I just realized it's now Monday and I missed publishing my chapter on Sunday like usual. Sorry readers ... better late than never, I suppose. Here is chapter 35. It's a long one, happy reading.
Chapter 35
Bella's POV
I woke up Thursday morning at six a.m., anxious to take my shower so we could pack the car and leave for our long weekend in Seattle. Time alone with Edward was exactly what I had needed. His right arm was hanging across my rib cage as he slept peacefully beside me. I gently lifted his hand and slid out from under his arm and out of bed. The minute my feet touched the cool floor of the bedroom I shivered then hurried into the bathroom and started the shower, letting the steam pour out and warm the room. I took out my razor and shaving gel and soaked my feet in the bathtub while I quickly shaved my legs, allowing the running shower to rinse the residue away. With my legs completely smooth I pulled my nightgown over my head and stepped into the shower.
Within a few minutes I was out of the warm bathroom, covered in thick terry cloth robe, and my head swathed in a soft towel. At the bottom of the stairs I slid on my warm slippers and padded into the kitchen to make coffee. The house did seem particularly chilly this morning so I turned the dial on the thermostat just a few degrees. I stepped up to the sink to fill the coffee pot and noticed the tree outside the window was covered in thick, hanging icicles. I groaned inwardly as I peered to the left and right and noticed the entire yard was covered in a blanket of ice. Remaining hopeful I started the coffee and then pulled my boots on to step out the back door to investigate the road conditions. I gingerly stepped onto the porch and saw that the driveway and as far as I could see looked like a skating rink. My heart sank and I wondered if there was any hope for our Seattle trip.
I walked back inside and removed my boots as I turned on the radio to listen to the weather report. I sat at the kitchen table and sipped my coffee to listen. Before long it became evident that the rain from the night before had continued into the night and after dark when temperatures had dropped, created a dangerous situation on all roads and highways in our area. The utility crews were out repairing power and phone lines according to the news and many roads were impassable due to the treacherous storm.
I shook my head in disappointment and was pouring another cup of coffee when Edward stepped into the kitchen. He was wearing only his jeans, and his barefoot and shirtless form made my heart rate increase. I admired his sexy physique and mussed hair as he stood beside me, removing a mug from the cupboard and waiting for me to pour coffee for me and him.
"How long before you're ready to go?" He asked, yawning widely.
"It doesn't look very promising." I replied, explaining the weather situation to him in detail.
"Well maybe if we wait it out the temperature will warm up and roads will become clear. Why don't you call the resort and see if they will let us check in late?"
I agreed to do that while he took his shower. I walked into the office and dialed the resort, the automated operator answered, placing me on hold for several minutes. When the front desk finally answered they informed me that much of the city was without electricity and in a state of emergency. They would be happy to refund our money from our reservation since it didn't appear we would be able to make it to the city. I hated to do it but knew that it wasn't practical to drive that far on icy roads. Regrettably, I decided to cancel and informed the front desk that I would call another time to reschedule.
When Edward returned to the kitchen, fully dressed with hair wet still askew, I informed him of the need to cancel our getaway. He put his arms around me and kissed the top of my head. "I'm sorry, Bella. I am disappointed too." He hugged me tight and I nodded my head sadly into his chest. "We can always relax here at home, turn off the phones…"
"It's not the same thing," I interrupted. "I was looking forward to the spa and massage, the dinner reservations. The whole weekend is ruined now." We had anticipated this weekend since Christmas and to have plans spoiled at the last minute was disappointing.
"I'm sure we can find something to do, Baby." His eyebrows raised in a flirty way, making me smile.
"You're right, I know. At least we don't have to work. I'll go and get dressed and we can talk about what we can do instead." I decided it would be better to look on the bright side and make the most of our weekend home together. I went upstairs and pulled jeans and a sweater out of my closet and then dried my hair. I unpacked my suitcase and then Edwards. After that I made the bed and came back downstairs.
Edward was in the kitchen making blueberry pancakes with sausages when I put my arms around his waist, kissing the side of his neck. The delicious aroma filled the kitchen and lifted my spirits. "You know I love you, right?"
"Do you love me, or the fact that I'm making breakfast?" He asked.
"Both," I answered with a smile. "I love the way you take care of me. You're an amazing man Edward." I snatched a single blueberry from the counter in front of him. "I already unpacked our suitcases by the way," I informed him as I watched him cook.
He flipped the last of the pancakes and helped me set the table. "How'd you like to snuggle up on the couch and watch movies today?" he suggested.
I agreed and helped him move the food onto the table and we sat down to eat. As always, breakfast was wonderful. We washed the dishes together and then sunk into the couch with a stack of movies we wanted to watch, beginning with The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Edward took out a warm blanket from the linen closet and sat against the arm of the couch and I tucked in to his side. We sat quietly for the entire first movie, simply enjoying the quiet morning together.
By the looks of the weather outside we were right to cancel our trip. The temperature outside wasn't getting any warmer and the wind was blowing even harder, snapping branches off trees. Checking with the radio in between movies, we discovered that all schools in the area were closed. Several roads were also closed in Forks and surrounding areas due to trees and power lines down. It was still barely ten o'clock in the morning and we were only done watching our first movie. I refilled our coffee mugs and sat back down beside him for the second movie. It was then that I received a text message from Jake making sure we weren't on the road. I sent him a quick text back informing him that we had cancelled our plans and were staying home instead. I also told him we were turning our phones off and spending quality time as a couple, and not to worry if I didn't get back to him again this weekend. I pushed the power button on the phone, tucked my head in under Edward's chin and continued to watch our movie.
When the second movie was over we needed to stretch for a while. I went upstairs and changed the sheets and blankets on the bed while Edward emptied the dishwasher and put the dishes away. With new crisp, clean sheets on our bed we brought the third DVD upstairs to watch in bed and continued our movie marathon and snuggle session. By midafternoon the wind was seriously picking up and we began to hear sleet slam against the windows of the house. Our movie was only about half over when we heard a loud crash and the whole house shook, moments before our lights went out. We both jumped out of bed to look out the window. There was a large tree from the woods behind the house now lying across our lawn, along with the power lines. We called the power company but were told to leave a message due to the high call volumes the company was receiving in the storm.
"No more movie marathon till the power comes back on," I complained. I wanted to do some writing and Edward had a composition he was working on. I picked up my notebook and relaxed in the lounge chair in the bedroom while he sat on the bed plucking a peaceful tune on the guitar. I loved hearing him play music and it helped me relax while I was writing. I closed my eyes and let his music pour into my body and mind while my ideas flowed from my brain and onto the paper. We sat like that for almost two hours, not talking; him playing and me writing until the storm clouds made it too dark in the house for me to continue writing. I closed my notebook and he put his guitar back in its case.
"I have an idea…" he began. "Why don't I make you dinner? Just because we didn't make it to Seattle doesn't mean we have to miss out on everything."
"That sounds fabulous, Edward. We'll have to use the grill, and I can…" He cut me off with a warm, wet kiss.
"I don't want you to even think about helping me. Here's what I want you to do. Take a long hot bubble bath and relax. When you're done I want you to get dressed in something nice and join me downstairs for dinner. It will take me a while so take your time." He kissed me once again and I went into the bathroom for my bath while he headed downstairs to begin cooking.
Edward's POV
I was glad I had convinced Bella to let me cook her dinner. We both had looked forward to this weekend and what I didn't show her was how disappointed I also was that our plans had to be cancelled. Instead I decided to treat her to a special dinner at home. I quickly removed two steaks from the fridge and a container of shrimp from the freezer. I had pre-marinated and skewered the shrimp before freezing, thankfully. Since there wasn't time or electricity to bake potatoes I put together a salad while the steak and shrimp were on the grill outside. I tossed together some homemade salad dressing using maple syrup, cider vinegar and olive oil. I spread a loaf of Italian bread with butter and garlic and wrapped it with foil and placed it on the top level of the grill while the other food was cooking.
I could hear the water stop running in the bathtub upstairs and knew Bella must be relaxing like I suggested. My mind began to wander at the thought of her soaking in warm water, bubbles covering her soft skin…I almost had to slap my own face to stop my thoughts so I could finish making dinner.
I set the table in the dining room and placed candles on the table and in a few places around the living room, giving a small amount of light to the two rooms. I placed my iPod on a shelf in the dining room playing soft music, setting the mood and put out and a bottle of wine to chill on ice as I ran up the stairs to put on some nicer clothes for dinner. Once I was dressed I knocked once on the bathroom, telling Bella she had a few more minutes before dinner was ready.
Back downstairs I pulled the steak and shrimp from the grill, perfectly done and placed everything on the dining room table while I poured the wine and waited for Bella. It was only another minute before I heard her feet coming down the stairs. I glanced up at her as I was placing the glasses of wine on the table. She looked magnificent! She was dressed in a long black silky dress, almost touching the floor, with a slit up to her thigh. Her sleeves were bare except for a dark shiny scarf wrapped across her shoulders and neck.
She smiled at me, her lips glossy and her eyes sparkled in the candle light. "I bought this dress for our trip and thought it would be a shame to waste it." She shrugged lightly as she picked up her wine glass and held it to her mouth to take a sip.
"You look beautiful, Bella." I pulled her chair out for her and helped her slide in before taking my own seat.
"Mmm," she moaned over her dinner. "Edward this dinner is amazing. I can't imagine it's very easy…cooking in the dark." She pulled a shrimp off the skewer and placed it between her lips with her fingers as she continued to compliment me on the meal.
I found myself wishing I was sitting closer so I could kiss her. The scarf she was wearing slid down her shoulders into where her elbows bent and the more I stared at her the more my desire began to increase. When we finished dinner I cleared the table and poured us more wine. "I wish the electricity was back on so I could have made you something for dessert…" I began. "But I'd love it if you would dance with me, Baby." I held my hand out to her and she took it, placing her wine glass on the table.
I pulled her into my arms and we moved our bodies to the quiet music. The candle light flickered as I danced with her around the dining and living room floors. When the song ended I suggested she sit and have more wine while I cleaned up from dinner. I quickly put the leftover food in the refrigerator and dishes into the sink, not even bothering to load the dishwasher. I joined her again in the dining room and we danced one more song while we finished our wine.
"I know it's not the same as dinner at the resort but there's one good thing about staying home." I breathed into her soft neck.
"What's that?" She asked.
"If we were at the resort I'd never be able to do this…" I bent over slightly and lifted her into my arms. She giggled, pulling her hands up and wrapping them around my neck as she pressed a wet kiss onto my lips. I returned her kiss and ran one warm hand up the slit in her skirt, stroking first her bare calf, then up to her knee and finally her thigh. She gasped into my mouth before I slid my fingertips even higher and rested them on the edge of her panties.
"You're right about that." She breathed raggedly. "It would be indecent for you to touch me like that in public."
"See," I raised my eyebrows at her. "Aren't you glad now that we're home and not somewhere else?" I stroked the edge of her panties, sliding my fingertips closer to her heat until she stopped breathing. I took a second to place her feet back onto the floor. I blew out the candles we had lit downstairs and took her hand in mine. "Would you care to join me in the bedroom?" I suggested.
She smiled beautifully at me. "What did you have in mind?" She flirted.
"Come with me and I'll show you." I walked up the stairs with her, our hands joined.
Bella turned around, back to me, so I could unzip her dress. Her dress fell to the floor and I joined her nearly naked form on the bed, genuinely thankful for the time alone with this beautiful woman.
Bella's POV
In the dark room I lay with my head nestled into Edward's bare chest. His eyes were closed but I could see the outline of his beautiful features in the small slice of moonlight shining through the window. I shivered once and shifted my shoulder under the blanket I had draped over my waist. Edward instinctively wrapped his arm tighter around me.
"You want me to grab another blanket from the closet?" He offered. "The longer the power is out, the colder it's going to get in here."
I shook my head. "I think we can find ways to stay warm, don't you?"
"I think so." He agreed, pulling me closer for a kiss. He bent his head forward and touched his lips to mine. "I thought you'd be tired by now."
"I'm not tired. If you need a few minutes to recharge, I don't mind waiting." I swept my tongue across his throat and worked my way up to his earlobe and whispered. "I'm fully prepared for a repeat performance. We might as well take full advantage of the storm and spend the night warming each other up."
He wrapped his arms tightly around my waist and rolled me over, lifting himself up on his arms, leaning his face over mine. "I'm ready when you are," he smiled down at me. "Your wish is my command, Baby. Satisfaction guaranteed." He captured my lips as I began to laugh at his innuendo.
…
The next morning I woke up with my head under the thick comforter, and I was pressed tightly to Edward's side. I realized I was snugly swaddled in a blanket, in addition to my flannel pajamas and socks. Beside me Edward was wearing only his boxers but was cuddled closely to me, his head also under the comforter. I smiled at the memory of our luxurious night together and remembered when we finally separated and I walked to the bathroom, how cold the house had become while we were wrapped up in each other's arms. I quickly gathered pajamas and socks as Edward had considerately tucked me in beside him. I poked my head out from under the blanket and glanced at the alarm clock. It wasn't blinking, indicating the power was still out. I groaned in dismay as Edward began to stretch beside me.
"What time is it?" He inquired.
"I have no idea. The power is still out."
He joined me in sliding the blanket away from his face. "Brrr," he shivered. "We're going to have to start a fire in the fireplace." I agreed and we both reluctantly removed ourselves from the comfort of our bed. We dressed warmly and walked downstairs. Edward took a flashlight and went to the basement in search of firewood.
I groaned inwardly at the thought of no morning coffee before I remembered Dad's old camping percolator was stored in the laundry room with his other camping equipment. I walked to the porch and lit the grill and came back inside to begin the task of measuring water and coffee into the aluminum basket. The coffee started; I returned to the kitchen and decided the warmest meal I could make for breakfast would be oatmeal. I located the camping cookware and within minutes I had oatmeal cooking beside the coffee on the grill. I returned inside and rubbed my hands together to warm them while I took out bowls, spoons and mugs from the cupboard while I waited.
The trees and yard were still glazed over with ice, there were no cars moving anywhere in sight and as far as I could see down the street there were not lights, proving that power was out for some distance. I could smell the pungent scent of wood smoke coming from the basement as I heard Edward come up the stairs with an armload of firewood. "I built a fire in the stove downstairs also, to warm the floors up some." He commented. "I'm glad that Jacob said he and his dad cleaned both chimneys for you before you moved in. The house should be warm in no time." He placed the wood on the hearth and began building a fire in the fireplace. I knew Mom and Dad had used it when they came to visit a few times but mostly it was just for looks. Thankfully we had it available for heat. I couldn't imagine how cold the house would become without it.
It didn't take long for breakfast to cook and soon Edward and I were warming up over steaming bowls of oatmeal. "Quite a change in plans from a relaxing resort weekend, huh?" I asked him, kissing his soot covered cheek. "I'm glad you were a boy scout." I joked.
He smirked at me between sips of coffee. "I had almost forgotten how to start a fire; I don't think I've done it since that camping trip we took senior year."
"Well you're my hero. Now we don't have to freeze."
"Actually you're quite resourceful yourself, using the grill to make coffee and breakfast. Your dad taught you well."
"Dad forced me to go camping with him when I moved here. A city girl from Phoenix would never need to know how to cook outdoors, but it's a good skill to have, living in the Pacific North West." After breakfast I rinsed off our dishes in the sink and we sat in front of the fire, warming up. We spent the morning reading by the fire, once again snuggled under a blanket together.
Edward's POV
It was early afternoon and I had just finished adding more firewood to the stove in the basement and the fireplace in the living room when I went looking for Bella. The attic door was open and I took the stairs two at a time, investigating what she could be doing. I found her sitting on an antique bench, sorting through a box of framed pictures.
"Hey, I have been meaning to finish sorting through some of my pictures from Phoenix and I thought today would be a good day to do it." She smiled gently, the flicker of an old oil lamp made her face glow.
"Need any help?"
She nodded, handing me several framed pictures. "Want to take these downstairs to the office? I think I'll hang them up in there." I stood up and did as she asked, carrying them down the narrow staircase and then down to the first floor and into the office. I placed them on the desk and glanced at some of what was in the stack. One was of her in her high school graduation cap and gown with her mom on one side and her dad on the other. She had a beautiful smile on her face, she was young and radiant. My heart felt heavy that I missed that moment with her. There were others of her in what appeared to be her college dorm, smiling with friends I obviously didn't know. One was a small dark wooden frame, a clipping from her column in the Tribune. I sat down and read…
Ask Izzy…What's YOUR love life like?
Dear Izzy
I read your column every week and I notice you mostly give advice to readers who are having trouble in love. I am writing to ask you what gives you the expertise to provide readers with this advice. What is your own relationship like? Many times you write about your "guy" or your "love" but that seems a bit vague for what I'm asking. Not to be rude or condescending but how is it you are able to be an expert on love and relationships?
Signed,
Skeptical
Dear Skeptical,
I'm glad you asked this question. I often receive mail from readers like you who question advice I have given either to themselves or someone else. Those questions often lead to skepticism. Readers will question whether my own life is perfect, or whether I've ever been dumped, or experienced any of the things I write about. Usually I try to avoid providing personal information in my column but I do, as you have so noted, discuss my relationships vague terms.
And though my life is far from perfect, I will admit that I am very much in love and in a committed relationship. My man is, in my opinion the epitome of perfection. He is constantly on my mind, and is name is permanently etched on my heart.
It's not only my own personal love story that I feel gives me the qualifications to give advice to others however. I have a set of core values that will foster healthy relationships.
I believe that relationships are built on common interests and values as well as physical attraction. But physical intimacy alone is not enough to cement a relationship. Some specific qualities that I believe help form strong bonds in any relationship are: Can you talk to your partner about anything without fear of him betraying your confidence? Can you count on him to always be there for you no matter what you're going through? Do you have interests in common? Will he accept you as you are and listen to and value your opinions? These will be of key importance in any relationship, whether you are discussing friends or lovers.
A word to the wise, however: If you are expecting something out of a relationship, be sure that you are willing to give the same. It would not be fair to expect something from your partner that you weren't willing to give yourself. ~Izzy
I remember this article…I had read this before…Nearly two years ago! This is the one article I read on the internet when I was in London. It was after I read this that I was certain she was in love with someone else and had moved on from me. Reading it now caused my blood boil with jealousy. She told me she never loved Ben, and this article clearly negated her claim! She had never mentioned anyone other than Ben to me…I took a deep breath and ran my hand roughly over my face in frustration.
"Thank you for bringing those down, Babe." She stepped into the office, her hands full of books.
I swiveled in the desk chair and faced her. "Bella, can you explain this?" The tone in my voice was impatient. I handed her the framed clipping and waited to hear what she had to say.
She looked down at the picture frame, her face flushed bright red and she lifted her eyes to look at me. Clearly the look on my face surprised her. She swallowed hard and opened her mouth. "It's…um, an article I wrote two years ago for the Tribune." She turned away from me and put it back on the desk as she walked away to shelve the few books she had in her hand.
I cleared my throat, "Why, may I ask, did you want to hang this particular article on the wall in the office?" I questioned. Hurt and jealousy seeped into my words and I hated the nauseated feeling in my stomach. "Bella, is this article about a relationship you had with some other man?"
She turned around to face me, her face was flushed even brighter than a moment ago and she choked on laughter. "Of course not! Edward I wrote that about you!" She retorted and I instantly felt guilty for making that assumption.
My mouth hung open for a moment and then I swallowed hard with embarrassment. "Bella, I…I'm sorry. I jumped to conclusions." I reached my hands out to take hers as she continued to avoid my gaze. "Please let me explain. I read that article on the internet when I lived in London – when Emmett first told me that you worked for a newspaper in Phoenix. I looked you up on 'Google'. You have to understand that I never even imagined you meant me…And then to read that exact same article right now…I only could assume it was about someone else."
She turned completely toward me and her eyes met mine. "I have always been honest with you, Edward. I have never been in love with anyone else. I thought you knew that." She stood on her tip toes and pressed her lips into mine minimizing any of the doubt I'd been feeling.
I'd felt like I'd been knocked beside the head with a dose of reality. Of course I knew how devoted she was to me. I'd be stupid if I didn't realize that. "I never meant to doubt you. I still remember sitting at my computer in my flat when I originally read that column. I was devastated to think that you had moved on and forgotten me, even after all the time that had passed. Since I never got over you I guess I expected or maybe hoped that you would be the same. That was very selfish of me, I know, after leaving you like I did. After I read this…it just hurt to think that you had moved on and forgotten me." I pulled her gently into my arms.
"You know I never moved on. The part about me being 'very much in love' and your name being 'etched on my heart' were completely true. I wasn't in a committed relationship when I wrote that-I actually lied about that part. I do, however, think you are 'the epitome of perfection'. I always have, actually."
"It's you who is perfect, Baby." I leaned over her and kissed her as I held her in my arms. "Thank you for waiting for me." I suggested I help her hang the pictures and when we were done my lips were finished showing her how perfect she was to me.
Some pictures went on the wall and others she placed in empty spots on her book shelves. "You should bring some of your pictures here." She smiled at me when we were done. "Just not the one you have hanging in our office…of you with Tanya." She added, sounding like she had a bad taste in her mouth.
"I don't have to bring that one. I have others of her, you know." I teased.
"I hope you wouldn't do that to me. You're not the only one who's jealous." She replied emphatically.
"You have absolutely nothing to be jealous over. Let me show you…" He wrapped me in his arms, kissed me passionately, and walked me silently out to the living room. He slid me down on the carpet in front of the hearth and made slow, incredible love to me. The excitement of enjoying each other on the living room floor by firelight was indescribable. There certainly was never anything boring or redundant about our love life.
I know, I know ... I spoiled their weekend away. My original reason for them planning a weekend getaway to Seattle was so they could take time to connect as a couple. I believe the ice storm gave them adequate "connection time"... don't you?
Let me know what you think of this chapter. As you know, I love reviews!
I want to take a minute to once again remind all of my readers to PLEASE check out the Like Totally 80's contest entries. Stories have all been published and I have co-written one that is up for consideration in this contest. I would really love to see lots of reviews for these stories as I am sure all of the writers spent a good amount of time writing for this contest. Public voting is open until 11/18/11 so let's all show some support for this contest and read, review and VOTE.
Until next time ... Wishing you lots of smiles and happy fic reading! :D