Author's Note: Sorry for the wait. Y'all, I had a bomb ass chapter written earlier today and left my computer idle for a few minutes and got back and BOOM. Chapter gone. I was pissed and pretty upset. I ended up leaving the computer for awhile because that kind of frustration killed my desire to write. But, I got some inspiration and came back to write and this popped off. While it's not as great, I like it. Sorry for the cliffhanger at the end. I have Thursday off, so I'll have something out then.
Anyway, forgive me for the late update and long AN. Thank you for all your support and love.
I didn't regret the words after saying them, but I also sort of wished I could swallow them once I saw the expression on Bella's face. The jaw dropped, wide-eyed look was not one that screamed 'I love you, too', but it did scream 'this guy is crazy and moving too fast'. I wanted to ditch the truck and run into the woods and hide for the rest of my life. Or maybe just run into oncoming traffic.
"Um, maybe we should get goin'. Wouldn't want the, um, dinner place to close." I pulled away from her, placing my hand on the gear shift.
"Wait! Wait, I'm sorry, Edward. I was surprised. I love you, too, Edward. So much. It's just that you're you and I'm, well, me. That's all. I wasn't expectin' that you'd feel the same way. I'm a farmer's daughter and you're-"
"Say it again."
"Huh?"
"Say it again." Her eyes lit up as it clicked for her what I was asking for.
"I love you, too."
"Mmm, one more time."
"I love you, too, baby." My lips jumped hers and I couldn't find it in myself to be sorry for it. In between showering her with affection and kisses, I found time to whisper 'I love you' on repeat. When my mouth wasn't covering hers, Bella returned the sentiment. Little did she know she was lighting a fire inside my soul.
I couldn't say how long we were stuck in our bubble of love, but Bella pulled away, panting.
"I think we should get goin'. Wouldn't want the, um, dinner place to close." Bella teased, rubbing her nose sweetly against mine. I took that as a cue that she wanted to be kissed again, so I peppered more kisses across her cheeks and nose, leading down her throat.
"Edward, please, I'm hungry," Bella pouted, giving me a sweet look. Ugh. Of course, I couldn't deny her anything. Especially something as simple as feeding her.
"Fine, but you owe me one. I suppose I can feed you." Bella giggled, planting a kiss on my cheek.
"Wow, my prince Charming." I took her hand and squeezed it. I'd be whatever she wanted to me and I'd spend forever showing her that.
The rest of the drive to dinner was filled with sweet looks and even more kisses than before. I was an addict and Bella was my drug. Bella loves me. I love Bella. I'm in love and she loves me back.
This was great.
My smile must've been pretty wide because Bella's free hand found my dimple. I turned to show her my grin and leaned in for a quick peck at the stoplight. What an angel she is.
Dinner went similarly, except with the exchange of funny stories over the meal. Bella was very curious about my failed attempt at karate as a child.
"Well, I was scrawny growin' up and Momma was afraid I would get beat up at school, so she signed me up for karate. I hated it though. I did anything to avoid classes. So one day before class, me and my sister were outside playin' in the backyard and when Momma told me to come inside I knew drastic measures had to be taken. I climbed the tree and jumped from the top. After a broken arm and hours in a hospital, Momma realized karate lessons were useless and let me take piano lessons."
Bella chuckled, stealing a french fry from my plate. "Poor Momma's boy had to break his arm to get his way?"
"Hush you. Don't laugh at my trauma. Now, I think it's your turn to spill the beans on an embarrassing story." I teased, taking great pleasure in her blush.
"There are so many to choose from. Decisions, decisions." Her hand went to her chin and she turned her eyes to the fluorescent lights in thought. "I guess this one will do the trick. So, Rose and I are six or seven and learnin' to read. Of course, we both loved fairy tales. We stumbled on The Princess and the Frog and Rose had the bright idea that we should go and find our frog prince in the woods behind my house. We dressed in our prettiest dresses and even put on some of her momma's makeup before takin' the trek into the woods behind my house."
I cringed as I realized where the story was going.
"It gets worse. After some time, we find our princes in disguise and kiss these slimy, disgusting frogs. It was disgusting and we both threw up. A few days later, I'm feelin' sick as a dog. Vomit and fever. The works. Daddy decides to take me to the hospital and bam. Salmonella. They hospitalize me and hook me up to all these IVs when Rose steps up and admits to our frog kissing adventure. I got better, of course, but once they released me, we were both sat down and given a very long lecture on kissin' animals and I know way more about frogs than anyone should. So, yeah, I hate frogs. A lot."
My laughter couldn't be contained. I was howling in the booth and tears were leaking from my eyes. Bella kissed a frog! My Bella kissed a frog!
"Edward! Stop, you're makin' a scene!" Bella swatted me, playfully. She looked to the side and covered her face.
"Sorry, sorry." I tried to laugh quieter, but it was hard, considering the fact that my Bella was a frog kisser. She seemed exasperated and slightly endeared by my reaction. At least, that's what I told myself.
"One question, then I'll drop it. Who kisses better? Me or the frog?" She groaned and threw her head back.
"You're the worst."
"But you love me," I retorted, leaning over to kiss her sweet lips.
"Yeah, I guess I do." My smile couldn't be helped. She was perfect.
A few hours later and I'd kissed Bella goodbye at the door (teasingly wiping my mouth after and joking about lingering frog cooties) when my phone rang. I'd assumed it would be Bella as we'd taken to having late-night conversations before bed.
"Hello?" I heard a sniffle before the response.
"Edward, I need help."