- Chapter Number Eighteen -
His hand is on the small of my back as we step into the restaurant. The waiter winds us through tables, leading the way to ours. I'm excited to see the menu. The place looks incredible. Food before diners we pass looks divine. My mouth is watering.
It was a fancy restaurant. More than what I'd ever been able to afford. But for this one time I'd humour him and wouldn't fight him on it. I'd let him have the thrill of spoiling me. On the walk here he expressed how happy it made him to shower me with gifts, experiences and time. He'd asked me to go with the flow tonight and let him take care of the rest.
We step into a private dining section, Edward right behind me. When they collectively yell out 'surprise' it doesn't register right away. I'm in a state of complete shock. Logic trying to reason how it's even possible they are all here before me.
My eyes flick to Rosalie first who is cheering. Emmett grinning beside her holding up a beer. Beside them two people I don't recognise. My mother and Phil clapping and cheering along with an out of tune 'happy birthday' song, sparked by Emmett.
"Oh my god," I step back into Edward, tears rolling down my face.
"Happy birthday," he leans down to kiss my cheek, "I told you I'd make it the best birthday ever."
"I can't believe you have done this for me," I shake my head speechless as I turn to hug him tightly, "thank you."
"You're welcome," he tilts my head up to kiss me.
"Oh, get a room you two," Rosalie shouts out.
"Come," he whispers, "there's people I'd love for you to meet."
Before any introductions can be made my mother beats him to the punch. She hugs me tightly, kissing my face.
"Happy birthday. You're so old," she jokes, "how did you grow so fast on me?"
"Food and water," I tease.
I let Phil give me a kiss on the cheek and wish me a happy birthday.
"Your father wishes he could be here. But he couldn't take work off," she rolls her eyes, "so he sent a gift."
She hands me an envelope. I open it carefully as she watches on with her own interest. Inside are two airline tickets to Port Angeles airport from London.
"You two can go visit him on the way home," she says, "Edward gets to meet the scary parent."
"He isn't scary," I shake my head, "he shouldn't have gone to this trouble. It would have been expensive for him."
"He's never met a boyfriend before," my mother smiles at Edward.
I try to calm the concern for my father as she moves past me to hug Edward hello. I greet Emmett and Rosalie with hugs.
"Happy birthday, sexy," Rosalie squeezes me.
We sway as we hug. You know that weird side step thing you do when you hug your bestie? That.
"You look hot as fuck," Rosalie holds me out with her arms, "your boobs in that dress. I need to borrow it."
"Sure thing," I laugh.
Edward appears beside me and motions to a short woman with a pixie cut hair style.
"This is my sister," he says to me, "Alice. This is her husband Jasper."
"Oh my goodness. I'm thrilled to meet you," Alice beams at me, stepping in to hug me tightly, "happy birthday firstly. I'm so excited he finally has a nice girlfriend. You're absolutely stunning."
"Thank you," I laugh.
Her gushing makes me feel bashful.
"We're going to be great friends, I just know it," she smiles.
"You have a beautiful. Rather. He's spoken so highly of you," I say, "its an honour to meet you."
"Happy birthday," Jasper shakes my hand politely, "I hope he gave you a decent one today."
"Oh it was beautiful," I glance back at Edward, "and a completely unexpected surprise party. How did you pull this off?"
"They got on a plane right after you. My plane," he smiles.
"The private jet is so cool," my mother grins as I take my seat beside her.
Edward sits to my other side, attentively pouring me a wine immediately.
"Oh look at your jewellery," she gasps inspecting my necklace and earrings, "you're a sweetheart, Edward."
"They looked pretty in the store, but they're incredibly beautiful on her," he winks at me.
I tell the table about our day, enjoying catching up with them and learning new things about Alice and Jasper. The food is delectable. It seems Jasper and Emmett are fairly close. They fling inside jokes at one another, Edward rolling his eyes each time Emmett booms with laughter. Alice and Edward's dynamic is completely different to his with Emmett. They trade glances having private conversations across the table.
"Baby," he whispers in my ear suddenly, "I'm just going to the bathroom. Are you all good?"
"Perfect," I mean it.
He heads off toward the bathroom.
"How's it all going?" Rose scoots into his chair.
"Amazing," I nod, "he's perfect for me."
After this, Im positive he wants me. At this second doubt has cleared... I hope it won't come back.
"I told you," she laughs, "I think he's really falling for you hard babe. This look in his eye he gets when he looks at you is unreal. The chemistry is off the charts."
"I guess," I smile.
Perhaps it was all in my mind.
"Here we are," Edward's voice appears from behind me.
I try to look for him but his arm is moving in front of me, an ice cream cake placed before me on the table.
"He got it because of us," Rosalie laughs, "he called asking for the exact flavour we have."
When she begins to move to let Edward sit he refuses.
"Stay. This is your thing," he smiles at her, "experience it together."
He takes his place standing behind me, hand on my shoulder as my friends begin to sing happy birthday to me once again. It's dreadfully embarrassing like always. But I feel whole. Like something beautiful and new was sparking in my life. I'd found a bit more purpose and reason.
"Make your wish to have thousands of babies with Edward," Rosalie teases.
"Grandkids, yes!" My mother cheers.
"That won't come true," I roll my eyes.
"Whatever you wish for I'll fight to make it true," Edward leans over to whisper in my ear, "even if it's impossible."
Once I blow out the last one everyone claps, Edward however tilts my face up to kiss me.
"The first of many birthdays," he whispers against my mouth, "I love you."
I'm the only one who hears it.
But before I can say anything he's gone, moving to chat with Emmett.
I watch him bewildered by those three words.
Loved me?
When we walk through the front door, I kick my shoes off and make a beeline for the kitchen. Edward tags me, loosening his tie.
"Nice night," he states, "the birthday girl was a bit wild."
After dinner we left my mother to go for a bit of a dance. I'd had a few too many wines. But I'd sobered up for the trip home… a little bit.
"Edward Cullen," I shout.
"Shhh," he laughs, "I have neighbours, baby. It's late."
"I want you to come right here. I want you to fuck me on this kitchen counter," I run my hands across it before turning around so I can slide my ass up onto it.
"While I will definitely take you up on that offer sober. I think it's best we go to bed," he tugs his suit jacket off.
"Now," I whine, swinging my legs over the edge of the counter.
He watches me amused.
"Please," I pout.
"Come on," he walks to the counter and attempts to pick me up.
But I'm quick. I jump up, standing onto the counter. Carefully but quickly starting to dart away from him.
"Oh no you don't," he calls after me.
I turn back to face him and reach for my hem of my dress. Tugging it up and over my head, I throw it at him. Quickly I remove my bra and begin to move back towards him.
He's equally trying his hardest not to laugh or cave and take advantage.
I crouch down slightly and he strikes, tugging me toward him. I scream out as I'm thrown over his shoulder. Hanging upside down I kick my legs out as he walks to the bedroom, squeezing my ass as he does.
"Bed baby," he lies me down on the bed, pulling the bed sheets up and over me, "lie down and sleep. I need to put my signature on a few documents before I come to bed. But rest."
"Wait," I grab for his hand, tugging him back.
"What?" He kneels down, tucking the blanket around my chest to aid in my modestly.
"I love you too," I bite my lip, "that was my wish this morning and tonight. For you to love me too."
His mouth moves to firmly and passionately press against mine. I try to deepen the kiss with a flick of my tongue, but the man doesn't budge. Sticking to his stupid chivalry guns.
"I love you. I've fallen in love with you. I knew it the second I had to leave you. Missing someone so fiercely after such little time. Our connection is unique," he says.
"Please don't hurt me," I pleaded quietly.
"Never," he shakes his head seriously, "not in a million years."
Thank you for reading
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