A/N: Sorry this chapter took a little longer than I usually do. I had *two* interviews for internships this week and am happy to report I'll be interning at the Make a Wish Foundation! Thanks for all your well wishes.
The playlist for this chapter is on the blog. There is quite a bit of fluff in this chapter, I thought after the emotional roller coaster we've been through we all needed it, BUT it's not a filler. It serves a purpose. I rarely ever have filler chapters, they all have some kind of plot progression. Enjoy!
Bella
They always say that if you love something you let it go. And if it happens to make its way back to you then it was always meant to be yours. Well I didn't willingly let him go, but by some miracle he made his way back to me in a fucked up way.
Charlie agreed to let Edward take me to school again and we spent practically every minute together that we could before he left at night. Charlie had finally accepted our relationship and we didn't want to push it, but there was a part of me that wished he could stay with me at night. It was when I missed him the most. Sometimes I faked being tired during the day just so we could take a nap next to each other. I loved the feeling of lying next to him while I slept.
Edward had dropped me off at my house after school so I could have dinner with my dad before he left for work that night. It was weird how my relationship with him had switched. He always made it home for dinner when he said he would. And even though he didn't like the idea of Edward and I together I think he finally saw our relationship for what it was. He understood how much we loved each other and even though he'd never admit it, I think a part of him was almost thankful that I'd found something like that. After what he went through with my mom I don't think he believed it existed. It existed for me and what father wouldn't want that for his daughter.
"Hey Dad!" I skipped into the house. He'd taken the liberty of ordering us a pizza for dinner. I noticed Riley was joining us, much to my disgust. Charlie had eased up but he sure as shit hadn't. I mean he followed the rules set forth by Charlie as far as curfew and Edward went, but by the permanent scowl attached to his face I knew he didn't like it.
"How was your day?" I smiled as I grabbed for some plates.
"It was alright. How was yours?" He cleared his throat and sat down at the table as I handed him a plate. Riley sat down next to him and took a plate.
"Fantastic."
"That's good to hear." He managed a genuine smiled and dug into the food. "Oh," he said, his mouth still full. "You got some stuff from some colleges today. Have you decided where you're going yet?"
My good mood instantly disappeared. I honestly hadn't given much thought to college but I knew all the deadlines were looming, if not already passed. I'm sure Charlie would have been nagging me about it if we didn't have other pressing matters at the time. I knew we couldn't afford anything big so I assumed I'd have to settle for a community college. I wanted to stay close anyway, I mean Edward was here why would I leave as soon as I got him back?
"So what are your plans for tonight?" Charlie asked.
"I'm hanging out with Edward." I smiled.
"Well I assumed that much, what are you guys doing?" He seemed slightly annoyed but still genuinely interested.
"I don't know we'll probably take a walk or something. He mentioned this old abandoned park that he found out by his parent's place." I shrugged my shoulders.
"Just be careful. With all the rain we've had lately I'm sure it's pretty muddy out there."
Riley glared at us as we spoke, but Charlie was completely oblivious until he spoke up.
"Uh Charlie I have a meeting to go to tonight, I'll be back around 9 if that's alright. I don't imagine Bella will be home before her curfew anyway." He glanced briefly my way and then went back to his pizza.
"Sure, sure."
I ate my pizza as fast as I could just so I could call Edward and tell him to come get me. Charlie and Riley looked at me like I was some kind of crazed person but as stupid as it sounds I just didn't want to miss any time with him. Now that I knew what it felt like to be without him I didn't want to waste the time I was given.
"I'm done. May I be excused?" I said, wiping my mouth.
"Well alright." Charlie nodded and took a sip of his milk. "Have fun."
"Okay I love you." I smiled and turned to Riley. "I don't love you, but have a good night anyway." I nodded and left to go upstairs and change my clothes. I pulled on some different jeans and wrapped a sweater around myself as I called him.
"I'm ready," I said as soon as he answered.
"That was quick. I barely got home."
"Well get your ass back here because I want to kiss you."
"In that case I will see you in a few."
I ran a brush through my hair and touched up my makeup as I waited. I didn't even realize how much time had passed until Charlie was yelling up to me.
"Bella he's here!"
I smiled and jogged out of my room and down the stairs. Edward sat in the kitchen with Charlie talking about the latest sports game with a piece of pizza dangling in his fingers. I was surprised at how breathtaking he was even when he kept his body hidden. It was wrapped perfectly in a dark blue sweater that made the light almost dance across his skin.
"Are you ready?" I asked, leaning against the doorframe.
"Yeah." Edward smiled and finished the rest of his pizza, thanking Charlie quickly before we left.
Edward opened the door for me and walked around to the driver's side.
"So what are we doing this evening love?"
"What about checking out that park you were talking about?"
"Well it's not really much of a park…just a few swings…" He shrugged.
"Sounds perfect."
He backed up and started down the driveway.
"Was that some college stuff I saw back there?" He arched an eyebrow.
"Yeah," I said softly.
"Well what do you think?"
"I think I want to just enjoy my time with you and worry about college later. Please," I begged hoping he would drop the subject. Honestly college scared the shit out of me. I liked the way things were now; I didn't want them to change.
Thankfully he said nothing for the rest of the drive. He turned up the radio and casually reached over to grab my hand, placing them both in my lap. He'd glance my way every once in awhile and smile. I was scared to take my eyes off him because I thought this was all a dream. I was convinced that one of these days I was going to wake up and be alone again.
He pulled into his parent's driveway and drove right past the house towards the backyard. He parked the car and jumped out, nodding towards a small path in the woods.
He grabbed a blanket out of the backseat and I reached for his hand as soon as I was close to him.
"How'd you find this place?" I asked.
He turned around to face me and started leisurely walking backwards as we made our way down the trail.
"I was out for a run the other morning and decided to take the path less traveled," he laughed.
"Very brave of you Cullen."
"Yeah. Anyways I asked my mom about it and she said that there was this family who used to live in this little cabin in the woods back here. That's where the swings came from. And when they left no one ever did anything with the cabin or anything. The people who owned this land before us never built on it and its been there ever since."
"Wow. That's quite a story. Is the cabin still here?"
"I didn't see it, but probably."
I nodded and let him lead me through the woods. He asked me a little bit more about my day and told me that he went and spent some time with Jasper earlier. It was nice to see them getting so close. Honestly the only real friends Edward had were his family and me and I knew sometimes he just wanted some guy time.
He stepped off the path and pulled me with him, making sure to go slow enough so I didn't trip over the branches. I did of course but he didn't laugh or say anything. He just held me tight enough to him that I didn't fall flat on my face.
We eventually came to a clearing where a set of two swings sat alone just waiting for someone to come along and find them. I tentatively sat down in one of them, wondering if it was even strong enough after all this time. Who knew how long it'd been since someone actually sat in them. The chains creaked a little bit but they were stable as ever. I smiled and started slowly moving back and forth.
"Give me a push," I said.
He smiled and walked around behind me, laying his hands on my lower back and pushing me forward. After I had good momentum going he conceded and sat down in the swing beside me, watching me as I swung back and forth. I always loved the swings when I was little. I think it was when I felt most free, like no one could stop me once I was on here. Part of it was probably because no one was dumb enough to walk in front of a girl frantically kicking and pumping on a swing. I did it once and I never did it again. It's part of the reason my nose has a slight bump on it.
I turned my head sideways and caught his eyes as I slowed down. I dragged my feet every once in awhile across the dirt, causing the swing to twist and turn. He reached out with his legs and trapped mine between his as he grabbed the chains of my swing. I watched as his muscles flexed under his sweater, pulling my swing closer to his.
Ever since we'd gotten back together it was almost like my sense were heightened, completely in tune with his. Every touch was amplified by a thousand, every stare had infinite meanings and words behind it. Even that electrical current running through my veins right now was greater than before. I didn't think it was possible, but this time we had apart made me fall even more in love with him.
I smiled and managed to stand up and crawl over to him.
"What are you doing?" He smiled.
I lifted my legs up and put them on either side of his hips as I pulled myself onto his lap. I snuggled closer to his chest and wrapped my arms around his neck.
"Hi," I whispered.
"Hi." He leaned forward and pressed his lips against mine. I felt his hands drifted towards my lower back and he pushed my hips into his. "Why don't you want to talk about college?" He whispered. He pulled back and furrowed his brow as he brushed my hair away from my face.
I think a part of me knew he wasn't going to drop it, but I still tensed up regardless.
"Does it scare you?" He asked.
I bit down on my lips and nodded.
"Why?"
"Because everything's just starting to get back to normal and it's all going to change again."
"Baby you can't avoid change. It's going to happen whether you're ready for it or not. You can't stay in high school forever and I refuse to let you sit around after you graduate and do nothing. You're better than that."
He was completely right. It wasn't that I didn't want to go to college, or experience new things.
"I just…I don't want to miss this." I rested my hand on his chest, right over his heart.
"Who says you're going to miss anything?"
"Well maybe if I stay close by…"
"If you could go anywhere in the world where would you go?"
"Dartmouth," I said without thinking. It was the first thing that popped into my head when he asked me. "But I know we can't afford it."
"Bullshit. There's student loans, there's scholarships. Aren't your grades still good?"
"Well I had a little hiccup while….you know. But they're still decent."
"Then what the hell is stopping you?"
I smiled and ran my finger along his bottom lip. "You are." I licked my lips and dipped down to kiss him again.
"You have me…" he mumbled against my lips. His fingers ran through my hair and held my face to his. "I'd follow you anywhere…"
"Really?"
"Yeah. Go where you want to go Bella. I'll go with you. You're my life now, I don't have anything left for me here. I won't be enlisted anymore by the time you graduate so I'm free to leave."
"God I love you," I smiled. I leaned down and kissed his neck and up to his jaw, missing his taste. We hadn't really been….together since it happened so it was moments like these I valued the most. We were watched like a hawk most of the time so it was almost impossible.
"I want you," he breathed. I pulled back and looked in his eyes, instantly knowing what he meant.
"Are Carlisle and Esme home?"
He nodded and looked around. "Come on…" He stood us both up and placed me on my feet. He grabbed my hand and started pulling me towards the woods.
"What are we doing?" I asked. A single raindrop fell in front of my face. Then another. And another. I noticed the small dots splatter across Edward's shirt as he stumbled along in front of me.
"We're going to find that damn cabin."
I've never really seen him like this. He tripped over roots and rocks just like we'd switched legs or something. We wandered around in the woods for a little bit. I laughed hysterically every time he almost fell and he chuckled under his breath, but tried to hold it in. I held tight onto his hand as he pulled me along. I suddenly saw him down in front of me and got jerked towards the ground. We rolled down a slight hill across the thoroughly soaked leaves. The rain was coming down so hard now that I could barely see through the mist.
"Are you hurt?" I asked as I landed on top of Edward.
"Just my pride," he winced.
I laughed and slapped his chest playfully. "That's what you get for being a pervy little horndog." I looked around and instantly smiled as soon as I saw it. "But apparently it worked."
"What?"
I nodded behind him and he craned his neck to see.
A small, humble cabin stood before us, like it was in its own little world. Completely untouched by everything around it. It was of course a little worn down, but it was adorable. I felt like maybe seven little dwarfs might come out and try to get me to clean their house or something.
"Let's go inside…" I smiled.
Edward
I stood up and brushed the mud off of my jeans as much as I could as Bella skipped towards the cabin.
"Be careful baby, it's probably not that stable." I jogged after her.
"Oh it better be for what I have planned…" She winked and I felt my knees go weak. She disappeared inside and I peaked my head around the corner. "Wow this is beautiful."
I adjusted the blanket under my arm and took another step inside. "Yeah it's pretty great." There was no furniture or anything inside but I could tell it would have been a beautiful home if it actually had some stuff in here. Just needed a little paint, maybe a few floorboards over the huge whole in the floor but other than that it was perfect.
"This will be the living room…." Bella spun around in the main room. "With a couch along the wall here." She pointed. "Chair here."
She smiled and brushed by me. "Kitchen in here. Guest room here."
"Where's the bedroom?" I arched an eyebrow and took a step.
"Through here." She disappeared through a door in the back.
"Bella?" I called, following her in.
"Right here."
I turned towards her voice and noticed she'd conveniently slipped out of her shirt.
"It was all wet," she shrugged.
"Sure it was." I smiled and took a step forward, trapping her between myself and the wall. I leaned down and pressed my forehead against hers, feeling the slick moisture of the rain. I inched my lips forward, lingering just before they brushed against hers.
"Why are you teasing me?" She breathed.
I smirked and grazed them ever so lightly across hers and down her skin. I continued down her jaw and across her collarbone as my fingers barely brushed down her stomach, dipping slightly under the hemline of her jeans.
I threw the blanket down on the floor and reached above my head to pull my shirt off. She smiled and reached for the buttons of her jeans, pulling them down and stepping out of them.
"I missed you so much," she said, grabbing hold of my belt loops and yanking me towards her.
I leaned down and started nibbling on her neck, needing to taste her skin. Her hands ran over the seam of my jeans and I felt myself involuntarily grinding my hips against hers and into her palm.
I grabbed hold of her skin between my teeth and unconsciously bit down when she moved her hips against mine. I pulled back when she gasped and stared wide eyed at the bite marks on her neck.
"I'm so sorry." I ran my fingers along the spot, hoping I could rub it away.
"It's okay." She leaned forward and took my bottom lip between her teeth, biting down hard. I felt the pain at first, so much so that I almost cried out. But a moment later it was gone, instantly filled with this insane pleasure knowing that she was marking me as hers. Just like I'd marked her. In a twisted fucked up kind of way it was the sexiest thing she'd ever done.
I growled as she pulled back and sucked on my bottom lip. "You taste good," she winked as she started unbuckling my jeans. She quickly slipped her hands inside the waist of my boxer-briefs.
I reached around the curve of her ass and grasped her legs, right below the crease. It fit perfectly into my hands, almost like it was shaped for me. I hiked her legs up around my waist and banged her back into the wall.
"Sorry," I said, wondering if I'd hurt her.
"Will you stop apologizing and just come inside?" She smirked.
Fuck. Me. I reached up and grabbed at the side of her panties, trying frantically to pull them down. I heard the rip and opened my mouth to apologize again but she pressed her finger against my lips and stopped me. She shook her head and slipped her finger inside my mouth.
She wrapped her legs tighter around me and shimmied her hips down over mine, taking my boxers down with her. I hissed as the cool air hit me, but Bella quickly lifted herself and lowered her hips onto me. A soft sigh escaped my lips as I felt her warmth all around me.
I slammed her against the wall again a few more times, no longer scared that I was hurting her. She actually liked it. I could tell by the look of pure ecstasy that took up residence across her face.
I pressed my lips roughly against hers, asking for permission. She parted them, allowing me access to her delicious tongue.
I whipped us around and gently knelt down, laying her gently on the blanket.
"I love the way you feel…" She whispered, her voice ragged. I could tell she was close to the edge, almost ready to give in.
"Not yet." I pulled back and spun her over onto her stomach. "Scoot up on your knees."
She did as I ordered and I pushed my hips back towards her. I reached around and laid my palm flat against her chest and traveled downward.
I felt myself start to come undone, my stomach coiled tightly up and I knew it would happen soon. My vision started to blur and I felt my muscles start to tense. Bella screamed and turned her head around. "Not yet." She blinked several times, then allowed her eyes to close. She crawled forward and turned around, pushing firmly on my chest. I fell backward onto the blanket and she crawled on top of me, straddling my hips. "Now I can see you," she said as she moved her hips against mine. I knew neither of us would last long. I could tell we were both to that point of hypersensitivity where any little movement could set us off. She bucked her hips against me one more time and I grasped onto my hair as I fell over the edge. She let out a barely audible whimper as a sweet smile spread across her face. I loved that I could do that to her.
"Bella?" I whispered.
"Just give me a second," she said, licking her lips.
I smiled and waited until her eyes fluttered open and she looked down at me. "Okay now you can talk."
"I love you."
"I love you too baby." She leaned down and gave me a sweet, short kiss before rolling over onto her back. "What time is it?"
I glanced outside and noticed the complete and utter darkness that surrounded us. I hoped we could make it back to the house.
"It's got to be getting late. We should get you home. I don't want to get you in trouble." I hopped up and pulled my pants and shirt as she got dressed. I took her hand and the blanket and started outside. It was still drizzling a little, but I started back towards the way I think we'd come. We eventually found the swings again and then the trail. Pretty soon we came up on the lights of the house and I ran inside to tell everyone I was taking Bella home. Emmett commented on my "sex hair" and Rosalie kindly let me know that my shirt was on inside out. I ducked out of there as I felt the blush rise to my cheeks before Carlisle and Esme could say anything.
Bella smiled the entire way back to her house. I kissed her goodnight and walked her to her door, giving her one more kiss before she disappeared inside. I turned to leave and noticed Riley was at the window watching us. He didn't even try to act like he wasn't watching. His eyes burned into mine and I refused to cower under his gaze. Keep staring fucker. I'm going to figure you out.
I finally turned around as I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket.
"Emmett, what's up?"
"I just heard from my guys. They don't have an exact address for the number, but they traced it to Seattle."
"Well great that just narrows it down to an entire major city." I sighed. "Do they know how long until they get a name?"
"Not sure. You'll know as soon as I do."
"Okay thanks man."
I got in my car and started to drive home, but I passed my driveway and kept driving. I jumped on the 101 on my way to Seattle. I had no idea where I was going or who I was looking for. It was pointless. But I was just that much closer to whoever the fuck this was. I drove around Seattle the entire night just…looking, hoping something would come to me. Like the answer would just hit me right in the face. It never did.
A/N: Uh oh the big bad college monster has reared it's head. But who else is getting anxious about Edward getting a step closer to the rat bastard who is making the threats? We're sooooo close to finding out. I showed you the love, so show me the love : )
