Chapter 36: The date part 3

Hello my lovely readers! Happy birthday to me! And for you... an extra long chapter!

EPOV

I was such an idiot. What was I thinking using the energy to travel? She hasn't done this before of course she's overwhelmed you IDIOT!

I was cradling her head with one hand and trying to support her body with the other.

"Bella! Bella wake up baby, please! I pleaded and was trying to remain inconspicuous as people were starting to look our way.

I lightly tapped her cheek, and her eyes started fluttering.

"Uhm..." she uttered.

"Edward?" she asked quietly, keeping her eyes shut.

"Yes, baby?"

"I like you calling me baby," she said softly and smiled.

"Ok, then, I will keep using it, are you all right baby?" I asked and I'm sure my voice could betray my excitement and relief.

She started getting up, my hand staying firmly on the small of her back. I supported her weight a bit, and then she was upright. Her eyes, her wonderful brown eyes were happy and lovingly looking into mine. I couldn't resist. I gave her a quick peck on the lips and lightly stroked her long soft hair.

"Did I hear you say we were in Casablanca? As in Casablanca, Morocco? How on earth did we get here?" she asked with a dumbfounded expression.

"Well remember, I was saying I was a wizard of sorts, and I have our star energy flowing through me?"

"Yeeeees..." She made the cutest sound. I quietly chuckled and returned to stroke her cheek.

"Well it's the energy that helped us travel." I said simply.

"Okaaaay." she said but I still think she was a bit confused.

She seemed to slowly start realising, that this was not a figment of her imagination. It was so easy to lose ourselves in our own bubble.

Inquisitively she turned her head from side to side taking in the night view of the sea promenade of Casablanca, the Hassan Mosque on the right and the city behind her.

"Oh my God. We truly are in Casablanca, aren't we?" She then started squealing excitedly, and jumped up and down like a happy child. And it was indeed that adorable carefree behaviour that I was hoping to revive.

She turned and looked at me. She approached me then and hugged me fiercely tightly which I welcomed happily.

"So you like it then?" I whispered in her ear.

"Like it? I love it!" her words were accompanied by a turning her head as if to show me the miracle behind our travelling.

"So, what have you planned for us, Mr Cullen?" She asks playfully.

"Well dinner first and entertainment at Casablanca's finest, if you wish to follow me, Miss Swan."

I couldn't conceal my excitement.

We started walking side by side, and we both felt a little awkward, like a weird grey zone.

But I thought, this is no time for shyness, and I took her hand in mine. She paused for a short moment then looked at our hands together, then removed her hand only to bring it back and entwine our fingers together.

"There," she said" this is a bit more comfortable."

"You're right." And it truly felt like we were shy and sweet as high school teenagers venturing out on their first date. I wouldn't change it for the world.

Seeing her walking, looking around her in awe, smiling if we came across a nice store, moving our hands in a playful way. She was independent, happy, but needed the reassurance of my touch. This was my Bella. Mine. My heart was swelling with pride with the beautiful woman next to me.

We walked like that, in a comfortable silence, before she turned and asked me smiling: " Why Casablanca, Edward?"

"Well I have some friends here, that own a restaurant, they lived in Edinburgh, before they got married and moved out here. Ali is from Morocco, but his wife Suzan is Scottish, but they're both very happy here."

"I can see that, this is so beautiful, thank you for bringing me here, Edward!" she said shyly, I swear she blushed and looked away.

It was so endearing. It was what we needed. It was what she needed. Normalcy with a twist. I smiled at the thought. As if attuned to my thoughts Bella turned and returned the sentiment with a sweet smile.

"Penny for your thoughts?" she asked hesitantly.

"I'm just thinking, this,is exactly what we needed."

"Yes it is. Is the restaurant far?"

"Just at the end of the walkway."

And soon, the burgundy building appeared and the pier next to it.

I was still holding her overnight bag and was thinking if it might have been better to check in the hotel first. But then, I had told them that we were coming after dinner.

Bella was loving this, I could tell. We were welcomed by Ali and Suzan, who has returned, as anticipated, very hot headed couple but you had to love their chemistry.

"Come 'ere laddie, who's that pretty lass, you brought us?" Suzan's thick Scottish accent and I turned the accent on for everyone's entertainment.

"Aye, Suzan, this is ma Bella, ma beautiful, stunning Bella. Ken wha' I'm talking aboot?" I asked with a wide grin, watching Bella's eyes grow as wide as saucers.

My cheeky grin was erased by Ali's comment.

"Have you asked the lass if she wanted to be yours, or are you just keeping her drugged, ye bugger!" He and Suzan boomed with laughter but Bella was quick to retaliate.

"Well of course I'm his Bella, and you should keep reminding your wife, Ali, because with all that drool, you'd need to mop this place three times a day!" she was laughing towards the end of it and squeezed my hand in reassurance.

Suzan and Ali, looked at each other for a split second and then laughed together.

"I like her, she's got the fire in her! Yi sure you're no' Scottish, lass?"

"I'm quite sure, yes." She answered simply but the smile never left her face.

"Well said Bella, well said..." I whispered in her ear and she shivered. She turned and her look was saying that she was enjoying herself.

I didn't know I could affect her this way and I was drinking these moments eagerly.

We were escorted to the best table with a view of the pier. The night lights reflected on the sea. The atmosphere was light. We were touching the whole time. Hands, gentle caresses, her warm skin on mine. We were orbiting around each other in an unconscious dance.

I made sure to order in French and that was welcomed in a searing kiss.

When our wine came, Bella held my hand. She was stroking my hand unbeknownst to her, and my heart was pounding on my chest from the sheer excitement of her quite everyday gesture. We seemed intimate.

"You said this was the third time we've been together?" she interrupted my blissful state.

"Yes." I answered but I didn't want to bring that heartache of our second time together.

Not tonight.

I wanted tonight to be about getting to know each other, our likes our dislikes, the music she likes and I like, our habits, movies.

"Do you not want to talk about it?" She asked rhetorically as she had already perceived my reluctance to engage in the subject.

"No, not tonight, if I'm honest." and then I continued "what kinds of music do you like?" and as simply as that, we drifted into our bubble and easy flowing conversation.

I have pictures of the restaurant on my profile sweeties! See you Monday!