Author's Note:
Hi everyone. Thanks for the comments and adds. I've been up for a long time with my ill father. Things aren't looking so good right now so please just bare with me if there is a long pause between chapters. I don't know what the future is going to hold for me and my family. There might be times when updates are dry but please know that the story is done and will be updates. I'm just asking for patience. Thank you all for understanding.
Enjoy the chapter and as always, thank you so much for reading!
-Lisa
Chapter Twenty One
The last few days of November morphed into the new days of December. The fall days gave way to winter. Bella and Carlisle grew closer to one another. They walked over to the tree lighting ceremony in the Boston Common. Carlisle held Molly high up on his shoulders. She was excited when Santa Claus waved to her. Bella leaned into him and kissed his cheek.
The twosome became closer to another. Although she was still unsure how she felt about taking their relationship to the next level, Bella and Carlisle grew more physical. They may not have had sex, but they were affectionate and showed each other they loved each other.
The second weekend of December found Carlisle with Bella and Molly at his side to attend Edward's concert. He was nervous and anxious. He has happy he was getting the support from his father and his girlfriend. Edward still had had lingering feelings for Bella but tried to keep them to himself.
Carlisle led Bella to their seats. She leaned into him and sat with her head resting on his shoulder. Molly snuggled against Bella. She was behaving well. Molly insisted on coming, even though Bella didn't think she was old enough to sit through a classical music concert. She was very proud of her daughter.
Bella couldn't help but watch Carlisle out of the corner of her eye when Edward performed and conducted. Carlisle was radiating with pride. He applauded loudly and couldn't stop smiling.
At the end of the concert, they stood up. They were meeting Edward after the show in an agreed location. Carlisle was taking everyone out for dinner to celebrate Edward's success.
"He was really good," Molly said skipping aside her mother.
"Yes he was. How long has he been playing the piano?" Bella asked.
"Since he could reach the keys on the piano. I think he was three when he took his first lesson." Carlisle explained.
Molly stopped and grabbed her mother's hand. "Mommy, can I take lessons too? I'm bigger than three."
"We'll see baby," Bella sad reaching for Carlisle's hand. They both exchanged smile as they began to walk towards the designated meeting area.
On their way over, they were stopped in their tracks. Looking right back at them was Esme. She was with a man who was younger. She was in the middle of listening to a story and laughing until she spotted her ex husband and her student. Her expression turned cold.
Carlisle felt Bella tense and squeezed her hand. "Are you all right?"
"I'm fine."
Carlisle nodded. "How has she been in class to you?" He asked as they walked closer to Esme.
"She has been fine because she hasn't been in class. Edward has been doing most of the teaching and thank god the grading. I haven't had any direct interactions with her since I found out I didn't get the internship."
"That's good. If she gives you any more trouble you promise to let me know?" Carlisle asked.
Bella smiled, seeing that Carlisle was protecting her. She squeezed his hand and pulled it closer to her. She stood on her tip toes and kissed him. "I promise and thank you. Have I told you that I feel safe with you?"
Carlisle kissed the top of Bella's hand and let go of her hand. He placed an arm around her waist and continued to lead her. "Yes and I'm glad. I love you."
"I love you too," she said leaning into him again.
Once close to Esme, Bella instinctively reached her hand to grab Molly. She didn't know why she did it. She knew Esme wouldn't take Molly. She just didn't like being around Esme and hoped her daughter wouldn't notice the animosity.
As they crossed each others paths, Esme looked at both Carlisle and Bella and glared. She looked at Molly and shook her head. Slowly, she walked past them.
They walked over to Edward and congratulated him on a job well done.
"I want to play piano because of you. You play good. I want to have the stick in my hand and tell people what to play," Molly commented.
The adults laughed. Edward looked at Molly and smiled. "Thank you Molly. I will take that as a compliment. It takes a long time and lots of practice to get where I am."
"Carlisle said you are gonna move to New York City. Will you see my uncle?" Molly asked.
Edward shrugged. "Maybe. New York is a big place."
"That's what mommy said. We're gonna go again when I've five."
"That sounds like fun Molly. You will have to tell me how much you like it."
Molly walked over to Edward and held his hand. "Mommy's holding Carlisle's hand so I get to hold yours, if that's okay?"
Edward laughed as he looked again at the child. "Of course it is. There isn't anyone else's hand I would like to hold."
They walked to Carlisle's car and piled in. He drove to an Italian restaurant in the North End section of Boston. Once parked, they began to walk into the restaurant. They were seated as Carlisle had made reservation. Bella sat next to Carlisle while Edward sat next to Molly. During conversations Carlisle made sudden touches. He had rested his hand on Bella's knee. Occasionally he would rub her knee or leg. He leaned in to kiss her a few times.
"Why was that lady so mad today?" Molly asked as she ate her bread.
"What lady honey?" Bella asked.
"The lady we saw before we saw Edward. She looked at you and Carlisle really mad. She kind of looked like the mean witch from the Wizard of Oz. Did you take her toy away?" Molly tried to reason.
Edward looked at his father. "What lady?"
Carlisle sat up and couldn't help but chuckle at the young child's words. "You're mother."
"Oh." Edward replied without much feeling. "I think I've seen her with the chair of the arts program."
"I didn't know you had a mommy," Molly interrupted. "Is she really, really nice like Carlisle?"
Edward let out a sigh. "I'm afraid not Molly. Sometimes she isn't very nice at all."
"Did you do something to make her mad at you?"
Edward sadly shook his head. "No, she just isn't a nice person and sometimes she acts like the witch from The Wizard of Oz."
Molly placed her hand on Edward's. "I'm sorry she isn't very nice to you. I'm sorry you don't have the best mommy in the world like me."
Bella smiled as she reached across the table and squeezed Molly's hands. What she couldn't see as she began talking to her daughter was both Cullen men were gazing at her.
Dinner conversation continued to flow easily. It seemed as if Edward's only goal for the evening was to make Molly laugh, which he did. Bella leaned into Carlisle and watched as Edward entertained her daughter. Carlisle also smiled as he rubbed Bella's back. Bella was talking but seemed a little reserved. She smiled but wasn't her usual happy self. She didn't add much to the conversation and even yelled at Molly once or twice on the way out. Carlisle took note of her behavior and was going to follow up with her later that evening.
After dinner Carlisle drove Edward home. Next he dropped Molly and Bella off. He promised he was going to park his car, get Zoe and be on his way. Again, Molly wanted him to read her a story but by the time Carlisle arrived she was sound asleep.
Carlisle arrived about twenty minutes after Molly was sleeping. Zoe pranced her way into Bella's bedroom just to make her presence known before stopping in front of Molly's door. She sat and waited for someone to open the door for her. Carlisle opened the door and closed it just a crack before continuing to Bella's bedroom. She was standing in the bathroom with the door open taking her makeup off.
"Hello beautiful," he said entering the bathroom. He leaned against the door frame and watched Bella.
Offering a half smile, Bella looked up. "Hi there." She said as she went back to removing her makeup.
Carlisle saw the same look of uncertain that Bella had when they talked about Michael just a few weeks before. He was concerned. "What's wrong."
Bell shrugged as she looked at him through the mirror. "Nothing, why would you think that?" She asked whispering.
"You were quiet at dinner and short. You don't seem like you're here. It seems like you are somewhere else. What's going on?"
Turning around, Bella looked at him as she leaned against the bathroom sink. She played with the dirty throw away cloth in her hand as she began. "It's stupid really. It's just for whatever reason Esme got to me tonight. The looks she gave weren't nice."
"You said she was treating you okay in school. Is that not the case?' Carlisle asked as he stood up. He walked closely to her and rubbed her shoulders.
"No she isn't there most of the time. When she is there, she isn't nice. She gives me dirty looks and doesn't ever call on me to answer the questions. I don't know, it's stupid."
"No it isn't. I don't like the way she treats you. You're better than she is Bella. You're sweet and caring and loving. She isn't." Carlisle paused for a moment as he dropped his hands to her waist. He pulled her into him a little closer. "I think if she is making you feel this insecure you should go talk to the dean about her. I don't like seeing you so hard on yourself and so worried."
"I don't know. She hasn't done anything per say to me. I feel like something is brewing and something is going to come out of it."
Without realizing it, tears filled Bella's eyes. Carlisle looked at her. "What's wrong?"
"I don't like the feeling that she is above me. I know something is going to happen and she's going to screw me over. I would love to talk to the dean, but I think it would do more harm than good."
"Hey," he said wiping her tears. "I'm here for you. Hopefully next semester you won't have any classes with her and that'll be the end of it. You need to trust me, okay?"
Bella nodded as they walked back to the bedroom. When they reached the bed she wrapped her arms around him and kissed his cheek softly before finding his lips. "Thank you. You always seem to find a way to make me feel better."
Smiling wide, Carlisle kissed her again. "That's why you love me."
Nodding, she pulled him closer to her. "It's just one of the reasons I love you." She gave him another kiss. "Go get ready for bed, I'm tired."
Carlisle planted on more kiss on her cheek and walked over to the dresser and pulled out a pair of pajama pants and t shirt. As he got ready for bed, Bella began to frantically searching for something sexy to wear. She skimmed her clothes and found nothing. She made a mental note to ask Rose to help her in that department at a later date.
She was about to give up when she found it. She lifted it and wondered how Carlisle's favorite blue t shirt ended up with her belongings, but she was going to wear it that evening. She decided that she was ready. That evening she hoped to progress her relationship physically with Carlisle. She hoped he hurried up so she could get ready before she changed her mind. She loved him. She realized that he had put up with a lot of her whining and complaining. She wanted to show him how much she loved and appreciated him.
He exited the bathroom. She walked in and smiled before closing the door. Quickly she stripped out of her skirt and blouse. She removed her bra and underwear and slipped the shirt on over her body. It was over sized and hung off of her small frame. It would work at least for that evening.
After brushing her teeth and putting on deodorant Bella exited the bathroom. Carlisle was engrossed in reading a chapter of some novel he had left on the nightstand. He didn't look up to acknowledge her presence, he kept reading. To get his attention, she crawled across his legs. The shirt rode up her bottom exposing just a little flesh. Not noticing, Carlisle smiled but didn't really pay attention to her.
"I have two more pages and then I'll shut the light off, all right?
"Sure," she smiled as she grabbed her lotion of her night stand. As she reached for it, the shirt again lifted showing off her bare bottom. She began to apply the lotion all along her legs. Soon Carlisle was finished reading and turned to her. "Do you want me to shut off the light?"
Bella shrugged. She smiled and climbed onto Carlisle's lap. "I don't know. Do you want to go to bed?" She asked kissed him hard.
"What's gotten into you tonight?" Carlisle asked never removing his lips from hers.
"Nothing. I just want to show my boyfriend how much I love him." She smiled again as they kissed passionately. Her hands traveled along his toned chest. She took them back and rested her hands on the back of his neck as she pulled him closely again.
Pulling away from her, Carlisle looked at her. "We better stop before this gets out of hand."
Bella placed her finger over Carlisle's lips. "Shhh," she paused kissing his neck softly. "I don't know what I'm doing here but I'd like to try. I want to get out of hand…with you. I want to let go. We can too as long as we don't wake up the four year old down the hall."
After a few more intense kisses and touches, Carlisle pulled away. He stared into her big brown eyes. "I don't want to do this if you are having any regrets." He paused and kissed her. "We can wait."
"I don't want to have any regrets either. I love you and I'm ready. Let's do this Carlisle. Worship my body. Make me feel good."
Not needing more of a go ahead, Carlisle rolled her over. He slowly kissed her from her neck to the top of the shirt. He started laughing. "Nice shirt."
She laughed. "What this old thing? It was just lying around." She paused as she pulled him close to her again. "It took you long enough to notice. I was on your lap and you didn't notice."
Carlisle returned her laugh as his hand slipped under the shirt. He was shocked. "You have nothing under there?"
Biting down on her lip, Bella laughed. "No sir." She reached up and began to unbutton his shirt. She crushed her mouth to his. She pushed her body on to his. Carlisle wasn't letting go of the shirt. "You can take it off you know."
He reached down and tugged the shirt over her head. Her body looked perfect. It was a temple. It was responding to his touches after not being touched in years. Shivers spread though Bella's body as his hand inched its way from her hips to her breasts. He placed tender kisses from breast to breast. He alternated his affection with kneading and sucking. Bella curled her legs and wrapped them around his legs.
Carlisle began a trail of kisses as his lips left her breasts and made a trail down her stomach. As he reached Bella's belly button he looked at her with hunger in his eyes. "Is this okay?" He questioned his action.
Biting down on her lip, Bella nodded. "Yes, please keep going.
Carlisle trail lead him to the sacred spot. His head was in between her legs. He licked his lips before diving in to fest on his lover. Every few seconds he'd glance up to see if she was enjoying what he was doing. He spied her clinching the sheets. Soft moans were being murmured.
"Oh right there. Oh god Carlisle," Bella moaned. She reached down and gently pushed his head closer to her center. Her hands combed though tightly gripping onto his golden locks. "Oh god, I love you. I love you so much," she whispered.
After looking at her face and seeing how happy she was that she was pleased, Carlisle removed himself from his position between her legs. Quickly he crawled up and laid on top her Bella. He kissed her deeply and passionately. "I love you too Isabella. I'm so happy I could make you happy. Are you ready for more?"
Leaning up Bella smashed her lips to his again. "Of course I'm ready but I have to ask you a question."
"And that is?" Carlisle asked while he kissed her neck down to her breasts."
Still kissing him, Bella removed her mouth long enough to ask, "Why do you still have all of your clothes on? Come be with me," Bella playfully smiled.
She reached for his unbuttoned shirt and slid it off his shoulders. She tried to reach down to unbutton his pants but her arms didn't reach. She got as far as unbuttoning them when Carlisle took over. In one motion he pulled down his pants and his boxers. He kicked his clothes to the ground and looked back at his girlfriend. "Is this better?"
"Much. I don't feel so alone. Now I have company," she commented as she squirmed her way from being under him.
"Where are you going?" Carlisle asked as he watched Bella roll over onto him.
"I want to try something. Bare with me, I might be horrible at it," Bella explained. She gave him another kiss full of passion. "I just want to try."
Carlisle leaned back and nodded. Bella looked him in the eye as she picked up his stiffening cock. She pumped it a few times. She was nervous but couldn't let it show. Michael was unlike most men and didn't enjoy a blow job. He thought it was a filthy act. He also didn't like eating Bella out however he did because it made her happy. Bella tried to push any insecurities out of her mind and focused on being confident as she brought his member up to her lips. She gave it a few gentle licks and kisses before she placed her lips around it.
"Bella, if you don't want to don't feel you have to. It is a nice thought," Carlisle whispered as he placed his hands on her shoulders."
"I want to," she smiled. She reached up to her head and grabbed one of his hands and laced her fingers through his. "Let me, please?"
Carlisle nodded as he laid back and Bella went back to play with his cock. It didn't take long for him to explode in her mouth. After cleaning him up, Bella smiled and crawled next to Carlisle. He kissed her lips. "You never cease to amaze me. You are so beautiful and so powerful. Thank you."
Bella crawled on top of him and smiled. She never lifted her lips from his as she began to speak. "I was okay? I didn't know a lot about what I was doing."
"Baby, you were amazing," Carlisle told her as he stroked her bare sides. "You shown. You looked like you were enjoying yourself too."
Bella placed another kiss on his lips. She lifted her mouth off of his as she explained. "I was. I could feel how excited you were, which excited me."
"You always excite me. I love you.
"I love you too, so much Carlisle," Bella said as she kissed him again. She pulled away with a grin.
"What are you thinking?" He asked as he reached up and gently caressed her naked breasts.
"Well, I think we should finish what we started. Think you can go one more round?" She asked as she patted his chest.
He laughed in her hair. "I would love to. Are you really up for it?"
Bella chastely kissed Carlisle's lips. "I suggested it, didn't I?"
Carlisle nodded as he crushed his lips into Bella's again. Bella positioned herself right above Carlisle to take him in her. As her hips began to sway, she held onto the headboard for support. Carlisle's mouth left hers and found its way to her nipples. He alternated sucking and licking until they both climaxed. Bella collapsed into his chest.
"That was-" Bella began.
"Unbelievable? I had no idea you had that in you. I mean, you were on top, you still are!" Carlisle chuckled as he wrapped his arms around Bella. He folded his hands on her back and leaned up to kiss her once more.
"I always liked sex before. I mean, I was just with one person, but we had fun." Bella told him.
"If this is the beginning of the next phase of our relationship, I am looking forward to having more, um, 'fun' with you."
Bella nodded in agreement. "We'll just have to do that more and frequently."
"God, I love you so much."
Bella laughed as Carlisle held her tighter. "You are such a man. I love you too. I totally trust you. Carlisle, you have my heart."
Carlisle sat up again and kissed Bella. "I feel the same way. I love you so much and I can imagine no one else holding my heart in their hands."
"I didn't tell you. I talked to Alice the other day."
Sitting up, Carlisle looked at Bella. "I love my daughter, but we just had sex, she is the last person I want to talk about!"
Bella laughed as she playfully pushed him down and kissed him. "Just listen to me. Remember you asked me about going to that holiday fundraiser the hospital hosts?" She paused and waited for Carlisle to nod before she continued. "Well, Alice said she would watch Molly over night. She was excited."
"So we have the whole evening to ourselves?" Carlisle asked with a raised eyebrow.
Smiling, Bella nodded. "Yep. Alice said she would bring Molly back afternoon."
"The fundraiser is this Friday. We're going to be alone until Saturday afternoon."
"Yep."
Carlisle rubbed Bella's back as he reached up and kissed her again. "I can't wait until Friday." He leaned back again and frowned. "You leave Sunday for two weeks right?"
Reality came crashing back down on Bella. She had booked her flight to Washington way back in the beginning of the school year, before she and Carlisle were serious. It wasn't that she didn't want to see her family. She missed them, especially her mother and Seth; however she would also miss Carlisle. She wasn't expected to be in love when she made the reservations. Carlisle bent his legs and Bella leaned back on them. She took one of his hands and rubbed it with her thumb. "Yes, I do leave on Sunday. I come back the after New Years."
"Hey, why do you look so sad about it?"
She shrugged her shoulders as she looked up at him. "I don't want to leave you."
"Come here," he said as he cradled her in his arms. "I don't want you to leave either, but you have to see your family. You made these plans before we met. It's okay. I'm not going anywhere. We'll talk while you are away. It's the holidays so I'll pick up more hours so we I can spend more time with you when you get back. Don't forget that I'll pick you up when you get back and then you can show me how much you've missed me."
Bella couldn't help but smile. She grabbed Carlisle's hand and squeezed it. "You are so sure of that, aren't you?"
"I am. I can't wait for you to get back, but I want to enjoy the time I have to spend with you know. Don't forget that Saturday night we are doing a Christmas celebration at my house."
"I remember and Molly is so excited too," Bella replied as she yawned.
"I think you're tired."
Bella nodded in agreement. "I had two glasses of wine tonight."
"You're such a lush," Carlisle joked.
"Hey, be nice to me! Plus I was busy being kind of physical and am exhausted," Bella explained with another yawn.
"You're right, you're right. It is getting late and Molly will be up soon enough. We should go to bed. Let's get you some pajamas on and call it a night."
"Sounds good to me," Bella said as she looked once more at Carlisle.
She kissed his lips and went to get out of bed. Carlisle playfully pulled her back into bed and kissed her again. "I love being with you like this. I love you."
"I love you too," Bella smiled as she kissed him again before getting up to get clothes on.
Bella reread her answer in her little blue book. She was satisfied with her answer. She knew there was nothing else she could add. She looked around and saw she was the only one in the room. She walked over to the desk and placed her booklet on the table.
"How do you think you did?" Edward asked. Per usual, Esme was nowhere to be found when it came time for the final to be given. Edward stepped up to the plate and proctored the test.
"I feel good. I did well. Thank you for everything you did for me this semester."
"It was my pleasure. You earned your grade this semester. You actually taught me a lot."
"I'm glad you learned something."
Edward let out a soft chuckle. "Are you going over to my dad's on Saturday for his Christmas thingy?"
"Yes. Molly can't wait. She has been bouncing off the wall with excitement," Bella laughed.
"That's great," Edward began. He took a deep breath and looked at Bella. "Tell me Bella, are you really happy?"
Confidently, Bella nodded before she replied. "Yes I am. I love Carlisle and I know he loves me. We have fun together. I know he is cares about and might even love my daughter. I'm the happiest I've been in years."
Edward nodded. He took a deep breath as he continued. "Have you guys, you know, been, well, slept together?"
"What?" Bella snapped.
"Have you, you know…slept, with….my father?" Edward stuttered.
"I don't think that is any of your business," Bella retorted.
Edward took a deep breath. His hands combed through his hair. "Look, I like you. I've grown fond of you. I obviously love my father, but are you happy with him? I mean if things end up working out for the two of you and we get married, will you want more children? He's pushing fifty Bella. If you have children, what kind of father will he be? He's just getting older and won't be able to do as much as he did when he was younger."
Bella placed her bag on her shoulder and walked closer to Edward. She pointed her finger right into the middle of his chest. "Why does it matter to you Edward?" She raised her eyebrow and continued to speak in a sassy tone. "Do you think I'd be happier with you? We'd be a great couple until you had one of your mood swings and flew off the deep end. I know that Carlisle is your father and he is obviously older than me, but he makes me happy. He makes my daughter smile. I love him and I know he loves me. This is the end of this conversation. I suggest you stop talking to my brother and get your head out of your ass and just be happy for your father and I. I'll see you on Saturday Edward," Bella said as she stormed out of the classroom.