No, your eyes are not playing tricks on you...this is an update!
Thanks to Pates GreenEyes and RE Hargrave for their help on this chapter.
I've been getting a lot of new followers lately, and I'm so appreciative! I hope you all are enjoying the story. I have a fanfiction page if you'd like to join: Eternally Edward's Fanfiction
Last chapter: Edward and Bella made promises for their future. This chapter we have a bit of a time jump...you'll see.
See you below.
SM owns all.
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Chapter Fifty Two
Edward
"It's beautiful."
That's all Bella can manage when I pull into the driveway of 1213 Skyview Drive.
"Yes, you are." Grabbing her hand, I bring it to my lips and kiss the back of it. "Welcome home, Bella." Seeing the blush rise on her cheeks never gets old.
It's been a long eight months since I left Bella in Forks; eight months of planning, searching, skyping, visiting, and most of all, loving. As I'd promised her, we never said goodbye. In between working like crazy, looking for new jobs, and searching for the perfect home, we somehow managed to spend at least one weekend a month together to just enjoy each other's company. Bella surprised me in June with a thirtieth birthday party in Forks, complete with my parents, Charlie, Emmett, Ali, and the rest of the crew, save Jasper. I've heard my former best friend is quite the ladies' man lately, and yes, I'm putting that nicely.
After many long talks with Bella, and several with Jamie at the hospital, I decided to venture into private pediatric practice. Jamie, having connections, hooked me up with a number of contacts, and from them I met Dr. Benjamin Beshara. Ben was looking to expand his fast growing practice in Portland, and from the moment we met things managed to fall into place. His wife Tia and Bella have met, and the four of us have become fast friends.
Supporting my decision to work in Portland, and before her contract ran out at Westend, Bella contacted Dr. Marcus about working at the Portland branch of the clinic. Even though this was the very location that Kate had helped to orchestrate, with her current move out of the country and Lauren's job secure in Seattle, Jon was more than happy to welcome Bella back to the clinic staff.
So, jobs secure, we immediately started looking at homes in the vicinity. Bella did all she could courtesy of online virtual tours. I love technology. Once we found homes we could agree on, I would then schedule appointments and go see them in person. The house on Skyview was a hit with both of us. Just one block from Forest Park, within five miles of the the clinic and ten miles of my practice, the location was ideal. Bella was in love with the full chef's kitchen, and I loved the spacious deck and vast property beyond the yard, over an acre of prime land. It was perfect, and after three months of haggling with the sellers, it was finally ours.
Bella
"It's even more beautiful in person, and more than I could've ever hoped for!" Throwing my arms around Edward's neck, I kiss his cheek after he opens the passenger door for me.
"It is something; I think we'll be immensely happy here. C'mon, you need to take the official tour, Miss Swan." His hand finds mind, and I give it an enthusiastic squeeze.
Once we get to the entrance, Edward unlocks and opens the front door, and then scoops me up bridal style and carries me inside.
"Is this necessary, Edward?"
His smile is a mile wide. "I'm nothing if not traditional, Bella, remember?"
I want to say this practice is usually reserved for a groom carrying his bride over the threshold, but I can't bear to burst his bubble. "Ah, yes, it's all coming back to me now."
I swat his butt playfully after he sets me down, and then recall our reunion in Forks. Ever the thoughtful date, he paid for our breakfast, made hot cocoa for us, and took me on a stroll through a beautiful snow covered meadow. He's such a gentlemen, when the occasion calls for it. I smirk, recalling our sexy romp in his parent's foyer - and the close call with missing underwear.
As usual, Edward is reading my mind again. "I'll never live that underwear fiasco down. My dad says I owe him big time!"
"Mmm, well I never did find my panties. Please tell me your dad didn't find those, too?" My hand covers my eyes as if not looking at Edward will lessen the embarrassment I'm already feeling.
"Actually, no. I have those ..." he trails off.
"Guess I already knew that." I'm suddenly finished talking as I take in my surroundings
In one, slow 360 degree turn; I see our lives laid out before us. This place, this house, is full of promise, of memories waiting to be made.
The white, sleek, curving banister standing so prominent in this space catches my attention. As clear as day I can see a bronze tousled hair boy haphazardly sliding his way down, intent on making it to the bottom without adding a fresh bruise to his ever growing collection. In another flash, I see our daughter walking down the stairs to meet her prom date, her eyes full of stars for a perfect evening; all the while her anxious father fiddles with a can of pepper spray behind his back.
A small giggle escapes my lips as strong warm arms wrap around my waist and a chin rests upon my shoulder.
"Bella, baby, this is our future. From the moment I stepped through the front door, I knew this would be the last house I would need to look at." His voice is thick with emotion.
I turn in Edward's arms and run my hands through his hair, scratching his scalp as I go; the purr he emits is magnified in the large empty room.
"We will be happy here, Edward. I've never been more certain of anything." My lips find his cheek, then neck where they linger as I'm breathing in his scent. I haven't felt this secure in months, and I want this moment to last.
Edward pulls away and grabs my hand, anxious to start the grand tour. As we walk from one room to the next, the slideshow my mind is creating continues. The rooms are spacious and empty, but full of possibility. I know Ali is anxiously awaiting my call; this house is a blank canvas, just waiting to be painted and decorated. Rose has already mentioned that Ali has been bugging Edward to get inside, but Edward insisted no one was allowed in before me. Have I mentioned that I love this man?
We stop abruptly at the door to the master bedroom. The door is closed, hmm.
"Are you up to something?"
"Who, me?" Edward says after giving me his trademark smirk.
"That may as well be a yes." I grin and push past him to turn the brushed nickel knob then push the door open. Oh, he's up to something alright.
The room is dim because all the shades have been closed, effectively blocking out the late afternoon sun. At least fifty candles are flickering, their flames casting a soft glimmer around the room; the tiny dancing flecks setting the green of Edward's eyes aglow.
Unlike the rest of the house, this room is completely furnished; my breath hitches at its splendor. A king-sized, brushed-nickel canopy bed is the focal point atop plush white carpeting; matching accent tables rest on either side. The fluffy down cover on the bed is white with ice blue and lavender accents. Several coordinating pillows adorn the surface covered with beads, crystals, and smooth sequins. Both the curtains and the canopy are sheer, white, and billowing. In each of the four corners of the canopy the flowing fabric pools in an organized pile on the floor. The candles and their holders are a myriad of eclectic pieces: votives in silver cups, tall white tapers, and chunky light blue and purple pillars in clear glass holders, all staggered about and jutting out at different heights.
"Wow," I murmur in awe while I walk around the bed, running my fingers along the pillows as I go.
"Do you like it? I sort of asked Rose and Ali for their advice as far as the furniture went, but I had the final say, and I chose the color palette; I was very adamant about that." Edward shrugged.
"It's perfect, Edward. I love it – and you for doing all this." I make my way back to him and his arms open where I step into them eagerly.
"I wanted at least one welcoming room for you to come home to. I'm so glad you like it, baby." Edward smiles, no doubt feeling triumphant.
After releasing from his embrace, I take in the rest of my surroundings while Edward watches me with a proud look on his face.
The wall decor catches my attention, and like everything else, it's perfect. Nothing is flashy; it's all serene, and yet in its own way opulent. I can totally see my friends' hands in this, and make a mental note to thank them. There is, however, one rather large spot on the wall beyond the bed that is empty – clearly something is missing.
"Couldn't find the perfect picture, huh?"
"Oh, on the contrary. That, my love, is a surprise," Edward says as he approaches the bed, crouches down, and then pulls a large box out from underneath. It's a shiny white cardboard box adorned with a wide yellow bow. Sliding the box toward me, he says: "Go ahead, Bella, open it!" Excitement fills his voice.
"Okay, okay!" I slide the bow off, throw it aside, and then lift the large cover to fold back layer upon layer of fluffy white tissue. As I peel back the last sheet I'm taken aback. There are four white canvas panels; all the exact same size; all blank. I stare at Edward in question.
"Confused?" He sits, leans back against the bed, and grins at me.
"Yes, you could say that." My curiosity is definitely peaked.
"These blank canvases, Bella, will tell the story of us. Each picture will represent a different milestone in our lives. We can decide together what will go on each one," Edward finishes with a smile a mile wide.
This man confounds me. "I already have an idea for the first one; care to guess?" My eyes shift to his, they are brimming over with love.
Edward's hand finds mine and he squeezes it. "I'm guessing the bakery?"
"Precisely; although I'm not quite sure the image of the bakery will translate well to canvas."
"Ah, well, there is that – no problem, we'll let Tia worry about that."
At once my confusion starts to clear. Of course, Edward has commissioned Tia to paint the panels for us. Tia is an accomplished impressionist artist who is far too modest regarding her own talent. Ben told us one evening when we were out to dinner how he'd secretly chosen pieces from her collection andtakenthem to local art galleries, coffee houses, and private auction houses. The paintings were an instant hit and the money began pouring in. Ben was forced to tell Tia of his antics, and after a raging fight about not discussing his plans with her first, they agreed that all proceeds would be donated to local charities.
"The haze is beginning to clear." I chuckle as the last piece of the puzzle snaps easily into place. "It's a wonderful idea, baby, and I can't wait to see the finished products. Tia is on board with this?"
"She absolutely is and can't wait to start the first piece."
Again, I think to myself, this man and his thoughtfulness – I'm in awe that he is mine.
Edward Masen is finally mine.
In a heartbeat I'm crawling over to him and climb onto his lap where I find strong hands pulling me close. His warmth and his scent have me yearning for more. My eager lips find his forehead, cheek, neck, and finally his sweet lips. I pour every ounce of emotion into my kisses and they are returned with fervor. Clothes are strewn about and needy hands find welcoming skin. The familiar current always traveling between us when we touch has my body humming with need; I know Edward feels it, too.
As if he is once again reading my mind, he mumbles, "I need you, Bella." Just a faint whisper in between heated kisses and nibbles to my bottom lip.
"As I need you, Edward. I ache for you."
No more words are spoken, and it's here on the plush white carpet that we christen our room and create the first memory in our new home together.
~LTAE~
Edward
Christmas in our home could have been a small intimate affair, but no. Bella insisted we do it right and throw a party instead. I know part of the reason why; she was anxious to show off the house since she and Ali had been in full on decoration mode for the last few months.
Emmett and Rose, Colin and Ali, Ben and Tia, my parents, and Charlie and Sue all gathered around our sprawling ten foot Christmas tree after Mom and the girls cleaned up following a feast fit for an army.
Charlie had been dating Sue casually over the last few years, but surprised her on Thanksgiving by proposing while we went around the table giving thanks for our blessings over the last year. Bella's eyes filled with tears as Sue herself cried and hugged Charlie after a very enthusiastic "Yes!" I know Bella had worried that her father would never find love again after Renee. Later she'd told me she was relieved he was finally able to move on and open his heart to love.
Ali and Colin are closer than ever, and if you ask me, they'll be headed to the altar in no time.
Rose and Emmett have decided to start trying for a baby. Emmett has gone hog wild buying Tonka trucks, baseball mitts, footballs, and anything and everything pertaining to a boy. Rose just rolls her eyes and lets him be; she knows he is going to be a great dad; we all do.
The practice with Ben is flourishing, and I'm surprised at how easily I fell into private practice. Bella is happy to be back to work, the Portland office proving to be a good fit for her. Overall, things with everyone have fallen into place.
Despite that, as I hold Bella's sleeping body snug in my arms on Christmas night, something is still missing; my ring on her finger. I've agonized over this for months; not marrying Bella mind you, but the proper etiquette of it all. It's been nearly a year since my divorce with Kate was finalized. Will she feel that enough time has passed? Do I? Thank god I still have Siobhan's number on speed dial. She's been helpful getting my jumbled brain all straightened out. And Mom and Dad? Well, let's just say they are more than eager to officially welcome Bella into the family.
As the minutes turn into hours, and then the sun starts to rise, I've finally come up with a solid, and I hope, brilliant plan. This will be no ordinary proposal because Bella is no ordinary woman. She deserves the very best, and she shall have it.
Let the proposal planning begin.
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Still with me? Thoughts? I know you have them. This was a transitional chapter, but needed to set up what comes next for our happy couple. I'm so happy you're all still with me. Real life has been difficult. We are moving within a week and I'm starting two new jobs and still trying to function through a divorce. I'm not sure when the next update will be, but be assured when it is absolutely perfect I'll be posting it. For more information visit my fanfic page on Facebook.
Mwah! I love you all.
Judy
XO
