Bella wakes to the feel of lips lightly brushing the back of her neck, back and forth, back and forth. She smiles and stretches her neck out a little more, letting Edward plant teasing little kisses up the side and into her ear.
"Hmm…" she hums in contentment.
"Morning," he mumbles. She can feel his smile against her neck as he wraps an arm around her waist, tucking her closer into his body.
"Hmm…" she repeats, grabbing hold of his wrist and pushing his hand lower. "It is."
He chuckles and sits up, rolling her onto her back. "As much as I'd love to go along with that idea," he says, smiling down at her, "I have to get up."
She frowns at him. "Why? It's still early." She glances at the clock on the bedside table. "Ugh. Way early. Stay in bed." She hooks her wrists behind his neck, dragging him down for a kiss, morning breath and all.
"Mmm, I..." he mumbles into the kiss. He pulls back an inch. "I'd love to." He presses a quick kiss to her lips. "But," and another, "I have to go meet Maggie and get my mom's present." He finishes the thought with a longer kiss.
She tries to deepen it, pulling him more on top of her, but he pulls back, laughing. "Seriously, Bella." He chuckles, and she warms at sound of the nickname he's taken to using. "I really have to go. I'm already late."
Bella huffs, releasing him and slumping back on the pillow. "Fine. Knew you were going to wake up too early. Just give me a few minutes and I'll be ready to go."
"Nah." He shakes his head. "You stay in bed. There's not even coffee yet, and I've seen how much you need it to function. I'll be back in less than hour." His smile is fond when he looks down at her, and she has the urge to kiss him again.
So she does.
They lie like that for a while, making out. She hooks a leg around his thigh and pulls him tight against her, rolling her hips up. Edward groans, breaking the kiss. "You are making it seriously hard to leave right now."
"So don't leave." She smirks at him.
He glances at the clock. "Ten minutes," he concedes, and leans down to kiss the smirk off her lips.
When he does leave—fifteen minutes later—Bella doesn't go back to sleep. She lies in Edward's childhood bed and stares at the ceiling, stupid smile on her face.
Edward's left without her.
Meaning he doesn't feel the need to watch her every move, or the urge to be suspicious whenever she spends a little too long in the bathroom. As if she isn't some girl he picked up—almost literally—off the street and forced to pretend to be his girlfriend; as if it is real.
It's a good feeling. Simple.
A thought hits her that has her rolling out of bed and walking out to the hall. She keeps her footsteps soft as she walks to phone, knowing the rest of the house is asleep. She dials Riley's number, leaning against the wall as it rings.
Riley doesn't pick up.
"Come on, man," Bella mutters. "What's up?" Riley always answers. No matter where the call is coming from, he always answers. It's been a joke between them for years, because Riley always ends up speaking to the telemarketers and the survey people, but it's also one of the things she depends on.
With a sigh, she puts down the phone. She'll just have to call back later to tell him to nix the cops. It's not as if she and Edward are leaving for Seattle just this second.
Hearing a noise from the kitchen—followed by a delicious smell—she makes her way downstairs.
Carlisle is in the kitchen, pouring a cup of coffee. "You're up early," he comments when he sees her.
Bella shrugs. "It's the smell of coffee. Can't resist it. It trumps even sleep."
Carlisle chuckles and hands her the mug. Bella blows on it before taking a sip, practically humming in pleasure. Hot, fresh, and strong, just as she likes it.
Carlisle watches her with an amused smile. "Esme mentioned you liked my coffee the other morning."
Bella raises her eyebrows in surprise. "That was your coffee? I thought Esme made it."
"No. And you don't want to taste Esme's coffee." The older man grimaces. "It's practically water; it's so weak."
Bella makes a face.
"Exactly." Carlisle chuckles. He pours another mug for himself and leans against the island opposite Bella as he sips at it.
All of a sudden, Bella feels a little nervous. In the few days she's been here, she hasn't talked much with Carlisle. He seems like a man of few words, but she isn't sure if that's how he normally is or if he's just uncomfortable with meeting another of his son's girlfriends. Most of the Cullens Bella has met are certainly on the more talkative side. Edward especially. Yesterday, the idea that Edward's father isn't okay with them wouldn't have bothered her—or at least not that much—but since last night, well.
Things change.
"What time are you two heading back to Seattle?" Carlisle asks, and Bella's heart drops.
That quick to get rid of them, huh?
"I'm not sure. Around noon, I think."
Carlisle nods. "Long drive."
"'Bout four hours, yeah."
Carlisle nods again, studying her over the rim of her coffee. Bella fidgets on the stool. "Well," Carlisle says after some long minutes, "I hope you had a good Christmas here, Isabella."
Bella gives him a smile. "Yes, sir," she says in an automatic response to the name "Isabella."
"None of that 'sir' crap, now," Carlisle responds with a falsely stern voice.
"Right. Carlisle."
Carlisle shakes his head, smiling, and straightens away from the island. "I hope we'll be seeing you around." He walks around the island, clapping a warm hand on Bella's shoulder.
"I...think you will, Carlisle," Bella replies, looking up at him with a tentative smile.
"Good." Carlisle squeezes her shoulder once and strolls out of the kitchen.
Bella stays in the kitchen and drinks her coffee, a happy grin on her face.
Thank you all for the reviews!
Jess