A/N Happy Graduation Day, at least for our girls. These chapters actually have a big chunk of difference, so you may want to read both, if that floats your boat! Blame FF, not me!
Words with Friends Chapter 51
"We're not telling your father today, are we?" How adorable was it that Edward was still afraid of my dad? All in all, yesterday had gone pretty well once we'd gotten past the doorway mounting incident. Emmett had earned most of his wrath, much to my eternal joy. I'd have to get him a present or something for taking the heat off my boyfriend, even when he wasn't trying to.
"God, no, are you crazy?" I asked, laughing as I sat up and took in his magnificent rumpled form next to me. Dad wasn't getting his hands on any part of my man, thank you very much. "I'll tell him that over the phone from miles and miles away. I honestly don't think he'll be that surprised, but I'd rather not risk it. Or you." I brushed his hair aside, smiling at the nerves I saw in his eyes.
Edward smiled. "Yeah, let's not risk me. As it is, when you tell him, I think I'll ask Mom to get in touch with her contacts and have his passport flagged, just in case."
He cracked me up. "He's not going to come to Germany to hunt you down." Edward's expression told me that he didn't quite believe that, the poor boy. "Well, he's not likely to. And what contacts does your mom have that flag passports?" Somehow this didn't surprise me. I had a feeling Esme Cullen could do anything she wanted.
Edward tugged on one of my curls. "With my mom, you never know, Bella. When she thought I was being kidnapped, she mentioned hitmen and the FBI. I've learned not to question such things."
That made me laugh. "Your mom's awesome." According to the clock, it was already after eight. Damn it, I'd have to get up. "But even she's not awesome enough to save us if my father shows up and finds us still in bed."
Edward moved faster than I'd ever seen him move in my life, vaulting out of the bed and grabbing his boxers all in one smooth move. It was funny and also hot as hell to see him move like that. I laughed at his sexy ass all the way to the shower. I thought he might join me but I guess all my talk of my father showing up and finding us in a compromising position backfired on me. I tried not to be disappointed about him leaving me alone. It wasn't like I hadn't had him three glorious times already. But it wasn't enough. It never was. I craved him. If I had a choice between air and Edward Cullen, Edward would win.
He wasn't in the bedroom when I returned and I laughed to myself as I got my black panties and bra set out of the drawer. I bent to pull the underwear on and nearly jumped out of my skin when I heard his voice behind me. "Are you trying to kill me?"
I laughed as I turned to face him. "No, I'm trying to get dressed so I can appear sweet and virginal when my father gets here." Not that he'd buy it, but we liked to pretend.
Edward snorted at the very idea of me being virginal so I threw my bra at him. He caught it and twirled it around his finger, smirking all the while. "You didn't sound virginal last night when you were begging me to fuck you." Damn him. That was true, though. "All I have to do is show him this thing and he'll know that you're neither of those things."
I held my hand out toward him and like the good man he was, he handed it over, though not without a sigh. "As if you'd dare show my bra to my father. Dad and I like to maintain our illusions. What he doesn't know doesn't hurt either one of us." His eyes widened and I fought the urge to kiss him. If I did it now, his shower would be delayed and we really would get caught. "Go get your shower; we have to be there by ten." I put my bra on instead of tossing it aside like I wanted to, and shimmied into the black dress I'd gotten for the occasion while he was in the shower.
I needed something to eat, so I devoured a bagel while I waited for people to emerge. I could hear signs of life in the other bedrooms. It wouldn't be long now. I went into my room to see if Edward was coming along and I pretty much almost died when I saw him standing in my bedroom wearing a suit that probably cost more than Rose's car. Jesus fucking Christ, he was beautiful.
Edward smirked at the puddle of drool that was probably making its way down my face as I stared at him. "See something you like, love?"
Like? Was he crazy? It was taking everything I had in me not to attack him. "Holy hell, my dad's going to arrest you."
His face turned pale and he started glancing around frantically. "Why?" he asked, his voice an octave higher than usual. Oops. I hadn't meant to scare him.
"It has to be illegal to look that good," I told him. I had to touch him, somewhere, so I walked over to him and straightened his already perfect tie. It was purple, in honor of my school colors. How cute was he? I just wanted to eat him up. Well, not really. Just bite him a little. And undo those perfectly fitted pants and have a go or seven at him.
Edward blew out a breath. "You scared the shit out of me, baby. That was not cool." His eyes darkened as his gaze met mine. "Bella, you need to stop looking at me like that or you're going to miss your graduation."
Who cared about graduation? Surely if anybody saw Edward, looking like this, they'd understand why it was impossible to think about anything else. "I can't help it. You're gorgeous."
He smiled and stroked my cheek with one finger. "So are you."
As if I could compare? I couldn't stand it anymore so I pulled his lips to mine using his tie. His arms tightened around me and God he smelled incredible too. Did we have somewhere to be? I really didn't care. We'd just stay here and worry about whatever we missed later.
"Break it up, you two. Mom called. They're on the way." Damn it. I glared over at Emmett who was smiling from my doorway. "You might want to calm down a bit before interrogation round two begins."
Edward released me reluctantly. "Whatever. You're in more trouble than I am." Ha! He so was.
Emmett's smile fell away. "I know. What the fuck? You're the one doing his daughter. I'm just doing the surrogate! By rights, it should be you that has the worst of it." He did have a point, but I wasn't sure how I felt about him referring to it as 'doing his daughter.' That sounded gross.
"Maybe you should have thought of that before you got arrested a billion times," Edward said, offering me a hand. I twined our fingers together and we made our way into the living room. Ali was already there, looking gorgeous in purple. Of course she had to match our gowns. Emmett's suit was black like Edward's and looked almost as good, but not quite. Nobody could top my Edward in the looks department.
"It wasn't a billion. And you better be nice to me or I won't help you out today," Emmett told him, pouting.
"What does that mean?" That was a very good question.
"I have a plan, little bro. You'll see." He grinned at his brother for a second before his attention was taken by Rose's entry. She was in a sexy as sin red dress that looked like it'd been painted on her body. "Hot damn, baby, how am I supposed to keep my hands off you when I know that you're wearing that under your robe?" Emmett demanded.
"I can help with that," my father called from the hallway. I guess they'd arrived. I chuckled as Emmett cursed under his breath and started fidgeting. "You shouldn't leave your door unlocked," he scolded as he came into the room. I smiled when I saw he was having issues with his tie. That was my father, for you. Sue smoothed it for him and he smiled, relieved.
"I unlocked it so you could come in," Alice explained, giving my father a quick hug.
"Well, alright then," he told her, patting her back. "You girls look beautiful."
"Thanks, Dad." I gave him a hug and kiss and Rose followed, shooting me one of her teasing looks as she did so again. Pervert.
"Charlie," Sue said softly, nudging him and handing him three bouquets of flowers.
"Right. Uh, I, er, we got you girls some flowers," Dad stuttered, blushing as he handed them over.
How cute was my father? "Dad." I hugged him. "Thank you, they're beautiful."
"They really are, Charlie! I'll put them in water." Alice gathered them from us and ran into the kitchen to get vases. She set them down on the coffee table, straightening each one. "Really lovely." She beamed at them.
They really were. Such cheerful colored tulips in reds, purples, pinks, yellows and oranges. I hugged Sue and thanked her as well. "Thanks. I know it was your idea."
Sue laughed lightly. "Well, he wanted to give you something but wasn't sure what, so I steered him toward flowers. It's the thought that counts, though."
"Thanks, Charlie." Rose kissed him again, making his cheeks pink up and Emmett glare, looking jealous. Edward got a kick out of that, as did I. We both laughed. "Thanks, Sue," Rose told her.
"Oh, aren't those lovely? Carlisle, look at what Charlie and Sue got the girls." Esme was in the house and had me in her arms before I truly registered that she was there. Rose and Alice got quick embraces as well. "Look how gorgeous you all are! Let me get some pictures!"
Well, that did it. There were cameras out everywhere. Dad had brought one, too, so he and Sue snapped away as did Esme and Carlisle. Then Alice's parents showed up and it started all over again. Celia Brandon was a nice woman but if she looked at my man like that one more time I might have to smack her, which probably wouldn't go over too well. Ali saw my irritation and said something to her mother, who stopped staring eventually.
It was time to go, unfortunately. We were already running late. I was a bit nervous about leaving Edward alone with my father, but I had faith that his mother would put the smack down on Dad if he got too mouthy.
"We've got to go," I told Edward. "We're supposed to be there a good hour before the thing starts. I'm going to ride over with Rose and Alice. We'll meet you here after?"
Edward smiled and I caught some nerves on his face but he just said "Sure, baby." I gave him a kiss and after a flurry of goodbyes, we got out of there.
"Do you think Charlie's going to kill our boyfriends and ask the Brandons to help him bury the bodies?" Rose asked as she steered her way over to Bartram Auditorium.
I laughed, though I was just as worried as she was. Not about death, per se, but about warnings and threats. Dad wasn't above that, I was sure. "Esme won't let him kill the boys," I assured her and myself if I was being honest.
Rose let out a laugh. "That's true! I've never seen anybody scare Charlie before, but Esme sure did. I thought he was going to try to hide from her when she started lecturing him about running makes on them." She shook her head. "Emmett was scared to fuck me too hard in case Charlie planted a bug in the living room."
"A bug?" Alice asked, snorting. "And I think the two of you made enough noise. If that was you holding back, we're going to need to soundproof your room."
Rose snickered. "I convinced him that there was no bug and once I got out my leather…"
"No!" I hollered, causing Rose to crack up.
"Fine. Well, let's just say that I managed to take his mind off the chief."
"You better have. It'd be pretty fucked up if he was thinking of him while doing you," I pointed out.
"True, true. Anyway, Em's terrified of Charlie. It's pretty fucking funny. Now I have something to hold over his head if he ever pisses me off."
No doubt she would. "I'm sure you could handle him without my father's help."
Rose nodded. "Goes without saying, but it never hurts to have a threat in reserve." She pulled into the parking lot and found us a spot that wasn't too much of a hike. We got out of the car and pulled on our robes over our dresses, figuring it was easier than doing it in the crush of bodies inside.
"Not a bad crowd," Alice murmured as she studied the students streaming into the building.
"I wish this thing was the stadium instead," Rose muttered. "It'd probably be better for the boys if they could just sit way the hell away from the action."
"Do you think it's going to be bad?" I worried, biting my lip as we headed toward the building. "Maybe I should tell him not to come."
Rose laughed. "I think he's going to get noticed, yes. But Emmett has a plan, something about screaming for random Cullens and Collins', pretending they're here for a cousin. It might work. Will Edward get approached? Probably, but better for him to be in the mass of parents and families than the student body, don't you think? He can beat off the cougars, or Mama Cullen and Charlie can."
Oh Lord, cougars. "You think Dad would help him out?"
Rose smirked. "If he wasn't dating you, probably not. But since he loves his daughter, he's damn well going to make sure no bitches try to feel up your guy. I have no doubt of that."
That was likely true. I felt a little better about it as we got inside. "Looks like we part here," Alice said. She hugged me and then Rose. "Just a few hours from now we'll be graduates! I just wanted to say that these four years have been the best time of my entire life." Her gray eyes swam with tears. "I know things are changing but I know that no matter what direction we all head, we're going to be friends forever."
I laughed as I hugged her again. "You do remember we're going to Europe together tomorrow, right? So we're heading in the exact same direction right now."
"You know what I mean," she giggled. "I've got a real job starting this fall. You're headed for Hollywood…" my jaw dropped as she giggled. "What? You think we're idiots? I don't know when you're going, but I know you are. You've bought into this the one business hook, line and sinker and I'm happy for you. Rose and Emmett are going to be together here or there, too. I just want you to know that I love you and no matter where in the world any of us are, we'll always be friends."
"The best," I told her.
Rose hugged us both. "You can count on that. Occasionally I'll need to call you in to slap Emmett around when I'm off my game or tired. I fully expect you to keep him in line."
Alice giggled. "I can do that."
"Better than anybody this side of me or his Mom," Rose agreed. "Now let's graduate. I'm ready to blow this joint."
With that, we went our separate ways, heading toward our respective schools meeting area. I had the fortune, or misfortune depending on how you looked at it, to be seated right next to Jess. "Bout time you showed, bitch! What are we doing tonight? You hitting Sig Ep?"
Right. I was never hitting that place again. "Uh, no, not so much. Our families are here so we'll probably do dinner and spend some time with them."
"Family? Whatever, they're in bed by nine. We're graduates. One last blowout before we hit the world of adulthood. You've gotta be there, Bella. One more night of drunken frat boys, fending off Newton, watching Rose make grown men cry, Alice and Jared fighting and then fucking…it'll be major."
Majorly annoying. "I don't think so, Jess. We're taking off early tomorrow and need to be functional."
"I still can't believe you bitches are going to Europe without me," she sulked. "How in the hell are you swinging that?"
Thank God for Rose's disinterested parents. "Rose's father is footing the bill."
Jess sniffed. "It's the least he could do after they blew off graduation. Who does that? My parents are annoying as hell but they're here. Mom totally had some work done, too. Boobs and nose. And what did they give me for graduation? A fucking pen set." She scrunched up her face. "I'd like to use my pen to pop her new tits."
"Jess!" Jeez.
"What? She could have at least gotten me an appointment for new boobs or something too. I need to get a job."
I rolled my eyes. "I hardly think the size of your boobs is going to help you get a teaching position."
"A lot you know, Bella," she muttered. I wondered idly if a couple years from now I'd see Jessica on the news for sleeping with one of her students for real. It was one thing to role play with Edward, but another entirely to do it in real life. I wouldn't put it past her, though, if the kid was hot enough.
She had her nose buried in her phone. "What are you doing?" I asked.
"Tweeting. We're all using hashtag UDubgrad to try to figure out where everybody is and what the non-boring people are going to be doing tonight." From her tone, I guessed I was one of the boring. If she only knew what, or more importantly, who I'd be doing tonight. "Hey, look, Bella, there's your boyfriend."
My eyes immediately flew around, looking for Edward. Had he come down? Didn't he know how dangerous that was? "What? Where?"
"Right there." Jess pointed blatantly at Todd and I glared at her.
"Really? That again. I already told you that Todd is not my boyfriend."
"Well, you won't tell me who is, so I'm left to assume that I'm right. Is he why you're blowing me off tonight? You know Ang and Ben are even going out tonight and they're practically an old married couple already."
"Well, good, you have someone to hang with," I supplied.
"Boring people! Boring old married people. The least you can do is…" she broke off with a scream that pierced my ears.
"Jesus Christ, what are you yelling about?" I demanded.
"Oh my God. Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God. I can't breathe. He's here! How is it possible?" My heart started to pound. There was no question who he was. But I had a role to play. Being with Edward had taught me that I wasn't so bad at this acting thing, at least when it came to sex. Let's see if I could pull it out in a non-sexual scenario.
"Who is he? Why are you freaking out?" She really was, too. Her face was bright red and I was afraid she was about to take off to go look for him. If she did, I was taking the bitch down.
"Edward Cullen is at our fucking graduation! Oh my God!" She started patting at her hair. "Do I look okay? He's going to see me and I'm wearing this ridiculous thing. Maybe I should whip it off and just walk across the stage in my dress. Or better yet, naked."
Dear Lord. "While that would certainly be memorable, I don't think your parents would appreciate it. Nor would mine. My father might arrest you."
"Who cares? I'd crawl through broken glass for that man! Fuck graduation, I need to go find him now."
"Jess, how do you know he's even really here? Just because somebody tweeted it? People lie on Twitter all the time."
"Duh, she tweeted a picture." She held her phone out and sure enough, there was a picture of my Edward looking beyond gorgeous in his suit and sunglasses. I smiled. It was cute that he was wearing his shades inside. Very Hollywood.
I handed Jess her phone. "Well, it definitely looks like him."
"How can you be so calm?" she demanded. "You're nearly as in love with him as I am." That made my eyes narrow and fists clench. First of all, she didn't love him. She didn't know him. Second of all, nobody would ever love him as much as I did. Fuck that.
She was right, though. In a different world in which Edward Cullen was not the love of my life, and I his, I would be freaking out about him being here. So it was time to call on my acting skills and show some enthusiasm. "Of course I'm excited. He's in the same building as we are! I can't believe it!"
Jess's suspicious gaze diminished some at my fake reaction to the news. "So, what are we going to do about this? There's no way I'm letting Edward Cullen get out of Seattle without at least meeting him. Preferably while we're both naked. He must be staying at a hotel, right?" She started typing on her phone. "I'll find out the hotel and we'll stake it out!"
"Did you say Edward Cullen was at our graduation?" a girl in front of us asked. Jess started chattering with her and several other people as they tried to guess why he was here and where they could find him. One girl suggested that he might be our special speaker. Ha! If only.
Oh, jeez. I slipped out my own phone and fired off a text to Edward.
You've been outed. Everybody in my area is talking about the fact that Edward Cullen is at our graduation. Some think you're our guest speaker, which would be way cooler than the governor.
"So, he's obviously only going to stay at a fancy hotel." Ha, try a college kid's apartment. It's a nice apartment, but not quite The Four Seasons. I didn't think he had any complaints about his accommodations, however. "Damn it, there are nineteen five star hotels in Seattle! How am I supposed to be at all of them?" She was scowling at her phone. "I know, I'll call and ask for him!"
Lord. "I highly doubt he registers under his own name," I muttered.
"Damn it, Bella, I'm at least being proactive. What are you doing?"
My phone beeped and I fought a smile. Texting the very guy you're searching for, Jess. Should I say hi for you? No, I don't think so.
Word travels fast, doesn't it, baby? Em's having a fine time annoying your father and I'm trying not to focus on all the cameras aimed my way.
I smiled, wondering what Emmett was doing to piss Dad off. "I'm telling Rose about Edward being here." Well, I would be, in a moment.
"Good. She can use her hotness to our advantage. We'll have her bribe the hotel clerks with sex," Jess decided. She was such an idiot.
I'm glad Emmett can keep you all entertained. Who cares what words they use; it's all about ours, Edward. I love you and I'll show you how much in a few hours.
Next I messaged Rose.
The cat's out of the bag. Apparently our graduation is being tweeted and they've got pics of Edward already. Jess is plotting hotel stakeouts and you using your feminine wiles to help us locate Edward.
"What do you mean you can't release the names of your guests?" Jessica demanded into the phone. Oh, hell, I'd told her they wouldn't.
"What are you doing?" I whispered. She waved me off impatiently.
"I'm a citizen and I have a right to know if he's there." She waited. "Well what can you tell me?" An angry huff at whatever response she had. "No, I don't want a room. I only want a room if Edward Cullen is staying there, and then I want his room!" She was yelling at this point.
"Jess, calm down."
"He hung up on me," she stated, looking stunned. "How dare he?"
"Uh, well, considering you were yelling at him and weren't taking a room, of course he did. I told you they weren't going to give out the name of their guests."
"Damn it." She punched in another number. "Hi, I'm looking for Edward Cullen's room."
I shook my head as another text came in.
While my wiles could lure just about any man, we both know the only ones that will work on Edward are yours. And if that ho thinks I'm flashing my tits at bellhops, she's got another think coming!
I snickered as I imagined the look on Rose's face at that suggestion. "Rose says she's not flashing tit, even for Edward Cullen."
"Ugh! Well, fine, we'll use our own. Two pairs of tits." Jess tried to peer down my robe and I pushed her away. "I think you've got good tits, right?"
Lord. "Not as good as your mother's apparently," I responded.
"Damn her," Jess cursed. "Okay, according to this he's in the north quadrant about twenty rows up. Where in the hell is the north quadrant?"
Like I knew? "I have no idea." I opened Twitter on my own phone and pulled up the graduation hashtag. It was all about Edward and Emmett. I snickered as I took a picture of one tweet and forwarded it to Rose.
That Emmett Cullen is nearly as sexy as his brother is. I wouldn't mind taking him for a test drive. As a stuntman, he probably has excellent reflexes and stamina.
I knew it wouldn't take long and I wasn't surprised when I had a text a minute later.
Who the fuck is EClover27? And is that E for Edward or Emmett? Either way, that bitch is going down. I'm going to find a computer science grad and get him to trace her. Nobody test drives my man!
At least she could make me laugh. I closed out of twitter after reading several tweets about how hot and lickable Edward was. Yes, he was both of those things, but only lickable by me, thank you very much.
"Places, everyone, it's time!" someone hollered. My phone buzzed again.
I love your words, and I love you. I can't wait to see you walk across that stage, baby.
That's right. He's here for me. You all can look, but he's not looking back. He's mine. I set my phone to silent and shoved it back in my pocket. We marched in and took our seats as Pomp and Circumstance played over and over. I tried to look for Edward, but of course couldn't see him. Jess practically tripped over her robe she was so busy craning her neck this way and that. "Is that him? Is that?" she kept asking.
"Shut up, Jess. Now is not the time."
She scowled but took her seat next to me and kept looking around. "Damn it, why couldn't he be in the front row?"
Uh, maybe because he doesn't want to be stampeded by horny college girls? "I don't know, Jess."
"North is that way, right?" I shrugged. North was any direction depending on where you looked. I had no idea how they designed the building. "You're totally not helping, Bella. You suck."
I tuned her out then and listened as the Dean started welcoming us and talking about what a grand occasion it was. My mind wandered to what Edward was doing, how it was going with my father and whether or not he'd been attacked by rabid fangirls. I would probably have heard about that if it happened, so I was holding out hope that he was okay.
It took awhile but finally they started calling us regular joe schmoes up, after they did the doctorate students and whatnot. They got through the initial Arts & Sciences people and then hit Biochemists. "David Cullen" got called and I heard a loud shout from somewhere to my left. That could only be one person. Emmett had found his relative, clearly. I checked out David and hid a smile when I saw that he appeared to be Asian. Well, he could be a relative, I suppose.
"Oh my God, do you think that's who they're here for? It came from that way!" Jess exclaimed, pointing to the left. "Damn it, I should have brought binoculars."
I laughed at her stupid ass. "And why would a graduate bring binoculars? The people in the stands are supposed to do that."
"Because if I had them, we could find Edward Cullen, Bella," she told me, like I was the ridiculous one. "I cannot believe that you aren't more excited about this. Graduation has turned you into an old person."
Right, fake enthusiasm. "I have not! I want to see him, too. I'm just thinking more rationally than you are! We can't just launch ourselves into the stands and grab him."
"Speak for yourself," Jess grumped. I glared at her. "Alright, you're right. So, think and come up with a viable plan. That or make Rose come with us to find him."
I sighed. "I can't go anywhere. We're all going to dinner with my father."
"You can see your dad any old time, Bella. You can only see Edward Cullen this once."
It took everything I had not to laugh. Try every single day for the rest of my life, Jessica. "It's a big deal to him, Jess. He didn't go to college and he wants to celebrate. I can't do anything tonight."
"After. You call me and we'll go hunt him down."
At this point, it was just easier to agree with her. "Fine. I'll call you." Except that I won't because I'll be busy making love to the very man you want to look for. But if it will get you off my back for five minutes, I'll fucking lie like a rug.
"Good." At long last, they started calling English majors to the stage. We formed a line and waited as we were called one by one. Jess was swaying back and forth trying to see Edward in the crowd. "Where is he? Why can't I see him?"
"Jess, they're about to call your name. Focus on not falling on the stage. I don't think that's the impression you want to make on Edward, do you?"
Her eyes widened in horror. "Oh my God, no! What if I fall? He'll think I'm clumsy. Or maybe he'll come out of the stands and give me mouth to mouth." I was going to do something to her mouth and it wasn't kiss it, let me tell you.
"Keep dreaming, Jess." Then they called her name and she managed to walk across the stage without falling or removing her clothes and yelling for Edward to come take her on the stage. Had she done that, I would have been forced to stab her with the pointy end of my cap.
"Isabella Swan." My turn. I walked across the stage and heard cheering from the direction it had come from before for "David Cullen." Hopefully Jess was too busy to notice.
"Way to go, Charlie's daughter! We're all here for you." Yep, there was Emmett. Loud as ever. But I smiled over at them. I couldn't make out faces but I could see the arms waving and knew that's where my family was. All of them, including my Edward.
I took my seat and smiled at Jessica. "Congratulations."
"Yeah, to you, too," she murmured. Her face was buried in her phone again. I guess she'd been without it long enough. "Yeah, it says they cheered for that David guy. Do you think we can sneak out and go find him now?"
God, she had a one track mind. "No, I think that we're stuck here until graduation is over. Besides, if they came for that guy, they probably left right after so they could avoid crazies like us." I included myself, though I was hardly on her level, even before I met Edward. Well, maybe I was a little then. Everything had changed now.
"God, I hope not. What if he leaves town today?" Then she was back to reading tweets. "Aww, how sweet. Edward's chatting with some older guy in front of him about his movies. See, he'd like it if two hot girls approached him." Only one. I'm all he wants. I just made some appreciative noises every time she gave me an Edward update or showed me a picture. He did look amazing. And he was sitting next to my father. Fortunately he didn't look upset or pissed off. Thank God. And I was glad Jess had never met my Dad or she'd be all up on me right about now.
It took forever before they got to the med students and I perked up when I heard Rose's name called. Sure enough, there was more cheering from our section and I was pretty sure I heard Emmett yell "hot." From Rose's smirk, I could tell she had as well. Alice came up not too much later and got the same rousing yells. I knew they were going to leave right after, so I breathed a sigh of relief and hoped they got out without incident.
"Damn, you guys have a group out there, don't you?"
I shrugged and lied some more. "Ali's parents are full of energy. Does that surprise you?"
Jess laughed. "No, I suppose not. Will this thing ever end? I'm supposed to meet my parents outside but I'm totally going to look for Edward first. Are you coming?"
I shook my head. "No, Dad would put out an APB if I don't meet up with him right away."
"Fine. Be a stick in the mud. But you be ready to hunt tonight, Bella. I mean it."
"I will be," I lied. I'd already bagged and tagged my man. No hunting necessary.
Xoxoxoxoxox
"God, that was the longest fucking day ever," Rose complained as we piled into the car.
"Hey, at least you didn't have Jessica talking about your boyfriend the entire fucking time," I muttered, yanking off my gown. "I was this close to punching her."
"Now that I would have paid to see. Did you hear them yelling for us?"
Alice snickered. "Of course. Emmett's the loudest person in the world. But it was kinda cool."
"It was. I'm just glad Jess didn't realize that our group was the same group that yelled for David Cullen earlier."
Rose laughed. "Emmett had to be so thrilled when he heard that name called. He was excited to make a spectacle of himself."
"Of course he was," Alice pointed out. "That's Emmett in a nutshell."
"Yeah, but it worked, I hope. Twitter was full of shit about their cousin," I told them.
"That's good," Ali said.
Rose pulled up at home and we hurried out of the car. I ran right to Edward, throwing my arms around him after I saw that he looked safe and whole.
Edward kissed me thoroughly before pulling back and smiling at me. "Congrats, baby."
"Thank you! God, I'm so glad to be done with it. If I had to listen to Jessica talk about you for one more minute, her eye would have matched her robe." And her mouth would be bleeding and her nose would be broken and normally I was not a violent person.
Edward laughed. "Is that so? I love when you get tough." He bent to my ear and whispered, "It's sexy."
I laughed and gave him another kiss, then turned and hugged my father, Sue, and the Cullens.
"I got reservations at Max's for an hour from now," Dad told us. He looked at Edward and me. "I'm not sure what you want to do but I made enough for all of us. I know Bella's always wanted to eat there so…"
I did, but not at the expense of my boyfriend's privacy. We needed to talk it over. "Give us a second, Dad." I pulled Edward into my room and threw my robe onto my dresser. "I'm cool with just staying in and ordering if you want."
Edward frowned. "You're not spending your graduation night eating takeout in your apartment, hiding out with me. I can stay here…" He broke off when he saw my expression. There was no way that I was going to go some fancy dinner while my boyfriend hid out in my bedroom eating a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. That was not the kind of celebration I had in mind. "Or I can go with you," he suggested.
That was unexpected. "But, people will see you."
"People already have. It's not about me being seen, it's about you being seen with me. I don't want you to get harassed while you're trying to sightsee, Bella."
I wasn't worried about that. I just didn't want him to be crowded and bothered. "I don't care about that."
Edward smiled at me. "I want to celebrate with you, Bella. And you've always wanted to eat at this place?"
Oh Lord. I kind of already had, though it had been an abbreviated visit and I'd barely touched any food. "Well, I've sort of been there once before, but I didn't really eat." Edward cocked an eyebrow and waited. "That's where Colin took me the night that I met you," I admitted.
He frowned for a second before smirking. "It's time you ate there with the right guy, then, isn't it?"
Really? I wanted to go, badly, but not at Edward's expense. "If you're sure."
"I'm sure, baby."
We were going out. Edward and I were going out somewhere for the first time. I really kind of loved it, even if it was treading on dangerous ground. "It'll be our first public date," I pointed out, unable to contain my smile.
Edward brought my hand to his lips and I nearly swooned at the look in his eyes. So fucking sexy. "May I escort you to dinner, Ms. Swan?"
"Certainly, Mr. Cullen." I kissed him and felt his fingers tighten on mine as his lips moved with mine. God, I wanted him. "And I have some news for you," I whispered as I pressed against him, wishing we were alone so I could start my private celebration.
"What would that be?" he asked, his voice rough and sexy with desire.
"I'm a sure thing." His jaw dropped comically at that news and I touched his cheek before heading back to where our families awaited us. I was going to rock Edward's world tonight, to thank him for being here and risking his anonymity for me this way. It meant more to me than I could say, so I'd show him instead.
A/N Who wants to stab Jess? haha I know, she was obnoxious but she always has been so no shocker there. At least Bella wasn't forced to tackle her to keep her from running into the crowd to find Edward, right? Dinner is next, a very public dinner! We'll see what happens!
Words/Scramblers this week are Canelle21 & Bethofjoy.
Obviously, as expected, Wednesday won big as the update day, so see you in a week! Thanks!
