23

The Hermit

"All right, Bella," she tells her reflection. "You got this."

Bella dabs a bit of concealer on the stress pimple that popped up after Edward left to go pick up his parents from the airport.

Just to be safe, before he left, he pressed half of one of her little white pills in between her lips.

"You aren't weak, Sugar. This'll just help you relax a little until I get back home to you."

She nodded and accepted the pill.

He's right, needing a little help to get her through this doesn't make her weak. She doesn't feel guilty admitting that.

Bella is still nervous, sure, but she's also excited to meet the people who created and raised the man she's fallen in love with. Edward's taught her what it's like to love and be loved unconditionally. How can she not be curious?

This is a big step she's making, and Bella can't wait to share everything that has transpired with Zafrina when she sees her.

She finds herself on the couch, knee bouncing like a jackhammer, with one of Edward's favorite shows playing on the television while she knits a set of baby booties.

She's still annoyed with Rose for putting everyone through all of this at the last minute, especially after she'd confided in her about how needing to be in control of the situation was key. Bella definitely doesn't feel in control right now. Edward is supposed to be here, keeping her calm and making sure she doesn't scrub the finish off of her kitchen counters. Instead of stress cleaning her already impeccable house, Bella pulled out her basket of yarn and started making tiny socks, using a soft yellow that almost matches the boxes at The Bakery. A bakery that Rose might not even be a part of by the time the baby is born if she and Edward can't find common ground.

Bella wasn't lying when she told Edward that he scared her.

While she hopes that it won't happen if it's decided that he and Rose will dissolve the partnership, she'll support him. One way or another, she will always have his back.

Bella has just finished her second bootie when she hears multiple car doors slam.

The nervous knot in her stomach tightens, but she slides her coat on and stomps into her boots before throwing her door open.

Edward leads the way, followed by an older couple.

Bella smiles, noticing that Rose takes after their father while Edward looks more like his mother. They're both equally beautiful but that's not surprising.

"Sugar," Edward greets.

He's got the goofiest grin on his face, and she reminds herself that she's the luckiest girl in the universe.

"Honey."

If he didn't have his hands full of suitcases, she'd throw herself into his arms. She could really use one of his hugs right now. Instead, Bella finds herself face to face with Mrs. Cullen.

The older woman is smiling, giving her son's girlfriend an honest once over. Her hand twitches forward and then back to her side, reminding Bella of the first time she met Rose.

She takes pity and holds her hand out. "It's nice to meet you, Mrs. Cullen. I guess you already know that I'm Bella."

"Damn. Sorry." Edward laughs. "Can't help it that my girl's so beautiful I forgot to introduce everyone. Mom, Dad, this is Bella. Bella, this is my mother Esme and my father Carlisle."

Esme grasps Bella's hand cautiously.

"Call me Mrs. Cullen again and we'll have problems. It's so wonderful to finally meet you after all this time. I have to say my son is right. You are absolutely breathtaking."

Bella blushes from head to toe, suddenly taking great interest in her barely used boots.

Apparently, Edward forgot to share the fact that she isn't used to compliments.

"Oh, dear," Esme frets. "I didn't mean to embarrass you. I fear that Ro got her subtleness from me. We both tend to speak before we think."

"It's fine, Esme." Bella forces a smile. "I'm sure you've heard about Rose's plans to leave her husband, steal me from Edward, and have us raise the baby together."

Carlisle chuckles. "Wouldn't surprise me. Rosalie can never make up her mind. Imagine our surprise when they called to tell us about the grandbaby. It doesn't surprise me that you're making my daughter consider switching teams. You are very beautiful."

Bella laughs and shakes his hand, surprised when he lifts her hand to his mouth and kisses her knuckles.

Her blush returns.

"Dad, stop macking on my girlfriend." Edward growls.

Bella feels herself wanting to drag him upstairs for a little fun. After last night and again this morning, she craves him.

His touch.

His mouth.

His everything.

"Simmer down, Sugar. Not in front of my parents," he whispers in her ear. "I'll deal with you later."

"Can't wait," she replies cheekily. "Now, go get your parents settled, and I'll order some take-out. Is pizza good for everyone?"

Esme informs Bella that she and Carlisle prefer all the meats, aside from anchovies, before they pile into Edward's townhouse.

"Edward, she's absolutely perfect for—" The door shuts.

Bella calls their favorite pizza joint. It seems as though everyone and their mother is ordering pizza tonight. They tell her that it will be an hour and a half wait for delivery, so she places the order.

Bella contemplates how she's going to keep Edward's parents entertained until the food arrives. Surely, he'll have an idea. She doesn't think Esme's the type to watch zombie shows—Edward's new obsession, so that's out.

She's double checking to make sure she has everything for baking and decorating gingerbread cookies when the front door opens.

"Sugar?"

"In the kitchen, Honey!" she calls.

He rounds the corner, presses her up against the pantry, and attacks her mouth.

"Fuck, I've missed you." He growls, grabbing her ass with both hands and pressing his lower half into hers.

"We can't do this right now." Bella laughs. "You're parents."

"They're taking showers to wash the grime from the flight off. When will the pizza be here?"

She answers him at the same time Edward shoves his hand down the front of her pants, palming her.

"You've been wet since the front porch, haven't you?"

Bella moans and nods. "You growled. It was so sexy. It's all your fault. Keep going."

Edward chuckles darkly. "I should leave you high and dry. Make you wait until tonight."

Bella pants. "You promised I would never have to beg for your love."

"Using my words against me. I can't believe you."

He finally takes pity on her, and Bella muffles her screams against his neck, biting into his flesh and paranoid that somehow his parents will know what they're up to.

"We're both adults, Sugar." Edward kisses her lips. "You totally bit me. My little vampire."

"Wash your hands and help me make a salad."

"Not a fucking chance."

Bella tries to argue as he drags her up the stairs and into her bedroom.

"Honey, we don't have time."

Surely, he doesn't expect their first time to be a quicky before his parents pop in.

"Sugar, we aren't fucking. But it's only fair. I put my hands on you, now you'll put your hands on me."

Bella smirks. "Taking my words and twisting them for your own benefit. That's pretty diabolical, Honey."

They hide out in the bathroom, and Bella pulls Edward's pants down to his ankles.

"I cannot handle dinner with my parents with a massive hard-on, Sugar."

She licks her palm and grasps him tightly.

"Something we agree on. You are definitely massive."

He chokes on a laugh, groaning and falling back against the sink.

Bella watches her hand as it glides across his erection. The small bead of precum leaking out of the tip catches her attention and gives her an idea.

"Hey, Honey?"

"Hmm?"

"Look at me. Now."

Edward glances down.

She can tell he's trying to hold off.

"You know what isn't fair? You get to taste me, and I don't get to taste you."

Edward doesn't get the chance to comment before Bella leans forward and swipes her tongue across the head of his dick.

He's salty, not delicious but not completely terrible.

She doesn't anticipate Edward's reaction. She certainly didn't think he'd come immediately, right in her face.

"Fuck, Sugar." He lifts her up and grabs a towel.

"Wow." She gasps in shock.

"I'm so fucking sorry. I didn't think you would ... that I would. I'm so embarrassed."

"Honey, it's fine," Bella takes the towel from him and turns toward the mirror. "Damn, I'm going to have to change my shirt. Do you think your parents will notice?"

"I don't know. How are you okay with this? I just ..."

"Edward, just stop. It's fine. Was it surprising? You betcha. But I'm not dead or injured, so chill out."

He doesn't have time to argue because his parents arrive.

Bella sends him downstairs so she can change her shirt.

"Go ahead and get started on the salad. The pizza should be here soon."

He leaves her with a kiss and a genuine smile.

Bella doesn't know if it's possible to fall more in love with him. She can't wait to find out.

There's a sneaky milestone hidden among the other ones in this chapter that isn't mentioned and probably unnoticeable. Bella made a phone call without a second thought right after she willingly shook hands with two new strangers :) our girl is doing pretty great right now