Edward pours the coffee in the mug before me. His hand has been on my knee since we sat down, a gentle reassurance as we waited for his parents.
His mother had given me a quick hug goodbye last night, with a promise to catch up this morning. She was stunning and radiated warmth. I couldn't wait to be around her properly.
Covering my mouth I let out a yawn as I pick up my mug. Edward watches me smug. He hadn't really let me get much sleep in.
"Stop it," I whisper over my mug, before taking a slow sip.
"I can't help myself," he chuckles.
"I can't believe I'm about to meet your parents properly," I huff straightening my posture.
"They will love you," he reaches across the table to grab some toast.
The spread before us dripped of rich. A breakfast buffet served by their staff. The New York penthouse that Carlisle owned was impressive to say the least. We'd all returned here from the venue late last night. It boasted 8 bedrooms, 7 bathrooms and covered several floors of the top floors of the skyscraper.
"I wonder how Rosalie fared," I grab for my phone and check her messages, "she hasn't texted me since last night."
"I'm sure she is missing you. Who else would she gush over my brother to?" Edward pats my knee.
That catches Emmett's attention. He glances up at us smiling over the top of his newspaper.
"She mentioned me?" Emmett raises an eyebrow at me.
"Once or twice," I shrug playfully.
Emmett puts down the paper and leans forward.
"Help me out here. How can I get even further into her good graces?" he asks.
"Well, she's into fashion. But if you really want to get her on your good side she loves cars," I shrug, "Her father was a mechanic, so she grew up around them. She also loves red velvet cake, her favourite flowers are peonies, and she pretends to hate all the gooey lovey stuff, but is a hopeless romantic."
"I have an old jaguar," he leans back thinking, "I've been meaning to work on it for a while."
"You have not," Edward laughs, "that hunk of crap has been gathering dust in my garage for the past few years."
Emmett gives him the finger as Esme, Carlisle and the newlyweds enter the room.
"Emmett," Esme warns, "I'm going to pretend I didn't see that. Where's my grandchild?"
"Still sleeping," Emmett says, "he's got a sugar hangover from all the cake your new son in-law gave him."
"He's got cute eyes," Jasper shrugs sitting down beside him, "morning Bella. It's lovely to finally meet you properly."
"Yes, you too. Congratulations," I smile at him.
Alice takes a seat beside me and gives me a friendly nudge in greeting.
"Bella," Esme gasps and moves closer to me, I stand to greet her, accepting the warm hug she gives me, "I'm so pleased to see your face. I'm so sorry yesterday was such chaos. Now I can finally get to know you."
"It's great to see you," I smile at her.
"You met my husband briefly last night? This is Carlisle," Esme motions to the tall blonde man beside her.
He's belongs on the cover of GQ Magazine.
"It's a pleasure," Carlisle offers me a warm hug too, but it's brief and not as squishy as his wife's.
We sit down to enjoy our breakfast, Alice gushing beside me over moments in the wedding. Esme chimes in every so often, Carlisle watching his wife with warm affection.
They make me feel welcome. I suddenly miss my mother. This was the first real moment I'd experienced family since she passed. My father never really organised things like this, and Rosalie was the closest thing I had to a family anymore.
"Are you okay?" Edward asks suddenly.
I glance at him and nod.
"You went somewhere," he studies my face with concern, "do you need air?"
"Yeah. Actually just a little," I excuse myself.
Esme offers me a slightly concerned smile as Alice whispers something to her. As I reach the elevator Edward appears by my side, leaning forward to press the down button. He steps with me inside, an arm wrapping around me.
"You're overwhelmed?" he asks as the door shuts.
"I just missed this feeling," I blink back tears with all my might, but they still begin to fall down my cheeks.
"What feeling?" One of his thumbs wipe away a tear, his hands cupping my face in his palms.
"Family," I whisper, "they love each other so much."
Edward's expression softens and he pulls me in.
I huff a laugh through my tears and snuggle deeper into his chest. It's safe and warm.
"It's overwhelming. I know that," he kisses my temple, "but I am here for you."
It's not until I'm in bed that night replaying everything in my mind that I realise I didn't mention the article to Edward. I've decided I'm not writing it. I just need to make sure my boss gets that.
"So you're telling me you just aren't going to write it?" Laura growls through the phone.
Rosalie steps out of the car, joining me with her suitcase. She's taking in the building before me in amazement. Edward's mansion was anything but modest.
"This place is insane," Rosalie whispers to herself.
I wave at her to be quiet. I'd told my boss the article was off. Ever since she had pleaded with me daily to reconsider.
"He is private. I really like him and I want to respect him," I say, "I'm sorry I can't write this for you."
"This is your career. It should matter more than a man," Laura scoffs.
"My career is important but so are my morals," I sigh.
"Morals don't pay the bills. Neither will this job from now on if you don't get me something exclusive on that man," Laura growls, "you have a week to pitch something else."
She hangs up on me.
Rosalie looks at me concerned.
"I hate her," I huff.
"Me too," Rosalie wraps her arm around me, "we will think of something. I'm here to help."
"You're here," Emmett jogs down the stairs leading to the front door smiling, "was the flight okay?"
"Fantastic," I smile.
He offers me a quick hug before turning to take Rose in his arms. The two had been talking nonstop since the wedding. She'd been beside herself with excitement for seeing him.
"Are you ready for a relaxing week?" Emmett holds his arm around Rose as he speaks.
"Totally," Rose smiles up at him, "I can't wait."
"I have something planned for you tonight," Emmett tucks her hair behind her ear smiling down at her, "a date night for just the two of us if you're up for that?"
The moment feels intimate. I feel like I'm almost intruding.
"I'd love that," Rose nods.
"Let's show you your rooms," Emmett moves to take one of her bags, "then when you're unpacked I can show you the pool."
My room is spacious. There's a large double bed, an arm chair by the window, a dresser. It's light and modern, with light greys and whites throughout. It overlooks the garden and has a ensuite bathroom attached. It's bigger than my kitchen and lounge room combined.
Walking to the small balcony I look out over the yard in amazement. I'm dating someone who owns a house like this. It's valuable. But nothing inside it is as valuable as he is. My days with him were numbered. The reality of losing him for months was sinking in.
"There you are," his voice makes me jump.
"Hey," I turn to face him smiling excitedly, "you look insanely beautiful."
The second he is in reach he takes me into his arms, backing me up slightly so my lower back is against the banner of the balcony. Standing up on my toes I wrap my arms around his neck.
"Hey;" I mutter out just in time as he kisses me.
We'd only been apart not even a week. But he was behaving as if we were apart for years. How would we survive this space stint.
"Thank you for coming," his hands guide my hips so our pelvises meet, "I have so much planned for you. Tonight, I get you all to myself thanks to my brother."
"Do you have something planned?" I raise an eyebrow.
"Nope," he shakes his head, "I just wanted a night on the couch with my girlfriend."
"Girlfriend?" something internally squeals.
"I'm calling you that now. I hope that's fine," one of his hands snakes down to my ass, squeezing as if to make his point.
"You just want a free card to touch my ass," I laugh.
"What do I get to touch if I get down on one knee?" I bite my lip as his mouth sensually moves to my neck, placing a soft kiss on the skin there.
My words exit in a stammer, unable to construct a sentence.
"I'm kidding," he chuckles, "come on. Get into some swimwear and we can go hang by the pool until Emmett takes Rose out. He's taking her to drive racecars on the track at night."
"She will love that," I grin.
Once I'm changed, he leads me to the pool outside, where Rosalie and Emmett are already lounging. Emmett is laughing at something Rose had said. I take a seat on the day bed Rose is reclined on, trading a knowing grin with her. Edward appears by our side with glasses of wine.
"Are you all ready for space?" Rosalie asks.
"I am," Edward nods, "I wish I could bring your best friend with me though."
"I need her to pay the rent," Rose pokes my side playfully, "but I know she's going to miss you."
"I'll miss her too," he smiles at me sadly.
"Can you video chat?" Rose asks.
"Of course," Edward nods, "in the morning and before bed, right Bella?"
"It would make for an adorable love story," Emmett glances at his brother.
"It would," Rosalie agrees.
Thanks so much for reading!