A/N I'm a sap and I got a little teary so just wanted to give a little warning for those that are sappy like me!
Words with Strangers Chapter 36
Bella's face had said it all this morning when I woke up. She was watching me, those beautiful brown eyes of her shining with unshed tears. I'd kissed her and we'd made desperate love, unable to get close enough. We still had a day together, but we were leaving our cabin and heading back to reality, something that didn't hold a whole lot of appeal since we'd be apart. I could face anything with her, but I hated going back to my regular life without her, especially since she was my life now. How was I supposed to work halfway across the damn world?
I had to be strong, though, for Bella. There was nothing we could do about our situation at the moment. She had to finish school, and then we'd have the summer. After that, well, we'd see. I would do anything to keep her with me, anything except to crush her hopes and dreams. She came first, always.
We packed up in virtual silence, checking and double checking each and every room since we'd done exactly what I'd vowed before we got here and christened them all. The place looked as it had when we arrived by the time we were done straightening up. God, I loved this place. I never wanted to leave. And I never wanted anybody to stay here again. It was ours.
"What are you thinking?" Bella asked, smiling slightly as she placed the last of her bags by the front door.
I pulled her into my arms and she buried her face in my chest. "I was just thinking that I don't want anybody else to use this place. It feels like ours now."
She let out a laugh that ended with a sob. Fuck. I hugged her tighter. "I know," she murmured.
I tilted her face up to mine. Her eyes were full of sadness and I hated it. "I'll buy it for us, if you want," I promised recklessly.
Bella laughed and shook her head. "I don't know that they'll sell you one cabin, Edward. And anyway, it's not the place so much, although it's great. I'll just miss being with you alone like this." The tears spilled over and I brushed them away.
"I know. I hate to go back to the real world, but it's only for a few weeks and then we'll have all summer." Sort of. At least we'd see each other daily and spend the nights in one another's arms anyway.
Bella fought to smile. "Yeah. I can't wait."
"Me either." I kissed her gently and then smiled at her. "Tell you what, even if I can't buy this place, I will get us someplace that we can go to shut the world away just like we did here. We'll go at least once a year, more when we can swing it. Okay?"
Her smile bloomed this time and it was breathtaking. "I'd love that."
"Think about where you want it to be. Mountains like here? A private beach? In the middle of the woods? Anywhere you like."
Bella laughed. "I'll take anywhere with you, even a hut in the middle of the desert."
I snickered and brushed her hair away from her face. "That might be too hot for us, baby. I'd rather generate our own heat."
"Good point." She hugged me. "Thank you."
"You don't have anything to thank me for, love. I'm being selfish, just wanting you to myself."
"That's never selfish. And I'm thanking you for all of this; for the greatest week of my life and the promise of even better things to come. I still don't know how I got so lucky."
She blew me away with her words, which wasn't unusual. The woman had a way of bringing me to my knees with just a sentence. "I'm feeling pretty lucky myself these days."
"Except at pool." She giggled when I tickled her and the sound made me smile. I wanted to leave with happy memories, not sad ones over our time together coming to a close. It was only temporary, after all.
"I don't know, I think I got pretty damn lucky at the pool table." And I would need to buy one of those for the house. Well, after Emmett moved out. I didn't trust him and Rose not to break it in before Bella and I did.
"We got pretty damn lucky everywhere in this place," she agreed. I felt a twinge again at the thought of someone else using it. I knew I needed to get over it, but I didn't want to. This was our place. A commotion outside had us breaking apart. They were here. Bella smiled sadly and opened the door as Emmett and Rose approached. It wasn't as cold out this morning, the sun was shining and it was about forty degrees. Too bad an avalanche hadn't snowed us in.
"Rosie, it's my name on the form so I have to be the one to drive it," Emmett told Rose as she pushed his arm off her shoulder.
"It's not your name. You used the name Peter Venkman," she replied, rolling her eyes. "I can drive just as well as you can." Emmett snorted and got rewarded with a hot glare. "I can. Do you doubt my skills?"
"Hell no, baby, I've experienced your skills first hand and I'm all about them." His voice was reverent.
"Good Lord," Bella muttered. That's when they noticed us.
"Hey, lovebirds! Are you ready to go?" my brother boomed. I got whacked on the shoulder in way of greeting before he scooped Bella into his arms. She hugged him back while Rose smiled at me.
"Hey. Your brother's an idiot."
"I know," I agreed as I picked up our bags, throwing Bella's duffle over my shoulder and taking as suitcase in each hand.
"You're the one in love with me, so what does that make you?" Emmett asked her, pouting.
"A masochist," she replied, taking the grocery bag of leftover food we hadn't consumed.
"Ha, I think I'm the masochist." Emmett wiggled his eyebrows at us. "My ass still hurts."
Rose's free hand smacked said ass and he jumped about a mile, bellowing. "You asked for it."
Bella and I exchanged glances. "I don't want to know," I told her, because I already knew too much.
"No, you don't," she acknowledged. I wondered if she knew. Then I wondered why I was wondering because I really didn't want to know.
Emmett just smiled brightly as he tugged a suitcase away from me. "I trust you had a good week?"
"The best," Bella replied, twining her fingers with mine. Together we took one last glance inside the cabin before stepping outside and heading to the car.
"I bet our week was better than yours," Em singsonged as he placed bags in the back of the car.
Bella and I just smiled at one another. We weren't about to debate it. We knew that it didn't get any better than the time we'd spent with one another.
"Come on, Emmett, let me drive," Rose pled. My rude brother ignored her and just got in, leaving her to get in the passenger side. I shook my head in disapproval as I held open the door for Bella. Mom would be pissed if she saw that. "Bastard," Rose told him. "Did you see your brother hold the door for Bella? Why can't you do that?"
"Because Bella wouldn't use that opportunity to get into the driver's seat like you would, baby. I know how you operate."
Rose just huffed and I had a feeling Emmett had her pegged. "Ready to go back to school?" he asked cheerfully. Both girls just grumbled and I said nothing, tightening my arm around Bella. I was going to treasure the three hour ride back to their place and every second we had together before we left tomorrow morning. Emmett put the car in gear and drove up to the lodge. "Keys?" I handed them over reluctantly and Emmett went in to check out. Rose started to go with him but as soon as he got ahead of her she ran around and got in the driver's seat. Emmett glared but continued inside to settle up our bills.
"Why do you care who drives?" Bella asked Rose.
"He thinks he's better at it than I am," she told us haughtily.
"But he's a stunt driver. He is better," Bella responded.
"So? I could be a stunt driver if I wanted."
Bella groaned. "Please do not haul ass home to prove yourself."
Hell no. "Yeah. We're in no hurry to get back." Bella squeezed my knee in understanding and Rose looked less excited.
"I know. Fucking school. I wish we could just head to Europe with you now." Rose frowned but then smiled suddenly. "How pissed would my parents be if I dropped out with five weeks left?"
"No, Rose." Bella's voice was pure steel.
"I know, I know, but it's a fun thought."
"Well, can it because my dad would hunt us both down if we did something like that. Five weeks isn't that long." Bella's voice trembled a little and I kissed the top of her head.
"I know. I don't even know why I'll miss the big lug so damn much anyway. He drives me crazy, but in the best way," Rose sighed. She smiled as Emmett emerged from the building. "Don't tell him I said that." Her eyes met mine in the mirror and I nodded.
Emmett came around to the passenger side, scowling as he slid in. "Fine, Rosie, you can drive."
"I don't believe I asked this time," she informed him, pulling out and heading down the mountain.
"I'm just letting you be in charge."
Rose laughed. "In case you hadn't noticed, I've been in charge all week." Nope, I didn't want to know. Emmett's smile said plenty.
"That's because they were your handcuffs. When we use mine…" I smacked him as Rose and Bella laughed.
"What?" Emmett demanded, glaring at me.
"There are some things we don't need to know."
"Please, like these two aren't going to talk?" He gestured between our girls who were both grinning. "By the way, Bella, thank you for letting Rose use your Halloween costume. It was much appreciated."
Bella giggled. "You're welcome and she can keep it. I doubt I'd want it back now." I shot her a look and she just shrugged. "They forced me to wear it a couple of years ago."
"And you won sexiest costume," Rose interjected, sounding proud.
Fuck, I had to know. "What was it?"
Bella giggled. "It was a sexy cop uniform. Let's just say my father would have had a conniption and had me arrested for real if he'd ever seen it."
"She put my sexy Indian girl to shame, even though I was wearing fewer clothes," Rose recalled. "I think it had to do with the handcuffs and the baton and those fishnets." And I was fucking hard. And very sorry that Bella had given the costume away. I made a noise and Bella giggled.
"I can always get another one," she suggested.
"Yes, please." But only wear it for me.
"I didn't know you had a thing for handcuffs, Edward." Her voice was all breathy and sexy again. Damn this three hour ride that I'd previously wanted to go slowly.
I hadn't really been into bondage of any sort before, but everything was different with Bella. "I have a thing for you, Bella, in any and all forms." That earned me a kiss while Emmett and Rose laughed up front.
"See, I told you they'd still have that sexual buzz about them," Rose said, laughing. "You owe me fifty bucks."
"I thought they'd chill out after nine straight days of screwing," Emmett grumbled, but he reached into his wallet and slapped the money in her hand.
"Whatever, you'd be naked in ten seconds if I told you I wanted you right now," Rose pointed out.
"True. Pull over," he suggested.
"Hell no!" Bella and I shouted together.
"Damn it," he grumbled. Rose just chuckled as she continued driving. We went over some bumpy terrain and Emmett hissed. "That hurts, Rosie."
"It's your own fault. You should have known better than to discuss another woman when you were at my mercy," she told him icily.
"I didn't think it'd turn you into Mommy Dearest," he huffed.
"I didn't use a coat hanger," was her reply. What the fuck had they been doing? No, I really didn't want to know.
Bella muttered something that sounded like, "she really is a dominatrix." No. That was just wrong. I got a quick mental picture that included a whole lot of leather and I quickly shook my head, trying to get rid of that image.
"No, but you did…"
I cut him off. "No, no, no. I don't want to know and I swear to God if you finish that sentence I'm going to tell Mom you're some kind of sex freak."
Emmett glared at me but at least that shut him up. "Hey, you never know what might be going on behind closed doors with Mom and Dad. We already know she sexts him." He laughed at the expression on my face. "I'm just saying, Mom and Rosie are cut from the same cloth."
Gross. So wrong. "That is your mother you're talking about," I informed him.
Emmett's face screwed up in disgust. "True. Forget I said that." Like I could? So fucking wrong.
"Hey, parents like to screw, too. Well, except for mine. There's no way that my frigid mother rocks my father's world. That's what mistresses are for." And just like that, thoughts of my parent's sex life were gone. I didn't know whether to feel bad for Rose or be grateful to her.
"Rosie." Emmett reached over and rubbed the back of her neck.
She sighed. "I'm fine, Emmett. You two are very lucky you have parents that love each other like that and I guess I just had a moment. I'm good." His eyes met mine, begging me to do something.
Fuck it. "I'm told that I have you to thank for Bella's shopping spree before the trip. I could not be more grateful. Name it and it's yours."
Rose laughed, her good humor restored. "So many things. A Bugatti so I can blow your brother's Venom out of the water? A tasteful diamond necklace? A walk on in your next film?" She waved a hand. "You're taking me to Europe this summer, so consider us even."
Bella smiled at just the mention of the summer which pleased me. "That is for purely selfish reasons, I can assure you. I want Bella to have a good time when I'm working and I know you and Alice can keep her company."
"We're going to bring The Continent to its knees!" There wasn't a trace of pain in Rose's tone anymore. "Bella, we have to help Alice find a man this summer."
My girl shook her head. "I think she's already found the one she wants."
Rose snorted. "So? She can have a little fun while Jasper ages like a fine wine."
Emmett snickered. "She really likes that guy, doesn't she?"
"Yes. And don't you make fun of her for it," Bella lectured, going so far as to point a finger at my brother. It was really kind of hot and made me think of her school teacher wear. "She was dating a giant douche until he came along."
"Dating wasn't even the word for it. She was fucking him but not getting anything else but a few orgasms out of the deal." Rose paused for a minute. "Not that orgasms are a bad thing."
"I'll say!" Bella said with a giggle. I kissed the side of her head. She was too cute. I was glad she was smiling and laughing again. Trust Rose and Emmett to bring us out of the funk we'd slipped into back at the cabin.
"Well, unlike us, Alice isn't having any these days. She's allowed a little fun before Junior comes and sweeps her off her feet. And one of us needs to hook with a hot European." Rose shot Emmett a grin. "If Alice won't do it, I'll have to take one for the team."
"Not even funny, Rosie. Just remember I won't be as busy as Mr. Movie Star back there so I just might turn up wherever you are."
"I already hooked up with an Englishman," Bella murmured.
I laughed and gave her a smacking kiss. "I can insure that you land every nationality in Europe and beyond baby. Just name it."
Bella bit her lip. "So many possibilities."
"Damn it, Emmett, why didn't you get any of your brothers' acting skills?" Rose complained.
"Because I got the looks, the smarts, and the hot body. I had to leave something for him," was Emmett's quick reply.
Rose snorted. "You keep on telling yourself that."
"I didn't hear any complaints," he pointed out with a wolfish grin.
"You confused me with all your love talk. I was in a sex haze. It's clearing up now."
"Never, baby." Emmett smirked at her. "You're stuck with me."
"So it seems." Rose's words were resigned but her voice was happy.
Bella smiled as she rested her head on my shoulder. "Is it always going to be like this?" she wondered.
I brushed my thumb over her cheek. "I think it will."
"Good. Life's going to be lots of fun."
I couldn't agree more. "Yes, it is."
Xoxoxoxox
"Hi, honey, we're home!" Rose shouted as we piled in the front door. I was loaded down with bags, having to bring mine up since we were staying the night.
A screech came from the bedroom and Alice flew out, running right into the waiting arms of Bella and Rose. I exchanged looks with Emmett who shrugged. "I think they missed each other."
Clearly. I got why Alice hadn't come with us but hopefully she would come over for the summer. We'd do our best to make sure she didn't feel left out. Hell, if anything I'd be the one left out; my hours were less than stellar during a movie shoot.
"Oh my God, I missed you so much! Bella, you were utter fail. Did you play Words once while you were gone?"
My girl shook her head. "I'm sorry! I didn't even think about it."
Alice giggled and released the girls. "I know, you had better things to do. Or a better person." Next thing I knew, I was being hugged. For a tiny thing, she sure packed a punch. "I can see you took good care of her while she was gone. Way to go," she told me softly. She let me go and turned to Emmett. "You don't get a hug."
He grinned. "I know. I'm too much man for you. You like 'em smaller." His blue eyes twinkled with mirth. "And younger."
"Fuck off," Alice told him, but she barely got the words out before Emmett scooped her up and carried her into the living room.
"You know you missed me. Admit it."
"No!" she yelled, shrieking as he dangled her upside down over the couch. He held her with one hand and tickled her with the other. "Stop! Please! Too ticklish! I'll pee!" she warned.
"What do I care? It's your couch. Admit it and I'll let you go." Em was having a good time, grinning madly.
"Fine! I missed you too!" Emmett flipped her over his arm and dropped her face down the couch. She glared up at him, red faced and mussed. "I only missed kicking your ass verbally."
"I'll take it, Demi." Emmett just laughed when she punched him the stomach. "Such violent girls. How'd you get the tame one?" he asked me.
I snickered as I scooped up the bags and carried them to Bella's room. "Pure luck." I set them down and went back into the living room. Bella stood next to the armchair and I sat down in it and grinned at her. She immediately curled up in my lap and I buried my nose in her hair. So good.
"You two sicken me," Alice told us cheerfully. "I should send a picture of this to Charlie."
Bella sat up a little. "Dad? You talked to him?"
Alice laughed. "Talked to him? I got invited to dinner with him and Sue. They're super cute together, Bella." She was gesturing wildly with her hands. "Your dad honest to God blushes! Who knew?"
"I did!" Rose said with a laugh. "There was this one time that I swear he was checking out my chest and…" she broke off when Bella hurled a throw pillow at her. "You're just upset that I won't be your stepmother now."
"Bad enough that you'll be my sister-in-law!" Bella told her, crossing her arms over her chest. I just laughed while Emmett grinned brightly and Alice gaped at all of us.
"Um, what did you say? You're getting married? Like all of you? What in the hell happened at those cabins?" Her gray eyes were wide and stunned. "Where are the rings?" she demanded.
Bella held up a hand. "We're not engaged or anything, it's just…"
"These two yahoos come from a long line of people who fall in love at first sight or some craziness," Rose supplied. "And it seems that Bella and I are the chosen ones. Of course, Emmett informs me of this during a drunken game of I've Never, just announcing to all of us that he was going to marry me." She scowled at Emmett who draped an arm around her.
"It's just the one, Rosie," Emmett corrected, playing with her hair. He turned to Alice. "We just know when we've found the right person. Time doesn't factor into it. I knew Bella was Edward's one before they even met and then when Rosie walked into this very room, I was gone."
Alice just shook her head. "And you told her this while you were drunk? Way classy." She ignored Emmett's protests and turned to me. "How did you tell Bella?"
The memory made me grin. "In front of the fire after a fancy dinner."
Alice grinned approvingly. "Much better. How are you two even related?"
"Hey!" Emmett grumbled. "It's not my fault the prickly one forced it out of me that way. And I did make up for it the next night."
Rose laughed. "Yes, he did. Multiple times." She waggled her eyebrows suggestively while Alice and Bella giggled. "We'll tell you all about it, later. Back to HC DILF." She was met with four confused gazes at that one, because none of us knew what she was talking about, other than the DILF part. "Hot cop, obviously."
"Ugh," Bella groaned. "Seriously, how was my dad?"
Alice smiled. "He's really good, Bella. Very happy. Of course he was a bit worried about his daughter being ravished in some remote cabin for days on end, but other than that…" she broke off, giggling at the expression on my face. I felt flushed. Bella's dad carried a gun for a living and he knew I was having sex with his daughter. Well, some things were worth dying for I supposed.
"Did you know that he's scouring tabloids looking for evidence that Edward is some kind of Hollywood bad boy? I assured him that wasn't the case but he didn't seem willing to give it up." She laughed hard. "He asked me about TMZ and Perez Hilton!"
Fuck me. That was so not cool. "What?" Bella asked, disbelief evident. "He's going on the web now, too?"
"Oh yeah, Charlie's totally high tech."
Bella shook her head. "He bitched and moaned when they switched over to computers instead of typewriters." I shot her a look and she laughed. "Charlie's kind of old school. He'd rather do everything with pens and paper than keyboards and computer monitors."
"Well, he's turning into a pro on the internet, let me tell you." She grinned over at Emmett. "And don't think for a minute that he hasn't looked you up either. He asked just how much time Edward spent with his reprobate brother." Oh, shit.
"I am not a reprobate!" Emmett protested.
"You're moving out," I informed him. Like I didn't have enough going against me in Bella's father's eyes without having my jailbird brother bringing me down.
"I am not!" My brother glared at me while the girls laughed. "Don't forget that the only reason you're defiling the police chief's daughter is because I pulled your head out of your ass and brought you up here."
Damn it. He'd always have that over me. "But if that hadn't happened, then you wouldn't have met Rose."
"Yes, he would have," Rose supplied. "I'd have come down your way and nailed his ass eventually." Her voice was pure confidence. Somehow I didn't doubt her.
"Alright, you can stay. But if you get arrested again, you're out," I grumbled. Bella kissed my jaw.
"Like you scare me." Emmett laughed.
"I may not but Mom does and I'll tell her about the times that she doesn't know about." I'd bailed Emmett out a couple of times, getting the cops not to charge him by using my celebrity and throwing around premiere tickets and other crap.
Emmett paled. "You wouldn't." I just smiled knowingly.
"Emmett's days of appearing on TMZ are over," Rose interjected. "Unless he appears on there with me."
His grin could not have gotten wider. "Count on it, baby!" Oh Lord. Well, that was their problem.
"You're all crazy," Alice observed, smiling. "Anyway, I told your dad that Edward is really a good guy and that I had no doubt that he'd treat you well. That seemed to appease him," she told Bella. I breathed a sigh of relief.
"I adore you," I told her.
Alice laughed. "You better."
"I do. And I love my shirt, by the way." That set all three girls giggling again while my brother looked baffled.
"I thought you might. It's pretty cool. I might even get one."
"I'll get you one," I promised her.
"What shirt?" Emmett asked, folding his arms across his chest.
"Never mind." He wouldn't appreciate the awesomeness that was my Death Star shirt.
"Fine," he muttered, looking put out.
"So, back to you." Bella turned to Alice. "Did you talk to Jasper at all over break?"
She colored slightly. "Yeah, a little. His spring break isn't for a couple more weeks, so he was in classes and stuff." Emmett guffawed and she glared at him. "We're just talking."
"Well, I'm glad you did." Bella smiled softly. "Have you thought about this summer yet?"
Alice lit right up. "Well, that's one of the things that has me so excited!" She took a deep breath and I had to smile at her flare for dramatics. Bella had told me Alice did some acting when they were kids and I could see that in her now. "I have an interview this week for a job at Seattle General!" Shrieks sounded all around and Bella was off my lap and hugging Alice seconds later.
"That's so great! I'm so excited for you!"
Alice bounced a little as Bella released her. "Me too! I've been on cloud nine all week. Of course, it's just an interview but you never know."
"I guess that means Europe's out," Rose said, giving her a hug. "I'm thrilled for you but bummed for us."
"Don't be!" Alice told her. "The job wouldn't start until August. They're just making the push to start the hiring process now before a bunch of us graduate and scatter, I guess. They're working in conjunction with the university so I have as good a shot as anybody."
"So, you're coming with us?" Bella asked, her eyes shining.
"Hell yes! Look out Germany!" All three girls were now dancing around the living room. My brother and I just watched them with indulgent smiles. I was glad Alice was coming. I knew Bella felt bad for her situation with that Jasper guy but hopefully this would help.
"That's so great! And you might have a real job when we come back!" My smile faded at the mention of coming back and I noticed my brother's did too. Well, we had time before we figured all that out. The girls were off and talking about what they'd see and do and plotting trips to various countries. Bella smiled at me hesitantly and I held out a hand to her which she took. I wasn't going to attempt to limit what they did on their vacation.
"Is it okay if we go to Paris for a few days?" she asked softly when she snuggled back into my lap. Alice and Rose were making lists of stuff they needed, which I thought was a bit premature but they were excited so who was I to judge?
I turned her so that she sat sideways, so I could see that beautiful face of hers. "Baby, I want you to go and see whatever you want. It's your vacation. I'll be working."
She smiled sadly. "I know, but I won't see you every night if we make little side trips."
Yes, that was true but I was never, ever going to limit her; that was a promise I'd made to myself back at the cabin. "Bella, have you ever been to Europe?" I already knew the answer to that but she shook her head. "Well, I want you to experience it. See everything you want to see. I wish I could show you myself, but I can't, so I'm glad you have Rose and Alice to see it with. I know you've yet to experience what it's like when I'm filming, but it's very long days. I'm usually up and out by five and not back until ten on a good night, later than that on a bad one."
Bella's beautiful eyes widened at that news. "Really? That doesn't sound fun."
I snickered. "No, it's pretty grueling but I love it anyway." Well I might love it less when she was waiting for me in my hotel room and I was ready to collapse at the end of the day. "I can and will have some days off and we'll work with those, but I don't want you to worry about waiting around for me, okay?"
"Okay." She rested her head on my shoulder and I held her close while the girls chattered for a bit.
They finally wound down over pizza and beer and then it was time for bed. Bella and I walked hand in hand into her bedroom and we took our time undressing one another. I felt like I was memorizing every inch of her, every look, every touch and every sound she made. When I slipped inside her, our hands were joined and our eyes held as I told her that I loved her. Her eyes welled and she returned my vow. We made slow, unhurried love. I wanted to savor each touch, to burn it into memory to hold on to when I was away. We came together and I thought she'd sleep but she didn't, choosing instead to hold on to me and talk, sharing inconsequential, wonderful things about herself. I did the same. It felt like every day I got to know her better and love her more. We made love one more time before we drifted off, exhaustion finally getting the better of us despite our need to spend every waking moment we could together.
The alarm that woke us in the morning was not nearly as welcomed as those that had sounded the rest of the week for sure. Bella shut it off and her eyes met mine as we lay together for a few more minutes. Not a word was spoken; I just touched her cheek, kissed her forehead and held on to her. She ran her fingers down my bare back. "We need to get up," she reminded me.
I knew we did. I just didn't want to let her go. But I had no choice. I got out of bed and into the shower. I was in there for about two minutes when the curtain parted and in she came. I could see instantly it wasn't a sexual thing, she wrapped her arms around me and buried her head against my chest. I held her to me and we stood under the water together for several minutes before she started to clean me, her soft hands moving over my body. Normally that would be cause for lift off but not this time. I just enjoyed the feeling of her taking care of me before returning the favor, washing her hair and her beautiful body. A tear or two slipped down her cheek and nearly brought me to my knees but she shook her head and gave me one of her beautiful smiles. "It'll be over before you know it." And I knew she wasn't talking about the shower.
We stepped out and dried one another off. She put on jeans and a sweatshirt and pulled her hair back into a ponytail. She looked like the quintessential college student. She was so pretty. I got dressed and packed my bag. I could hear my brother and Rose moving about in the living room and knew I didn't have long before we had to go. I sat back on the bed and Bella came into my arms, holding on to me tightly.
"This sucks," I told her, making her laugh quietly. I literally felt like I was going to lose my shit if I walked away from her.
"I know. But you'll be so busy that you'll hardly have time to miss me."
That just wasn't true. I pulled away to look at her so she'd see just how untrue that was. "I'll miss you every minute of the day." She smiled shakily at my words, her eyes shining with tears. "I'm going to inundate you with calls, texts and emails, just so you know."
Bella laughed. "I'm ready to be inundated." She cupped my face in her hands. "Just so you know, I'm going to miss you, too, but I promise I'll be okay. Don't you worry about me." Like that was possible. I made a face at that and she giggled, delighting me. "I'm going to kick academic ass while I wait for you to come back to me."
She made me smile. "I have no doubt you will, baby. Just be sure to have a little fun, too. But not too much."
She shook her head. "I'm saving all the fun until graduation. We'll have a lot of fun then."
Yes, we would. And I needed to get her a great present to celebrate. I'd have to think about that for a bit. "We will, baby."
"Edward!" my brother bellowed from the living room. Fuck. It was time. I stood and pulled Bella to her feet, kissing her. Her lips were hard and hungry on mine and suddenly the desperation was on us again. I pushed her back against her door and ground my hips into her as I devoured her. It wasn't enough. It never would be.
"Damn it," I muttered when we broke apart.
Bella laughed softly. "I know. Five weeks."
"I love you," I told her fervently. I watched the smile light up her face. That look, right there, that was the one that I was going to hold onto until I saw her again.
"I love you, too."
"This isn't goodbye. I'm never going to say goodbye to you," I vowed.
Bella kissed me again, softly, this one full of promise. "It's see you soon."
"See you soon." I hugged her tightly as a knock sounded on the door. "Not soon enough."
She smiled up at me. "It never will be soon enough. Call me when you get home?"
Home. Like it was a home without her. But I nodded. "I will." We opened the door and my brother and Rose looked as tired and unhappy as I figured we did. Emmett hugged Bella, taking her away from me which made me frown and Rose smirk. The two of them talked to one another quietly and Rose turned to me.
"Keep him in line, will you?" she asked.
"I'll do my best. Take care of her for me?"
"I always do." I kissed her on the cheek, because I knew she was in good hands with Rose and Alice.
"Thank you." Bella was back then and I took her in my arms again. Rose and Emmett ducked outside to say goodbye privately and give us a moment.
"Do you have everything?" she asked quietly.
"Everything but what I want the most." It was the truth, after all.
A sob caught in her throat. "Don't make me cry, damn it. I swore I wasn't going to."
"Sorry, baby."
"And you do have me, even when I'm not with you," she reassured me. That was true and I knew it. It just sucked to leave her behind.
"And you have me." I held her tight, wishing I could just absorb her into me and take her everywhere. It was ridiculous, I knew, but it was so hard to leave her after having all that time with her.
"I love you so much," she murmured, rising on her tiptoes to kiss me again.
"I love you forever," was my response when we came up for air.
Rose came in and gestured silently to the door, letting me know that Emmett was ready. "See you soon," I told Bella, kissing her one last time.
"See you soon," she echoed quietly. I touched her cheek before shouldering my bag and heading toward the door. I smiled at her over my shoulder and she smiled back and told me she loved me again.
"Forever," I reminded her. And I walked out the door, leaving behind the one person I never wanted to do without. Five weeks couldn't pass soon enough.
A/N This is the last week of dual posting for a few, until graduation, so next week I'll be back to Wed for WWS and Friday for WWF. There's not going to be a ton of separation chapters but I have a few things I want to do before I time jump a little.
Words players this week are widdlewombat and mommynickels. Also, any of you out there playing Scramble with Friends? It's my newest obsession, it's like Boggle and I'm Nolebucgrl there and dani11109 is also hooked like I am.
Special thanks to all of you for patience with the FF fail last week. I appreciate that so many of you let me know there were problems and took the time to review even days after reading. It meant a lot and I can't thank you enough.
First & Ten outtake coming on Thursday or Friday for those who want more QBward! See you then or next week!