A/N: For those of you who want to kill Alice, well you're supposed to want to kill her. She's slowly settling into the idea of Edward and Bella, but Rome wasn't built in a minute.

Thanks to the usual helpers Daisy, Profmom, LTR, and Twike. They are all smart and pretty.

Characters are not mine.

Controlled Burn Chapter 25

Space Heater

On Saturday, Edward and I took it easy. We called the airline, changed my ticket to the next Friday and bought him a one-way ticket on the same flight. Then we took a picnic over to the park at Greenlake near where we would hopefully be living. When we got done eating, Edward got out his guitar and started playing me some of the songs he'd written. It was a sunny day and relatively warm outside, so there were quite a few people milling around the park.

He started strumming and making those eyes at me that got me all tingly. I leaned back on my hands and enjoyed the song I knew was about me.

More than you know

Soft hands make me feel

What I haven't felt for too long

More than you see

Your eyes are what I need

I need to have you here with me…

It was a couple of minutes before I happened to glance to my right and saw three teenage girls standing a few feet away, watching us. Strike that, they weren't watching us; they were staring at Edward and listening to him sing. I nodded in their direction so Edward would look. He glanced over at them and smiled. The three of them started giggling. I couldn't decide if I wanted to giggle with them or stab them for ogling my boyfriend.

Edward finished the song, and they started cheering. "Thanks ladies," he nodded at them, and they answered with a collective sigh.

"Smooth, Romeo," I smiled at him.

"Have to keep the fans happy," he shrugged, and started strumming on his guitar again. The groupies moved even closer, and I reached out, grabbed Edward's arm, and stopped him.

"Do you think you could put it away for now?"

"Jealous?" he asked with a smirk.

"No, not jealous. I just don't like the way they're looking at you, and I don't want to have to hurt them."

"Fair enough," he conceded and put the guitar back in the case. I proceeded to get up and scoot closer to him on my knees. When I could reach him, I put my hands down in front of me and leaned in to kiss him. I heard one of the girls start coughing, and I just kept going. I wanted to make it clear that this singer was not for sale.

"What's gotten into you?" Edward laughed when I finally sat back.

"Just enjoying what's mine," I said nonchalantly.

"By all means, carry on then," he replied moving to where I was this time, leaning us back, and kissing me deeply.

Every touch, every look, every kiss still felt so right. It's not like there hadn't been a few bumps along the way, but everything seemed to come naturally now. I wondered if it would always feel like this. Passionate and simple. My mom always lectured me about how serious relationships were hard and a lot of work, and they were doomed to failure from the start. Her pessimism clouded my view, and I was sure that perception had affected some of Edward and my earlier interactions, but this didn't feel like a lot of work. It's not that every minute was easy; every minute with Edward was just worth it. I'd rather be with him picking up his dirty clothes and closing his cabinet doors than without him. The truth was, I didn't even mind doing those things. I wanted to do things for him, because I loved him. I was willing to do whatever it took to make his life easier or better. The best part was that it wasn't one sided. He seemed intent on taking care of me. The little things like opening my car door or refusing to let me carry anything made me feel so cherished.

The forecast had been sunny, but clouds started gathering.

"I hope you don't hate it here. It literally rains pretty much every day eleven months out of the year," Edward said as we started packing up our things. We could already smell the rain in the air.

"I'm sure it will be an adjustment, but I'll be fine. I like to think I'm adaptable. Besides, you can stand under my umbrella ella ella eh eh eh," I sang.

"Really?" Edward looked at me like I was causing him pain.

"Jerk," I laughed and slapped him in the arm. He winced and acted like I'd bruised him. He obviously had no appreciation for my musical talent.

We decided to take the books we were reading and wait out the rain in a coffee shop near the park. We got drinks and sat across from each other, entangling our legs under the table as we read. Every now and then I would glance up over my book at Edward, and as if he could feel my stare, he would meet my gaze and smile at me.

"I don't want to go to Alice and Jasper's," Edward moaned out of nowhere and put down his book.

"What brought that on?" I asked.

"I like this. I like being with you. I hate the idea of us being scrutinized and the way Alice keeps pissing on you to remind me that you were her friend first."

"I promise that if Alice pisses on me we're leaving." I made a disgusted face.

"Very funny. Maybe we should live in New York."

"You'd hate it there, and so would I. We don't have to stay late. We'll just eat dinner and then leave. You know, you need to accept that I'm friends with Alice just like she needs to accept that I'm in love with you. I need to have room for both of you in my life."

"You seem so logical and articulate about this. What happened to the Bella who has crazy schemes and gets hyped up about things?" he asked, grabbing my hand giving me one of his flirty smiles.

"That's when I'm trying to figure out things for myself. This is us talking about your issue, and it's much easier figuring out someone else."

"I do appreciate your insights. I'll try to be on my best behavior, as long as she didn't invite Jake. God, I wanted to punch him last night for the way he was looking at you."

"I know. Ewww. I miss Jake, the harmless, adorable little brother."

"He's anything but harmless." Edward rolled his eyes.

"Well she didn't mention him coming. I'm sure it's just us."

We stopped at the hospital to check on Grandma. She was giggling on the phone, and I heard her say something about the deplorable food in the Congo. When she saw us, she looked startled and embarrassed and quickly ended her conversation.

I had my suspicions about who she was talking to, but decided to let it go. We chatted with her for a while. She would be coming home the next day or so, and I was relieved that she was going to be okay. Edward reminded me that the real battle of getting her to slow down was still ahead of us. I didn't think it would be as hard as everyone else did. Luckily, when we got to Alice and Jasper's, there was no Jacob in sight. Alice greeted us at the door, and of course she looked perfect and had a gourmet meal ready for us.

"Where's Lucy?" Edward asked as soon as we walked in the door, and neither Alice or Jasper were holding her.

"I took her to Mom's so we could have a nice dinner. It's our first chance to do anything with either of you as part of a couple," Alice answered.

"Oh, that was nice of you," I said and shot Edward a glance telling him to be nice, and he smiled at Alice and gave her a hug.

Alice handed out glasses of wine, and we all sat in the living room for a few minutes and ate from the fancy cheese plate she put out. Things were a bit awkward. I wasn't sure how to act as Edward's girlfriend around her. Edward wasn't helping things; he practically sat on my lap he was so close to me. He had his arm around me and kept rubbing my hip with this thumb.

"Are you guys coming over after church for lunch tomorrow?" Alice asked.

"No, we're going to look at some things for the condo. Bella already has a lot of stuff, but some of it could use updating," Edward told her.

"But we have lunch every Sunday," Alice complained, looking frustrated. "The whole family will be here."

"And they will get to come to all the lunches they could ever want to as soon as Bella moves here," Jasper interrupted. "Speaking of that, tell us about your new job."

I told them all about my new position, including the work I would get to do with the local troops.

"Wow, that's different from what you wanted, but it sounds great for you, Swan." Jasper said enthusiastically.

"Yeah, I can't believe you're finally going to live here. I mean we always talked about it, but you never even considered it until you hooked up with Edward," Alice said sarcastically.

I took a deep breath, and I could feel Edward tense. "Alice, I started applying for this job before I had any idea that Edward and I would become anything more than acquaintances. Your grandma actually recommended it to me. I pursued it because it would mean being closer to you and your family."

"Oh." Alice look sighed and looked away. Ugh, I thought we were past this. Hopefully she was just teasing and wasn't back on the bus to crazy. "I'm going to get dinner on the table," Alice announced.

"I'll help you," I said and started to stand, but Edward pulled me to him and kissed me on the forehead first. I smiled at him and stood up to find Alice watching our movements. She wasn't smiling or frowning. She just looked like she was trying to figure us out.

"So when do I get to see this condo?" Alice asked once we were in the kitchen.

"Well we haven't even officially rented it yet. We're going to call the leasing agent back on Monday to do the paperwork."

"Wait, aren't you leaving tomorrow night?"

"I forgot to tell you. I moved my ticket back to Friday. When I gave my notice, my boss said I didn't have to come back. I'll just email my last assignments and go clean out my desk. I was obviously expendable."

Alice's face broke into a smile. "So you're just packing up and moving here then? This is so exciting!" She squealed and threw her arms around me. "Oh! Lucy and I can fly back to Boston with you and help you pack!"

"Um…actually, Edward is already going. He bought his plane ticket this morning," I said hesitantly.

Alice's shoulders slumped a little and the elation drained from her face. "I guess the two of you can handle it then. It's just different than how I thought it would happen, you know."

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"I thought someday you would move out here to be close to me, and I would be a part of it all. At the very least, I would help you find a place and pick out furniture."

"I know what you mean, Alice, and I'm moving here to be close to you too. I'm sorry this is upsetting you, I just want everyone to be happy." Alice nodded, but she still looked a little hurt. I understood what she felt. I just didn't see a way I could easily fix it. As much as I did want to make everyone happy, I needed to do these things with

Edward. Over the last month things had changed from being about me to being about us. I wasn't the only factor in these decisions. They belonged to him too.

"It's different than what we planned, but it's still going to be good, Alice. I promise." She gave me an obligatory smile and told the boys to come to the table for dinner.

"So what are you doing for the holidays, Swan? It's coming up. Will you be here with us this year?" Jasper asked.

"Oh well, I was planning to go to Phoenix for Christmas, and I guess I'll be here for Thanksgiving. I usually spend it with friends in Boston." I smiled over at Edward.

"You're not going to go with her at Christmas, are you, Edward?" Alice looked at her brother.

"We haven't talked about it, but I want to. Bella?" He gave me one of those looks he knew I couldn't resist.

"Edward, my mom is crazy. Seriously I can't put you through that." I waved him off. Please say you'll come. Please say you'll come.

"I met her once. Bella's mom is a little nuts," Alice agreed.

"Yep." Jasper nodded in agreement.

"Well I'm not spending Christmas without you. I can handle your mom." Edward sat up straighter like he'd made up his mind.

"Okay." I smiled at him and leaned over to kiss him quickly. We looked at each other smiling like mad, and I could feel Alice getting annoyed across the table.

"Well that's just great. Christmas is ruined," Alice grumbled.

"Ali, I'm sure we can still find a way to celebrate with them. Actually, my mom would love to have us in Texas this year. Maybe we can go out there and just postpone the Cullen Christmas till after everyone gets back."

"We'll only be gone a couple of days. You know I can only handle small doses," I added hoping she wouldn't freak out.

"Fine, but we're flying first class," Alice huffed.

"Only the best for you." Jasper grabbed Alice's face in his hands, looked her in the eyes, and then kissed her in a way that made me and Edward both feel like we were intruding. When he let her go, Alice beamed at him and started eating with the smile still on her face. What was it with these men and their super powers over us? We were so screwed.

We ate, and Jasper saved the day steering the conversation away from anything controversial. We ended up talking about Egypt and some of the funny things that happened to us there, like the time Alice and I were walking down the street and a crazy lady walked up to me and started assaulting me with her half-eaten cucumber. Our friendship had grown and changed over the years, but it was still fun to think back to the early days.

Edward laughed, and I could tell he was thinking about all the years he didn't know me but wanted to. I still couldn't believe it. I had never imagined myself as the object of anyone's fantasy.

I smiled at him, and he smiled back, and my heart started beating faster. We were getting lost in each other's eyes, and I wanted to start singing a Debbie Gibson song, but Edward was probably three when it was popular. He probably wouldn't understand how cool it was that I was an Electric Youth.

Jasper cleared his throat. "Are you two love birds ready for dessert?" he asked, smiling at us.

We both looked away from each other a little embarrassed. I knew it hadn't been very long, but I loved how he could still get me all flustered with just a glance. I hoped that would never change. "Okay," I swallowed hard and looked back at Edward who was looking at me like he'd just won a prize. Stupid boy knew I had it bad.

Jasper had just gotten up to start dishing out Alice's cobbler when someone knocked on the door.

Jasper stopped and went to answer it. We were all surprised to see Jacob follow Jasper back into the room holding hands with a very pretty girl. She had brown hair, darker than mine, and striking eyes.

"I can't believe you guys didn't invite me to the party," Jacob said reaching to grab a bite of food off the table and popped it in his mouth.

"Well it was kind of double date type thing, brother," Alice said looking at Jacob suspiciously.

"Perfect. This is my girlfriend, Alison," he said proudly pulling her closer into view.

"Hi," she smiled and waved at all of us. "Hi, Edward," she said specifically to him.

"You have a girlfriend?" Alice asked. Everyone looked equally shocked.

"Well, she's been after me for a while, and I finally gave in to her seduction," Jacob said wrapping an arm around her, while she laughed.

"Alison, I didn't know you knew my brother." Edward's expression was impossible for even me to read.

"He started coming into the coffee shop more often after you disappeared," Alison said.

"Wait, you guys know each other?" Alice asked.

"We worked together at the coffee shop, and Edward was giving me guitar lessons, before he left," Alison explained. "Everyone misses you, Edward. Your groupies finally stopped showing up on Thursday nights."

"Oh, I'll come back when I have time." Edward seemed embarrassed. I wasn't even aware he had these groupies.

"There used to be so many girls there on the nights he sang that we had to turn people away," Alison explained.

"So, do you guys go to school together?" Alice asked like she was still trying to figure this whole thing out.

"No, I'm in college. We just know each other through the coffee shop," Alison answered.

"What is it with you guys, and older women?" Alice rolled her eyes, and I looked up just in time to see Jacob wink at me. Oh no, not again.

"Why don't we take the dessert to the living room so everyone can sit down?" Jasper suggested changing the subject. I was going to have to buy him a really nice Christmas present.

We all moved into the other room. Jasper and Alice sat on the love seat, while Edward and I sat on the couch. That left the oversized chair and another seat on the couch empty. Instead of separating, Jacob pulled Alison down on his lap in the chair. She squealed while he started kissing her neck and running his hands up and down her legs. It was disgusting.

"Jake, please," Alice groaned. Alison shot straight up looking embarrassed. I felt sorry for her. She was way too pretty for Jacob. Not that he was ugly; he was just…gross.

Edward and I were sitting close enough that our legs were touching as we ate our cobbler, and I noticed Jacob kept looking at me and down at our legs with a strange expression on his face. Then he would go back to groping Alison, who looked a little uncomfortable with it. Once I accidently caught Jacob's eye when I looked over at him, and he ran his hand up Alison's leg while wagging his eyebrows at me. Ugh. I scooted closer to Edward and tried my best to ignore him.

"So, Alison, did you have your recital? How did your song turn out?" Edward asked.

"It was so good. Thank you so much. I couldn't have done it without you," she gushed. I didn't like the way Jacob was looking at me, and I sure didn't like the way she was looking at Edward.

"I told you you'd be great," Edward smiled back at her. I put my plate on the coffee table and rested my arm on his back…mine.

"What kind of recital was this?" Alice inquired.

"Oh I'm majoring in Vocal Performance at school, and Edward helped me work on a song for my fall recital. He actually wrote the music for it, and I did the lyrics. It was fantastic, Edward. I wish you could have been there."

"I'm sorry I missed it," he said genuinely.

"Do you have your guitar here? Why don't you guys play it for us now?" Alice suggested. I wanted to punch her.

"It's in the car," Edward said and stood up digging his keys out of his pocket. "You up for it?" he asked Alison.

"Of course." Her whole face lit up. I wanted to punch Alice and then her. I smiled like I thought this was a perfect idea.

Edward quickly got his guitar and started tuning it. Alison stood next to him, and smiled brightly in his direction as he played. She totally wanted him. It was obvious. I glanced over at Jacob to see if he was irritated, but of course he was just staring at me. I wanted to punch him too, or better yet kick him in the balls.

Alison started singing, and her voice was like freaking Susan Boyle but with a perfect face and perfect hair and a perfect body. I stifled the growl that was working its way up my throat.

Edward's fingers glided over the strings effortlessly as he watched her sing. Finally, as if sensing my need for him, he looked at me and smiled. I took a deep breath and relaxed. He was her teacher. He helped her with her song, but he loved me. They did look great performing together; Edward always looked great when he performed. He was masterful on stage the few times I'd seen him, and even today at the park he had those girls rapt attention after just a few notes. People really responded to his playing and his voice. He was brilliant. He had freaking groupies. I sighed, knowing I was the head groupie now.

A little while later, the guitar was put away, and we were all settled in to watch a movie. Somehow we ended up with me sitting in the corner of the couch and Edward resting his head on my chest. I lazily played with his hair, and I was pretty sure he'd be asleep by the time the movie was over. Every once in a while I heard some slobbery sounds coming from across the room. I was glad it was dark enough that I couldn't be sure if it was Jacob and Alison or Jasper and Alice making out. I really did not need to see either.

As I messed with Edward's hair, I thought back to him playing with Alison earlier. They had music in common. She was prettier than me. She was closer to his age, and she obviously found Edward appealing. Why in the world had he chosen to love me? Was his delusion of me being some goddess from his teenage years really so strong that he couldn't see anyone else? He said he'd fallen for the real me, and I was glad, because living up to the other vision he'd created would be impossible.

When the movie ended, Jasper tuned a light on, and from the looks of their disheveled hair, it had definitely been Jacob and Alison making all the noise. "We'd better go," Edward said and stood up.

"Can I talk to you for a second?" I asked Edward. He looked at me quizzically as I grabbed his hand, and he followed me into the kitchen.

"I think I want to have breakfast in the morning with Alice before she goes to church. Is that okay with you?"

"Noooo," Edward groaned.

"Would you stop being such a baby," I said and pinched his side where I knew he was ticklish. "You will still be asleep."

"But I need you there with me, or I'll get cold." He made a pouty face that made me want to start taking off my clothes. How in the world did he do that?

"Please." I rolled my eyes. "Alice?" I called out and walked back towards the living room.

"Could we have breakfast in the morning? I think we need more girl time."

"Is that okay, honey?" Alice asked Jasper with a huge smile on her face.

"Sure, I'll get Lucy ready if you'll pick out her clothes," Jasper agreed. Edward sighed. I reached my arm behind him and goosed him. He shut up.

"This is great," Alice beamed. It was worth getting up early and making Edward cold if it made her smile like that.

We finalized our plans, and I took grumpy home to keep him warm.

A/N: There are only three or four chapters left, but as you can see by the lame chapter title here, I am seriously running out of fire related words for chapter titles. Got any ideas?

This silly little T rated story has done better than I ever could have hoped or imagined. I mean the gifts you have given me in the form of reviews have been above and beyond, and I thank you from the bottom of my pathetic little heart. I don't even think I can ask you to review again. You've done too much already. I mean they might be the bright light in my dreary existence and my only reward for spending countless hours writing this story trying to make you smile, but really you don't have to. It's ok. I mean how much effort does it take to hit review and type a little smiley face…but seriously…

I love all of you that do. :)