December

Edward's POV

Something pissed Bella off and I couldn't figure out what. She avoided me the rest of the evening and went to bed before me, locking the door behind her. I stared at it in shock for a moment before heading upstairs to sleep in my bed. Alone.

Jasper and Alice were back really late. I was still awake and heard them come in but they were trying to be quiet so I rolled over and pretended not to hear them.

I thought maybe things would be better in the morning, but Bella was still in a foul mood. She was making breakfast when I came into the kitchen.

"Can I help?" I asked, sliding into a chair.

"No," she retorted shortly.

I raised my eyebrows but didn't say anything. At least she'd accepted my gift. I'd seen it on her dresser when I came down.

"Good morning," called Alice cheerfully.

I turned and grinned as she came in, left hand leading the way. Bella squealed and threw her arms around Alice.

"Congratulations! I want details!"

Alice laughed and hopped up on the counter, proceeding to launch into the details. I didn't really care to hear them, so I gave her a hug and headed out of the kitchen. Jasper was setting up the pool table. I clapped him on the shoulder.

"Congratulations," I smiled at him. He grinned up at me.

"You're my best man, you know. So you're in on all this shit for however long it takes."

I laughed. "Yeah, ok."

"Breakfast," Bella called. We deserted the pool table and headed in to eat breakfast.

Alice distracted Bella for most of the day with wedding plans. Jane was obviously the maid of honor, but Bella was a bridesmaid.

I finished up my homework and played some videogames with Jasper while the girls were otherwise engaged. They did a grocery run and then Bella retreated to her room to do some homework.

At bedtime, I headed upstairs. Her door was ajar, so I knocked on it lightly.

"Come in," she called tiredly.

I poked my head in. "Truce?"

She looked so sad and tired I wanted to scoop her up and hug the shit out of her until it was all better. "Yeah fine."

"Ready to talk?"

"No."

"Will you talk anyway?"

She scowled at me. Then she rolled her eyes and shoved her books onto the floor beside her. "Fine."

I sat down at the foot of the bed and looked at her expectantly.

"I'm angry. You've been treating me poorly." Poorly? Who used that word? "It's not fair to me that you flirt with me and sleep with me and buy me gifts and yet you won't admit that there's something more between us."

I sat quietly. "You're right. I'm sorry. There's something more between us than just friendship."

She looked up at me quickly. Apparently she hadn't expected that. "So…what does that mean now?"

I ran my fingers through my hair. "I didn't really want to do it this way, but you're forcing my hand." She stared at me confused. "Would you like to go to dinner tomorrow?"

"Dinner," she repeated.

I nodded. "Dinner. Like a date."

Her eyes widened. "Dinner."

I grinned. "Dinner."

"Really?"

"Really."

"One of us should probably say something the other won't repeat."

"You could start with 'Edward, I'd love to go to dinner with you.'"

"Edward, I'd love to go to dinner with you," she repeated obediently, a smile playing at the corners of her lips. She chewed on her lower lip and looked nervous suddenly. "You want to sleep here tonight?"

I grinned. "Fuck yeah." I changed quickly and crawled into bed, pulling her close to me again. Only one night away and I missed this. Tonight, I gave her a kiss on the mouth.

Bella's POV

He did it. He FINALLY DID IT! I wanted to dance and sing and shout to everyone that Edward Cullen had finally asked me out. I wasn't sure what exactly it meant, but the good night kiss had definitely dampened my panties.

I snuggled against him and sighed contentedly, beyond happy. Beyond ecstatic even. He dragged his fingertips up and down my arm lightly, sending goosebumps up and down my body. I shivered slightly and he pulled me closer, sliding one of his legs between mine and pressing up against me gently but firmly. I instinctively ground against his leg and then flushed. He'd feel the wet, I was sure.

He chuckled softly against my hair but didn't say anything. He rubbed against me more and I could feel him poking me in the stomach. I was glad the lights were out so he didn't see my red face.

He slid a hand up my shirt and splayed it across my bare back. I sighed softly and lifted my face to his. He kissed me again, his tongue lightly exploring my mouth before it was my turn to explore his mouth with my tongue. It was like a dream come true, everything I'd been wanting since August coming to fruition. Well, almost everything.

I pulled back and looked at him. "Edward, what are we now?"

He grinned and smoothed my hair. "A couple."

"A real couple or a pseudo-couple?"

He laughed. "A real couple, Mike."

I grinned, not caring he'd just compared me to an insecure nervous wreck. "Just making sure." I leaned back to kiss him, rolling him on his back and lying on his chest. I could do this forever, I decided, and die happily at the end of it. His arms wrapped around me securely and he held me firmly against his chest. His hands slid down my sides to cup my butt and pull me against him slowly at first. His erection was still poking my stomach and it frustrated me that it wasn't where it belonged, but I was too nervous and scared to say anything. He seemed to be enjoying himself as it was so I let it go. He groaned softly against my mouth and sped up his movements for a bit before he suddenly stopped. His body tensed and I waited for the liquid heat against my stomach but nothing happened.

"Edward?" I asked uncertainly.

He held up a finger, his eyes closed and his face screwed up in concentration. I waited until his eyes opened and he smiled at me. "Yes?"

"What was that?"

"That was me refusing to cum all over you. I've got some decency, you know." He gave me that crooked smile that made me melt a little more.

"Oh."

He kissed me again and rolled me onto the bed next to him and turned so he was facing me. "The first time will be done right, not all over your stomach like a horny 15 year old."

I laughed softly and smoothed his hair back from his face. "Well, thanks for that, I suppose. That's one experience I can definitely live without."

He chuckled and pulled me against him. "Go to sleep. You've got a lot going on tomorrow."

"Yes sir," I grinned against his chest.