Chapter 27 – One-Hundred Roses

EDWARD

I glanced over to Bella as we drove away from the restaurant after lunch. She was so lovely and though she shared something I didn't know about her, I didn't believe that was why she went silent. Pressing her for answers wasn't me. Yes, I wanted them, and I could only hope she would come to me, given time.

Kissing her in public was a mistake. However, at the moment, it was all I wanted to do. It was either kiss her or confess my love, and she wasn't ready to hear the words. Showing her through my actions was the best I could do.

"Sweetheart, I need to stop one place before we head home. Is that okay?"

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a smile form on her lips. "Fine by me. Maybe we could…" she trailed off.

"Could?" I prompted.

"No, never mind, it's stupid."

I reached over and took hold of her hand. "Nothing is stupid, Bella. What is it you want?" I asked, giving her hand an encouraging squeeze.

She blew out a breath, moving a tendril of hair. "Furniture shopping."

Furniture? I thought about that. When I brought Bella to our home, she said she loved my tastes. So, why did she want to look at furniture? I was about to ask when it dawned on me… baby furniture. "Did you have a place in mind?"

"No, not really. I just thought we would go to a baby store or someplace like Target."

I shook my head. Whether it was in disbelief or if I was saying no, I wasn't sure. "Let me call my mom and see if she knows of some places, not that I am saying no the other stores. Just want more options."

Her smile got bigger. "I like options."

~~ Reaching for Love ~~

Mom did have a list of places that sold baby furniture, and that was how I found myself guiding Bella into Pottery Barn Kids. Almost instantly we were approached by a sales clerk.

"Just browsing," Bella remarked at the question if we need assistance.

We walked back to where the cribs were and Bella moved among the various displays. I was concerned. When she lovingly ran her hand over one before looking at the price tag. Her face fell and it confused me. Since getting married, she had no problem with pulling out the credit card I gave her.

"Sweetheart, what's wrong?" I said, stepping behind her and rubbing her arm.

She shook her head, not saying a word.

Not again. "Please tell me. I can't help you if I don't know what's wrong."

Turning, she looked up at me, tears in her eyes. "Tired."

I didn't buy it. Drawing her to me, I rubbed her back while peeking at the price tag. Fifteen hundred. That wasn't bad, not at all. And it was a four-in-one crib. It would grow with the baby. Looking around, I saw the matching dresser and night table.

Not understanding her reluctance to purchase the furniture, I led her over to a recliner. "Sit for a few minutes while I talk with the sales clerk, sweetheart."

She set grateful eyes on me as she sat.

I motioned for a sales clerk. "My wife loves this one," I said, indicating the Harper crib.

"A wonderful selection. Would you like to order the complete set?"

Glancing over my shoulder, I found Bella watching me with narrowed eyes. With a wink, I turned back to the sales clerk. "Yes and both conversion kits," I answered.

Feeling Bella's eyes on me, I selected a dresser, mattress, and night tables. Again, I winked at her as I followed the sales clerk to the register, pulling out my wallet as I went. If my calculations were created, it would be around sixty-six hundred with tax and delivery.

As I waited for the clerk to ring up the sale, I got out my phone and the message I had started to Alice. I needed her to do something for me. There was no more stalling.

I read the message:

Alice, would you please order and send Bella 100 long-stem red roses? To the house. Be home in an hour and a half. Message once delivery confirmation is received. Card to read: No one's ever loved anyone as much as I love you. Edward

I hit send, praying that just this once Alice wouldn't question me.

BELLA

I was overwhelmed and Edward hadn't picked up on it. When he asked, I gave him a half-truth. I knew money wasn't a problem for him and I shouldn't worry. However, when I saw the price of just the crib, never mind a mattress for it, I felt tears forming. If it wasn't for me marrying him, I would never have been able to afford something so nice.

I watched Edward through lowered eyes as he pointed out other pieces to the sales clerk. When he glanced over at me and winked, my heart fluttered.

He joined me again and helped me up. There was a strange device in his hand. "It's a registry gun. If you're up to it, I thought we could start it while we're here."

Registry? He wanted to help me create a registry. "Sure," I said. "I'm not as tired now."

He took hold of my hand and together we walked over to the bedding.

"I've taken care of the basic furniture, save a chair," he said.

Having researched baby registry basics, I knew I could add and remove items.

"How do you feel about a literature theme for the nursery?" I asked after spotting a Peter Rabbit blanket and scanning it.

Edward chuckled. "I love the idea," he whispered in my ear, taking the gun and scanning a rabbit was a soft blanket.

~~ Reaching for Love ~~

By the time Edward cut the ignition when we were in the driveway, I was ready to tell him about what caused my silence.

Looking around him, I saw a Flowers on 15th van stop in front of the house. It was a bit before the driver came into view, carrying a large box. "Isabella Cullen?" he asked, coming up the drive.

"Yes," I answered.

"Delivery for you." He passed me an iPad. "If you would sign with your finger."

I did so as Edward accepted the box. I handed the device back a moment later.

"Have a good evening," the delivery guy said.

~~ Reaching for Love ~~

Edward set the box on the dining room table right before his phone beeped. He groaned. "I need to call the office, sweetheart. Be careful opening the box."

After retrieving a knife, I slipped it under the tape, going slowly down the side. I had to retrieve the step stool in order to cut the top of the box. A gasp left me when I saw all the roses. Who had sent them to me? Still on the step stool, I hunted for the card, finding it at the very top and center of the huge bouquet.

My hand flew to my chest as I read the card. I was glad I wasn't still standing on the stool. I would have fallen off after reading who they were from.

I swallowed hard. He loved me.

My eyes strayed to the vase, trying to count the rose. There were too many and I lost track of which one I'd already counted.

Where had Edward run off to again? He would know how many he sent.

It took me a few minutes to find him in the home office. Like at the doctor's office, he had his head in his hands. I stood in the doorway for a moment, taking in his prone form. It was while I watching him I realized something. I loved him, unconditionally and irrevocably.

EDWARD

Even before I got Alice's text, I knew I had to hide, so I made an excuse and booked it to the home office. Sitting heavy on the couch, I held my head with one hand and opened the text.

Glad you finally wised up, Edward. Emmett was trying to get us to bet on when you would tell Bella. And what a sweet way of telling her. Don't you dare start worrying. Alice

I threw my phone on the couch next to me and buried my hand in my hair. Despite Alice's message, I was worrying.

Flexing my fingers to prevent from pulling at my hair, I sat there. Waiting. Imagining what Bella would say. When the couch cushion next to me squeaked, I turned my head to find Bella sitting next to me with a smile on her face. My hands dropped to my lap.

"What's wrong, Edward?" she asked.

I could hear the smile in her voice. Not sure what it meant, I said, "Who sent you the flowers?"

Her smile got bigger. "Oh, someone very sweet who I didn't know how much they meant to me until today."

I just stared at her.

She shifted. Leaning toward me, she kissed me. "I love you, too," she whispered against my lips.

I pulled back and ran my fingertips lightly over her cheek, gazing into her eyes. "Bella…"

She touched a finger to my lips.

"Shhhhh..." she whispered, placing her fingertips underneath my chin and bringing my face towards hers.

Slowly, she kissed me. No hesitancy. Our kiss became deeper, more passionate. I slipped my arms around her and brought her as close to me as I could with how we were sitting, drowning in the passion I'd felt for her.

Bella shifted until she was straddling my lap, her arms winding around me as my hands found purchase on her hips.

"I love you," I whispered as my lips left hers, trailing a constant line of soft kisses along her jaw to her ear. Slowly, I made my way down to her neck. It was delicious and she adjusted her position to make it easier for me, rubbing against me as she did.

"Sweetheart," I said breathless, drawing back. "We need to stop before I make love to you right here." I never thought those words would ever leave me, but I found they were true. I didn't want to claim her like some high school boy on the couch.

She sat back on my lap, still facing me. Her face was crestfallen. "Why?" she asked, sounding hurt.

Damn it! This was not a look I like. I cup her face with both my hand. "Sweetheart, don't take me halting things as rejection."

"Then," she probed.

I stopped her when she leaned forward to continue what we'd been doing. "Trust me, Bella, I'm more than willing."

She freed herself from my hold and shifted off my lap. "But..."

I stood, gathering her up into my arms. Kissing her pouting lips. "But our room would be much more comfortable."

~~ Reaching for Love ~~

I woke to find a very naked Bella in my arms. A smile formed on my lips as I kissed her forehead, drawing her closer, I closed my eyes once more.

A/N: Be sure to check out the Stories By Swervin35 Facebook page, there are some images for this chapter and a few others there.