Thank you, as always, to chicsarah for being a most wonderful editor and friend. She really is the best!
I do not own Twilight.
"I miss you, B."
"I miss you, too, Rose. Living with a boy is hard," I whined.
"Edward a slob?"
"Quite the opposite, actually. He's a neat freak and it's driving me a little crazy."
"Emmett could learn a thing or two. I found a bowl with a spoon STUCK to it. It was under his bed!" She screeched.
"Ew," I wrinkled my nose.
"Tell me about it. So what's professor doing to drive you crazy?" She asked.
"Oh my gosh, well for starters, he is a freaking dishwasher Nazi. Do you know that after all three times I've done the dishes, I've caught him going behind me and completely rearranging the dishwasher? Apparently bowls and cups have a certain order on the top row. And heaven forbid the forks, spoons, and knives are placed in the wrong slots," I groaned.
I was sitting at my desk at school, grading exams. It had been officially one week since I'd moved in with Edward, and in that time, I'd learned that while he was pretty spot on at being a loving, caring boyfriend, he was a bit annoying as a roommate.
"Lord, at least he loads and runs the damn thing. The mountain climb it takes me just to get all of Emmett's dishes into the dishwasher is exhausting. I have to put on my workout clothes and a sweat band because it's full on cardio. How his jeep can stay so spotless and his house be so gross is beyond me. I guess since we used to spend more time at the apartment, I didn't notice it before. Or maybe he just cleaned before I came over. There's no hiding it now, though," Rose said. She was on her lunch break. I could hear her nibbling on her sandwich.
I sighed, missing the ease of living with my best friend. We'd lived together so long that it was just easy. We worked well together. I'm sure there was an adjustment period for us back in the day, too, but I didn't remember it being this hard.
"I think the worst is the bathroom situation," I said. "I got a lecture on making sure to always close the shower curtain when I got out. Oh, and to dry off while standing in the shower to get as little water as possible on the bath mat outside of the shower. I'm pretty sure that's what bath mats are for!"
Rose laughed on the other line and I chuckled with her.
"What really gets me is that he does this in an effort to keep the bathroom looking tidy, but then instead of his towel rack, he just hangs his towel over the shower curtain to dry. He says he dries better. I get chewed out for leaving the curtain opened but he doesn't notice me neatly folding my towel and placing it on the towel rack," I complained.
"Is it always going to be this hard living with boys?" Rose asked.
"I hope not," I sighed. "But, anyway, let me go. I need to finish these grades and get them entered. I'm not about to spend an entire day here when the students are already gone."
It was a half day again. Tomorrow was the last day of school, but all exams were done. We'd basically be hanging out with the kids until the awards day assembly. And then - sweet summertime!
Living with Edward in the last week had been an adjustment, for sure. Mostly, it was great. We cooked together in the evenings, we took MoMo on walks through the neighborhood once the sun went down and the heat wasn't so stifling. We cuddled at night in his big, cool bed. He happily let me add a fan to the room like I'd been used to at my apartment.
Since I'd lost most of my belongings, we'd already started to replace some things. One of my students had gifted me a lovely picture frame, so we got a few more and printed some pictures to put out around the house.
We even went to Michael's for canvases and paint to make some Pinterest inspired art for the house. His, of course, turned out lovely. Mine looked like something only a mother could be proud of.
Charlie and Sue had come back up on Sunday to bring me a few more things from my room back home. Sue had gone shopping and brought me more clothes and shoes, as well.
Esme and Carlisle drove up Monday to have dinner with us and had given us a hefty gift card to Bed, Bath & Beyond. And I'd received a package in the mail yesterday from my mom and Phil, packed with stuff she thought I might need.
Between both of our families, the outpouring of support and help was allowing me rebuild my life while building a new life with Edward. The pieces were slowly being picked up and put back together, and I couldn't be more grateful.
I was especially grateful to Edward for giving me a place to live, rent free. Of course I insisted on splitting the utilities with him, but since the townhouse was already paid off, I was now going to be saving a bunch of money each month.
That's why I tried not to get too annoyed by his nagging and obsessive tendencies.
"Hey, love. You about ready?" Edward was standing in the door of my classroom, his leather messenger bag slung over his shoulder.
"Just about," I smiled. "I just have to finish up with a few tests and get them entered," I said.
"Oh. Well let me help," he grinned, stepping into my classroom. They'd removed his desk from when he was a student teacher with me, but I had an uncomfortable plastic chair in the corner that he pulled over.
"Want me to write the grades into your book and then you enter them in your computer?"
"Sure, thanks," I said.
"I can't believe the school year is almost over," Edward sighed as I finished the grade on the last exam. I handed it to him to put in the grade book, and then we started a rhythm to get them entered.
"Tell me about it. What a crazy year it's been," I said.
"It's been a pretty amazing year, though, yeah?"
"Yeah," I smiled.
"I never would have dreamed that I'd be paired with someone so amazing for my student teaching. You were an incredible mentor," Edward said.
"Oh, stop. Your dedication to the profession and your intelligence made it easy to have you by my side in the classroom," I said.
I looked to Edward then and noticed a furious blush on his cheeks.
"You're so cute. I love that you still blush," I grinned.
We got quiet then, working side by side at my desk.
"It feels like we've come full circle," I said, breaking the silence.
"How do you mean?" Edward asked.
"Sitting here together, entering grades. We use to sit together and get work done all of the time," I explained.
"God, those days were torture," he groaned.
"Gee, thanks."
"I meant because I was so desperate to touch you back then. Sitting so close to you all of those months, being near you but not having you. I knew I was probably crossing the line with all of the hugs and kisses on your forehead, but I couldn't stop myself. I was already in love then," he said.
"Whoa," I responded, at a loss for the suddenly heavy, beautiful words he'd just laid on me.
"There is one other difference from then to now, though," Edward said quietly as we stared into each other's eyes, the exams forgotten.
"What's that?" I asked breathlessly.
"I couldn't do this..." He trailed, grasping my chin in his hand and pulling me carefully to him, placing his lips gently on mine.
It grew more heated then, his hands rubbing up my legging covered thighs. I put my hands on the sides of his head, holding him closer, as I felt him pulling me to him.
"Hey, Miss Swan, I forgot my-oh, whoa, sorry!"
Edward and I broke apart quickly, turning to see Alex in the door.
"Alex, hi. What are you still doing at school, hon?" I asked, smiling and trying to pretend like I hadn't just been caught making out with my boyfriend.
"Volleyball tryouts," she answered. I noticed then her shorts and t-shirt, knee pads around her ankles.
"Oh," I answered lamely.
"I just came to get my yearbook. I left it under my desk after class," she said.
"Oh, yes! One of the students in the class after yours brought it to me. I hope you don't mind, but when I saw your name on the front, I decided to write you a little note," I said.
"I don't mind at all. Thanks, Miss Swan. You can...continue," she said, gesturing to Edward and me. I was sure my cheeks had gone as pink as his by this point.
Edward and I sighed, both leaning back in our chairs.
"That was so unprofessional," I laughed.
"Totally worth it though," Edward winked. Not for the first time this year, I gave my thanks for the blessing of his being my student teacher.
Later that night, Edward and I decided to celebrate the school year basically being over and our grades being done and entered by heading to AJ's for dinner.
"Hey, guys!" Alice called from behind the bar when we walked in. We decided to sit at the bar to eat so we could chat more with her.
"So is the school year over?" She asked.
"Basically. Tomorrow is the last day," Edward said. Alice set a couple of frosty glasses of their house brew in front of us.
"Well, then, one drink won't hurt. On me," she winked.
"Thanks, sis," Edward smiled, taking a long pull of his drink.
"Hey, y'all," Jasper called from the kitchen door as he walked towards us.
"We added some things to the menu. Tell me what you think of these fried pickles," he said, placing the basket in front of us. "The sauce is a chipotle ranch dipping sauce," he explained, and then eagerly watched as we each dipped a bite and plopped them in our mouths.
"Jasper, these are amazing," I said, meaning every word. Fried pickles were so good when done right. Jasper's had just enough breading to be flavorful but not so much that it's all you tasted.
"Dude, you've been holding out. These are delicious," Edward grinned.
"Awesome! I'm going to go whip up a few other new menu items for you two to try," he smiled, then walked back to the kitchen.
"Any idea what we are about to get, Al?" Edward asked his sister.
"A few ideas. But I'll let him surprise you," she said, moving down the bar to take more orders.
A short time later, Jasper walked out with a huge tray of food.
He placed in front of us a giant French dip sandwich, what looked to be a grilled Caprese sandwich with avocado, and-
"Jasper, is this turkey and dressing?" Edward asked with a laugh.
"It is, indeed. I know it's random, but it's always so popular when we do our big Thanksgiving dinner here. It's easy enough to make in giant batches, so I figured I'd add it to the menu, at least certain nights a week," he shrugged.
He also plopped cake in front of us.
"Wedding cake?" I asked this time.
"Yep! I was working on some samples for Rose and Emmett. When they came to taste test them, Rose mentioned how there was something so delicious about a good, old fashioned wedding cake, and how she wished it was something you could have every day. So I added it to the dessert menu, cause why not?" He asked excitedly.
Edward and I dug in, making appreciative noises over the random but delicious selections Jasper brought out for us.
"So, what do you guys think?" Alice asked as Jasper stepped back out of the kitchen and put his arm around his wife.
"You've outdone yourself, Jasper," I groaned, rubbing my sore belly. "It was amazing."
"Dude, Thanksgiving dressing in June? Yes, please," Edward said, setting his fork down. "I feel like I just lost a challenge on Man vs. Food."
"Psh, that, my friend, was what winning looks like. Plus, that show is lame. Adam Richman is a giant tool bag," I said.
"True."
"Guys," Alice said, pulling us out of our distracted conversation.
"Sorry," we mumbled.
"We have news," she smiled. When we looked at her expectantly, she continued.
"You know how I told you we started the process to adopt a while back?" She asked Edward. I hadn't realized this. Edward nodded.
"Well, we got the call today. We fly out to California tomorrow to meet our son," Alice smiled, tears in the corners of her eyes.
"You guys, that's amazing! Congratulations!" Edward said. He and I stood up as Jasper and Alice came around the bar to give us hugs.
"Thanks, y'all. We are so excited," Alice said.
"Yep, it won't be long and little Jasper, Jr. will be here," Jasper said, making us all laugh.
Edward and I got home that evening with full hearts and stomachs. Alice and Jasper explained that Esme and Carlisle were coming to stay at the bar and run things with the help of their other staff. Edward had already planned to bus tables and bartend over the summer. I'd agreed to come help out, too, since my summer camp counselor job wouldn't start for a few more weeks.
"Can you believe you're going to be an uncle again so soon?" I asked Edward was we curled up on the couch to binge on Netflix before bed.
MoMo jumped up and flopped against me as he did most nights after we walked him. I lived for these moments with my boys.
"And MoMo, you're going to have a second baby cousin soon!" I said to him. He smacked his tail against the couch excitedly, his tongue out with a happy grin on his face as I scratched behind his ears.
"I can't wait. Babies are such amazing creatures. I love having them in the family," Edward said. "Uncle Edward and Aunt Bella," he sighed, and my heart flip-flopped as it often did when he grouped me so easily into his family like that.
What an incredible year it had been. I'd gained an amazing boyfriend, the love of his fantastic family, and a bond with a dog that I never knew was missing from my life. I was elated in that moment, knowing that whatever the future brought could only hope to top how I was feeling in that moment.
The last day of school was spent with my students, passing out their grades and letting them chat and sign yearbooks. Each class period only lasted 20 minutes, so I just talked with them and passed around my own yearbook for them to sign if they wanted.
By last period, in the 20 minutes I had with my study hall kids, I'd read most of the yearbook entries. I flipped to the last page and a bigger message written in the corner caught my eye.
Miss Swan,
Thank you for being such an awesome teacher. I will always be appreciative to you for helping me find myself this year. You're the best.
-Alex
P.S. You and Mr. Cullen are really cute together. Don't be ashamed or try to hide it. A wise person once told me: "Love doesn't know gender, or race, or religion. Love only knows itself—pure, honest, passionate." I assume that also counts for two teachers. :)
I was wiping tears from my eyes and snot from my nose after reading her words. She'd repeated basically what I'd said to her all of those months before. She was telling me not to hide it or be ashamed of my relationship with another teacher. And while I knew making out with Edward yesterday at school had been in poor taste, I was glad that if any of my students had to have walked in on it, that it had been Alex. She meant a lot to me, and her approval, as one of my students, as someone who looked up to me, validated my relationship with Edward in a way I didn't even realize I needed.
The assembly later that day was as usual; exciting for the seniors being awarded and recognized, and boring for literally everyone else.
I glanced at the program, grateful that there were only two awards left to announce before the assembly was over and the school year officially done.
"The Spirit of the Mustang award is presented to one senior who has spent the last four years embodying the true meaning of a Midlands High School Mustang. With top grades, shining achievements in the band and on the softball field, and a reputation of being one of the kindest, most caring friends to all, this student has more than earned this award. This year, we present the 2015 Spirit of the Mustang award to Miss Kayla Rivers," Principal Greene announced from the stage. I watched as a stunned Kayla stood from her row among the other seniors on the floor, dressed in her royal blue graduation robe.
We all clapped loudly. She'd been my student her sophomore year and had been exceptional to have in the classroom. Seeing a past student win something so prestigious was just another reminder of why I loved my job so much.
I looked back at the program, then turned when I heard a few students down the row talking loudly. I smiled gently and pressed my finger to my lips in a "be quiet" warning while Principal Greene gave a description of the Teacher of the Year recipient.
"This teacher received a unanimous vote by colleagues and was described as 'One of the kindest, most personable teachers we have.' Others describe this teacher as 'More than a friend to students. This teacher is a hero to students, guiding them through the trials, fears, and judgements that accompany adolescence.' This particular person has been at this school for five years now and has deftly shown others what it means to spend everyday doing your life's passion. It is my extreme honor to announce this year's Teacher of the Year, Miss Isabella Swan!"
I really do think the next chapter will be the last for this story. I am sad to say that but I think I've told all I can with these two. I have had several ideas for my next story, but I've started a chapter of one I can't quiet thinking about. I hope you all will read it if I decide to post it.
Thank you all for the reviews, favorites, etc. Let me know how you liked this one.
