CHAPTER 25

PLACE YOUR BETS

"What if he eats her pussy but blows it and she doesn't come, what is the line on that?"

"1.5 to 1."

"That's all? It should be more."

"No way. He was schooled by the best. It's almost guaranteed if he doesn't start telling her he wants to respectfully perform cunnilingus on her private areas or some bullshit like that."

"Okay, I've decided. Put me down for $1,000 that they have sex but no orgasm for Bella."

"That's a sucker's bet."

"What's the line on the spanking issue?"

"I'll pay you 3 to 1 if Edward doesn't chicken out and actually does it. I'll pay 3.5 to 1 if he uses something other than his hand. And I'm paying 4 to 1 if he ties her up."

"Alice swears she hasn't seen anything yet. Too many decisions yet to be made."

"$5,000 that everything will go just fine. What does that pay?"

"You mean that they have oral and regular sex, both resulting in orgasms to Bella, and she comes back to Seattle alive? That's the trifecta and the house is paying 4.5 to 1 on that."

"Mark my bet."

I am not surprised as I stand here listening to my siblings bet and barter over odds as to what will happen between Bella and I in Orlando. They are all degenerate gamblers and have absolutely no sense of common decency when it comes to such things. However, what does surprise me is that Carlisle just bet $5,000 that my sexual exploits with Bella will go successfully.

Carlisle looks up as I stand in the doorway, my expression and posture reflecting my annoyance. Bella and I leave in a few hours and this day has not went as well as I hoped. I received a text message from Bella early this morning telling me she would not be at school today but that she would meet me at the airport at 1:30 pm, just before our scheduled departure time. Alice has already told Bella that I have rented a private jet to take us to Orlando and that we would leave at 2:00 pm, arriving in Orlando at approximately 9:00 pm local time. It is so unlike Bella to miss class and a part of me was worried she was changing her mind about the trip. Alice assured me that was not the case and I have spent the day trying not to dwell on it.

I'm all packed and have stopped to tell my family goodbye. Carlisle smiles at me and asks me how much time I have before I leave.

"I need to leave within thirty minutes to make it to the airport on time," I answer.

Take a walk with me? I want to talk before you leave. It won't take long. He asks me via his thoughts.

I nod and we take off into a run in the wooded area behind our house. I try to scan Carlisle's thoughts to see what he wants to discuss but he is carefully blocking me.

"That was a hefty bet. Thanks for the vote of confidence I guess," I say as we come to a stop near a small stream.

Carlisle smiles. "Your siblings mean well. I think this bet thing is Emmett's way of challenging you to do what we all know you can do."

"It may be all for nothing you know. I may not be able to win her back no matter what I do," I say, revealing my insecurity about the upcoming weekend.

"I'll never understand why you are so quick to doubt yourself. It's like you don't think you deserve to be happy."

I smile wryly. "Yeah, Bella said something like that to me yesterday."

"She came and saw me this morning at the hospital."

"What?" I am shocked. Why would Bella skip class to go see Carlisle?

"Is something wrong? Is she sick?"

I'm desperately trying to read his thoughts but he is carefully guarding his thoughts. "Calm down son. Bella if fine. But she did come to see me as a doctor and that is why I must block you from my thoughts. I can't betray her confidence."

"Excuse me? You can't keep something like that from me if it concerns Bella!" I'm suddenly furious at Carlisle and I'm desperately trying to gain access to his thoughts.

"Edward, Bella trusted me to keep certain things confidential. She specifically asked me to and as a doctor you know I am bound to respect her wishes. But there were aspects of the conversation she did not forbid me from discussing with you. Just please calm down and listen to me."

I reign in my temper so Carlisle will tell me at least something about Bella's visit. My mind is racing trying to think of all possible reasons Bella would want to see Carlisle in a professional capacity. None of them are good.

"First, she wanted to tell me that Julian was not going to be at work for a few days. He is taking some time off. Apparently he and Bella talked last night and he needs a few days to himself. I'm sure you can make an educated guess as to why but that is all I can tell you about that."

They talked and Julian needs to take time off? I desperately hope that means Bella broke things off with him. That would explain needing some time off. I know from personal experience that losing Bella will send your life into a tailspin and make managing the simplest of everyday tasks impossible.

"Can you tell me anything else?"

"Just that Bella wanted to ask for my opinion on the two of you starting up a relationship again, hypothetically speaking of course.

Damn. Why didn't he start by telling me that? My whole being swells with hope that I may actually have a chance to win her back if I don't screw it up.

"What did you tell her?" I ask.

"Only what I know. That you love her more than anything or anyone in this whole world and that you always will."

I smile, pleased with what he said because it is the truth. Then Carlisle continues.

"She then asked me if you would leave again. I told her I didn't know."

"What? Why would you say that?"

Because I honestly don't know the answer to that question. You stayed away for four years after all."

"But you know I love her. You said so yourself."

"Yes but you used that love as the excuse for leaving her before. I told her that despite the depth of your own love for her, you have never felt worthy of her love in return and that this led you to become obsessed with protecting her from yourself.

He sighs before continuing. "But I honestly think your leaving had more to do with your deep rooted feelings of unworthiness and fear at moving forward with a fully committed relationship with Bella than with protecting her."

"What the hell are you talking about? I was fully committed to her."

"Were you?" He asks gently, his eyes full of sympathy and compassion.

"Carlisle, how can you ask me that? I was completely devoted to her. I still am." I am shocked that Carlisle is accusing me of somehow not being fully devoted to Bella. He knows the extent of my love for her. For christ's sake, I gave her up and plunged myself into absolute hell just to keep her safe.

"Son, you misunderstand me. I do not question your love and affection for Bella. But I do believe you were afraid to commit to her in every sense of the word. You had to know that for you and Bella to remain together that would mean that you would eventually have to change her. While I certainly understand you not wanting to rush such a thing, the fact you would not even allow Bella to speak of it always seemed....well, quite frankly unrealistic of you Edward. If you and Bella are going to be together, that issue has to resolved sooner or later. How can you now tell Bella you are willing to commit to her if you will not even consider changing Bella if that is what she wants?" His words are spoken in Carlisle's signature comforting and supportive tone but they leave me cold. He continues.

"I understand why Bella is so scared. She has been through a lot. She has learned to live with the pain. I know you don't want to hear it but she has a man in her life that is good to her Edward. What you are asking of her is to risk that, put her heart back on the line again, and all the while, you are not giving her any real assurances of your level of commitment."

I shake my head. "It's wrong Carlisle--so wrong."

"I'm not telling you to do anything Edward. I'm just trying to point out that you need to understand that Bella is scared and that from her perspective she may have good reason to be nervous about opening her heart to you again if you are not prepared to make her a full part of her life. Just tell me you will think about this before you ask her to make an irrevocable decision this weekend."

He places a comforting hand on my shoulder and looking at me thinks At least talk to her about it. Don't just shut her out on that topic. She deserves more than that. You know that. I know you do.

I nod my head to acknowledge what he has said. I don't like it but he has made some compelling points. Why would Bella ever believe me? I understand Bella's point of view. I really do. It just breaks my dead, cold heart to think about my Bella being doomed to a soulless existence just so we can be together forever. Despite this, I know deep down that Carlisle is right. I have to at least discuss it with Bella. As if I did not already have enough pressure on me relating to this weekend.

I rush back to the house to retrieve my bags. I call out my goodbyes and smile to myself as I hear their various voices float to me as I enter the garage.

Good luck man. Remember to tell her how much you want to eat her honeypot. I'm telling you she won't be able to resist.

You are going to love what Bella plans to wear for you!

Go for the trifecta Edward.

Esme says to put her down for $2,000 that Edward spanks Bella.

I am awaiting Bella's arrival to the airport and I have to admit I'm nervous. I had insisted no one else tell Bella about the change in plans so I could surprise her with it. At the time I made these plans, I had assumed the only reason Bella would object to us being alone together in Orlando is that it might upset Julian. I thought the "sudden flu" story would take care of that. But now as I stand here pacing outside the gate that leads to the private jet we will be flying on, I am nervous that Bella will reject the idea of being alone with me. I had presumed that Bella's reluctance to be alone with me was primarily due to her feeling of obligation to Julian. Now, after my discussion with Carlisle, I understand she may not want to be alone with me for reasons that have nothing at all to do with Julian.

Exactly thirty four seconds before our scheduled meeting time, I hear her heartbeat and assaulted by her scent as she makes her way down the corridor. I rush to greet her to assist her with her suitcase and shoulder bag.

She looks absolutely lovely. She is wearing a skirt which is not her usual attire. She is wearing a long white flowing skirt and a brown blouse and brown high heel suede boots. Her hair is loose and she looks stunning. I smile at her and she smiles back. As I hear her heart beat speed up, I am convinced she is happy to see me and I relax slightly.

As I reach her, I quickly take her bags and reach over to place a soft peck with my lips on her left cheek. I can't help it. It has been nearly 24 hours since I saw her and I have missed her damn it! She smiles in response much to my relief. "Where's Alice?" she asks, still smiling.

Here goes. I smile with the charm I have learned to use to my advantage over the hundred plus years of my existence. "Alice got the flu."

Just 3.8 seconds pass before she smirks. "And Jasper and Tanya?"

"Also the flu. Real nasty too. It looks like it will just be you and me."

She continues to smirk at me knowingly. "It's just incredible you were able to escape catching it yourself."

"Luckily I had my flu shot."

"You're not playing fair."

"Never said I would."

"I should be mad at you."

"But you aren't?"

"No. In fact, I expected something like this."

"And yet you came."

"Well.....not yet." She smiles coyly and blushes slightly as she says this and walks past me, moving forward to board the plane. Her comment confuses me for exactly 2.5 seconds and then it hits me. Sexual innuendo coming from that beautiful mouth belonging to my Bella? I think I like it.

I follow her unto the plane where the co-pilot greets us. I waive him off as he seeks to take the bags. I have instructed the pilot and co-pilot to give Bella and I privacy during the flight. The plane is equipped with a private bedroom and sitting area. I direct Bella to the back of the plane to show her the bedroom. After setting her luggage down in the room, I speak up. "I thought you might want to rest on the way to Florida. It's a long trip."

"But what will you do while I'm laying down?" she asks.

I shrug, with my hands in the pocket of my jeans and say, "I was hoping you would let me lay with you....like...before."

I watch Bella move slowly around the room surveying it with her arms crossed across her chest. I'm watching her closely trying to gauge her reaction. She finally turns and smiles slyly and says, "I like the bed. But if we're going to lie in it together, I hope you know the same rules don't apply as before.

E/N—I have a lot of people to thank so be patient. First, apparently Eviekinz and Xtothey have nominated this story for a "Gigglesnort" award. Thank you ladies. I plan to try to get some leads on some other humorous stories once the voting starts. If you are interested, the link for that is: http(colon)//gigglessnortawards(dot)mmmboptastic(dot)com/nominate(dot)php

Special thanks to Squarepancake who made another awesome blinkie. It's for Chapter 24 and it is hilarious! You can find the code for it on Page 8 on the Forum. Thanks Squarepancake! And thanks to Tazz0167 who is going to pimp out this story next week on her blog, where she interviews the authors of stories that she likes. You should check out her blog for other recommendations and fun reads. The address is on page 7 of the forum or on Tazz0167's ff profile. All things twilight belong to SM.