A/N: Hello again! I don't know how the heck this chapter ended up being so long, so I'll keep it short up here.
Big thanks to my beta, Windgirl810. She's clever and helps make the jibberish that I send her readable. :)
Three great friends preread this chapter:
littlecat358 who helps in so many different ways that I couldn't possibly list them! :)
tennesseelamb calms me, corrects me, and shares details that might be considered oversharing by anyone else, but not me! :)
Michelle0526 cheers me up every day and deciphers the ridiculous texts I send. :)
I love all of you! :)
Thanks, Erron, for being a great (and patient) friend!
Kassiah and Caren, thanks for all the love. I'm indebted to both of you.
That's it... thanks for reading.
BPOV
"Shit! Shit! Shit!" I mutter. "Where is the goddamned corkscrew?" While I rummage through the utensil drawer with one hand, I use the other to pick up a long-handled wooden spoon and stir the pasta cooking on top of the stove. After tapping the spoon on the side of the pot, I set it down and immediately pick up the spoon beside it to stir the sauce simmering on the next burner.
"Come on… come on," I mumble, sparing a glance at the clock. "They'll be here in twenty minutes and I need wine." I leave the spoon in the sauce and turn my full attention to the drawer.
"A-ha!"
Picking up the corkscrew, I hold it lovingly to my chest and then move to the adjacent counter to open the cabernet.
"It's just Mama and Big Daddy," I whisper to myself, pulling the tiny knife down to slice through the foil cap on the bottle. While I twist the metal spiral into the cork, I whisper the words again, hoping my mantra is successful in calming my nerves. I repeat the refrain over and over as I hook the notch onto the lip of the bottle and pull the handle, sighing in relief as the cork begins to slide up.
And then it stops.
"Dammit! This is why I have my boys!"
But none of my boys are here. Frustrated but determined, I pick up the bottle and wedge it between my legs, gripping it tightly with my thighs.
"It's just… Mama… and Big," I grunt lowly as I grasp the neck of the bottle with one hand, pulling the handle of the corkscrew with the other, "…Daddy." Finally, the cork comes loose with a soft pop. Laughing lightly in relief, I put the bottle back on the counter and twist the cork off the spiral.
After pouring myself a generous glass of the dark, red wine, I take two quick sips, and then drain the pasta. I take another long swallow, and then toss the pasta with the spicy vodka sauce I made. Finally, I lean back against the counter and fan my warm face with a potholder as I finish off the liquid in my glass. Once I catch my breath, I pour another half glass, and then call Edward.
"Hi, Stel," he chuckles. "Hanging in there? You made it fifteen minutes between phone calls this time."
"Don't laugh at me, Ned," I warn him, frowning even though he can't see me. "This will be you tomorrow night."
"Sorry, sorry," he apologizes, but I can tell he's still quietly snickering.
"I wish you were going to be here tonight," I whine. "What time does your flight arrive tomorrow?"
"Around four," he replies.
"And you'll be here at six?" I ask… for the third time today.
"Yes, baby," he says, his velvet voice calming me… until he continues. "Unless the plane is late."
"Edward," I say, hearing a note of hysteria creep into my voice. "Mama Whitlock does not allow guests to be late for dinner."
He laughs loudly this time, assuming I'm joking. I'm so not joking. "What if there's bad weather? What if the pilot is drunk? What do you expect me to do? Fly the plane myself?"
"Yes!" I exclaim. Oh, good. My voice is high-pitched and screechy. The panic is on full display.
"Baby, why are you so freaked out?" he asks, his voice quiet and concerned. "You've told me again and again that these people love you like a daughter."
"They do love me, Edward," I say… whining again. "But I want them to love you, too."
That's true, but it really doesn't account for the swarm of crazy butterflies fluttering in my stomach right now. I've struggled all afternoon to understand why the arrival of two people I love like parents has sent me into such a tailspin.
"Bella, I'll be there," he says soothingly. "And I'll do everything I can to make them like me, okay?"
"Promise? Impeccable manners and semi-asshole charm on full display?" I ask as my lips curl into a smirk.
"I promise."
Finally, I take a deep breath and smile into the phone. "Okay," I say as I glance at the clock on the stove. "I gotta go. Jas will be here from the airport any minute. Call me in the morning?"
"Sure. It'll have to be early your time," he cautions. "I have a nine o'clock meeting."
"Nevermind," I reply, laughing. "Text me instead."
"I will. Bye, Stel. I love you," he says quietly.
"Love you, too," I answer, feeling more composed as I set my phone down… until I hear a car outside: They're here. Picking up my forgotten, half-full wineglass, I chug it, and then set it in the sink. "It's just Mama and Big Daddy. It's just Mama and Big Daddy." I repeat the words as I walk through my living room.
Plastering a wide smile on my face, I open the front door in time to see Big Daddy climb out of the passenger seat. I wave to him and watch Jas open the back door on his side for Mama to get out, but I'm surprised to see someone emerging from the other side of the backseat. I gasp excitedly as I realize who it is.
"There she is… my future wife," Joey says, his eyes shining as he looks at me. "Get your ass over here, sugar."
Laughing hard, I bend forward at the waist for a moment, and then skip down the porch steps toward them. Big Daddy waits at the end of the sidewalk, smiling at me and removing his black cowboy hat as I approach.
"Well, if you aren't a sight for sore eyes! How's the prettiest girl west of the Rio Grande?" he says.
"I don't know how she is, but I'm fine, Big Daddy," I answer as I wrap my arms around his shoulders. Behind him, Jas is helping Mama out of the car. The sight of her makes me nervous all over again, so I squeeze my eyes shut. "I'm so sorry I didn't call."
"Now, hush," he replies quietly, pulling back slightly. Reluctantly, I open my eyes and let them settle on his face, so similar to Jasper's despite the difference in years. "You know I'm not the one with the ruffled feathers. But Mama's been having a hissy fit and steppin' in it for two weeks waitin' for you two to call. Her nose is so far outta joint that if she took a deep breath through it, air would come a-whistlin' out her ears."
We both laugh… until we hear Mama's stern order. "William Whitlock, let that girl go. I want to see her."
"She's really angry, huh?" I whisper soberly.
He pats my back a little harder than necessary before he releases me, nudging me toward her. "Don't you worry. You just lay that natural sweetness of yours on extra thick, and she'll be over it in two shakes."
"Hi, Mama," I say, looking down at the ground. She hugs me tightly, like always. "I'm really sorry."
"Of course you are. Remorse almost always follows reprimand," she says bluntly, but her tone is nicer than it was when she spoke to Big Daddy. She rears back to look at me, her hands cupping the sides of my face. "You look happy."
"I am," I smile.
"You smell like a wino," she states flatly. "Did you drink the whole bottle or is there enough for me to have a glass, too?"
"I just had a little, Mama," I laugh. "There's plenty left."
"Let's go in then," she smiles, looping her arm through mine as we walk toward the house. "I declare, Bella, you'll catch your death running around out here without a coat." She clucks her tongue at me while I mumble another apology.
She helps me finish dinner while the men take the luggage upstairs. Just as we're setting food on the table, I hear the sound of boots on the hardwood floor and turn to see Joey walking in.
"I haven't had a proper greeting from the hostess," he teases.
"Hey, Joey. I didn't know you were coming," I say, hugging him, and then laughing when he dips me backward over his arm.
"I decided to surprise you and my baby brother. Now, where's the jackass who made you go twelve rounds with the punching bag at Thanksgiving?" he asks as he pulls me back up.
"New York. You'll meet him tomorrow," I answer. Then I stage whisper the next part. "Plus, Mama requested that there not be any outsiders here tonight. I think she's gonna yell at your brother and me."
"Sugar, Mama doesn't need to yell," he stage whispers back. "She can put you on the ground with a raised eyebrow and her pinky."
We both laugh and Joey pats my lower back and kisses the top of my head.
"Watch your hands, Joey," Jasper teases as he walks in. "Nowadays I'm not the only one who'll clock you for inappropriate ass touching."
"There's nothing inappropriate about the way I would touch her ass," Joey argues conceitedly. "I'm an expert fondler."
Rolling my eyes, I pull away and step around him to get the bottle of wine from the counter. "You've never even tried to fondle me, inappropriately or otherwise," I say as I set the bottle on the table. "I'm not sure if I should be flattered or insulted."
"Bella," Joey drawls seriously, but his hazel eyes are shining with mischief, "I would never insult you. You're my favorite future wife."
"How many of us are there?" I tease, straight-faced.
"You're the only one that matters," he replies, winking at me.
"Joseph Wesley Whitlock, are you going to flirt with Bella all night or may we eat now?" Mama asks exasperatedly. But when I turn to look at her, she's smiling.
"Why do I have to stop flirting in order to eat supper, Mama?" he asks, pulling out a chair for her to sit in. "Some of my best work has been done at the table… or on it."
"Jesus, Joey," Jasper groans, waiting until Mama and I are seated before dropping into the chair next to me. "Way to ruin my fucking appetite."
"That's enough, boys," Big Daddy says firmly, silencing them as he sits down at the head of the table. "Let's say grace."
After we join hands and bow our heads, Big Daddy says the blessing, giving thanks for the food and family at the table. Without raising my head, I lift my eyes and stealthily look at the people around me – they're my true family. Though I love my dad, and deep down, I love my mom, too, we never had this – the fun, the teasing, the closeness. The fear of punishment.
Wait – punishment? It suddenly dawns on me that I'm not only nervous for them to like Ned… I'm also afraid I'm in big trouble with them. And I've never really been in much trouble with my parents before. My mom either ignored me or didn't care when I misbehaved. My dad was the freaking chief of police in the town where I spent my teen years – and I was consequently left out of most activities that could get me in trouble. My high school friends didn't drink or smoke anything except cigarettes, and my boyfriend was a nice guy. I even got good grades. The worst thing I did while I lived at home was talk snottily to my dad… and I rarely did that.
So I'd never been grounded… never had more than a lecture from my dad. And I'm a little terrified about what's in store for me after dinner. This feels like the calm before the storm.
When everyone says "Amen" and looks up, I smile at Mama, who's sitting directly across from me, trying to gauge her mood. She smiles back, looking warmly at me… for now.
Over the next hour, I try to relax as we sit at the table eating and talking. Joey catches Jas up on all the latest news about their high school buddies; Big Daddy fills us in on the drought and the cattle; Mama brags about the grandkids.
As we're eating our dessert, Mama looks across the table at me and smiles slightly. "Bella, you know that William and I love you and think of you just like one of our own – no disrespect to your parents," she begins.
"Yes, Mama. I love you, too," I reply, smiling back at her.
She nods her approval before her mouth settles into a grim line. "Joey, I need my handbag. I jotted down a few things during the plane ride," she says, turning to look at him.
I pick up my fork and drag it through the icing on the half-eaten piece of cake in front of me, then lift it to my mouth. While I'm still licking the chocolate frosting off the tines, Mama takes a small notebook out of her purse. After flipping it open, she sets a pencil down beside it and then slides her reading glasses on.
"Uh oh," Jas whispers from beside me. "She's serious if she's wearing her specs. We're gonna need more than cake." He reaches for the wine to refill my glass and then gets up, walking to the liquor cabinet and returning with a bottle of whiskey and three glasses. He pours a little in each glass, then slides one to Big Daddy and one to Joey. He keeps the third and lifts it in the air. "Mama, here's to your Table of Terror. Please go easy on Bella. She's a virgin."
We all touch glasses and drink. Big Daddy winks and smiles affectionately at me as he sets his glass down. Mama's busy reading through her notebook.
"How many times has she made you cry during one of these interrogations?" Joey asks, looking at Jasper.
Crying? There's going to be crying? My stomach flops nervously. I glance at Mama, see her frown, and quickly look away.
"More times than I'd care to admit," Jas answers dryly. "Wonder who cried the most?"
"Jeremy. Hands down," Joey answers. "He was the first to figure out that tears of repentance were the fastest route out of Mama's doghouse."
Across from me, Mama is smirking, but she quickly recovers, looking serious again and clearing her throat to recapture our attention.
"Bella, would you like to tell us about your trip to Jeremy and Scott's?" She asks the question genially, but there's no mistaking her meaning. It's not a question. It's a directive.
Eager to please her, eager for her to like Edward, I recount the first few days of my trip – my night with Brady, the mysterious phone call Jer received, the sudden realization in front of Kelly's Bar that Edward had come to see me.
"Mighty romantic gesture," Big Daddy interjects, smiling at me.
"Boy's got to be in love with her," Joey adds, winking when I mouth my thanks to him.
"Well, of course he's in love with her!" Mama declares. "Who wouldn't fall in love with her?"
"My idiot baby brother," Joey says with a laugh. Jas and I laugh, too, as we exchange a look.
"We're too good as friends to screw it up with romance and sex," Jas remarks, extending his arm around the back of my chair. "Right, Baby Swan?"
"Right," I agree. After taking a sip of my wine, I continue my tale. "Edward asked to speak to me… and Jer and Scott wouldn't let me run away. So, we sat down and started talking… and that's when he told me that he wasn't engaged to –."
"You thought he was engaged?" Mama interrupts, picking up her pencil.
"Oh, shit," Jas mumbles beside me as Mama writes in her notebook. Unnerved by Jasper's comment, I whip my head to the right to look at him as he shifts his hand from the back of my chair to my shoulder, rubbing reassuringly. When he looks at me, the uncertain half-smile on his face does nothing to quell my runaway panic.
Swallowing loudly, I turn back to Mama, still bent over her paper. "Well, yes, but –," I answer hesitantly.
"Why did you think he was engaged?" she asks without glancing up.
"They, um, announced it at the, um, Hale Software Christmas party, but it was –," I stammer.
"Jasper," Mama interrupts again, stilling her pencil and fixing her stare on Jas, "did you know that this boy was engaged? And you still sent him to Bella?"
I lift my glass and swallow steadily until half the wine is gone.
"Mama, it's not the way it sounds. It's complicated and –," Jas explains.
"It wasn't… he didn't –," I defend, interrupting Jas… then Mama lifts both hands, palms out. We both fall silent immediately.
"Hush, both of you. Quit trying to rationalize his actions," she commands. Then she shifts as if she's deciding something. "I'd rather hear the explanation from the horse's mouth, thank you."
We stay quiet as Mama writes in her notebook again. The only sounds are the quiet scratching of her pencil on the paper and the sound of more whiskey and wine being poured for the rest of us.
"What else happened in Key West, Bella?" Joey asks a minute later, smiling encouragingly at me.
I tell them how Edward and I talked, spent time together, and eventually reconciled. For good measure, I toss in some comments about how helpful Jer and Scott were in pushing me along, and how much they both liked Edward. I see a flicker of pleasure cross Mama's face before she settles back into her stone-faced countenance.
"You're in love with this boy? Despite the fact that he broke your heart?" she asks.
"I am, Mama," I say, breathing through the quick slice of pain I feel when I remember the ways we hurt each other. "I made mistakes, too."
She nods knowingly, and even though she's not smiling, her eyes are warmer when they meet mine.
"So you've been too distracted by this boy to call me back, despite the fact that I've left no less than four voice messages on your phone?" she asks, quirking one eyebrow at me.
"Basically, yes," I reply, exhaling in relief when that seems to satisfy her.
"What does your father think of this boy?" she asks offhandedly. But I'm not fooled; nothing Mama Whitlock says is really offhand.
"Uh, he doesn't really talk about his feelings," I hedge, not wanting to tell her that Charlie hasn't completely forgiven Ned yet. "He liked Edward very much when they met last fall."
Mama hmms and lifts one eyebrow, but doesn't press me on that issue. She pauses to take a bite of her cake as she reads through her notes again, plunging us into silence once more. I bite my lip nervously; Big Daddy swirls the whiskey in his glass; Jasper and Joey mouth insults to each other and try not to laugh out loud.
"Well, I guess that about does it for you, Bella," she pronounces, smiling at me. "However, tomorrow night, I will expect to hear about how he ended up engaged to someone else."
Once I agree, she shifts her attention – and piercing gaze – to Jasper. I slump back in my chair, finally relaxing as Jas begins his description of how he and Alice met. Jasper is an expert at handling his mama, and talks himself out of trouble fairly quickly. His inquisition doesn't last nearly as long as mine, and ends with him promising that Alice – and Riley – will be here to meet them tomorrow night. Then, like the suck up he is, he pulls out his phone, where he just happens to have about a hundred pictures of a really cute five year-old. Mama is disarmed immediately. Jesus, where we these pictures when I was on the hot seat?
When we get up a few minutes later, Mama shoos the boys out of the kitchen. "If we do the dishes now, we can make them clean up tomorrow night," she whispers conspiratorially to me once they're gone.
She chatters nonstop as we clean up, her feathers apparently smoothed back down for the moment. On the other hand, I'm still a wreck. But Mama doesn't appear to notice that I'm barely responding to her; my comments are monosyllabic, and I only chuckle half-heartedly at her funny stories. After I've dried and put away the last pot, I turn and find her watching me, studying me quizzically.
"All right, sweet pea. Spit it out," she says, draping a dish towel over her shoulder after she wipes her hands. "You're as nervous as a two-dollar whore in church. What's the matter?"
I shrug… shuffle my feet. But when Mama huffs at me, I know I'm not going to get out of answering. "I'm scared about tomorrow night," I admit reluctantly. "I think you'll like Edward… but I'm afraid you're going to be mean to him."
"Mean to him?" she gasps, pressing a hand to her chest. "Was I mean to you this evening?"
"Noooo," I say slowly, dragging the word out. "But the boys were talking earlier about how many times you made them cry at your Table of Terror."
She laughs a little before pulling me to the table to sit down. "Sweet pea, I have five sons, none of whom I'd trade for anything. But as teenagers, those boys engaged in so much tomfoolery that half the folks in Grayson County still won't speak to me," she explains. "Yes, I occasionally sat them down and yelled at them. If, per chance, one of them cried during that process, then that was a side bonus."
"Mama!" I exclaim, but I can't help laughing a little.
"Someday when you have teenagers of your own, you'll understand," she manages to say through her own laughter. When we both settle down, she reaches for my hand. "I don't expect to make Edward cry tomorrow night, but if you think he's too much of a coward to answer for his behavior, then I'll leave it alone." She raises her eyebrow at me daringly.
"He's not a coward!"
"Good," Mama nods. "Then he'll have no problem talking to me," she pronounces.
I nod, too, but look down at my hands, picking at my fingernails.
"Bella," she says, waiting until I look up at her to continue. "I just want to talk to him… look in his eyes and see that he loves you. You have my word that I will not make it too unpleasant. All right?"
"All right," I agree, taking a deep breath. "I really am sorry that I ignored you."
"Now, now. You're forgiven," she answers frankly, reaching for my hand. "Families are all about unconditional love. And you, love, are family."
Tears spring to my eyes immediately, and she leans forward to hug me, murmuring soothing phrases like "hush, now" and "Mama's here". When I'm calmer, it occurs to me that I've called her Mama since the first time I met her almost six years ago, but tonight is the first time that I've really wished she was my mother. I've never had anything even close to this kind of a relationship with Renee.
Pulling back from her embrace, I wipe my cheeks and smile at her. "This is becoming a habit of mine… crying in the kitchen with you," I remark sardonically.
"Well, let's break that habit right now," she declares. She takes the towel down from her shoulder, smoothing it out and folding it in front of us. Then she leans toward me with the same gleam in her eyes that her sons get when they're up to something. "Jeremy wouldn't let Scott tell me about the night he and Edward got drunk in Key West. How about filling me in?"
By the time I get in bed two hours later – after telling the story twice because the men heard us laughing in the kitchen and came to see what was so funny – I'm feeling much better. When I get to my room, I pull my phone from my pocket, eager to see if Edward sent me a text. I felt my phone vibrate several hours ago, but didn't dare check while sitting at Mama's table… well, Jasper's table. But everyone knows if Mama's sitting at it, it's her table. And she detests anyone checking messages on cell phones in her presence.
Smiling, I sink down on the bed to read what Edward wrote. It's short. It's sweet. I send a reply so he'll see it when he wakes up.
*Miss you, too. I love you, Ned.
When the doorbell rings a little after five the next evening, I frown. It's too early for Edward to arrive. Jasper just left to pick up Alice and Riley, so it's not them. No one else is invited tonight. I peek into the living room as the doorbell sounds again, but Joey and Big Daddy aren't sitting on the couch where they were a few minutes ago.
"It's rude to leave a visitor standing outside in the rain, sweet pea," Mama chides without turning away from the stove where she's cooking my favorite dinner: fried chicken. "You'd best answer the door."
"Yes, ma'am," I say, setting down the knife I was using to peel potatoes. Anxious to stay on her good side, I rush through the living room. As I approach the door, I peek through the window – I can't see who's standing at the door, but I recognize the truck parked at the curb and yank the door open excitedly. "Dad! What are you doing here?"
"Mrs. Whitlock asked me to dinner," he replies as I wrap my arms around his waist. He hugs me back, kissing the side of my head, not letting go until I pull away and let him enter the house. "You look good, Bella. Nice to see that big smile on your face again."
"Why didn't you tell me you were coming?" I ask, ignoring his commentary on my sadness during the holidays.
"Mrs. Whitlock suggested I surprise you," he answers, removing his coat. Narrowing my eyes, I reach for his jacket and walk to the closet to hang it up. I just bet that Mama suggested he surprise me. She's stacking the deck in her favor tonight. "Where is Edward? That boy and I have some things to get straight."
"He'll be here soon, Dad," I answer, turning to face him. "But you and Mama Whitlock are absolutely not going to gang up on him."
My dad's grin is quick and his brown eyes shine as he answers me. "Don't get so testy. I didn't bring my gun inside… yet." He laughs as I glare at him.
When Jasper arrives a few minutes later with Alice and Riley, the rest of the Whitlocks reappear to meet them. Although Alice seems nervous at first, she calms down quickly, and by the time she makes her first smartass remark to Joey, I can see that Mama likes her. Of course, Riley charms everyone, and has Joey and my dad talked into playing Candy Land within a few minutes.
At one minute to six, the doorbell rings again. This time, I race for the door.
"I got it," I call, pausing briefly to look at Joey and my dad who are sitting on the couch, still playing games with Riley. "Behave. Both of you."
When I open the door, I jump into Edward's arms, causing him to grunt and stumble back a step, apparently unprepared for my enthusiastic greeting. He chuckles quietly.
"Hi, Stel." His voice is quiet as he speaks into my ear.
"Ned," I sigh, inhaling his scent. "I missed you."
"I missed you, too, baby," he says, wrapping his arms a little more tightly around my back.
"I'm so sorry," I whisper, rearing back to look at him.
"Sorry for what?" he asks, puzzled.
"Hello… Edward," my dad says from behind me. Edward's eyes leave mine immediately and shoot to my father.
"Mr. Swan… Chief Swan… Charlie," he says as he sets me down roughly, hardly pausing to make sure I'm steady on my feet before he steps away from me. "I didn't know you were coming tonight."
"Neither did I," I mutter, glaring at my dad.
"Couldn't pass up the opportunity to see everyone," Charlie asserts, stepping farther onto the porch to shake Edward's extended hand. After a minute of their small talk, I turn to my dad.
"Dad, could Edward and I have a minute? We haven't seen each other all week," I plead. He stalls a little longer, but finally acquiesces, stepping back inside and shutting the door.
Standing in the middle of the porch, I wrap my arms around Ned's neck again and mumble into his chest, "They're gonna be mean to us."
"Look at me," Edward orders quietly, placing his hands lightly on my hips, waiting until I look up at him before he says any more. "It's okay. I love you and that's not going to change just because I'm going to face some tough questions from the Whitlocks and your dad."
"We'll get through it?" I ask. I know the answer, but I want reassurance.
"We will," he confirms, then finally leans down. Digging one hand into the back of his hair, I press my lips against his impatiently, kissing him several times and then sliding my tongue along his bottom lip. But instead of responding, he pulls away and opens his eyes. "Stel, I can't make out with you when your dad is right on the other side of that door."
I chuckle as I look up at him, dropping my arms from around his neck. "Yeah. Probably not the best idea," I agree. "My dad never leaves home without his gun." After I hear him swallow, I laugh harder and open the door, pulling him inside behind me.
Just like last night, Mama is pleasant all through dinner… until dessert.
"How do you find the pie, Edward?" she asks sweetly.
"It's delicious, ," he replies with his mouth full – as I instructed. At Mama's table, guests are allowed to disregard polite table manners if they're complimenting her cooking.
She smiles widely at him, but I notice that she's no longer eating her pie. "Joey, I need my handbag," she says, positioning her reading glasses, which had been hanging from a chain around her neck, on the end of her nose. "Jasper, you may as well fetch the whiskey now."
As Joey hands Mama her purse, Jasper whispers something to him from his other side. Joey nods, then immediately turns to Riley.
"Hey, Riley," he drawls. "You promised to play the Wii with me after dinner, remember?"
"Yeah!" she answers excitedly getting down from her chair. "Jasper's Wii is in the basement and he has a bunch of good games. But my mommy says I can't play Call of Duty any more, and you're not allowed to cuss in front of me. But you can say moron 'cause Jasper says it's okay as long as it's true."
"Got it," Joey laughs as he follows Riley to the door leading downstairs.
"Jasper was playing Call of Duty with her?" Edward whispers, looking at me and frowning.
"No," I scoff. "Emmett was playing Call of Duty with her."
"And calling people morons?"
"Uh, I think that's what Jasper was calling Emmett when he found out what they were playing in the basement," I say, trying not to laugh.
Mama clears her throat to get our attention. "All right, Edward," she begins. "I've got a few things to ask you."
To his credit, Edward doesn't flinch under Mama's unyielding gaze, and he doesn't take more than a sip of the whiskey Jas pours for him. He answers every question she asks, looking apologetically at Alice a couple of times when he talks about Jamie.
"Why didn't you go to the police, son?" my dad asks after Edward tells them about the pictures of Alice, Riley and me that Jamie sent.
"I did eventually, but I didn't have any proof at first, Charlie. If I had gone to the police then, James would have known I was coming after him. I wasn't sure what he would do… and I wasn't willing to risk it," Edward explains. "I felt like I didn't have any choice except to make myself his target."
He explains the plan he carried out early last fall, detailing the way he pulled away from his family – and from me – to keep Jamie's focus on himself. Even though I know what Edward did and understand why he did it, hearing him talk so frankly about it ties my stomach in knots. Sliding my chair closer to his, I put my arm around him and rub his back gently.
Mama isn't taking notes anymore. She's listening intently to Edward, clucking her tongue about some of the things James said and did… and I see tears well in her eyes more than once.
Before Edward has a chance to explain about the fake engagement, the doorbell rings. As I start to stand, Jasper does, too.
"I'll get it, Baby Swan," he says. "It's probably Emmett and Rosalie. He said they might stop by to see Mama and Big Daddy."
I sit back down and turn toward Edward. "Rosalie's in town again?"
"Yeah. She flew in this afternoon with me," he says. Sighing heavily, I roll my eyes and lean back in my chair, crossing my arms over my chest. He looks over at me, his brow slightly furrowed. "I thought she was growing on you."
Yeah, like a freaking fungus… spreading into every corner of my life.
"I'm trying, Edward," I whisper sharply, just as Jasper comes back into the kitchen, followed by Emmett and Rosalie.
When Rosalie says hi to me, I force myself to reply with a smile. I don't huff when Mama prods me to get up and serve pie to the new guests… or when Mama insists they sit down and Rosalie does… in my chair right next to my boyfriend. Emmett takes Joey's empty seat, leaving Riley's chair for me.
Irritated, I'm barely listening as Mama quizzes Rosalie, subjecting her to several questions about how she and Emmett met. Looking down at my fingers in my lap, I successfully keep myself from making faces when Rosalie giggles about seeing Emmett again in the Hale Software boardroom.
"He looked like he'd seen a ghost when I walked into the room. And then when I introduced myself, he practically curled into a fetal position," she says.
"That's true," Emmett agrees with a laugh. "But that's because I knew you were engaged to Edward."
"Pardon me?" Mama interjects, surprise evident in her tone. Edward hadn't told Mama that part of his story yet. "Rosalie, you are the co-worker Edward was engaged to?"
"They were never engaged," I grumble, sparing a glance at Mama before looking down again. "Why do I have to keep pointing that out to everyone?"
Emmett chuckles quietly beside me, but reaches over to squeeze my shoulder gently. He keeps his arm around me as Rosalie talks, and I look up and smile supportively at Edward. Rosalie backs up his story down to the smallest detail, which seems to satisfy Mama, but a quick peek at my dad tells me he's got something to say.
"Edward, you found it easy to break things off with Bella in favor of this false relationship with Rosalie," he says. "If the situation was too dangerous for Bella, why wasn't it too dangerous for Rosalie?"
"It was, Charlie. I told Rosalie from the beginning that I'd understand if she didn't want to be involved," Edward replies, his honest green gaze meeting my father's skeptical brown one. "And there was nothing easy about being away from Bella."
"Yet you succeeded in staying away from her. You even announced your engagement while she was in the room," Charlie says gruffly. I slide my narrowed eyes to Jasper, who has the decency to look sheepishly back at me, silently confirming that he's the big mouth who told my dad that little tidbit. I never mentioned the party to Charlie at all.
"Mr. Swan, Edward was devastated that Bella was at the party. Neither of us knew that my father had invited her," Rosalie insists fervently, drawing my attention – and eyes – back to her.
"Rosalie," Edward begins.
"No, Edward. They're not being fair to you," she declares, turning to look at him. "They're acting like you're the bad guy here."
"That's my girl," Emmett whispers in my ear… disgustingly proudly.
"I never said Edward was the bad guy. It just seems like there might have been a better way to catch this James fellow… a way where Bella didn't get hurt," my dad says accusingly.
Pissed off, I open my mouth to protest, but Rosalie beats me to the punch, staring icily across the table at my dad.
"With all due respect, sir, Edward's main concern was that James not get near Bella, or Alice and Riley. His biggest motivation was that they not be hurt," she says, then pauses to glance at Edward. "He's a good man, and he became my friend, which isn't easy because I can be…"
"Difficult," Edward adds, smirking at her.
"I was going to say a mean bitch," she retorts. As everyone – except me – chuckles, she smiles at Emmett before looking at my dad again. "Anyway, I don't think a single day went by when he didn't mention Bella. He's crazy about her and you're crazy if you don't see it."
To my surprise, when I look at my dad, he's smiling. "I see it. Just wanted to make sure my eyes weren't playing tricks on me," he says with a nod. "I hope you won't hold it against me, Edward. But she's my daughter. I want to protect her, too."
"I understand, Charlie," Edward answers.
"Mama, are you done torturing Rosalie and Edward yet?" Jasper asks with a smirk. "You gonna ask for ID? You want to see their Costco cards? Talk to their third grade teachers?"
Mama is chuckling when she replies that she's finished, and everyone begins talking at once. Jas says something to Edward and they both laugh. When Edward looks my way, I roll my eyes dramatically, but he smiles crookedly at me, then turns to talk to Mama again. Holy shit. I recognize that look on his face… I think he's infatuated with her.
Shaking my head in amusement, I pull myself out from under Emmett's heavy arm and stand up. I pause to ruffle my dad's hair as I walk out of the kitchen, intending to go get Riley and Joey from the basement.
"Bella, where's the bathroom?" Rosalie asks softly from behind me.
"Oh, um, I'll show you," I stammer, turning to look at her. As I lead her down the short hall, I know I should say something to her, express some sort of gratitude that she defended Edward to my dad. But I chicken out. "Here you go." I turn on the light in the bathroom, smile slightly at her, and walk away.
In the basement, Joey sighs in relief when I talk Riley into turning off the Wii.
"Bella, I beat Joey in bowling and tennis," Riley boasts, slipping her hand into mine as we walk up the stairs.
"She doesn't even aim," Joey whispers incredulously as I laugh. "I have no idea how she kept winning. I wasn't losing on purpose."
As we reach the top of the stairs, I see Rosalie coming out of the bathroom. She glances at me, then does a double-take when she realizes who's with me.
"Who are you?" Riley asks inquisitively as we approach her. Rosalie's eyes dart to my face.
"Riley, this is Rosalie," I explain. "She's a friend of ours, and she works with Uncle Edward."
I'm still not sure I would call Rosalie my friend, but I know how Edward feels about her.
"She's my friend, too?" Riley asks, looking up at me.
"Yes," I answer. That's not all she is to Riley, but whether or not to explain that is Alice's decision.
"Hi, Riley," Rosalie says, smiling as she crouches down in front of us.
"Hi," Riley replies, tilting her head slightly. "We have the same hair." She lets go of my hand and reaches forward to touch Rosalie's blonde strands.
"Yes, we do," Rosalie agrees.
"And blue eyes," Riley continues. "Jasper has blue eyes, too. Just like us."
"That's right." Rosalie laughs softly.
Then, in the way of five-year-olds, Riley is on to another subject.
"Bella, guess what," she says excitedly, looking up at me. "Tomorrow is my friend's birthday party and I getta go. And I got her a present and it's lotion with sparkles in it." As she's talking, she takes my hand again and pulls me toward the kitchen. Rosalie stands and looks at me, using her fingers to wipe away the tears leaking from the outside corners of her eyes.
Oh, dammit. Tears spring to my eyes, too. First she defends my boyfriend and now she's clearly affected by the kid who occupies a giant spot in my heart. I might as well admit that I'm starting to think Rosalie isn't so bad… and I'm irritated as hell about that.
"Thank you," she whispers as I pass her. Unable to speak around the lump in my throat, I just nod and smile at her.
As soon as we get to the kitchen doorway, Riley lets go of my hand to race toward Jasper, hugging him tightly around the neck when he lifts her onto his lap. I walk to the counter and open more wine, then accept with a smile when Rosalie offers to help pour it. When Riley asks for juice, I ask Rosalie to get it… and I even return the one-armed hug she gives me.
By the time I'm ready to sit down at the table, I realize there are no more empty chairs, but Edward catches my eye, scooting his chair back and crooking his finger at me. Aware of my dad's watchful eye, I shake my head slightly and pull a chair up beside him instead.
For almost an hour, we sit around the table, listening as Mama, Big Daddy and my dad tell stories. Riley hops from lap to lap, even stopping for a moment on Rosalie's. She sits on mine the longest – not that I'm keeping track – and then moves to Edward's, immediately falling asleep against his shoulder.
When everyone gets up to leave a bit later, I notice Mama watching intently as Edward hands Riley off to Jasper. After Jas and Alice leave the room, Mama heads for us.
"Looks like that little one has you two wrapped around her finger," she remarks, smiling.
"She does and she knows it," Edward laughs.
"That's the way it should be," Mama says. "Edward, I appreciate you indulging me tonight. I just wanted to be sure about you. And now I am."
"Thank you, Mrs. Whitlock," he answers.
Mama pulls him into a hug, patting him soundly on the back. "That's Mama to you, honey." She pulls away to grin at him. "Just stay away from Joey. He's a bad influence."
With a wink she leaves the kitchen, joining everyone else in the living room. I grab Edward's hand and drag him into the walk-in pantry, pushing him back against the shelves.
"What's wrong, Stel?" he asks, frowning.
"Absolutely nothing," I say quietly, lifting up on my tiptoes to wrap my arms around his neck. "I just needed a minute alone with you."
He holds me tightly until I pull back, shifting one of my hands to his cheek as I look into his eyes.
"Did I do okay?" he smirks, already knowing he expertly diffused Mama's doubts… and probably most of my dad's, too.
"I knew the arrogant semi-asshole was lurking in there somewhere," I mutter, rolling my eyes. "Yes, Ned. You did very well."
"I was an excellent test-taker in school," he brags, making me laugh. I press my lips to his for an instant, then tug on his neck until he rests his forehead against mine.
Sighing heavily, I whisper, "I wish you could stay here tonight."
"I'd like to take this opportunity to point out that if you had agreed to move in with me three weeks ago when I asked, this wouldn't be an issue," he teases.
"You're not helping," I grouse, but we're both smiling as our lips meet.
"Marry me," he murmurs in between kisses.
My already-racing heart pounds harder in my chest, every beat thundering loudly in my ears as he kisses me again. He's asked me this same question every few days since we returned from Key West, but he knows it's too soon for us to seriously consider taking that step.
Still… it's getting more and more difficult to turn him down.
"No," I answer gently… reluctantly.
He pulls back slightly to look at me, his lips curling into a slight smile. "Someday you're gonna say yes."
He's right. Someday I am.
When we go into the living room several minutes later, I tell my dad that he can have my bed and I'll sleep on the couch.
"Bella, that's unnecessary," Edward interjects. "Charlie, why don't you sleep at my house? It's not far from here and I have an empty guestroom."
Once my dad agrees, I tell them I'll come along. My main motivation is to be with Edward, but I'm also a little worried about what my dad will say if he's left unsupervised.
"You two get married without telling me?" Charlie asks gruffly, fixing his deep brown eyes on mine.
"No, sir," Edward answers for us, smirking as he looks pointedly at me.
Huffing loudly, I roll my eyes, and before I really even know what's happening, they've both kissed me goodbye and left… together. The only bright spot is that Edward drove my dad, so he doesn't have his gun.
Agitated, I go into the kitchen where Mama is loading the dishwasher.
"I thought the guys were supposed to clean up tonight," I remark as I put away the bottle of whiskey and carry the last couple of glasses to the sink.
"They did," she says, annoyed. "But I never remember that their idea of cleaning up is vastly different than my idea of cleaning up."
"I'll finish up, Mama," I offer. "You can go on to bed."
"Nonsense. Many hands make light work," she says, turning to smile at me. "So tell me, is Edward always that sweet or was that for show?"
Turning toward her, I smile wryly. "That's pretty much him."
"That's what I thought," she affirms, handing me a plate to put in the dishwasher. "I've seen that look on a man's face before… at my mama's table."
"What look?"
"That look like he'll love you just as much when he's disappointed in you as he does when he's proud of you. That look like he'd pay the sun to come up every morning just because you might be watching," she smiles.
"Big Daddy?" I ask, blinking back tears.
"Yep. My mama wasn't too keen on him back in the day," she laughs as she hands me more rinsed dishes. "Had a sit-down with us at her table that would make tonight seem like a walk in the park. But William was respectful… steadfast in his feelings for me… determined to win my mama over. And that's when I knew he was the one. Not coincidentally, that's also the first night I slept with him."
"Mama!" I exclaim, dropping the plate the last few inches into the dishwasher and covering my ears with my hands. "I don't want to… not you and… just… no."
"Oh, for the love of Pete!" Mama chides. "Why is it that every generation thinks they invented sex? I came of age during the sexual revolution, you know. And I was quite revolutionary if you get my drift."
I get it… whether I want to or not. I need some Pepto.
"Annnyway," she continues, dragging the word out to indicate that she still thinks I'm being ridiculous, "seeing you two with little Riley, I have no doubt that you'll make good parents, too. Have you thought about that?"
"Well, yeah," I admit. More and more I think about it. More and more I know I want it… someday. "But it's too soon."
"Take your time, sweet pea," she advises. "You don't have to get in a rush. You and Edward should enjoy yourselves for a while first. William and I certainly did. I tell you that man could get me hot and bothered from a hundred yards away. All I had to do was see that black cowboy hat in the distance and I was rearin' to go."
"Maaaamaaa," I complain, covering my face with my hands. Her arms come around me and she kisses the side of my head.
"All right, I'll stop," she acquiesces. "You better get on up to bed now. We're going sightseeing tomorrow. Edward said I can ride with him."
Laughing loudly, I hug her back. "I bet he did. I think he has a crush on you," I say.
"Well, if that's not a feather in my cap, I don't know what is," she replies, releasing me, but winding her arm through mine as we walk out of the kitchen and toward the stairs. "I like him very much, Bella."
"Me, too, Mama," I agree, turning to smile at her. "I like him very much, too."
"Stel?" Ned asks quietly as we speed along the highway toward Forks. It's been six weeks since Mama and Big Daddy's visit. Edward is driving and I'm reading on my phone… well, I'm pretending to read on my phone. I can't really concentrate.
From the corner of my eye, I see him glance my way.
I haven't spoken since ten minutes before we left Seattle.
"You know I was kidding, baby," he says for the twentieth time.
"Yep," I agree, still pretending to be engrossed in what I'm reading… which is the dictionary that came with the Kindle app.
"Your lasagna is way better than Alice's. You know she can't cook for shit," he continues, reaching over to rest a hand just above my knee. I don't pull away, but I don't react in any other way either. "If you weren't so damn grouchy in the morning, this wouldn't be an issue."
"You know I'm grumpy at seven o'clock in the morning," I spit. "You also know I spent hours cooking this surprise birthday lunch for my dad last night. Why would you joke around about it?"
"This is a ridiculous fight, Bella," he says. We've been in the car for an hour… an hour of near-complete silence.
"We're not fighting," I correct him in my snottiest tone.
"Good."
"I'm not speaking to you," I say haughtily.
"You just did," he taunts, slowly sliding his hand halfway up my thigh.
"Shut up," I grumble.
"Did it again."
"Stop it!" I turn toward the window so he won't see the smile I'm trying to contain.
"You can't stay mad at me," he says lightly, moving his fingers a little higher, sliding them back and forth slowly. "I'm your favorite semi-asshole."
"You used to be," I say, trying to ignore the warm rush of desire flooding my body. He pulls his hand away, putting it back on the steering wheel.
"Hey!" I complain, reaching for his hand and placing it on my leg again. "I'm not done letting you beg for forgiveness." Smirking, I glance over at him.
"If you forgive me, I'll do whatever you want tonight when we get back," he pronounces, looking quickly at me before returning his eyes to the road.
"That's not much incentive. You'll do that anyway," I say, then laugh when he grasps the ticklish spot above my knee. "Stop! Stop!" I try to wiggle away but he's got a pretty strong grip on me.
"Say it. Edward is forgiven," he coaxes.
"Okay, okay. Edward's forgiven," I concede, giggling a little more and then leaning over against his arm.
The past six weeks – since the Whitlocks went back to Texas – have been six of the best weeks of my life. Everything is going great with Ned. I see Alice and Riley several times a week. My friendship with Jas has shifted slightly, but we're still close. My friendship with Emmett is surviving his continued romance with Rosalie. And I can even admit – without rolling my eyes… much – that she's growing on me in a non-fungal way.
I sit up and twist sideways in my seat to talk to him, pointing out things I want him to see – especially as we get close to Forks. I direct him to my dad's house, sighing happily as we park at the curb. Looking out the window at the little, white house, I remember being here for Christmas. At that time, I never imagined that I'd be bringing Ned here four months later. When he comes to help me unload the cooler from the backseat, I reach one hand up to his neck and pull him until he bends down to kiss me.
"Thanks for coming with me," I whisper against his lips.
"You're welcome," he smiles as I slide the handle of the present over his arm and then hand him the heavy pan of lasagna. I pick up the cake, then lead the way up the sidewalk to the front door, key in hand. As I put my key in the lock, Edward questions me. "You're just barging in? Aren't you going to knock?"
"He's not here."
"How do you know?"
"My dad has done the same thing every Saturday for as long as I can remember. He fishes, then comes home for lunch and a nap," I explain. "Plus, his truck isn't in the driveway."
"Maybe it's in the garage," he suggests.
"The garage is full of junk," I reply, shaking my head. "I've tried to get him to clean it out for years. He hasn't parked in there since I was sixteen."
The door is sticking, making it difficult to open with one hand. I jiggle the doorknob and put my shoulder against it, finally pushing it open, then smiling when it creaks familiarly on its hinges. I step inside and turn to wait for Edward.
"You're sure he's not here?" Edward asks lowly.
Just as I'm about to reply, I hear the metal click of a break-action shotgun barrel from upstairs.
"Hold it right there! I'm armed!"
"Dad!" I exclaim. "It's me." Turning toward the stairs, I look up to see Charlie coming down, aiming his shotgun at us – wearing boxer shorts… only boxer shorts.
"Bella?" he asks, surprised. He lowers the gun immediately. "Edward. Hi. What the hell are you two doing here?"
"Trying to get ourselves killed apparently," I remark dryly. My dad's face breaks into a grin. "Happy birthday, Dad."
"Charlie! Is everything okay?" a female voice calls from the upstairs hall. Then I see bare feet at the top of the stairs. As I let my eyes roam upward, I see my dad's robe… wrapped around a woman. She's older, pretty… and her hair is a mess. My eyes widen as I realize what we've interrupted. My much-quicker boyfriend is already chuckling quietly behind me.
"Oh… my… God," I whisper.
My dad clears his throat as his face turns every shade of red imaginable, finally settling somewhere just south of purple. "Uh, Bella, I'd like you to meet Kim," he says nervously. "Kim, this is Bella."
"Goodness! Hi. Oh, honey, your dad has told me so much about you," she says quickly, reaching up to smooth her unruly hair.
"Uh, yeah, hi," I stammer. "Um, this is my boyfriend, Edward. We brought lunch."
After she and Edward exchange hellos, I feel him at my back. "Bella, why don't we take the food into the kitchen?" I nod and guide Ned to the kitchen while my dad and his lady friend head back upstairs.
"I swear to God if you laugh about this, I won't speak to you for the rest of the day, Edward Cullen," I whisper testily.
"I swear to God I'll try not to laugh at this highly amusing situation, Isabella Swan," he answers. "Why are we calling each other by first and last names?"
"I don't know, but don't push me on it," I snap, slamming the cake down on the counter and turning to take the lasagna pan from him. After I set it down, I feel Ned's arms wrap around my waist from behind. "Oh, my God, Ned. Do you think it was this bad for my dad when you answered the door at my apartment on my birthday?"
"No, baby," he soothes as I lean my head back against his shoulder. "I think it was worse for Charlie – both times."
"Hey!" I elbow him lightly in the ribs and chuckle despite my queasiness.
Slipping my arms under his, I push myself more securely into his embrace, clinging to him as he tightens his grasp.
"I should have learned never to surprise anyone, shouldn't I?" I mumble. "It never works out for me."
"Stel, you can surprise me anytime," he says quietly, leaning his head against mine.
"I've just… he's never even dated anyone steadily. I guess I thought he was happy alone."
"Maybe he met someone who changed his mind… like I did," he murmurs with his lips against my temple. "Not all change is bad."
Turning around in his arms, I look in his eyes and smile slightly. "Don't say sweet things just to make me feel better," I say, twining my arms around his neck.
"I'm not. It's the truth," he replies, leaning down to kiss me. When he pulls back, he's smiling and his green eyes are playful. "Besides, if I wanted to make you feel better, I'd ask you to marry me again. You seem to enjoy turning me down."
I chuckle twice as I shake my head. "You know it's too soon, Ned," I state.
"Give me something here, Stel," he teases, his eyes roving over my face. "At least move in with me."
Before I can answer him, my dad appears in the doorway behind him. "Bella? Can I talk to you for a minute in the other room?"
"Sure, Dad," I agree, pulling away from Edward.
We're both a little embarrassed during the conversation that follows in the living room. He apologizes for not telling me about Kim and admits they've been seeing each other for three months. I apologize for showing up unannounced and not knocking. We avoid eye contact… and any mention of my dad pulling a gun on us while dressed only in his underwear.
When he proudly tells me that he cleaned out the garage so Kim wouldn't have to park outside if it's raining, I finally look into his eyes.
"Dad, you look so happy," I say, feeling my own chest lighten with the realization.
"I am, honey," he agrees, pulling me into a hug when I twist toward him on the couch. "I am."
With our awkward conversation behind us, I go back to the kitchen and put the lasagna in the oven. Edward and I stay the rest of the day, and so does Kim. When my dad takes Edward to the lake to show him where he usually fishes on Saturday mornings, Kim and I talk, but carefully avoid talking too much about her and my dad. She seems really nice though, and when Edward and I leave soon after dinner, I tell her I hope I'll see her again… and I mean it.
When I walk out of the bathroom in my flannel pajama pants and tank top, Edward is sitting up on his side of the bed, waiting. He smiles at me as I climb in on my side, then crawl to him and straddle his lap. I've been waiting impatiently for this all day.
He settles his hands on my waist, and then slides them up my sides as I lean forward. I whimper quietly as he cups my breasts.
"Ned," I whisper as I press my lips lightly against his once… twice… again. Licking across his bottom lip, I let my eyes slide closed… and see my dad. Gasping, I pull away from Edward and sit up.
"What's wrong, baby?" he asks, frowning.
Shaking my head, hoping it erases the disturbing vision in my head of my dad and Kim, I decide to try again. Smiling, I bury my hands in his hair and kiss him again, but as soon as I shut my eyes… it's Charlie.
"Oh, God," I whisper, scrambling off Ned's lap.
"Stel, what's going on?" he asks quietly as I scoot way over on my own side of the bed. Leaning back against the headboard, I pull my knees up and rest my forehead on them.
"Every time I close my eyes while we're kissing, I get this horrible picture in my head of my dad and Kim… having sex," I confess. Instead of the sympathy I expect from him, he laughs… hard. Blindly, I punch with my left arm several times until I hit him. "Really? How about Carlisle and Esme? They're shacked up. What do you think they're doing at night?"
That shuts him up.
"Gross. Stop it," he says grouchily. "Fuck. Now my head is full of old people having sex."
"Sorry," I mutter. "Maybe we should just go to sleep."
"Good idea," he agrees, turning off the lamp on his side. I turn mine off, too, and then settle in the bed, moving closer to him. We're facing each other, and after my eyes adjust to the darkness, I can see that he's lying wide awake, blinking at me. "Jesus. They're all probably having sex right now."
"Knock it off, Ned!" I groan. "You're making it worse." I start to laugh… and can't stop. Edward laughs, too, and it takes us several minutes to calm down. He pulls me into his arms after we say goodnight – but neither of us kisses the other.
Three hours later, I'm awake and staring at my sleeping boyfriend, smiling at the way he twitches his nose after I lightly trace my finger down the bridge of it. All night, he's slept like a baby while I've been restless, dozing in twenty minute intervals filled with vivid dreams… mostly of him.
Stretching up, I press my lips gently, lingeringly against his forehead, and then slip out of bed, trying not to wake him as I leave the room.
Holding three nails in my mouth, I pound the fourth one into the wall softly… well, as softly as you can pound nails. I know I'm being loud… I should be quieter. But I can't sleep… not until he knows.
Once the first picture is hung, I move the stepstool to the right and climb up. Then I take the second nail out of my mouth and start hammering it into the next spot I marked on the wall.
"Stella?" Ned asks sleepily from the stairs behind me. "Jesus. It's three o'clock in the morning. What the hell are you doing?" I smile when I hear him scratch his stomach and yawn.
Using the hammer in my right hand, I point to the three pictures still propped against the wall below me. "Moo-ing dese four hictures," I answer unclearly, still holding two nails between my teeth.
"I don't give a shit if you move them, but could you do it during the day?"
I take the nails out of my mouth to reply this time. "I couldn't sleep until I knew they'd look okay here," I insist, then look at him over my shoulder. "I love these pictures." Turning back toward the wall, I put the nails back in my mouth and resume hammering.
It's the truth. They're incredible Ansel Adams prints – or God, knowing Edward, originals. They've been hung side by side on the long wall near the kitchen. Now I'm hanging them on a different wall in a square.
"Why are you moving them if you love them?" he asks, bewildered, as I hang the second picture.
"Because I only have one really good piece of art, and you only have one wall big enough for it. That one," I answer, pointing to the wall where these pictures used to hang.
Stooping down, I pick up the pencil and tape measure, then extend the tape along the wall to mark the two spots for the lower pictures.
He's silent behind me… I wait nervously for him to say something. The man is smart. Even half-asleep, he'll get it. Just as I begin hammering the next nail, he interrupts.
"Stel, will you quit the fucking pounding for a second and talk to me?" he asks loudly. I stop and turn around. "Are you telling me that you're moving in?"
"You said I could surprise you anytime, so… surprise."
"You're moving in?" he asks again as he starts to walk toward me.
"If you want me to," I answer.
"I fucking want you."
I don't know if he means he wants me to move in or that he wants me. It doesn't really matter to me right now because the way he's stalking across the floor toward me erases every coherent thought in my head. My heart races… my chest rises and falls quickly with each shallow, quick breath. I take two steps backward until I feel the wall behind me. I drop the final nail to the floor and let the hammer fall onto the step stool beside me.
"I love you," I breathe just before Edward reaches me.
His darkened eyes answer silently as he crashes his lips to mine, putting his palms on the wall on either side of my head. We move our mouths together frantically, and I wrap my arms around his neck, pulling him closer. I have no sense of time… no idea how long we stand with our lips fused, our tongues sliding, swirling… it could be one minute or ten. When I moan quietly, Ned knows I need more… knows I need him. Gripping my hair with one hand and my shoulder with the other, he pushes his body into mine, pressing me against the wall so that we're chest to chest, hip to hip.
Gasping, I pull my mouth away and lean my head on the wall, trying to catch my breath. Edward tugs gently on my hair until I tilt my head that way, giving him more room to kiss down the left side of my neck. He pulls the strap of my tank top aside and sucks gently, then more forcefully on the spot where my neck and shoulder meet.
"Oh… God… Ned," I whisper, dropping my arms from around his neck to hang limply at my sides.
He continues skimming his lips along my shoulder, my collarbone, and then back to my neck. As he nips gently at my skin, he reaches for my right hand, twisting it until he can slide his fingers between mine. Tightening my fingers around his, I watch as he raises his head and lifts our joined hands to his mouth. Holding my gaze, he kisses my fingers, then presses our hands against the wall beside my head at the same time he presses his hips against mine.
"I love you," he says, his voice quiet and raspy.
"I know," I pant, my chest pushing against his each time I inhale. "I want you."
His grin is quick, and then gone before he answers, nodding. "I know."
He bends down to me, brushing his lips across my jaw teasingly before settling his mouth against mine. Weak-kneed, I kiss him back desperately, using my free hand to push his t-shirt up on one side. His dark green eyes pop open to meet mine as he backs up a step and pulls his shirt off. I reach for the hem of my tank top, taking it off quickly, and then gripping his shoulders as he steps toward me again.
He lowers his head, kissing across the swell of my breasts as he uses his thumbs to brush across my nipples. When I whimper, he slides his mouth down to cover one breast, sucking strongly. Letting my head rest against the wall behind me, I concentrate on the movement of his mouth, the feeling of his tongue, his teeth… but soon, that's not enough. Sliding my hand down his chest, I reach for the waistband of his boxers; he pulls away before I can touch him, holding my hand.
"Come on, baby," he growls, turning to walk toward the stairs.
He stops on the first step, letting me go up ahead of him. We're almost to the top when I feel him tug gently on my hand, stopping me as he wraps his other arm around my waist.
"Fuck, you're so beautiful," he whispers against my shoulder.
I turn in his arms, locking my lips to his. This time when I reach for the waistband of his boxers, he doesn't stop me and I push them down as far as I can reach, then wrap my hand around him. He shoves himself into my hand, groaning quietly as I stroke him several times. Breaking the kiss, I let go of him and push my pants and underwear off, kicking them down the stairs.
"Here?" he asks.
"Here."
He wraps his arms around me as we go down, kissing again. Sitting on a step, I lean back as Edward kneels between my legs and thrusts into me.
"Oh… God... God," I breathe, putting one elbow on the step behind me to steady myself.
"Stella," he groans, pressing his open lips to mine. He pulls out, and then plunges back in. He rests his forehead against mine, moving faster, driving into me forcefully.
We're both panting when he reaches between us, caressing my clit until I come, crying out and dropping my head back onto the step behind me. Edward holds still inside me, bending forward to kiss across my arched neck while I recover.
Still catching my breath, I whimper quietly when he slides his mouth to my chest… trailing his fingers up my leg… arousing me once more.
"Mmm," I breathe, moving my hips against his.
"Scoot to the top, baby. I don't want to hurt your back," he says quietly, raising up to look at me. On shaky legs, I move up two steps, then lie all the way back into the upstairs hall. Edward pulls me til I'm on the very edge of the top step, closing his eyes and sliding into me again. "I can't… go slow."
"Don't want you to," I mumble, watching him, tightening my legs around his hips as he slams into me over and over.
I force my heavy eyes to stay open so I can see him… the slight sheen of sweat that appears on his face and neck… the cords of his neck that protrude as he gasps for breath. When his lips fall open and I know he's close, I squeeze my muscles around him.
"Fuck… Bella," he grunts, thrusting shallowly as he comes and then holding still all the way inside me. With a loud exhale, he collapses forward onto me, resting his head between my breasts.
Smiling, I bury one hand in his hair, sliding my fingers through the damp strands. Catching our breath, we lie silent and mostly still for several minutes before he speaks.
"Are you serious? You'll move in?" he whispers.
"I'm serious," I answer. "But I'm paying half the mortgage."
He lifts his head to look at me. "Baby, I don't have a mortgage."
"Figures," I mutter disgustedly. He smiles and lays his head down again, facing the opposite direction now. "I'm not mooching off of you."
"Okay," he agrees, much more easily than I thought he would. "We'll work it out."
We're both quiet again, lost in our own thoughts as we lie intertwined. This time I break the silence.
"Did you know that Stairway to Heaven was never released as a single?" I ask.
He chuckles against my skin, pressing a kiss to one breast before he pushes up to look at me. "No, baby. I didn't know that."
"It was considered too long for radio play," I smile, raising up on my elbows. Edward straightens up, then pulls me so that I'm sitting up.
"So, sex with me makes you think of classic rock?"
"No, great sex on a staircase with you makes me think of a specific classic rock song," I correct, wrapping my arms around his neck. He kisses me languidly, lazily.
"Move in with me," he says against my lips.
"I already said I would," I reply, pulling back slightly and looking into his eyes.
"Humor me," he pleads, smiling. "Move in."
"Yes," I answer, sighing happily when he wraps his arms around me, hugging me tightly.
"Bella?"
"Mmhmm?"
"As long as you're answering yes to stuff, can I ask a couple more questions?"
"Yes," I laugh, assuming he'll try to slip a proposal in.
"There's a cocktail reception for the operating system launch in June. Will you come with me?"
"Yes."
"I have to go to that conference in San Diego again this summer. Can you get away and come?"
"Yes."
"Can we tell your dad that we're moving in together soon – while he still feels guilty for almost shooting us?"
Laughing again, I nod. "Yes."
"One more," he says, pulling back to look at me.
"Okay. Ask me." I shift one hand to his face, brushing my fingers along his jaw and wondering if I will be able to turn him down this time… I'm not sure I can.
"Can we get up now? My knees are killing me."
That wasn't what I expected him to say, although I guess it serves me and my giant ego right.
I press my lips to his quickly and smile. "Yes. Let's go to bed."
"In our room," he says, wincing as he stands. But when he holds a hand toward me to help me up, he smiles.
"Yes, Ned. In our room."
A/N: Thanks for reading - please review.
The next chapter will probably be the last for Ned and Stella...