro before court today. We have no idea if James is still residing in the Cullen cabin or not.
Judge Aro begins the court session right on time. Everything about him is so formal and stoic. There is no reading his language. He immediately asks James for an update.
"Judge, I have moved into a renovated loft downtown which is a very convenient location for me. The college is only about a block away and they have an accredited preschool program that Vanessa can attend." I have to bite my tongue to keep from disrupting the courtroom because I know the main reason James wants to be close to campus is for 'business purposes' so he can corrupt young college students.
"Very good, Mr. Smith. Miss Young informed me about the college preschool. I know from past experience that they have a wonderful reputation and several awards from the Washington State Education Department. I appreciate you taking the court's suggestion very seriously. Your efforts will not be ignored."
I feel Esme tense up beside me and I can see Edward's shoulders slump. I know he's feeling defeated and I want to help. My mind is frantically racing, trying to figure out anything that will give him the leg up. What would a Family Court Judge feel was most beneficial to children who cannot be placed with their biological parents? Correction, parent. Singular.
Quickly I dig through my purse until I find an old grocery store receipt and a pen. I scribble furiously, completely oblivious to the court proceedings happening around me.
I recap the pen and lean over the wooden barrier to tap Edward on the shoulder. He turns to me with tears glistening in his eyes and I hand him my hastily written note. He reads it, furrows his brow and reads it a second time.
In the background I hear his lawyer droning on and on about Edward's new house and how he's weeks away from finishing his degree and how Nessie is a part of the Cullen family. Stability and legal blah, blah, blah. The lawyer finishes his prepared speech and surprisingly, Judge Aro turns to Edward and asks him if he really feels like he's dedicated enough to raise a child full time on his own.
Edward stands and faces Judge Aro head on. "Yes, your Honor. I love Nessie like my very own and I am very proud to tell you that I will not be raising her on my own." His head turns to mine and a huge smile takes over his features. "Because, apparently I am getting married."
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* Next update-soon? How's that for vague? Thanks for hanging in there!