Under My Nose

Edward Cullen sets a deadline of six months to find his true love, before he turns thirty. Leaving his successful restaurant to drive a mule-drawn carriage in the French Quarter of New Orleans, he searches for the meaning of true love, because he has yet to understand it. Will he know when he finds her or will she be right under his nose? Can bubbly, buxom Bella tantalize his taste buds with beignets and an abundant

booty?

A/N: Thank you to the readers who review every chapter. There are a handful of you. I appreciate the love, and I find your input very helpful. When we get into further chapters, I will send you another surprise. Again, thank you for your constant support.

And thank you to the readers who follow and favorite that I am unable to send a thank you PM.

And there are recipes at the end. I know… spoiling you.

Chapter Twenty-five:

EPOV: January 7

I know exactly what Bella means about time, and that anything can happen. You can have everything, and lose your heart, home and happiness in a blink of an eye. Hmm, this gets me thinking.

Alice and Jasper call our patrons to reschedule their reservations with apologizes and free dessert; Bella's idea.

The restaurant clears out at four o'clock, per Mr. Gish's request. He didn't want anyone else invading his dinner surprise for his wife.

Bella works on Crème brûlée at her dessert station, as I prepare a light supper of Salades Vertes with a fresh loaf of warm, French Bread and Shrimp Bisque Soup. A light dinner, since Mrs. Gish is unable to eat very much.

Alice and Jasper string tiny, clear, Christmas lights over two, six-foot, silk trees in the corner of the room near the piano, giving a canopy effect over the small table. A silver anniversary bouquet of hydrangea, white roses, Queen Anne's lace, and white mums sits in the middle, depicting the many years of love they've shared together sits. Ah, those are Alice's words, not mine.

It's almost five, and the Gishes are due at six-thirty. Bella and I walk into the dining room. The lights are low, but the corner table subtly glows.

Bella sighs, "Oh Alice, you did an amazing job." She walks over to the table and touches the lights in the tree. "It looks like an evening sky with tiny stars."

Proudly, Alice stands straight as she arranges the tablecloth. "Thanks, Bella. How do you like the linens?"

"They're perfect. I like the white tablecloth with the silver, lace runner, and the bouquet is beautiful. Did you do that?" Bella touches the flowers.

"No, I got it at Gee's Flowers down the street. She does a great job, and she's quick. The simple touch of the tiny silver bows adds to the bouquet." She adds as she lightly smoothes out the tablecloth.

Bella observes. "The silver chargers with the white, bone china match really nicely."

"It's a special anniversary." Alice looks at the table. "Oh, I forgot the napkins." She rushes to the back room.

Jasper calls out, "Well the last of the reservations are all cancelled. Everyone was very understanding."

Bella looks surprised. "You told them about the Gishes?"

Jasper frowns and sits on a bar stool.

"Hell no. I told them that we had to close for the evening. Less is more." He smiles, shrugging his shoulders. "Oh and Bella? Thanks for whatever you said to Alice. She said we were taking a sex break." He throws her a thumbs-up. "I owe you big time."

I stare at Bella. "What did you say to Alice?"

"Girl talk." She smiles at me. I'll get it out of her later.

Alice walks back into the dining room holding two folded, white, linen napkins. She places them at each plate and slides the forks on top. She pats the place setting. "Now, it's perfect."

I nod. "Yeah, the place looks fucking awesome, Alice."

She shrugs and nods her head. "Thanks."

Jasper whines, "Hey, I helped."

"You did a fucking awesome job, too, Jazz," I placate.

He sits up tall. "Do you need us to stick around? Serve? Help clean up?" Jasper offers.

"Thanks, Jazz, but Bella and I have it covered. I'm going to play a little piano, and Bella's going to serve. The Gishes want it that way."

"Okay, well … we're going to get out of here." Jasper takes Alice's hand, as she walks over to him. "I'm looking forward to a quiet evening at home."

Alice smiles at Bella. "Me, too. See you in the morning."

Jasper gives me a scout's wave and he and Alice exit out the back.

I grab Bella's hand and pull her towards the kitchen. "You going to be okay?"

"Yeah … sure." She smiles and hugs me around the waist.

I kiss her nose. "I need a shower."

"Me, too," she says into my chest.

"Together?"

"We don't have enough time." She smirks up at me. "And don't even suggest a quickie, Edward Cullen."

"How about after?"

She smiles broadly.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

At six-fifteen, I walk out of my room to find Bella in the living room. She turns to face m, as she slips on a very, high-heeled shoe, and a wave of girlie chills runs up my feet to my head.

Wow.

I swallow hard and take a slow breath.

She looks amazing. The dress is black, above her knees with long sleeves, and kind of gathers under her boobs. It's off the shoulders in a plunging "V" showing some creamy, soft looking cleavage. My eyes stop there.

"Ah, Edward …" She point to her eyes. "My eyes are up here."

"I'm kind of liking the view lower." I smile. "You look great."

She walks over to me with her hands reaching for my bowtie. "Thanks. You really clean up nice, too. You own a tux?"

I wrap my arms around her waist. "Sometimes I like to dress up."

She re-ties the tie as she looks up at me, biting the inside of her cheek. "You look very handsome."

I bend my head down to claim a kiss, pulling her cheek free. "Thank you. You look good enough to eat." A few small pecks and then, I hold her close and go in for the kill.

She breaks the kiss, breathing heavily. "We've got to get downstairs."

I laugh. "Or we won't make it downstairs."

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

Promptly at six-twenty-five, Mr. Gish opens the door for a very frail, tiny woman. Both are short in stature.

Bella and I greet them and take their coats, as they sit at their table. "You can tell she was a dancer," Bella whisper to me.

"And how would you know that, my dumpling?" I take a good stare at her plunging 'V'.

And my dumpling pokes me in the ribs. "Stop looking."

"Can't help it. They're staring at me." I wiggle my eyebrows at her.

"You're incorrigible." Her wicked grins tell me something else. "But how I know she is a dancer is that her feet; they go in different directions."

"And you know this because ..." I ask.

"I took ballet as a kid," she snips.

"Why did you stop?" I ask.

"My thighs started to rub together. I wasn't ballerina material, and I got boobs."

"Yeah, you did." I stare.

"Edward, go be charming, and I'll bring them the salad and bread." She kisses my cheek. "Go."

Bella disappears into the kitchen as I walk towards the Gishes. They sit close together, holding hands. One thing I notice is Mrs. Gish's straight posture and graceful neck. Bella's comment about the feet stands out in my mind, so I look for the ballerina in Mrs. Gish. She is slight in build, and I'm sure the illness thinned her out even more. She looks up at me with the most radiant, brown eyes, and takes my offered hand. Despite the dark circles, she is an extremely pretty woman. "It's nice to meet you, Mrs. Gish. I hope you will enjoy this special meal."

"Thank you, Edward, but you must call me, Kaye," she insists.

"Kaye." I smile.

Bella walks to the table with two salads and a breadbasket. "Well, I hope the two of you are hungry. We slaved over the stove all day." She glows and places salad in front of Mr. and Mrs. Gish, and the bread, off to the side. "Do you have a preference to your music, or would you like Edward to just wing it?"

Mr. Gish chuckles. "Aw, Bella, I would know you anywhere."

My girl smiles. "And Mr. Gish, you are a terrible flirt." Bella addresses Kaye. "Mrs. Gish, do you have him on a short leash?"

Kaye's melodic laugh fills the room. "Please Bella, it's Kaye. I do love classical music. And, you should know, he only flirts with sweet girls."

Bella pokes me. "Okay Chopin, do your thing." She giggles and bites her inner cheek.

I pull at her cheek and pat her head. "Serve the food, little woman!" And give her a slight smirk. Yeah, later, baby!

Bella goes back into the kitchen, and I stand watching her ass sway as she walks away.

"Oh aren't they cute, Steven." She pats his hand, and he covers hers. "Look how he looks at her."

Steven whispers, but I can still hear, "I think he's lusting for her ass, Kaye."

She whisper-shouts, 'Steven', gives him a stern look and smiles, "Eat your salad."

So, Mr. Steven Gish wolfs down his salad and eats most of the French bread, as Kaye picks at her food, eating just a little. I sit at the piano and play a little … Chopin. Make my woman happy.

Bella returns with bowls of shrimp bisque and more bread. "Did you enjoy the salad? The raspberry vinaigrette is our house specialty." She explains as she takes away the salad plates away.

Kaye quietly gushes, "Oh Bella, it was wonderful. I enjoyed it very much."

I change the music into 'You are so Beautiful to Me,' and I look at Bella and sing. She blushes on cue, but she never disappoints, and soon joins in.

We sing in harmony, "You're everything I hope for. You're everything I need. You are so beautiful to me. You are so beautiful ...

to me."

I lose every thought that the Gishes are there, and I stand and kiss her. When we break apart, I hear clapping. Both Steven and Kaye clap their hands with tears in their eyes.

And Steven chuckles heartily, "That was beautiful!"

Kaye coos, "You two are so adorable, so very much in love." She grabs Steven's hand and kisses it. "This is such a beautiful evening, my love. Thank you. Thank you, Edward and Bella."

Bella has tears running down her face, and she catches herself. "Oy, you haven't had dessert yet. Now, that will give you tears!" She runs into the kitchen.

I look at Kaye and Steven and smile. "She made you a Crème brûlée, it will melt in your mouth."

Steven kids, "Bella looked as if she was melting in your mouth!"

Kaye admonishes, "Steven!" She takes a quick breath, closes her eyes and winces. We all remain silent. She takes another deep breath and frowns at her husband. "You're embarrassing Edward."

I look at her with concern. "Kaye, it's fine. Please, don't be upset with Steven. Bella and I…"

Bella enters from the kitchen with the Crème brûlée and a hand torch.

"Bella and I, what?"

I widen my eyes and shake my head at her. "Nothing."

Kaye regains her strength, but breathlessly praises, "You both sing very well together. It was simply lovely to watch the two of your perform."

Bella sings, "I'm glad you liked it."

I take the bowls away, and Bella places the desserts in front of Steven and Kaye. "Now, I need to torch them a bit. Then, bon appétit, Monsieur et Madame Gish!" (Good appetite, Mr. And Mrs. Gish) A twix of the torch. "Le dessert est servi. J'espère que vous l'apprécierez."

"Bella said that the dessert is served and she hopes you like it." I translate.

I whisper in Bella's ear, "Et plus tard, vous serez mon dessert." (And later you will be my dessert.)

Mr. Gish laughs, "Un tel amour qu'il a pour toi, Bella. Et de la faim." (Such love he has for you, Bella. And hunger.)

Bella blushes. "You speak French?"

Kaye giggles. "We both do, cher amour." (Dear love)

We all laugh.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

It's a cold night. Bella and I run upstairs and change into jeans, sweaters, coats and our riding boots. I grab my knitted hat, while Bella wears fluffy, pink earmuffs with matching mittens. Her rosy cheeks glow, as we make our way to the stables.

When we walk into Julia's stall, she nudges us closer together in a group hug, baying loudly. She's quite happy to see us.

Bella prepares Julia's anniversary outfit as I ready the carriage. Once I set the heater in the back, place the picnic basket with a thermos of hot tea and another of hot cocoa with marshmallows, and a decorative box of Bella's butter cookies on the front seat of the carriage, I head for Julia's stall.

Now, what I find is quite a surprise. Julia wears a silver knit hat with her ears peeking through the top sides and white flowers around the band, a silver, thermal blanket over her back, and sparkling silver, thick legwarmers around each leg.

Bella shrugs, "I didn't want her to get cold."

"Bella, she's a mule," I plead.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

We meet the Gishes at the front of Cafe du Monde. They settle into the back, Bella covers them with a warm blanket, hands them both a hot cup of tea, and her decorative box of butter cookies. She joins me in the front, and we head into the Quarter.

The air is clear with no rain in sight, but there are some gusts that chill. I pull Bella closer to me. "You cold?"

She places her head against my arm. "I'm fine. You?"

"I'm good."

Steven speaks up. "So, Edward, what made you add carriage rides to your restaurant?"

I answer, "Actually, I was taking a sabbatical from the restaurant." I chuckle. " I talked myself into believing, if I ran romantic, carriage rides I would learn about relationships, and how to be in one."

Kaye questions, "Well, what about Bella?"

"That's how we met." I smile.

"Yeah, I brought him hot coffee and beignets," Bella giggles out.

Steven puts his around Kaye and squeezes her close. "Ah, the mystery of love. Edward, it's not something you can learn, it just happens. I met Kaye at a charity function. She was dancing, and I was falling in love. Those little tutus gave a great view of her legs and ass."

"Steven," Kaye growls. "Honestly, he can be so crass."

"Not when it's about your buns, my dear," he jokes.

"My buns are not up for puns, I fear," she sings.

"Oh my God, they rhyme, too," Bella laughs.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

Forty minutes pass and we are in front of St. Louis Cathedral. Steven jumps down from the carriage, grabbing Kaye and carrying her wedding-style. I whisper into Bella's ear, and she corrects me that it's bridal style. The hell I know.

We stay near the carriage as Steven walks to the front steps. He carefully dips down for Kaye to stand, and they hug. He bends on one knee, holding her hands, and she lovingly looks down at him.

"Kaye, I've known you over forty years, and I have loved you every moment. My one regret is that I took too long to claim you. I waited ten years." He begins to falter, looking down and covering his eyes.

She reaches down lifting his head with tears down her cheeks. "Twenty-five years is still a long time, Steven."

He cries, "It wasn't enough. It will never be enough."

Kaye carefully kneels to hold him in her arms, and through her strength, she whispers, "I love you more than my own life and beyond."

They hold one another tightly.

I feel as though I am fucking intruding, but Bella hugs me around the waist and looks up at me through her tear-filled eyes. "Ditto."

I crash my mouth to hers mumbling, 'ditto'.

Bella and I break apart to find Steven slipping a ring on Kaye's finger. "This is for eternity."

We both freeze as Kaye sweetly kisses Steven. "Je vous remercie, mon amour, pour l'éternité. (Thank you, my love, for eternity).

Tears run down my fucking face and Bella squeezes my hand.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

I don't know about you guys, but I'm crying like a baby!

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

A/N: Thank you to my Beta, Sunflower Fran. I appreciate her time, her proper grammar and quick pen. Another great find by PAD!

To Robseve and Postapocalypticdepository (PAD), my pre-readers that give their unselfish time and creative input. Both of these ladies are inspirations and true friends.

Now, let me rec Postapocalypticdepository stories, since she so graciously rec'd mine.

Never Judge by the Cover: 9056924

Boys Will Be: 8868006

Rude Awakenings: 8876785

It's a New Dawn, It's a New Year: 8862243 (complete)

And a shout out rec to: bURN by compass54

And to: Midnight-Confessions by ohgeefantasy

And to: Edward Cullen FBI Special Agent and Psychic by Dinia Steel

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

And thank you to all the readers, whether you review or not. I enjoy every comment and suggestion. Yes, NOLA (New Orleans, LA) is an exciting place to live. And to combine the old world with the new is a challenge, but the humor is quite a serious business. My objective is for all of you to smile, after each chapter.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

Recipes:

Salade Vertes

Crisp lettuce or other salad greens such as endives (chicory), watercress, lambs lettuce, dandelion leaves.

Raspberry Vinaigrette dressing

1/2 cup raspberries, fresh or frozen

¼ cup apple cider vinegar

¼ cup balsamic vinegar

2 tablespoons sugar

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

¼ cup vegetable oil

Add all ingredients, except oil to a blender or food processor and puree until smooth. Slowly add oil until well combined.

Wash and dry lettuce and place to one side. In a bowl, mix vinaigrette dressing. Take the lettuce and place it on top of dressing. When ready to serve, toss the salad.

French Bread

2 cups warm water

1 tablespoon yeast

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

1 tablespoon sugar

2 teaspoons salt

5-5 ½ cups bread flour

Dissolve yeast in warm water and sugar in a large bowl for 10 minutes.

Add salt, oil and 3 cups of flour, beat for 2 minutes in mixer.

Stir in 2 cups of flour to make a stiff dough. Knead the dough about 10 minutes, until smooth and elastic.

Place in an oiled bowl, turning dough so all sides are coated in oil. Cover and let rise for an hour.

Punch down and divide in half. Shape dough into two, long slender loaves.

Grease and sprinkle cornmeal on a large cookie sheet. Place both loaves onto sheet. Score tops with diagonal gashes. Cover and allow to rise for another hour.

Bake at 375°F

degrees about 30 minutes.

Shrimp Bisque Soup

2.2 lbs small cooked shrimp

2 onions, diced

1 large carrot, sliced

1 large celery stalk, sliced

2 tablespoons tomato paste

3 level tablespoons of butter

⅓ cup flour

3-4 tablespoons brandy

a few drops of lemon juice

½ cup whipping cream

8 cups water

salt & pepper to taste

To prepare, remove the heads from the shrimp and peel away the shells, but keep both for the stock.

Heat the oil in a heavy bottomed pan.

Add the shrimp heads and shells, cook over a medium heat, stirring often, until they are nice and brown.

At this stage, add the onion, carrot and celery and cook gently until the onions soften.

Add the bouquet garni, tomato paste and lemon juice.

Add the water stirring in gently and bring to the boil.

Reduce heat to simmer, cover with saucepan lid and continue to simmer for another 30 minutes.

Strain the liquid through a sieve.

Melt the butter in a heavy bottomed pan.

Stir in the flour and cook gently until golden in colour.

Add the brandy.

Gradually stir in about half of the shrimp soup.( I use a whisk here to blend smoothly)

Whisk in the remaining shrimp liquid.

Simmer for about 5 minutes then strain into another saucepan.

Stir in the cream, then stir in the reserved shrimp and cook for a few minutes stirring frequently.

Butter Cookies

8 ounces unsalted butter

3/4 cup granulated sugar

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

1 large egg yolk

2 cups all-purpose flour

Beat the butter, sugar, salt and vanilla together until smooth and creamy.

Mix in the egg yolk until well blended.

Add the flour and mix.

Scrape onto a lightly floured board and knead a few times, just until the dough smooths out.

Turn onto a sheet of plastic wrap and roll into a log, wrap up and refrigerate for several hours or freeze.

Before baking, preheat the oven to 325°F.

Line your baking sheets with parchment.

Slice the dough into slices about 1/8" thick and place them on the sheets about an inch apart.

Bake until they begin to turn golden around the edges, about 16-18 minutes.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

Next up: BPOV