Here you are.
Not so long of a wait this time.
Meet me at the bottom.
The seven minutes weren't long enough, so Edward and I went for eleven minutes of no talking. But after that, he told me to stop distracting him and start talking. Talking about everything is what he wanted and for the first time, I wanted to talk about everything.
I wanted to spill my guts to him.
"What happened at the shooting range?" Edward asked patiently. I looked over at the wall, searching for the words, still confused on what really happened.
"I..I don't know. I just got so focused on Mike and saw the potential of what could happen…I guess I just lost it. It was the first time where I felt completely helpless and trapped."
"Your body just shut down…" Edward trailed off, looking pensive.
"I think it was more than that. For the first time in my life, I have everything I want and I don't want to lose it."
"And by putting you in that position, I made it even clearer that you could lose it?" Edward asked perplexed. I nodded slowly and waited for him to speak, but he kept staring at the blanket on top of my legs, his eyebrows drawn together and his lips pinched together.
"I didn't mean for that to happen," he said.
"I'm not blaming you."
"But I am."
"Don't. What I need from you is to say, 'okay, well I'm glad you're doing better.'," I replied, Edward sighed and shook his head.
"Bella, why can't you just talk to me? I'm sick of these head games you pull, I'm sick of living in fear that you're done with me. I am not a patient man, God knows that I try, but I can't wait forever for you to figure out your shit."
"I know," I whispered.
"You can't keep doing this to me," his fists were balled and he was gritting his teeth. "Or Alice…hell, even Emmett. We all need you, why can't you just talk to us?"
"I just…never had had someone to talk to before," I replied. "I was used to keeping things to myself. But it's something I'm working on. I love you, Edward. And Alice, hell, even Emmett." I saw a smile tug on his lips but he masked it with silence.
"Okay, well I'm glad you're doing better," he mumbled.
"Thank you," I whispered.
"Now to the next question, what happened last night?"
"I thought I could take care of things myself…for some reason I keep thinking that. But I can't. I can't do it by myself, no one can. Everyone needs someone to be their support."
"So you went over to Mike's…to kill him?"
"To talk. I thought…maybe I could just ask him to leave me alone for good, ask him to be happy for you and me."
"You told him about us?"
"He already knew."
"…how?"
"He's Mike Newton…he knows everything that goes on in this city."
"We could move."
"And leave ballet, our lives, our friends? No thanks."
"You're really still this brave after what happened?"
"After what happened with Mike? No, I'm not brave…just not going to stop fighting."
"What did happen at his place?"
"Edward, you know the gist of it."
"Bella," he said, his face growing more serious. "I need to know what happened."
I motioned to my body, "This is what happened. Mike...he just blew a fuse and came after me." Edward started breathing hard and I could tell he was getting more and more pissed off. "Look, you can't change what happened. But I'm performing in the recital in a few days and then we'll figure something out."
"You're not performing," Edward said bluntly.
"Do I have any broken bones? Did they take off any limbs?"
"No…" was his response.
"Then I'm dancing."
"How can you be so…strong-minded?"
"It's why you love me," I half-joked.
"And that's why you love me," he replied, sitting back down on the bed, running his hands through his hair.
"When do I get out of here?"
"This afternoon, some time."
I nodded and we both were silent, looking random objects in the room.
"I thought I lost you," Edward said staring at the wall. "When you fainted at the shooting range…I thought we were done. I thought we'd never be able to get over something like that…that panic attack. Stupid, right?" I nodded. "And then when you didn't want to talk to anyone, I thought you were just done with me…I thought you finally realized how bad of an idea you and I are." I had so many things in reply, but held my tongue so he could get it all out. "When I woke up yesterday and you weren't there…I almost lost my mind. It's crazy how much I need you in my life. Like, I can't breathe right if you're not with me. And I'm not saying we have to be in the same room, I just needed to know that you were still with me."
"I am always with you," I whispered.
"And then when I saw you in the hall, all bloody and trembling, I thought, this is the part that I lose her forever. This is the moment where everything changes for my life."
I swallowed back tears and watched Edward's saddened eyes stare into mine. "I thought I was going to lose you for awhile. And what kept running though my mind was the looks on Alice and Rose's faces when I told them…" I could see he was about to lose it and so I sat up quickly and pulled him into me. Grasping his whole body as he started to shake and hold on to me tighter, pulling me into him.
I didn't think he was less of a man, I didn't think he was foolish, I thought he was brave and everything I wanted in the world. I held him for a few moments as he squeezed my body tightly.
The next weeks were filled with a lot of lying around and then, after about three weeks of resting, it was time for dancing. Jacob and I were about to being practicing twice a day, and when I wasn't dancing with him, I would be dancing with Edward in his apartment.
The tango had become my favorite.
We started on opposite sides and strutted towards each other, my toes pointed, my heels shuffling as I held up my dress. He'd grab me quickly and spin me so fast my head would become dizzy, but I never let it show as I snapped my leg on to his hip as he leaned forward, my back arched as he planted kisses down my chest, in the middle of my breasts from the low-cut dress.
His fingers and mine hurt from grasping so hard at pulling, pushing, and locking together as we marched to the song. He backed away, I let my arms grip my sides, running up and down, outreaching for him, and then slapping back to my body, turning away as Edward caught up to me and pulled me back to our strict formation. The song continued, neither of us smiling or laughing, we were dancing.
He dipped me once more and I raised my leg and hooked it on his shoulder, his fingers dancing down my thigh, towards my aching center. I stayed bent backwards as his fingers pushed into me, eliciting a moan from my lips as he pumped his digits in and out of me. His thumb and ring-finger found my clit and pinched it, snapping me up and continuing to dance.
I strutted away from him, twirling as he followed, placing a hand on his chest and moving him backwards. His hand placed over mine on his heart as I let go, spinning behind him, and then carefully slid my leg up his thigh, brushing his package, smirking at the excitement dancing in his eyes.
We began to dance again, the steps coming easily, him leading until the song had a sharp pause when I palmed him, squeezing gently, and then backed away.
This game was fun.
He chased me until I was in his arms again, still spinning and twirling, and as soon as the dance was done, I was in his bed, my dress being ripped off and Edward sheathed in me. I breathed into his neck, panting from the exertions of the dance and how fully he was in me. I wrapped my legs around his waist, locking my ankles, still in my heels. His fingers twirled and danced on my skin, pinching my nipples, tightening my coil, leaving a trail of saliva all over my body, I was turned on as fuck and I pushed back on him.
Now I was on top.
I grabbed his hands, placing them on my breasts as I began to rock back, almost dancing on him: moving my hips and swirling my waist to the melody inside my head. I started rocking back and forth, my hands behind me, resting on his thighs as the tension became palpable, increasing with our ragged breaths and sweat on our brows.
I screamed, "Yes" more than once.
He cursed.
I wasn't allowing it to be over, I stopped as he rolled me over and threw one of my legs over his shoulders again, him at a new angle, pushing up and up and up and…
Oooooooooohhhhhhhhhhh yeeeeeeaaaaaaahhhhh.
Did I say that out loud?
Edward came after, shaking in me, filling me to the fullest, I being happy we talked to my doctor about birth control while I was in the hospital. The doctor had said to be careful, not to anything to overexert myself, but I thanked him for his advice and went back to toning my body, knowing its limitations and what some people's limits were, were the starting steps for a dancer, especially one of ballet.
I lie on Edward's chest as we stare at the ceiling, his arms around me, mine thrown across his damp chest, all smiles and post-coital glow. Our breathing calmed and soon, we fell asleep.
And when I woke up, Edward and I have even more sex.
We are finally on the same page, talking about everything and anything in the past few days, probably because we weren't hiding…we just never left his apartment. I even told him about my dream with the little girl. Alice and I had talked every day, letting her know where I was, she had been happy to let me have my "honeymoon" with Edward and told me to call her to check in.
Everything was good.
Well, besides the Mike thing.
Edward, Emmett, Jasper, Alice, and I had tried to figure out why he hadn't come out after me after I jumped off the fire escape. Jasper explained he was playing with me, while Emmett said that maybe I had actually hurt him, Edward argued that it wasn't like Mike to just give up. But Alice's opinion had actually made a lot of sense to me.
He hadn't wanted people to see me screaming and running from him.
Lucky for me because I had seen no one on my way home. We all knew Mike was planning at the moment, the boys hadn't shown up for work, knowing the volcano was about to blow.
I think that's why Edward had started to dance with me and show a lot more interest in sex because he wanted me to be distracted from what was really going on. But I never told him I knew about the phone calls I could hear him make while I was taking a shower, one of the many few showers I took alone, or that I would make sure that everything was locked up tightly at night while I was doing the dishes from dinner. I knew he thought I was asleep when he got up in the middle of the night to recheck the house and make sure his gun was in his nightstand.
But one night, I asked him about it.
"You think I'm trying to distract you with sex?" He laughed as he poured himself a glass of wine while we waited for the pasta to finish. "You don't think that I just find you incredibly attractive and want to have sex with you because I'm in love with you?"
I shook my head laughing. "I'm sorry; I knew it was stupid, I was just curious."
"Bella, you and I both know it's not over, but if I only get a limited amount of good time left with you before the shit hits the fan, then I'm going to enjoy it."
"Well, Thanksgiving is in two days, why don't we have everyone over?"
"You mean, Jasper and Alice, who are 'broken up' and Emmett who is heartbroken over a girlfriend that is living in another country?" Edward laughed.
"Rose will be home for the holidays, Emmett is flying her back and Jasper and Alice are craving some time together, it'll be perfect."
And Edward agreed.
"Aren't you supposed to go to your family's house today?" I asked on the eve of Thanksgiving.
"Dinner is tonight, I was hoping you'd come with me," Edward said as I buttoned his shirt, the emerald green one I adored.
"You want me to meet your parents?" I smirked.
"Well, I thought they should meet the person who has been keeping me from them."
I laughed, "Oh is that what I've been doing? So you hate shacking up with me and having sex on every inch of this apartment? You'd rather be at your mother's?"
"Not for a minute," Edward laughed as he kissed me. I changed into a white sweater, something classic and grabbed a brown leather coat. Edward and I walked out of the apartment for the first time in days, I felt different already. Like the stress was back up and I had to remember to breathe. I told myself that this was Edward's day and I was not going to ruin it. He and I walked down to the garage and he handed me a helmet, already giddy that he was taking on his bike again.
"It's been forever," I exclaimed as I jumped on the back as he started the motor. My hands went around his waist instinctively as we sped down the street, heading to Brooklyn.
The air was crisp and cold, just the way I liked it. Edward maneuvered through traffic jams, making me giggle and smile from the jolt of excitement. I squeezed his waist tighter to me, pressing my cheek on the back of his leather jacket, giving them a break from the wind. His glove-covered hand covered my bare ones, rubbing them for warmth and then grabbed something out of his pocket and handed them to me.
Leather gloves.
I put them on, noticing their perfect fit, and then realizing they were a gift. Edward had bought me leather gloves. I leaned forward and placed my covered hand on his heart, hoping he knew what the gesture meant to me.
The drive was fantastic, shorter than I thought it'd be, or maybe I was having too much fun as time sped by. He parked the bike in the driveway of the petite house, helping me off as I removed the helmet.
"It's not Mike's house but…its home," Edward scratched the back of his head as he stared at me peering at the house.
"It's perfect," I smiled. "I grew up in something similar. It looks like home to me." Edward gleamed and kissed my hand as he led me up the walk and even before we made it to the porch, people were barreling out to hug him. I stepped aside as I watched people crowd him, smile, laugh, squeeze, and joke. Carmel, gold, copper, black were colors I saw surrounding him. So many different people wanting to talk to him.
He was like a hero returning to them.
When the noise had died down, Edward turned to me, grabbed my hand and introduced me to his mother.
"Bella, this is Elizabeth Masen, my mother."
"It's very nice to meet you," I said to the woman in the apron as she gave me a hug.
Her stature was small and lean, but you could tell she was the boss of the house. "It's so good to meet you," she whispered in my ear. "I've been waiting for so long."
Puzzled by her statement, I smiled and then was introduced to everyone else. Cousins, aunts, uncles, friends, neighbors, god-fathers, grandmothers, grandfathers, god-mothers, the whole bunch. I couldn't keep track of all the names, but I smiled and was happy to meet them, for they all seemed thrilled to meet me.
"You'll have to excuse them," Edward whispered as Elizabeth told everyone to get back in the house before they all freeze to death. "They like when there is another reason for another place-setting at the table."
"Oh, Bella, I'm so glad you're here," Mrs. Masen patted my hand as she walked with me and Edward. "We've missed Edward so much."
"Ma, I've been gone less than three months."
"When you have kids, you'll understand," she winked at me. I blushed and then looked at Edward, him looking at the ceiling.
I guess mothers and sons do talk.
"And now, in Masen-Cullen tradition, it's time for you to meet my father. You see, you are introduced to my mother, then the rest of the family, and after everyone has been introduced, then you meet my father. If I had a sister, it'd be the opposite. Her boyfriend would meet my father first, then my family, then lastly, my mother. My mother, in this case, is the first to see if you are worthy to sit at our table, if you are, she gives me the green light to introduce you to my other relatives. After they have all been introduced, I have to see at least five people smiling at me to be able to introduce you to my father. Seeing as everyone was smiling at me, I get to have the pleasure of seeing you meet my father."
"So this was a test" I smiled.
"Sort of, it's tradition. I mean, you should see what happened when my cousin James brought home Victoria."
"What happened?" I asked as everyone stood around and talked to everyone. I could see everyone wanting to talk to me, but to my guess, they were letting Edward fill me in before meeting his dad, and then they could talk to me. It felt like we were in Court with the King and Queen, Edward being the prince.
"His mom liked her well enough, but the family did not, only one person gave him a smile and so he had to tell Victoria that they would come back later, poor girl had no idea what was going on. When James told her what happened, she burst into tears. That's when they came to me to help them out."
"Why didn't they like her?"
"She was wearing a Giants jersey. They had just come fromgame. As you know, Dodgers and Giants are rivals. The Masens are Dodger fans. A couple of us even have season tickets."
"So this really isn't a joke, is it?" I chuckled.
"It's trivial, I know, but when it's family, you go along with the stupid traditions to make them happy."
"So did Victoria ever make it into the family?"
"See that red-head over there by my mother? That's her. She's pregnant with James' second child; it's going to be a boy. All the "Cullen Men" are lecturing James on whether it's a Dodgers or a Giants baby. Her family of course is for Giants, his for Dodgers. It's actually funny to watch the heated arguments from the sidelines."
"So how did you help?"
"Aw, it's not so much what I did, it's what my mom did. She's the one who smiled at James, so with her help, she convinced all the women, and my father, that she was a nice girl and it would be nice to have some diversity in the family. After that, James brought her to St. Patrick's dinner at his mom's house and everyone has loved her since. She's a really nice woman with the best recipe for Corned Beef. As you can see, we're all Irish, so her playing on that makes her gold."
"Wow, so much politics. I love it," I said excitedly.
"Are you sure?" Edward asked. "Just because the family accepts you, doesn't mean you have to accept them."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, there is a part where you have to make a public statement saying you accept them."
"Like I have to make a speech," I said confused.
"Nothing like that, but I'll explain it to you after you meet my father."
"When is that?"
"Now," Edward said as the crowd parted and a tall, dark-haired man walked through the room, staring at Edward. My first impression was that he was stern, a leader, the discipliner, and a proud man.
"Edward," The man's expression changed into a smile as he hugged his son.
"Dad, this is Bella Swan," Edward said motioning to me. I smiled as brightly as I could, even though I felt everyone holding their breaths as they watched in silence. It was almost like watching a Nature channel. Was the Jaguar going to pounce on the poor Antelope? Was the Antelope going to be accepted?
And then, his dad hugged me.
"It's a pleasure to meet you," he whispered. "Come," he spoke as he released me. "Let's have a chat." I looked back at Edward who gave me a reassuring nod, kissed my hand, and then let me go with his father. I felt unsure, afraid, and nervous of what was going to happen, but something in me wanted to see what he was going to say. I wanted him approval to be with Edward, I wanted him to like me.
He led me passed rooms, one of a massive TV where I saw a lot of the men cheering and shouting over some game, thinking about what Edward told me about the figure-skating one year. Another room was a room full of toys, all the kids were in there jumping and running around, and then the last door was the room I was led into. It was an office of sorts, Edward's father motioned me to sit as he sat in the chair opposite of me.
"I'm sorry this is a bit frightening for you, coming into this herd of people, not knowing anyone, everyone judging you, but I ask for your forgiveness."
"It's no problem," I reassured. "It's actually quite exciting if you don't mind me saying." Edward Sr. laughed and nodded.
"The day Elizabeth met my mother and father, I've never seen them so proud of me. It's one of those moments you don't forget. My mother had tears in her eyes the minute after she spotted Liz. My father favored her more than he favored me if you can imagine. It's a good tradition, makes the family feel involved and not left out of your life."
"I've only done this once, filling in for a friend whose father is no longer with us, but he's a son to me. The girl was nice, but unfortunately the couple did not work out. I want you to remember that, Bella. You do not have to marry Edward just because we give our approval, that's between you and Edward. But let me just say this on behalf of my wife and I, we are great in-laws to have," he smiled and winked.
"Thank you so much for inviting me into your home, I know Edward misses you guys, I was glad to see all of this. And thank you for your approval, I'm not sure if that's the best way to put it," I laughed.
"It's one way of looking at it. Edward is our only son, Elizabeth has been waiting years for him to come home with a girl."
"You mean, he's never done it before?"
"Before this? No. I mean he's been on dates, but no one has ever come home. Liz has actually cried a few times Edward told her that he hasn't met the girl he wants to introduce to us. But she understands, you can't find the love of your life, it has to find you."
So that's why she'd made that comment earlier, I realized.
"Edward said I would have to make a statement about accepting you guys?"
"Aw, yes. I see you are an intelligent, witty young woman, Bella. The statement is easy, but says a lot. You need to offer to say Grace."
"Say Grace?" I asked shocked.
"Yes, you say Grace and then we all know. Edward knows, I know, his mother knows, and the rest of the family and friends know, Edward is now off the dating market. For the time being, of course."
"So I guess I have a lot to think about before dinner?" I chuckled. He agreed and reassured me not to worry.
"So what usually happens in these girlfriend-boyfriend's father meetings?"
"I get to know her, you see, in a lot of cases, when your son gets married or in a relationship, you don't really get to spend time with the girlfriend, or wife. This is just my way of getting to know you, and then bragging to all my friends about the dancer at Julliard my son is dating."
I smiled in thanks.
"So you're a dancer from Washington State?"
"I am, I met Edward through some friends, well actually I met him through crashing into each other at a grocery store, but then through friends."
"And what do your parents do?"
"My father is Chief of Police in my hometown, Forks, and my mom is a teacher. They are divorced."
"I'm sorry to hear that."
"Thank you, but I think its better this way. They are both happy now and I was a baby when it happened. I have come to terms with it, with the help of Edward actually."
"Glad my son can be of help. Are there any questions you have for me?"
"Just one. Why is Edward's last name different than yours? I've been wondering for some time and I thought it might be rude to ask."
"That is a good question, you really are a bright one," he nodded. "Edward's godparents, Carlisle and Esme Cullen, are mine and Elizabeth's best friends. We met them when we were young, growing up together, and they are practically Edward's parents too. They helped raise him. When he was eighteen, part of his rebellion stage as a teenager, after getting that hideous tattoo that his mother and I both hate, he legally changed his name to Masen Cullen, but goes by Cullen most of the time. You see, Esme was never able to get pregnant and Edward was like a son to them, so he changed it and I don't think I've ever been as proud of Edward as I was at that moment."
"Wow," I breathed. I couldn't believe it. "How…"
"Yes, I know, it's quite the selfless thing to do. He explained to them that they were his parents too. I remember watching Carlisle and Esme cry at the news, along with my wife and I, we were all in tears."
"Do you mind if I ask you another question, Mr. Masen?"
"Not at all, Bella."
"Why isn't Carlisle in here, right now? If he's Edward's father too, if you don't mind me asking." Edward Sr.'s face lit up, his teeth gleaming as he jumped, telling me to wait for a moment, screaming down the hall, and then as he sat down, another man joined us. A blond-haired, tall, lean man sat down, smiling at both Edward Sr. and myself.
"Thank you for inviting me, Ed."
"It was all Bella," Mr. Masen argued.
"Well, let me introduce myself. I'm Carlisle Cullen, Edward' god-father."
"Bella Swan," I said introducing myself, shaking his hand.
"I believe you've gone over everything, then?" Carlisle asked.
"Yes, we're just getting to know each other," Mr. Masen replied.
"Well, great," Carlisle said as he rubbed his hands together.
Two hours later, I came out of the room as Edward's mother scolded us for keeping the whole family waiting to eat, but secretly had a smile on her face. We all walked to the dining room/family room where people were sitting everywhere, anywhere there was a seat. There were tables set up and all were full except the table Edward sat at with a caramel-colored-haired woman who was gleaming with pride at Edward as he looked at me. Mr. Masen and Carlisle had their arms around me, I felt like I was being presented to the court as the new Princess.
Esme led me to the table as Edward stood and gave me my chair. Everyone quieted down, another test being presented and as soon as the chatter had quieted I turned to Elizabeth and Esme.
"Would you mind if I said Grace?"
Elizabeth's and Esme's face lit up and Elizabeth spoke for the both of them saying they'd love it if I did.
Everyone placed their hands together and I closed my eyes, took a breath, and started, "God, please bless this food, this family, and this day. We're thankful for everything you've given to us, and even the things you haven't. We pray for the unfortunate, the sick, and the lost. May they find their way and seek hope; we pray this in your name. Amen."
Everyone started chatter again as my table stayed quiet, all five eyes staring at me. Esme's, Edward Sr.'s, Carlisle, Elizabeth, and then I turned to Edward who was looking at me in awe.
He kissed me on the cheek and whispered, "I love you."
I know the whole thing was a little weird, but I liked the idea of it. And it's something no one has tried before with the parents of Edward Cullen...or something I haven't read before. If you do know someone doing this before, I apologize, I had no idea, this was just an idea I had that popped in my head.
And now, to all you reviewers. Thank you for the understanding. FF is a hobby and not a job, it does not pay the bills and it is time-consuming, at times, it consumes time I don't have. If a writer is going to put aside time to write down something, then our job as readers is to understand and be patient. I'm sorry if you wanted more of an explanation of why I had disappeared, but unfortuantely, I'm a private person and not everyone gets to know the details of my life at every moment. Just know, Real Life kicked my ass and I had to put you guys on the back burner, and I apologize for that. Just remember that in your reviews. If you don't think I'm a good writer, don't read this then. No one forced you into reading this and I don't know why you'd wait 28 chapters in to tell me I suck at writing. But thank you for your kind words from some of you, and others for sticking up for me. I appreciate it more than you know. I already have drama in my real life, I don't need it from someone I don't know on the internet.
And I'm sorry I addressed this on here. Usually I let it go, try not to make it a big deal, but enough is enough. So enjoy this story, because I was about 2 seconds away from finishing the story, not publishing it, and then deleting the story. A friend talked me out of it and I thank you, but some readers need to give me some slack, I'm doing the best I can and that's all you can ask for.
Thank you once again for the kind reviews and messages, you'll hear from me soon.
Brooklynn10
