A/N: Almost 100 reviews since the last chapter!!! Thanks y'all! Dukeward says that each and every one of you is definately guaranteed a pony ride!
Sorry it took so long to update but I kind of got swept up in another Edward that has been clouding my mind lately!
Be sure to check out my one shot for the Tattward and Inkella one shot contest. www(dot)fanfiction(dot)net/s/5260257/1/Thinking_Ink.
It's starts off as a one shot for the contest....but I've fallen hard for my Tattward and I've been spending long nights arguing music with him and searching for the 24 hour restaurant with the best pancakes ever! He wants me to tell his story.... Who can say no to Edward?
To my beta babe....BritKat! Counting down the days BB to the Sam Bradley concert! Can't wait to party with you in Austin! Hot Time in Texas FO SHO!!!
To the Robkats...Without you and "Robsessed"...I'd have no inspiration whatsoever! To Angry BadgerGirl....I puffy heart you BB!!! Your kind words and encouragement...the best!
The one fan fic that has gotten my attention lately... "The How To Guide" by Stavanger1...funniest crack fic ever!! You will never look at small woodland creatures the same way ever again!
To Rob Pattinson...were you worried Darling that I had forgotten you? NEVAH!!!! Did I ever tell you how HAWT you look in plaid? I did? Must be why you wear it all the time!!!
I'm sure you'll have questions....see ya at the bottom!
Oh Yeah...Stephenie Meyer owns all characters Twilight.... I just like putting them in tight jeans.
Chapter 34 - Stay
EPOV
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I watched in absolute fascination as Bella held court in a sea of admirers. They had been monopolizing her company for some time now. She held her own though. Whatever they were discussing it seemed as if everyone was enjoying the conversation. I could hear Bella's peals of laughter from across the room.
I made my way over to the small congregation.
"Ah splendid Miss Swan! Perhaps you would do me the honor of dancing with me?" I heard Lord Sinjin-Smythe ask her.
I stepped up and placed my hand on the small of Bella's back. "I'm afraid Miss Swan's dance card is filled for this evening. Gentlemen, you have monopolized my girlfriend for quite some time now. Miss Swan? Would you care to take advantage of this lovely evening and take a walk with me on the terrace?"
Bella's eyes lit up with gratitude. "Why yes, thank you Your Grace. I believe some fresh air would be lovely right now. Gentlemen, I have thoroughly enjoyed our conversation. I do hope that we will have a chance to meet again sometime."
She smiled her best smile at them and I knew that she had just won over every man she had been talking to. We excused ourselves and made our way out onto the candlelit terrace in the garden.
"Thank you Edward. I was running out of things to talk to them about. I don't hunt. I only started to ride today. I was terrified that someone was going to mention the water fountain incident."
"Bella, love, they were putty in your more than capable hands. You were absolutely smashing in there." I reassured her.
A gentle breeze stirred the night air and I could smell the fragrance of Bella's skin. I slid my hands up her neck and placed them on each side of her jaw. I leaned in and lightly brushed my lips against hers. Bella let out a small breath and her lips parted slightly giving me the full invitation to taste her. I ran my tongue across her bottom lip and the tip of her tongue came out to meet mine. I would never get over the initial shock that flowed through my body every time I kissed her.
"Yum. That's better." Bella purred as she pushed her body into mine and wrapped her arms around my waist. We stood there just holding one another for a moment. The stars had fully come out in the night time sky and we could hear the small chamber orchestra playing.
"I don't want this to end. Right now this is about as perfect as things could get." Bella admitted.
"No." I answered.
The selfish prick inside me was screaming to get out. I had told myself I was going to wait until tomorrow but I knew I couldn't.
Bella looked up at me. I could see a small amount of panic in her eyes.
"Bella I know what my idea of perfect is. I want so much for you to stay with me here. I don't want you leaving to go back to the States before Emmett and Rosalie's party. I know I'm being selfish to ask this of you; but, I really want you to stay. I have business that I have to attend to in London but I promise to be home every night. That will give you your days to spend writing, or just exploring the manor. I ….I'm just not ready to let you go."
Bella cocked her head to the side and glanced up at me. "How long have you been practicing that speech?"
"Why? Was it that bad?"
Now I was the one that was beginning to panic. I hid it with a small laugh.
"No. It was wonderful and romantic and impetuous. Just like you." She reached up behind my neck and pulled me down to kiss her. Her lips touched mine and I could taste the answer of yes behind her kiss.
"Happy Birthday Edward." She whispered against my mouth.
She was right. Now it was perfect.
***
Esme clinked the tines of her fork on her champagne glass to get everyone's attention.
"Lords, Ladies and other distinguished guests; it is my privilege and my honor to ask you to join me in a birthday toast to His Grace, Edward, Duke of Cumberland."
Everyone in the room raised their glasses in unison. "To His Grace, Edward, Duke of Cumberland."
I was never one for being the center of attention but as I caught the look on Bella's face I realized that I had been given the best gift of all. My family, my friends and my heart were all in the same room. I stepped up to respond to the toast.
"I cannot even begin to express the gratitude I feel this evening for such fine company. As I look out at the faces of friends, family members and those who hold the places closet to my heart, I am ever thankful for the blessings that have once again come to Masen Estate. You fill my house with laughter, light, music and love. For that I will always be eternally grateful."
I walked over to Esme and pulled her into my embrace and kissed the top of her head.
"Thank you Esme. Mum would approve."
Esme pulled back and I could see the beginnings of tears in her eyes. They sparkled brightly in the candle light.
"She'd be so proud of the man you've become Edward."
Several shouts of "Here! Here!" resounded around the room. The music started to play again and I went over to ask Bella to dance with me.
Bella was staring into her champagne glass watching the tiny bubbles rise up through the pale liquid only to pop when reaching the top.
"Is the champagne not to your liking?" I teased her. She pulled her face into a slight grimace.
"No, it's not the champagne. At least I don't think it is. It just tastes funny to me. Must be all this incredibly rich food that is changing my palette. I'll never be able to go back to slamming beer and scarfing a bag of Cheetos ever again."
"Bella, as a cardinal rule, Cheetos are never served at functions like this. Can't have the guests walking around coated in day glo orange dust now, can we?"
Bella laughed again and I swore I would do whatever I could do every single day just to hear that laugh.
"Dance with me love?" I held my hand out to her.
Bella stood up and took my hand. "Only if you tell me what you are sporting underneath that kilt, Your Grace, because rumor has it…."
The sly minx batted her long black fringed eyelashes at me and then zeroed in on the sporran. Which thank God was actually a little heavy and disguised my immediate reaction.
"Miss Swan? Are you asking me if I'm wearing any underwear?" I asked her in mock horror.
"Your Grace doth seem to protest too much. Perhaps he would care to disparage such antiquated notions and prove my curiosity wrong?"
I was so wrapped up in our little heated exchange that I barely had time to register who had been standing behind me throughout the whole thing.
"Yes, yes….Come on Edward. Please explain to the lady if you are going commando or not?" A familiar voice laughed in my ear. I quickly whirled around and gave a small bow.
"Sir!" I said snapping to attention. "May I present Miss Isabella Swan? Miss Swan? May I present to you His Royal Highness, Prince Henry of Wales?"
The prince stepped up with a bow towards Bella and without missing a beat Bella managed to pull off a small but graceful curtsey. How did she know how to do that?
Joke is on you Cullen. Rosalie. Only Rosalie would have taught her correct protocol.
"Miss Swan? Perhaps I could persuade you to dance with me instead of Edward?"
"I would be absolutely delighted Sir. But I must warn you that I have all the grace of a water buffalo. I surely hope you shall forgive me for any grievous injury I may cause you on the dance floor?" Bella glanced at me and I felt like a love sick puppy at that moment.
"It's Harry. Please? I must insist on you calling me Harry. Besides…any woman who can get Edward to punch out the press should definitely be on a first name basis with me."
I felt nothing but absolute awe as Bella charmed Prince Harry. As I watched Bella attempt to waltz with him I realized I had a debt that needed settling. I went in search of Rosalie.
***
I found Rosalie outside with Emmett sitting at a table with Jasper and Alice.
"Chase your guests out Edward! It's time to throw down my man!" Emmett voice resoundingly made its way over the terrace. Rosalie was sitting on Emmett's lap and I had never seen her looking so happy or relaxed. She truly loved him.
"I will eventually. Right now I need to borrow your fiancée for just one minute."
Rosalie arched an eyebrow at me. "What did you have in mind Edward?"
I could tell she was reluctant to leave the security of Emmett's embrace.
"I promise to behave Rosalie. I have something I wish to say to you in private."
She took one glance at Emmett and silently he reassured her that I was not going to do anything to embarrass her.
Rosalie took my hand and walked with me through the salon. I caught Bella's eye as we walked out and her face clouded for a moment. I would be sure to explain everything to Bella as soon as I could.
Rosalie hesitantly followed me into the library.
"Have I been that much of a complete bastard that you are scared to even spend five minutes alone with me?"
"Well, you haven't exactly been the most welcoming person Edward."
"I'll be quick about this then." I leaned back on the desk and waited for Rosalie to come a little closer.
"I want to thank you for the time that you spent with Bella today. I hadn't thought far enough ahead in regards to correct protocol when greeting the Prince. I owe you for taking Bella under your wing tonight Rosalie. She has done amazingly well and I thank you for it."
"It's nothing Edward. I like Bella. She is much better suited for you than I ever was."
Rosalie came over and sat up against the desk with me.
"Besides, without Bella I never would have realized that the person I was truly meant to love has been right under my own self pre-occupied nose for years." Rose gently laid her head against my shoulder.
"So do you think we can put the animosity behind us Rosalie? I would like for us to be friends."
Rosalie laughed a genuine laugh and it struck me just how pretty she really was. Emmett's love had transformed her beauty from something hard and brittle into something vital and glowing.
"We can certainly try Edward."
I took her hands in mine and leaned down to kiss her cheek. "We really were a disaster together weren't we Rose?"
"That's the first time you've ever called me that. Thank you Edward. And yes, yes we were all kinds of hell together."
I heard a noise at the library doorway and turned to see Bella standing there with a shocked look on her face.
"I….I'm sorry. I didn't mean to interfere." Bella stammered.
Rose brushed past me and went toward the door. "I think we're done here Edward. If you will both excuse me, I am going to rejoin my fiancée at the party." Rosalie squeezed Bella's hand as she walked past her and gave her a smile.
Bella stood there just staring at me.
"What?" I asked her as I walked back to the desk again.
"What? Excuse me? What was that all about?"
I could hear the irritation in her voice. I realized within a few seconds that she had totally misunderstood what had been going on in the library. I started chuckling slightly.
"Come here Bella."
"No."
"Bella you are being ridiculous. I was thanking Rose for teaching you the correct protocol when greeting royalty. Had I not been so wrapped up in everything today, I should have thought ahead and done it myself. What you just witnessed was Hell freezing over. Rose and I are going to try to be friends."
"Is that true?" She asked me.
I crossed over to her in a flash, placed my hands on the top of her arms and I crushed her to me. My lips sought hers immediately.
"You maddening girl. Don't you understand that it is only you that I crave?" I whispered huskily in her ear. I felt Bella's body respond and she pushed into my hips. I felt her hand slide underneath the front panel of my kilt.
"Oh my." She whispered.
"I'm nothing if not traditional Bella." I growled against her lips as I felt her soft fingers wrap themselves around my ever increasing erection.
"I'm sorry I'm being irrational Edward. My emotions just seem to be all over the place these days. I know better. I know there is no way in hell you ever touched Rose after what she told me tonight." Bella sheepishly admitted.
I quit kissing the lovely hollow right under her ear. "What did Rosalie say?"
"Well you would know of course. She told me she was worried about her wedding night with Emmett being the fact that she is still a virgin."
I regretfully pulled Bella's hand out from under my kilt. I couldn't have this conversation while she was sliding her hand up and down my cock.
"She's what?" I was incredulous. The look on Bella's face confirmed she was serious.
Bella placed her hand over her mouth. "You didn't know? Oh my God! It wasn't my place to say anything. Oh God Edward I feel terrible that I let it slip out."
"I'll be damned." I smiled to myself and then wondered if Emmett knew. "How did this whole conversation come up?"
"Rose offered to help me tonight in exchange for um…. Uh…. "Bella pulled her bottom lip in between her teeth.
The horror of the whole situation crashed down around me.
"Please tell me you are not going to….I can't even think about this. I now have a mental image of Rosalie trying to please Emmett. Plus I keep seeing you in their room with that damn riding crop acting like a sex instructor. I'm not sure if I'm getting nauseous or turned on."
Bella started laughing. "I'm sorry Edward but you have to admit it is kind of funny. And thanks for that mental image. I'm going to have to bleach my brain now."
"Bella-- I can't even go out there and look at her now. All this time I thought she had discreet affairs like I did. I never knew she was saving herself. Oh God…she was saving herself for me." I sunk down into the big leather chair behind the desk and placed my head in my hands.
"Alice and I are going to throw a bachelorette party for Rose when we get back to Houston. We're just going to explain a few of the finer details to her while we get her good and drunk. Besides, how can I pass this up? Alice is dying to take her to a male strip club."
"Absolutely not!" I snapped with righteous indignation.
"Oh Edward! Don't be a stuffy old puss. It's all in fun. Nothing is going to happen." She tried to soothe my foul temper.
"Nothing is going to happen? Famous last words Bella." I grumbled.
"Quit brooding. How about this? Since I sort of know my way around Houston, I'll offer to be the designated driver. This way you can be assured that we won't get into any trouble."
"I still don't like the idea of the strippers Bella."
Bella knelt down and whispered into my ear. "Then I highly suggest that you put that dressage outfit on sometime and peel it off in front of me really slowly? I guarantee you a guy waving his junk in front of my face while wearing a banana hammock will never compare to the image of you undressing in front of me and then fucking me senseless."
I couldn't help but smile in spite of myself. Bella could be stubborn and I knew this was one argument I wasn't going to win. What she didn't know is that I was going to enlist the help of Emmett and Jazz. Those girls would have a night they wouldn't forget.
BPOV_____________________________________________
The party was a huge success. Everyone had consumed copious amounts of alcohol except for me. I stuck true to my word. I was not going to be the source of embarrassment to Edward tonight. Edward being the gentleman that he was imbibed enough for the both of us. I tried to help him up the stairs.
How many fucking stairs does this house have?
"Come on Sir Drinks a Lot. Let's get you into bed." I chuckled as I tried to lead Edward down the hallway to his bedroom.
"Good. Bed is a fuckin great idea. Let's get naked." Edward slurred as he leaned against me. "Remind me to get rid of this carpet. It's making me dizzy."
I pushed the door to his bedroom opened and got him over to the bed. Edward started to slide the straps of my gown down my arms.
"Whoa…slow down there Texas. Let's get you into bed first. I don't want you keeling over on me." I gently pushed him down on the bed and undid his shoes.
"Did I tell you how pretty y'are? Your hair is zo zoft….and you zmell like strawberries…and ….and….I think I need to lie down." Edward flopped backwards onto the bed and closed his eyes. I waited a few moments before I pulled his socks off.
I unbuttoned his shirt and managed only to get one sleeve off. His body had become dead weight. Edward was passed out on the bed. I sighed and went to change out of my evening gown. I pulled on my favorite t-shirt of his. It took me forever to pull the damn crystals out of my hair. Carefully I laid Edward's mother's jewelry on the dresser. I shook my hair out and scratched my head enjoying the feeling of all the pins being gone.
Edward snuffled slightly on the bed. His face was so peaceful when he slept. I sat there on the bed next to him and just stared at him. A sudden ache flared deep within my heart and it was painful how much I was falling deeper every day. I turned off the light and lay down beside him. I spooned up against him and breathed in his very scent.
"Happy Birthday baby. I love you." I whispered as I kissed his back. It didn't take long for sleep to overcome me as well.
EPOV
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I woke up still half dressed in my kilt from the night before. I was alone. I knew Bella had slept in the bed with me because I could still smell her scent on the pillow next to me.
I tried to roll over but stars shot out across my vision and the terrible pounding headache started right behind my eyes.
I was lying in the bed trying to decide by the taste in my mouth if I had tried to lick the bottom of a bird cage sometime in the previous evening. I heard my bedroom door open and I peeled one eyelid open long enough to see Bella carrying in a breakfast tray for me.
"All right Texas, I'm betting you've got a hangover bigger than Dallas. I've got strong hot coffee, ibuprofen, orange juice and a good greasy breakfast to soak up the remainders of alcohol that didn't manage to kill the brain cells you've got left."
I groaned as the smell of the food hit me. "Jesus. Who turned you into Betty Fucking Perky Crocker this morning?"
"Well my darling, I didn't try to corner the market on single malt whiskey and champagne last night. Besides, it was your birthday. You deserved to get soused."
I looked down at my semi state of undress. "Tell me I didn't try to have sex last night please?"
"Well you were pretty excited about getting naked but passed out before I could fully get you undressed. I didn't have the heart to take advantage of you either. I mean I may be a bit pervy but you were laying there in that kilt. It made you look like a drunken catholic school girl and I just couldn't bring myself to do it." Bella chuckled as she watched me try to cover myself.
"Where is everyone?" I asked.
"Sleeping in. Karl was nice enough to let me putter around the kitchen and fix you some breakfast. I like him Edward."
"I need to remember to pay him more for making you happy. You look beautiful this morning by the way. Remind me to try and have sex with you later after we kill the elephant doing the tango in my head."
Bella poured me some coffee. "Drink up Texas. I'm definitely going take you up on that offer."
Prince Henry? Some of you are prolly scratching your heads right now with the Scooby Doo look of "HUH?"...Henry is actually his Christian name. It was the name he was baptised with. Harry is a derivative of Henry. The proper title of the Prince is how I wrote it. Ask Edward. I googled that shit. I even stumped my Brit beta! Bwahahahahhaaha!
Reviews are like breakfast in bed...surprising and very tasty!!!