Disclaimer: SM owns Twilight. No copyright infringement is intended. I'm just playing with the characters.
A/N: Serious bizness for just a minute....I have to thank Jessica1971 cause she's the bestest, really! I'm not kidding. She worked her magic on this chapter and here it is in all it's wordiness.... =)
I have to say you guys are more than awesome. Truly, the best readers ever. I have to tell you I was nervous about doing a he said/she said on the last two chapters and I'm glad that you seemed to enjoy getting the other side of the coin. One thing I feel I need to make clear is that Bella wasn't mad at Edward for kicking Tyler's ass because lets face it, Tyler deserved getting his ass handed to him. Bella was frustrated with the entire situation leading up to the point that Edward yelled at her not because Edward kicked Tyler's ass. Communication between these two is something that they are working on, any of you who are in long term committed relationship understand that we all make mistakes and have misunderstandings, it's just what happens. I guess my point is that neither Bella nor Edward is necessarily wrong or right in this they're just working through the mistakes they've made both past and present.
One more thing....if you don't want to read lemon's you might want to skip a large part of the following chapter...just sayin *ahem* cause there's a couple of scenes of the citrus variety coming up... So without further delay....
Chapter 25
Things that matter....
EPOV
"Make love to me, Edward," Bella's breathy voice whispered and my mind went completely blank. My body, on the other hand, was very much alert and standing at attention. Obviously the blood flow needed for normal mental capacities had suddenly rushed to my nether regions and completely away from all functioning areas of my brain.
"Uh…" I stammered, looking up into her heavily hooded deep brown eyes.
What the hell are you doing?! Bella is asking you to make love to her, stupid! Get moving.
I wrapped my arms around her body and stood straight off the sofa, taking her with me. Bella released a little yelp and giggled as she wove her arms tighter around my neck and locked her ankles behind my back before attaching her lips to my neck.
I made my way toward the hallway as quickly as possible, holding Bella's tiny body with one arm under her behind and the other around her waist.
"Ungh…God baby, I'm going to wind up taking you right here if you keep doing that," I ground out as I stumbled down the hall. It's really fucking difficult to walk when you're hard as a rock.
"And you think I would complain about that?" Bella purred and continued her assault as she drug her lips down to the curve of my shoulder and sucked on the skin there. My hand tightened on her ass and she ground herself into me. I could feel the heat radiating from her core, causing me to have an even more difficult time getting down the hall as my body responded to what it knew was just under her clothing.
I pushed Bella against the wall just outside our bedroom and she released a breathy moan. I couldn't wait another second to taste her skin, to feel her naked body against mine. I needed to be inside her, now.
Bella's hands slid down my chest and began unbuttoning my shirt. She nipped along my collarbone and then licked over the same area back to my neck. My cock twitched as she blew a breath of air over the now damp section of skin. I hissed as she scraped her nails lightly over my chest.
"Oh God, Bella……" I murmured against her lips and covered her mouth with my own. Sucking her bottom lip into my mouth, I grazed my teeth lightly over the luscious flesh and ran a hand under the hem of her shirt.
"Off," I grunted, pushing it up to her chest. Bella giggled as she crossed her arms, gathering the fabric and slipping it over her head, allowing her long chestnut tresses to fall slowly down her back.
My breath caught as I took in the sight of Bella's delectable breasts. She was wearing the same green satin and lace bra she wore our first night in Las Vegas.
"Mmmm….." Bella moaned as I began placing open mouth kisses down the column of her neck.
Darting my tongue out to taste the sweetness of her skin, I placed a kiss to the hollow of her throat before slowly moving down her chest. Pressing her body more fully into the wall, I ran a hand to her hip and brushed the back of my hand across her abdomen just above the waist of her jeans as I ghosted my lips over the swell of her breast.
My heart slammed against my ribs and my breathing picked up as I curled my fingers under the edge of her jeans, working them to release the button and then slide the zipper down. Bella wiggled her hips, making it easier to slide her jeans over them and off her body.
I wrapped my arms around her once again and pulled her into me as she curled her long legs around my waist. Her hands were in my hair once again and she pulled my face to hers to press our lips together in a fervent kiss. The feel of her breasts pressed against the exposed skin of my chest had me panting for air.
"Unnnn….God, Bella, you are so beautiful," I whispered as I broke our kiss and moved my lips back to her graceful neck.
I smirked at Bella's breathy whimper as I took her satin covered nipple between my teeth. Readjusting her weight in my arms, I pulled her away from the wall and kicked our bedroom door open.
I crossed the room as quickly as humanly possible. I needed to get her into bed before I spontaneously combusted and totally embarrassed myself by blowing my load right there in the hall. The images of taking Bella against the wall at our villa in Las Vegas were flashing through my mind, making it increasingly difficult to concentrate on the moment at hand.
Laying her on the bed, I knelt between her legs as she dropped them from my waist. I sat back on my heels to shrug out of my shirt before throwing it over my shoulder. The soft light from Bella's lamp illuminated the room, throwing soft shadows along the walls. I didn't understand Bella's fear of the dark, but right now I was thanking God for it because the faint bit of light in the room allowed me to take in the gorgeous woman lying beneath me. Her hair was fanned out over the pillow, her skin all roses and cream. Bella's chest moved up and down with the shallow panting of her breath. I don't believe she ever looked more beautiful than at this moment.
As my eyes hungrily roamed over her enticing body, I could plainly see her nipples pebbled and straining against the fabric of her bra, the dark circle of the satin evident where I took one in my mouth. My cock twitched in anticipation as Bella arched her back off the bed to unclasp her bra, slowly slipping the straps down her arms until she slid it from her body and tossing it onto the floor by the bed.
"Bella…." my voice was rough with the intensity of my desire. "God, baby, you are an incredible woman. Do you know that?"
I reached out to touch the delicate slope of her ankle with my fingertips. The soft smoothness of her skin took my breath away and sent a shock through my body as I wrapped my fingers around her calf to caress the taut muscle of her beautiful leg. Gently running my hand up to the backside of her knee, I pushed her leg up so as to spread her legs apart a bit more and leaned in to kiss the inside of her thigh.
I sat back to admire her once again. I began rubbing small circles with the pad of my middle finger on the soft skin just behind her knee. I knew this was an area that drove Bella insane and I wasn't disappointed when she looked at me. I watched as her eyes darkened beyond the liquid chocolate they normally were and she released a breathy moan.
I wanted to make this moment last, to take my time. Tonight I wanted to worship her body. Tonight I wanted to make it very clear how much I cherished her.
My Bella.
I wanted to make her understand how much I loved her; how very much I meant it when I said I loved her more than my own life. And I wanted her to know that I respected her above all else.
The fight with Tyler was something of a different problem, and if anything came of it, it would fall on my shoulders to make it right.
But tonight.....tonight was about Bella and me. The only thing important right now was showing her how much she meant to me.
"Do you have any idea how much I love you?" I whispered as I ran my other hand over her opposite leg. I slowly began caressing the underside of both her thighs with my fingers while making circular motions with my thumbs on the inside of each thigh.
Bella's legs completely entranced me, almost as much as her eyes. They were long and feminine, but the strength of the muscle under the butter soft skin made my body hum with need. Bella met my gaze and I saw all the love and devotion I knew was in my eyes reflected in hers.
This woman completely took my breath away. Not just because she was the most beautiful creature I have ever laid eyes on, but because of her ability to love, her ability to forgive those who hurt her and to simply survive the things life has thrown at her. All these things put me in awe of her strength on a daily basis.
"I know how much I love you, Edward, and it's more than I can ever explain to you."
I bent to place a kiss on the inside of her knee, grazing my nose over the exquisite skin of her inner thigh, over the top of her sex, and making my way to the other thigh. I placed an open mouthed kiss at the crease where her leg joined her body, gaining a moan from Bella, and her hips shifted against me.
I slid my hands up, relishing the feel of the skin of her legs, and wrapped my fingers around her tapered waist. I began rubbing small circles with my thumbs just above her hip bones. Bella twisted the sheet in her small hands as she squirmed under my ministrations.
"Ungh, Edward," Bella moaned and her hips bucked slightly into me as I nuzzled her still cotton covered sex, placing a kiss right over her clit. I smirked when I heard her sharp intake of breath.
I placed kisses over her lower abdomen and dipped my tongue into her belly button, eliciting another sexy moan. Bella ran a hand through my hair and my eyes closed of their own accord as the pleasure from her fingers massaging my scalp caused a shiver to flow through my body.
Hooking my thumbs behind the elastic of her panties, I worked them over her hips and off her body, throwing them into the abyss of our room. I pressed a kiss against her hip then nipped the bone only to drag my lips lightly, only barely touching the skin, across her abdomen, paying special attention to the area where her body was scarred.
Though Bella was comfortable being naked in front of me, I knew the scar on her belly was still an area of insecurity for her. To me it was a sign of her strength. To me it was a part of her body that deserved to be cherished.
"Edward," Bella sighed as my lips brushed over the white scar that stretched just above the hair line at her pubic bone.
"Baby, do you know what this scar means to me?" I looked up to see her staring at me, wide eyed and apprehensive, but curious.
"To me this scar," I bent to kiss the scar at its center, "tells me that you survived. That you lived through more than any woman should," a kiss to the left side of the scar. "It reminds me of just how strong you truly are and how lucky I am to have you still here with me," a kiss to the right side. "I love this scar because it's a reminder for me to cherish you and not take for granted what I have right here in front of me."
"Oh God, Edward.....that..." Bella's eye's filled with tears and she reached for me, wrapping her arms around my shoulders and pulling me up to her.
"I love you, so much," she choked out.
"And I love you, Bella," I whispered against her lips before covering her mouth with mine. Brushing my tongue along her bottom lip, Bella opened to me and met my tongue with her own in a passionate kiss.
A low moan rumbled in my chest as I felt Bella's legs snake around my still jean clad thighs. Bella broke our kiss abruptly and looked at me with a quirked eyebrow.
"What?" I asked, suddenly nervous I had done something wrong.
"Why are you still dressed, man? Get naked!" Bella looked at me with a straight face, the tears still shining in her eyes before she started giggling. "Seriously!"
"Yes, ma'am," I laughed as I moved, flipping on my back to strip off my jeans and boxers.
I rolled to again cover her body with mine, settling between her legs and placing most of my weight on my forearms. I caressed her face with my fingertips and kissed her gently. There was nowhere on Earth I wanted to be more than in this woman's arms for the rest of my life. I knew I would make her my wife sometime in the near future. I only hoped that Bella's first experience did not have her set against trying marriage again with me.
Shifting my weight, I reached between our bodies to line myself up with her entrance and a guttural groan left me as my tip entered her.
"Ungh, Edward, please…..don't tease me," Bella whimpered as she raised her hips, trying to take me in.
I clicked my tongue and teasingly murmured, "So impatient," before thrusting my hips to fully sheath myself inside her.
Oh God damn! She's so tight....
"Bella, oh God...." I grunted and dropped my head to her shoulder as her warmth enveloped me and my mind was scrambled from being buried inside her.
I heard Bella moan and felt her hips move against me as my brain began to clear itself and come back to the incredible feeling of Bella's body moving beneath me.
"Unnn...Bella.....so good," I moaned into her neck as I swept my lips over her collarbone, pulling out almost completely, then slowly pushing back in all the way.
I couldn't get deep enough as I pumped in and out of her body. No matter how long we were together, I knew I would never quench the need that burned inside me for this woman. Bella consumed me, body and soul. I would die a happy man if I left this world at this moment buried in the only woman to bewitch me so completely.
Shifting my position and raising one knee slightly to change the angle of my thrust, I moved my hands up Bella's back to curl my fingers over her shoulders, pushing her body down into each thrust and allowing me to get deeper inside her. When Bella threw her head back with a loud moan, her nails digging into the skin of my back, I knew I found the spot I was searching for.
"Oh, God.....Edward.....yes, right there....oh...shit, yes!"
I smirked as I continued to pump in and out of my girl, knowing she was getting close to her release. I began kissing down Bella's chest until I reached her breasts. The little pink nipples I loved so much were taut and just waiting on me to lavish them with some attention, which I was more than happy to oblige.
"Hello, my lovelies," I whispered against the pebbled flesh and smiled before taking it in my mouth. I circled the nipple with my tongue as I closed my lips around the delectable peak.
Bella's hands were instantly in my hair and she was arching her back to push her chest into me further. Running a hand down over her ribs, I caressed the underside of the lonely breast with the tip of my index finger and rolled the nipple between my thumb and forefinger before I palmed the delicate flesh as I continued to move inside her.
"Ahhh....Edward.....oh....yes....ungh."
As I licked around her puckered flesh, Bella raked her short nails down my back once again, evoking a growl from deep in my chest as the pleasure rocked through my body.
I blew a light breath of hot air across the damp skin of her breast and Bella's hips bucked against me more forcefully.
"Bella....my beautiful, Bella," I hummed across her sternum on my way to suck her other nipple into my mouth. The contrast of the soft flesh of her breast and the diamond hard nipple was like heaven on my tongue.
I slid my hand behind her to find my way to her delectable ass. Grasping her and angling her hips up to meet my own more fully, I pulled out and slammed my body back inside her. My pace began to quicken as the coil in my abdomen contracted and I felt the tightening in my balls.
"Edward," Bella breathed. "God, yes….oh…yes."
Truly, there was no better sound in the world than Bella calling my name in that way. I planned on eliciting many more of those before this night was over, but I wasn't going to last much longer if she continued making those little mewling noises she was breathing in my ear.
I grazed my lips lightly over the side of her neck to her jaw before pressing my lips to hers. Nipping at her bottom lip, then the top, only to return to suck her full bottom lip into my mouth, she opened to me and I plunged my tongue deep inside, exploring, tasting the sweet nectar of her mouth.
Breaking the kiss, I pulled back to lay my forehead against hers. Bella's eyes fluttered open and she met my gaze as I moved deeper inside her with each thrust of my hips, my hands pressing into the flesh of her behind, holding her to me.
"I love you, Bella," I murmured, my lips brushed hers as I spoke the words.
"Oh….Edward......I love you, too."
The thrust of my hips became longer, stronger, driving deeper as I looked into her eyes. Bella met each movement of my body with a matching movement of her own. Sliding one hand up over Bella's thigh I hitched her leg over my hip, allowing me to find another degree of unholy pleasure in her body. I knew I would bow down on my knees and worship at this woman's altar, willingly sacrificing myself the rest of my days for the ecstasy I was now receiving. There was nothing more right in my life than this moment.
Moving my hand between us, I found her clit and began circling it with my middle finger. Bella bucked her hips against me, moaning as she wrapped her legs tightly around me and dug her nails into my sides. I dipped my head to find the area behind her ear that I knew would send her over the edge and bit down.
"Oh....oh, God....Ed....Edw-.......Ahhh, oh, God....I'm....Edward!"
As Bella called my name, I felt her body clamp down around me and her legs tremble around my waist. I began pumping faster in and out as Bella's body contracted, triggering a mind blowing orgasm to overtake my body.
"Ungh, Bella......oh....fuck, baby," I grunted as my body went rigid and I released inside her with one last thrust.
My breathing was ragged and I shivered as the aftershock from the strength of my orgasm racked my body. I could feel Bella's body continuing to tremble beneath me. I rolled to my side, pulling out of her as I did. I wrapped my arms around Bella to pull her into my side.
I felt Bella's shoulders shake and realized she was crying.
"Bella? Baby, what's wrong? Did....did I hurt you?" I was immediately concerned and propped myself on my elbow, rolling her over onto her back so I could see her face. Bella shook her head, but the tears were leaking out of her closed lids.
"Bella, talk to me. What's wrong?" I begged as I wiped away the tears rolling into her hairline with my thumb. "Baby, I'm sort of starting to freak out a little bit here. So could you please tell me why you're crying?"
"I....I'm sorry, I didn't mean to.....I just...I love you, so much. And.....I think it's just the......and then today.....then you go and say what you did about my..." Bella's breath was coming in short little hiccupping gasps between her words as she stammered, trying to explain why she was crying.
"I'm sorry.....I," Bella shook her head and snuggled deeper into my chest, wrapping an arm around my waist. "I'm sorry if I've ever made you feel that there's reason to be jealous of Seth. I know you said you understand we're just friends and we are, but still….I'm sorry."
I enveloped her in my arms and held her, trying to soothe her until she calmed. I buried my nose in the soft curls of her hair and took a deep breath. I waited for her to calm enough to hear what I wanted to say.
"Bella.....baby, I meant every word of what I said to you. These last couple of weeks have been really hard on both of us, and I know you don't want me apologizing anymore so I'm just going to tell you how much I love you and cherish every minute we have together. I promise to try and not be such an insufferable ass from here on out." Bella snorted a small laugh. "I'm glad that we talked tonight and that you told me how you felt about everything. I love you, Bella, and I swear to you that everything is going to be okay. Once this trial is over, everything will settle down and get better, I promise."
I tightened my arms around her and kissed the top of her head. I felt her press a kiss just over my heart before turning to place her cheek against my chest.
Her breathing soon evened out and I knew she had drifted off to sleep.
I lay there holding her for a long time, thinking about how my life had changed over the last several months. The turn of events that brought Bella and I back together would forever be a cherished part of my life. And although things had not been easy, we were finding our way together. That fact alone made me the happiest man alive and I sent out a little prayer of thanks for the woman in my arms and all that she brought with her into my life. Even the rough spots were well worth the return.
~*~
Over the next few days, Bella and I settled into a much more comfortable rhythm between our home and our work life. I realized that Bella was right about keeping work issues out of our home life and I began to feel more relaxed than I could remember feeling in a very long time. Coming home after a long day and leaving all of the stress at the door as I walked in was a welcome reprieve from the way I had lived my life the last few years.
Since it was Saturday, I felt no need to get dressed so I had been padding around the house in nothing but my pajama pants all morning. I had no intention of doing anything but relaxing, watching ESPN, and possibly unpacking a few more boxes at some point today.
"Edward?" Bella called as she came down the hall from the bedroom, crossing the room to where I sat on the sofa tuning my guitar.
"Yeah, baby," I answered, turning a key as I strummed over the strings listening for just the right tone.
'Um.....I..." she paused. I could hear a slight strain in her voice and looked up to see Bella chewing on the corner of her lip with a worried look on her face. I propped my guitar against the sofa cushions and took Bella's hand, pulling her into my lap.
"What's got you chewing on my favorite lip there, darlin'?" I teased and placed my thumb on her chin pulling down slightly to make her release her lip.
"Well, I....I wanted to talk to you about something I want to do and...." Bella looked down at her hands and her voice was quiet, almost......sad.
"What is it, baby?" I tightened my arm around her waist and crooked a finger under her chin to tilt her face up to mine, kissing the tip of her nose and getting a smile from her.
"I wanted to.....I want to make the....the empty bedroom into a music room for you." My eyes widened at her quiet admission.
Bella's, our, house had a master suite and two smaller bedrooms along with an office where we made room to share the space and not use one of the smaller rooms.
One of the bedrooms Bella had furnished as a guest room. Bella and I talked about the empty bedroom a few days after I moved in and she explained that is was completely emptied and redecorated in preparation for her baby over a year and a half ago. The walls were painted a soft pink for the little girl Bella carried. She and Rose picked out the pale color and the white furniture which would have completed the look Bella wanted. She had placed the order with the furniture company the day she and Rose found it, but the pieces were on back-order at the time. It couldn't be delivered for several weeks but would have arrived in time to be ready for the baby.
Rosalie canceled the order while Bella was still in the hospital, only barely catching them as the order was being filled for shipment the next day. It would have been more than Bella could have taken to come home to the furniture being delivered for a baby who was not to be.
She told me how when she came home from the hospital and as things fell apart in her marriage, she would lock herself inside that room and cry for hours. Bella mourned the loss of her baby and any babies in her future, along with the ending of her marriage. Bella mourned the loss of the life she wanted, splitting her time between sitting in that room and under the big oak tree behind the house. Bella had explained to me she finally just kept the room closed off because she hadn't found the strength to change anything inside.
It had not escaped my notice that she was going in there a great deal the last few days. I didn't want to press her on the issue in hopes she would talk to me when she felt ready. I guess she was ready to do that now and my heart broke at the sadness in her eyes.
Had she been saying goodbye to her dream of being a mother during the time she spent behind that door?
"Bella, I....we don't have to do that. The room doesn't have to be used. It's okay to leave it as is," I really didn't know what to say. I wanted to comfort her and tell her not to change the room. While I also felt that we would eventually need to do something with the room, otherwise Bella would always have a reminder of her loss locked in that room, I didn't want her to do this if she wasn't truly ready.
"No, Edward, I really do. I want to." Bella paused again and took a deep breath before meeting my gaze. "I need to do this because I'm holding on to Carlie's ghost in that room, and it's not good for me. She was never even really.....I just feel that by keeping it closed off like that, it's like an unfinished shrine to something I will never have." Bella's voice cracked and her shoulders shook with a sob. I wrapped her in my arms, pulling her to my chest and running my hand over her hair in an effort to soothe her pain.
"Bella....baby, are you sure you want to do this?" I asked as I cupped her cheek in my palm and held her head to me.
"Yeah, I am. It's time to put that room to some use for something that brings happiness into this house. And, Edward, your music brings happiness to both of us. So, yes, I want to do this, if you want to," Bella spoke into my chest and pressed a kiss just over my heart.
Wrapping my arms around her in a tight embrace, I kissed her forehead and whispered, "If that's what you want to do, baby, then I'm all for it." Bella nodded her head as she snuggled against my chest.
"Well, where would you like to start?"
"Um....I thought we could pick out a paint color and start with that?" She sat up with a smile on her face, but I could see the shining in her eyes from the tears she was trying to hold back.
I knew from what both Rosalie and Alice told me about what happened when Bella lost Carlie, the doctors had mentioned options available to her. But Bella was in no condition to comprehend what those options were. With the due date for Rosalie and Emmett's baby approaching, I feared Bella would struggle with her loss again. I needed to know more about what Bella's doctor advised her after the surgery, but Bella didn't remember a lot of the details and had not pressed her doctor about those alternatives. Maybe if I had more information before we broached the subject it would make the discussion easier. Bella would have her dream of being a mother. I would make sure of it. Whatever it took, we would have a child.
But for now, if Bella felt this was what she needed to do to ease some of her hurt, I would do this for her.
I nodded my head and leaned up to press my lips to hers, "I think that sounds like a really good idea. I would love to have a music room here."
Several hours later, she and I both were covered in the ashen blue color of paint Bella decided on, and by decided I mean stood staring at the same two paint samples, which were almost identical in shade, for an hour. Finally I was so frustrated that I had her close her eyes and just pick a color, and before she could even see which one she chose I asked the paint clerk to mix it up for us. Bella was aggravated and fussed about my not letting her see the sample for all of about ten minutes until she saw the actual color in the can once it was finished.
Most of the afternoon was spent taping out the baseboards, windows, doors and then removing all the receptacle and light switch covers. It was a hell of a lot of work to just paint a simple wall. And though we accomplished only painting two full walls, we had primed all of them to cover the pink so it would not bleed through. The two walls we managed to complete looked damn good. I stepped back to inspect our work with a satisfied smile on my face.
"What's that look for, mister? You're awfully smug for somebody covered in paint." Bella wrapped her arms around my waist and smiled up at me. Linking my fingers together behind her back, I smirked.
"Do you know that this is the first room I have ever painted?" I asked and kissed her nose.
Bella snickered with an incredulous look on her face. "Are you serious? You've never painted a room before?"
"Nope, never. Why would I really? My apartment in Georgia had this off white color on the walls and I just never took the interest to change it while I lived there. Before that I was in the dorms my first year at Auburn and then the off campus apartment I had was nothing special really. I'm a guy, Bella, the color of the walls isn't something that a guy living on his own really contemplates that much."
Bella just shook her head and laughed, "Well, I have to say I'm impressed."
She turned her head to look at what we had gotten done for the day and smiled.
"It looks really good, if I do say so myself. Think we can finish it up tomorrow? I'm kind of tired and I'd like to see how long it's going to take to get this paint out of your hair," Bella chortled as she flicked the paint specks stuck throughout my hair.
"Hmmm.....are you offering to take on that task, darlin'?" I asked as I bent to nip at her ear lobe before placing a kiss behind her ear.
Bella threaded her fingers in my hair and held my face to her neck as I ghosted my lips down to her collarbone.
"Oh...um..." Bella lolled her head to the side to allow me better access to my favorite spot at the delicate curve of her neck and shoulder as I lightly grazed my teeth over her skin and she pressed her body fully into mine. Bella released a moan, gaining a hiss from me as she brushed her leg over my obvious erection as my cock strained against my jeans.
Biting her lip and pulling back, looking up at me with that damn innocent look on her face that she knew drove me to complete distraction, Bella ran a single finger over my bottom lip and down my chin to the center of my chest, slowly making her way to curl it just behind my belt buckle. She tugged lightly, stepping further away from me and pulling me after her out into the hall and to our room.
As we entered the bathroom, Bella released me and turned to find the faucet, twisting it to the hottest setting before coming back to stand before me. Reaching out to grab the hem of my t-shirt, she began gathering the fabric in her tiny hands as she bent to place kisses to my abdomen and chest as she gradually lifted the shirt from my body.
A growl rolled from my chest as she bit down on my nipple before licking it to soothe the sting from her teeth, and I heard her snicker under her breath.
"Bella," I warned, and she only giggled again before moving to the other side to nip much more lightly as she worked my belt free. I reached for the hem of her shirt and she stepped out of my reach.
"Uh uh....you first. I'll join you in the shower, but you've worked really hard today and I want to take care of you first." The look on Bella's face short-circuited my brain and I felt my erection get harder as she pulled on the button fly of my jeans, freeing my cock from the constraints of the denim. Bella slowly lowered herself to her knees as she slid my jeans down my legs.
I didn't know if what I was thinking was what she was actually about to do, but if it wasn't, she really needed to get off her knees, now.
"Uh...Bella....wh-what...what are you doing?" My eyes widened as I watched her line herself up with my raging hard on as it was tenting my boxers, begging for what she was promising kneeling in front of me this way.
"Shhhh....I'm taking your clothes off, silly. I told you I wanted to take care of you. You've been so good to me. I want to be good to you. Now stop talking and let me...." her voice trailed off suggestively as she darted her eyes to my groin.
I bit back a moan and had to close my eyes as she licked her lips and began removing my boxers, because that visual image was more than I could take at the moment and not lose my shit before she even touched me.
My eyes snapped open and I looked down at her as I felt her hand wrap around the base of my shaft and place a kiss to the tip. A deep moan rumbled in my chest at the feel of her lips as she slid them over my aching member. The warmth of her mouth was almost more than I could take and my head fell back on my shoulders as she began sucking gently, building more and more force as she moved me in and out of her mouth. My hand shot out to grab the countertop and the other balled into a fist as I fought the urge to grasp her head so I could ram my cock down her throat and fuck her heavenly mouth.
I was sure I must have entered the gates of heaven when she began twirling her tongue around my head before taking me fully in her mouth once again as deep as she could. Her hand worked what wouldn't fit in her mouth with the same rhythm. She was bringing me so close to exploding before slowing her pace; keeping me right on the edge and making my eyes cross with the euphoria ripping through my body.
"Fuck, Bella," I breathed out in a ragged pant as the release I could feel building got closer and closer. The feel of the nails of Bella's free hand scraping over my thigh as she moved up and down my shaft was almost more than I could take.
I looked down to watch what she was doing to me just as she reached out to take my balled up fist and place it on the crown of her head as she continued to work me with her mouth expertly. I wove my fingers through the silky locks of her hair and couldn't stop the movement of my hips against her mouth.
"Oh, God, baby....I'm....I'm so close...you...you need to," I wanted to tell her she needed to move if she wasn't planning on swallowing, because there was no way I could hold it back any longer, but Bella only hummed around my cock and sucked me deeper into her throat.
The whole world disappeared as I felt her free hand ghost over the inside of my thigh to cup my balls and squeeze gently.
"Ahhhh.....fuck!" My grip tightened in her hair as my body went rigid and white lights exploded in front of my eyes as my orgasm rocked through me.
Breathing was optional at the moment as I felt my knees buckle slightly from the intensity of Bella sucking me off like this.
"Holy hell, Bella. That..." I panted, trying to regain some semblance of composure but finding none in my blissed out state of mind.
Bella giggled as she stood and pressed her lips to the center of my chest.
"I told you I wanted to take care of you tonight," her words were muffled as she murmured them against my chest and I wrapped my arms around her in a tight hug.
"Well, darlin', you more than accomplished that goal," I whispered into her hair as my breathing returned to somewhat normal and my heart rate began to slow minimally.
Bella pulled back and stood on tip toe to press her lips to mine with a very satisfied smile upon her face.
"Why don't you hop in the shower and I'll be in there in just a sec to see if we can't get the paint washed out of your hair. That would be interesting for you to sit on the witness stand on Tuesday and have flecks of blue paint throughout your hair. The judge is liable to think you're off your rocker," Bella giggled. She walked toward the linen closet to grab some towels as I stepped out of my jeans and into the steaming water. I smiled to myself, waiting for Bella to join me as I placed an arm on the tiled wall and leaned my forehead against my arm, letting the hot water roll down my back and relax my muscles.
Bella joined me shortly after. I knew my life could not get better than this as her fingers ran through my hair, massaging my scalp. She worked to get the paint spatters out and giggled each time she found more paint.
"Seriously, Edward, between the blue paint and the black eye, the judge is going to think you're some kind of nut job." Bella laughed as she tapped my shoulder and told me to rinse the shampoo out of my hair.
"Well, hopefully they'll just chalk up the black eye to a hazard of the job of working with crazy two year old colts and not ask too many questions. The paint? Eh, not a whole lot I can do about that."
We both laughed as we finished showering. Bella stepped out as I turned the water off and she handed me a soft white towel while she finished drying off and slipped on her pajamas.
"I'll go warm up some leftovers, k?" Bella called over her shoulder as she walked out of the room.
I dried off and slid on my boxers and the pajama bottoms Bella left for me on the counter and walked out to make my way to the kitchen. I quirked an eyebrow as I entered the room and saw the microwave still warming the leftovers but found no Bella anywhere.
"Bella?" I called.
Turning to walk back toward the bedroom, I caught site of her curled up on her side with her back facing me, fast asleep on the couch. As much of a brave face as she put on, I knew today had been hard for her and it made my heart swell with the love I felt for her that she was doing this for me. I bent down to scoop her up in my arms and carry her to our bed.
Laying her down, I crawled into bed and curled up behind her, pulling her into me as I covered us both with the blanket and wrapped my arms around her body. Smiling like an idiot at how our bodies fit so perfectly together, all thoughts of dinner were completely forgotten as I held her in my arms.
Pressing a kiss into her hair, I whispered, "Sleep well, my love," before letting sleep take me.
Bella and I spent the whole of Sunday finishing the painting and found the perfect piano for the space available. The room wasn't big enough to accommodate a baby grand, so after looking at some of my favorite sites, we came across the perfect upright and placed the order. Bella seemed to really embrace the idea of changing the room and I wanted her to find the peace she needed in making these changes.
~*~
"Baby, you ready to go yet?" I called to Bella who was still in the bathroom.
We were supposed to join the rest of the family in less than half an hour at the courthouse for a pre-trial meeting with JJ and District Attorney Roberts. Basically, the DA wanted to go over with us as a group how things would proceed once the trial began one last time. I would be the only one from the family testifying, but DA Roberts wanted to ensure everyone was familiar with what to expect and there were no surprises once we got into the trial.
"Yeah, give me like....two minutes. I'm just about ready."
Trying unsuccessfully to straighten the damn tie I was wearing, I walked into the bathroom and stopped dead in my tracks at the sight of Bella leaning over the counter to get closer to the mirror as she applied the last of her makeup.
I bit the inside of my jaw to keep from releasing the embarrassing whimper that tried to escape and readjusted myself before crossing the room and wrapping my arms around Bella's waist.
"Do you know what you are doing to me right now, Isabella?" I growled in her ear, sliding my hands over her ribs and gripping her hips before pulling her into me.
Bella giggled and pushed her ass into my groin, "I think I have some idea, but we really don't have the time for that this morning." Bella smiled, dropping her tube of whatever it was in her makeup bag before she pulled out of my grasp and walked away, chuckling the whole way.
"Oh.....you are an evil, evil tease, woman. I have said this before, but it is so very true," I groaned and Bella laughed even louder as I followed her into the bedroom.
"Not my fault," I heard her snicker from the closet as she dug around for her shoes.
"It is your fault. If you weren't so enticing, this," I pointed to the very obvious strain in my pants and she laughed again as she reemerged from our closet, "would not be a problem."
Bella reached up to straighten my tie, smoothed her hands over the lapel of my suit coat, and snaked her arms around my middle. I loosely linked my hands behind her back and smiled down at her.
"Well, cowboy, I really can't help that, now can I?" Bella pressed a kiss to my chin, snickering as she pulled away from me. She bent to pick up her shoes before crossing to sit in the chair so she could put them on, smiling at me like the cat who ate the canary the whole time.
I watched with hungry eyes as she came back to where I leaned against our dresser to whisper in my ear, "It's not as though you don't make me wet with just that look on your face, ya know?" I sucked in a sharp intake of air and again she walked away laughing.
"This is going to be a very, very long day," I grumbled to myself as I walked down the hall and followed Bella out to the garage.
As we pulled up and I found a space as close to the courthouse as possible, I noticed Carlisle's car and Emmett's truck parked next to one another just on the other side of the lot.
There was a swarm of reporters and camera crew camped outside the front doors of the courthouse, along with the animal rights activists lined up across the street waving signs and making their presence known.
Bella had been much more subdued and quiet on the drive over and I saw her body visibly tense as she took in the three ring circus this had become, culminating with what was awaiting us once we left the confines of my car.
"This is the end of all this, you know that. Right, baby?" I took her hand once I cut the engine, lacing my fingers with hers, and brought her hand to my lips.
"Yeah, I know. I'm just ready for all this to be over. And I'm really not looking forward to seeing either Tanya or Tyler today, ya know?" Bella smiled and closed her eyes as I pressed a kiss to the side of her hand.
"I know, honey. I'm not looking so forward to seeing either one of them myself. But it's a means to an end, and we'll be done with all this before long. Then we can get on with living our lives without either of them in it, right?"
"Right." Bella nodded and leaned over to kiss me before she opened her door and climbed out of the car. "Let's get this over with."
As soon as the reporters saw us approaching the courthouse steps, they descended like the vultures they are. The questions just as inane and asinine as ever, I placed my hand at the small of Bella's back and led her through the throng as we tried to push through without comment to any of them.
We could hear the activists calling out their support and their prayers that Tanya got what was coming to her for what had happened to our animals. While we appreciated the sentiment, the fact that more than one nationally recognized animal rights organization became involved with the outcome of the case brought with it more media attention, which was not something that any of us were actively searching for. If anything, we were working to avoid as much attention as possible. The bright spot of having the animal rights groups become involved was that their support helped cast a positive light on the ranch and what was happening.
Once inside the courthouse, we made our way to the room where we were informed the others would be waiting. JJ and DA Roberts felt that it would make a good impression on the judge if the everyone in both families were in attendance, as well as the publicity of showing a united front against the injustice of what happened, which in turn would hopefully solidify with our clients we were not allowing this to go unpunished.
So as requested, the Swans and Cullen's were out in full force and planned on being here throughout the entire trial.
Charlie and Renee went back to Corpus Christi right after our last meeting with JJ to check on their house there. They had not been back since just before Alice's wedding because of the myriad of events which had occurred since that time. They flew back in last night and would be staying with Emmett and Rosalie for the duration of the trial.
DA Roberts joined us in the conference room, followed by JJ and Sarah, JJ's paralegal, along with Investigator Brooks, Ranger Michaels, and DA Roberts' paralegal. The DA greeted everyone as a group while the rest of his entourage found seating. JJ made his way around to shake each of our hands before sitting in the empty seat next to Bella. Once everyone was settled, DA Roberts launched into explaining what today's proceedings would bring, restating that I would not be called to the stand until Tuesday and that today's session would be short in comparison to the rest of the week. He explained that today would consist mainly of a listing of the charges against Tanya, the opening statements of both the prosecution and the defense, along with reviewing a list of witnesses on both sides and instructing the members of the jury on their duties. The witnesses for the defense were mainly character witnesses, but they had hired a veterinarian who would try to dispute my testimony.
DA Roberts expressed his appreciation that we were all able to rearrange our schedules to accommodate being here. Once he answered any questions that we had, he excused himself along with his team and they made their way to the courtroom. JJ also asked if there was anything he could answer that the DA had not and everyone seemed as ready as Bella and I to just get started and be done with the whole mess.
JJ explained he would be sitting with us in the gallery, just behind the DA and the other members of the prosecution, as he was our representative and not officially a part of the state's law team. He was here as much for moral support as legal representation. Bella hugged him, acknowledging that fact and our appreciation of all his work to this point.
~*~
"All rise," the bailiff cried, calling the room to order. "The honorable Maria Juarez presiding."
A tiny Hispanic woman who looked to be about the same age as Esme and Renee entered the room, dressed in a long black judge's robe, her hair pulled back in a severe bun at the nape of her neck. It was immediately apparent that Judge Juarez commanded respect and was very much in control of her courtroom.
"Let's see," Judge Juarez spoke as she began scanning the file in front of her before speaking. "Looks as though we're gathering here today regarding case 10-339279, the state of Texas vs. Ms. Tanya Denali." Judge Juarez looked out over the entire courtroom. "There are six charges I see here of," she paused to check the file once again. "Animal cruelty in the form of the intentional poisoning of livestock. The livestock in this case is the property of The Swan Ranch, owners are Ms. Isabella Swan and Mr. Emmett Swan. And The Cullen Ranch, one Mr. Carlisle Cullen, is this correct?" Judge Juarez looked to District Attorney Roberts for confirmation.
"Yes, your honor, that's correct." DA Roberts stood buttoning his jacket as he addressed the court.
"And is the state ready to proceed with its case today?"
"Yes, your honor, the state is ready to proceed with opening statements and our witnesses are in attendance today." District Attorney Roberts affirmed.
"Very good. Mr. Romanov, are you and your client ready to proceed today, as well?" Judge Juarez turned to the defense table where Tanya and her attorney, Nickalaus Romanov, were seated.
Mr. Romanov stood, "Yes, your honor."
"Okay, Mr. Roberts, you may proceed with your opening argument." Judge Juarez sat back in her large black leather chair.
As the district attorney began his speech, I felt Bella's hand slip into mine and turned my head toward her.
"Are you okay?" I whispered in her ear and she looked up at me with a weary smile.
"Yeah, I'm fine, just nervous," she whispered, leaning into my shoulder.
Releasing her hand, I wrapped my arm around Bella's shoulder, pulling her into my side and pressing a kiss to her temple. I ran my hand up and down her arm, trying to soothe her the only way I could at the moment.
I knew this trial would be hard for Bella to get through. The weeks leading up to today were trying at best. But she and I were in a better place as a couple, and at the end of the day that was the most important thing to me.
I turned my attention back to the proceedings in the courtroom as the DA was wrapping up his opening statement.
"And, your honor and members of the jury, if all of this were not enough to prove the state's case against Ms. Denali for the poisoning of The Swan and Cullen livestock, the state has on voice recording Ms. Denali speaking to one Ms. Victoria Harris regarding the plans she and Ms. Harris had in place for a transfer of money in the amount of ten thousand dollars for Ms. Harris' continued silence in the events that led to the poisonings. As well as Ms. Denali on a separately taped recording of a conversation again between Ms. Harris and herself of the importance of not speaking with authorities. On this tape, Ms. Denali instructs Ms. Harris to plan vacation time around when they felt Investigator Brooks would be visiting Dr. Anderson's clinic in an attempt to prolong and interfere in the investigation. When the state rests, ladies and gentlemen, it will be proven beyond all doubt that Ms. Tanya Denali is guilty of the poisoning death of Chantilly Lace and four stillborn foals, owned by the Swan Ranch, as well as the poisoning of the mare, Ace in the hole, owned by The Cullen Ranch and Mr. Carlisle Cullen. This evidence will prove that Ms. Denali should be found guilty of the charges brought against her and the state is justified in requesting that Ms. Denali receive the maximum penalty allowable under Texas law."
Thanking the court, DA Johnson returned to the prosecution table with a quick glance toward Tanya's lawyer.
"Mr. Romanov, you may present your opening statements at this time." Judge Juarez looked out to scan over those of us in the gallery and then to where Tanya sat at the defense table.
I don't remember ever seeing Tanya look so demure. She was really playing up her attempt to be perceived as the injured party in all of this. Tanya sat with her head slightly bowed, not making true eye contact with anyone. On occasion she would pull out a handkerchief and wipe at her eyes as if she were crying.
How she could be so delusional as to try and twist all she had done so that somehow she was the one who had been wronged was completely beyond me.
Nickalaus Romanov was a hot shot New York lawyer who was still wet behind the ears, but true to Tanya's personality, she seemed convinced the fact Nickalaus was fresh from the New York City justice system would carry some leverage with the court for her defense. Nickaluas Romanov was also Eleazar's nephew and I was quite sure he was representing Tanya pro bono.
I snorted at the thought of Judge Juarez being impressed by Mr. Romanov's résumé, because after one look at this judge it was apparent that was not the case. She seemed wholly unaffected by all the pomp and circumstance being thrown out in her courtroom by Tanya's lawyer. Bella looked at me, quirking an eyebrow just as Mr. Romanov was making the point of how Tanya had been an unwilling party in the whole plot and that it was actually Victoria's plan all along.
I shook my head, trying to hide a smile at the ridiculous continuation of the public story Tanya had begun weeks ago.
"The defense will prove beyond reasonable doubt that Ms. Denali was an unknowing pawn in a plan devised by Ms. Harris in a plot to bring down The Swan and Cullen ranches as part of a personal vendetta on her part."
There was an obvious snort of disgust. Both Bella and I looked around to find Victoria sitting only a few rows behind us on the other side of the courtroom. She was shaking her head with a death glare on her face directed right at the back of Tanya's head.
If Victoria had any reservations about turning on Tanya, that one statement sealed her resolve to bury Tanya, and I couldn't have been happier with that turn of events.
Just as I was turning back to the front of the courtroom, I caught sight of Tyler sitting a few rows behind Victoria. His nose was splinted and both eyes were black. Even though I knew I shouldn't, my baser caveman instincts bubbled up and I couldn't help the satisfaction that ran through me at finally getting my hands on that bastard. Being the cocky son of bitch that he is, he looked me in eye and narrowed his eyes as if he were threatening me before he turned his attention back to the court proceedings.
I couldn't help but smirk as I turned around just as Mr. Romanov finished his opening statement and sat back down with Tanya. I noticed his furious scribbling on the legal pad in front of him and a dark look crossed Tanya's face before she cleared her expression.
Judge Juarez spoke to the jury, instructing them on their duties and their responsibility to not discuss the case or its proceedings with anyone outside of the courtroom. She cautioned them in regards to the media coverage that the case had garnered and warned that she would sequester them if necessary.
"Okay, I believe that sums up what we have on the docket for today. We will resume tomorrow morning at nine o'clock. Mr. Roberts, be ready to call your first witness at that time. Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, please remember my instructions regarding discussing this case outside of the courtroom. You are dismissed." And with that she brought the gavel down, closing out today's proceedings, and promptly left the courtroom.
"Well, that was a lot of fun, huh?" Jasper smirked as Bella and I joined the rest of family and JJ outside the courtroom.
"Yeah, loads," I snorted and rolled my eyes. "Tomorrow should be interesting."
"Well, I guess we better get this over with, no sense in hiding out in here. The vultures are swarming out there and there doesn't seem to be any way around it, so..." Charlie's voice trailed off as he reminded all of us about what awaited us outside the courthouse.
The media storm that we all encountered on the way in was still in full force as they would want to record our reactions from the first day of the trial.
"Just remember what we discussed and respond with 'speak to my lawyer'. Otherwise ignore them and move as quickly as possible. I'll draw as much of the attention as I can by making your official statement regarding the beginning of the trial, but there will still be those that will try to get you to say something. Especially you two," JJ looked at both of us pointedly and Bella nodded her head. I placed my arm around her waist and pulled her into my side, rested my hand on her hip and leaned in to kiss her hair. Bella looked up at me with a smile and a very determined look on her face.
"No time like the present. Let's get this party started." Emmett smiled and clapped his hands together before taking Rosalie's hand and leading the way out.
Bella snorted and shook her head at Emmett's faux excitement.
"Gotta love him," I whispered in her ear and grinned, sliding my hand to the small of Bella's back as we stepped into the late afternoon sun and the flash of the cameras. Bella leaned into my side but kept her head up as we made our way through the reporters, throwing question after question at us as we followed the rest of our family.
There was a horde of reporters surrounding Tanya and her lawyer to the right of the steps. I could see Eleazar and Carmen standing just behind Tanya in all her indignant glory. Carmen's head was bowed and the pained expression on Eleazar's face was obvious.
In the end, Tanya's actions hurt her family as much as it hurt ours. Eleazar and Carmen Denali were good people and they were devastated by all the actions of their daughter.
I could hear JJ behind us as he called the attention of those reporters closest and began giving the statement his office had prepared.
Opening the passenger door as we finally reached my car; I helped Bella inside and closed the door. Sliding into the driver's seat, I looked over to see Bella with her head leaned back on the headrest and her eyes closed. Reaching over to lace my fingers with hers, I asked, "You okay?"
Bella's eyes snapped open and she met my gaze with a smile, "Yep, I'm fine. Really," Bella tightened her hand in mine. "That wasn't as bad as I thought it would be and although the reporters piss me off, I'm not letting them get to me anymore."
I smiled and leaned in to place a kiss to her lips.
"Good girl. Let's go home."
E/N: So....we got the trial started and we see that the the family is presenting the united front we knew they would. And let me just say that Edward and Bella will be discussing the issue touched on during the changing of the baby's room. They will not be pushing this subject to the back burner, trust that conversations will be coming up over the last few chapters....Only 5 more to go plus the epilogue (s) *sniff*
I know that to a degree I'm taking some poetic license with the trial but that's just how it is, I'm trying to keep it as real as possible but....*shrugs*
And please don't take the mention of the picketing Animal Rights activists as that I don't like or respect the work that is done in that arena, because I do....it's part of the story and the point is made that the characters appreciate the support they receive so please don't PM or flame me for being disrespectful to the animal rights organizations out there. This part of the story is a trial for an animal cruelty case, animal rights groups would be involved and interested in making sure the person responsible was prosecuted. Thanks.
One last thing....I want to thank all of you who voted for MMB on the Silent Tears awards. It didn't win but I thank you all just the same. My Yes, My No by the amazing Lolashoes took the prize. Congrats to her because she so very much deserves it for that unbelievable story!
smooches to you all!!