Fan Fiction, Sex Gods and Single Girls
A/N: Angela is processing her epiphany and Esme is poised for son-nudgery. Perfect reasons for fic-readery!
Chapter 37: The Importance and Portents of Dreams
Glancing across the patio table, Edward noticed Angela peering at him over the top of her glasses. There was a contemplative look in her eyes, as if she were turning something over in her mind. But then she shook her head and shot him an odd little smile before looking away, leaving Edward to wonder what the heck that was all about.
There was something rather sphinx-like about that girl. She was definitely an enigma. She was also Bella's best friend. And she was angelbaby, Bella's beta, which meant she probably had a shitload of insider information. Edward realized he just might need to worry about Angela.
Holy fuck… Does she know I know about Bella's story? There's no way she knows! She can't possibly know. How could she possibly know? She couldn't, could she? No. No way.
Shit. What if she knew? Fuck. I'd be screwed. But only if she knew. And she doesn't. Does she?
Edward startled, blinking at fingers suddenly snapping in front of his face.
"Earth to Wardo, Earth to Wardo. Come in Wardo." It was Emmett. Naturally.
"What?" Edward shoved the hand out of his face.
"You were lost in La-La Land, dude. I'm just trying to bring you back. You gonna eat the rest of that? I want it if it's just going to waste." He pointed at the dip on Edward's plate.
"Get out of here!" Edward shielded his plate as he picked up another chip and dug into the goopy goodness. "You're not getting my Dip of the Gods." He heard a little giggle from Bella and leaned towards her.
"Can you believe the audacity of this guy?" he asked, taking another bite before turning back to Emmett. "You already ate the majority of the dip, Pig-Boy."
Edward heard a throaty laugh and looked past Emmett to Rosalie. She seemed less haughty than earlier, perhaps due to the obvious connection they had. Maybe she wasn't so bad after all. For Em, anyway. Looks-wise, she was right up his alley.
Edward met her smiling eyes and shook his head. "Some people have no boundaries," he grumbled, in an attempt to be friendly.
"Some people must have big appetites," Rosalie suggested, smiling back and then smirking at Emmett. Emmett waggled his eyebrows and flashed a naughty grin, and Rose laughed, smacking his bicep. She'd been wanting to touch that thing.
"Some people can't behave either, apparently," she added, speaking to Edward once again.
"That would be Emmett," Edward agreed as he went back to work on his appetizers.
"I can behave!" Emmett protested. "I can be good!" The naughty grin flared up once again. "Not that I'm uncomfortable being bad." Rosalie snorted a laugh, smacking his bulging bicep a second time as Emmett gave her his cherub's smile.
Yeah, she just can't keep her hands off me!
Rose pointed at the rapidly disappearing dip on Edward's plate. "I need to get this recipe, Bella. You know…in case I have guests over." She shot a smile at Emmett and he beamed.
Bella laughed at the two of them. "Sure. It's really simple. And you can add chopped jalapeños if you like it hot and spicy."
"Do you like it hot and spicy, Rosie?" Emmett asked with a devilish grin, hoping she'd slap him playfully once more. And hoping she did indeed like it hot and spicy.
Rose laughed and smiled wickedly right back, arching a brow above her flashing blue eyes. "The hotter and spicier the better, Emmett."
Emmett groaned and scrubbed a hand over his face. "Okay, I think I need a cold beer. I'm getting kind of overheated here." The group around the table laughed and Emmett grinned. "Anybody else?" he asked as he scooted his chair back and took a few drink orders.
Rose took the opportunity to top off her Margarita, feeling a little hot and bothered herself.
While talking with Rose, and even earlier, when Emmett had been going on about the sickness-factor of the Happy Birthday song-prank, Bella had been keeping one ear on the music. She now knew Edward's selections had a point…some hidden meaning that involved her. The thought alone gave her butterflies in her stomach.
Would a friend go to all that effort? Is there something more happening here?
Don't jump to conclusions, Isabella Marie. Why would someone like Edward be interested in someone like you?
But what about the subtle touches?
They were friendly touches. He was just being friendly because he saw you were upset.
She chased thoughts of touches and more away, focusing on the possible messages of the most recent songs.
Unwritten was obviously a reference to her hobby. She'd told Edward of her plans to work on her writing yesterday when they'd gone to fetch her truck. But the Kings of Leon song, Fans, left her a little confused and wondering why he'd chosen it.
It can't be because of the "Asshole" hats we were wearing yesterday, can it? Does he know that line in that song? Maybe he's a fan, too?
She turned to Edward while others were involved in conversation. "I was wondering about the…um…chronological tribute?" She bit her lip as she looked at him, hoping he would realize what she was referring to. He did, nodding and waiting for her to continue, glancing down at the full pink lip she was biting.
"So, Unwritten was kind of obvious because of, you know…what I do." Her pretty dark brown eyes looked pointedly into his.
Edward nodded a little uncertainly. He did indeed know what she did, and what she was doing, but her statement left him worrying just how much she knew about what he knew about what she was doing. And just what Angela might know about all of that…knowing. And that was just the tip of the known iceberg of...knowledge…floating around at this barbecue. So his soft reply was rather non-committal.
"Yeah?" He waited for her to go on, rather than say something incriminating. He'd rather wait and incriminate himself at another, less public, point in time.
"I was wondering about Fans…" Bella continued, a pucker appearing between her brows. "It's not…because of that line about…the hat, is it?"
Edward's answer was a smug grin and amused twinkling eyes beneath his lush arching brows. He couldn't help it. He was really proud of himself with this one, realizing he'd hit the nail on the head.
Bella was incredulous. "I love that line in that song! You knew that?"
He chuckled and leaned closer, tipping his head down and answering in a low voice so they could keep their secret between them. "Well, I didn't know, although I do like the band and the song." He smiled. "I Googled song titles and lyrics, searching for asshole and hat. There wasn't much to choose from."
Bella laughed. "I wouldn't guess so."
"So... Fans it was," Edward finished with a shrug. "And this song," he looked up briefly, acknowledging Call Me, by Blondie, "is a musical reminder about calling your conveniently located emergency contact...even if you just want to let your emergency contact know that there is...no imminent emergency." He grinned playfully at her.
Bella blushed and smiled. Giving her his cell phone number had really been a sweet, thoughtful, and somewhat protective gesture.
Not the kind of thing a new just-a-friend might think to do.
Stop fooling yourself!
"Texts are also welcomed." Edward smiled crookedly. "You could send an S.O.S. for example."
Bella pulled her phone out of her pocket with a sneaky smile and Edward's own smile broadened as she began tapping out a text beneath the table's edge, where he couldn't see.
A moment later she stashed her phone back in her pocket and smiled. Edward smirked and stood, picking up his now empty appetizer platter and a few other pieces of trash. After dumping them in a nearby trash can, he took out his phone, looking at the screen to read his text message.
He returned to the table, scratching his head. "N.I.E?"
"No imminent emergency," Bella whispered.
"Oh!" Edward laughed. "Well, thank goodness! I'd hate to think I hadn't been paying enough attention and missed some crisis requiring my assistance."
Even as he said the words, Edward thought about the invisible iceberg of knowledge floating around them. The possibility of a titanic crisis at any moment loomed large. Bella could very well be sending out an S.O.S. or a Mayday! Mayday! before evening's end.
As Call Me drew to an end, Edward felt a flicker of uncertainty. He'd had no idea Bella would be so curious about the playlist, nor that she'd become upset and he'd have to explain the whole idea behind it. Now she was tuned in, observant and asking questions, and he wondered how she would react to what was coming up.
How do I explain that "Dreams" and "Strawberry Fields Forever" tie into an actual dream I had about her?
Good luck with that, Cullen. That's not going to sound creepy.
It wasn't creepy! It was…idyllic…and…satisfying.
Well for fuck's sake, don't mention it was satisfying! She'll think you're talking about a wet dream.
It wasn't that kind of dream!
Edward cleared his throat, thinking maybe he should create a distraction. Leaning forwards and folding his arms on the table top, he focused intently across the table on his old high school buddy.
"So, Ben, tell me about your decision to move back to Seattle."
Bella was only half listening as Ben began talking. She was far more focused the next song. The playlist had reached yesterday afternoon and she hadn't seen Edward after their drive. They hadn't seen each other until shortly before the party, when he and Alice came to borrow the ladder.
Maybe "Call Me" was the final song in his chronological musical tribute.
Unless there's some sort of summary song coming...like a concluding personal statement in the final paragraph of a narrative essay.
The song that followed was another old one, Dreams by the Cranberries, and Bella found herself listening intently as her gaze traveled to Edward's fine profile, as he listened and spoke with Ben. She had to remind herself to look away. It wouldn't do to be ogling him, although he was certainly worth a good hard stare. Not to mention an accompanying puddle of drool.
She turned her focus back on the song as the intro gave way to the lyrics.
All my life
Is changing every day
In every possible way
This is about him changing? Because he's mentioned wanting and trying to change.
And all my dreams
It's never quite as it seems
Never quite as it seems
He certainly isn't how he seemed or like I imagined, but that's probably because he's changing.
I know I've felt like this before
But now I'm feeling it even more
Because it came from you
Wait... This is about me? He's feeling something...more? Because of me?
Then I open up and see
The person falling here is me
A different way to be
Bella's breath caught in her throat and she felt the sudden heat of a blush rushing into her face. She didn't dare look at Edward. He might see where her thoughts had headed.
He's falling and finding a different way to be? Falling for whom? Me?!
Oh give it a rest, you idiot! He can't possibly mean what you think this means! Be realistic! The musical tribute is probably over and he just likes this song. He just wants to be your friend. Nothing more.
I want more
GAH! He DOES want MORE?!
Impossible to ignore
Impossible to ignore
Ohmygod!
They'll come true
Impossible not to do
Impossible not to do
His dreams will come true? What?!
Now I tell you openly
You have my heart so don't hurt me
You're what I couldn't find
OHMYGOD!
Bella had a fleeting thought to call her emergency contact, because she couldn't breathe and just might faint. But unfortunately, her emergency contact was the root of all things breathless and faint-provoking.
Totally amazing mind
So understanding and so kind
You're everything to me
WHAT?!
Bella's heart was pounding like a bass drum, her face was flushed. Or pale. She had no idea which. She couldn't even feel her face. She just knew it wasn't right, and her feelings must be written all over it, making her and her ridiculous thoughts an open book.
All my life
Is changing every day
In every possible way
And oh my dreams
It's never quite as it seems
Cause you're a dream to me
Dream to me
Holy shit! He can't mean this!
Snap out of it! It's just a fucking song! He can't possibly mean every line in a fucking song! He didn't write the fucking thing, dumbass! Maybe you should go home. Just go home and put yourself out of your misery! Go!
But Bella didn't go. She couldn't move. Or look at Edward. She would never be able to look at him again. Instead she sat there, flushed and flustered, praying for divine inspiration or intervention. Something or someone…who could explain why Edward had picked this song. Because she sure as hell would never be able to bring herself to ask him for an explanation.
Grabbing up the margarita pitcher with a shaky hand, she tried to pour herself a drink, sloshing some onto the table and then nearly knocking her glass over as she reached for a napkin.
"Oh! Sorry!" she blurted as she tried to wipe up the mess with a trembling hand.
"Here, let me get that," a low musical voice said. A large warm hand wrapped around hers on the handle of the pitcher, taking it from her grasp.
Edward realized Bella hadn't been focused on the conversation. Lost in thought and now blushing furiously, he had a good idea where her thoughts might have gone. She wouldn't look at him. She didn't say a word. She just seemed distracted and jittery as she watched him pour her drink as the song came to an end.
Well, hell. What have I done?
Ben was keeping Angela and a few others entertained with the drawbacks involved in moving back in with his parents, while he hunted for his own place. with everyone distracted, Edward took a resolute breath and decided to try and explain himself to Bella. It would probably be stupidly premature to admit he felt much of what was conveyed in that song, so instead he stuck with the more obvious aspect. The dream itself.
"Bella?" His voice was low and soothing. The voice one would use with any skittish creature that might bolt.
She turned toward him in a rather jerky move, blinking as though he had caught her off guard.
Leaning forward, resting his elbows on his thighs, Edward brought his face a little closer to hers. "So, since you might be wondering about the song, I uh…I had this dream last night…and…uh…you were in it." He gave her an awkward crooked smile.
It wasn't a wet dream. Please don't think it was a wet dream.
Her eyes widened. She'd certainly dreamt about Edward in the past week. Luridly so. But she doubted his dream had been lurid.
"You mean...like a nightmare?" The question came out in a squeak and Edward chuckled.
"No, definitely not a nightmare. It was actually a very pleasant dream. You were in a sunny meadow…filled with wild strawberry plants. That's why I picked this song." He nodded toward the speakers, indicating The Beatles' Strawberry Fields Forever.
Bella nodded as she calmed down, but then she frowned, whispering, "Why was I in a field of strawberries?"
Edward smiled crookedly and shrugged. "I think subconsciously it had something to do with…your shampoo."
"Oh." Bella smiled in understanding, relaxing more as she realized Dreams had merely been chosen for a dream. A dream could happen to anybody. About anybody. And sometimes you had random dreams about random people and it didn't really mean anything significant.
Edward cleared his throat and went on. "Anyway, in my dream you were sitting on that blanket I have…" He hooked a thumb over his shoulder in the direction of his house and Bella realized he meant the blue, gray and black plaid blanket in the great room. "You had a big basket with you. I think you were about to have a picnic."
"With you?" she asked, feeling more curious and less panicky.
He ran a hand through his hair because this was where it might sound a little creepy and stalkerish.
"Um…no…you were alone on the blanket. I was on the edge of a wooded area, standing in the shade beneath the trees, not too far away. I was watching you. But then you waved for me to join you."
"And did you?"
"I don't know. That's when I woke up. I tried to go back to sleep, but…" He gave her a little shrug as he focused more intently on her. "I don't know how the dream ends."
Bella caught the bob of his Adam's apple as he swallowed and she stilled. There was something vulnerable in his bright green eyes. Something unspoken and hesitantly questioning. And the words he'd chosen... He hadn't said he didn't know how the dream ended, but rather how it ends. Asif it might still play out.
Holy shit...
Bella's heart had begun pounding once again and she wondered if he could possibly hear it.
"Oh," she managed to exhale, unable to tear her gaze away from his mesmerizing eyes.
Ho. Ly. Shit.
What's he saying?
Edward's tongue peeked out to wet his lips. "So unfortunately, I completely missed out on the contents of that picnic basket," he added, lightening the moment with a soft and slightly awkward little smile.
Bella felt a fresh blush coloring her features as she returned his smile, equally awkwardly. She took a shaky breath and cleared her throat.
"Well…I do make a mean turkey club sandwich. And some potato chips, fresh vegetables, homemade cookies, and lemonade would round out a picnic quite nicely."
Edward's eyes crinkled up in amusement. "Well, when I go to bed tonight, I'll try to concentrate on turkey clubs, lemonade, and all those sides. Maybe I'll be able to pick up where I left off last night. I'll let you know how it goes," he added with a chuckle.
Edward glanced up to see Alice leading Jasper by the hand as they approached the table.
Bella looked down, smiling still, letting her mind wander to improbable images of herself sitting on a plaid blanket in the strawberry-scented sunshine, picnic basket at the ready, with a lanky and sexy Edward Cullen stretched out next to her, looking up at her with those mesmerizing green eyes, his mouth curved in a tempting smile, as he pulled her down to him.
She sighed wistfully.
Edward can dream of turkey clubs tonight. I'm going to dream of Edward Cullen in a meadow.
Bella looked up to see Alice and Jasper standing behind Ben. Alice patted Ben's shoulder fondly as her eyes focused on her brother.
"Edward, did you hear how Ben wound up with the job at Fawkes?"
"Oh, gosh!" Bella blurted as Edward shook his head. "I never told you!"
Edward's brow furrowed. "Told me what?"
"Remember the blackout on Thursday night?"
Angela stifled a laugh at Bella's question. She was willing to bet Edward hadn't forgotten that particular evening.
Edward snorted a laugh and smiled. "I'm not likely to forget that particular blackout."
"Why? What happened?" Alice peered curiously from Edward to Bella and back.
Bella tensed, but then she felt Edward's knee gently bump hers under the table. He gave her a clandestine little smirk and then his knee stayed put against hers.
"Bella made me dinner," Edward told Alice with a smug little smile.
Bella gasped and looked at Edward in shock, horrified that Alice would now know she'd invited Edward to dinner the very evening she'd been warned to have nothing to do with him. She poked him in the ribs and he flinched away with a laugh.
"Edward! I did not make you dinner! I made me dinner! You joined me for dinner so you didn't have to chip a tooth on your frozen pizza!"
Edward couldn't keep the amusement off his face as he shrugged. "Why quibble over details?"
"You mooched dinner off of Bella?" Alice asked in dismay.
"No! Of course not!" His expression was indignant.
"I'd made more than enough, so I invited him to share it with me," Bella explained.
Edward smiled. "It was a nice way to get to know a new neighbor and wait out a blackout." Naturally he omitted the uncomfortable and awful ending to the evening. They were past that after all.
Edward waited for Alice to voice her opinion, but instead she just smiled.
"So, what about Ben's job?" Edward asked, getting the conversation back on track. "What does that have to do with the blackout?"
What followed was a pieced together story by members of the Fawkes High teaching staff, regarding the unfortunate van accident that put new teacher, Tyler Crowley, in the hospital, and substitute teacher, Ben Cheney, in his classroom. Bella and Edward added to the story with their personal experience of the blackout Tyler's accident had caused, and the dangers of the intersection outside their neighborhood.
The music moved on, and with My Party, by The Kings of Leon, Bella realized Edward's playlist had caught up to the present.
"This must be where the tribute ends," she quietly observed.
Edward nodded, smiling back at her. "Yeah. From here on out it's a mix of other stuff."
You know that's not true, Cullen.
Bite me.
"Could I…" Bella paused, coloring up as she tried to frame her request without sounding foolish. "I mean, would you… Do you think I could get the playlist from you? You know, download it on my phone?"
"You want it? Really?" Edward was surprised by her request. And oddly thrilled.
"If that's okay? Once you explained it...it was entertaining, like you said." She shrugged. "I liked it."
He smiled. "Sure. I can do it right now. Give me your phone...and a few minutes...and I'll be right back." He stood, held out his hand, and Bella turned her phone over to him.
Mere moments after Edward headed inside, Bella looked up to see Angela stand, smile, and mouth the word "bathroom" before heading into the house. Ben took that opportunity to ask Bella a few questions about herself…and Angela Weber.
Edward was on the couch in the great room with his laptop on the ottoman before him, when Angela walked inside.
"Having a good time, Angela?" he asked, focusing back on what he was doing.
"I am, thanks. How about you, Edward?"
He was about to reply when he realized Angela had folded her tall, slender self up to perch on the edge of the adjacent couch. Looking up, he saw her smiling, watching him, and then he remembered she had just asked him a question.
"Oh…uh, yeah, I'm having a great time. Alice and I don't usually combine forces, but this has been very enjoyable. It's a good mix of people. Everyone seems to get along well." He felt like he was babbling, but he smiled and she nodded at his words.
He focused back on the screen, selecting the playlist he'd made. Clearing his throat, he held up Bella's phone in his hand.
"Bella wanted a copy of the playlist I made, so I'm just…"
"Do you ever read fan fiction, Edward?"
Edward's eyes shot to Angela's and he froze as an ice cold, creeping dread struck him. Like a floating iceberg.
Fuck. She knows.
"I'm going to take your hesitation as a yes," Angela continued, still smiling.
Edward sat as still as a statue carved from stone. A frozen stone.
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.
"So, you're reading her story," Angela mused. "How you figured it out, I have no idea, but you do strike me as an incredibly smart man…Stardust Ed."
Edward's mouth went dry as his mind floundered and his heart broke apart and capsized.
Fuuuuuuuuuuuuck. She knows eeeeeeevery-fucking-thing!
"It is Stardust Ed, isn't it?" she asked.
Edward finally took a breath and tried to swallow. "Yeah, it is…uh…angelbaby?"
Angela's brow arched as her smile widened. "Touché. I knew you were smart."
"Angelbaby wasn't much of a stretch," Edward admitted.
Angela shrugged. "Neither was Stardust Ed, once I figured things out."
"Does she know?" Edward asked, worriedly.
Angela shook her head. "No, I just pieced it together myself."
Edward nodded. His eyes serious. "Are you going to tell her?"
Angela blinked and her smile disappeared.
Edward licked his lips. "I mean, I should be the one to tell her. I know I need to, I just don't want to ruin today. But I will tell her."
Angela's smile reappeared. "Good. I was hoping you'd say that."
"I know I have to be honest with her. I know that's important." He swallowed. "She's… She's important."
Angela's smile widened. "I know. I can see that. I'm pretty sure you are too."
Edward's mouth dropped open. He stared as Angela stood.
Really?
"I'll give you a week. After that, all bets are off. I wouldn't be a good friend if I just let this go. And you should know...she's been working on chapter two."
Edward nodded. And closed his mouth as Angela left, smiling and humming to herself as she headed to the bathroom. Edward slumped back against the couch, staring into space.
Holy fuck!
Ho. Ly. Fuuuuuuuck.
He scrubbed his hands over his face and up into his hair, and then he looked back at the laptop in a daze. Everything was downloaded. More than just the chronological musical tribute, it was all the songs for the rest of the evening.
He just hoped she'd like them and what they conveyed.
Unplugging her phone, he put away his laptop and grabbed up the remote control for the sound system. Outside, he approached Bella with her phone, just as Angela returned to the patio with a Sphinx-like smile.
"Here you go, Bella. All done," Edward said, handing over her phone.
"Thank you, Edward. This is awesome." Bella smiled up at him.
"It was my pleasure."
Well, until Angela dropped her bomb…which will detonate in a week…if I haven't already slaughtered this with my news before then.
Fuck. I'm so fucked.
The music was Rihanna, singing Cheers (Drink to That) and Edward began looking around the crowd, checking to see everyone still had a drink. He grabbed a few beers, offering them to anyone with an empty bottle, and Alice picked up the Margarita pitcher to top off drinks.
When the song came to an end, Edward paused the music with the remote, and Alice began clanging a serving spoon against the now-empty Margarita pitcher, asking for everyone's attention.
When everyone quieted Edward spoke.
"We just want to thank you all for coming today, and I promise I'll start barbecuing in just a few minutes..." Alice stood at his side, nodding and smiling as she looked at their guests. "But we would also like you to join us in a toast to our parents, who are celebrating their thirtieth wedding anniversary this week."
Edward paused at the sounds of applause, "Awws," "Congratulations," and a "Woot-Woot!" from Emmett.
"And without Mom and Dad, of course Edward and I wouldn't be here today," Alice added. "Nor would any of you, because you all would have had to find something else to do today."
The crowd laughed.
"So, here's to thirty years!" Edward said as he raised his beer bottle and smiled at his parents.
"And to thirty more!" Alice chimed in as Carlisle and Esme gave each other a one-armed hug and raised their own drinks to the sound of guests toasting them.
After the toast Edward spoke up again to his parents. "I put some songs on here that I think you'll both enjoy." He raised the little remote, pressed it, and the music started up again.
Esme began clapping excitedly, much like Alice occasionally did, as an old R & B song began. "Oh, Edward, you remembered! Am I allowed to dance with your father?"
Edward laughed and waved at the empty space on the patio. "Yeah. Go crazy, Mom. Just don't fall into the fire pit."
"We're all in trouble now, son," Carlisle said with an exaggerated eye roll as his smiling wife grabbed him by the hand. But he swept her into his arms and the two of them began moving about the patio like a ballroom dance team.
"We'd better move the table and chairs back," Ben cautioned. "I've seen your folks dance." Chairs and the table were quickly pushed over to the corner of the patio.
"Who is this singing?" Rosalie asked as she watched the couple take the make-shift dance floor by storm, twirling about and smiling happily at each other.
"Barry White," Alice replied with a twinkley smile, "It's called You're the First, the Last, My Everything. It was their first-dance song at their wedding."
"It's sweet you played this for them, Edward," Jessica sighed, swaying to the music...and several margaritas. "It's a little fast for a wedding first-dance though, isn't it?"
Edward shrugged. "Disco was big, back when they were dating, and they thought the song said it all. Plus my dad can do a great Barry White impersonation. Mom loves when Dad sings the last line..." Edward's voice deepened. "You and me, baby, just you."
Jessica swooned a bit. But it could have been the margaritas.
Bella couldn't help smiling at Edward and Alice's parents. They seemed so youthful and so in love, even after thirty years of marriage.
"I feel like I'm watching Dancing with the Stars," she commented as Carlisle twirled Esme, caught her deftly, and they continued, without missing a beat or step.
Edward nodded. "Mom used to teach dance classes. When they started dating, Dad was forced to learn."
Bella looked up with a dawning smile. "Oh! So that's why you and Alice took lessons as kids."
"Shhh," Edward warned with a crooked grin and a small shake of his head. "That was privileged personally embarrassing information you got earlier."
Bella put her hand over her mouth, giggling as she imagined a small dancing Edward, hair combed neatly into place, rolling his eyes at his mother's dance demands.
Edward poked her in the side and Bella squeaked at the tickle. "I know you're laughing at me." His eyes were filled with amusement.
When that song ended, a much slower, sultrier song began. Esme looked over at Edward with a sweet smile.
"Don't expect us to stop now! You know this is a special one!"
Edward smiled and shrugged apologetically at his father, but Carlisle just chuckled as he brought his wife closer. He held her tenderly, swaying to the slow beat and the yearning croon of an electric guitar. She lifted her face to his and smiled as he tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear.
"This is lovely. What is it?" Bella asked as Esme laid her head against Carlisle's shoulder and his cheek grazed the top of her head.
"It's Samba Pa' Ti, an old Carlos Santana song from the seventies. You'll have to ask my mom to tell you about how she and my dad met…the first and the second time."
Bella looked up at him curiously. "The first and the second time?"
"Mmm-hmm. It's kind of a moving story. This is actually the first song they ever danced to together...on the second time they met."
Looking back at the couple, Bella saw Esme whispering to Carlisle just before they split apart, dancing away from each other. The tempo of the music began to pick up as Carlisle danced toward Alice and Esme quick-quick-slow-stepped her way to Edward.
"Oh, shit," Edward murmured as his mother approached with an outstretched hand. He heard Bella giggle. And Emmett guffaw.
"Don't make me beg," Esme pouted. "You don't want Alice to be the favorite child, do you?" She winked at Bella.
"Mom… No. Please," Edward protested as she reached for his arm. He glowered over at Emmett, laughing next to Rosalie. Edward was tempted to flip him off, but didn't want Rosalie to think it was intended for her, so he refrained.
"You've brought this on yourself, Edward!" Carlisle called out as he twirled a snickering Alice about.
"Come on, Edward, or I'll withhold chocolate mousse cake." Esme's threatened. "We'll keep it simple. Nothing too showy."
"Fine," Edward sighed reluctantly.
Bella grinned as Edward gave in to his mother and they moved away, with Edward dancing just as surely and gracefully as his mother.
"Thank you," Esme told her son. "Dad and I are having a lovely time. It's nice to see you and Alice together with friends. And Bella seems very sweet," she added quietly. "Although we really haven't had a chance to chat..."
"Mom…promise me you won't say anything about..."
"Edward, I wouldn't dream of it. You're my child. I wouldn't do anything to hurt you." She patted his cheek. "I promise, I won't say a word about it."
"Thank you," he sighed.
"Now, dance me back over there, so you can ask your girl to dance before someone else does."
He gaped at her in shock.
She rolled her eyes. "Oh, Edward, a mother knows. She's lovely, and you're obviously quite smitten. Would you prefer I hand you off to Jessica?"
"No!" Edward shook his head adamantly and noticed Alice had been handed off to dance with Jasper.
"I didn't think so." Esme smiled as they returned to where Bella stood.
Esme moved on to Emmett, grabbing him by the hand. "Your turn, Emmett, let's give Edward a chance to laugh at you."
"Will you dance with me?" Edward softly asked Bella. He nodded toward his mother. "She'll be disappointed if you say no. She's out to embarrass all of us, it seems."
"But I don't know how. I can't dance this!" Bella protested.
"Don't worry. I can," Edward reassured her, his lips curving at the corners as he grasped her hand. He leaned close to her ear. "Dance lessons, remember?" he whispered, his warm breath tickling her neck. "I'll show you. Trust me."
Edward kept Bella's hand in his, surprised at how perfectly and comfortably their hands fit together. His other hand grasped her waist. Looking down at her bewildered, blushing face, he smiled in amusement as he showed her the steps. Bella stumbled a bit, alternately biting her lip in concentration and laughing breathlessly, and Edward couldn't stop grinning. Bella's free hand clasped his broad shoulder as he pulled her closer and directed her about. His looks, his voice, his scent, and his touch were overwhelming, and her heart was flip-flopping in her chest. Edward couldn't stop thinking how lovely she was and how wonderful she smelled…like strawberries and wildflowers…and maybe even a picnic in the sun.
They were oblivious to the friends and neighbors dancing and laughing around them. Nor did they see Esme rejoin Carlisle, giving him a conspiratorial wink and smile as she regarded Alice, dancing with Jasper, and Edward, dancing with Bella.
"It's nice to have happy children," Esme sighed contentedly. Carlisle hummed in agreement. She looked back up into her husband's handsome face and patted his chest softly. "You do such nice work, Doctor Cullen."
Carlisle chuckled at his own lovely girl. "Why, thank you, Mrs. Cullen. I couldn't have managed it without your nudging."
A/N: And now that first song Esme and Carlisle danced to is the rest of the group's first dance song as well. ;)