It's been a long time since I've visited, but I wanted to post a lil something in honor of Deleepowman—one of my favorite partners in crime.
For over ten years she's nudged me out of my comfort zone, had my back when life was a mess and she was there cheering me over the finish line with my first book.
I heart you hard, Baby! I hope your birthday is spectacular! I'm hopeful that this year will be better. Dream big!
Happy Birthday Debbie!
The standard disclaimers apply. Twilight is the intellectual property of Stephanie Meyer. The song Perfect belongs to Ed Sheeran. The plot of this little diddy belongs to nise7465.
:-:
So, a different E & B, dunno where this will lead, if at all, but it's been stuck in my head for a while.
I blame this on Ed Sheeran. Pull up his song, Perfect, and play it as you read along.
Enjoy.
Perfect
Ed should have known better than to trust his buddies—should have known he was being set up! His breath hitched when he looked up from the text—too late to high-tail it out of the restaurant while he could still save face.
It had been so long—the years had been kind to her—and his traitorous heart; it hammered in his chest at the sight. He tried to forget her after the accident—make a clean break to save her heart from the pain he endured during the weeks, months, years…
He'd been strong back then, for the both of them, but he couldn't, for the life of himself, remember why he thought it had been the only way.
Time stood still as she searched the crowded room, her smile radiant when their eyes finally met. A million winged creatures thundered in his stomach when she slipped her arms around him and he wondered if she could feel them, too. A contented sigh left her lips and he couldn't help himself, his cheek nuzzled into her hair and he inhaled.
"Oh, Edward," she whispered.
"I'm sorry," he stammered. "If I'd known what they were up to…"
"Shh, shhh, I've waited for this moment for so long. Don't ruin it."
"I thought—"
"Stubborn man," she muttered into his chest, her body swaying with the rhythm of a song coming from the sound system. "Dance with me?"
He moved the joystick of the standing chair oh so slowly, ever mindful of her safety—the words could have unraveled from the tapestry of their past—their dreams, their hopes, their fears.
She fit perfectly in his arms, her body soft and warm and he was transported back in time. He didn't deserve her, deserve this, but for whatever reason, she'd come.
She held him as the song ended, their bodies continuing to gently sway as the tempo changed. Her face was wet when they finally parted. Ed lowered the chair and pulled her into his lap without preamble, maneuvering around the other couples on the dance floor until he parked them in a quiet nook away from prying eyes. It appeared that it was time for that talk he'd been avoiding since he'd come home.
His gaze dropped as he searched for the words that he knew would be inadequate, the decisions he'd made for the both of them inexcusable; he struggled to swallow past the knot that formed in his throat at the presence of his ring, still encircling her finger.
"I couldn't condemn you to a life of uncertainty, they didn't think I was going to come home. I didn't want you to wait for me."
His eyes were drawn back to that damned ring. He'd been proud as a peacock when he bought the half carat solitaire. Had crowed to his buddies after she'd said yes. But that ring meant something entirely different now. It meant that she'd taken her promise seriously, and that her life had been hanging in limbo, too.
That isn't what I wanted for her.
"Why you still wearing that old thing, baby? Please tell me you moved on with your life."
"How could I move on without you?"
"I wanted to give you the world, not rip it away from you. You deserve so much more than this old soldier. You deserve a nice home—a place with a picket fence and a passel of kids running around in the yard."
She pushed away from his chest and scrambled out of his arms, her face red and mottled. She pushed on his shoulder, her voice full of fire. "You don't get to decide! You don't get to choose for me out of some misplaced sense of honor, or whatever it was that kept you away all of this time."
Ed's breath caught in his chest and his heart broke all over again.
"I'm sorry, Baby. I never intended to hurt you, I was in a bad place in the beginning."
The waitress chose that moment to approach them. Ed handed her a wad of bills and dismissed the young girl. "Just some Cokes or something, please, and keep the change." It might be the only chance he had to get the words out and he couldn't afford to mess anything up.
His eyes drifted over the only girl he'd ever loved. She'd always been a beauty, but he'd left her a girl, and she'd grown into a woman—her face was thinner, angular—her girlish curves more defined. She had a gorgeous body and he could tell she took care of herself. He closed his eyes and drew in a cleansing breath.
"When they shipped me back home, I couldn't even hold a cup to my lips. I just, I didn't want that for you, Baby."
"But, what if I wanted it—what if I needed to be there for you? You took that choice away from me. We made a promise the day you gave me this ring. In sickness and in health, remember?"
It was true, while they hadn't had time before he shipped out to make it legal, they'd shared those timeless vows, not knowing what the future held. "How could I ever forget?"
"How do you think I could?"
He pulled her tight to his chest, instead of resisting, she melted into his body. He buried his face in her hair and whispered, his voice gravely with emotion. "Oh, Baby. I'm sorry. So, so sorry."
Her fingers traced circles on his chest, right over his heart. "So where does this leave us?"
"I was an ass for running away. I wouldn't blame you for never—"
Her hand pressed on his lips; interrupted him. "Enough. I came here expecting a date."
She stomped out through the bar and he was filled with longing—longing like he'd felt every day since he'd left her. Now you've gone and done it!
She returned just as that song began to play, again, her face still flushed; he recognized that look of steely determination in her eyes.
She came over and sat in his lap, took his face in her hands and began singing. She wasn't just singing along—this was her promise, that she intended to keep the vows they'd whispered to each other in the dark.
"We are still kids but we're so in love
Fighting against all odds
I know we'll be alright this time
Darling, just hold my hand
Be my girl, I'll be your man
I see my future in your eyes"
When the song ended, he pulled back from her. He had to know. Had to be certain he wasn't dreaming.
"Come home, Love. You've kept me waiting so long."
"I'm a mess. What if—"
Bella silenced him with a mind numbing kiss, he couldn't catch his breath, let alone rein in his thoughts.
"You're perfect." She stood from his lap and held out her hand. "Let's go home."
On February 11, the fandom lost our friend, Alec Frazier. Alec was a passionate advocate and ally for the Disability Population, devoting his life to making the world a better place for everyone. He was a shameless nerd, proud ficwench and goofball extraordinaire. Alec was the driving force behind the arrangement that allowed The Roll Models Saga to become a published work of fiction. While Alec will be sorely missed, his light shines on through the memories of his friends and loved ones. Rest in power, my friend!
Work continues on book two, Impact, updates will be posted on my profile and social media accounts as they become available. A huge thank you to everyone who has supported my endeavors over the past year.