Chapter 19, Be My Somebody
"Gimme…" She mouthed through a sleepy smile, reaching towards me as I held our newborn daughter. Bella looked infinitely beautiful, radiant… mine.
"Look who's awake." I whispered against the softest forehead. Peppering parting kisses over sweet skin, I reluctantly passed Chloe over. Bella resumed the adoring immediately. Inhaling, humming against pink cheeks, she absorbed what heaven had protected.
We knew the reality of fleeting time. We knew the pain of life derailed. But finally, healed and full, we knew peace.
"I told you we were having a girl," she teased quietly.
"Is that why you had Rose paint your toes baby boy blue?" I mocked with an overtly dramatic eye roll, settling in the vinyl hospital chair.
"Look at you," Gushing, giddy as she stared. "You're just seven and half pounds of pure sugar."
"No doubt… after all the junk food you ate this week."
Bringing Chloe's tiny nose to her mouth, Bella pecked and nuzzled. "Your daddy sucks at comedy. I'm very sorry about that, but you'll learn to play along. He's lucky he's so handsome." She exhaled, content. "Did you smell her? Delicious… so amazing?" Smiling in agreement, I shifted back to the bed. "I can't get over how much she looks like you, though."
"Though…" Laughing lightly, I brushed gently over Chloe's thick auburn hair.
"We did it."
Dusting my lips over her fingers, then her palm, I agreed. "Yes, we did."
-~-~-~-LitE-~-~-~-
"Where's Chloe?" I teased from behind, over and under pages of equations. Tiny toes pressed my stomach. "There she is." Steadying her along my legs, I stretched to grab my vibrating phone.
"Hey."
"How is…" I imagined the worried wincing.
"Perfect."
"Did she eat at two? Did she hate the bottle? Tell me she hated the bottle. I'm dying, Edward."
"Okay. She hated the bottle, but drank it all."
"I miss you guys… badly. Isn't she the smartest baby ever?"
"Of course." I smiled, matching the stare of her wide green eyes.
"Did you feed her four thousand kisses yet?"
"Nope, five…"
"Isn't she the prettiest?"
"Absolutely, hands down."
"You'll be here at four, right?"
"It's a plan. I'm almost done grading these tests, then we'll leave."
"Don't forget lots of words and words and words. And animated signs when you sing."
"Got it, see you in a bit. Love you." Shaking my head, smiling as I hung up.
"Mommy's hanging on by threads, kiddo. We should've weaned her a little slower." I lifted Chloe to my chest, blowing raspberries against warm cheeks.
The cut glass prism dangling in the front window sparkled from a reflection, then a shadow. I carried her to the door, detailing curiosity in her ear. "Let's see who's at the door. Who could it be?" Words and words and words…
"Charlie." A stoic nod met an inhale at the sight of the baby in my arms.
"Edward."
"Hey, come in, come in…" New life proved a strong defense to our differences. Stepping into the living room, I gestured, offering the couch. He fell into it easily, unzipping his standard navy jacket.
"Are you still teaching?" Surely suspicious why I was home at that hour.
"Yeah, night courses now, actually. Works out good. I'm here with the baby during the day, so Bella can take appointments. She just went back in today… calling nearly every thirty minutes." I attempted levity at her expense.
"Sounds like Bella." A hint of a grin, he forced his eyes from the baby to the window. "I see there's a new SUV outside."
"The Volvo?" I laughed lightly. "Yeah, the safest she could find."
"Awfully expensive, though."
"Definitely. That's why we share it." I chuckled at our chaotic carpooling. A few awkward moments passed. "Did you want to hold her?"
"Sure." Dropping the pink softball mitt he gripped next to him, he took Chloe, gently.
They stared, bonding. "I think she likes your moustache."
"So your dad… he's checked her all out. She's good… healthy?" I appreciated his rare smile.
"She is. Very healthy."
"Renee mentioned there's a place you guys like to stay at down in Oregon." He spoke, quietly, casually.
"The Elliott? Are you planning a trip?"
"Thinking about it. Our anniversary's next month. She's ready to travel. I don't know. Could you maybe get me the number or…"
"Definitely. Hold on just a second." I stood, unsure. "Are you good with her..." He nodded, waving me off.
Rounding the corner from the kitchen, the information in hand, I stopped at the sight. Charlie's trembling, hurried hands wiped over his face and damp eyes. Allowing for composure, I breathed, stunned.
"Here you go." We traded the baby for the paper.
"Thanks. I better get going." He stood, motioning to the pastel glove on the cushion. "That was Bella's. I thought maybe…"
"Yeah… no, that's great."
He turned towards me at the door. "You know, Edward… I've got that old blue Chevy just sitting in the driveway. I mean… if you want... you can have it. To drive to work at least… I doubt Bella will let the baby ride in it… but…"
"That would help a lot. Thanks… Really, thank you, Charlie."
-~-~-~-LitE-~-~-~-
"Hi, how was class?"
"Good. Is she sleeping?" I peeked over the chair.
"Fell asleep nursing... Hopefully your evil plan won't be so painful now." Scoffing, I sat down on the moss green rug, propping Bella's feet on my knees. While I massaged, she rocked.
"Baby… stop it. She's ready."
"I know, I know. Shhh…" Bella stood carefully, quietly moving towards the white washed crib.
"Wait…" I stood, smothering silent pecks as I took Chloe to do the dreaded deed. Peaceful, cozy, she was still and serene in her own bed. Bella stared, narrowing her eyes.
"I don't think she's breathing." Whispering nonsense, she suddenly hitched her leg up as if to climb in.
"Jesus, woman!" I snatched her over my shoulder and pinched her ass. We stifled our laughter as I carried her through the cottage and tossed her on our bed. I kneeled between her legs, unbuttoning.
She stretched her arms overhead, watching, flirting… smirking. "Take that damn robe off…" I teased, challenging.
Quickly pulling her to sit, I thumbed down her cheekbones, pushing wild, wavy hair back and away.
"Hey now…that's no way to talk to a fragile, lactating new mother." She warned, biting her lip.
"Baby, you've never been fragile. Then let me rephrase…" Smoothing hands up her bare, soft thighs, I released the tie on her robe. Breathing, whispering close, "I want you to ride my cock so hard, I can't fucking wait to be inside your tight, wet p…"
She squealed, giggling, as a pillow met my head. "Okay, I'm cutting you off Friday night cigars and bullshit with Tyler." I gently bit and sucked the finger she pointed. "And you
know that's not funny, because it has been forever since I could properly ride your cock." She suddenly devoured my mouth, passionate, deep.
"Fuck, Bella…" I gasped.
She unzipped, grabbed and freed. I slipped off the bed, letting my jeans and boxers fall.
Reveling in a few quiet moments, I kissed patterns over porcelain skin. Sweet sighs, content and full left me smiling against her warmth. Blindly searching for my shirt on the wood floor, I felt until I found my pocketed surprise.
Leaving a simple peridot and gold filigree ring on her bare stomach, I glanced up, measuring her reaction. A sentimental smile, a little prettier, a little happier than ever…
"Edward…" Slipping it on her right hand, she admired. "I love it. It's so, so gorgeous. Come here." She pulled, tender declarations tickling, loving against my mouth. "I've missed your little treasures."
I grasped the ring and slid it on her left ring finger, wearing an arched brow to punctuate my point.
"Oh. Really?" She wondered.
"Yeah, really."
"We haven't talked about this in a while, baby. We don't have to…"
"Yes, we do." I insisted.
"Okay, we do." She agreed.
"We'll just go downtown. Simple."
"Are you being serious?"
"Completely. It's about time." I shrugged.
"I like this idea. Let's get married." She shifted over me.
"You're so easy." I melted beneath her, positive life was perfect.
"I know. It's pathetic. I'll do anything you want...anything." She righted slowly, licking her lips.
"I missed this." Grazing fingertips avoided tender, sensitive places.
"Thank you for being patient."
Exhaling, I marveled at my wealth… "God, you're beautiful…"
Gripping her soft hips, slightly fuller, I guided her over my desperate erection. Our gaze never broken, laced fingers, and breathless moans at our connection. "Is that okay?"
"Yeah, it's good," she purred, dark lashes fluttering. Allowing her lead, we found a comfortable pace for pleasure. Pulling, begging me forward, we embraced. She swiveled against me with each stroke, finding the familiar, always. Knees tight along my thighs as our lips teased, grazing lightly… Intimately wound, I gently thrust deeper into her heat. She angled her head, as I tasted, trailing my tongue down her jaw. Through a reverent rhythm, a slow rise then fall, we found and loved again. I breathed, buried at the base of her neck, inhaling slick, honeyed flesh.
She whispered my name, trembling at the edge as I encouraged her to savor. "That's it, baby…" Holding tighter, pumping a fraction faster, we tipped together.
Sinking sated into our cloud of pillows, we shared sudden cathartic laughter. Overwhelmed from an abundance of relief and bliss… We weren't beginners. What happened mattered. Our past delievered us… grateful and present.
"What are you doing?" Bella startled as I rushed to pull on my jeans.
"I can't stand it. Be right back." The moment I kissed her forehead, she knew.
When I returned with our sleepy baby girl, Bella sighed. Nestling her between, we cradled what was ours. Chloe naturally latched to nourish. I dusted soothing kisses over the back of her tiny head and held on.
Now is the time for our comfort and plenty
These are the days we've been working for
Nothing can touch us and nothing can harm us
And nothing goes wrong anymore…
a/n
Thank you very much for reading. xo
Jaime and Irene, thank you for your patience and sweet ways. I couldn't and wouldn't without you. Love you xo
Jaime and I have a few really fun projects penned. We'll be posting under aftrnoondlight very soon!
Thank you to beautiful redsock for naming the sweet baby. Chloe means 'green shoot', Perfectly perfect for a promising garden and growth.
The last chapter, The Best Part will post on Friday. It's a brief peek into their HEA.
Silly Bella climbing into the crib is based on a scene from my mother's favorite movie, Terms ofEndearment. I always thought it was slightly insane… until I had my own baby. *whistles*
Baby toes, gold rings and cathartic laughter… I love hearing from you.