~oO~ RE-EDITED/REPOSTED ~Oo~
All songs can be found on my blog drotuno(dot)blogspot(dot)com and as always...SM owns everything.
CHAPTER 36
BELLA
"Welcome home, love," Edward said, his fingers under my chin. His eyes were warm, and a slight smile played on his lips.
"Thanks, baby," I said, smiling and kissing him quickly. "Come on, show me around."
To say the house was beautiful would be an understatement. The main house was huge; every bit as big as the one in Forks. It was an older home, standing three stories, with a wrap around porch with swings. It was pale yellow with white trim, surrounded by tall trees and an expansive lawn that led to the edge of a forested area.
Walking in the front door, the living room was on my right, and an empty room was on my left, which I assumed was for Edward's piano. Straight ahead was the stairs and a hallway that led to the kitchen, dining room, and game room. Off the game room was the deck, with the pool and in-ground spa. From there, you could see the "pool house," but it was huge.
Our room was on the third floor. Edward and I had the loft, leaving the second floor for everyone else.
When I walked in the door to our room, my breath caught.
"I know," Edward said quietly at my ear.
The room was a perfect combination of the two of us. The furniture was a rich honey color, the walls a pale blue. The ceilings were high, angling to a peak. Sheer curtains framed the windows, including the window seat.
I fell in love with the window seat instantly. The seat was in the same shades of blue that were throughout the room, piled with pillows. On each side of the bench, bookcases rose from the floor to the ceiling. There were even shelves under the bench.
I heard Edward chuckle. "Esme knew that had your name written all over it." He kissed my temple, and I leaned into it, still looking around.
My eyes landed on the bed, and I immediately thought of our honeymoon. It was fluffy and white, like a cloud, the bed skirt dark blue. The four posts had the gauzy mosquito netting draped decoratively around them.
"Wow," I breathed, leaning my back to Edward's chest.
The last thing I spied was a chaise in the corner by another bookcase. It was a camel color leather, coming out from the corner at an angle. Next to it was a door, which I assumed was the bathroom.
"Yeah, she's amazing, huh?"
I nodded.
He pointed to the bed. "That's a little bit of our honeymoon she couldn't resist giving us." He set his chin on my shoulder.
"I love it," I said quietly, turning to kiss his cheek. "Nice colors, by the way," I said, snickering.
"Believe it or not, I didn't pick them," he said, laughing and holding up his hands. "I gave her free reign, and she went with it."
"Sure, sure," I said, rolling my eyes.
There was some stumbling up the stairs, and all four of our siblings poured in the open door.
"Wow," Rose said, walking around. "Esme really pulled out all the stops this time around."
Alice ran over to the window seat and plopped down. She peaked out the window. "You guys can see the edge of the woods. That's cool," she mused. "Okay, so Carlisle and Esme want us to see their house, too. Edward, did you pick these colors?" she asked, looking around with a smile on her face.
Edward sighed as I laughed.
We all headed downstairs, stopping to see the other two bedrooms. They seem to fit the other couples perfectly. Esme truly had a gift. Where Emmett and Rose's room had strong, dark colors, Alice and Jasper's had lighter, earthy tones.
Stepping into the game room was fantastic. She had thought of everything, including the pool table. There were dart boards and a space for the flat screen and Xbox. There were squashy chairs and tables. There was even a table set up with a chess board.
We were just about to head out the door of the game room, when Alice stopped. "Oh," she said, and then smiled.
I heard Edward sigh.
"Boys, the truck will be here in about nineteen minutes."
Rose and I snickered.
"Shit," Emmett said. "Okay, well, let's go see the parental units, and then we'll get this crap over with."
Carlisle and Esme's house was just plain gorgeous. It was the same color outside as the main house, but inside was just stunning. Every room was filled with antiques. What I didn't ask, but assumed, was that they were real antiques…owned by Carlisle for centuries.
Like our house, everything was empty, waiting for the boxes on the truck, but Alice and I walked arm in arm through every room, our mouths open.
Esme found us and snickered. "Girls, I hope you're happy with your rooms."
Both of us just looked at each other, and then Esme, and rushed to hug her, gushing at the same time about color and furniture and so many other things that she just laughed, shaking her head.
Carlisle walked by at that time, snickering.
We heard the truck pull in and the boys groan. It was mid day, and we turned to Esme. "Swim?" Alice asked, laughing. "Ah, it's sad, but the torture for them is almost over." We shook our heads in mock sympathy.
We left Esme's house, going out to the cars, but Jasper stopped us. "Your clothes are already inside, ladies," he said, bowing.
"Ooh, he's good," I muttered to Alice, and then turned to Rose. "We really need to work on Emmett's training."
Rose doubled over, laughing. "Oh God, girl, don't you know it?"
"Hey! I heard that!" Emmett scoffed from somewhere in the yard.
"Whatever," the three of us said.
We ran upstairs to change into swim suits, before heading back downstairs. Esme was already there. We settled ourselves into the lounge chairs and fell into a comfortable silence.
I cracked open the book that I'd had in the car, finding my place.
"I've read that," Rose's voice said beside me. "It's hot! Wanna know what happens?" she asked, snickering.
"No!" I laughed. "Wait, yes…no!" I laughed at myself.
"Oh, is that the one?" Alice asked, pointing to the book in my hand.
"Yes, I drove Emmett crazy for two days reading that damn thing," Rose laughed.
I snickered, thinking about what had happened in the car on the way here. I turned a page, and it was yanked from my hands. "Hey!" I laughed at the look on Edward's face.
"I don't think so," he said, smiling. "Just…no…" He tucked it into the waistband of his jeans at the small of his back. "You just about drove me insane in the car."
I laughed, covering my face.
"See?" Rose said, laughing.
"Don't make me take it from you, Edward," I snickered, starting to get up.
"Oh Lord," Esme sighed, shaking her head at all of us.
"You can try, love," he said, laughing.
"You won't win, Edward," Alice giggled from her chair on the other side of Esme.
I stood up and saw that his brothers were watching. "Hey, Rosie, is that the same…" Emmett started.
"Yes!" she answered, snickering.
"Oh, hell, Eddie, let her read it. It's totally worth it," he said. Holding up a bill to Jasper, he said, "She takes it from him, hands down."
I smiled at him, and he brought his hand up, motioning for me to come on and shaking his head.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw that Carlisle was standing in the doorway of their house, watching with a smile on his face. He truly loved every last one of us and enjoyed our silly moments.
For every step I took, Edward took one back. I opened my shield, trapping him and pushing him against the wall of our house.
"Damn, you do cheat," he groaned, chuckling.
"You guys are a bad influence, that's why." I watched him struggle, raising my eyebrow at him. I reached my hand out to the bottom of his shirt, slipping under.
I raked my fingers around to his back, watching as his eyes darkened. I felt his muscles twitch and a low growl escape him. His arms tried to move, but they couldn't. I reached my book, snatching it out of his pants. "Thanks, baby," I said, smiling.
"Dangerous creature," he muttered under his breath, but he was smiling, his eyes glowing with humor.
I laughed, turned around, and headed back to my chair. Before I had a chance to put my shield down around me, he snatched the book, tossing it to Jasper, and picked me up. I was laughing and kicking as he tossed me into the pool. I came up sputtering. "Damn, fine, keep it!" I yelled, laughing.
I pulled myself out of the pool, flicking water at him as he laughed. I stuck my tongue out at him, and then sat down and turned to Rose. "So…how does it end?" I asked, smirking at her.
She looked up at Edward, snickering. "Where were you?"
"I give up," Edward said, laughing.
I love you, baby, I thought to him.
He kissed the top of my wet head, snickering. "Love you."
"Jesus," Jasper said, flipping through the book. "Can humans even do that? He's putting…and she's got…"
Emmett was next to him shrugging. Edward snatched the book from them and put it in his back pocket, shaking his head.
"Jazz!" Alice laughed. "I will explain it later!"
The boys got back to work, unloading the truck and placing the boxes in the appropriate rooms. They grumbled and complained the whole time, Emmett still saying that it wasn't fair.
"Okay, so I know they are supposed to unpack everything as well," Alice said so low just the three of us could hear her, "but I was thinking of cutting them a break. I want to put my room away the way I want."
"Yeah," I said, "I was thinking the same thing."
"Okay," Rose said, sighing. "Fine, but…" She stopped, watching them unload Edward's piano.
Holy God, there had never been a better sight. My love for that piano was one thing; the memories I had of it flooded my mind. I watched as the three of them picked it up, turning it without much effort, but their muscles were flexed, their arms bulging, their shirts riding up. It wasn't really heavy for them, just awkward, trying to get it inside. As Jasper and Emmett held it, Edward made quick work of removing the legs. I heard Alice and Rose groan as Emmett and Jasper lifted the piano higher. My breath caught as Edward lay down, taking the legs off quickly, his whole torso exposed, his muscles flexing erotically.
"Shameless, girls," Esme muttered teasingly, looking at all of us stare. "Simply shameless."
I looked over at my sisters, and they had the same open mouth stare as I did.
"And?" Rose said, laughing.
Esme laughed, shrugging.
Alice laughed, turning back to watch them take the beautiful instrument into the house. "It's not like they don't do it on purpose, Esme."
"True," I laughed.
It didn't take long, but the boys got everything in. They were covered in dust when they trudged out to the pool deck.
"Everything's in," Jasper said, coming out and kissing Alice on top of her head.
"Good job, baby," she said, smiling. "We have a surprise for the three of you."
"Oh yeah?" Emmett asked, sitting at the end of Rose's lounge.
"Oh thank God," Edward said, falling beside me and putting his head on my chest.
I ran my fingers through his messy hair, snickering.
"You're done, boys," Rose said, rubbing Emmett's back with her feet. "We'll unpack."
"Sweet!" Emmett said, pulling his shirt over his head and diving into the pool.
They helped us unpack anyway, hanging pictures and flat screens, setting up computers. As fast as we all were, the house was a home in no time flat. Rose even had her garage set up the way she liked it within a few days of us arriving.
Edward and I blended our things together without any problems, because Esme had given us enough room and storage for the both of us. He printed out some of the wedding photos, framed them, and we hung them on the wall. We both chose to print them in black and white, thinking they just looked so much nicer.
School was starting on Monday, and we were all talking about classes. Alice and I were in one together, Jasper was with me in just about everything. Edward and I shared three. Emmett and Rose weren't in any of ours, considering they were technically a grade ahead.
Most of the classes were in the day time; the weather in New Hampshire was not that much different than Washington. There were a few more sunny days than Forks had, but with the way things were, we could all check in online on the days that we couldn't attend.
We had brought the fire pit with us and were all outside in the spa one night under the stars next to the blaze.
"Okay, guys," Alice said, looking at us. "I need to go shopping tomorrow. Monday is the first day, and you know…"
"We have to make a good first impression," they all said in a bored voice around me.
I laughed, shaking my head. "Not the first time she's said that, huh?" I was sitting next to Edward, with my legs in his lap.
"Hell, no!" Emmett boomed, smiling.
"Make fun all you want... I've kept you guys in clothes for decades!" She pouted, folding her arms across her chest.
Jasper snickered, kissing her temple.
When none of them argued with her, she said, "Now, it's been almost three years since we've gone to school. I need to know if any of you want to change your style!" She was clearly frustrated with them. "Bella, you don't. I've been stocking you up for a while."
"Okay. One less thing," I snickered.
"Oh, don't think you aren't going with me," she said, raising her eyebrow at me.
"Damn," I laughed, and heard Edward's snicker beside me.
"I do, Alice," Emmett said, smiling.
"Okay," she said, stopping and thinking. "I know what to do with you, and Jasper…I know what you want. Rose? Edward?"
"Yeah," Rose said, "but I'm coming with you, so we can decide there."
I looked over at Edward, and he shrugged at her.
"Edward," Alice probed. "Anything?"
I snickered at his blank expression. He had a classic style. He could keep it the same if he wanted to. It didn't matter to me, but Alice was pushing.
She looked at me. "Do you have any idea how hard it's been to dress him all these years?" She sounded exasperated, but her voice was full of love.
Edward rolled his eyes and said, "Don't listen to her."
I chuckled, pulling myself closer to him, and he wrapped his arms around my legs.
"The fifties was easy!" She laughed. "Just toss him some jeans, a white t-shirt, and a black leather jacket, and he was fine."
I snorted, shaking my head at her. Style was so important to her.
"Oh, here we go," Edward said, shaking his head, but smiling.
"But the sixties," Rose said, "and seventies for that matter, he was a pain in the ass. He didn't like the styles." She laughed. "Jeans and t-shirts, that's it. It wasn't until the eighties that the prep you see before you came out."
I laughed, looking over at him.
"I told you not to listen," he said, shaking his head again.
"What? No grunge look in the nineties?" I asked, squealing as he tickled my legs.
"No, that was me," Jasper said. "I liked the plaid shirt over the tee, with messy jeans," he explained, laughing.
"Yeah, that wasn't bad," Alice said. "But back to Edward…are you changing anything? And yes, I know you need sneakers. Don't worry about it."
"I trust you, Alice," he said, shaking his head and waving her on. "Just…do what you do."
"Sweet," she said, clapping her hands. Turning to me, she said, "And that's why you're going, too."
I looked over at him, laughing. He pulled me in his lap, kissing my neck. The more I thought about it, the more dressing him sounded like fun. Different styles flashed through my mind, and I tried them on him mentally.
We were all quiet for a while, lost in our own thoughts. I knew that I needed one more talk with Carlisle before school started. I turned Edward's ring slowly with my fingers, my head back on his shoulder. Thinking about being gone all day the next day, I decided to do it Sunday. That led my train of thought to missing Edward all day tomorrow.
Take me upstairs, baby, please. Suddenly, my heart hurt with the thought of it. It ached. I didn't know why it was hitting me so hard…but the thought of being apart from him just killed me.
"Okay, love," he said, kissing my head. We got out, wrapping towels around us, and headed upstairs. "What's wrong, baby?" he asked, closing the door.
"Nothing, I just want you," I said, stepping up to him.
"Hmm," he said, wrapping his arms around my waist, "I think we can deal with that."
His hands cupped my face as he leaned down to kiss me. He slowly walked me back to the end of the bed, until my legs met the edge. My hand tugged on his hair, bringing him in closer to me, while my other hand was at the small of his back, flattened and sliding into the waist of his shorts. He moaned, his hips pressing to mine. I could feel his arousal against my stomach.
With a hand on my back and one at my shoulder, he pushed me back on the bed, never breaking from my mouth. He lifted me, pulling my body up the bed, and hovered over me. As his tongue did torturous things against mine, my fingers explored his jaw, down his neck and over his shoulders, touching skin and muscles I had memorized. Once I got to the waistband of his board shorts, I flicked them open, slowly trying to push them down, but we were still damp from being in the hot tub, so they stuck to his skin.
With a frustrated grunt, I ripped them, causing him to snicker against my neck, which he was so lovingly licking.
"Shut it…shopping tomorrow," I said, my eyes rolling back as he sucked on the flesh under my ear.
"Fine," he said softly, and with a flick of his fingers, my bikini was in shreds on the floor.
I smiled against his shoulder.
He lay beside me, half his weight on me, with one hand in my hair, the other traveling over my body. He cupped my breast, bending down to lavish wet kisses on the other one.
I arched into him and said, "More, baby, please…I need you."
He continued to lick and taste my chest, but his hand, flat against my skin, made its way to my heated mound, pressing firmly against me.
"Ugh, yes," I said, trying to grind into him.
"Tell me what you want me to do to you," he said against my stomach.
"Anything," I breathed. "I want to feel you, everywhere. It feels like I can't breathe, I need you so bad."
His head shot up to look at me, concern on his face.
I put my hand to his face. "Please, baby." My hips still struggled against his hand.
"Oh, Bella," he murmured, resting his forehead to mine, recognizing something in my eyes. "I can't deny you anything, love," he said, his lips meeting mine, his fingers slipping inside me. His mouth was soft, comforting. His fingers slipped in and out of me, his thumb pressing me just right.
I pulled him closer, trying to melt into him as my orgasm rocked me. My eyes stung with venom of tears that I couldn't shed. I was shaking under him, with want and need and something I didn't recognize.
Edward settled between my legs, his hands holding my face. "Bella, love, what's wrong?"
I just shook my head. "Don't stop," I said, burying my face in the crook of his shoulder.
He placed a long, warm kiss to my neck, entering me with a careful slowness that caused us both to groan.
I wrapped my leg around him, trying to get even closer, frustrated that I knew I couldn't. My fingers dug into his back, gripping him to me. "I love you so much." My breath hitched as I pulled his head to mine. "Do you know?" I asked, looking in his eyes.
"I can feel it, baby, all day, everyday," he said, a slight smile on his face. His kiss seared my mouth, leaving me breathless. His lips trailed down my skin as his thrusts were forceful, but slow. "It takes my breath away, love," he said against my skin.
He reached down, pulling one of my legs up. "Can you feel my love, Bella?" he asked, placing a long kiss on the inside of my knee, then letting it stay in the crook of his elbow. "Do you know it's all I can do not to keep you in this bed and show you every minute of everyday how you make me feel?" he continued.
I whimpered, my eyes closing at the sound of his words, the feel of him filling me.
"I want to show you over and over how much I love you," he said, his lips meeting mine.
I took his bottom lip with a shudder, sucking him, tasting him. My tongue twisted with his, and I ran it across the roof of his mouth.
His thrusts became harder as he groaned. He kissed down my neck, taking my breast in his mouth, sucking hard.
I arched up to him, my other leg wrapping around his waist. "Edward," I whimpered. When his teeth bit down, I came undone. "Jesus," I gasped, clenching around him. I rolled him over, sitting up and taking him in as far as he could go.
I looked down at my beautiful man. He was looking at me, loving me with his eyes. His hands ghosted over me everywhere, never settling on one place.
I could feel all of him, every inch, every twitch, every contraction of muscle…it was all under me. "God, I can feel it," I said, barely audible.
His tongue flicked out, biting his bottom lip as I rose and fell over him.
One of his hands finally gripped my hip, and the other started circling my clit. I was gripping his side, when he took my hand.
"Feel this, baby," he said, putting my fingers to where we were one. "That's us, that's perfection, love," he said, looking up at me. "Never forget that, baby."
I could feel him thrusting in and out, feel the heat between us, the slickness.
"Edward," I whimpered. It was too much, the feel of us connected. I had never felt anything more perfect.
He sat up, wrapped my legs around him, and thrust up into me.
His hand stayed on my hip, guiding me; the other fisted my hair, turning my head to kiss as deep as he could.
My arms wrapped around his neck, my elbows on his shoulders, my fists in his hair. I gasped as I came, my mouth breaking from him, head falling back.
"God, you're so beautiful," he said, running his hand flat against the scar over my heart. He ran that same hand up to my neck and into my hair, pulling my forehead to his. "Watch me, love," he said, his eyes dark. "Watch what you do to me." With that said, he came, calling my name and placing whisper light kisses to my mouth.
We stayed wrapped around each other, breathing each other's breath. Eventually, my head fell to his shoulder, and I kissed his neck. My arms were around him, my fingers tracing endless designs on his back. I realized he was doing the same thing.
I felt a kiss to my shoulder, and then heard his quiet voice in my ear. "Now, love, what's wrong?"
"I don't know, I just needed you so bad," I said, nuzzling his neck.
"Hmm...not that I'm complaining," he said, smiling against my shoulder, making me snicker, "but what made you want to come upstairs? What were you thinking?"
I thought for a moment and said, "Shopping." I giggled. "I was thinking that we were going to be gone all day tomorrow…and…I was…missing you already…oh…" I stopped, realizing what had made my heart hurt.
He pulled me back to look at him. "You know I'm not going anywhere," he said, his face a little stern.
"Yes, I do," I said, looking away from him. "My heart knows, but my brain gets stupid sometimes, Edward."
I felt his chuckle and looked back up at him. "I know that feeling, love," he said, kissing my forehead. "Like I said, I wasn't complaining."
I smiled and shook my head.
He laid us down in the bed, pulling the covers up. I rested my head on his chest. "Are you nervous about Monday, love?" he asked, tracing his fingers up and down my arm.
"Hmm," I mused. "Not really. I mean, I have you and our whole family there. I've taken classes before…studying is studying. It's people that worry me."
"What has you worried?" he asked, kissing my head, taking a deep breath of my scent.
"I worry about my shield and protecting Jasper. I don't want to be jealous over girls looking at you, though I know it will happen…and then, all the first day stuff…finding classes, people staring…" I snickered at my own insecurities and kissed his chest.
"All of that is normal, love," he said, snickering with me, "except the jealousy part. That's just silly. I belong to you."
"And don't you forget it, mister!" I said, writhing under his tickle.
He pulled me on top of him to see my face. "So, shopping tomorrow." He laughed as I rolled my eyes. "Alice will make you dress me. She's over it. I heard her mind."
I laughed, shaking my head.
"Any ideas?" he asked.
"Do you care?" I countered, raising an eyebrow.
He said sincerely, "No, I trust you."
"Okay, so that thug look is in…" I said, laughing as he rolled on top of me.
"You wouldn't!" he growled, his eyes darkening.
"Um, definitely not," I snorted, shaking my head. "But having a live Ken doll is starting to sound fun."
He laughed, his head dropping to my shoulder. "There's just one problem with that, my sweet girl," he said, looking back up at me through his eyelashes.
"What's that, baby?" I asked, a smile playing on my lips.
"Ken can't do this," he said, entering me swiftly.
I cried out, lost to him for the rest of the night.
~oOoOo~
It was brutal, the shopping…absolute torture. Alice was on a mission and had way too many people to buy for. We finished with Emmett, who Rose wanted preppy this time around, considering we were on the east coast. Rose herself was finished, mixing her current runway style with preppy as well.
Jasper wanted business casual, which meant khakis and dress shirts, some polo shirts, and jeans…he didn't want to lose the jeans. Alice and I kept the same style. She had been dressing me for so long, that I actually had come to like the style that she picked.
We saved Edward for last, debating all day in every high end store Alice could come up with.
"You know, Alice," I said, sighing as we walked from one end of the mall to the other, "his style is classic. Maybe we could just add to it; update it slightly."
"That's not a bad idea, Bells," Rose said and stopped in front of a window.
We both looked up and stared with her. "Perfect," we all said. So for Edward, we forgot about high end and focused on American Eagle and Aeropostale. We took the preppy look he already had, adding to it a style with a little edge to it.
He could still wear the same jeans and khakis he'd always worn, but we added different polo shirts, button downs, and long sleeve t-shirts. As far as colors went, dark was good. Navy blue, black, and gray were all fine; reds and oranges were out due to his hair color.
As we collapsed in the car, I sighed. "Oh my God, Alice," I griped. "If I pay you to continue to shop for Edward, would you?" Rose was patting my head and snickering.
"You don't have to pay me," she said, giggling. "Just keep Jasper covered at school, and we're fine. Deal?"
"Hell, yes, deal!" I said, laughing.
Edward approved of everything, laughing at how we had driven ourselves mad, trying to dress him.
When Sunday dawned and I saw that Carlisle was home, I walked downstairs. My brothers were killing each other in the game room on the Xbox. Edward was at his piano. I came over, and leaning over his shoulders, kissed his head. "I'm going to talk to Carlisle, love," I said.
He stopped playing. "Do you want me to come with you?" he asked, turning around and pulling me onto his lap.
"You can," I told him. "I just want to talk to him before school tomorrow and about my reaction the other night. I shouldn't have been so…I don't know…desperate." Was that even the right word? I couldn't even pinpoint what I'd been feeling.
"Okay," he said, picking me up as he stood. He kissed all over my face, until I was laughing in his arms, and then he set me down.
"Edward, Bells," Carlisle greeted us as we walked into his new office.
I looked around and saw that it had much the same things as his old one did. Edward and I sat in the chairs across from him.
"What's the topic, Bells?" he asked, looking between us.
"School," I said, clarifying, "My shield, Jasper…"
"Oh, okay," he said, like he was expecting something harder.
I heard Edward chuckle, and I realized that they were communicating.
"Okay, keep it verbal, boys!" I laughed, looking between the two of them.
"Sorry," Carlisle said, snickering. "Old habit. Now, here's what I was thinking." He smiled. "We all forget that you are so new to this life. You took to it without so much as a single problem. What I want you to do is follow a few simple rules."
"Okay," I said.
"Stay fed. You say that your shield is stronger when you've fed, and since you are taking Jasper with you, you need the strength, okay?" he asked, raising his eyebrows.
I nodded.
"Second, try to avoid contact with humans, if you can," he said, sighing. "I know that you touched them in Forks, but the stresses of the move and new classes, new people, just…for now, try to not let it happen…again, remember you have someone else with you."
"Got it, makes sense."
"Okay, last thing…if anything goes wrong or you feel in any way uncomfortable, tell Edward or the others, okay?" he asked, putting his elbows on the table, his fingers touching.
"Yes, I will," I said, nodding. I had planned all of these things, except the avoidance of human contact. That wasn't something I had thought about.
"Next topic?" he asked, smiling.
"Um, I got really…" I looked over at Edward, frowning, "…upset? That's not the word, but we'll start there…the other night. We were just talking about going shopping for the day, and my…chest ached, my heart hurt…" I shook my head, trying to clear it or organize it. I didn't know which.
"Why?" he asked, leaning forward.
"It happens when she knows we are going to be separated even as little as a day," Edward said, taking my hand.
"Does it happen to you?" Carlisle asked, looking over at Edward.
"Sometimes," he answered. "We just didn't know what it meant. Is it something left over from my leaving? Is it something else?"
"Hmm," he said, thinking. He stood up and walked in front of me, kneeling down. "May I try something, Bells?"
"Carlisle…" Edward's voice sounded like a warning.
"I need to know, son," he said. "It's the only way."
Edward sighed, frowning.
Carlisle looked back and me, and I nodded. "Okay, Bells, close your eyes," he said, and I did. "I need you to think about not seeing Edward again…as if he walked away."
"No," I said, shaking my head like a child. My eyes were still closed, though. My mind raced with the thought, seeing the forest again. My heart clenched, my breathing stopped, and my body folded in on itself.
"Carlisle, stop!" Edward growled, leaning over and whispering, "I'm right here, baby. I'm never going anywhere, I swear!" He placed kisses on my ear and neck.
Carlisle stood up from me, his brow wrinkled.
Edward took his place, kneeling in front of me. "You hear me?" he asked, looking at me and cupping my face.
I nodded, reaching out to touch his face.
"A physical connection?" Carlisle whispered to himself.
Edward and I just looked at each other, and then back up to Carlisle.
"Edward, is it as strong for you?" he asked, looking up at Edward.
"Yes," Edward said, still cupping my face. "I didn't realize the whole time I was away from her, I was in pain…" He was looking at me when he mouthed, "I love you so much."
Carlisle sat back down at his desk and said, "You know, I talked at length with Sam about imprinting. Do you know how they see it?"
"I saw Jake's mind," Edward said, sitting back in the chair next to me, but his hand gripped mine. "He sees it like cables attached to the person…never breaking, binding them to him."
"Exactly," Carlisle said, smiling. "I've only seen one connection like that with vampires…Marcus and Didyme."
"Marcus of the Volturi?" Edward asked, his brow wrinkling. "He had a mate?"
"Oh, yes," Carlisle answered. "Tell me what you remember about him."
"He was blank, bored, and kept his thoughts minimal. He knew the strengths of relationships," Edward said. "Did he lose her?"
"Yes, terrible murder," Carlisle said, "but he told me once that they had an electricity surrounding them all the time, sometimes stronger than others. It connected them physically, so when she died, he lost everything…and half of himself. He used to be quite full of life."
I gasped, looking over at Edward. He looked back, and we knew that we were having the same thought…we both knew and felt on many occasion the electricity that surged between us.
"Have you felt that?" Carlisle asked.
We both nodded, and I said, "From the first moment we touched…"
Carlisle's smile couldn't have gotten any bigger. "Stop looking at me like it's bad news, both of you. It's not!" He laughed. "It just means there's a stronger bond between the two of you than anyone else has. Didyme was a terrible event. You two are not them."
Edward turned to me with a slight smile on his face. "Promise me you will never tell Jake it's like imprinting."
I laughed, shaking my head. "I swear!" I said, holding up my hand.
"It is and it isn't, but it just means that you can't be apart for too long," Carlisle said. "It's too painful."
"No kidding," I mumbled.
Edward nodded, but squeezed my hand.
"Sorry, kiddo," Carlisle said. "I promise I won't do that again, okay?"
~oOoOo~
EDWARD
"Okay, Alice," Bella called downstairs. "I think I have the damn thing memorized."
"I'm just making sure, Bells," Alice said from the next floor down. "Your first class is with all of us, your next two classes are with Jazz…"
"And my last class is with Edward; I got it!" Bella said, laughing. "Tomorrow, it's Jazz and me in the first two, Edward and Jazz with me for the next two…Alice, honestly! Let me get dressed. Jasper, calm her down!" She slammed the door.
Emmett's laugh boomed from downstairs.
"She's worried about you and Jasper, love, that's all," I said from the chaise in the corner, setting my guitar down.
"Yeah, me, too," she said quietly, "but that's not helping." She snickered and pointed to the door.
"I know, baby. Come here," I said, and she stepped between my legs. "It's going to be fine. Your shield will hold."
She nodded, still buttoning her shirt.
"Hmm," I said, stopping her hands. "Hold that thought." I lifted her shirt up just enough to reveal her stomach and belly button. I pulled her closer, pressing my lips to her smooth skin.
"Edward," my angel's voice warned.
I pulled back, smiling up at her. "Sorry, love," I said, but I wasn't really.
"No, you're not." She laughed. "But kiss me anyway," she said, cupping my face. She leaned against me, as I set my hands on her hips. It started slow, lips on lips, almost chaste. She took my bottom lip in her mouth, her tongue snaking in to meet mine softly.
I moaned at the taste of her. I gripped her hips and pulled her onto my lap for better access. My hand went to her hair, turning her and pressing my tongue deeper into her. We were losing ourselves.
Alice's knock on the door broke us apart. "Don't start what you can't finish!"
I groaned, pulling back from Bella.
My angel laughed, licking her lips. "Hmm, she might be right." She kissed me quickly, standing up off my lap. "That should keep you focused today, Mr. Cullen." Her eyes flashed wickedly. "Who do you belong to?"
"You, Mrs. Cullen," I admitted freely, standing with her. "I don't know if I can wait all day to do that again," I said, my head tilting.
She looked up at me, smiling. "We'll figure something out."
I chuckled at her, kissing her head.
"Ready, love?" I asked, opening our door.
"Ready as I'll ever be," she said, sighing.
We all pulled into the parking lot. Emmett and Rose had opted to drive themselves in the BMW. It was Dartmouth; we could drive what we wanted at an Ivy League school and not feel like we were standing out. Alice and Jasper rode with us in Bella's car. Bella had scoffed at her car at first, feeling nostalgic for the Volvo, but it wasn't due in until the next week. I had to admit, I agreed with her.
I had forgotten what an all out assault school was—college or high school—on my mind. There were thoughts everywhere. When my wife and my sisters walked together, every male turned, every mind went out of control. They were oblivious to it, of course.
The female population wasn't any better. In fact, I would have to say they were worse. Women have a tendency to fantasize more…graphically than men.
Emmett stopped all of us before we separated. "Okay, meet for lunch after your second class?"
We all nodded.
"Sweet, see you then. And Bells," he said, taking her shoulders, "you'll be fine."
She smiled up at him, nodding her head.
Alice, Jasper, Bella, and I had Economics first class. Then I would leave them, taking Music Theory and Environmental Law. My last class was with Bella; we were taking Sociology together. This would be our schedule for Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
"Alice, what is it you're taking?" Bella asked as we walked to class.
"Theatre, for costume design," she said, "and Art History."
"It's all about clothes, huh?" Bella snorted.
"Shut it, or our deal is off," she sniped.
I looked in Alice's mind, but Bella had shielded her.
"Don't you dare!" she said, laughing at Alice.
We sat down in our seats, with Jasper and myself on the outside of our girls. I looked at Bella, raising an eyebrow.
Her mind opened for me. Fine, she snorted. I worked a deal that she would continue to shop for you.
I chuckled, shaking my head. Without Alice, where would we be? I thought to myself.
Sitting in class with Bella almost three years ago was one thing. Her blood had called to me, my throat had burned, but I had still wanted her, loved her. Sitting next to my wife was a completely different distraction. We had taken a few courses in Port Angeles, but it was nothing compared to now. I almost laughed at myself. I leaned back, taking notes, trying to focus on the instructor and not on her legs.
Eventually, I was able to sink into the subject. My thoughts trailed to her next two classes. It would just be her and Jasper. I worried for the both of them.
~oOoOo~
BELLA
"Okay, Jazz," I said. "This is your subject, so I'll need your help, I'm sure." I snickered.
We were leaving first period, walking down the hall. Edward was walking beside me, my hand in his. "Love, I turn here," he said, looking at me.
"Okay, baby, see you at lunch," I said, smiling as he kissed my head.
"Yup, me, too," Alice said, kissing Jasper. "You two will be fine."
I looked at Jasper, and he chuckled. "Come on, Bells," he said. "War in Lit isn't going to be as bad as you think."
I laughed. "No, I suppose not," I said. And it wasn't…it was actually pretty good. I didn't realize how many books there were about the subject. With Jasper's help, this course might actually be fun.
"Well, Jazz, is it working?" I asked, getting up from our table at the end of class.
"Shit, Bells, it rocks. I wish we'd had you at more schools," he said, shaking his head.
"Good," I said. "Now, where the hell are we going?"
Jasper and I were the first to get to the cafeteria. We spotted a large group of empty tables in the back. I laughed, reminding him that's where they always sat.
I pulled out a brochure that was sticking out of my backpack. "Hey, did you know there's a course on the Bubonic Plague?" I laughed, pointing it to him.
"Shut up! Really?" he asked, laughing.
"Yeah, and one called Slaves, Wives and Concubines," I snorted.
"Give me that!" he said, taking it from me. "How about Sex and Celibacy?" He snorted, shaking his head.
"Damn, what are you taking?" Emmett said, sitting down beside Jasper. Rose sat beside me.
"No, no," Jasper said. "Look, bro."
Emmett laughed, taking the paper from him. "That's messed up," he said, snorting.
I watched a group of girls sit down at a table and stare over us, but when they all turned, I knew my husband had come in the door. I laughed to myself. It wasn't jealousy anymore…it was pride. He was mine.
I watched him walk across the cafeteria, the girls' eyes following his every step. I couldn't blame them; I had dressed him deliciously…low fitting jeans, navy blue polo shirt, with a long sleeve gray t-shirt underneath. I watched his face scowl, and figured the girls were thinking rude things.
You can't blame them, love. You're awful sexy today, I thought to him, laughing.
He tried to hide his smile, but failed adorably. "Thanks, love, so are you," he said, sitting next to me and kissing my head.
The girls' faces fell. Sorry, ladies.
"How'd it go?" he asked, looking at Jasper and me.
"She's the best. Never smelled a thing!" Jasper said excitedly.
"See?" he said to me, smiling and wrapping his arm around me.
Lunch was too short, but Jasper and I made our way to Intro to Lit Study. "It's a good thing I read as much as you do, Bells," he said, laughing and sitting next to me.
"Next semester, we'll sort out something different, okay?" I laughed.
Lit Study was similar to what I had already taken, so this course was going to be a little easier. Although, all the classes were easier, I determined, because my vampire mind allowed me to retain so much more. It was liberating, really.
I worried about leaving Jasper with Alice—I had guarded him all day—but he said he would be fine. They wanted to take an art class together. Alice promised me to watch him, like she wouldn't, but I had already become protective of him. Maybe it was due to keeping him in my shield all day.
I met Edward in our Sociology class. He was sitting in the back, flipping through the book. I walked up and sat next to him.
"Hey, beautiful girl," he said, smiling at me.
"Hi," I replied, smiling. "How was your class?"
"Interesting, actually," he said, leaning closer. "I want to kiss you so badly right now."
I bit my lip, trying not to laugh. "The room's full of people, Edward," I said, "and class is about to start."
He wasn't listening, but he was aware of the other students. He picked up my hand, kissing it softly. His tongue flicked out tasting my skin.
"If you behave," I said, looking into his darkening eyes, "I promise you can put that tongue anywhere on me once we're home."
"Promise?" he asked, his mouth twitching.
I crossed my heart with the hand he wasn't holding. He held my hand on his desk, but turned around, facing the front. I just shook my head at him, wishing class was already over.