Summary:

After going through a handful of unsuccessful figure skating partners, Bella Swan is on the verge of giving up her skating career. When her coach pairs her up with Edward Cullen, she decides to give her gold medal dreams one last shot.

A/N (Author's Note): ALL HUMAN.

*IMPORTANT*: I will be posting pictures that correspond with some chapters, so if you see text followed by a bold (number), that indicates that there will be a link to the picture on my profile.

I hope the pictures give you a better sense of all the skating positions... so please check em out!

Sorry for the delay. There's a little bit of everything in this chapter.

Chapter 35: Table for Two

BPOV:

When I awoke, I found Edward's eyes already open and concentrating on me.

"Good morning," he whispered contently.

"How can you be so perky at this hour?" I complained.

I paused and realized that I could answer my own question. There were millions of reasons to be so peppy at six AM. The main was that I was waking up next to Edward Cullen. The thrill still hadn't worn off. I wasn't sure it was ever going to.

We'd become codependent on each other and were nearly attached at the hip. Wherever he went, I went and wherever I went, he went. I couldn't sleep without him like a child couldn't sleep without her blanket.

I looked back at Edward who had the widest grin on his face.

"What has you so happy?" I asked.

"It's our one week anniversary!" he exclaimed in disbelief.

"Really Edward?" I laughed. "I didn't think you'd be big on the anniversary stuff."

He pulled away, looking somewhat hurt.

"I've never been with a girl that long," he explained seriously.

Oh. My mouth grew dry and my laughter ceased. It took me a second to comprehend how big of a deal this was to him. My expression grew tender as I rolled over to face him.

For Edward, staying a week in a romantic relationship was a milestone.

Deep in thought, I remained quiet.

"I think we should go out tonight after practice. To you know, celebrate," he offered hesitantly.

I kissed his cheek before I sat up.

"You mean like a date?"

"Yeah," he smiled crookedly.

"That sounds lovely," I said warmly, trying to make up for my dismissive attitude from earlier.

His eyes twinkled with excitement before he closed them with a happy sigh.

I reached down to brush his copper bangs out of his face. I took a closer look at him and noticed faint bags appearing under his eyes.

"Did you get any sleep last night?" I asked worriedly.

"Not much," he admitted, eyes still closed.

Irrationally, I began to panic. Just a few days ago he had implied that he could only sleep when I was next to him. Had that worn off?

"I was too busy thinking about us," he added. I exhaled in relief.

"I need to stop by the ladies room to change… Meet you in the car…"

"Alright," Edward replied, somewhat reluctantly. I felt his eyes boring circles into the back of my head as I retreated back into the arena.

Practice with Tatiana followed by ballet with Dominica had been grueling—both instructors showing no mercy that it was the end of a long and tiring week.

I could feel the sweat still sticking onto the back of my neck and wanted to clean up a bit before my first date with Edward.

After I scrubbed my face repeatedly with Alice's travel size face cleanser and changed into clean clothes, I exited the bathroom feeling refreshed.

Well, refreshed until James approached.

"Bella!" I heard him call.

Aw hell.

I walked a little faster, pretending that I hadn't heard him. Somehow, he caught up before I could exit and tapped my shoulder.

"James," I tried to greet him brightly without succeeding. The corners of his lips tugged up when he heard the edge of sourness beneath my tone.

"Well," I started. "I have to go now; Edward's waiting in the car."

Trying to escape, I attempted to push past him but he blocked the path.

"Excuse me, I'm trying to get by," I snapped.

He gave me a condescending smile but made no effort to move.

"Aww sweetie, don't be like that," he sneered.

I narrowed my eyes at the endearment. "Edward… He's waiting for me," I said faintly.

"I'm sure he can wait a few minutes while I borrow you," James answered in a sickening sweet voice.

I didn't buy it.

"What do you want?" I asked flatly.

"Oh, I didn't want anything," his eyes were downcast. "But now that you offered… Remember the magic that we used to make together out there?" he gestured towards the arena.

I stared at him disbelievingly. "You mean the magic of making me want to puke? Yeah. I remember."

He inched closer as I took an uncomfortable step back.

"You don't need to act like you don't like me. If you just admit it now, we could save ourselves a lot of drama," his breath fanned my face.

"What the hell are you talking about?" I spat.

"I see the way you watch me day in and day out. You obviously want me back. You've wanted me back since day one when we ended it."

I scoffed. "Oh please. That is that last thing that—"

"Stop making this difficult when it doesn't have to be," he interrupted.

"It's not being difficult when it's the truth," I glowered. "You know what? I'm glad you and Victoria found each other."

"Don't be like that, baby. There's no reason to pretend."

Delusional asshole.

"I'm going to say this one last time," I took a deep breath. "I do not want anything to do with you in any way. Leave. Me. Alone."

The first spark of anger flashed in his eyes.

"You think that you and Edward have a better chance than Vicky and me," he accused. Suddenly, his demeanor calmed. "I think you should drop Edward like a bad habit. You and I could rock the skating world."

"You skate with Victoria," I reminded him.

He waved his hand frivolously. "I'll never get anywhere with her the way you'll never get anywhere with Edward. Plus, Vicky's lazy as a cow."

That was insulting to cows around the world.

"You made if very clear that you wanted Victoria when you went to make out with her behind my back," I hissed.

He cocked an eyebrow up. "So you do want to get back together."

"I never said that."

"But you implied it."

"Stop twisting my words."

"Think about how much we could achieve together."

"That would be none."

"Drop the shit and fucking partner up with me."

I paused to take a breath.

"You had your chance two years ago and let it go. Listen buddy, the window of opportunity has closed. As a matter of fact it has been sealed with super glue and bolted shut," I gritted my teeth.

"You'll come around," he responded smugly.

"Ha-ha, even if you were the last man on the earth I wouldn't. Stop living in the past."

Catching him by surprise, I breezed past him and into the parking lot.

Freedom at last.

I made my way towards Edward's familiar Volvo and opened the door with a huff.

"What took you so long?" Edward asked.

"Complications," I muttered bitterly.

"Oh," he pondered what I'd meant by that and made a face.

"Not that kind of complication, just… I dunno, irritating," I corrected myself.

He nodded and thankfully didn't pry. "Whatever it was, it took a while. I thought that you might have ditched me."

I chuckled at his silliness but when he didn't join in; I realized that he had been dead serious.

"I wouldn't miss this for the world. You know that," I murmured reassuringly.

Until now, I hadn't noticed that Edward harbored just as many insecurities and fears and I did. I'd always thought that he was unbreakable, but behind the surface there was vulnerability.

"You couldn't possibly think…" I started but stopped when his eyes remained downcast and embarrassed. I sighed. "Edward, I've looked forward to this all day."

His manner brightened a bit.

"I used to go here for dinner almost every night," Edward commented as he pulled into a parking space. "The people here love me."

I nodded apprehensively as we approached the restaurant.

The doorman gave Edward a slight nod before opening the door for us.

The waiter stood behind a wooden podium that had the restaurant's crest on it.

"Good evening Mr. Cullen," he greeted formally. "Long time no see."

Edward bowed his head. "Table for two."

"Right this way…" the host gestured.

We passed through the doors and into the exquisite dining area. It practically blinded me with its luxury. A crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling and the lights were dimmed to achieve a more romantic atmosphere. There was a pianist in the corner running his fingers along the keys. Couples dressed in black and white attire roamed the room, making me feel insufficient in my nicest pair of jeans and simple jacket.

"Why didn't you tell me that this was formal?" I hissed.

"Because you look great in anything," Edward winked.

I blushed at the statement. He was such a charmer… And I was naïve enough to fall for it.

I took a look at Edward to see him in simple black jeans and a hoodie. At least he was dressed casually as well.

The waiter escorted us to a table in the center right below the chandelier. The thing hung above our heads ominously, making me nervous that the chain holding it up would snap and crush us to our deaths.

"Uhh…" I squinted at the waiter's name tag. "Crowley. Could we perhaps have a table more near the, er, wall?"

Edward's eyebrow quirked up questionably.

Crowley didn't bat a single eyelash. "Of course you can Ms…"

"Swan," I informed.

He nodded. "Ahh, of course. The most beautiful."

Edward pursed his lips as I giggled.

Crowley led us to my chosen table. Flipping out the menus expertly he gave me one last wink before disappearing through the double doors.

Edward exhaled at me in annoyance.

"What?" I asked as he gave me a pointed look.

He shook his head and mumbled something unintelligible.

Behind Edward, my gaze caught on a girl who was staring at Edward open mouthed. It was almost as if when she turned around she was surprised to see him there.

"Bella?"

I groaned internally when her eyes lit up and narrowed in on him.

"Bella?"

She stood up slowly, revealing the little black dress she was wearing that must have been painted, if not taped on.

I followed her movement as she licked her lips and slowly strutted towards Edward confidently. Edward had his back turned to her so he had no idea that the snake was coming behind him.

"Bella!" Edward's voice snapped my out of my thoughts. "What the hell are you looking—?"

He scooted his chair out of the table and turned around just in time to smack into blondie's inflated chest.

"Mmph," Edward whimpered at his sudden lack of oxygen. Go figure.

He looked up at whoever he had 'bumped into' and I saw his eyes widen with recognition. Obviously the two had already been acquainted.

"Edward, you haven't been around in for-ev-er," she purred.

I pouted mutely, wishing I could talk like that without making a fool out of myself.

"Lauren…" he chuckled nervously.

Aw shit. He actually remembered this ones name. That wasn't a good sign. I held my breath as she stroked his shoulder.

"Why don't you come join me at my table?" Lauren offered.

I coughed under my breath to get her attention.

Her eyes flickered over towards me briefly. "Oh. Well I guess we could fit one more chair in… Or you could sit at the table next to us!"

Edward cleared his throat. "Sorry, but I came with Bella."

She sniffed and turned her nose up snottily. "Hmph. Well if you change your mind, I'm just a call away… You still have my number right?"

Wrong. I made Edward clean up his contacts list the other day of past fucks.

Batting her eyelashes one last time, Lauren swept back to her own table and I could finally relax.

It was quiet for the next moment. Damn Lauren for interrupting right when our conversation had started flowing.

"Listen, I'm sorry it's just that—"

"When you said that the people here loved you I didn't think that you meant it so literally," I bit my lip.

Edward looked at me funny, and then spread into a wide grin.

"This isn't funny," I sulked.

He laughed. "Isabella," he chided. I glared at him for using my formal name. "There's not reason to be jealous."

I stomped my foot down indignantly. "I am not jealous!"

"Yes you are," he sang happily. "You like me, you like me, you like me! Bella likes Edward!"

More than she should.

"Correction," I seethed. "I liked you," I said, emphasizing the past tense of 'liked'.

He quieted at that statement. "Aw c'mon Bella."

There was a thoughtful silence.

"I thought you already knew I liked you," I mused.

He shied away insecurely. "Well…"

I thought about it and realized that I'd never admitted to Edward that I 'liked' him in so many words. My belief is that actions speak louder.

"Edward, I do like you," I said, pausing for a second. "A lot."

"A lot?" his eyes widened. I nodded in confirmation.

I looked around me to find that we were both leaning towards each other like a magnet was pulling us together.

"If anyone's going to go through Tatiana's hell with me, I'm glad it's going to be you," I admitted sincerely.

My butt was on the edge of my seat, waiting for him to say something in return. Silently, I begged him to say something heartfelt back. I rarely put myself out there like that, and having to depend on the other person to hold up my heart wasn't something that I was accustomed to.

"Thanks."

That was the one word he uttered. Thanks.

What a let down.

Suddenly bitter, I plunked back down into my chair.

I couldn't believe that the one time I opened up and revealed my true feelings, all he said was—

"I think I'm in love with you," Edward blurted.

Sweet Lord. I got more than I bargained for with this boy.

A/N:

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It felt right. C:

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