Eight
I glare at my closet, ruffling through dresses.
"Wear something blue," Alice says down the phone.
I'd called her this morning during my lunch break unloading on her. Telling her the news she knew was always coming. That her brother and I had finally given in and fucked. Only I told her the version that wouldn't make her grossed out.
"It's not a date. I don't need to go that hard," I defend.
"Bella. It's a fucking date," she laughs, "wear something hot. Show him you're still that sexy beast. You birthed his babies, you're hot shit. I don't care what you say. You shrink away from his world of CEO and corporate but you're literally better than anything he could find in that world."
"Alice please," I sigh defeated.
"No. You get into something tight and sexy," she demands, "what about that dress you wore to Rosalie's dinner party last month?"
"The black one?" I find the one she means and tug it out.
It was a cute dress. It was long with a high slight to my upper thigh, it had spaghetti straps and did wonders for my chest. The little black dress that could.
"It might be too sexy," I say.
"Then it's perfect," she laughs, "trust me. Just wear that."
"How do I do my hair?" I ask.
"Down and curls," she answers, "light makeup."
"I wish you could come dress me," I sigh.
"I would if I didn't have mr baby Jye drinking my boobs dry," she laughs.
"Try doing it with two," I laugh, "and all alone. At least you have Jasper."
"I know! You're right. I shouldn't complain," she sighs, "I'll bring him around so the kids get to see him again."
"I want to have a cuddle," I laugh, "stuff the kids."
"It's almost 6:30! Get ready," she says, "stop chatting to me as an out. Your self sabotage ends here, babes."
She hangs up before texting me.
'Send me a pic when you're ready so I can okay it' - A
Hurriedly I raced to get ready, only needing to apply lipstick when the doorbell rings.
"Sorry Alice," I mutter to myself, "no photo for you."
I race down the stairs careful not to fall in my heels. I pull open the door and shiver from his sexy chill. He wore all black too. A suit with a black undershirt. A thin black tie. He looked sensational.
"Wow," he stares down at me in shock, "you… wow."
I felt desired under his stare. And I kind of loved it. Being a momma to two kids didn't leave much time for sex appeal. But this dress and his eyes on this dress made me feel it all.
"I'm almost ready," I say, "come in."
"You're not done? Jesus if this is half way I don't think I can withstand the finished product," he laughs.
"I'm just missing lip gloss," I nudge his arm, "how'd the kids go?"
"Good. Carlisle was building a train set for them when I got there. Should keep them busy for hours," he runs a hand through his hair watching me with intense eyes.
"Oh that's sweet," I say, "they love spending time with Carlisle."
"They enjoy having little ones to spoil again. Jye will be joining them before we know it," Edward says.
"How's being an uncle?" I grin at him as I grab my coat from the closet by the door, snatching up my purse.
"Like being a dad but with less fear of killing them," he laughs.
"They are sort of like goldfish," I wink at him, "only they talk."
"God do they ever. We had to have a massive lecture about why it's fine to cook with rats on your head like in ratatouille last night," Edward smiles to himself fondly, "Gage is persistent isn't he?"
"They both are. They get it from you," I pull out my gloss from my purse, running it over my lips while I look into the hallway mirror.
"You look sensational," he looks me up and down again, "absolutely sensational. Are you ready?"
"I am," I smile, "where are you taking me again?"
"Oh just this thing," he shrugs, "you'll have to see."
"Sounds like a date to me," I step past him and out the door when he pulls it open.
"Never," he grins, "just two kid free parents hanging out."
Small talk accompanied our trip. He asked me about work, I asked him about his upcoming trip. In a few weeks he would be headed to Paris to inspect a newly opened hotel. He did this. Travelled around the world to check in on chains for his father. He planned new openings and revamped underperforming hotels.
"France would be incredible," I grin at him, "bring me back macarons."
"Deal," his hand moves from the wheel to take mine, "I'll bring you back whatever you want."
He squeezes my hand in his smile, pleased with himself. I watch the road curiously as he pulls into a parking garage. Seattle was busy tonight. Loud with the hustle and bustle of a Friday night.
I let him lead me out of the car, squeezing me close to his side as we walked. Letting myself fall into the moment.
"Where are we?" He leads me into an elevator pushing a button to a higher floor.
"If the kids get their persistence from me they get impatience from you," he kisses my head smirking, "just wait. I promise it's worth it."
It always is worth it.
When the doors open we step out into a large foyer. With each step I grow more anxious, desperate for the cat to be let out of the bag.
Rows of empty chairs lead up to a tall stage, I smile at him confused. What on earth?
He doesn't glance at me as he motions for me to follow through to the first row from the front. He flips down the cushion seat and sits in the centre.
"Are we the first to arrive?" I ask sitting beside him.
His hand darts out to take my leg, slipping under the slit of my dress to trace a pattern on my thigh.
"Something like that," he smiles, "just wait."
Suddenly the curtains begin to open, so I try my best to relax. A man walks to the front of the stage smiling at us. I recognised him immediately.
"Holy fuck," I whisper covering my mouth in shock, "is that…"
He remembered? How the fuck did he remember?
Holding a guitar, strapped over his shoulder, music begins to play. Edward squeezes my thigh watching the performance.
He remembered not only our song.
But he'd brought our old song to life in the most shocking way.
"John Mayer?" I turn to look at him, tears pooling at my eyes.
Edward presses a finger to his lips motioning with his eyes to watch.
Surely enough John fucking Mayer begins to play the song I've had imprinted on my heart since meeting Edward.
I'm truly free fallin'
I'd never been this close to someone famous. Yet here I was watching one serenade me beside the man I'd loved for years. The love I'd reflected on every time I heard these chords and this melody.
When the song ends Edward's clapping is the only thing that reminds me to do the same. So I clap too, in complete awe.
"Evening," John grins, "I'm John Mayer. The Cullens have long offered up their hotels across the world when I tour. Always making every request feel easy. Edward told me he had a special girl while I was visiting town and he wanted to treat her and I couldn't say no."
"Shit," I whisper into my hand, "this can't be real."
"She's stunning, Edward," the star winks at the father to my children, "let me play another few songs and I'll get out of your hair."
John Mayer strums a few times before sparking up another song. Mouthing along the words I watch starstruck.
Edward stands and turns to me, holding out his hand.
"Dance with me?" He asks.
I want to rebel. This is way too much. But there's something in his eyes that's impossible to refuse. So I let myself fall victim to it and nod.
Taking his hand he pulls me up and against his chest. One hand sits gently on the low of my back, his other cups my hand at our sides as he sways us.
My eyes flicker back and forth between his face and the stage.
"You were going to bring Jasper to this?" I ask.
"So maybe I lied," he smirks, "but it's definitely not a date."
Usually I hate dancing. But when he lifts our arms, he guides me into a twirl it feels like floating.
The music fades into a new song and I feel a shaky breath escape as he leans down to press a gentle kiss to my lips.
When he pulls back he rests his forehead against mine as we sway.
"You're so important to me," he whispers, "you are my world. You've given me so many things to be thankful for. Memories, love, children. Every single day I watch them grow and learn. The best part is they're just like you."
I lean in to press my head against his chest so I can let a few tears fall without John Mayer noticing. This was so incredibly special. It was like before. Only better. Because now we had so much more. We were richer. It had nothing to do with wealth.
When the music stops Edward stills turning to clap for him. I wipe the last of my tears with the back of my hand and clap too.
I expect him to exit the stage but instead he walks to the edge, holding his hand out for Edward to shake.
"Thanks man," Edward says.
"Of course. It's lovely to see the woman who has my man all tied up," John Mayer winks at me.
"I'm a huge fan," I choke out.
"Would you like a picture?" Edward motions to John.
"Like hell I would," I nod, "wait till my mother hears about it. I'll need proof."
Both the men laugh. My heart soaring for not only making John Mayer think I'm funny, but Edward too.
John heads to the side of the stage to walk down a small set of stairs before he races toward me. Edward takes my phone, taking a few pictures of us.
"Thank you," I grin, "this is just incredible."
"You're very welcome. Enjoy the rest of your night," he nods at us.
Once he's gone I turn back to Edward and smack his arm.
"You are joking me," I gasp out in excitement, "John fucking Mayer."
"I know," he smiles, "I've built up quite the clientele."
"He's so tall in person," I say.
"Wait. You're not ditching me for him?" He takes my hand motioning me toward the exit.
"Well this isn't a date," I smile as we take the stairs to the back of the auditorium.
He shoots me an amused grin, a hand moving down my back to cup and squeeze my ass.
"We could make it one very easily," his voice suggestive.
"What do you propose?" I ask.
"Well I have something else up my sleeve if you're interested?" He cocks his head pushing open the exit door for me.
I walk through it glancing back at him.
"What could beat John Mayer?" I shake my head.
"I think I have the thing," he pulls me toward the elevator again, only this time he pushes up instead of down toward the car.
"Up?" I ask.
"Yep," he loosens his tie slightly.
I lean back against the wall of the lift watching the numbers rise on the small screen. We hit floor 30. The top.
"Where are we?" I follow him out of the lift looking around the hall we step out to.
Doors line the walls.
"Is this a hotel?" I ask.
"Nope," he shakes his head.
He's a liar. He unlocks the door with a key card, stepping in first. I follow him into the penthouse suite and gasp at the view. We overlook all of the city, the water, the lights.
"Okay maybe it is a hotel," he smirks, "you like it?"
"Definitely," I nod, "but what is this?"
"Dinner," he motions to the large bed facing the window.
It's round and looks plush. But what's on top makes me laugh. Two bags of McDonalds. My entire body lights up. The sight of it sparks a happiness I've not felt in a long time.
He's trying to prove a point. I had to give him brownie points for all of this.
"You're proving something," I smile.
"That my world isn't all the different to yours," he nods, "I can treat you to the finest things. Private concerts, big fancy hotels, yachts, jets, diamonds. But I know you don't give a fuck about them. It's about us. You and I. You say my world is different."
"I could never afford this," I shake my head.
"You're not getting it," he cups my face in his hands, "my world isn't different at all. Because my world is you. Not this. You. I revolve around you."
I let out a shaky breath considering what to say. He steals my opportunity for words.
"Tonight you put on a sexy dress. You let me drive you to this fancy ass hotel, let me shower you with John Mayer, walked you up to this room which I can tell you isn't a cheap stay. Not once did I notice you feeling out of place by my side," he speaks with such conviction.
He's pleading with me.
"Yet after all of that you noticed the McDonalds on the bed and knew it was just as enticing as everything else because it was with me," he smiles.
"It's because I am in love you," I can't stop myself.
As soon as the words escape me I freeze.
No way did I just say that.
After all this time I did not just admit that.
Not only out loud but to him.
"I love you too," he grins like he won some sort of lottery, "I never stopped. How could I? You're everything I could ever need."
"But what about…" I begin.
"Stop," his hand covers my mouth, "no more excuses. Eat with me, let me get you naked and let that be it. Stop worrying about the what if's. Just let me in."
"No," I step back shaking my head.
His face falls, heartbreak sinking in.
I bite my lip.
"I think you have it all wrong," I try to bite back the temptation.
"Bella…" he starts.
I hold my hand up to stop him, before tugging both the straps in my shoulders down my arms, letting it look at my feet.
I'm naked before him, minus the g-string I'd worn to be daring.
"I think you should get me naked first and then we should eat," I tease, "but I've done that for you already. I'm just impatient."
He watches me for a moment.
Did I blow it? Was my joke too much? Fuck sake, Bella!
"Edward," I bite down panic.
As I blink he lunges, lifting me up into his arms. Loudly I squeal as he carries me toward the bed, shoving our food aside to the floor, not caring where it landed.
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