A/N- Hello everyone! I had a bit of a panic attack with this chapter. I went to send it to my wonderful beta, katydid2363, and it was no where to be found in my docs!! The chapter 28 in my docs was the next chapter and I went in full blown heart fail because I knew I had written this chapter and I also knew that if I didn't find it there would be no way to replicate it. So after ripping my desk apart my coworker (of all people) suggested that maybe it was still in my notebook. She was right. Underneath my feet sat my bag I had taken to Miami with me and inside was my trusty notebook. *sigh* Anyways, sorry for the delay. The Brightside was I had the chapter all written out, the downside was I had to type it all up. THEN oh yes, it gets better, in the middle of typing this monster up, our power went out at the office. At this point I was ready to say to hell with it but my computer recovered the doc and all was well.
Also, the read along was two weeks ago and it was so much fun! Thank you LMGoldenEyes again for doing that. I gained so many new readers and I want to apologize up front because normally I reply to every single review but I haven't in the last two weeks. I have good reason though. I finished this story last week! Yay! So now all the power lies with Kathryn.
The title chapter of this song had originally been intended to be an outtake from Emmett's POV but the more I kept writing the more I knew I had to use the song and all of his crazy antics in the full story. Also, both Edward and Bella's POV are present in this chapter. I hope you all like it! So let's get on with it! I have more to say at the bottom so I hope you all stick around!
Chapter 28
Toes
By: The Zach Brown Band
It had been a week since Rose & and Em's wedding. To say we were busy was an understatement. The house Edward and I had built, as well as Jasper and Alice's were finally complete. We had spent the last week moving things out of storage and into their respective places. and closings were set for Thursday. where notNot only would I be closing on the new house, but also on the closing of on Charlie's house.
Jessica had called late Sunday night to let us know the buyers wanted to do one final walk through of the place on Monday. They also had requested that I be present for it.
I had never bought and sold real estate before but I was sure that this wasn't the norm. I talked it over with Edward and we agreed to both meet her at the house Monday afternoon. It worked out perfectly because Edward was able to get some work down done while I spent the morning arranging cabinets in the kitchen.
At three, Edward walked over to our house so we could make our way to Charlie's together. As we pulled into the driveway, Jessica was there waiting for us. Edward, whom I had remembered hadn't seen her since high school, seemed a little apprehensive about the little reunion. I tried to reassure him that she was the same old Jessica we had gone to school with but that only seemed to make matters worse. Somehow I had forgotten about how flirtatious she was towards him.
We stepped out of the car and as soon as soon as he shut the door she was in his arms. If I had not found it so comical that she made him that uneasy I might have been slightly perturbed. The fact remained that in five days time we were going to be married. I had no use of jealousy when every thing I had ever wanted was happening in my life.
"Edward! Oh my gosh! Look at you!" Jessica exclaimed as she surveyed his body. "Bella doesn't it just make you sick how guys always seem to age so much more gracefully than women?"
I held back my laughter. Edward looked like he wasn't sure whether he should be offended or grateful.
"Sure does Jess," I said and winked at Edward.
"I on the other hand I am taking measures to make sure I look forever young. I mean there is so much out there now that you can do so you never had have to look a day over twenty-five ," she continued to babble on. "Okay, well the buyers should be here in just a minute. Do you have any questions before they arrive?"
"No I don't think so. Edward, do you?"
"Nope. None I can think of."
"Great!" Jessica said as she clapped her hands together. "Let's go inside and wait for them there. It looks like it could rain."
We followed Jessica up to the house and stayed a few paces behind her. Edward nudged my arm when she thought she was out of earshot.
"She really is the same Jessica. How in the world does Mike put up with it?"
"Oh Edward, did you not hear her? She takes drastic measures to remain young."
"Does one of those measures include her constantly running her mouth?"
I had to surpress a giggle because I didn't want Jessica to know we were laughing at her expense. She opened the front doors of the house and it was empty and eerily quiet. Edward looked around as he shut the door behind himself.
I felt a pang of guilt coarse course through my body as we stood in the dissolute desolate living room. It almost felt as if I was leaving a part of myself behind by selling the house. I knew it was the right thing to do. If just walking in the house did this to me, there was no way I would be able to live here day in and day out.
"Oh good, they're here. I'll be right back you two ," Jessica shouted and rushed outside to greet the new buyers.
Edward came up behind me and brushed my hair over to one side, then placed a kiss on my exposed neck.
"You okay?"
I nodded. "Yeah, it's just kind of weird."
"Believe me, I know." He sighed and wrapped his arms tighter around my waist. "Baby, you know I would do anything for you right?"
"Yes…" I said drawing the word out.
"Well, I don't think I could have moved in here."
"Yeah, me either. I was just thinking that same thing."
I could hear voices on the other side of the door as Edward and I remained in the living room. Jessica's voice was easily recognizable. "No, I didn't tell them," she said as she opened the front door.
"Didn't tell us what?" I asked thoroughly confused.
Jessica smiled. "The new buyers wanted their identity kept a secret, until now." With those words she stepped to the side to allow the new owners to come into my full sight.
There was no doubt my mouth hung open as I gaped at Lauren Mallory and her… her partner. The room was silent as Edward and I stared at the two women.
"I know right?" Jessica spoke to fill the silence. "Your You're speechless. I told you they would be speechless." ," She she said to Lauren and the other woman.
"Bella, I'm sorry if we have caught you by surprise," Lauren began.
"No, no, no," I started, "It's fine. I'm just a little shocked that's all. You don't seem to harbor the same style as my dad."
"Oh believe me, we don't," the other woman said as she looked around the room.
"Bella, I'm sorry this is my wife, Kelly. Kelly, this is Bella Swan and Edward Cullen."
"Hello," we all said to one another.
"Lauren, it's really great to see you," Edward said. "You look great."
"Thank you, Edward. I have to say, if I were into men Bella here would be given a run for her money."
Kelly snorted. "You always go for the pretty ones don't you?" she asked Lauren.
"I went for you didn't I?"
Edward looked momentarily uncomfortable. I had a feeling he wasn't sure whether or not to be turned on by them or not.
"So," Jessica interrupted. "Do you want to do your final walk through before the closing tomorrow?"
Kelly and Lauren nodded and began to make their way through the house. I followed behind them because in my own way, I was saying goodbye. I knew this would be the last time I was going to be in the house.
Edward was hot on my heals heels as we listened to how Lauren and Kelly were going to turn the house from a "no style man cave" to a "modern day woman's chic". Those were Kelly's exact words.
I had to admit it stung a little to hear about all of the renovations they had in mind. But the more I thought about it, the more at peace I felt. I figured Charlie wouldn't mind all the changes. If anything, I imagined he was getting a kick out of the idea of two women sharing a bed in his old room. Because isn't that like every guys fantasy? Two chicks?
After the upstairs had been checked out, we stood in the living room and talked about the closing that was scheduled for the following day.
"Are you excited?" Lauren asked in reference to the new house.
Edward and I both beamed. "Very much so," I said.
"So tomorrow will be your first night together in your brand new house?" Kelly asked with a devilish smirk on her face.
"Actually no," Edward replied. All three ladies looked shocked at the news. "We've decided that we want to spend our first night in the house as a married couple."
"Yeah, I mean, we've done everything else ass backwards, we might as well strive to do one thing right," I added.
"Well," Kelly began. "You're going to make a beautiful bride, Bella."
I smiled because as much as I wasn't one to think too highly of myself, I knew she was right.
We all said our good-byes to one another and I took one last look at the house as Edward and I walked to the car. Quietly, to myself, I said goodbye to the house I had grown up in.
As Edward put the car in gear and eased out of the driveway down the street, I realized that I had put another piece of my past behind me. All that was in front of me now were the endless possibilities of a wonderful future.
"You know baby," Edward said, taking me out of my momentary mind zone.
I turned to face him replying with a small 'hmmm'.
"If I didn't know better I'd think Kelly was hitting on you earlier."
***
Wednesday, before the wedding
"Hey you guys!"
All six of us turned around to the sound of the booming voice. It was Emmett; His hand was intertwined with Rosalie's as they made their way towards the passenger loading area of the airport.
Jasper and Edward immediately burst out in laughter the closer they approached us. It was obvious as they neared us what was so funny.
Emmett with his tall, muscular build was wearing a shirt with one of the seven dwarfs on it. Rosalie looked equally ridiculous as she strutted in her best runway walk, wearing a similar shirt. As the rest of us took in what the shirts said, in unison we all followed suite suit in unison behind Jasper and Edward with the gut wrenching laughter.
"Pretty funny huh?" Emmett asked.
"And oh so true," Rosalie mocked.
Emmett grabbed a hold of Rosalie, as he put his arm around her neck and pulled her body to his. He had a goofy smile plastered across his face as he pointed back and forth between his shirt and Rosalie's like we were slow at understanding the joke.
"Get it? I'm with Grumpy?" He said pointing back to her shirt that was a picture of Grumpy from the Seven Dwarfs. Grumpy in turn had his finger pointed towards Emmett's shirt that was had a picture of Dopey. Rosalie simply rolled her eyes.
"Oh we get it Em and it's classic," Jasper howled.
After everyone regained their composure we sat and waited for our plan plane to the Bahamas to begin boarding. Talks of Emmett and Rosalie's honeymoon dominated the conversation.
"Did you get your picture made with Mickey?" Edward asked. I knew he wanted to laugh because he found it hilarious that of every where in the world to honeymoon, they chose Walt Disney World.
"Well hell yeah!" Emmett fired back. "And Minnie, Donald, Goofy- he's one crazy S.O.B.- all the princesses, Mater from Cars, oh and those fuckawesome dudes Phineas and Ferb."
"Well, it seems you got them all covered," Edward said unable to hold back his laughter any longer.
Emmett made a move to tackle his brother once he realized why Edward found it all so funny. Before he could make it to him, Esme grabbed the back of his jeans and pulled him back into his seat. He tilted his head and looked at his mother, horror masking his face.
"You may be twice my size and a married man but you will not charge after your brother in a public place," Esme chided.
Edward stuck his tongue out at Emmett but it didn't go unnoticed by Esme.
"Edward Anthony!" she said pointing her finger to him. "Same goes for you."
This time it was us girls, along with Jasper who couldn't hold back laughter. We were all still in a fit of giggles as they called for our plane to begin boarding. We all gathered our carry on bags and made our way onto the plane. Edward and Emmett looked like two jilted children as they walked towards the loading bay. Jasper hung back as I walked in with Rosalie and Alice. I heard Jasper laugh and make fun of his brother- in- laws.
"Dudes, y'all just got schooled by your mom in front of the ladies."
***
Edward POV
It felt like as soon as we were in the air we were back down again. The flight to the Bahamas seemed to take no time at all. I was thankful because I had always hated flying. I never really knew why. Maybe it was 9-11, I didn't don't know, but as soon as my feet hit the dirt, I wanted to kiss the ground.
Rosalie had arranged for a limo to pick us up from the small airport in Nassau and take us to the Atlantis resort. I was thankful for the ruckus in the car ride there. That and the alcohol that seemed to be never ending. It wasn't that I was nervous for this weekend but more anxious than anything. Anxious to make her officially mine. There was something about Bella becoming a Cullen. A sense of pride if you will. She and I sharing the same last name not to mention a lifetime of happiness together.
We pulled up to the hotel and for a moment I think we were all blown away but it's size. Sure we had all seen pictures but nothing compared to being here in person.
I stepped out of the limo first and held out my hand to my soon to be wife.
Wife. Just thinking about it made me smile. She noticed of course, she always did.
"Why do you have that goofy grin on your face?"
"What? I can't be happy to be here?"
"Oh you can be happy all you want…for now."
"For now?" I asked puzzled. "What do you mean?"
Bella rolled her eyes but smiled in doing so. "Were you not listening to your sister in the car ride over?"
I shook my head. "No but I tend to drown Alice out when she gets on a roll. From the look on your face I can tell that's not a good thing."
"Nope it's not. You missed hearing that we will be in separate rooms until our honeymoon night. When you didn't fight her on it I just assumed you were okay with it."
Hold the phones. What? Three nights with no Bella in my arms? This was not how I had intended to begin my trip.
"I guess it's my own fault then. Tell me, who am I bunking with?"
"Your brothers."
"Great," I said as sarcastic as I could grumble out.
"Hey," she said tugging at my shirt. "It's not so bad. Just think about how great our first night as man and wife is going to be." She palmed my chest and rubbed her smooth hand across my shirt. I grabbed a hold of it and held it in mine.
"But how will I ever make it three days without having you next to me?" I asked as my chin skimmed the side of her face. Her breathing hitched when I spoke into her ear.
"We'll find ways baby. I promise."
"Hey!" Emmett called out. "Get a room."
"Seems I've already got one." I shot back. "Looks like we're roomies for the next few days."
The look on Emmett's face was priceless. It seemed that he too had not been paying attention when the talk in the car had been had. He called and chased after Rosalie who was hugging and kissing an unfamiliar woman.
"You boys will learn one day," Alice chirped as she walked past us. She took Bella by the hand and led her over to Rosalie.
Mom and Dad had already entered the lobby of the hotel with the rest of our party. Jasper was the only other person left with me. He appeared to be in a serious discussion with the bellman. I'm sure it had everything to do with Alice's luggage.
As soon as he was done he walked over to be and slapped his hand on my back. "You ready man?"
As we walked into the lobby I took a deep breath before answering him. "For the next three nights with no Bella? No. For the rest of my life with her? Absofuckinglutley."
He smirked. "Awe man, what's three nights compared to a lifetime? That's how I'm looking at it."
"I guess you're right. Now, you want to try and explain it that way to Emmett?"
"Nah, let him be pissy."
Our family was at the reception desk, all engaged in talks with the woman Rosalie had been outside talking to. Jasper and I joined them, mid conversation, about our sleeping arrangements. Emmett still wore a scowl on his face. Jasper was right. What was three nights versus a lifetime?
"Guadalupe, this is the groom himself, Edward," Rosalie said in way of introductions to our hotel provided wedding coordinator.
"Nice to meet you," I said flashing my smile.
"Likewise. I was just telling your bride that we have four rooms booked for your party until Sunday. Saturday we will have the honeymoon suite ready for you two after the wedding. I also," she began redirecting her focus to towards Bella, "have everything from the linens to the flowers in order for the ceremony on Saturday."
"I'll need to go over those with you ," Alice said. Hotel appointed wedding coordinator or not, my sister was the self appointed family planner.
Guadalupe simply nodded. She handed keys off to everyone and assured us that in the next hour or so our things would arrive to in our rooms.
Our groups walked to the elevators and we filled filed in like school children. All of our rooms were located on the sixteenth floor. I was happy for that because being on separate floors would have made it that much harder to sneak off to see Bella.
All was quiet until we reached the sixth floor. The doors opened and an older couple maneuvered their way into the lift. The problem was there was no room. Between the eight of us and our one carry on bag a piece, not another sole soul could fit. Instead of cramming themselves in, they opted to wait for the next elevator. As soon as the doors shut, Emmett opened his mouth and began to sing.
"Adios and Vaya con Dios
A long way from W.A
Gonna lay in the hot sun and roll a big fat one
And grab my guitar and play"
We all turned our heads to look at Emmett in disbelief.
"What?" He he said and shrugged.
"Dude, you don't play the guitar," Jasper vocalized.
"Shut the fuck up man."
"Damn Em! Did you use that kind of language at the happiest place on Earth?" Jasper asked my brother.
Rosalie laughed. "What's so funny woman?" Emmett asked of his wife.
She shook her head but continued to laugh.
"Oh hell no!" Jasper said. "You better tell us."
Rosalie tried to stop laughing long enough to tell us what had her so worked up. "Emmett was too busy drying his eyes to bother with cussing."
"Are you fucking serious? You cried at Disney World?" I asked in utter shock.
Emmett glared at me. "I got emotional when I saw Mickey. So sue me alright?"
"And Pooh, and the fireworks, and the parades," Rosalie added hardly able to get the words out.
"Fuck y'all!" Emmett said as we all roared with laughter. Even Mom and Dad were fit to be tied.
The elevator chimed as we reached our floor. Emmett was the first one out as he tried to escape the never-ending laughter that was at his expense. We all slowly filed out of the lift and made our way to our respective rooms.
"It looks like we are at this end," My my dad said. "These must be the other two rooms and Renee and Phil's must be on the other end."
"Parents on opposite ends while the kids are next door?" My my mother asked. "I don't know Carlisle. It would make more sense for the kids to be on opposite ends."
"NO!" Six separate voices said in unison.
My mom smiled. She knew exactly what she was doing. "C'mon honey," my dad said as he grabbed for my mother's hand. "Let's get settled. How about we meet for dinner downstairs at six?"
We all agreed and said our good-byes. Jasper held our room key and Alice had the girls'. As if they rehearsed it, they both slid the keys in and opened the doors at the same time. Emmett and Rosalie followed right behind them. I stepped into the opening of the door and turned my head towards the girls' door where Bella stood motionless. She smiled at me and blew a kiss, which I caught and placed in my pocket. Call me queer, Emmett would, but I don't care. It made Bella smile when I did it.
We both stepped into our separate rooms at the same time. The room, and the view, it were all spectacular. The only thing missing was the love of my life. Instead I got my sister.
What the hell was Alice doing in our room?
"Alice, how in the hell did you get in here?" I asked as Rosalie appeared next to Emmett.
"Duh!" She replied and pointed to a plain, hidden door. "Adjoining rooms. Geez Edward, you're not the only love sick fool around here."
I smiled but began looking around the room for Bella. She appeared in the doorway of the two room's seconds later. She bit her lip and smiled when she saw my shocked, but relieved expression.
"You knew didn't you? You knew when you mentioned it earlier."
She giggled as she joined the rest of us in the room.
"Yes and I'm sorry but seeing the look on your face was priceless."
"Oh was it now? Get over here," I said as I reached my hand out and pulled her towards me. I kissed the side of her temple and held her tight against my body.
"Okay guys, here's the deal." Alice moved around the room handing us each a sheet of paper.
An itinerary. I should have known.
Bella and I broke the hold we had on one another to read over our schedules.
"Okay so first off, you're welcome for the adjoining rooms." Offers of thanks were said a out loud by everyone. "I do have one stipulation." When we didn't interrupt she continued on.
"We will be sharing these two rooms for the next two nights, Edward do not look at me like that. You will only have one night away from Bella. Friday night."
Jasper walked over to me and whispered, "One night is a hell of a lot better than three dude."
I gave him a weak smile. I knew he was right. Besides, Emmett had to do the same thing just a few weeks ago.
"Okay so if you'll read along with the first page you'll see we are having dinner at six. After dinner we will all retire up here for the night. You may not feel it now but by the time you get a belly full of food you're going to be exhausted."
Before any of us could agree or disagree, Alice continued straight on.
"Moving on to day two. Bella," Alice asked, "when are your mom & and Phil arriving?"
"Um, not until late tomorrow night."
"I'll make sure to leave a copy of the itinerary with the front desk so she'll know the plan for Friday. Now Thursday, tomorrow, is our fun day. We will have breakfast at eight, sight seeing until noon, break for lunch, and then an afternoon of water activities."
"Do these water activities include that big ass slide I saw when we checked in?" Emmett asked as he stared out the window.
"Or just sitting on the beach doing nothing?" Rosalie added.
"No kidding babe. I'm ready to have my toes in the water, ass in the sand." Emmett sang out.
"Yes, we will have time for both." Alice answered. "From two until five is water fun. Here's my other thing, I want us to do everything as a group. Who knows when the next time all of us will be together on a vacation again."
It seemed to please Alice that none of us objected. She had a point. As much as I wanted quality alone time with Bella, I knew after Saturday I would have a lifetime to plan trips were it was just she and I.
"Really?" Alice asked. "No one is going to fight me on this?"
We all shook our heads no. "Oh my gosh I think I'm going to cry. Yeap," she said wiping away tears, "I'm crying."
Bella and Rosalie walked over to Bella Alice where the three embraced in a hug. Emmett and Jasper looked over at me. We simply shrugged.
"Okay, okay. I'm okay. Now, where were we? Oh yes, after five we'll get ready for dinner that will be at seven and if we feel up to it, maybe some gambling at the casino."
"Hells yeah! All the mu cha cha's will call me Big Poppa when I throw peso's their way," Emmett sang along again.
I couldn't help but smile at my brother. Sometimes though, I wasn't sure how he came up with the things he did.
"Are you done Emmett?" Alice asked and planted her hand on her hip. "Or are you going to bust out in song again? Because if you feel the need to finish the song, please by all means, we'll wait."
I'm not sure what had come over my sister. She had gone from emo to bitchy in about thirty seconds flat. This was strange behavior, even for her.
"Okay then, day three, Friday. This will be the one day we spend apart. Girls, we are having a bridal brunch at ten."
"Brunch?" Bella inquired.
"Yes Bella, brunch. You know the meal after breakfast but before lunch?"
"I'm aware of the meaning of brunch, Alice. I just wasn't aware you had planned one."
"We didn't get to plan you a bridal shower so this will be it in a way."
Bella smiled and I could tell she was trying to fight back tears. "Thank you," She she softly said.
"You're welcome sweetie. Now for the boys, you have a tee time at ten. You're afternoon will pretty much consist of eighteen holes of golf, while we brunch and get our nails done. Rehearsal starts at five," Alice rambled on, "and dinner is at six thirty."
"Now Edward." My sister's gaze was fixed on mine as she inched closer. "Once the rehearsal dinner is over with and we are all settled in our room, those doors," she said pointing to the two door that connected the rooms, "will remain shut and locked. Capiche?"
I held up my hands in surrender. "Capiche, Alice."
"Good! So the final page is the wedding day itself. Edward, I expect you to be dressed and ready by ten."
"Alice, the wedding doesn't start until eleven."
I should have just kept my mouth shut. My sister could be really scary when she wanted to be.
"I'm not stupid Edward but you will be ready by ten! Do I make my self clear?"
"Loudly," I said and nodded. I made a mental note to avoid Alice at all costs over the next few days.
Alice clapped her hands together and squealed. "Great! Let's get ready for dinner. I feel like I could eat the ass end of a horse right about now."
***
Thursday
We never faltered from Alice's internally itinerary as we began our first official day on the island. Breakfast was promptly at eight, followed by sightseeing until noon. We walked the grounds of the hotel seeing as much as we could given the size of the place.
Most of our morning had been spent touring the marine habitat. It wasn't until we reached the Mayan Temple Lagoon that we wanted to jump ship from the schedule. We still had another hour until lunch but we boys, and that included my dad, were anxious to begin the water activities for the day.
We had been standing off to the side watching the sharks' swim in the tank when out of no where a person slid through our view. We stood and watched a few more people slide through the tank before we concluded that they were on the big ass slide Emmett had so eloquently pointed out the day before. From that moment on we were all unbearable to be with. Excitement buzzed through us all. Emmett bounced up and down like a kid at Disney World. It was then that I finally understood how he must have felt when he saw Mickey Mouse for the first time.
Alice finally relented, allowing us to venture off schedule. Thankfully we had all dressed in our swimsuits before leaving for the day. None of us were in any kind of shape to wait for someone to go back to the room to change clothes.
The girls had decided to sit out, opting to eat lunch at the small café we had passed on our way to the Mayan Temple Lagoon. Alice was adamant that she be fed. I had never seen my sister consume so much food before. It was like her stomach had become a bottomless pit.
We promised the girls we wouldn't be long. Just one trip down the slide a piece and then we would join them for lunch.
Two hours and countless trips through the shark tank later, we walked to the café the girls had been at only to find they weren't there. A lady behind the counter walked over to us as we scanned the tables for our better halves.
"You wouldn't happen to be the Cullen party would you?"
"Yes, that's us," My my dad answered.
She smiled graciously. "Your wives said to tell you that they were sticking to the timeline. The short dark haired one said you would understand what that meant."
My father nodded and thanked the lady. She walked off and then my father turned his attention to us. "Well, since we're already here we might as well eat."
A half-hour later, with our stomachs happy, we made a move to rejoin the girls. Luckily as we made our way down to the beach, we passed my mother.
"Oh, deciding to join us I see?"
"Sorry mom. We got kind of preoccupied," Emmett said as he slipped his flip-flops off.
"We saw. You boys looked like you were having fun out there."
At the same time we all began to tell my mom about the slide and the sharks. We were all talking over one another there was no way she could have caught it all, if anything. Instead she merely laughed.
"I'm going to the room to lie down for a while," She she said, looking at my father the whole time.
"Yeah, you boys have worn an old man out. I think I'll join you dear," My my dad added leaving us boys alone.
Before they left, my mom had one last thing to say.
"Boys, I wouldn't go down there empty handed. Edward and Emmett, there is a bar along the way. Rosalie and Bella specifically requested something with and an umbrella in it. Jasper dear, Alice wants chocolate."
We said our good-byes to my parents and walked along the beach in search of the items we were requested to bring back.
"Dudes, your dad may have said we tired him out but I think he's gonna let mama Esme do just that," Jasper joked.
It wasn't funny. Not by a long shot.
"Yeah, well where in the fuck are you going to find chocolate at?" I shot back.
The smile from his face dropped as he muttered a string of profanities under his breath. He ran back towards the hotel to find a candy shop. I had to hand it to Alice. I imagined she wasn't happy and that was her way of making Jasper pay for it.
While Jasper searched for Alice's chocolate, Emmett and I took up residence at the bar. We had one beer apiece before Jasper returned. He looked beside himself that he had fulfilled his wife's request.
With our new beers and the drinks for the girls in hand, we made our way over to the women. They were in a nice secluded area of the beach. The three of them sat in beach chairs that were practically sunk in the sand. They sat so close to the water that every time a wave crashed on the shore, it sped past them and buried their feet deeper into the sand.
I watched from a distance as the sun glistened off her the skin of my soon to be wife. She radiated beauty like I had never seen before. It was a miracle to me that she wanted to spend the rest of her life as my wife.
Jasper and Emmett grabbed three extra chairs and lined them up next to the girls. At once, all three of their heads turned to look at us. The large sunglasses they each wore masked their eyes. Once they saw we had their refreshments in our hands, smiles spread across each of their faces. We readjusted the seating arrangements so that we could each sit next to our respective partners. Emmett led the pack, followed by Rosalie, then Bella and myself. Jasper and Alice closed up the rear.
We sat in silence for a moment. Those of us with drinks sipped while I could hear Alice devour her chocolate at the end of the row.
"I finally got my toes in the water," Emmett sang. This time, Rosalie finished the lyric for him.
"Ass in the sand."
Bella raised her head and smiled. "Not a worry in the world."
She squeezed my hand and I took it as a clue that she wanted me to continue with the next line of the song. "A cold beer in my hand."
"Life is good today," Jasper sang next not missing a beat.
"Life is good today," Alice trailed behind while licking her fingers clean of any chocolate she might have missed.
I smiled and dug my toes deeper in the sand. Right now, in this very moment, I felt relaxed and happy. No schedules to keep, just the next few hours of nothing but sitting in a beach chair while the water cascaded over my feet and legs. The woman of my dreams holding my hand, my best friends, around me, life was definitely good today.
***
At five o'clock on the dot, Alice announced that water time was over. She insisted it was time to head back to our rooms and get ready for dinner. I was beginning to wonder about my sister. It seemed she might have a tapeworm.
By seven we were all dressed and in the elevator, on our way to the restaurant Nobu. After dinner we all agreed to blow some cash at the casino.
First things first.
If I haven't mentioned it before my fiancée is one smart cookie, a horny smart cookie.
All through dinner Bella's toes skimmed along my legs. Her hands would some how find themselves in my lap and rub against the growing bulge in my pants. It took all I had not to take her right then and there.
But she was brilliant.
She claimed after dinner that she had forgotten her ID upstairs in the room. It was the lustful look she had given me that made me announce to everyone that I suddenly had to use the restroom. It was a lie but I wanted to join her for five minutes alone in the room.
Alice, having the sixth sense she did, promptly informed me that the bathrooms that were located right outside of the restaurant would work just was well as those in our room. In my defense, because I'm a needy man, I threw out the only thing I knew of that would get her off my back.
I don't shit where there is more than one toilet.
It seemed to do the trick because Alice, along with everyone else, didn't argue with me. I just prayed with my little outburst that I hadn't ruined the mood with Bella.
We rode the elevator in silence. The only exchange of contact we had with one another was the occasional brush of our arms. I felt like a nervous teenager about to lose his virginity. I guess that's what three days of no sex did to a person. It seemed ironic that I was jonesing for Bella when up until a few months ago I had gone without my entire life.
Once the elevator chimed, signaling the arrival of our floor, we both hastily exited. The door of the room had barely closed before I had her pinned against it.
I kissed her frantically. It was the first time in two days that we had really been alone and I knew that our time was limited. Alice would be sending someone, if not herself, to check on us if we delayed too long.
My body was pressed to Bella's as she wrapped her arms around my neck, only pulling me that much closer. I grabbed her by her thighs and pulled her legs around my waist.
With her back pressed against the wall, she began to lower her hands and work to get the buttons of my pants undone. She worked to push them down my legs and frantically began to do the same with my boxers. I gave a little wiggle so that they would fall with ease.
I stood, naked from the waist down, assaulting Bella with hot, needy kisses. I needed more from her. I needed to feel her. In that moment, I thanked whatever fashion Gods Alice prayed to for the dress she had supplied for Bella. My hands skimmed her inner thighs as I found the glory land. I teased her through the soft cotton panties she had on under her dress. Her head fell to one side as tiny moans began to escape her mouth.
"We only have a few minutes," I said through ragged breaths.
"Then quit wasting them talking," she said in a low, husky voice.
"Are you particularly fond of these," I asked tugging on the hem of her panties.
"No," she moaned. "Please Edward, just rip them off."
I wasn't going to argue. I grabbed the fabric that was flush against her hip and yanked them from her body. I heard the fabric rip at the same time Bella gasped.
In one fluid moment I was inside her. We both moaned as soon as I came in contact. I stilled our movements so that I could savor the moment. I began to push myself deep inside her, pulling out slowly only to ram myself back in again.
We were fast, needy and all over each other. Small grunts and moans escaped both of our lips as our bodies continued to slam into one another. I felt her legs tighten around my waist and I knew that it was a telltale sign that she was close. As her fingers began to claw into my back I knew it was only a matter of time before she unraveled around me. I wasn't far behind her.
She began to call out my name over and over as her orgasm took over her body. I gripped her hips and plunged myself deeper inside as I released all the pent up energy that had consumed me over the last forty-eight hours.
As we were coming down from our post-coital high, I held her against the door while we caught our breaths. When I was able to form a coherent thought I looked up to see her face flush and her hair matted from where she had undoubtedly been pressed against the door.
"I love you," I said and kissed her softer than I had before. "Thank you for forgetting your ID."
She laughed and returned the affectionate kisses. "I didn't forget my ID, Edward. I just needed an excuse to get you alone. By the way, do you really have an aversion to dropping a deuce in a public restroom?"
If she hadn't looked so damn cute when she asked me something that sounded all too much like Emmett, I might have been embarrassed. Instead I laughed. She unlocked her legs from around my waist and walked over to her suitcase to replace the demolished article of clothing. I made movements to dress myself while she did the same.
"As a matter of fact, yes I do. That's not a deal breaker is it?"
She grabbed her purse as I finished buckling my pants and patted my chest. "No, I just find it funny."
We headed out of the room and back towards the elevator, hand in hand. Unlike the quiet ride we had taken on the way up, the way down was filled with laughter.
"Well, tell me," I asked, "could you?"
She thought for a moment, then shook her head. "No, I guess I couldn't."
"I didn't think so."
The elevator opened and we walked back towards the restaurant. Our family was still seated at the table when we arrived. Jasper looked at me and smirked.
"Everything come out all right Edward?"
"Beautifully," I responded. If he only knew just how beautifully.
"Are we ready?" Emmett asked. "I'm ready to get my gamble on."
Three hours later, we left the casino. My sights were set on the big white, fluffy pillow, the huge down comforter; and the most beautiful brunette laying next to me. It had been a long day and Emmett's continued singing had only made it that much longer.
"The Senorita's don't care-o when there's no dinero. I got no money to stay."
"Emmett!" We we all shouted.
"What?" He he asked, genuinely confused.
As I crawled into bed and held Bella close in my arms, I said a silent prayer.
Dear Lord,
I love my brother; I really, really do, but I have to spend all day with him tomorrow without my saving grace. Please, for the love of all that is holy, don't let him know any songs about golf.
Thank you,
Edward.
A/N- So much in this one little chapter! Who expected the return of Lauren? And what the hell is up with Alice? In due time my pretties, all in due time.
This was also the last lemon of the story. Two more chapters to go and the then the epi! It's bittersweet believe me! Typing those words, the end, nearly killed me!
The Sovereign Six was also nominated for a Faithful Shipper Award! Fic that made you cry!! I couldn't believe it! I'm amongst some amazing company that's for sure. The second round of voting ended yesterday so now we sit back and keep our fingers crossed that I make it to the next round. How amazing would that be? I'll let you all know if I make it or not.
Now… click the new little review button down there and leave me some love!!
Xoxo
Holly
