(A.N. Alright everyone. I put the poll up to see who wants a sequel sometime in the future to this story. Keep in mind it won't be posted until I finish my other story. Anyways, we still have a few more chapters for this story so don't give up on me yet. REVIEW, REVIEW, REVIEW!)
Disclaimer: Hey guess what! These are not my characters!
'I rolled my eyes, and shook my head. "You cheated." '
"I couldn't let you sleep out here." Edward said seriously. "It was my fault we got into an argument, not yours. You shouldn't be punished because I was being pigheaded."
"Had some time to think, did you?" I smiled at him and sat at the end of the couch by his feet. He nodded and grimaced as he tried moving closer. "You should have stayed in the bed with me after you snuck me back in there. You are going to be sore all day now."
"Karma sucks." He said as he rolled his head in a circle and winced at the kinks. "I got what I had coming. Don't worry about me."
"You didn't deserve this. Something else maybe, but not this." I smirked at him as he looked at me confused. "I realized I can just withhold sex now. It's quite a powerful tool. Next time we argue the first thing I will do is ban sex for a month and see if you bug me anymore."
"A MONTH! I'm never going to even come close to winning an argument again." He said, shaking his head in horror. "I suppose compared to that, a few sore joints and a couple kinks are nothing."
I laughed at him and snuggled into his chest. "I'm still a little mad at you though, so if you want to suck up, now would be a good time."
I felt his body stiffen and his arms wrap around me quickly pulling me up higher so I was face to face with him. "How would you like me to make up my behavior." He asked with a hopeful smile. I laughed at the eagerness in his face and bit my lip.
"I'll let you decide, but know that creativity will get you bonus points."
Edward smirked up at me and my remark, a little taken back by my insinuation. It didn't slow him down though. He quickly grabbed me and pulled me on the couch, kissing down my neck. He whispered apologies, asking forgiveness against my skin as he worked his way down my neck. I leaned my head back and took in the feeling of it, and then my phone rang.
"Leave it." Edward whispered huskily as I tried reaching for it.
"I can't." I sighed as I reached for the phone again. Pulling away from Edward like that was one of the hardest things I have had to do. "It's Alice."
"Go figure." He sighed and backed away from me. "Tell her I said thanks." He said sarcastically as he ran his hands through his hair. It stuck up in every different direction except for one side that was flattened slightly from sleeping on it. He looked very cute.
"Well hello Alice." I said cheerfully into the phone.
"You are awfully cheerful for being up this early." She said almost as an accusation. "What's different? You sound happier, less stressed, like you…HOLY CRAP! YOU HAD SEX DIDN'T YOU!?" Alice squealed into the phone loud enough for Edward to hear. His head shot up and stared at the phone in wonder, then his eyes looked at me in shock.
"Wh..What?" I stuttered out pathetically. 'Yes, good cover Bella.'
"Don't you dare lie to me young lady." Alice scolded.
"Young lady?" I scoffed. "Alice I'm older than you."
"That makes no difference to me." Alice said, refusing to be distracted. "You and I will talk about this later. I am choosing to assume that you were planning on telling me in person which is the reason you didn't bother to call me. Now on to other matters."
"Thank god." I sighed and leaned back against the couch. "What's up?"
"Apparently Edward's phone is off because Rose called and asked me to call you two to make sure you knew they were having everyone over for dinner tonight, attendance mandatory."
"Tonight?" I asked.
"Affirmative." She said in her best military voice. "Dress nice, but not super dressy. Call if you need help."
"I think I will be able to manage." I said as I got a beep saying I was getting another call. I looked at the screen and smiled brightly. "Alice, Renee is on the other line. I'll call you later."
"Alright, tell mom I said hi." She said hanging up. I switched the phone over and looked up at Edward. He was staring at me with a questioning look. It occurred to me that I called my mom by name, which apparently confused him.
'Renee?' He mouthed towards me. I smiled even brighter at him.
"Hey mom!" I said happily into the phone, and watched as Edward's face smiled up at me in understanding. I had never spoken to my mother around him.
"Honey!" Renee replied excited. "How's my favorite daughter?"
"Couldn't be better. I just got off the phone with Alice. She says hi." I said truthfully. Edward smiled at me and sat back. He seemed to be taking in my sudden change in demeanor. "Edward and I are just sitting around at the moment."
"Edward is there with you?" She asked, apparently as surprised by the occurrence as Edward.
"Yes, he is right here actually." I said as a tint of blush rose into my cheeks. "What is it I can do for you mom?"
"Right! Well I was calling to ask if you were coming here for Christmas next month." She said sounding hopeful. "And also, I was going to suggest that, if you do come and visit your poor mother for the holidays, you should bring your boyfriend." I drew back surprised and looked up to Edward who was staring at me questioning what caused such a reaction.
"Um, mom. Edward has to spend Christmas with his parents, but I will definitely be there." Edward's eyes grew wide and his mouth pulled into that sexy crooked grin. He reached his hand out motioning for me to hand him the phone. I looked at his hand then back to his face. "Apparently Edward would like to speak with you mom."
"Really?!" She asked surprised. "Brave boy. Well put him on. If I don't get to meet him anytime soon I suppose this will have to do."
I handed the phone timidly to Edward who took it with a wink and a smile.
"Hello Renee." Edward said smoothly into the phone. I could hear the buzz of my moms voice ringing through the receiver but couldn't make out the words. "I have actually been hoping I would get to meet you sometime too." He paused again, chuckling as he listened to my mother prattle on about whatever she was prattling on about. "She is a handful." I glared at him, not surprised at my mother's warning. Edward smiled warmly back at me. "Now, what was this about Christmas?" My eyes grew wide as he stared directly at me. "I would love to join Bella on that visit. Are you sure you wouldn't mind my intrusion?" I let out my breath as I stared at Edward with new eyes. He was serious. He had mentioned wanting to meet Renee but I thought he was just saying it in passing. "My parents will completely understand. We live much closer to them, so we can visit them anytime of the year." He smiled again. "It was nice speaking with you also, Renee. I will let you speak with your daughter again. I will see you for Christmas."
He handed the phone back which I took dumbly. I stared straight at Edward as I put the phone my ear. "Mom?"
"He even sounds cute Bella." My mom said excitedly. "And so polite. He said he is coming with you for Christmas!"
"I heard." I said quietly.
"Well, my dear, it sounds as though you are distracted. I completely understand. If he is as attractive as he sounds then I can't blame you." She waited for a response and just continued with a laugh when I didn't give her one. "Ok, Bella, I'll talk to you later. Love you."
"Love you too." I said weakly before hanging up the phone. Edward was staring right back at me with confusion.
"Did you not want me to go?" He asked concerned. "I didn't mean to invite myself. I wont go if you don't want me too."
I didn't say anything to him, I just lunged across the couch knocking him over as I hugged him and kissed every inch of his face. "You…are…the…most…perfect…boyfriend…EVER!" I said between kisses. He chuckled as he pushed me back.
"Really!?" He asked surprised. "Because I spoke with your mother?" I nodded happily. "Maybe I should call her regularly."
"You didn't just talk to her. You are willing to spend time away from your amazing family and what would probably be a perfect Christmas, to spend time with me and my family which is sure to have chewy ham, burnt stuffing and mashed potatoes that have the same consistency as glue." I smiled brightly at him and he stared back in surprise.
"I take it Renee isn't much of a cook."
"She insists upon cooking for the holidays like a mom should, but it seldom works out. One year she botched dinner so bad that we had to get take n' bake and when she tried cooking the pizza she lit it on fire. IN THE OVEN! We ended up having boxed noodles and frozen dinners that year." He laughed wholeheartedly at my description. "She tries though. The fact that you are willing to subject yourself to such a thing just to meet my mother speaks loads. Thank you."
"Even if I had known all of that before I agreed I would still attend. Spending so much time away from you, especially on the holidays would be pure torture. Plus I have really wanted to meet your mother. The way you speak of her, she sounds incredible and I am completely interested in meeting the person who raised you. The person who helped shape who you are. Charlie was a small glimpse but I have a feeling Renee will be a full enlightenment."
After showering we headed straight to my place. Edward, wisely, didn't bring up the matter of moving in together, though I could tell he was thinking about it. Every time he stepped foot into my house, or had to take me home to get a change of clothes. Every time he saw the stack of bills on my table or had to leave to go sleep at his own place, in his own bed, alone, he would make this face. I don't think he realized he did it, in fact I doubt many people would really notice the way his nose only slightly wrinkled, or the way his eyebrows only kind of drew together in what could only be described as a mixture of frustration, annoyance, and determination. It was all in love, the way he acted, but it still got to me. I understood his point of view, but moving in together seemed like a huge step. A step that, no matter how much he tried to convince me I still couldn't do. It was so early in our relationship. I didn't want to move in with him only to have him realize how annoying and silly I truly was.
Today was no different. He came in, made his little face but straightened it out quickly, and acted as though nothing was bothering him. I didn't know if I should bring up the topic later so I could explain my side in further detail or if I should just leave it be. It was hard when I tried to breach that conversation. It always started an argument, it was the only thing we really argued about.
Alice called a few more times that night to make sure we were on schedule, making sure we wouldn't be late. I was actually excited about tonight. I thoroughly enjoyed spending time with everyone, especially everyone together and I had never been to Emmett and Rosalie's before. Seeing the place Emmett called home, which was also the place Rosalie did and had to keep tidy while battling against the hurricane that is Emmett must be a sight. I was bouncing in my seat as we sped off towards our destination.
"Are you truly that excited?" Edward asked with a smile. I nodded in response flashing him a big smile back. "Well I hope you aren't terribly disappointed by what you find."
"It should at least be enlightening if nothing else." I said as I stared out the window as we made our way into the residential district.
Somehow I didn't picture them living in a actual house so the scenery was absolutely riveting. House after house flew by growing farther apart as we went. The drive was already at the fifteen minute mark and Edward had yet to so much as slow down. The houses went from cookie cutter similar to a wide range of shapes and sizes. When Edward finally slowed down he pulled into a driveway of probably the most perfect house in the neighborhood.
The ranch style home that laid in front of me was big, but not overdone. It was the perfect size family home with a little extra room with a big yard that wrapped around it. It had a front deck that extended almost the full length of the house with a white bench perched to one side. Edward opened my door for me and took my hand as he lead me towards the front door.
"Yo, little bro!" Emmett boomed from the doorway, beer in hand, before we made it up the steps. "Right on time. Good thing too, I would hate for that little pixie inside to get put away for manslaughter because of you and your tardiness."
"I believe you are confusing me with you." Edward said with a smile. Emmett cocked an eyebrow at him, right as a giant golden colored dog ran past his legs and straight for Edward. "Hey girl!" Edward said happily kneeling down to pet the animal. I smiled warmly at the exchange before being pummeled myself by the friendly beast. "Wow, hey Roxy! Down girl. She has enough balance problems without you pushing her around."
"Hi there sweetie!" I said kneeling next to Edward and scratching the dog on the neck. "Aren't you pretty. Yes you are." I heard Edward chuckle beside me as I used my baby voice on the dog. I shot him a warning look, which had absolutely no affect as Roxy gave me a big wet kiss up along the side of my face at the same time.
"C'mon inside you two." Emmett said with a wave of a hand as he turned and whistled. "C'mon Rox."
"I didn't know they had a dog." I whispered to Edward as we made our way inside. Edward nodded and smiled while closing the door behind him. "She's cute. I always wanted a dog but I never trusted myself to keep them alive. My track record isn't very good, even if they were just fish."
"I think you could handle an animal just fine." He said putting his arm around my waist and squeezing me to him.
"Yeah, well tell that to all those fish." I mumbled next to him. He continued with a smile.
"Roxy was a gift to Emmett from Rose. She thought he needed a play buddy and she figured a girl would keep him in line better."
I laughed lightly at his story, "Well whatever keeps him out of her hair."
"Actually the two of them feed off each other." Edward said amused. "Rose has even more of a handful then before."
"BELLA!" Alice screeched from a couch. "Your on time. I'm so proud!"
"You taught me everything I know." I said with a smile, and made my way over to sit next to her.
Jasper was sitting right next to her but was preoccupied with a game him and Emmett were playing on the x-box. Rose was sitting on the arm of the couch on Alice's side coaching Emmett and badmouthing Jasper simultaneously. Edward went over and grabbed another controller and joined in on the game, sitting on the floor between the other two. The three began bad mouthing each other, while pushing and distracting at the same time. Rose hopped up and started heading out of the room. Alice yanked me up with her and pulled me in the same direction Rose went in.
"So…" Alice prodded as she sat at the bar stool set in side the kitchen. "How was your night."
"Fine." I said flippantly. "Rose your home is lovely."
"Thank you Bella." Rose said back nicely. "We have worked really hard on it."
"Bella and Edward had sex!" Alice blurted out to Rose. Rose's mouth fell open as she slapped her hand up to cover it before a giggle escaped.
"Thank you Alice." I said burying my head in my hands. I could feel my cheeks flaming into a bright red, and the warmth of it on my hands.
"You brought it on yourself." She waggled her finger at me as though she was scolding a child. "Now give me details!"
"No!" I hissed at Alice, as Rose stood there dumbstruck. "Oh close your mouth Rose. It isn't that surprising is it? I'm not that much of a prude."
"Oh no, not that." She said closing her mouth and taking on a less surprised look. "You guys really hadn't done it till just recently? I mean you guys have been dating exclusively for what, half a year, or more and before that you two were seeing each other for a few months."
"Yeah, so?" I said defensively.
"No, that's good. You did good holding out like that. It's just, well, wow." She looked away a little dumbstruck while Alice and I watched her. Alice seemed amused, I wasn't. "I wouldn't, and didn't hold out that long at all. Making a Cullen wait like that is pure talent. Truly I applaud you. Again, wow!"
"He was very respectful of the whole thing, so it wasn't that difficult." I said, now feeling a little smug.
"So it was a little difficult?" Alice chimed in excited that I let the little piece of information slip. "How was he."
I looked up instantly, shocked, and turning bright red. "ALICE!" I whisper yelled. I felt no need to alert the men about what we were discussing.
"Oh stop Bella." Alice said with a wave of a hand. "Jasper already knows. I'm sure the boys are bugging Edward about it right now."
"YOU WHAT!?" I screeched. "Alice, that was not your business to tell. Why would you do that."
"Well, I tell Jasper everything." She said a little guilty. "Olive juice."
"Don't you olive juice me young lady. You are in deep trouble!" I said taking the roll of scolding parent.
"I'm sorry." She said pathetically. "I just can't help it. You love him, and trust him enough to do that and well that means that you two are working out and well I would really prefer if Jasper didn't win the bet."
"What bet?!" Rose and I asked in unison.
"How long it will take for Edward to propose." She said sheepishly. I let out a sigh of relief while Rosalie spit out her drink in shock.
"Shit!" Rose exclaimed as she searched around for something to wipe up the spit out wine with. "But wait, before you start yelling at her more, can we catch me up real quick? I don't understand some things." Alice and I both nodded and looked at her expectantly. "Ok, well, you went from getting scolded to talking about olives to talking about bets. So, explain the olives, and how in the world they are relevant, and why you" She jabbed a finger in my direction. "are not surprised that she took bets on when you will be wedded to a man you just slept with."
"We weren't talking about olives." I said with a sigh as I found a seat. "Olive juice means I love you." She just stared at me more confused. "If you mouth the words olive juice to someone it looks like you are saying I love you to them. It's just something we picked up. And well Jasper already told me about this particular bet right before Edward and my first date." They both looked at me in surprise. "You remember. With the bitchy waitress." They nodded as they remembered while Rose shot Alice a shocked look.
"Wow." Rose finally said. "You guys are weird."
"And oh, so fantastic." Alice chirped happily. I rolled my eyes but nodded my head in agreement.
"So, wait, does that olive juice thing really work?" Rose asked looking up at us expectantly. We both nodded confidently.
"Yeah, works like a charm. Try it on Emmett sometime tonight." Alice said as she picked at the bowl of chips on the counter.
I kept Alice away from what I deemed the forbidden conversation while we helped Rosalie finish dinner. We could hear the boys yell and curse at each other with the occasional gloat mixed in. They finally quieted down right before they came strolling in wondering when dinner was going to be ready. Roxy sat at Emmett's feet giving Rosalie the same pleading look as Emmett. I giggled slightly at the sight.
"What's funny?" Emmett asked seriously, looking at me confused. "There is nothing funny about going hungry, Bella. This isn't something you should joke about."
"Oh, no." I said, trying to hold back another giggle. "I wasn't laughing at your lack of …eating?" I looked at the girls not quite sure what to say to Emmett. "I just thought Roxy looked cute sitting next to you like that."
"What, hey!" Rose said looking at the dog then back up at Emmett. "You know she isn't allowed in the kitchen."
"Well, then tell her. I refuse to play the bad guy." Edward coughed a laugh and leaned back against the counter while the rest of us watched Rose and Emmett's exchange.
"Why do you always make me look like the bad guy?" Rose pouted and crossed her arms. "She already likes you better. Throw me a freakin bone here Emmett!"
At the sound of the word bone Roxy's ears perked up as she stared expectantly at Emmett. "Now look what you did. Teasing her like that." He kneeled down next to the dog and patted her head. "No wonder she likes me better when you pull stunts like that."
Alice and I stared at each other completely floored by what we were seeing. Rose actually looked hurt by the comment. Hell she even looked like she felt bad about 'teasing' the dog.
"Do you think they are going to act like this when they have kids." Alice whispered to me with her eyebrows knitted together. I shrugged, not once looking away from the specticale.
"Alright, well." Jasper finally said clapping his hands together uncomfortably. "As much as I enjoy watching you guys do…whatever the hell it is your doing, I really am hungry. Lets focus on the main goal here shall we."
"Right, I'm starving!" Edward added with a nod.
Rose and Emmett nodded and pulled their attention away from the animal, while Alice and I stood, still taking in the scene in front of us. There was no way I expected this kind of thing to happen. Alice and I stood, arms crossed, right next to each other and watched as Emmett ushered the dog out of the room until we were broken out of our staring by Edward standing in front of us with a knowing smile.
"It takes some getting used to." He said with a smirk. I smiled broadly at him while Alice patted him on the shoulder.
"You are related to him, you know?" Alice said with an apollogetic smile. Edward looked at her amused, and a little taken aback. "By blood. He couldn't be the only one who caught the crazy." She looked back at me then and gave me a hug. "Good luck with that, Bella." And then she walked to the table and took a seat next to Jasper while Edward and I stared at each other in wonder.
"What did we do?" I asked him after a few seconds of silence. He shrugged and lead me to the table.
Emmett was back from feeding Roxy, sitting at the head of the table with Rose next to him. Alice and Jasper sat on Emmett's other side, which left me sitting next to Rose, and Edward at the other end of the table, across from Emmett. I looked around at all of my friends, speaking happily with each other, and smiled. It felt like a big family, and what's more than that it felt right. We all fit there. Not only did I meet a man who was amazing and gorgeous, but he also got along with the most important people in my life, and I loved the most important people in his life. I loved him and he loved me. Life was looking pretty good at the moment. I smiled happily and leaned back in my seat, content. At that moment, my mind cleared and all doubt disappeared. I had some thinking to do.
