So Right But So Wrong

All I can say is WOW! Loads of new readers, lots of new reviews, and everyone seems to like it. Thank you. I love reading the reviews and often giggle at some of your comments. Keep them coming, I love them.

As usual, thanks go to SM, who owns everything, and Dollybigmomma, my long-suffering (and I do mean suffering) beta. Me…nothing, nada.

Chapter 26

BELLA

It was all a bit too quiet for my liking the week I resigned. Sure, there had been only a couple of days between actually handing in my resignation and leaving, but I was still expecting some sort of backlash.

Today was Friday, my last day. When I walked into my classroom this morning, I found a huge basket of flowers sitting proudly on top of my desk. I knew they weren't from Edward, since the types of flowers were all wrong. They were beautiful, though, the card gently tucked inside the top told me they were from all my colleagues in the English department. A wry smile crossed my face as my first class start to arrive.

By the end of the day, my desk was full of cards with messages saying "sorry you're leaving," "good luck," and "thank you," and even one that simply said "sorry" from Tanya Denali. There were more flowers that arrived throughout the day, boxes of chocolates, and lovely gift sets containing bathing products. I was quite overwhelmed.

I was meeting my colleagues and friends at the diner about seven o'clock. From the rumours I'd heard, there would be quite a crowd joining me. I'd asked for a later time, so I could go home and unload all my stuff and spend some time with Edward. He was already feeling left out, not being able to come along tonight, and I had refused to allow him to buy me a leaving gift. He had given me so much already, and most preciously, he had given me him.

When I arrived home, he helped me unload the flowers and bags. He was a little quiet, but I wasn't going to pander to his mood. Once all the stuff had been unloaded and the flowers arranged at various points around the house, I made my way up to our room. He didn't follow me immediately. That alone confirmed to me that he was sulking. It was the first time, really, that Edward had truly acted his age. I chuckled, knowing it would be driving him mad not knowing what I was doing up here.

I lay on the bed and decided to read all the well wishes in the cards again. I must have nodded off. When I woke up, I was cocooned in his strong arms, and I felt so much happier.

"Got over your little sulk?"

"I wasn't sulking, Bella, I was just realising how much I'm going to miss you at school. Why wouldn't you let me buy you a gift?"

"You've given me more than enough already, Edward, and most importantly, you've given me you. I could never ask or want anything more."

"Silly Bella, I like to buy you things. I've got you something, anyway. I'll give it to you when you come back later, if you're not too drunk. Alice is really looking forward to your farewell night out. I've told her to look after you closely, but she seems determined to have a rip roaring send off for you. Please be careful, won't you, love? I don't want any harm to come to the most precious thing in my life."

"Oh, so I'm more precious than your piano now?"

"You know you are, always have been. Since the first time we spent time together. I love you, I couldn't survive without you now, I do love my piano, but it's not something I couldn't live without. I'd just move to a different instrument."

I leaned over and kissed him gently on the lips.

"I love you, too, very much."

He left me to get ready, seemingly content now that we'd had time to talk and a cuddle. We both seemed to crave our special time just cuddling. I smiled as I showered, remembering how many times we had fallen asleep doing just that.

I dressed casually, and Alice was not happy with me. She had gone designer dress and the whole works. Seriously, we were in Forks, not Seattle. She looked incredible in her stilettos and short black cocktail dress. It enhanced her already pale complexion. I just went with dressy black slim jeans and a pretty top, paired with simple pumps and jewelry…casual but classy.

Edward smiled when I walked into the lounge.

"You look lovely, Bella." Esme said coming in from the kitchen.

"She always does, she's beautiful," Edward said quietly.

Alice skipped to my side, beside herself. I wondered if she even realised what sort of evening this would be. A teacher's get-together in Forks, hardly the centre of the universe, was definitely not somewhere to have a decent night out.

Edward was dropping us off, and I had reluctantly agreed to him picking us up later. Alice would ring when we wanted him to come. Hopefully, that way it would all seem natural and not raise too many eyebrows.

We walked hand in hand to the car. Alice jumped in the back, so I could sit next to Edward for the short journey. We held hands over the console all the way, his thumb gently rubbing my palm.

We couldn't kiss goodbye, so a squeeze of hands made do.

"Alice, please be good, and look after her for me, or you'll be sorry. I love you, Bella. Have fun, and I'll see you both later."

With that, he was gone. Inside the diner, there were already several people there. I made the introductions, and Alice being Alice, she fit in remarkably well. When Linda Cope arrived, she made a beeline for Alice, and they spent a good hour reminiscing about the days Alice spent at Forks high.

Jane arrived a little, later looking nothing like the school coach we saw every day. Gone was the track suit and trainers, replaced now with a short emerald dress and high-heeled black pumps. She carried it off well, being athletic.

"So, Bella, a lady of leisure for a while, what do you intend to do with your time?"

"Well, first off, I'm just going to relax, maybe catch up on some reading. Then I need to start looking for job in England, and I thought I'd also take the time to find somewhere for us to live."

I realised my mistake as soon as the 'us' was out of my mouth and looked around to see if anyone else had heard me. Fortunately, we were stood fairly separately from the rest of the group. She dragged me off then to sit in a small alcove.

"What's he doing tonight?"

"Jane."

"What? I'm only asking what he's doing while you're out."

"He's at home, revising I'd guess. We didn't really talk about it. He dropped us off and will pick us up later. Alice will ring him when we want to go home."

"Has he decided on which English university?"

"No, it's not final yet. His choice is between Oxford and The Royal College of Music. He has a couple of weeks left to decide for certain. He's rejected all the U.S. ones, no point in keeping those open when his heart is set on England. It makes sense for us to go there, the schools are world class, and we can start a new life without all the stigma. We'll just be us, end of story."

"You must love him very much to give up your career here, not to mention your dad is here. You're very brave, Bella. I hope it all works out for you both. He's a lucky boy, and I know I've said it before jokingly, but damn, Bella, you're a lucky bitch. Do you even realise how hot he is? I know all the girls and most of the female staff with a pulse get wet when he walks into a room." I cringed at her phraseology.

"Sorry, but it's true, he's gorgeous, tall, musically gifted, intelligent, and a perfect gentleman, and now I know he has other talents, too."

I rolled my eyes at her constant references to our sex life.

"Jane, I do love him desperately, and I agree he's gorgeous, talented, and a perfect gentleman, but it's so much more than that. We just fit together in every way. I have absolutely no doubts in mind about going to England with him. I think it'll be wonderful, and I can't wait."

We were joined then by several other colleagues, and the conversations took on a less personal vein. Alice was in her element, the male teachers hanging on her every word. I had seen her politely decline several invitations for dinner and requests for her number. She was as devoted to Jasper as I was to Edward.

Before I even realised how long we had all been out, people started to say goodbye. A quick glance at my watch told me it was well after midnight. I was hugged and kissed to within an inch of my life. Soon, there was only Alice, myself and Jane left.

"Are you going to ring Edward, Alice?" She threw me a shocked look. "She already knows; she caught us at school."

"Good job it was me and not one of the other teachers, wasn't it, Bella? It did cost her some pretty juicy information, though." I just rolled my eyes at her again.

"Oh, she confessed some smut, did she? Ha, well, Jane, you should live with them. They're all over each other all the time, and it really is a good job they have the whole of third floor to themselves. I don't know how poor Mum and Dad stand it. At least I don't have to be there all the time. I'd thought the novelty might've worn off by now. Unfortunately, I'm not that lucky. Don't get me wrong, I love Bella, and I'm so glad my brother has at last found someone that makes him happy. However, the rest of us don't live and breathe our partners, do we, Jane?"

"Well, I certainly don't. My husband has moved out because I won't have children right now. So no, I don't live and breathe anyone. I think Bella and Edward are really lucky to have found their other halves so young. When I see them together, I know they'll be just fine, no matter what. I really think getting out of Forks is the best thing, though. There are still too many dangers here, and they'll to have to be careful until they leave. Even after graduation, Bella, don't be too quick to be seen out and about with Edward. Mud sticks, and if Aro Volturi can discredit you and get his vengeance, he will, no matter that you're no longer a Forks high employee. Just be careful, promise me."

"Jane, I'm so sorry about your husband. Why didn't you tell me? I could've listened and been a shoulder for you to cry on."

"Really, girl, I'm fine. If my not wanting to have children right now was enough to send him packing, then there must've been something more wrong in our relationship. I just need to find my Mr. Right, like you have."

"Edward's on his way, he'll be here in about five minutes," Alice said.

All three of us finished our drinks. I had stopped drinking anything alcoholic about two hours ago, but Jane and Alice had been hammering it back all night, and both of them now looked worse for wear. I was going to make sure Jane got home safely. Edward would drive her home. We slowly made our way outside and waited. A few cars passed by, some even honked their horns at three woman on a Forks street corner. When a police cruiser rolled by and slowed down, I sighed deeply. My dad pulled to a stop and leant over to talk to us.

"Evening, ladies, I hope you had a good night. How are you getting home?"

"Dad, we're fine, you can go. Edward is coming to pick us up. He'll be here shortly."

He looked between myself, Jane and Alice, not knowing what to say.

"It's fine, Dad, Jane knows about me and Edward."

He seemed shocked, but I really didn't care that someone else knew. I knew that our secret was safe with Jane. Anyway, I didn't work at the school anymore, so what if the whole world found out?

Dad pulled off and drove away slowly, and Edward came around the corner less than a minute later. He readily agreed to give Jane a ride home. "You'll have to give me directions, Coach, or at least your address." he said as both she and Alice climbed into the back.

Her garbled response was just about loud enough for us to hear and understand. I knew where it was and directed Edward. When we arrived outside her place about ten minutes later, both Jane and Alice were fast asleep on the back seat.

"Oh, great," I said out loud, knowing Edward and I were going to have to get her into the house and possibly into bed.

"You do realise, lover boy, that this is Jane's ultimate fantasy, you taking her to bed," I teased him, raising my eyebrow.

"Funny, Bella, really funny, now which end do you want, top or bottom?"

Laughing loudly and dropping her several times, we eventually managed to get Jane inside and laid her on top of her bed fully clothed, minus her shoes. I found a throw and gently placed it over her. I wrote her a note, letting her know how she got home and into bed. I could not resist telling her she had snored her way through her greatest fantasy, and that she wouldn't get the chance again. Edward said I was cruel, but I just laughed. I was happy, tonight had gone well. People were nice to me, they were sad to see me leave, and I knew I had at least made one friend for life in Jane Clapp.

When we arrived home, we had to do the same thing with Alice, only this time I was happy to undress her and leave her in her underwear before tucking her in. Carlisle had rolled his eyes when we'd walked in, Alice being carried bridal-style in her younger brother's arms.

It was late, so we went straight to our room.

"At least I'm not having to carry you, too. That would've made for an interesting night. Did you not drink, love?"

"I had a couple of glasses of wine at the beginning of the night, but I swapped to lemonade after a bit. You know I'm not bothered about drinking."

"Good to hear, love. Are you having a shower before bed?"

"Yeah, I want to relax a bit, I might have a bath instead. Will you run it for me?"

"Only if I can join you?"

In the bath, I sat between his legs, with my back to his chest. The water was hot, and the scent of the bubble bath intoxicating. We were both totally relaxed.

"I missed you tonight, Edward. I'm so looking forward to England. We'll be able to go out together there, no more hiding, and it's legal to drink there at eighteen, so you'll be able to go into bars and have fun with me."

"We have to decide which university I'm going to go to in the next ten days. In the UK, you have to declare a first and second choice."

"Edward, this is your choice. I was happy to be a part of the choice of where, but the exact course and university is up to you. I've already gotten to do that myself, now it's your turn. You know now I'm with you all the way. This decision is one that should be yours alone to make. I'll be here for you to talk to about it, of course, but please, Edward, this is about what's best for you and your career, not mine."

"Okay, but I want you to have a least some input, even if it's only on which place you'd prefer to live."

"As long as I'm with you, I really don't have a preference."

I turned around and kissed him tenderly. We got out and dried each other, not bothering with clothes for bed tonight. We both seemed to need the feel of each other's skin. Wrapped in his arms, I remembered he had a present for me.

"Do I get my gift tonight?"

"Not the one I got for you, but you can have something else if you want."

He knew I wouldn't refuse.

The days until school's end seemed to fly by. How I ever had the time to work, I really didn't know. Edward had chosen The Royal College of Music in London. He'd swayed back and forth between the two. Both courses were just what he wanted, and the prestige of both a real pull. I had given him my opinion on both, and the choice had really come down to where they were located.

We decided that being in the capital made sense. I knew there were countless numbers of schools available, and finding a job would be much easier for me there than in the leafy suburbs of Oxford.

I spent hours, no days, on the internet looking for a place for to live. We had hoped to get a two-bedroom place, so that when family came to visit, we would have space to put them up, but the prices... Damn, we didn't want a corner of Buckingham Palace for heaven sakes, just a little place we could call our own. I spent hours on Google researching locations. It was hard when you didn't know anything about anywhere. London was so built up compared to what I was used to, and Edward was used to more luxury than I ever dreamed of. He said he would be happy to compromise and forego luxury, as long as we were together and happy.

I finally found a perfect one-bedroom place with a study-come-dining room we could have a pull-out in, on the border of Parson's Green and Fulham, convenient for Edward to commute on foot to the College. I had an array of schools close by to choose from, and a lot of them had vacancies for English teachers. I had wondered if the number of vacancies were a bad thing. Did it mean teachers didn't stay, because the kids were too tough? I guess I would have to take my chances and see. I certainly couldn't afford not to work. Especially now, knowing how much a place to rent would be.

Edward and I had talked and talked, well, argued really, about how we were going to be able to pay our way. The rent alone was in the region of fifteen hundred English Pounds every month, about what I could expect to bring home from any teaching job. So we had finally reached a compromise. I would cover the rent, and Edward would cover the bills, food and whatever else we needed. Carlisle and Esme were covering Edward's tuition for the three years, and of course, he had his trust fund. It didn't sit well with me, but at least he'd conceded to me contributing by paying the rent.

Now all I had to do was secure a position to start in September, when the English school year began anew. It might mean I had to fly over there to attend interviews, but I could handle that. Edward, of course, would want to come with me, and providing it was after graduation, I saw no problem at all.

It would also give us chance to look at our little flat and get a feel of where we would be located.

Exams were coming now thick and fast. His days were short, having only to attend for the exams themselves. I was far tenser than he was. He'd asked me if I didn't have faith in his abilities. I was shocked he'd think that was it, and he'd laughed at my reaction. This was me, Bella Swan, worrywart extraordinaire, whatever and wherever I would worry. If he was concerned now, he should wait and see me once we were in the UK and had no money, thousands of miles away from anything familiar. Then he'd really see how I could worry.

Today was Edward's last exam. Tonight, we had the place to ourselves. Carlisle and Esme had discreetly made plans to stay away overnight, giving us time to celebrate alone. I had planned a special dinner, and while Edward had been at school, I had been busy in the kitchen, marinating the steaks in the sauce and preparing the veg and potatoes.

Poor thing looked exhausted when he walked through the door.

"Oh, baby, it's over now, you can relax. We'll have a lovely evening, just the two of us."

"I'm just mentally worn out, love, nothing else. It might take me a while to wind down."

"Why don't you go have a nice long bath? I'll join you in a little while, once I'm done in here."

"That sounds like a wonderful idea, love, don't be too long," he said coming up behind me and nuzzling into my neck.

"As soon as I can, I promise."

I'd bought him a few bits and pieces for completing his exams, although I might not give them to him now. He was still refusing to give me the gift he'd gotten me when I'd left school a few weeks ago. His excuse was that the timing had to be just right. It had thrown me for a while, his reaction, what could possibly need the timing to be just right? I wondered.

I'd bought him a guide of London, a book detailing all the gig venues in and around the city, and a new leather student document bag with his initials engraved into the leather. I'd gotten it at the same shop I'd bought his Valentine's Day journal. The owner was only too happy to do what I asked, remembering my previous purchase. This bag was plain black, and the EAMC looked classy in the right-hand corner on both front and back. I'd hidden the gifts in our room, deep in my drawers, where prying eyes wouldn't look. Not that I thought Edward would snoop. He had no reason to think I was buying him anything.

Satisfied I had done all I could in the kitchen, I eagerly ran up the stairs to join him in our en suite bathroom. Music played quietly from Edward's iPod docking station, and when I first walked into the bathroom, I wondered if he was asleep. I stood and watched him for a few moments before moving closer.

"I'm not asleep, Bella, I've been waiting for you. Come on, love, get in, I want to hold you," he said without even opening his eyes.

"How did you know I was here?" I asked dropping my clothes on the floor, as I moved to step in.

"I've told you before; I don't need to be looking at you to know when you've entered a room. I just know…I feel your presence. That's the only way I can explain it, really. I just feel you."

This time, I did not sit between his legs with my back to him. I faced him and straddled his legs, putting mine around his waist and wrapping my arms around his neck, as I rested my head against his. I realised I have left myself open completely to him.

"This is nice," he said kissing my nose.

"Do you want me to turn around and sit like I usually do?"

"No, why would I? It's just different, and I like it. It means I can kiss you, and it also gives me easy access to all the parts of you I want to kiss and touch." His eyebrows rose, asking for permission.

I simply nodded and leaned forward to kiss him properly.

When he slipped inside me, my breath hiked at the sensation. We made a right mess on the floor, water slopping everywhere, but who cared, we'd clean it up later. We didn't even notice when the water cooled significantly, as we were too caught up loving each other.

Sated some time later, we move from the bathroom to the bedroom and crawled under the warm duvet. We snuggled and kissed, but I insisted he set his alarm. If we fell asleep, I needed to be woken up to put the food on. I was determined that all my hard work in the kitchen would not go to waste.

We did fall asleep, and when the alarm went off at five o'clock, I got up, albeit reluctantly. I was so comfortable, that it would have been so easy to turn over go back to sleep. He didn't stir, his face now relaxed, all the tension and stress of earlier gone. I would never tire of just looking at him, his strong chiseled jaw, his glorious lips, his eyes…even closed they were beautiful, his eyelashes to die for. How the hell did I get so lucky? If we stayed together all our lives, happy and in love, these few months of stress will have been so well worth it, and even if we didn't make it, I still wouldn't change a thing. He was worth every minute of worry, and I could not imagine him not being in my life, not being able to love him every single day.

I slipped out of bed, trying not to disturb him. I put on one of his shirts, leaving it unbuttoned, and forgoing any panties, I made my way into the bathroom. My clothes I'd dropped there were wet through now. I picked them up and put them in the laundry basket, dropping our towels down to soak up the water on the floor from earlier. We had made quite a mess. I giggle to myself remembering.

I bent over to retrieve the wet towels from the floor, and no sooner than I did, I felt him stood behind me, his erection pressing into my arse. I could not resist wiggling a little to tease him. I could not raise up, as his hands were on my waist in a second, and he thrust into me.

"Oh god, Bella, you're so tight. I'm sorry, but I just couldn't resist you bent over like that, your arse in the air, you wearing my shirt, your pussy teasing me. I just needed to be buried deep inside you," he groaned out, thrusting deeply and quickly.

This would not be sweet and tender lovemaking, but fucking at its best. He was so deep, and it felt so good. I grabbed the side of the tub as he pounded into me, his hands moving all over me, and his touches igniting me even more, until I came hard around him. He could not hold on any longer, either, and came with a roar seconds later.

He spun me around and kissed me thoroughly, then held me close, whispering words of love in my ear.

"I think we both need to shower. Come on," I said dragging him behind me into the large shower cubicle.

Downstairs later, I had all the food in cooking, so we relaxed in the lounge. The TV was on, but neither of us were paying much attention.

"I can't believe school is done, love, just graduation to get through, and then we're home free."

Feeling the timing was right; I dashed upstairs and got him my presents. Hiding them behind my back, I walked to the sofa slowly.

"I bought you some small bits, and I hope you'll like them. They're sort of in congratulations, now that your exams are over."

He looked up at me from his seat, his eyes full of love.

"You shouldn't have, love. Like you keep telling me, the gift of you is enough."

He pulled me down next to him, and I handed him one at a time. He laughed at the guide of London, but agreed it would come in handy. The gig guide was well-received, too. He spent a few minutes looking up locations and deciding where we would go for our first gig. When I handed over the largest gift, he looked at me and smiled almost shyly. Once open, he just sat and looked at the leather document bag, touching the lettering gently, his eyes glazed over with tears.

He turned to me, he said, "You will never know what this means to me. Everything you've ever given me is just so special. You know me so well, Bella, and I love that all your gifts are so personal. It means so much to me that you put so much thought into buying me gifts. I only wish I were so good at buying you things. My sentiment is exactly the same, but I clearly so don't have your talent. Thank you, love. I love them all, they're perfect."

His tears did not fall, and I was glad, because he would have set me off, and then we'd be blubbering wrecks for the rest of the evening. I made to move, going back into the kitchen to check on our dinner.

"Hey, wait for a minute; I still didn't give you your leaving present, did I?"

"No, I was beginning to think you'd changed your mind."

"Never, just let me get it. Sit there, don't move."

Where he went off to, I didn't know. Not upstairs, that was for sure, and when he returned, he was carrying a large square-looking object that looked like a picture of some sort. It was wrapped in pretty violet tissue paper.

"Thank you, Bella, for giving up your career here in Forks to save our relationship. I love you."

He handed over the gift, and I stood to receive it, opening it slowly. The frame was wood, sturdy, and I liked it. When the tissue came off, I looked at it stunned. I really didn't know what to say. Inside the frame was Edward's poem, beautifully presented, written in an elegant calligraphy, on what looked like parchment. The words brought tears to my eyes now. The difference was mine poured down my face.

"I thought it would remind you of our time here in Forks," he said gathering me in his arms and wiping my tears away. "The words have a second meaning now, too. They also describe how I feel about you."

"Oh, Edward, it's wonderful, and it looks so old. How did you...?"

"An old friend of Esme's owns a print shop. I asked her for a favour, and she did the rest. I think I chose the right font, don't you?"

"It's perfect, I love it. It'll take pride of place in our new home. Edward, you know you said were no good at buying me gifts, but I have news for you. You're so much better than you think."

Our evening was perfect. We danced to specially selected music, and we'd never been closer. It was hard to think our lives in England could get any better than this.

I was waiting to hear from several applications I'd put in. All were local to where we were going to be living, and I hoped if the interviews were fairly close together, it would mean just one trip of about a week. The closing dates were all the same date, so I would just have to juggle the times if I were successful. Edward was supremely confident that I would be offered every job I applied for. Bless him for his unwavering faith in me.

George Bartley had rung me to tell me three schools had been in touch, asking for a verbal reference. Things seemed to be going my way for once.

We spent the days together now, planning for our move. We had sent off the deposit and first months' rent on our new home. I promised to pay him back as soon as I received my first salary. We order trunks to carry our stuff, and we booked tickets for a short five-day stay for me to attend four interviews. We were flying to London on June 25th, five days after Edward's birthday. I had really wanted to spend his birthday away, so we could celebrate it properly, but we'd still be here. However, an unexpected phone call meant we'd get to celebrate his special day together, out and about like I'd planned, just not in London.

I was going to try and keep our destination a secret, at least until we had to travel. I liaised with my contact, and we made plans to make the three days we were going to be away very special. We would leave Forks on the 19th and return on the 22nd, giving us enough time to get ready to fly across the Atlantic. I was so looking forward to it. I hoped I would be able to give Edward a birthday he'd remember for a long time to come.

Next up is Edward's graduation and birthday treat, and then off to London for interviews.

Reviews are love, leave me some!