Hello everyone.
Thanks for your patience.
SM owns the twilight original characters. I don't... enough said.
more notes at the end (as if there ever isn't...huh?)
Chapter 37 - New Year's Eve – a night of firsts
Edward was sleeping soundly. His head was bent at a weird angle, and his neck muscles were pulled tight as they fought to support it. He dreamed he was losing his grip on something, and in the midst of his deep sleep, his body jerked in response, his arms automatically tightening their hold on what was slipping away. The suddenness of the action woke him. It took him a moment or two to orientate himself. He looked down to see Bella asleep in his arms, her head no longer on his chest but rather lower down on his abdomen. He inhaled deeply trying to wake himself fully. He looked from Bella to the television in front of them. It showed a bright blue screen indicating that the movie they'd been watching had long since finished. He glanced at the bedside clock. It glowed a crimson 2:33 a.m.
Edward looked back toward the sleeping Bella in his arms. He hated to wake her, but he knew he must. It would do neither of them any good to spend the night in such an awkward position.
"Bella," he whispered, trying not to startle her while gently nudging her with his upper body. Bella stirred slightly but was otherwise unresponsive. He tried again.
"Bella," he whispered a little louder this time, allowing his fingers to trail gently along her arm.
"Huh?" Bella grunted, rousing slowly from her position and awkwardly pushing herself up from her resting place.
"Sorry," Edward continued in a whisper so as not to startle her. "We both fell asleep watching the movie. I really should be going."
"Hmm?" Bella questioned drowsily, looking at him. Her eyes were heavily lidded, and she was finding it difficult to focus. She'd been sleeping soundly, and as her body slowly woke, she realized her neck and shoulders were stiff and a little sore from the awkward position she'd been in.
"I need to get up," Edward explained again patiently.
"Oh," Bella replied, gradually beginning to process what was happening.
"We both fell asleep. I need to get back to my room."
"What time is it?" Bella asked, rubbing her tired eyes with her fingers.
"Two-thirty, give or take."
"Oh," Bella replied again. She wasn't very talkative in her present state.
Bella looked at Edward, still trying to comprehend their current position. She remembered that she'd been cuddled up against his chest. She looked at his chest and felt the warmness of her cheek with her fingers before letting her eyes drift down his body.
"Oh, my goodness! I'm so sorry," she blurted while simultaneously reaching out with her hand and wiping at his shirt. Bella had dribbled slightly in her sleep, and she was mortified beyond words.
"What?" Edward said, startled by her actions as he watched what she was doing.
"Oh, my God. How embarrassing," Bella continued on unabated.
"Bella, it's alright," Edward said softly to her, brushing away her haphazard attempts to dry him off.
"No, Edward. I'm sorry. Oh, good grief," she muttered under her breath. Bella was wide awake now. And humiliated.
Edward laughed softly. "Bella, it's fine. Stop it," he said, finally grabbing her hand and holding it still.
She looked at him, her eyes beseeching.
"Edward, I'm just so sorry."
"It's fine," he offered warmly, smiling at her. "Don't worry about it."
"Oh, God," Bella said, lowering her head to avoid looking at him.
"Hey," he said, releasing her hand and gently placing his fingers under her chin, lifting her face to him so he could look her in the eyes. "It's OK," he said, looking at her intensely.
"I dribbled on you," she said, stating the obvious.
"I don't care."
Bella creased her eyebrows together. "How can you not care?" she asked doubtfully.
"'Cause I just don't."
Bella closed her eyes and screwed up her features.
"Look at me."
Bella refused to comply.
He repeated his instruction. "Bella, look at me," he said, removing his fingers from under her chin to gently cup the side of her face in the palm of his hand. The sensation of that movement caused Bella to involuntary sigh. She opened her eyes.
Edward was looking at her intently. "It's alright," he said slowly, his gaze boring into hers.
Bella was lost for words. She was taken aback by the color of his eyes and the way he was looking right into hers. He was focused on her.
Both of them remained silent for a moment or two as they regarded each other closely.
"I need to go," Edward finally whispered to her. He was yet to let go of her face.
Bella responded by nodding infinitesimally, her eyes drifting over his face, noticing his features, taking in everything as if she was seeing him for the first time.
Still, they didn't move. Each sat there lost in each other's gaze until finally Edward's lips spread in a gentle smile.
"You need to get back to sleep," he said quietly.
"So do you," she replied before continuing. "You must be cold. You've been on top of the covers all this time."
His smile broadened, even though he regrettably let go of his hold on her face. "I've had somebody nice and warm snuggled up against me. I wasn't cold at all."
Bella smiled back at him.
"Thanks for being a makeshift pillow. You're pretty comfortable you know. You're not lumpy and bumpy at all."
"Why, thanks for the compliment," Edward said, stretching and preparing to stand. "It must be all the extra padding I carry around these days."
"You don't have any extra padding," she said, stretching and mirroring his actions.
"I have more padding than I used to," he said, pushing himself to his feet.
"I think you padded out just right." Bella said without thinking before suddenly feeling terribly self-conscious.
Edward turned to face her and raised his eyebrows in response.
"Oh, God. It's two-thirty in the morning. I'm not responsible for what I'm saying," she said, putting her hand over her face.
Edward smiled at her. "I think you're lovely, two-thirty in the morning or not," he said.
"And now you're just being polite."
"No, I'm not. I mean it. You're perfect the way you are, Bella."
"So you like blubbering idiots at this time of morning, do you?" she replied, laughing.
"Most definitely," Edward said, gazing at her warmly.
Bella looked back at him with equal appreciation.
"Well, I'm off," he said, breaking the moment as he turned to pick up his coat and make his way to the door. "I'll see you in the morning for breakfast."
"Right," Bella said as she began to follow him.
"I'll come get you?" he asked, referring to what was now their habit of walking down to breakfast together.
"Sure."
"OK. Goodnight, Bella," he said, turning to her and reaching to gently cup the back of her head with his hand before bending down to kiss her tenderly on her forehead.
Bella was momentarily startled. Edward usually kissed her goodnight on the cheek. This felt very different, more intimate somehow.
"Goodnight," she whispered quickly, realizing she hadn't responded.
"Go back to bed," he whispered against her skin before releasing her. "I'll see you in the morning."
"Yes," she said, looking up at him.
Edward smiled softly before turning and opening the door. He looked briefly up and down the hallway before stepping out and turning to look at her intently as he closed the door. "Bed," he whispered again as Bella stood there mutely, only moving once the click of the door closing stirred her from her thoughts.
"Right. Yes. Bed," she said aloud to herself as she turned and crossed back to her rumpled bed. She climbed back into it and pulled the covers up snugly around her. She rolled onto her side and curled herself into a ball wanting to feel the warmth she had felt as she'd snuggled into Edward, realizing that the cold cotton sheets would fail to do the job.
Bella lay in bed thinking. Something's different, she mused. Her mind drifted to Edward, and his face materialized in her vision. She closed her eyes, and his image became clearer. Yes, something's very different.
Breakfast was a jovial affair. Everyone was seated in their usual positions, all chatting excitedly about the plans for New Year's Eve.
Boston's First Night celebrations were well known and highly regarded in the local area and even though it might take them up to an hour and a half to travel there by car, depending on the traffic, the group was determined to make a night of it.
Since festivities started in the early afternoon, Edward and Bella decided to drive Bella's car into Boston and park at one of the many parking garages around the city. First Night activities were situated all around central Boston. Going early would hopefully ensure them a parking spot relatively close to the hub of the action and together they intended to spend many hours moving from one scheduled event to another while they waited for Dan, Cassie, Sammy and Chris to join them. With Dan and Chris both having to work until mid-afternoon, the girls decided to stay in Manchester and spend their afternoon taking it easy before traveling into Boston via train with the boys after they'd finished work for the day. Dan had gone online days before and had purchased their "First Night Buttons", which were their passes that allowed them into all First Night activities. He'd told Cassie where to find them amongst his things so that Bella and Edward could get theirs before heading off into the city.
After Dan had made a hasty exit from breakfast, Cassie and Sammy excused themelves as they went about their morning. Despite their assurances of a quiet day, both Bella and Edward suspected that their day would entail more shopping as they waited for the boys to finish work. With a smile and wave, the two girls disappeared from the café, leaving Edward and Bella sipping their morning coffees.
"So what do you plan to do this morning, Ms. Swan?" Edward asked as he replaced his coffee cup on the white linen tablecloth.
"Honestly? Not much. I'm a bit tired to tell you the truth, so a lazy morning before this afternoon's schedule might be warranted."
"Didn't you sleep well?" he enquired.
"Not once you'd left."
"Really?" Edward asked.
" I just couldn't seem to settle."
"Wasn't your pillow any good?" he teased.
"That must have been it," Bella said, nodding and playing along. "I had this really comfortable one, but then it disappeared, and I got this fluffy thing that I just couldn't bash into shape no matter how hard I tried."
"Poor pillow," Edward replied, laughing.
"It survived," Bella smirked as she took a final sip of her coffee.
"I'm glad to hear it."
"What are you planning to do this morning?"
"Nothing much either to tell you the truth."
"Do you want to do nothing much together then?"
"That's doable," Edward said, leaning back in his chair. "I've downloaded the list of events for First Night onto my laptop. Apparently the Ice Sculptures are something we ought not to miss. How about we check out what events are going on and make a plan of attack?"
"That sounds like something I'd do. Dan's forever telling me just to go with the flow, but I always like to know what's going on so I don't miss things that I'd really like to see."
"It's the younger generation, I think," Edward agreed. "And besides, I've never been before, so I'd like to see as much as I can."
"Me, too. I've never been to First Night either."
"You haven't?"
"No. This is only my fourth New Years' Eve here...or is it my fifth? I'm not really sure..." Bella said, her voice trailing off as she tried to recall her previous New Years on the East Coast. "Anyway," she continued on, "I've always tended to stick closer to home. Boston is a bit too far for me to travel on my own from Lebanon, and I've tended to either go to a friend's house or just stayed home."
"Do you usually stay up 'til midnight?"
"Sometimes, but not always," she answered with a shrug. "What about you?"
"It's kind of inevitable where I live. People walk along the beach at all hours, and there are fireworks over the water. The family often comes down to my place, so yeah, most times I ring in the New Year."
"We're making a big day of it today then," Bella said, referring to the plan that she and Edward were going to leave just after lunch and make their way into Boston.
"One advantage of having the car will be if we don't want to stay until midnight, we can leave and avoid the mass exodus later on. I assume the kids will want to stay."
"You should too, if you want to experience it all," Bella said, "and it will be your first New Year's with Dan, so that should give you extra incentive to stay awake."
"Oh, I think Dan and Cassie will only have eyes for each other come midnight," Edward said, looking directly at Bella and raising his eyebrows. "I don't really think he'll notice if I'm there or not."
"Oh, I'm sure he'll want to bring in the New Year with you," Bella said, wanting to be reassuring.
"There'll be a whole day of it tomorrow if that's the case...once everyone wakes up that is."
"True."
"If they intend to stay after the midnight fireworks and then catch the train home like they were saying, they won't get in before two or maybe even three. I doubt breakfast tomorrow will be an early affair."
Bella laughed along.
"Obviously, the hotel doesn't expect too many early risers either. Did you notice they adjusted breakfast times for tomorrow? They're serving breakfast up until 11:30."
"I did notice that."
"Pressure's off, at least. We won't have to knock on anyone's door tomorrow at five to nine, that's for sure."
Edward laughed.
"True. Are you ready to go?" Edward asked. "We can check out the website now if you like?"
"Sure," Bella said while reaching for her bag that was hanging over the back of her chair.
"What's the weather supposed to be like for tonight? Have you heard?" Edward inquired as he pulled her chair back for her as she went to stand.
"Fine. Cold. No Snow," Bella answered.
"At least there's no rain."
"Or sleet. It should make for a pleasant evening as long as the wind doesn't start up."
"What do I need to wear for something like this?"
"Gloves, coat, scarf, beanie – the usual," Bella smirked as she lead them out of the café.
"The usual for you, you mean."
"Yes. How much did you have to buy before coming over here?"
"Not too much, really," Edward answered. "Maybe the beanie. I've never had a beanie except for skiing, and the one I had was a bit old and ratty. The rest of it I had buried around the house for the most part."
Edward and Bella continued to chat amiably as they made their way across the lobby and over to the elevators. Once they made it to their floor, they parted briefly to finish their own morning routines before meeting again just before ten-thirty in Edward's room, where they spent the next hour or so carefully considering their itinerary for the day. They ordered room service for lunch and ate casually at the small table and chairs over by his window. The weather report was accurate so far. As they looked out across the landscape below them, the blue sky made an attractive backdrop against the snow-covered ground. The sun shone brightly and people could be seen out and about enjoying a rare break from the gray tones of winter. It was a promising omen for the end of one year and the introduction of the next. Truth be told, both Bella and Edward were looking forward to the prospects the New Year could bring their way. At the same time, they quietly lamented the passing of their all but too brief New England holiday.
It was closer to two o'clock by the time Edward and Bella left the hotel to head into Boston. Cassie and Sammy had returned from their morning's excursion, which, as Edward had predicted, included another round of shopping. Leaving the girls to their own devices for the afternoon, Edward nestled himself comfortably in Bella's car as she drove them the hour or so into Boston. As had become habit during their week together, their conversation flowed easily. Bella inquired more about Edward's usual New Year's Eve traditions, and Edward asked more about Bella and Dan's lifestyle prior to their move to the East Coast.
Before they had realized it, they were in the center of Boston negotiating their way through the busy city traffic to their predetermined parking area – Edward navigating; Bella driving.
"On your right, Bella...no, not that right, I mean your other right," Edward laughed, chiding her. She'd indicated to turn left instead of right as she became flustered while trying to follow his instructions. Bella wasn't terribly familiar with Boston, having only visited it once or twice herself in the time she had lived in New Hampshire.
"Keep your shirt on," she told him as she looked in her mirrors before attempting to change lanes.
"Do you want me to drive?"
"No."
"I could you know."
"I suspect you could, but there's no need. I've got it under control."
"We should have turned there."
"Where?"
"Back there."
"Well, why didn't you say something?"
"I just did."
"Before the turn, not when we're on top of it!"
"I thought you knew where we were going?"
"I said I had an idea of where we were headed, not that I knew exactly how to get there."
"Let me drive."
"No."
"Pull over."
"No. Just read the map."
"I can read it just fine."
"Then would you mind telling me where to go, please?"
"With pleasure," Edward said, smirking at her.
"Behave," Bella warned.
"You'll need to go around this block."
"Which way?"
"Huh?"
"Right or left?"
"Right. I mean left."
"Which is it?"
"Right and then right again."
"Are you sure?" Bella asked, signaling to turn.
"Yes."
"Doubly sure?"
"Yes. Turn here."
"Ok," Bella said, doing as she was told. "Geez, bossy much?"
"You wanted the instructions," Edward said, laughing at her.
"Where to now?" Bella said, completing the last of the turns Edward had said.
"Up here on the left, I think," he added quietly as he once again regarded the map turning it to determine he was giving her the correct directions.
Bella laughed.
"I thought it was women who had difficulty with direction."
"I don't use maps at home. I have one of those navigation systems."
"I don't have one of those."
"I've noticed."
"I've never needed one."
"That seems like an obsolete statement now, doesn't it?" Edward quipped while looking at the map and reorientating himself.
"Maybe I should have been the one to navigate?" Bella suggested.
"Done. You can navigate our way out of here tonight. I'll drive."
"You're pretty determined to get behind the wheel, aren't you?"
"At the rate you drive, I could get us home in half the time."
"Well, if you didn't consistently get us lost, it wouldn't have taken us twice as long," she said, returning fire.
"I'll get it right tonight. I've got my bearings now," Edward said as Bella pulled into the underground parking garage.
"Really? Famous last words, I suspect," she said, stirring him.
"Well, you'll be the one giving the directions tonight," Edward reminded her as she took the printed ticket from the machine. Bella passed the ticket to him silently as she rolled away from the boom gates.
"We'll be sure to make it out of here promptly, then," she agreed. "'Cause map reading isn't all that difficult you know. Women actually look at the things, rather than just guessing at the destination."
"Oh, you are in fine form today."
"And just you remember it, buddy."
"Yes, Ma'am."
"Don't you Ma'am me, you...you..."
"What?"
"Boofhead."
"What?"
"It's an Aussie term. Dan taught me."
"Say it again?"
"Boofhead."
"What's it mean?"
"I'm not too sure, but I think it suits the situation."
"Is that so?"
Bella just shrugged her shoulders in response before adding, "If the word fits, use it."
Edward laughed. "Aussie's speak weird."
"Apparently so."
"Hmm. Boofhead. I'll have to remember that one."
"Who would you use it with?"
"Emmett."
"Really?"
"Yeah. It sounds like it would suit him perfectly."
Bella laughed along with Edward while finally locating a park a couple of levels down after multiple false starts.
"So, Ms. Swan," Edward said as they alighted from the vehicle. "Are you ready for your first-ever First Night in Boston?"
"I'm as ready as you are, Mr. Cullen. Lead the way."
"Oh, after you, m'lady. I'd hate to be accused of leading you the wrong way around town."
"Good then. Well, this way," Bella said, smiling as she moved to her left.
"Bella?"
"Yes?"
"Where are you going?"
"To the elevators."
"They're over this way," Edward said, pointing in the opposite direction.
"Oh. Yes. Well, right then," Bella said, laughing at herself.
"We're so screwed getting out of here tonight, aren't we?" Edward said, laughing along.
"Maybe...maybe not... but you'd better not lose that map just in case."
"I'll guard it with my life."
"I think you should," she said, looking at him before extending her hand. " Give it to me. Statistically speaking, women live longer than men. It will be safer with me. Statistically speaking, that is."
"Statistically speaking," Edward said, silently handing over the map in question while smirking at her unusual train of thought.
"Besides, I'm the one with the large handbag."
"Good point."
"Glad you see things my way."
Edward and Bella walked companionably side by side toward the elevator that would take them up to ground level.
"You're an entertaining woman, Ms. Swan."
"You're not half bad yourself, Mr. Cullen."
"I'm very happy to be sharing my last day of 2009 with you," Edward said, extending the crook of his arm to her.
"And I'm very happy to be sharing the beginning of a new year with you," Bella replied, placing her hand inside his elbow.
"Happy New Year, Ms. Swan."
"You're a little early aren't you, Mr. Cullen?"
"I just don't want to miss my chance."
"Your chance for what?"
"To wish you every happiness for the year ahead."
"I think the year ahead of us is going to bring us all much happiness, Edward, especially since the end of the current one is turning out so well."
"It is, isn't it?" he asked her.
"Yes, it is. Very much so," she said, looking up at him as they stood side by side, waiting for the lift.
"I think so, too," he said simply before leaning over to kiss her temple along her hairline.
"Happy New Year, Edward."
"It will be, Bella."
Several hours later, and since most of the events and activities lasted no longer than 45 minutes, Edward and Bella had managed a trip to a museum as well as a few short theatrical and musical productions , including a marionette production of Sleeping Beauty. After such a busy afternoon, Bella and Edward were making their way down Arlington Street toward the Park Plaza Hotel where they had agreed to meet Dan, Chris and the girls. The crowds had grown consistently throughout the afternoon as many families with small children made the most of the beautiful weather.
After meeting up with the kids, the group strolled toward the Boston Common, stopping to buy something to eat along the way from one of the many street vendors. Their immediate goals were two-fold – to position themselves suitably to catch the end of the Metro Grande Parade as it made its way down Boylston Street, and then to secure a vantage point from which to watch the first of the firework displays, designed for families with young children that were scheduled to begin at seven o'clock.
Bella and Edward were thoroughly enjoying themselves. Each smiled and laughed as they chatted with the younger ones. To the casual observer, they appeared as an ordinary middle-aged couple out for the evening with their grown children. There was no apparent awkwardness, no discontent. The tone of their afternoon and evening together was a true testament to all the progress they had made as friends during the previous week.
And Edward was relishing these moments with Bella. Several times during the afternoon, he'd sought Bella's hand with his or positioned her gently in front of him, resting his hands on her shoulders while they stood to watch people and activities on display. He was acutely conscious of her the entire afternoon, and he could feel himself mystically pulled toward her. He wanted to be next to her. He wanted to hold her hand and feel her body in close proximity to his. For the better part of the day, Edward had forced himself to refrain from touching her in ways that could only be described as more intimate. Several times he'd caught himself as he was about to hold her by the hips instead of her shoulders as she'd stood in front of him or brush hair away from her face as it fell out from under the beret she wore as the afternoon sun began to set.
Edward's mind was urging caution while his senses were encouraging much less measured interactions.
After his epiphany from the night before and as Edward continued to become more aware of his attraction to Bella, he began to second guess his desires. He became conscious of every movement and gesture. While he was thoroughly enjoying their time together, he was growing increasingly anxious. Anxious as to how she was interpreting his subtle signs of affection. Anxious about how overtly he was displaying such signs. Anxious about what their impending separation would mean for them as a family unit. Being in close proximity as they had been for the last week or so, Edward was intimately aware of just how far their relationship, if it could be called that, had progressed. He and Bella had become friends, but now, Edward realized, and on his part at least, there was more to it than that. He was enthralled by her. He was captivated by her. He was attracted to her. Try as he might during the afternoon to just relax and enjoy their time together, he ended up worrying more and more about what the future held in store for all of them and how his growing feelings for Bella might upset the delicate balance they had all just recently achieved.
For her part, Bella was enjoying the afternoon and evening immensely. She took enormous pride in how Dan conducted himself with Cassie and his friends, and also with Edward. It was one of those times when a parent could feel justifiably satisfied for a job well done. Dan cared for Cassie deeply – that much was obvious. The way he held her, spoke to her and looked after her was indicative of a very loving and intimate relationship. Dan also showed a great deal of respect for Sammy and her relationship with her cousin. Time and time again during the course of the evening, and throughout the week already spent, Dan had gone out of his way to ensure that Sammy was included in their activities. No doubt, his efforts were helped by the presence of Chris who seemingly paired off with Sammy quite happily despite their regular bickering. Bella often wondered if maybe there was a little more behind their constant quarreling. She also closely watched the developing relationship between Dan and Edward. Since that afternoon earlier in the week when Dan had introduced Edward for the first time as his father, it appeared to Bella as if their relationship had developed to a whole new level. What surprised her more than anything was that she no longer felt any jealousy when she would see Edward and Dan enjoying private conversations man-to-man. It reinforced to Bella just how much Dan had to gain by having a man like Edward in his life and how much Edward could share with Dan about life from a grown man's perspective. Something she, as his mother, could never do.
Bella also delighted in her time with Edward. Despite the ups and downs of their week together, her mind drifted back over the happy events of the week. While they waited for the floats in the parade to pass by, she realized that she had begun to look forward more and more to her alone time with him. It offered the chance for her to be someone other than Dan's mother – to be a woman in her own right. Edward valued her as well as her thoughts and ideas and stories. She believed that he wanted to spend as much time with her as she did with him. To her, he had become someone other than Dan's father. He had become a true friend and confidant – someone she had allowed to see the real Bella– and he hadn't run. He'd done the opposite. He'd held her as she'd cried and then had cried along with her. Bella knew that the reason for her positive outlook on the future was solely because of Edward's acceptance of her and her past. She would be forever thankful to him for that, and she doubted that she could ever express the depth of her gratitude to him.
It was while she was engaged in her private thoughts as the parade moved slowly past that she felt Edward's hands come to rest lightly on her shoulders. She leaned back into him slightly and smiled softly.
"You're terribly quiet," he said to her privately, his voice next to her ear.
"I've just been thinking back over the last week," Bella replied just as quietly.
Dan, Cassie, Sammy, and Chris were near them, but the noise of the crowd cheering on the parade all but drowned out Bella and Edward's hushed words. It was as if they were in their own little bubble.
"What about the last week?" Edward asked her, keeping his voice low.
Bella raised one gloved hand to place it over one of Edward's that rested on her shoulder.
"I've had an incredible time. Much better than I ever thought was possible," Bella explained. "I'm feeling a little melancholy about it coming to an end."
Edward squeezed her shoulders with his hands.
"I understand what you mean. I'm not looking forward to saying goodbye either."
Bella looked over her shoulder and up into his eyes. She drew a sad, tight smile, which Edward returned in kind.
"It won't be goodbye, you know," he said, looking at her intently. "This is only just the beginning for all of us. You know that, right?"
Bella didn't reply. He voice caught in her throat. She briefly nodded her ascent to let him know she had heard him. Bella was taken aback by the sudden rush of emotion that caught her off guard.
"Cassie's twenty-first is in a month and a half, and I'm sure I can swing a trip over this way in the meantime."
"Really?" Bella said. She was surprised by the note of hopefulness in her voice.
It was Edward's turn to nod this time. "I think I may have to meet with the producers face-to-face at some point. Not everything can be communicated effectively over the phone. If I had to come to New York at some point, would you come down and meet me?" he asked hopefully.
"Of course," Bella said without hesitation. "Dan and I would definitely meet you."
Edward noted that Bella automatically included Dan in the equation. What surprised him was that he hadn't.
"Great," Edward replied, giving nothing away as he squeezed her shoulders before they both fixed their attention back to the floats in front of them.
Half an hour later as the last of the parade headed toward its destination, the sky above them erupted in a myriad of color as the fireworks lit up the sky. Everyone's attention was drawn toward the display erupting across the sky, and the families with young children all around them oohed and ahhed at the spectacle.
Bella stood next to Edward during the twelve-minute display, and at one point, she looked over to him to see that his attention was drawn toward a young father with his young son perched on his shoulders. In the flashes of light given off by the fireworks overhead, Bella could see Edward's gaze, and what she saw was a mixture of longing and regret. She reached for his hand and squeezed it softly with her own.
The action, undetected by anyone else, drew Edward's gaze from the father and son and down to their two hands clasped together. He raised his eyes to hers and smiled tenderly at her. In response, Bella leaned into Edward's side, and using her free hand, began to rub Edward's upper arm. She hoped that he would understand her silent display of understanding and support.
Edward reached to hold her free hand in his, halting her actions. He gently raised her hand to his lips and kissed the back of it before repeating the gesture to her forehead while holding their hands together on his chest over his heart.
The fact that so much could be communicated between the two of them without words spoke volumes of the newfound intimacy in their relationship. They were indeed confidants and shared a level of friendship that could only be born out of intense pain and shared experiences. It was something they both knew they would be forever thankful for.
After the seven o'clock fireworks display ended, their group went their separate ways for a while. The kids went off on their own for the remaining few hours until midnight. Bella and Edward caught the T, Boston's underground subway, to take them to several other locations around the city that were hosting First Night activities.
It was nearly eleven-thirty before the group was to meet up again, and their efforts involved several confusing phone calls between cell phones while they were trying to locate each other in the crowded Long Wharf on Boston Harbor. Once they were all together, they stood in a small huddle sharing jokes and stories as the countdown to midnight began.
When the announcers started rousing the crowd with five minutes to go, the level of excitement increased exponentially, and despite Bella and Edward's weariness, they too joined in the vocal whistling and chanting that swept through the crowd.
When the final minute to midnight began, Edward reached for Bella and pulled her in front of him after some big burly man positioned himself right in front of her. He casually placed his hands on her shoulders, something he had done multiple times during the day, and this time, for him, it felt different. He couldn't explain why. Maybe it was the nighttime or the darkness making things appear more intimate, or maybe it was being surrounded by other couples. Whatever it was, Edward felt more closely connected to Bella than he ever had before.
Together with Dan and Cassie, and Chris and Sammy, they counted down the last ten seconds and cheered along with the rest of the crowd as the New Year was finally announced. Couples and families, young and not so young, yelled messages of Happy New Year as people everywhere embraced and kissed.
Edward hugged Bella tightly against his body and leaned his head around and over her shoulder. He wished her a Happy New Year before kissing her resoundingly on her cheek. Bella smiled warmly and returned his wishes, looking over her shoulder toward him. Without hesitation, Edward planted a warm and gentle kiss directly to Bella's lips. It was over in an instant, but for Bella, the feeling of his lips on hers, even for just that brief second, left her feeling completely at sea.
She was startled back to reality by Edward letting go of her while she was pulled into a hug by Cassie who yelled, Happy New Year, Bella, a little over enthusiastically right into her ear. Cassie released Bella and it was only seconds before Dan encased his mother in his arms and lifted her off the ground with yet another loud, Happy New Year, Mom, yelled in her direction. After being plopped back onto the ground, a solid arm folded around her shoulders, and she was again being wished Happy New Year, but this time by Chris who planted a noisy kiss on her cheek. And next, only seconds later, Sammy approached her and kissed her other cheek before squeezing her tightly in a quick hug.
This whole time, Bella acted like she was on autopilot. As she moved from one embrace to the next, her mind was remembering the feelings that had been awoken by her first New Year's kiss – the one that Edward had given her. She wondered for a moment if she'd stopped breathing, because it was as if she was in a scene from a movie where time for her stood still while the rest of the world buzzed on around her regardless.
Bella sucked in a deep breath trying to focus her thoughts when she was wrapped in yet another set of arms.
But these arms she knew. They were warm and soft and inviting. They made her feel safe. These arms belonged to Edward.
"Hey," he said quietly into her ear from his position behind her. "You ok?"
"Yeah," Bella said, relaxing against him, resting her own hands on top of his.
"You sure?" he asked, regarding her closely.
"Yeah," Bella replied again, less than eloquently.
The fireworks created a kaleidoscope of color above them, which was mirrored on the waters of the harbor below. It was a breath-taking sight that caught the attention of the thousands of people who had waited all year for this moment, and as the crowd watched the fireworks light the night sky, there were two people amongst them who were more aware of each other than the fireworks.
As Bella leaned back against Edward's body, he softly began to sway the two of them from side to side. Their bodies moved in sync with one another. Edward, after a day of denying himself such close contact, leaned the side of his face against Bella's and was relieved beyond words when he felt her return gentle pressure of her own.
Unseen by Edward, Bella closed her eyes. She allowed herself to focus entirely upon the feel of his rough stubble against the skin of her face. It felt right. There was no other way she could describe it.
They stayed this way, safe in their own little bubble, for the remainder of the display. When it finished ten minutes later, their intimate time together was broken by the movement of people around them. Reluctantly, Edward straightened up, releasing his tight hold on Bella and putting just a little distance between the two of them. Both of them immediately felt the loss of warmth between their bodies. Bella shivered a little as a result.
"That was great, wasn't it?" Cassie asked, looking at Bella for the first time since the display had finished.
"Yes, love. It was beautiful."
"Some of those rockets were fast. Did you see how high some of them went?" Chris stated, sounding like a ten-year-old boy.
"The whirly ones were my favorites," Sammy chimed in. "And the ones that changed color midway through...how do they do that?"
"I have no idea," Edward replied.
"That was just so good," Dan added, cuddling into Cassie.
"So where to from here?" Chris asked.
"Back into town?" Dan suggested.
"How about we go to another club?" Sammy asked. "I'm not ready to call it a night yet."
"What about you two?" Dan asked, directing his question to Bella and Edward. "Do you feel like partying on?"
"I don't think so," Bella said, laughing. "We've been here since just after three. I don't know about you," she said, turning to Edward, "but I'm beat."
"I don't think I'm up for too much more," Edward agreed.
"Oh, come on. The night's still young!" Chris declared.
"And so are you, but I'm a bit too old and a bit too tired for all-night partying," Bella said, pushing him playfully.
"And when you get a bit older, you'll notice the body doesn't bounce back as fast in the morning as it used to," Edward concurred.
"Never!" Chris replied, sounding horrified.
"It will happen to you too one day. Mark my words," Bella teased.
"So are you going to head off back home then?" Cassie asked, referring to their hotel in Manchester.
"Yeah. Well, we've got to make our way back to the car first, and then back to the hotel. It will still be an hour and a half at least before we get back there, and that's not too bad for ole-timers like us," Edward said, winking at Chris.
"If you stay and party, how will you get back to the hotel?" Bella asked the group, pragmatic as ever.
"Chris ended up driving his car in," Sammy piped up.
"Did you?" Bella asked in surprise.
"Ah huh."
"Well who's driving then? You've all been drinking."
"I'm driving home, Bella. No worries. I won't drink again tonight. Midnight was my curfew."
Bella eyed Chris, carefully."Are you sure? You don't want to be driving if you've been drinking," she reminded him.
"All's good. Really, Bella. I've only had two drinks all night. I'm the designated driver and I won't have another drop. Promise."
"I'll keep him to that, Bella," Sammy said. "Don't worry."
"If you're sure," Bella said in mother mode while giving Chris a knowing look. He nodded at her and gave her a wink, letting her know he understood her silent but clear message.
"So, where do you need to go to get your car, Mom?" Dan asked.
Slowly turning her attention away from Chris and back to Dan, she responded. "We'll get back on the T and head toward the Common. We parked in a garage off Stuart Street."
"I'm impressed," Edward said, nudging her shoulder with his own.
"Shut up you," Bella laughed, nudging him back.
The four younger ones watched this exchanged but didn't understand it.
"What was that about?"
"Your mother got us hopelessly lost on the way in here," Edward said.
"I wasn't the one with the map!" Bell exclaimed in mock horror. "I was simply following your lousy instructions."
"Sounds like an interesting trip in," Dan said.
"And quite possibly home," Chris finished for him.
"Well. We'll never get there unless we get going," Edward said, bringing their current conversation to a close. "You all be careful out tonight," he warned them before leaning in to kiss the girls farewell.
"Watch out for each other," Bella said, following Edward's lead and kissing Dan and Cassie goodnight.
"Stay together," Edward added as he shook hands with Dan and Chris in turn.
"And watch out for idiots on the road. You all might be safe, but you don't know what other idiots will be out there in the wee hours," she reminded them before kissing Sammy and then Chris goodnight.
"We will. We'll be fine," Chris reassured her again.
"Be careful," she said, looking at each boy in turn.
"Go, Mom. Relax. It's all good," Dan said, wanting to ease his mother's mind but also being slightly annoyed that she was pushing things so far.
"Come on, Bella. They've gotten the message," Edward said quietly to her, picking up on Dan's feelings.
"Well, then. Enjoy the rest of your night. We'll see you tomorrow sometime," Bella said, bidding them farewell.
"Maybe in time for lunch?" Dan said.
"They're serving breakfast 'til 11:30 tomorrow," Edward told him.
"Maybe a very late breakfast then," Dan said, putting his arm around Cassie again.
"Goodnight everyone. Happy New Year," Edward said before he turned to usher Bella away.
"Happy New Year," they all replied discordantly.
"Drive safely," Chris added cheekily.
Bella looked over her shoulder and gave him the evil eye in response to his cheekiness, before laughing and giving him a wink of her own.
Edward and Bella left the group and strolled off together from the wharf and toward the closest T station. They walked side by side, Bella's hand tucked into the nook of Edward's arm as it had been for most of the day, but this time was different for her. Throughout the day it had been an action of companionable friendship, but now, it was something much more intimate. She was acutely aware of her stride alongside Edward's – the way she rested her hand on his arm, the way their shoulders bumped into each other as they walked, the way her body seemed to be overly sensitive to each movement he made.
"You're quiet," he said to her as they neared the T station.
"Hmm. Just tired, I suppose."
"Have you had a nice day?"
"A fantastic day. I can't remember enjoying a day like this since...well...forever."
Edward smiled at that. "I've had a great day, too. My best one in a long time."
"I'm glad that you got to spend New Year's with Dan. That's an important milestone for you both."
"Yes, it is," Edward agreed, "but I'm glad I got to spend New Year's with you, too, Bella."
Bella's heart began to beat just a little bit faster, and it had nothing to do with the cold night air or the brisk pace they were setting as they walked to the subway.
"I'm glad I got to spend it with you, too," she said softly, sounding a little short of breath.
Edward squeezed her hand affectionately, and she smiled at him in response.
As they descended the stairs to the subway and waited on the platform for the next train, Edward deliberately kept in close proximity to Bella. Since stealing a not-quite-so-chaste kiss from her at midnight and holding her close while they watched the fireworks, he was feeling slightly bolder about demonstrating the growing depth of his feelings for her. As he'd watched the fireworks with Bella in his arms, his revelation from the night before was even more solidified in his mind. His feelings for her were more than affection for the mother of his son. This beautiful, petite, smart, sassy woman next to him was consuming his thoughts more and more. He was totally fascinated by her, and it was clear to him that his body was responding to her of its own accord. There had been several times during the day when he had needed to adjust himself surreptitiously, his body's instincts leading his mind to what it should have recognized all along. She was capturing his heart, his mind and his body, and yet, it seemed that she was unaware of the effect she was having on him.
Edward and Bella were back at the parking garage within twenty minutes of having left the wharf. They located Bella's car, and she wordlessly offered Edward the keys, remembering their conversation from earlier in the evening. Edward gallantly opened the passenger's door for Bella who was a little shocked because she'd never before had a man honor her in such a way. She smiled at him politely as she settled herself in the car while Edward walked around to the driver's door, opened it and sat down. She retrieved the map from her bag and began to look for the quickest and most direct route out of town.
"We're not going to have any problems here are we, Ms. Swan?" Edward asked when he saw what she was doing.
"Not if you follow instructions well, Mr. Cullen," she answered, not looking at him.
"Mmm. So, have you worked out how to get out of here?"
"Starting the car might work."
Edward lowered his chin and raised his eyebrows at her in response. Had he been wearing his glasses, he would have been looking at her over the top of his rims.
Bella grinned at him and mirrored his actions. They stared at each other this way for a few seconds.
"Alright. You win," Edward said, breaking his stare as he realized Bella was going to hold her own in the situation.
"Good. Now drive," she said, swatting his upper arm with the back of her hand.
Edward started the car and backed it out of the parking spot.
"Are you always this much trouble?" he asked.
"I don't know. Me, myself and I tend to agree on most things so we don't argue much. It's a benefit of being single, you know."
"Touché," he laughed.
For the next fifteen minutes, much to his chagrin, Bella navigated Edward through the traffic until they were successfully out of town and headed back toward Manchester.
"Why don't you settle back and rest your eyes for a bit. It's a straightforward drive from here," Edward suggested kindly. He'd noticed that Bella had begun to rub her eyes once they'd left town and hit the highway.
"No, that's not right. I'll be fine," she answered.
"Bella, you're tired."
"But what about you?"
"I'm more than alert for the two of us. Trust me. I'll have us back at the hotel in under an hour. Rest up for a bit. I'll wake you when we get there."
"That doesn't seem right," Bella protested.
"It's OK. I promise you I won't fall asleep. Rest up."
"No. I'll keep you company."
"You don't have to."
"I'll be fine," Bella said unconvincingly, yawning in the process.
Edward looked at her briefly before returning his eyes to the road in front of them.
"I'll give you ten minutes before you're out cold."
It only took five.
A little over an hour later, Edward gently woke Bella as she sat sleeping in the passenger's seat.
"Bella?" Edward said quietly while shaking her shoulder gently.
"Mmm?"
"We're here. Wake up."
"Hmm? At the hotel?"
"Yeah."
"That was quick," Bella commented before sitting upright in the car and rubbing her eyes.
"It took me over an hour. I traveled a little slower 'cause I was a bit worried about ice on the roads."
"Wow. We're really here?" she said sleepily.
Edward laughed. "You're really not that good at waking up, are you?" he asked.
"Oh...shut up," Bella said.
Edward chuckled under his breath.
"Come on, sleepy head. Up you get," he said, standing up from his crouched position next to the opened car door while extending both of his hands to Bella to help her out of the seat.
Bella looked to his hand and then placed hers in his as she went to stand, only to be stopped by the seatbelt she had yet to unfasten.
"Oh," she said and she was kept pinned to her seat.
"Hang on a minute. Here. Let me," Edward said, leaning back into the car and across Bella to unclip her seatbelt.
Bella leaned back in her seat, Edward's close proximity awakening her and her senses more than she'd expected.
"Let's try that again," he said, moving back from her and extending his hands once more.
"Ok."
Edward helped Bella out of the car and nodded to the attendant who moved around to the driver's door to valet park the car in the underground parking garage.
"Come on," Edward said, putting his arm around her shoulder. "Let's get you up to bed."
"How long did I last?" Bella asked.
"Less than five minutes, I think."
"I'm sorry," she replied.
"Don't be. I told you I'd be fine."
"Thanks."
"You're welcome."
Edward held Bella close to his side as they waited for the elevator. Once inside, he pressed the button for the 11th floor and nestled her against him, secretly enjoying the feel of her leaning against his body.
When the elevator doors opened, they walked out of it hand-in-hand as Edward led the way to Bella's door.
"Here we are," Edward said. "Where's your key?"
"In my bag," Bella said, foraging around in her large oversized handbag. "Got it!" she said, triumphantly holding it aloft.
She pushed the key card into the lock, and the light changed from red to green as the door clicked open.
"Well," she said, pushing the door ajar. "I'll see you in the morning for a late breakfast."
"Yeah. I'll call you to see when you're ready."
"Sounds good," Bella said shyly, noticing for the first time the small amount of chest hair that was visible above the top button of Edward's shirt. She frowned briefly, wondering why she hadn't noticed it at all before now.
"Well, then...goodnight, Bella," Edward said quietly. "Happy New Year."
"Happy New Year," Bella repeated, still trying to work out why Edward's chest hair was noticeable now and not earlier...His scarf...he's removed his scarf!
"Sleep tight," Edward said as he leaned into kiss her good night.
Bella, finally pulling her attention away from the sight of the hair peeking out from his shirt, raised her head and looked into his eyes.
Edward, on the spur of the moment, decided to throw caution to the wind. For him, the day had been one of measured emotions and tentative demonstrations of his growing affection toward her, and he wasn't about to let a moment like this pass him by.
As Bella's eye's locked with his, he closed the distance between them and kissed her softly on the lips. Their kiss lasted only few seconds before he pulled back and kissed her once again on the forehead, and then bid her a quiet, Good night stepping away from her.
Bella stood still, momentarily looking like a deer caught in headlights before she regrouped and repeated his final words and stepped inside her room, closing the door quietly behind her. She leaned against it and closed her eyes, thinking back over their final moments together. For the second time that day, her mind was sent into a flurry after a kiss from Edward.
Oh, girl. What's going on here? she asked herself silently.
In the meantime, Edward turned and walked across the corridor to his own room. In those three short strides, he came to three important decisions.
First, he knew he was no longer falling for Bella Swan. He'd already fallen…hard.
Second, he planned to change his and the girls' departure times on the second of January. He wanted to catch the late afternoon flight instead of the morning one. He planned on maximizing the time they all had left together.
And third, he promised himself that no matter what, he wouldn't repeat the mistakes of the past. He was due to leave in less than thirty-six hours...and he wouldn't love her then leave her.
Bella deserved much better than that.
AN:
Well everyone... I believe I got to most of the reviews this time around. If you didn't hear from me that's cause you've gotten your PMs disabled... or I inadvertently missed one... sorry!
This chapter proved difficult to write and I hope that everyone can appreciate that I am trying to keep this as "real" as possible... they're not going to jump each other just yet...and it would have been a disservice to the characters and the story to allow that to happen...yet...
To Grendel and Lalina...as always, my heartfelt gratitude.
To EMCxo... who read my "Boston Section" to verify that I got things as accurate as possible.
To Sunfeathers and FindTheWill...who months ago, gave me the knowledge and the wherewithall to find the information I needed for this chapter...I am indebted to the both of you...
And to everyone out there who is recing this story...my heart felt thanks.
Now... the people who visit the thread will already know this...
I won't be in a position to update for the next three to four weeks. I am taking my family on a much needed holiday to see the "in-laws" interstate...We are leaving this week and driving there (heaven help us all!) armed with multiple DVD players, computer games, books and my lap-top which I hope to be using when I'm not driving my share of the 4000km journey.
In the meantime, I would like to recommend a fic written by the lovely Anais Mark called Metaphysics. It is listed amonst my favourites here on FF (as well as quite a few others you might like to investigate). Metaphysics is a vamp fic and absolutely wonderful. She is a talented writer and a lovely person to boot! The story contains mystery and intrigue...all the kinds of things I like in a fic. It has a period aspect to it and the corresponding sections of writing are in keeping with that era - which is a talent in itself. I highly recommend it. Tell her I sent you.
I hope that you can forgive me for the break in posting. I will have the next chapter to you within a month - and that's a promise.
Until next time
Leisa