Hi all! This chapter is an important chapter and lays another building block to their relationship.
I know people make promises all the time
Then they turn right around and break them
When someone cuts your heart open with a knife and you're bleeding
But I could be that guy to heal it over time
And I won't stop until you believe it
'Cause baby you're worth it
So don't act like it's a bad thing to fall in love with me
Cause you might look around and find your dreams come true with me
Spend all your time and your money just to find out that my love was free
So don't act like it's a bad thing to fall in love with me, me
It's not a bad thing to fall in love with me, me
-Not a Bad Thing-Justin Timberlake
The summer weeks drifted by quickly, as my weekends consisted of summer travel ball with the girls and Edward's baseball games. We spent more time apart than we did together, which was more difficult than I expected.
As July crept up, Edward's baseball season was in full swing. I didn't receive more flower deliveries and James's case went cold. I let myself feel safe again as Edward assured me that I could spend time in his fenced in house if I needed it.
However, I felt safe with the triple locks on my door I religiously locked every night. Alice spent most of her summer in Texas with Jasper. Meanwhile, Rose spent much of her time in California working award show season.
I split my time between summer travel ball and going to the school part time to help our guidance counselors create student schedules. On a particularly hot Saturday, I wiped the dirt out of my eyes as I walked Josephina at bat.
Luckily, we didn't travel far for this tournament. My eyes trailed down to the first base line across from me as I gave her a sign before she nodded. We were down in one of the last tournaments we had in the summer season. The opposing team was having batting practice as our pitchers struggled against the numerous switch and left handed batters.
Their pitcher had a vicious curve ball, which threw many of our girls off. The opening pitcher also had a few off speed pitchers which was difficult for the girls' to adjust to. Josephina kept fouling off the ball in right field before the third strike came. She swung before the ball flew high above the outfielders head before hitting the left field fence for a ground rule double.
I clapped enthusiastically as she rounded second. Ariana took the plate next as she had two previous strike outs swinging. I gave her the sign to bunt before she took the batter's box.
She laid down a beautiful bunt as Josephina ran to third. With one out and a runner on third we had a shot of tying the game up. As our next batter took the plate, I breathed a sigh of relief as Josephina ran to home on a wild pitch.
Our next batter hit a double to center field, which resulted in a one run lead. With a one run lead, the girls took the field with one more time in the field. The girls had to hold them here without a run.
Our pitcher delivered the first out with a strike out as the next batter hit a double to left field. The runner was thrown out as she tried to steal third, which let me breathe a sigh of relief. The girls made it without letting a run in as they hugged each other after the final out was called.
After a brief team meeting after the game, I turned towards the dug out as the girls picked up their gear. Most of the crowd dissipated except for a man in sunglasses and a baseball hat. As I reached the bleachers, I recognized the crooked grin immediately. How could the man who had a game across the country be here to see me?
I didn't even care that my eyeblack was running down my face or my hair was practically sticking to my neck in the heat. I set off in a sprint into his arms which he easily caught me. He spun me around for a moment as he kissed my hair before kissing my cheeks before finally landing on my lips. He took off his sunglasses as his warm green eyes drank me in.
"How'd you get here?" I asked him as my feet touched the ground. His arms stayed firmly around me as he chuckled as he brushed a stray hair behind my ear. Time seemed to stand still for a moment as his arms wound tight against me as one hand traveled to the small of my back.
"Alice," he replied with a crooked grin. Of course she knew, I was convinced her brain held an incredible amount of information that she could pull up faster than I could Google the answer to. I remembered that I probably stunk and was covered in sweat.
"Oh god, I'm sorry," I apologized stepping back. However, Edward shook his head in response as he played with the bill of my hat for a moment.
"What are you apologizing for?" He questioned, quirking an eyebrow as my favorite crooked smile spread across his lips.
"I stink and I'm sure I smell absolutely awful," I explained. He chuckled as he shook his head.
"You're always beautiful to me," he reassured me. I rolled my eyes at him as blush covered my cheeks. I pulled my hat off my head as I laced my fingers with his. His hands felt warm in my clammy ones, and I let the tension I didn't even realize was inside of me out as I felt his touch.
"How'd you get here?" I asked him as we walked together to the parking lot.
"I took a flight out here and then an Uber," he replied with a shrug. He knew that wasn't what I was asking. He had another series of games beginning on Monday, which meant he had to be in Chicago tomorrow.
"You have to be in Chicago tomorrow," I reminded him. He merely chuckled before he shook his head. I loved and appreciated that he hopped on a plane to see me, but I worried about him.
"I'm aware, B, I just had to see you," he admitted as we reached my car. My stomach erupted in butterflies as he opened my car door for me. Without missing a beat, he came around to the passenger side.
"I missed you an embarrassing amount, Emmett was about to kill me," Edward added. I could picture Emmett wanting to strangle Edward. I missed Edward incredibly when he was gone, especially since it had been over two months since I saw him.
"It's been over two months," I admitted with a grimace. Alice and Rose warned me the periods without them were hard, but I didn't realize how difficult until two weeks passed. Of course we Facetimed when we could, but it wasn't the same. I could see how tired he was by the purple bruises under his eyes and the rid rims on his eyelids.
"Have you been sleeping?" I asked him, worry tinging my tone as we turned onto the main road. He shrugged before he opened his mouth to speak.
"Yeah, but the jet lag sucks," he said with a drawn out breath of air. The thought of flying made my stomach lurch, but for Edward it was almost second nature. I was convinced he had a stomach of steel.
"Sounds like straight out of my nightmare," I sighed. He reached across the console to hold my free hand as he leaned back against the headrest. He looked comfortable even though he hadn't been in a car that was more than five years old in months probably.
"Eh, it's not so bad, missing you is ten times worse." He murmured. A small smile crept on my lips before I realized that I missed a majority of his games this season. Besides flying out once to California and home games I couldn't make it to any of them.
"I'm sorry I couldn't get to more games this year," I muttered. Between working part time at the school and softball practice, I kept myself busy. However, my salary couldn't lend itself to criss crossing the country to travel with him.
"B, don't you dare apologize. I know you've been working your ass off, and I'm so proud of you," he said, squeezing my hand. My lips turned upwards into a smile for a moment as I met his gaze.
"Thank you, I just wish I could be like Alice and Rose and just..." I muttered, biting my lip. He studied me for a long moment before he squeezed my hand once.
"They travel as part of their jobs, you do important work for those girls and your students every day. Apples and oranges, baby," he reminded me, kissing the back of my hand. A tiny smile spread across my lips as I squeezed his hand once. My mind strayed to where we could go, and I realized anywhere we went required a shower.
"My apartment is kind of a mess right now," I admitted with a chuckle and a frown. Edward's green eyes met mine as a hopeful smile spread across his mouth.
"My house is fair game if you are," he said with a wide grin. Luckily, I had a bag of clothes in my back to change into in case I elected to take a shower in the locker room after the game.
"Is it okay if I take a shower? I'm kinda gross," I asked as I turned onto the highway.
"Absolutely and you get your choice of showers," He answered. I rolled my eyes as I shook my head. He had way too much room for one person, and I reminded him of it constantly.
"Have you thought of getting a dog or a cat?" I asked. When Alice, Em, and him were growing up they always had big dogs running around their house. He loved the huge labrador retrievers they had as kids.
"They're not going to help the multiple shower situation," he quipped. A giggle escaped my lips as I swatted him playfully.
"No, you idiot. You have so much space and a beautiful backyard," I reminded him. He raised his eyebrow as a half smile crept on his lips as we turned onto the road to his house.
"I'm gone a lot and I would have to hire someone to walk them or feed them when I'm gone," he replied. He made a decent point that I didn't consider. With his work schedule, taking care of an animal was near impossible unless the pet traveled with him.
"Well anytime you want to adopt one I'm happy to come over and take care of them when you're gone," I said with a smirk. He squeezed my hand as I punched in the code to open the gates. As the gates spread open wide, he opened his mouth to speak.
"I'll take that into consideration," he murmured as I found a parking space in his drive way. He opened the giant entry way door for me as he pointed up the staircase to the bedrooms upstairs.
"There's three showers upstairs two for guest rooms and one for the master. The master is the best in my opinion," he informed me.
"I'll get dinner ready if you're okay with my cooking," he suggested and I nodded. I kissed his cheek, thanking him before finding the guest room bathroom which was less intimidating than the damn master shower.
I felt instant relief from the heat as I turned on the water to cold. I was astounded by how much dirt I collected during the game as I watched dirt and eyeblack circle down the drain. Once I was finished, I found a fluffy towel before getting into a pair of joggers and a tee shirt. Any make up I had was gone as I stared at myself in the mirror for a moment.
Deciding to let my hair air dry, I darted down the steps before almost managing to do a face plant on the ground before Edward caught me gently.
"Whoa there," he murmured as I held onto his forearms before he enveloped me in his arms. I didn't realize how much I missed the feeling of being in his arms until I finally had them around me.
"Sorry," I muttered, blush heating my cheeks.
"Glad I was there to catch you, B," he said with a half smile as I steadied myself. He easily towered over me as I looked up into his eyes.
"That shower was heavenly, oh my gosh," I admitted as we walked together into his spacious kitchen. I took a seat at the bar island in the center as he chopped up the assortment of veggies.
"Which shower was the winner?" He asked curiously as he diced the onion before throwing it into the skillet on the stove. I took a sip of the glass of wine Edward poured me as I thought for a moment.
"Guest room," I replied. He chuckled as his emerald eyes studied me for a moment. While I use to feel uncomfortable with his eyes lingering on me, instead I felt warmth with him.
"You have to try out the master suite sometime, there's a..." he started, but I cut him off.
"Claw foot tub, the things of dreams," I said, my mind shifting to the absolutely beautiful claw foot tub upstairs. I always dreamed of having one since I was in college and used run down showers. There was something therapeutic about taking a bath with a glass of wine.
"You can use it anytime, B, if you need a bath fix," he reminded me, a dimple prominent on his cheek. I nearly chocked on my wine at what he was suggesting. Edward quickly read the fear in my eyes before he reached across the island to touch my hand.
"B, don't read too much into it. A claw foot tub to use at your convenience. Think of it like a free air b and b accommodation," he suggested. The tension evaporated at his ridiculous suggestion as I let out a belly laugh.
"Well I wouldn't have to pay for it," I replied.
"Of course not, B." He assured me as he fired up the skillet as he threw in stewed tomatoes and crushed tomatoes into the mix. I quirked an eyebrow before I deposited my glass on the kitchen island before taking his side.
"Tomato sauce?" I questioned and he bobbed his head.
"I figured spaghetti was a safe bet," he responded. My lips drew upwards into a smile as I peered down at his ingredients which included ground turkey. I caught my bottom lip in between my teeth as I thought for a moment.
"We could make meatballs and I could help," I suggested. His eyes lit up for a moment before he nodded in agreement. He gave me a bowl as I reached for the flour and the eggs to form the meatballs.
"Are you my sous chef tonight?" He asked as his his bumped mine for a moment. Even though we spent almost two months apart being with him was almost seamless. I always expected some type of awkwardness between us as we got used to being around each other again, but the awkwardness never surfaced.
"Yep! Put me to work," I responded as he let out a laugh. He set out a lined cookie sheet as we worked side by side on the meatballs. We worked in comfortable silence before I threw a little bit of flour on his shoulder.
"B!" He said, his mouth falling open in surprise.
"What?" I asked mischievously before I put the meatballs safely in the oven. His eyes studied me for a moment before he took a little bit of flour and threw some gently on my almost dried hair.
"Oh it's on!" I almost shouted before we paraded around the kitchen as I tried to defend myself from being completely covered in flour. Before I knew it, somehow he had me on the counter as he was situated between my legs.
"My hands are all yucky," I complained as his emerald eyes met mine. Edward's gaze turned to my lips as he quickly pressed a kiss on my lips.
"Your lips aren't," he argued as he helped me down, his eyes still slightly darker than usual. I found my wine glass as Edward sipped his beer. He brought out a box of spaghetti as I raised an eyebrow.
"Not afraid of carbs?" I asked, curiosity blooming in my tone. He merely shrugged as he turned on a pot of water to boil.
"Carbs aren't bad for you, B," he reminded me as we stood next to each other. We were close enough that I could feel his side brush up against mine. I wondered if he was okay that we didn't go out on the town. Most of the time, we spent cooking together with take out.
There was a part of me that wondered if he ever got bored because I didn't like to go out to a restaurant. I manage if we had to, but I preferred this time between us. Somehow these nights and mornings felt sacred to me.
"Where'd you go?" He asked, quirking an eyebrow as he appeared in front of me. His hands trailed to my face as he pushed away an errant hair.
"Are you okay that we don't go out a lot?" I asked him, managing to meet his gaze. He raised an eyebrow before he furrowed them together. His finger traced my cheek like a brush on a canvas for a moment before he answered.
"I actually love doing normal things with you. You don't understand how nice it is to feel at home with someone," he answered as a slow smile crept across his face. He was wrong, I knew exactly what he meant. For me, it wasn't about who you spent Saturday night with, it's who you spend Sunday morning with.
"No, I think I understand," I murmured, my finger reaching up to trace his cheek for a moment.
"Being with you feels like I'm home," I almost whispered which made Edward break into a mega watt grin as his hands framed my face before his eyes searched mine. Without missing a beat, his lips touched mine.
This kiss wasn't as gentle as the one we shared at the ball field. Instead, his arms wrapped tightly around me as one hand reached to knit his fingers in my hair. His lips fought mine as his lip drew my bottom one in to lightly nip at it. I wasn't positive I was still standing as his arms supported me.
I wrapped my arms around his neck as he lifted me off the floor as if I weighed barely a sack of flour. With care, he placed me on the kitchen island as his lips pressed firmly against mine. His hands trailed to the back of my thighs to give them a squeeze before they started their descent upwards. His lips circled around my throat for a moment before the timer blared.
With a grunt his lips left my throat. Trying to catch my breath, my wild eyes met his.
"We'll continue that later," he said, his voice still rough as I hopped down to survey the oven. The meatballs were done and the pasta was perfect before we finished preparing for dinner. He handed me a plate of spaghetti, meatballs, and vegetables as we sat down on the bar.
As I sipped my wine I was stunned by the way he looked against the dim light of the light above us with the night sky in the window. He took another swig of his beer before he set the glass on the table.
"I did have ulterior motives for coming tonight," he admitted with a sly smirk. I raised my eyebrows in question as I took a bite of the spaghetti swirled around my fork. His previously confidence faltered for a moment as his nervous green eyes met mine.
"There's this award show, B, that's in July and it's usually in Los Angelos this year. Will you go with me?" He asked, his eyes searching mine. My eyes widened as I realized the award show he mentioned was the Espy's.
"The Espy's?" I asked, my mouth agape. The benefit gala was a big step for me since there were a ton of people eating fancy food. The thought of a hundred famous people in glamorous dresses with the extra bonus of the event being televised had me nauseated. I had the possibility of making a fool of myself on the national stage.
My stomach lurched as I stared at him blankly for a moment.
"B?" He asked, reaching across the table to squeeze my hand. I could fall on national television in heels. I would be having nightmares of all the ways I could embarrass myself for the next month. However, I knew how much the event meant to him. I was incredibly grateful he asked me, even if I was terrified.
"You can say no I know it's last minute and you could have more tournaments then..." he began, his eyes reflecting sympathy. Of course he was being sweet and giving me excuses not to show up for him.
"No, I'll be there," I promised him, shaking my head. A wide grin spread across his lips as he nearly launched himself over the table to hug me. I squeezed his hand in return, ignoring the butterflies playing in my stomach.
"I'm not going to lie that I'll be worried about falling on my face the entire time or calling you and making every excuse to get out of it because the thought of being televised makes me feel all sorts of nauseated but I want to show up for you," I admitted. He'd shown up for me time and time again. For goodness sakes, the man hopped on a flight for a night after series after series of games.
"So you're telling me not let you get out of it?" He asked, quirking a brow.
"Yes, because I will try to. But don't let me," I responded before I took a few more bites of my dinner. My favorite crooked smile broke out across his lips as he squeezed my hand three times.
Once we finished our dinner, his eyes traced to mine after we cleaned up the kitchen. I felt his warm hands frame my face as one rested in my hair before his lips came down on mine. His lips worked in tandem with mine as one hand grazed my waist before squeezing my butt once.
"Remember how I said that we'd finish what happened in the kitchen earlier?" He asked, breaking away for a minute as his eyes dark with lust met mine. I nodded swiftly as my breaths came out in pants.
"Let's start now," he murmured before his lips dipped down to reach mine again.
My steps were shaky as I walked into Alice's boutique. Although Alice was nowhere to be seen, I did see a few girls working on the floor as they flipped through racks of dresses. I felt out of place as I walked hesitantly to the cash register.
"Hi, I'm here to see Alice," I greeted the girl working the cash register.
"Your name?" She asked, her eyebrows furrowing.
"Bella Swan," I replied.
"She's expecting you, go right up the steps to her studio," she said, studying her notes as she pointed to the steps in the back corner. I thanked her before I advanced up the steps.
Alice worked for powerful celebrities on the red carpet styling their jewelry to their dresses. She had her own line of clothing, which came out earlier in the year. Alice had a few pins in her mouth as she adjusted the bust on a mannequin.
"Bella! I'm so excited to show you my choices for you!" She gushed, pulling the pins out of her mouth as she darted to a rack of five dresses. The dresses varied in color, I saw blacks, greens, and even some wine reds.
"Alice, you should known I'm not a dress girl," I reminded her as I sat on the bench near her. She rolled her eyes as she flipped through hangers to pick out an lilac colored dress.
The dress was full length and had a slit on the right side which made me gulp. The dress was a lighter material, which I was sure I'd be grateful for on a hot July day. However, the dress was lilac colored. I didn't look like myself as I swallowed and studied myself in the mirror.
"You have incredible arms," Alice said. I raised my eyebrows at her.
"Truly channeling Michelle Obama," she said with a grin. My arms were shorter, and had some definition thanks to the strength conditioning I put my girls through. The slit wasn't as high as I feared, but still made me gulp.
"I don't know," I murmured, turning around in the dress.
"The first one isn't always it, which is why there's two more," she reminded me as she led me off the elevated circle in front of the mirror.
"I have a good feeling about this one," she said with a smirk as she pushed a chiffon emerald colored dress. I almost did a victory dance after I shimmed it past my hips. The dress was definitely different than the first. The dress had a low neckline with a low back. The dress clung to my waist and my hips before flaring out to the floor to pool a small train.
"Oh, if you wear this Edward will die or maybe worship me," she grinned like Cheshire cat as I walked out. The dress hugged my hips and grazed the floor behind me. Even though the dress had a slit in the front, I didn't feel overly exposed.
"Is it inappropriate?" I asked as I studied myself in the mirror. Usually I shied away from any clothes that drew attention to my curves. In fact, my go to outfit for work was a loose fitting sweater and skinny or mom jeans.
"No, you have the tiniest waist ever," she replied, a grin preserved on her face as she ran to the dressing room. She came back with an unearthed set of wedges. My eyes must have widened as large as saucers as she read the discomfort in my eyes.
"I know you don't wear heels, but these are really comfortable," Alice said, handing me the pair. I slipped them on with ease, and she was right. I didn't feel like I was going to topple over.
"You look beautiful, Bella," Alice grinned. I felt a slow smile cross my face at her words as I took a deep breath. I was shocked that such a simple dress could show that. However, I felt it as I smoothed the fabric with my fingers.
"You'll go to Rose's to get your hair and make up done. She's incredible at it," she said, helping me off the podium. I changed back into my jeans and a loose fitting blouse as I joined her down the staircase to the boutique.
"Thank you, Alice," I said, and she simply threw her arms around me.
"You're welcome, Bella. I'll have the dress on hold for you," she said. I thanked her again before I walked out of the boutique to find my car. As I backed out of my parking spot, my mind drifted to the conversation Edward and I had the night before.
He and I were sitting on the couch enjoying a glass of wine as he drew circles on my thigh with his finger. I bit my lip sharply as Edward looked at me with concern. Recently, my thoughts and even my dreams strayed to my father.
I knew a card at Christmas and short phone conversation wasn't enough to bandage a relationship I neglected for so long. However, I knew I needed to make a more intentional effort with him.
"What's going on up there?" He asked, setting his wine glass down. I blew out a gust of air I wasn't aware I was holding as I sipped my glass of wine before toying with the glass in my fingers.
"I think I should call my dad," I rushed out, staring at the coffee table.
"When was the last time you talked to your dad?" He asked, tucking a wayward hair behind my ear. Truthfully, I hadn't spoken to him since Christmas. He was still on the police force in Payson after being an officer for many years in Phoenix. He wanted a smaller town feel.
"About six months ago," I admitted. When James and I were married, I hardly talked to him. I insisted i was busy all the time, and Charlie never questioned it. He finally told me he didn't like James, and that erupted a chasm in our relationship. He was there the next day after I called him that night Rose and Alice came for me at the ER. He was there for me at the trial.
"Have you thought about calling him?" He asked, taking a sip of his wine.
"I have, but I doubt he wants to hear from me," I shrugged. Edward looked at me like I spoke quantum physics.
"You're his daughter, Bella," he reminded me. I was aware I was his daughter, but that didn't retract from the fear I had that he didn't want me to come into his life again. Especially when I artfully ran out of his.
"I treated him like crap," I said with a frown. Crap felt like an understatement
"He will forgive you, B," he said. I played with my fingers for a bit as I sighed. He would be ecstatic that I was dating Edward, he always thought he was a good man. However, I still feared he wouldn't forgive me.
I pursed my lips as I traced the outline of my phone. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath before I fished for my phone in my pocket. I darted to the study as I held my glass of wine. I dunked the rest of it, for liquid courage as I dialed the number.
He of course answered on the first ring.
"Hi Bells, how are you?" Charlie asked, as if we were picking up right where we left off. Well, he didn't hang up the phone yet.
"I'm good, I'm sorry I haven't called you in a while..." I started to rehearse the lines, but I stopped. Charlie could see through my bullshit and deserved the truth.
"Dad, I'm really sorry I pushed you away, that wasn't fair to you. I should've listened to you, and I'm so grateful you were there for me," I said, hoping I didn't sound like an idiot.
"It's okay, Bells. You were hurting, we do that when we get hurt. I'm always gonna be here for you, kiddo," Charlie said after a deep sigh. He forgave me, my stomach relaxed from the contractions as I breathed deeply in relief.
"Thank you," I murmured. I asked him about his job and his long trips over the weekend to find a great fishing hole. When I asked him about his dating record he huffed, admitting proudly he went on a date finally for the first time in years.
"Dad, I want to tell you something, okay?" I asked, awaiting his response.
"Go ahead, Bells," he said, urging me.
"So I started dating Edward, you remember him right? We were friends at first and then I realized he really liked me," I admitted. I wanted to smack myself with how ridiculous I sounded.
"About time, Bells. I could see that boy was in love with you since you were sixteen," Charlie said with a chuckle. I rolled my eyes. Apparently the concept wasn't foreign to anyone and I was just blind.
"So you're okay with it?" I asked.
"Does he treat you right?" Charlie asked gruffly.
"Yes," I said without missing a beat.
"Then of course I am. You're a grown woman, Bells," he said.
"I'll come and visit soon and maybe bring Edward," I replied, with a smile in my voice.
"That'd be great. I do remember he's a decent caster," Charlie said with a chuckle. Our conversation ended soon after, and I felt at peace. There was always something gnawing at me even though I had an amazing job, great friends, and Edward.
Charlie raised me, and he did so without my mother. He wasn't perfect, but he showed up, even when my games conflicted with his work cycle. I let out a sigh of relief as I laid back into Edward's big black chair. I probably looked like a child in it.
His office was covered in pictures from his high school, college, and professional career along with photos of his family. There was one photo that caught my eye as I looked closer at it.
There was a photo of Esme, Carlisle, Alice, Emmett, and me at a Thanksgiving held at his house during our freshman year. Edward was a year ahead of me, so he was a sophomore. He had his arm around me and Alice. It was a more candid picture and I saw the look.
The look he gives me when I first wake up in the morning and my hair is a haystack. The look when I run into the family room of his games waiting for him. The look he gave me that night I finally bared the nightmare of my past to him. My eyes in the photo were trained on the camera as Alice was laughing with her eyes downcast.
I heard a swift knock on the door, which jolted me. I found it hilarious that Edward knocked on the door to his own damn study. However, the man respected my privacy even in his own home.
"It's your study you know," I reminded him teasingly before he opened the door. Edward's eyes searched for mine as he looked down at me. He walked over to where I was lounging in his chair.
"How'd it go?" Edward asked, tracing circles on my legs.
"Really well. He forgave me and I told him I'd bring you down," I replied, which earned a shining smile from him.
"I already have his approval?" He asked cheekily.
"You won't have to work as hard for it. He did mention something about taking you fishing," I said with a chuckle.
"How that man finds a fishing hole in Arizona stuns me," he laughed.
"That man will find a puddle to fish in," I rolled my eyes. My eyes traced back to the picture of Thanksgiving.
"I didn't know that picture existed," I observed as I pointed to the picture I was admiring earlier. He smiled cheekily at me as his warm eyes met mine.
"It's one of my favorites. I'll have to put up some more pictures soon," he replied, with a toothy grin.
"With the new jerseys?" I asked. He shook his head as he peered down at me with such sincerity.
"No, you silly girl. I need some pictures of you or of us," he chuckled as he kissed my forehead. I balked, photos were not my specialty. I usually was the person behind he camera, not the person in front of it.
"This weekend will be a good time to do that," he replied. I felt myself shove down dinner in my stomach at his words. There was going to be a ton of cameras at this event, which made me want to run for the hills.
"It'll be the first time in a long time I wear a fancy dress," I replied.
"Mhmm, and if I play my cards right I may be able to get it off of you by the time the night is over," he said in my early. Yep, he just turned me into a pile of Bella-goo. He picked me up effortlessly before he turned off the light to the office.
I clung to him as my eyes began to droop.
I smiled at the memory as I pulled out of my sup par street parking. The gala was on Friday, but I had plenty of files to go over along with writing parent reports for upcoming IEPs.
On Friday I had a few student appointments, but that could always change. Meanwhile, I had to transcribe my interviews with parents to prepare for upcoming IEPs. Even though I did spend most of my weekends at Edward's, I had to finish these case notes.
As soon as I walked into the apartment door, my phone started to ding. I checked the messages, and of course Edward popped up.
Hey sweetheart, how was Alice?
I laughed as I grabbed my case notes and began to turn on my clunky school provided laptop.
I don't feel like a cupcake anymore. She had her fun with dress up. As I began my case notes, I heard another ding.
I hoped she wouldn't over do it, but you know Alice...
I chuckled as my eyes traced back to my report as the hours ticked by. I barely remembered to heat up some leftovers for myself as I remembered I needed to text Edward back.
Once I finished eating, my eyes traced to the clock. I had to be up in eight hours, so I grabbed my phone as I began to get ready for bed.
She was helpful. I'm going to get some sleep. I'll see you tomorrow, handsome.
After I got ready for bed, I heard my phone ding one last time.
Goodnight, sweet girl.
My heart pounded in my chest as I realized I was going to tell him how I felt the next weekend. Those three letter words had been eating at me for a long time, but I wasn't as scared anymore. However, I was going to still have to remind myself to breathe when I told him.
She's gonna drop the 'I love you' bomb :) So proud of our girl. Next chapter will come soon. Let me know what you think by leaving a review!
-Princessinblues
