Penname: Babette12
Original or Derivative (fanfiction): DERIVATIVE
Rating/Warning(s)/Note(s): M, Chapstick Chronicles
Disclaimer: All copyrights, trademarked items, or recognizable characters, plots, etc. mentioned herein belong to their respective owners. No copying or reproduction of this work is permitted without their express written authorization.
Prompt: Bathtub

I had to report to the school a month before the students started classes, which was a week prior to Edward beginning his own studies in medical school, so we decided to make our move across country at the beginning of July. It seemed like such a good idea at the time. Boy, where we wrong.

This isn't to say the beaches in Barbados weren't hot, they were, and for more reasons than just the sun, I mused. At least there we had the ocean breezes to cool us, not to mention the ocean itself. Even if the water was warm it was cooler than the air and offered relief.

But now, here we were, in Boston, in July, melting in the heat and humidity as we unpacked the moving van into our new townhouse not far from Harvard's campus. I was very grateful to my new neighbors who came to help us as soon as they saw the van pull up. They were an attractive African-American couple, and we were quite pleased to find out that the husband, John, would be attending school with Edward, just starting out as well. The wife, Dawn, was a music teacher at the school I worked at, having gotten her masters recently. We all laughed at how fortuitous it was that we were neighbors, and Edward and I could tell we would be fast friends.

We had only brought one car, Edward assuming he could easily take the bus up to campus for his classes, leaving it for me to drive to work. Although, when we were putting things into the garage he did mention that it was plenty big to hold a second one. I pointed out to him that our neighbors also only had one car, and we could probably car pool with them. The pout on his face was so adorable I simply had to kiss him, regardless of the sweat pouring off of us. When John walked in carrying another box he laughed and asked how long we had been married. He didn't seem surprised that we measured it in weeks.

When I started putting boxes into the various rooms of the house I instantly missed Alice. The thought of having to unpack everything myself was a bit overwhelming, regardless of the fact that we barely owned enough furniture to seat us both or enough dishes to eat off of. The walls seemed so sterile and boring, white against the tan carpeting that was the universal neutral of all apartments. At least we had been able to afford to buy the place, thanks to my job, so painting could happen.

Once the van was finally unloaded I walked into the various rooms, taking note of where simple things like switches and plugs were located. The electricity was due to be turned on in the morning, but until then we would have to unpack as much as we could during daylight hours and swelter in the heat on our mattress tonight. Thankfully Dawn and John had invited us over for dinner, once they found out we had no electricity, so we wouldn't have to worry about that. Thoughts of what I would want where started to come to my mind, mental pictures of how to turn this spartan house into a home.

The last room I walked into was the master bedroom. John was just standing up from helping Edward put the bed together while Edward was letting out a groan and falling across the bare mattress. There were still boxes everywhere, but all I wanted to do was join Edward on the bed and take a nap. It was then I heard Dawn call out happily, "Bella, I found the linens!"

She came around the corner carrying a box that had our two changes of sheets for the bed, as well as our four sets of towels. 'A set to use and a set to wash,' Esme had said, explaining why we had to at least have that many. "Now you get Edward up off that bed, and don't let him back in until you've cleaned up! Trust me, knowing you have a place ready to sleep in will make unpacking a bit less stressful," she explained as she pulled out one of the sets.

Edward groaned and rolled off the mattress, John helping him to get up, before he went to the box and grabbed out two sets of towels to hang in the bathroom while Dawn and I made the bed. She was right, as soon as that was done I felt instantly better. They then left us to unpack, admonishing us to not worry about washing up before we came over for dinner, laughing that we would be eating on the back patio. As they gave us a parting wave I again thanked my lucky stars to have good neighbors.

Edward and I then spent the rest of the afternoon going through the boxes. Anything we wouldn't need in the next couple weeks was placed to the side as we focused on the immediate needs. I worked mostly in the kitchen while Edward hooked up the computers in the office and the super small home theater system. By the time we were expected for dinner we were both thrilled to put things down and go next door, washing off our faces and arms to be at least that clean from the dirt and dust.

The meal was wonderful, spiced with hunger and new-found friendship. Dawn and I made plans to hit the markets the next day so that we would have food while John and Edward talked about the upcoming semester and comparing schedules for studying together. By the time the sun had set I was full, happy, and ready for bed. But first I wanted a nice cool bath.

We excused ourselves and Edward led me up the stairs to our room. He started digging through boxes of our clothes to find us something lightweight to wear to bed in the heavy, sultry summer air. I just walked straight to the bathroom, peeling off my clothes and letting them fall wherever they landed. I would worry about picking them up in the morning. By the time I got to the bathtub I was completely nude. I started digging through the boxes in there, pulling out my favorite shampoo, conditioner and body wash, along with Edward's, and arranged them around the giant tub while it filled with lukewarm water. A small capful of bubble bath was added, just enough to scent the water, filling the room with the smell of lavender and vanilla.

I felt two strong arms come around my waist, followed immediately by Edward's naked body as he whispered in my ear, "Mind if I join you?"

I placed my hands over his, hugging his arms close as I pushed my hips back on his as I replied, "I was hoping you would offer." He helped me into the tub, following right behind and settling down before situating me between his legs. One of the reasons we selected this particular place to live was this tub, since it was big enough to probably hold at least four people, giving just us two plenty of room to relax and enjoy it. Dawn had whispered to me the level I should let the water get to before shutting it off. She explained if I let it go any higher it might flood the floor and laughing that cleaning that up was the last thing we would want to do when we were finished being in here together.

For a moment we just lay wrapped up in each other in the water, the full moon giving just enough light through the high window to see what we were doing. I wasn't sure I would have turned on the lights if we could, since it was so nice to just lay here with him like this. It reminded me of our evening skinny-dipping on our honeymoon.

When Edward was sufficiently rested, or sufficiently bored, I didn't know which, he grabbed a cup I hadn't seen him bring in with him. Filling it with water he tilted my head back and began to run it through my hair. I couldn't help the moan that escaped my lips at how nice that felt. It seemed as if all my sweat and dirt was being carried away. Once it was thoroughly wetted he grabbed my bottle of shampoo and began working the soap into my hair, massaging my scalp, making me groan with pleasure at the feeling of his fingers.

"Bella, if you keep that up then I won't be able to rinse your hair before I have to take you. Your moaning is driving me wild," he whispered in a low, growling voice, causing all the nerve endings in my body to immediately become alert. When he was finished with my hair he started washing my body gently, ignoring the puff in order to use his fingers to work the knots out of my tired muscles. It was heavenly. My body couldn't decide between being ultimately relaxed or taunt and burning with desire.

The conflicting feelings worked me into such a state that as soon as he touched my breasts I began to lose it. I needed him. Now. I tried to turn in the tub, but he held me still. "Be patient, my love," he whispered seductively, leaving one hand on my breast as the other traveled to my sex. With only a couple strokes I came undone, moaning loudly as I grabbed hold of his arms and pushed my body backwards, flush with his. If I had thought I needed him before it was nothing compared to how I felt now.

He turned me quickly, allowing me to straddle him as I took him inside of myself. Both of us groaned at our connection, my orgasm renewing, one quickly following on the heels of another, as I felt him moving hard within me. It didn't take long for him to reach his release, his arms holding me tight against his body as he shuddered in my arms and terms of endearment fell from his lips.

I collapsed on top of him, burrowing my nose into his neck, feeling very relaxed and sated as he held me close. Neither of us spoke for a while but merely enjoyed the cool water as it drained the heat from our over-warm bodies.

I was close to sleep when he nudged me, encouraging me to get up and get dressed while he washed himself. I was too tired to speak, so with his help I stood and climbed from the tub. I couldn't help but sneak a peek as he bathed, enjoying the sight of the suds cascading in rivulets down his toned body. I looked up at his face and saw that he was smirking, knowing what I was doing. I just gave him the same look back, knowing he had watched me towel off.

I took one look at my pajamas and decided to forgo them in the heat and only put on my panties. I just placed them by the bed if I needed to get up and dress in a hurry before falling onto the mattress and pulling just the sheet over me. I was nearly asleep when I felt the mattress move, indicating that Edward had joined me. I felt his hand reach out and clasp mine as he whispered he loved me. I told him the same and fell into a sound sleep.

I was thinking while writing this that you just don't see that many minorities portrayed in a positive light in Twilight fanfiction. The only one I hear about is Laurant, and he's not that good of a person. So, I brought in John and Dawn. I hope MusicJunkie forgives me for stealing her name and occupation. It was done in love and respect, not to mention laziness on my part.

As always, please review!