Chapter Thirty-Five

November 2015

"Class, you have just seen the contextual opinion of the North and South's stances on slavery. Taking their positions on the debate, we can all agree why slavery was a main aspect of the Civil War. For your presentation, you are also to choose a topic for your persuasive speech and present it to your peers. I want it to be personal, something you are passionate about. However, make sure you cite from a minimum of three scholarly journals, bring visual aids, and make your argument from a chronological approach. I want all preliminary studies, outlines, and other sources turned in through your university online account. Presentations are to be no longer than three minutes and are due next Friday. Work hard on them. Do not wait until the night before. Remember, you do not receive an A for effort in my class, just the pleasure of my company next semester because you've failed. Please stay afterwards if you have any questions. Class is dismissed."

I scuffled my feet, trying to unwrap my messenger bag from around the tiny desk. I swear, the older you got, the smaller the seats became.

Edward stood up beside me, letting some students bypass him.

"So, what do you think of Professor Yorkie?"

"He's all right. This communications class is going to be harder than I thought." All of college was going to be harder than I thought. They loaded you up with work. In high school, you had an entire month to complete a paper. In college, you had less than a week, and that was if the professor was being generous. "Next term, I'm scheduling all my classes in the morning. These evening hours aren't cutting it."

"Lesson learned," Edward agreed. "So what do you want to do now? The art department is showing an exhibit. Or Green Hall is having a flag football tournament against the Stern Quads."

"Seriously?" I asked in surprise. "You are such a freshman!"

Edward shoved me with his shoulder. "Shut it, Swan! What happened to all the 'I need to grow, Edward. I want to experience college' crap you gave me? I'm trying to get involved in campus life."

"But with art? Art, Cullen?" I shook my head in disbelief. "You don't have an artistic bone in your pretty little body. You see one naked statue, you'll laugh and they'll ban us for our academic life."

Edward chuckled, shifting his bag. "Okay, okay. I think they have a skating rink at the recreational center. How about it?"

"That's more like it. But first, we need food. I'm starving."

"You're always starving," Edward joked.

"That's 'cause we have to walk 27 miles just to get anywhere. It's the hard knock life for us people with short legs."

Edward wrapped his arm around me, kissed my temple, and led the way to the dining hall.

"Art," I muttered. "Of all the shenanigans…"

"Ahhhh!"

"Oh, my gosh! What's wrong with her?" Tanya pushed the books on my bed aside, making way as Jacob and Edward tossed me on the hard mattress with no regard to my pain.

"Skating," Edward and Jacob answered at the same time. They stared at each, then burst out laughing.

"Laugh it up, boys," I threatened. "I almost lost my life! I almost lost a limb! And what do I have to show for it? Nothing! Some friends you are."

"Hey, we told you to get out of the way," Jacob said. "Those hockey players are even bigger than I am."

"And did you move?" Edward asked. "Noooo. 'Look at me, Cullen,' you said. 'Look what I can do.' Three twirls, two huge guys, one lost skate, and here we are. You have no one to blame but yourself."

"They weren't twirls," I replied defensively. "They were pirouettes, and they were beautiful."

"You looked like a ballerina on crack," Jacob teased. "Arms were flailing, legs were flopping. You were a mess. I was embarrassed for you."

"Next time, you're going down with me, Stalker." I crossed my arms, remembered how much pain I was in, and grabbed my right ankle. "You think it's sprained? I think it's sprained. Probably broken. Maybe we should call the campus emergency hotline."

Tanya leaned over, lifted up the hem of my jeans, and assessed the damage. "You're fine, Bella. It's not even swollen. Take a Tylenol. You want some ice?"

"Yes, please."

She started out the door, but Jacob darted after her. "I'll come, too. You know, you look really pretty today, Tanya…"

Edward sat on the bed with me, lifting my legs on top of his lap, and rubbed my ankle for me. "I think Stalker has a thing for Blondie."

I nodded. "I think so, too. He was singing her a song outside of our window last night. It sounded like a wolf howling."

We chuckled together and sat in silence until they returned with ice in a baggie. "Thanks, guys. You two wanna watch a movie with us?"

"Nah," Jacob answered. "I'm going to go show Tanya the scene of the crime. I think there might be evidence of your pride left."

"Har har," I said sarcastically. "Fine. Leave me all alone and abandoned."

"Hello? You've got me!" Edward playfully nudged me.

"Oh, that's right. I've got Cullen. I need a popcorn-maker anyway."

Tanya laughed as Jacob intertwined his arm in hers. "See ya. Feel better, Bella."

I waved at them as Edward tickled me. "Popcorn-maker, huh? Is that all I'm good for?"

I squealed, swatting his hands away. "I'm kidding. You're good for other stuff, too, ya know."

"Oh? Like this?" Edward slid beside me, kissing my neck and taking away any self-control with him. He closed any distance between us, gliding his hand underneath my shirt. I was cold from the air, but he was much too warm; a searing hotness I could barely handle.

Not the bad hot. Just the 'I could burn like this forever' hot.

Edward brushed the skin underneath my bra, teasing me with rough hands while I trembled beneath him. It was too good; too mind-blowing, cold popsicles, warm autumn days, and starry nights good.

I whimpered, and he wrapped his mouth over mine, tasting all of the love I have to give him. I wondered if he knew it would never be enough. That as he lifted my shirt and bra, I had more to offer. That as he unzipped my jeans, I wanted to give him every aspect of me.

When he slipped off my pants, he looked at me, and I knew that he understood. His fingernails dug into my skin, removing the last piece of fabric while he was still fully clothed.

I tried to help him, but he gently pushed my hand away.

"For you," he said in a low voice. For once, I didn't want his gift. I wanted to be the giver, like I've always been. I couldn't handle this Edward. He parted my skin with his thumb, rubbing slowly, kissing me like I was precious. Like I was bought with tears and sacrifice and love and laughs.

Like I was worth it.

I squirmed, but he pinned me down, whispering with kisses to the spot that was too tender.

The kisses said he loved me, but I was falling.

His tongue said he worshipped me, but I sunk lower and lower.

I gripped onto the bed comforter, finding a source to hold, moaning that I'd never climb from that place. I closed my eyes, arching my back, and his whispers turned to songs.

It was music. Lullabies. A fast beat. Melodies that screamed and tunes that were composed of his love alone.

He curled two fingers, taking my breath away. I started to count those stars again, but they blurred. They twisted into forms of shadowy lights as I clung to his shoulders and then his hair, clawing at whatever I could grab onto.

"Baby…" I felt the tightening in my stomach, the aching begging me to release. His tongue swirled around, pulling, tasting, sucking.

I broke then, little pieces of me dissipating into thin air. I screamed and then I didn't. I moaned and whimpered and cried, and then I didn't.

The sensation was fleeting, and all that was left were kisses, sighs, and a pounding heart.

.

.

.

"The ice has melted. Does your ankle still hurt?"

"Loads of pain."

"That's funny. I thought it was your right ankle. You're grabbing your left now."

"Huh. Miraculously, I'm a healed woman."

.

.

.

"So, how many?"

"What?"

"You moaned that you were counting stars. So, how many were there?"

"18, since you're so inclined to ask."

"That's all?"

"Yeah. One for every year that I've loved you."

"Therefore, Game of Thrones should have a preliminary warning at the beginning of the series to warn its audience about the addictiveness of its show. The compulsion to watch its programming has now affected thousands of its viewers, and as studies have shown, social addiction behaviors lead to a widespread problem, particularly in adults. Though this particular addiction has not been diagnosed, I believe Game of Thrones has the responsibility to caution the public. Thank you."

One clap.

I think that was Edward.

Wait, there's a second one.

Nope, that's me.

"Miss Swan, do you like me?" Professor Yorkie turned to me with a grimaced look upon his face.

"Er, what?"

"I asked if you were fond of me. Apparently, you must be if you intend on taking this class again. You were supposed to present a persuasive speech on a topic that you were passionate about."

"I thought I did."

"And exhibiting your mother's image on the screen as the 'Face of Addiction' counts as passionate?"

"Once, she didn't cook dinner for two days, Professor Yorkie. I nearly starved. I'm trying to save lives here."

"Sit down, Miss Swan."

I grabbed my notecards and trudged back to my seat. I worked hard on that stupid presentation. The amount of reruns I had to watch were mind-boggling. The research alone had kept me up all night.

Some people had zero appreciation.

Edward whispered in my ear from the row behind. "I thought you did great, Bella."

"Shut your trap, Cullen."

Professor Yorkie cleared his throat. "Our last presenter is Edward Cullen. Mr. Cullen has already asked me for approval to complete his presentation outside, since it would be dangerous to do so indoors. So, please leave your belongings and follow me to the pavilion in the courtyard."

"Dangerous?" I whispered to him as we walked through the double doors. "What the hell are you presenting on?"

"Not Game of Thrones," he smirked.

Professor Yorkie sat on one of the courtyard benches surrounded by tall lampposts, while the rest of us took a seat on the grass. It was a bit chilly outside and getting darker.

I should have worn a heavier sweater.

We waited patiently as Edward set up a few of his visual aids. Then he stood still, ready to present.

He held up a candle, lighting it as he spoke. "Fire. It is one of the most basic human essentials that most people cannot function without. From heat to light to energy, fire is considered a necessity to live, to survive, and to thrive."

I watched in awe as Edward continued to light more candles. I was shocked he was so close to the flames. He trembled slightly, only so much so that I was probably the only one to notice. Soon, he had created a complete circle. The glow illuminated around him.

"I debated on whether to speak to you today about fire safety. As the lone survivor of a house fire that killed my entire family, I pondered if my speech should contain elements on how to safely fireproof one's home. I threw that idea away. Even with fire alarms, they can malfunction. Next, I wondered if I should talk to you on how to survive a fire. I know nothing about that either. I barely escaped myself."

Edward cleared his throat and continued. "Therefore, I want persuade you on why everyone should own candles."

Professor Yorkie stood up, halting Edward in the middle of his speech. "Mr. Cullen, you do realize this is 25 percent of your grade?"

"Yes, sir," Edward answered. "I'm almost done. I have two minutes left."

Professor Yorkie shook his head in dismay but allowed Edward to continue.

"Though candles can be used for a wide variety of functions, I have narrowed it down to three. Before electricity was created, candles were used to light homes. To save electricity, money, and resources, people should use candles to see when it becomes dark. It is sufficient enough to create enough light to complete simple household tasks. With various types of wax ‒ such as paraffin, soy-based, or beeswax ‒ one has options on which kind they use to reduce emissions. Therefore, by reducing the amount of electricity we use, we can make the earth a greener place."

"Secondly, everyone should own candles because they are a valuable method in measuring time. By pre-marking the wax or the holder, any individual is able to calculate how much time has passed. As we know, when the electricity goes out, so does your alarm clock. If technology were to fail, so would cell phones. Batteries on watches don't last. But candles have been used to show certain amounts of duration since the 10th century. In the case of a catastrophe, everyone should use candles to effectively indicate intervals of time."

"Thirdly, everyone should use candles, because they can bring about a soothing effect that makes people happy. More specifically, they are proven to be useful in therapy. They enhance a person's mood and can have healing effects for depression. By inhaling essential oils from aromatherapy candles, the molecules can help a person relax and reduce stress."

I saw Professor Yorkie hold up a single finger, alerting Edward he had one minute remaining.

"To conclude, candles are useful for light, time, and happiness. For the last portion of my presentation, I need an assistant. Bella?"

I shook my head erratically. I didn't want to help him burn candles. I'd light the entire university on fire. I think the professor had suffered enough.

Edward motioned for me to come forward, so I excused myself, trying not to step on my classmates fingers. I joined him in the circle of candles, debating how exactly I was supposed to "assist" him.

It was Bunzilla the Magic Rabbit all over again.

"These three basic elements we often take for granted. Light, time, and happiness certainly can all come from candles. But other times, they come from people themselves."

"Bella, you are like my candle. You have brought light to my life when there was nothing but darkness. You have given me time, when I myself had tried to rewind it. Lastly, you have given me happiness, multiplied in an endless array of brightness. But even when I wanted to, you never let me burn. You've always loved me when I couldn't even love myself."

Edward dropped to one knee, taking my breath away. I was so startled, I swore that my heart had stopped beating.

A few classmates sucked in breaths, but it could have been me. It was probably me.

This isn't happening. This isn't happening. This isn't happening.

Edward pulled out a small, blue box.

This is happening.

"Bella, I promise you a lifetime supply of watermelon-flavored popsicles, kisses under willow trees, and lion-shaped Animal Crackers. I'll cook you bear meat every night and give you floaties so you'll never drown. I'll buy you all the puppy egg rolls money can buy and skateboards you can fall on. If you'll have me, we'll play football and jump on trampolines the rest of our lives. So, Bella Swan, will you do me the honor and marry me?"

Tears gushed from my eyes like a waterfall. More like a flood. Nevermind. It was the whole damn ocean, and I was going to submerge everyone around me.

Edward opened the velvet box to reveal a circular diamond.

"Noawterelonpishisle?"

"What?" Edward looked at me in surprise, waiting for an answer. I was trying to talk, but a lump was stuck in my throat. I tried again through my blubbering sobs.

"No watermelon popsicle?"

"Oh, Bella."

Edward sighed, searched through his presentation box and pulled out my favorite dessert. "Now will you marry me?"

I took my popsicle and smiled.

"Yes."

The class cheered as Edward slipped the ring on my finger. We kissed momentarily, and for once, Professor Yorkie grinned.

"Well done, Mr. Cullen," he said, walking towards us. "Well done. I think you've just earned yourself an A."

"What about me?" I piped in.

"I'd say you're lucky you're marrying him."

"Why's that?" I asked. I grasped my fiancé's hand, imagining all that our future entailed.

"Now at least one of you is going to have a college degree. Class is dismissed."

~~~~THE END~~~~

I told you guise there would be an HEA. Sorry for the torture to get you there.

No, I'm kidding. I'm not sorry at all.

The epilogue will post tomorrow, but for those not returning, I wanted to say THANK YOU to everyone who has read this story. I'm blown away by your support and I appreciate every single review. Some of you threw things, threatened me, and stole my cupcakes, but it was all worth it.

MariahajilE- You are flipping ahmazing. I don't know what I would do without you. Probably eat strawberries instead of blueberries. And that's not a world I wanna live in. Beta by day, Muffin by night, right? *attempts to do super cool handshake where you just flip me off*

Blueeyedcherry- We laughed, we cried, and we made fake diplomas. You are wanted in 37 states for your illegal practices, but you are the best pre-reader ever. And humper. It's ALL about the humping.

READERS- I LOVE YOU guise. Your Twitter insults, your FB jokes, your scathing reviews, your PM's I may or may not have cried over... you people are so freaking great. Better than cupcakes. Let's just leave it at that, m'kay? *hugs and kisses*