Hello all! Sorry this took me so long to get to you, RL had me shackled. So, with this chapter we are starting to wrap things up. It really has been fun writing this Funny Little Thing and I appreciate all of you who have been reading and reviewing.

Disclaimer: It is all Stephenie Meyer's, just playing around here.

This is unbeta'd...just a reminder.

Chapter 29 – Bouquet

Bella

I couldn't stay mad at Edward for too long. Sure, he should have told me sooner about his connection to my boss, and he shouldn't have punched Jasper, but the fact that he stood up for me really means a lot. I decide not to let him sweat it for too long.

The walk to the elevator calms me a little and when I stop at the doors, I turn to see if Edward is following.

He is.

We enter the car together in silence, but I can feel his eyes on me. When I turn to look at him he turns away and looks down in shame.

I sigh. "Edward, it's okay. I'm not mad at you..."

Before I can even say another word, Edward has me in his arms and is squeezing the hell out of me.

"Okay...can't breathe..." I grunt out.

Edward sets me back on the floor, takes my face in his hands and kisses me forcefully before saying,

"I'm so sorry, baby. I know you can handle things on your own, you are one strong woman, but you are my woman and I couldn't let that bastard manipulate you. I understand that Jasper thinks the worst of me, but he was wrong to try and control your life. In fact, you could totally sue his ass..."

I stop him. "No, Edward. It's over, I've said my peace. I just want to put it behind me now."

"I know, baby. I just hope you know how sorry I am."

I smile at him and smooth my hands over his face. "I know and I forgive you...but know this, if you ever go behind my back again and try to fix my shit, I will kick your ass. Got it?"

Edward smiles deviously. "I think I might enjoy a little ass kicking" He's running his hands over my ass. "...love the rough stuff, baby."

I smack his shoulder. "I'm serious!"

"Oww...okay, okay I get it." He puts his hands up in surrender." From now on I will be totally upfront and I'll let you fight your own battles."

"Good. Now take me somewhere to eat, I'm starving. Someone really wore me out last night and I haven't been properly fed."

"This morning too, don't forget about this morning." Edward says as he pulls me in for another hug and moans softly into my hair.

"Mmm...I love you, Edward."

"I love you too, pretty girl."

~FLT~FLT~FLT~

The rest of November flew by and before we knew it, Christmas came and went, now it's almost February. This was the first year in a long time that I wasn't alone for the holidays. It was such a wonderful feeling, I reflect on those days often.

I smile to myself as the memories of waking up to Edward on Christmas morning sneak into my head...

Edward kissing his way up my naked body...his fingers inching up to my...

I have to shake my head, if I start thinking about that, I will never get myself ready in time. Edward will sense my mood and we'll be rolling around in the sheets, or in the shower...or on the counter...

You get the idea.

Edward is insatiable and I am all to willing to give in, he is afterall sexy as hell. We just can't get enough of each other.

I continue on with my thoughts as I straighten my hair, steering them away from getting naked with Edward and more towards the other good things that have come into my life in the last couple months.

Not only do I have Edward to snuggle up to every night, but I've acquired a couple of best friends too it would seem.

Rosalie and I have become very close; she forced herself into my life and, at the time, I was seriously annoyed, but now I can see that it was all for the best. Sometimes that's what it takes to get through to someone, being forceful. Rose didn't really give me a choice in the matter, I was going to be her friend come hell or high water... she decided it. I can be one stubborn, untrusting bitch.

Don't we all know it.

Rose was able to see through my facade though and forced me to see that I really can trust again. It's nice to have someone to "girl talk" with. Especially now that I am in a strong, committed relationship. I'm finding that there is so much I didn't know, I am still young afterall. I think Rose really gets a kick out of shocking me. I guess if you've been with someone as long as she and Emmett have, you are always trying to find ways of keeping things exciting. Rose and Emmett clearly don't have any problems in that department. They are kinky as hell and let's just say this, Edward really appreciates all of Rose's shared wisdom...he's certainly reaping the benefits afterall.

Edward and I have started having dinner with Rose and Emmett once a week. It's been really nice. Sure, Emmett can be a lot to take, but I think I'm really starting to warm up to him. He's just a big, loud, happy Teddy bear...like the big brother I always wanted. It's nice to think about a future with, not only Edward, but with his family too. I feel like I finally belong somewhere...that I matter to people. All of these years I've been running from something, now it finally feels like I'm running toward something instead.

Then there's Dingleberry. As much as Edward and I have tried, he just doesn't seem to stick around for very long. I put fresh food and water out every night for him, some mornings I see that the food has been eaten, other days it is left untouched. We don't know if he already has a home or if he is just a stray. I just know that I worry about him. When I think back to all of the times we've run into that little fucker, I have to smile. I know that it's impossible, but I can't help but wonder if Dingleberry had his own little agenda. Is he cupid, our guardian angel? I have to laugh at the ridiculousness of that thought, but considering all that he has done for us, one has to wonder.

A few days after the incident with Jasper, at Eclipse, I decided that maybe it wasn't the right place for me to work anymore. I just couldn't see how it would ever feel comfortable being in the same office as Jasper again. I couldn't let go of the hard feelings and it was obvious that Jasper would never believe Edward's side of the "Josie Story." I commend him for his loyalty to family, but I just couldn't work with someone who could believe something so horrible about the man that I love. I went in that following Wednesday with my letter of resignation and parted ways with Eclipse. Jasper was disappointed, sure, but he understood my dilemma. I was promised a glowing letter of recommendation, which Jasper actually came through on because I have a second interview with the Seattle Times next week. Alice and I are still in touch, I don't think she would have it any other way. We are having lunch next week.

"Bella, you just about ready? Rose and Em will be here any minute to pick us up and our reservations are at 7."

Edward has been patiently waiting for me out on the sofa, it has to be killing him. I was forced to kick him out of the bedroom earlier, because he wouldn't keep his hands off of me. It took every ounce of my will power to make him leave the bathroom, after he lifted my skirt and pushed me up against the vanity. I hated to waste the beautiful thing that is Edward's erection, but we really did need to get going if we were going to make our reservations. Besides, we'd pick up where we left off when we get home later, that much is true.

"Yeah, I'll be right there!"

I take one final look at myself in the mirror and smile.

Edward loves me in blue.

I smooth out some stray hairs, then flip the switch and turn to leave the room. I stumble a little from turning so fast and start to feel just a little dizzy. After closing my eyes to compose myself, I head on out of the bedroom.

Edward stares at me in awe when I enter the living room. It takes him a few minutes before he can compose himself enough to stand. Reaching to his side, Edward picks up a beautiful bouquet of flowers and stands.

"I still can't get over how absolutely stunning you are, you're positively glowing." He sighs."I am such a lucky man."

I am blushing and looking at the floor. I can feel as his finger gently runs over my cheek.

"Beautiful" He breathes and I smile in total adoration.

I love this man so much.

Edward hands me the most beautiful bouquet I have ever seen; it's an arrangement of white, purple, blue and pink blooms and is absolutely stunning.

"I admire your strength." Edward says as he points to the petals of a purple flower. "I respect you more than you'll ever know." He says as he gently grabs the petal of the white dafodil. "I love you with all of my heart." He says as he strokes a little blue flower, I think it's a 'Forget Me Not'.

I can do nothing but gaze at his beautiful face.

What an amazing man, I am the lucky one.

"I love you too. So much." I say as I lean in and kiss him.

"Thank you for the flowers."

After putting the bouquet into a vase of water, Edward helps me into my coat. I grab my purse and then we are heading out the doot to meet Rose and Em.

As we are walking down the hall, I see something that makes me smile.

Dingleberry.

It has been a while and I am very relieved to see that he is okay. Although he looks healthy and well though, Dingleberry is pacing back and forth in front of the stairs.

"What do you think is wrong with him now?" Edward asks.

"I don't know, but we are going to be late if we stick around and try to find out. You might have to move his furry little ass."

Edward agrees and bends over to pick the cat up and move him to the side so we can get down the stairs.

"By little guy." I say as we start going down.

Dingleberry just looks at me and starts meowing. A second later he is following us.

A/N

What is going on with Dingleman? Nothing bad is going to happen, I hope. MW2, what say you?

Word Prompt:

"Squishy."

It's a funny little word.