First of all, a big shout out to my team of pre-readers and beta: NimNimBonjangles, bevey99, and Fran. Thank you so much for all the help with this story.
Secondly, a big 'THANK YOU' to all of you, who take the time to read reviews.
[Edward]
I was starting to hate airports. I'd never been their greatest fan when Carlisle and Esme took me to visit different cities.
The only highlight of being in SeaTac now was waiting for Bella. Last time I'd checked with her, she was forty-five minutes away. She'd insisted on coming to get me when she heard I planned to take the bus again.
Traffic was terrible so close to the winter holidays, and the weather wasn't playing in her favor to drive faster. She'd told me it had been snowing heavily for the past few days.
Esme had tried to be my designated driver, but I told her not to make the long-ass drive just to get me.
I didn't want Bella on the road in this weather, but I had yet to learn how to win an argument with her. And I'd promised myself not to upset her after my surprise visit during Thanksgiving when she'd gone to visit her mom in Florida. That had been, hands-down, the worst idea I'd ever had.
Everything about our stay there had been a cluster-fuck.
Bella's mom, Renee, insisted I call her that – I hadn't because it felt completely inappropriate. After we'd settled into Bella's old room, where her mom insisted we sleep because there was no need for midnight traffic, we had gathered in the living room.
Her mom had tested me with trying to get me to drink some whiskey until Bella had snapped at her to drop it, or she'd be staying at a hotel during the holiday.
Then, her mom dove right to the hottest topic – me dating her daughter. Bella had relayed the same story as I had, yet her mother had rolled her eyes, saying she knew better. While looking into my eyes, she'd thanked me for taking care of Bella while her ankle had been sprained. There had been no other time in my life that I wanted to die more than then.
She kept it going downhill with silly comments about my age, Bella's age, our foggy future, and the taboo relationship we had. I was grateful for her husband interfering at some point on Friday and steering her away for a chat. Bella and I had gone on a walk down the beach while I'd promised her I wasn't upset about how her mother treated me. I'd brought it upon myself with the moronic decision to surprise her with my visit.
On Saturday morning, Bella had taken me to the airport, promising she wasn't mad, but next time I decided to make a hasty decision, she'd kick me in the balls.
I had been worried about talking to her after that. Five days had passed until Kate talked some sense into me that my silence was probably worrying Bella. She'd been right because when I'd called Bella, late at night on Wednesday, she'd been a mess.
My phone rang in my hand. I quickly answered.
"I'm parked right outside of arrivals."
"Don't move. I'll be there in a minute." I picked up my duffle bag, slung my backpack over my shoulder, and hurried toward the exit.
The brutal freezing wind knocked the breath out of me as I searched for her car. I spotted it toward the back of a long line of cabs. I rushed over, and she popped the trunk, joining me there.
"Hi," she said softly, taking one of my hands, lifting on her toes to kiss me.
I crushed her against my chest. "Bella." It was then I noticed she was wearing only a sweater and jeans and her boots. "Aren't you cold?"
"It's toasty warm inside."
"I'm driving," I decided, gently pushing her toward the passenger side. Surprisingly, she didn't protest.
I got behind the wheel as we snapped our seatbelts in place before I pulled out of the spot.
"How bad is the road?" I asked curiously.
"Could have been worse. The problem is that it keeps snowing. Visibility is shit in some places on the highway."
"I'm sorry," I said sincerely. "I could have taken the bus."
I had to park on the side of the road not far away from the airport to discard my winter jacket. Bella had been right about how hot it was in her car.
"What's with these?" Bella cupped my cheek, rubbing her thumb over the black spots under my eyes when I got back inside.
"I'm running on less than five hours of sleep these days," I admitted.
"I thought the first term ended at the beginning of December."
"It did." I focused on shifting the gear before I gripped the steering wheel with both my hands. "Look, I already heard it from Carlisle, so no need for you to comment on it, too. I got a part-time job."
With the corner of my eye, I saw her lips parting as if she was ready to say something, but then she set them in a hard line.
Minutes went by in silence, only the carols playing on a low volume from the audio system as background noise.
I'd expected her to rival Carlisle's arguments about my need to focus on my studies. If I ever needed money for anything, he'd be more than happy to wire more onto my debit card. He'd even hinted at giving me a credit card with an insane limit of a thousand dollars. I'd told him I didn't need any of that. The money I earned at the library helped me enough to buy coffee and whatever else I desired. I'd even reminded him how he'd felt when he'd bought something for himself with his first salary. That had shut him up, but I expected another long talk over the next few weeks.
My phone ringing broke the endless silence. I fumbled with it for a moment, nearly dropping it, before I answered, putting it on speaker and placing it in the holder on the console.
"Hey, bro! You arrive today?" Emmett asked.
"Uh, yeah."
"Want us to pick you up on the way home?"
In the grand scheme of things, I'd forgotten that Emmett and Rosalie were attending UW. Emmett driving me home would have been the best option.
"I already got a ride, but thanks."
"Are you taking that stinking bus?" Rosalie's outraged voice cried out.
"No," I laughed. "Catch up with you tomorrow?" I asked, ready to end the call.
"Sure, bro!"
We hung up, and I sighed in relief. Emmett had kept true to his promise, and he hadn't said a thing about Bella to anyone. He'd only once or twice commented off-handedly about her during our chats, but there was no prying or insistent need for details. I appreciated it. He treated our relationship just like I treated his relationship with Rosalie.
"What job?" Bella finally asked. Her voice sounded curious, not reproachful.
"It's nothing fancy. I help the old lady at this little bookstore on the campus."
"That's nice." Bella reached out to touch my thigh. "Does it interfere with school?"
"No," I groaned. "I stayed up late reading this past week. That's why I look like a vampire."
She giggled, squeezing my leg. "I can't help but worry. Every time I've seen you since you started college, you look dead on your feet."
"I'm okay," I promised. "How about you? How's school?"
Bella sighed loudly. "I aged a decade this past week."
"What happened?" I glanced her way, noticing how tired she looked.
"The last week before winter holidays. Need I say more? I'm so glad it's over."
"How's the new team?" I'd been meaning to ask her this for a while, but I kept forgetting.
"No. Don't get me started on that subject." She threw her head back, closing her eyes. "Jacob made some enemies among the seniors when he chose Conner as the captain at the beginning of the year. I understand why he did it, but those seniors won't even stop to think that Conner is the best choice."
"Is he that good, this guy who gives you all hell?"
"He's pretty good, according to Jake. I haven't attended any games. What I mean is…he's a junior. Even if he were terrible, Jacob would have time to polish him and turn him into a good player. If he chose a senior, they'd leave at the end of the year, and he'd have to look again for a new captain."
"I see your point," I said thoughtfully. "Let me guess the senior who's against this – Paul."
"Amongst others, who aren't even on the team. And all this negativity has created a horrible tension between Jacob and all the students. On top of this, he still has to coach those girls," she explained quietly.
"I almost feel bad for him."
"And his girlfriend gave birth in October."
I winced, imagining how Black must be at the end of his wits with everything going on in his life.
"Has he tried to say anything about us?"
"After our talk back in September, we haven't touched the subject. He asked me the other day if you were visiting for Christmas." She rolled her eyes, making me laugh. "I reminded him that your family lives in town, so…obviously."
"We don't live in town…technically. The house is in the forest."
Bella snorted. "I've missed you." She leaned closer, kissing my cheek, rubbing a hand over my forearm.
.
.
.
Many hours later, we arrived at her place. I'd called Emmett again earlier and told him to call me back after he dropped off his girl at her house.
Emmett taking me home would be the best idea, which would put Esme's mind at ease.
I was in Bella's bathroom when I heard my phone ringing. "Answer it, please," I shouted because it wasn't likely I could piss faster and get to the phone on time.
When I finally joined Bella in the bedroom, she handed me the phone, red in the face. I checked to see it was indeed Emmett, not…God forbid, Esme.
"Hey, Em," I said, stroking Bella's cheek, kissing her forehead. I was going to rip him a new one for embarrassing her.
"Oh, there he is!" he cheered.
"Did you drop Hale at her house?" I asked, not ready for his bullying.
"Yup. Where do I pick you up?"
I wondered if he needed a brain transplant or something. Wasn't it abundantly clear I was at Bella's?
"You know the apartment complex off the main street?"
"Yeah. I can be there in five."
"Just park somewhere. I'll be down soon." I hung up, searching Bella's wide, brown eyes. "What did he say?" I asked warily.
"He knows," she gasped. "He figured out why you need his help to get home. Before I could speak, he said…'Did you make a pit stop between Swan's legs?'"
I ran a hand through my hair. "He figured it out on the last week of school…the day we had that almost break-up. I tried to feed him some bullshit, but he complimented me for bedding a teacher."
"Oh, God." The color drained from her face.
"Don't worry, Bella. I know Emmett. I trust him with my life."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"I honestly forgot." I kissed her lips, walking her to the bed. Emmett's five minutes were usually half an hour.
"You don't have time," Bella protested.
"I'm just kissing you." I pulled her head back by her ponytail, kissing down her neck.
Her chest arched into mine, and I was ready to say "fuck it" to going home now, but I'd never hear the end of it. To cement my need to get home, my phone started ringing.
Bella fell back on the bed as I answered Emmett. "Yeah?"
"I'm here."
"Already?"
"I said five minutes. Do you need a few more to pull out?"
"Fuck off," I muttered, hanging up. "Shit. He's here."
"I figured." Bella sat on the edge of her bed, undoing the tie in her hair and combing her fingers through it.
"My bags are still in your car."
"Oh." She chewed on her bottom lip but walked out with me after stepping back into her boots.
"I'll let you know when I can come over. Hopefully tomorrow," I said as we stepped out of her building.
"I'm going to Jake's this weekend. Not sure if tomorrow or on Sunday. I'm waiting for Vanessa to tell me which day is best."
"Oh, okay." I had to remember that she had her own life, away from me.
Bella unlocked her car, and I picked up my duffle bag and backpack. Emmett joined us, jumping out of his Jeep. I wished he'd stayed in there.
"Hello, Ms. Swan!" He greeted her cheerfully. "Ed!" He held his fist for me to bump, grinning slyly.
"Hello, Emmett," Bella answered, wrapping her arms around herself. She was still wearing only her sweater.
I closed the trunk. "Go inside. It's freezing." I rubbed her shoulder. "I'll call you later."
She locked her car, glancing at Emmett, before bracing herself on my arm as she kissed me softly. Then she turned to Emmett. "Drive carefully."
I shoved Emmett in the direction of his Jeep while Bella sprinted back into her building.
"Fuck, man," he said, whistling.
"Shut up," I begged, throwing my bags into the backseat before climbing in the passenger seat.
"Dude, I've never noticed how really hot she was. Kudos!"
"What the fuck? Kudos?" I mocked him. "And yeah, she's hot. She's also my girlfriend."
Emmett raised his hands, watching me amused. "You love her, don't you?"
"Start driving. Esme probably thinks I'm in a ditch on the side of the road by now."
"Didn't you call her?"
"I messaged her earlier, telling her you were bringing me home." I shrugged. Several quiet minutes later, I cleared my throat. "Yeah, I love Bella."
He glanced my way, smiling. "I figured. Believe me; I know the feeling. Rosie and I are still together and very much in love."
"I take back all my snide remarks about her. She seriously didn't look like the right girl for you," I said honestly. "I'm glad you're happy, bro."
"Same. So, how's Cornell?" He wagged his eyebrows.
"Draining."
We chatted about college and classes until we reached my house.
"Thanks, man. I owe you."
"Text me when you want to catch up."
"Sure." I jumped out of his Jeep, grabbing my bags before I made my way through the snow to the front door.
The door turned out to be locked. I was digging through my backpack for the keys when Esme opened the door.
"Oh, honey!" She hugged me tightly. "We've missed you so much!"
"Missed you, too," I admitted because it was the truth.
I realized that I'd seen Bella more than I'd seen them since I left last August.
Esme ushered me inside, taking me to the kitchen, complaining that I'd lost weight. I was just fine, but I allowed her to seat me at the table. She started asking about the flight, about the car ride, about classes, and I hated how the sleepless hours were seeping through my bones now that I'd arrived home.
While she bustled around getting dinner ready, I gave her short answers to all her questions until I succumbed to the inviting idea to place my head on the table. That was the moment I promptly fell asleep, but I was still aware of Esme talking somewhere in the background.
A hand rubbing my back made me blink awake. My neck was killing me from the horrible position I'd fallen asleep in.
"Go to your room and sleep," Esme said softly, stroking my hair. "If you get hungry, you know where the fridge is."
I hummed, unable to form words. I trudged my feet up the stairs to my room. I stripped down to my boxers before I crawled under the blanket. Everything smelled so clean, and it made me appreciate the little things a little more.
.
.
.
I snorted, trying not to laugh at Emmett's story. He was in the middle of telling me how he'd gotten so drunk at a party that he'd ended up cuddling the host's dog in his doghouse. Next morning, he'd been horrified to wake up wrapped around the dog.
"And some idiots took pictures of his sorry ass instead of helping him inside." Rosalie shook her head.
"Oh, God." I wheezed, imagining the whole thing. It sounded exactly like something Emmett would do.
"Like you don't have such memories," he dared.
"I don't. I attended only a handful of parties. You know I don't drink."
"Because you're a weirdo." He scowled into his pizza.
I expected the food establishment to kick us out anytime now. It was close to ten at night, but I'd missed Emmett. We'd been here catching up for several hours.
"Did you find a girl?"
I turned to Rosalie, staring at her for a long minute. She looked genuinely curious, with no hint of sarcasm.
After glancing at Emmett, I shrugged. "It might sound lame, but I'm focused on studying." I'd bet even Weber was having more fun in whatever college she'd chosen to attend.
"No way! I don't believe you," Rosalie insisted.
"You know Edward. He just has fun; he's not looking for something serious." Emmett shot me a pointed look, which said that I owed him for saving my ass.
"As if," I muttered. "You know, medicine is a hard field."
"Very hard." Rosalie nodded, smirking.
I didn't remember her being so crass, but spending all her time with Emmett must have rubbed off on her. He beamed proudly, making me roll my eyes.
Thankfully, my phone pinged with the text message I'd been waiting for all weekend. It was still Sunday for a couple more hours.
On my way home. I'm exhausted.
So…I'll see you tomorrow? I'd hoped to get to spend my night with her.
You can come over if you can/want… I won't be much fun =(
I got up from my booth, startling my companions. "Uh, I have to go."
"Booty call?" Emmett winked.
I snapped my teeth together, glaring at him. "Here's my share." I placed a couple of twenties on the table. "Night!"
"Bye!" Rosalie waved, even smiling at me.
Emmett shook my hand before wrapping his arm around Rosalie's shoulders, invading her personal space. They were so happy and so in love.
On the way to Bella's, I tried to rationalize that I was insane for being jealous of my best friend.
I parked next to Bella's car, noticing she'd just arrived. She was bent over, picking some stuff from the backseat.
I walked to her, wrapping my arms around her waist. A frightened shout left her throat, and her elbow connected to my stomach. Thankfully, we were both wearing winter jackets, and I barely felt the impact.
"Shit. Sorry." I took a couple steps back.
"Fucking hell, Edward," she gasped, spinning around. "Are you trying to kill me?"
"I had no idea I'd scare you so badly," I confessed. "You okay?"
"Yeah," she said shakily, and I felt like a total asshole.
"Let me help." I retrieved the bags she was trying to get from her car. "How's Black?"
"Jake was surprised I didn't bring you along," she laughed. "They expected both of us at dinner."
"What?" I opened the front door of her building, holding it for her.
"Yeah, believe me, I was just as surprised."
"See, it's not that bad," I teased. "People accept us."
"Mom still thinks I'm committing a capital sin with the age difference between us. I don't even want to know what your parents will think."
I stopped in front of her door as she dug in her purse for the keys. "My parents would be proud of me, or so I hope. And Carlisle and Esme…they'll understand when they see how happy you make me."
I knew it was easier for people to say Carlisle and Esme were my parents, but I'd always been adamant about making the difference. They weren't my parents. For the longest time, I'd considered them my guardian angels for saving me from the hell that could have become my life.
"I'm sorry," Bella said sincerely, unlocking her door.
"It's okay. I just like to point out the obvious. Anyway…we had this conversation." I followed her inside, taking her bags to the island counter. "I don't care what people would think because everyone tends to freak out when others step out of the comfort zone they're used to."
"You're right, but it's the way everyone will perceive us. For a few years, at least. This difference is more drastic when one of the two is still in college."
I wrapped my arms around her, dipping my head to kiss her and hopefully erase her worries. "I can stay if you want me."
She shook her head, stroking my cheeks and looking into my eyes. "Go home. Don't upset them so close to Christmas."
I was seriously wondering if this was a new strategy to push me away. I barely had some Bella-time since I'd returned to Forks.
"I'm just really tired, Edward. It happens, you know?" She walked me back to the door.
"Tomorrow, you're all mine."
Her small hand squeezed mine. "I promise."
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For anyone interested, check out the other story I'm updating regularly: Undisclosed Desires (When Bella, an experienced Domme, agrees to meet a wounded Sub, she doesn't know how much he'll change her life.)
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