Hi, I'm back! Thank you from the very bottom of my heart for your reviews! They make all the work worth it!

I do not own Twilight.

Chapter title belongs to Noel Coward.

I needed to borrow the phrase "a woman's right to shoes" from Sex and the City.

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Chapter 25: Every Note is True

EDWARD

„Oh my GOD!" Bella is literally holding her stomach as Seth finishes his story. So far, her birthday dinner is going more than well, and I'm not talking about the gnocchi con salmone I made. We're eating dessert and everybody is laughing and chatting. This is one of the most peaceful and perfect evenings I've experienced in a long time. My hand is on Bella's thigh as I watch her, and I can tell she's just as happy as I am.

Things have been going well since she finally agreed to move in. We've been getting a lot of her stuff over here and Bella spends most of her free time packing up. We haven't been apart for one single night since I returned from London. Well, one night, but that doesn't count because I had to work. Master Cedric Swan has taken permanent residence over here, and at the moment, he's lounging on Mom's lap. When I talked Bella into inviting Rose and Emmett, she suggested inviting my parents as well, which made me incredibly happy. My mom adores Bella. She cried when I told her that Bella's own mother left her family when Bella was only nine. Ever since then, she's been doting on Bella, trying to give her what she thinks Bella missed out on. It's nice to see everyone together, and the sound of laughter and cheerful voices fills the apartment.

Mom is giggling with Collin, Dad is in a discussion with Jasper, and Alice and Jessica are chatting about fashion. Emmett and Mike are talking baseball, and Seth is working his charm on Rose. She's laughing about something he said, slapping his arm and taking a sip of champagne. She's been nothing but polite to Bella all night long, and I know she's trying. She notices me watching and looks at me. Her large blue eyes connect with mine. She's my sister, my big sister, whom I love. I know we're okay, and I think that one day, she's going to see what a beautiful person Bella is. Maybe not today or tomorrow, but she will. Rose smiles and winks at me. I smile back.

Emmett has been the one of the two of them to show Bella his affection, and it's cute to see them interact with each other. Bella is always ready to laugh at his childish jokes, and Emmett likes to listen to her stories from the acting world.

Bella's talking to my mom right now, and I catch a bit of what's being said when I refill their glasses.

"No, and luckily, I don't have that much stuff… though I don't think Edward would agree with me…"

She smiles and turns to look at me. She looks so sexy tonight I almost find it impossible to keep my hands off of her. She's wearing a low-cut, midnight blue silk dress that hugs her curves in such a tempting way that I constantly have touch her.

"You're right." I kiss her shoulder. "I disagree. But it doesn't matter, since we have enough room upstairs for all your books… and shoes…"

She shrugs cutely, and puts her head on my shoulder.

"Edward doesn't understand a girl's need for shoes," she sighs comically.

"You're right, Bella," Mom chimes in. She looks so happy, and I know it's partly because I am happy, too. The whole business with Tanya was weighing hard on her as well. It's strange really, that she's always a bit overprotective with me, where Rose and Ali are clearly her very grown-up daughters she is proud of. Maybe it's because I'm the baby, and I came as the surprise she and Dad never expected anymore. Or maybe it's because Rose and Ali have been in stable relationships for as long as I can remember, and I just fucked up my marriage.

"To a woman's right to shoes!" Bella, Mom and Alice are clinking their glasses, and I am pulled out of my reverie.

Jasper and Seth are carrying the plates into the kitchen and I swiftly follow them with a few glasses, leaving the ladies to their shoe fest. We load the dishwater and put the leftovers away, sharing a beer while we're at it. Everyone is in the living room when I return, lounging on the couch and in the armchairs. The doors to the terrace are open, but it's a bit chilly so we stay inside. Collin is outside, smoking a cigarette and discussing something with Alice. Emmett tries to teach Cedric to give him his paw, and I sit with Bella and Leah and Sam, who are talking about a trip to Seattle to visit with their families. My fingers travel to the back of Bella's neck, caressing her softly. I know she misses her Dad and Sue, and I wish they could be here tonight with the rest of us.

Alice comes back inside, clapping her hands, crying, "It's time, it's time!"

Bella ducks her head when, moments later, Seth comes from the kitchen with a huge cake with twenty-eight candles. I kiss her ear and murmur, "Happy birthday," before everyone starts to sing precisely that.

We clink our glasses again and Bella is showered with heaps of gifts, which she unwraps slowly, thanking everyone profusely. The gifts are all lovely and thoughtful – books and DVDs and a rather spectacular turn-of the century chest of drawers for her "new home" from Mom, Dad, Rose and Emmett. Bella hugs each one of them with moist eyes, murmuring all the while, that "this is too much, you guys are crazy..."

We all settle back down and Bella grins like a happy child, snuggling up to me. She's already wearing the small diamond studs I presented her with at midnight, but she doesn't know that another surprise is waiting in our bedroom…

"Well," Seth says eventually, and I can see my little pixie sister grin from ear to ear. "There's another one, you know." He hands Bella a small package.

"No! I can't take anymore! You're killing me!"

"Oh, you'll love this," Alice laughs.

"This is from Collin and Alice and Jasper and me," Seth says. "And I think you'll like it too."

I have no idea what they have gotten her, so I'm almost as excited as Bella when she unwraps what's inside. It's a small wooden picture frame with a picture of Bella and me. Seth must have taken it one Sunday afternoon in Central Park. I have my arms around Bella and we're looking at each other like no one else existed, her hand intertwined with mine on my chest. The love practically pours out of that photo. Instead of the Bethesda fountain, though, there's a white comic castle in the background, and Seth has also photo shopped Bella and me so we have Mickey and Minnie Mouse ears on our heads.

"Well… " Bella looks a bit confused. "This is lovely… Are you doing an exhibition on Disney next?"

I can see that my sister is close to combusting.

"No, Bellaaaa!" She grins like a maniac. "You're going to Disneyland!"

"What? No! When?" Bella's eyes are as big as saucers.

"We left that open, so you can go whenever you want."

"Ohmygodthankyouguys!" Bella jumps up and hugs Alice, and then Seth, Jasper and Collin.

"I know you love roller coasters, and Donald, and Winnie the Pooh and parades…" Seth explains to the rest of us. I wasn't aware of any of those facts.

Bella squeals alongside with Alice, and jumps into my lap.

"Edward, we're going to Disney!" She kisses me and then draws back slightly. "You like roller coasters, don't you?" Her face drops.

"I do." I kiss her. I can tell that going to Disneyland will show me a whole new Bella.

The rest of the night passes pleasantly. Rose and Emmett leave soon after, Rose being slightly nervous because Dale is watching his little sister. My parents follow soon, and Mike and Jessica, who have been very pleasant company, depart an hour later since Mike has to close down the bar.

I'm talking to Seth, a part of me enjoying the party while another part wants to get Bella alone. She's next to me, her hand on my thigh, and her head on my shoulder again. For a second I have difficulty in concentrating on what Seth is saying. We've been chatting about his art show, which will open next month at the Carvelli Gallery.

"Actually, Edward, I would like to ask you to contribute," Seth says.

"Contribute?" I look at him, raising my eyebrows in confusion. "How?"

"You know I shot Bella as Hera a few weeks ago, right?"

"Sure," I nod. "She looked fantastic."

"Yeah, I… I want to photograph her again, as a modern day Hera this time." Seth takes off his glasses. "And I want you to pose as Zeus with her…"

"What?" I laugh. "I'm no model, Seth. I'm sure you'll find someone more qualified to do that!"

"Edward," Bella says, her hand in the hair at the back of my neck, tickling me pleasantly – she knows exactly what that does to me. "Please think about it. I think it would totally work, you know?"

"You… you two have been scheming this?" I'm not even pissed, I'm just amused.

"We've been talking about it," Seth says. "And Bella already told me I needn't even ask you about a nude shot…"

"What?"

This keeps getting weirder. Next he'll ask me to pose as a naked Mickey Mouse.

"Please think about it," Bella murmurs, kissing the side of my mouth. She's a little tipsy, which is always adorable. "Just think of how good we look together in that picture…" She points to the small frame with the photo where we already are mice.

"Okay," I groan, running a hand through my hair. "But I'm keeping my clothes on. And no funny hats or ears!"

Seth laughs good-naturedly. "Deal."

Alice tells me that the camera loves me, whatever that may mean.

An hour later, our guests have left and Bella and I are alone.

"Thank you," she says, taking my hands. She took her heels off at some point, and she seems so tiny now. "That was a great party." She smiles and stands on her tiptoes. "Thank…" She kisses me. "You." She kisses me again.

"You're more than welcome," I mumble against her lips. "Actually, there's another present, waiting for you upstairs."

"You're completely mad, do you know that?"

"About you."

"I love you… You're my best gift, ever… Now if I can only get you naked…" Her tongue strokes my lower lip, and the arousal I've been keeping at bay for hours finally overwhelms me. We lose ourselves in a long, sensual kiss. Her ass in round and firm under my hands, and I want nothing more than to bury myself inside her.

"Upstairs," she sighs. "Unless you want to do it here…"

"I don't mind…"

"I'd rather have you fuck me on a soft surface," she murmurs, moaning softly when I touch her, my fingers teasing her slowly through the smooth material of her dress, and –

"Fuck, Bella… Don't tell me you're not wearing any panties…"

"It's silk," she moans in my ear. "They would've shown… oh…"

At that, I grab her and throw her over my shoulder, growling, "Now you're in trouble, Isabella…"

BELLA

By the time Edward has set me down on the bed, I have somehow managed to open the majority of his shirt's buttons. Our kisses are frantic, our hands searching, touching, pleasing each other, our heartbeats increasing.

Edward's hands are pushing up my dress, and I gasp when his fingers come into contact with my slick flesh.

"Mmm," he whispers, his tongue tracing the shell of my ear. "I love the way you feel…"

He knows my body so well by now, his thumb applying the perfect amount of pressure while he enters me with two fingers, making me whimper with want. I fumble with his shirt and he shrugs out of it so my nails are able to softly scratch down his back. I can feel how hard he is, pressing into my thigh, and I love the feel of his weight on me.

He bites my neck, groaning my name, and my hands run lower, grabbing his perfect ass. I open his belt and unzip his pants and my hand finally finds him, warm and hard and perfect. I massage him for a few moments, but it's not enough.

"I need you," I'm fumbling between us, but the angle is a bit difficult. "Take your pants off… please…"

Edward makes quick work of them, as well as his shoes, socks and boxer briefs, kissing me hotly once he's naked.

"Take your dress off," he whispers, echoing my earlier words, and together, we pull it over my head and throw it on the floor alongside with my bra. I realise I'm completely naked but for the sheer, satin stay-ups.

Edward's eyes roam my body. I can see him swallow. His arousal is… impressive.

"You like that?" I murmur.

"Fuck…" He covers me with his body. "I think I'm coming from the sight alone…" He kisses a wet trail down to my nipple, where he starts to suckle and bite and lick and kiss until I'm moaning aloud.

"Edward… please…"

"Hmm?" He enters me with one finger.

"Fuck me… Now…"

Groaning, he positions himself at my entrance. He's teasing me with his tip, driving me crazy.

"Edward… stop torturing me…"

With that, he lifts my legs, one after the other, and places them over his shoulders before he enters me forcefully, pounding into me so deep it almost hurts. Almost. I hold on to the headboard as I meet his thrusts, watching him as he watches himself, sliding in and out of me. The sound of his body driving into mine mingles with our groans and grunts, and our mouths meet in a wet, hungry kiss.

It's rough and needy, and totally hot. I can tell that Edward is trying to hold back, his face constricting.

"Edward, this is… ah…oh… my… God…"

He goes on and on until I'm a trembling mess, crying out, my whole body aglow and alive while my belly tenses in small explosions and my brain goes numb.

"Ah…" Edward utters a low, guttural moan as he comes, his features relaxing as I feel his hot release inside me.

We're panting, our bodies sweaty as we cling to each other, slowly coming down. Edward kisses me, his weight now sweetly heavy.

"Happy birthday," he chuckles, rolling off of me and pulling me to his side.

I twine my arm around him and put my head on his hot chest. I kiss his salty skin.

"See. I love rollercoaster rides…"

"Yeah, so do I." His finger is drawing lazy circles on my back.

"I love you."

"I love you too." He kisses my temple.

We're silent for a few minutes, and it's peaceful and perfect.

"Oh, hey," Edward says suddenly, struggling out of my arms. "There's another gift for you, remember?" He 's already on his way to the closet, leaving me to ogle his divine backside.

He returns with a white shoebox. Placing it between us, he lies back down next to me, propping himself up on his elbow. His hair is all over the place, and his eyes sparkle in the warm light from the bedside lamp.

"Open it."

It's a Jimmy Choo shoebox. Inside is a pair of high-heeled, strappy sandals in dark blue, tiny pearls decorating the front of them. I gasp.

"Edward, you truly are mad."

"Mmm…" He thoughtfully scratches his chin, but there's a smirk as well. "I believe there's a campaign called a woman's right to shoes out there. I wanted to donate."

"It's appreciated." I attack him with my mouth, my tongue sliding in between his lips. Our breathing is heavy when we pull apart.

"Put them on," Edward murmurs.

"Now? I'm naked!"

Edward's eyes get dark with longing. "Yeah, that's kind of the point…"

He sits up and takes my left leg, still covered in satin sheers, and grabs one shoe, slipping it on. He meticulously fastens the strap before he does the same to my right foot.

He devours me with his eyes as I lie back on the bed.

"That's the hottest thing I've ever seen," he murmurs, and his voice is thick. He crawls closer and puts a kiss on my breast.

I don't think either one of us is going to get much sleep tonight.

EDWARD

It's a rainy Tuesday, and I am having a remarkably taste-free piece of chicken for lunch at the hospital's cafeteria. Ben has been showing me photos of their baby boy, Conner, who was born six weeks ago. He's cute and chubby-cheeked with lots of dark hair.

When I tell him that Bella will be moving in with me, he smiles. "She's so good for you, Edward. I haven't seen you this relaxed in ages."

"She is," I say, grinning like a goofball.

"How's the divorce going?"

I push my plate away, partly because my lunch wasn't very good to begin with and partly because the subject makes me lose my appetite.

"Tanya still refuses to sign the papers. My lawyer suggested a mediation."

"Is it money she wants?"

"No! If it were, I'd give it to her! No, she insists that we should try again. Really, it would be funny if it wasn't so sad."

Ben nods, his kind eyes filled with concern. "Do you think, you know, she's on drugs?"

He knows a little of Tanya's and my history, having always had an open ear for me during our worst times.

"I wouldn't be surprised if she is."

"Don't get me wrong," Ben says, "but this… is kind of worrying. I mean she's totally deluding herself into that, right?"

"Yeah. She's never been the most stable person. I'll see her at the mediation. I hope she's doing okay. Hell, I hope she'll be making an appearance."

Ben starts to say something else, but then his pager goes off and he is summoned to the ER. I should be going back to my office, but I lean back for a few moments and look out of the window, watching the raindrops course down the glass. I feel awful about the divorce, and I'm terrified that something could go wrong and prolong the whole wretched thing even further. I feel awful for putting Bella in this situation, and I want nothing more than to be free a free man for her.

My phone rings, and the display lights up with her picture. My heart jumps a little.

"Hey baby… I was just thinking of you."

"Edward!" She sound very agitated. "Edward you will never imagine what happened!"

I sit up, unable to discern if her excitement is of the positive or negative variety.

"What is it?"

"Remember the agent I told you about? He called this morning after you left. He said he needed to reschedule our meeting because he needed to go to Philadelphia for a week. Then, he suddenly asked if I could drop by today, and I did, and we talked and he wants to represent me!" She laughs happily, and a big grin spreads over my face. "I have an agent, Edward! I have an agent!"

"Oh my God, that's… That's wonderful news!"

"He's really nice too and he's already handed me a contract but I haven't signed anything yet of course oh Edward I'm so happy!"

"So am I, baby. Wow, that's… I'm so proud of you." I run a hand through my hair. "Jenks can look through the papers if you want," I say, referring to my lawyer.

"That would be great! Oh, I'm so happy! I have a feeling that things are really looking up! And I'll be moving in too, this weekend!"

Of course she's only technically moving in. We're together every spare minute. But, on Saturday, we're going to collect the rest of her stuff and she will return her keys to the landlord. We also had a little discussion the other night after Bella insisted on paying me rent. She knows that I own the apartment, and her suggestion was equally cute as it was ridiculous. It took me an hour to convince her otherwise.

"Yes," I say softly. "I can't wait for it to be our home. And we'll celebrate the great news tonight, okay?"

We say our goodbyes a few moments later and I get up to put my tray away.

"So your little actress is moving in with you, huh?"

Lauren. Great.

Things haven't been exactly rosy between us since the night of the ball, especially after my suspicion that Tanya and Lauren were apparently thick as thieves had been confirmed.

Her eyes are cold as she looks me up and down.

"Moving fast, aren't we? Considering you're not even divorced yet…"

"I fail to see how that's any of your business."

"You're such a fucking hypocrite, Edward. What are you going to do when you grow tired of her? Dump her, like you did with Tanya? Who, by the way wants nothing more than to try again."

"I don't have to listen to this shit," I mutter, making my way out of the cafeteria. "I don't know what Tanya told you, but I certainly did not dump her. As far as Bella and I are concerned, that's really none of your business. You did enough harm the other night. Have a nice day, Lauren."

With that, I turn on my heel and leave.

The encounter leaves a sour aftertaste, and the idea of Tanya and Lauren talking behind my back, getting all worked up over crazy fantasies is not exactly comforting.

If only I'd never made that mistake last year with Lauren! I knew she held a grudge against me for never responding to her advances, and her behaviour at the ball proved me right, but her and my almost-ex-wife together could equal dynamite.

Once I'm in the car, I try to shake my mood, and Bella and I celebrate her big news over dinner at Weber's Steakhouse. She is so happy and excited it's infectious.

"His name is Laurent. Laurent Franklin. He's in his fifties and very… well, funny, and totally to the point. He has this no-nonsense air about him. He's very charming, and he represents loads of stage actors, like Annabelle Katz, and Simon Cork, and Victoria Tracker and… and he's having a party at his house next weekend and he wants us to come. He especially said he'd love to meet you as well, and I know you'll love him!"

Her eyes sparkle and her cheeks are pink when she stops her little, Alice-like rant, and takes my hand.

"This is wonderful news, love." I swiftly kiss her knuckles. "Of course I'll come. If only to meet all the VIPs he's sure to invite."

Bella giggles and lightly slaps my arm. She's so vibrant, so happy and alive. We linger over dinner, chatting easily, simply enjoying each other's presence.

Saturday arrives sooner than expected due to a busy week. Seth and Collin are coming over to Bella's apartment to help, and so do Mike, Jessica, Jasper, Alice, Leah, Sam and Garrett, Bella's co-actor from the play she did. He brings his girlfriend, Katie, and among the lot of us, things are moving smoothly, the guys carrying the heavier pieces while the girls busy themselves packing some last boxes, cleaning up and putting the lighter objects into the rented u-haul. Around noon, everything is loaded up and we have a break in Bella's empty living room, eating sandwiches that Alice brought.

There's an odd fluttering in my stomach when Bella and I sit in the vehicle on our way to my house, where everyone is meeting us to unload her boxes and furniture.

"Excited?" I say, watching her from the corner of my eye.

Bella rolls her eyes. "Absolutely. It's strange, too, don't you think?"

"Very." I stop at a red light and quickly scoot over to kiss her. "But in an entirely good way."

BELLA

"Fuck," Edward groans as he drops the last of my boxes in the hall leading to the bedroom. He plops down on the little chaise beneath the window. Every surface is littered with boxes, suitcases, bags and pieces of furniture. It's even worse downstairs. I'm putting down the lonely plant I've been carrying and sit down next to him. The rain is drumming heavily against the windowpane, and it's grown dark outside.

"It's your own fault, you know," I say with a frown, "for never letting me carry anything."

"Bella." He opens his eyes. "Those boxes weigh a fucking ton. What have you in them anyway?"

I crawl on top of him and pull a damp strand of hair out of his face. Our friends left about an hour ago after we all had pizza and beer. The guys offered to help more, but I think that both Edward and I felt the need to be alone. He looks delectably messed up as I hover above him, planting a line of slow, soft kisses from his scruffy jaw line to his neck.

"Mmm," he protests. "I'm all sweaty and gross…"

"Well…" I softly pull his earlobe between my lips. "It just so happens that I like you all sweaty and gross…"

Sucking a little, I feel him relax. His hands come to rest on my buttocks and we kiss and snuggle and fool around for a while. I'm happy and thrilled and nervous and elated. Suddenly, everything is so real. I'm living on the Upper Eastside with my beautiful boyfriend. Eighteen months ago I was in Seattle, pretending to be happy in a relationship that was long dead.

I could drown in Edward, in the feel of his rough stubble as it grazes my neck, his silky strands of hair beneath my fingers, his scent stimulating me like it always does. He's right, he's sweaty after a day of carrying stuff, but it's Edward and I like it. He smells like Edward.

"I love you, I whisper thickly, suddenly overwhelmed with emotion. "I love you Edward."

He pulls back a little so he can look into my eyes.

"I love you too, Isabella. More than you can imagine."

We kiss more, but at some point Edward suggests that we take a bath, and I start running it while he potters around downstairs. I'm already waiting for him in the steamy, orange-scented water when he comes back. And the sight was well worth waiting for.

Standing in the door, Edward is stark naked in all his glorious perfection, carrying an ice bucket with a bottle of champagne and two glasses. I watch him set it down on the floor next to the tub, devouring him with my eyes. He's marvellous, as if God had made him as a prime example to show to all other men, telling them, that's how I meant you to be.

"Want to get wet?" I smirk, making room for him so he can join me.

"Definitely," he murmurs, sighing happily as he relaxes into the warm water, snaking his arms and legs around me while my head comes to rest on his chest. I love the way his body enwraps mine. The feeling of security he gives me never gets old.

I lazily run my fingers up and down his forearm, slowly tickling the wet hair. For a few minutes, we're both silent, enjoying the quiet and warmth and intimacy after a long and exhausting day. And then, Edward pours us two glasses of champagne and kisses my lips before we clink our glasses together. I notice the way his Adam's apple bobs up and down as he swallows, and his voice is low and loving when he says, "Welcome home, Bella."

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As always, thank you for reading. You see, your response makes me type quicker, and I hope you like and maybe review! See you soon, much love!