Fran betas. Dani, Ariel, and Gemma preread. You've got us close to hitting 2k reviews. I may already have an EPOV written for you all once we hit it :) Enjoy!
My apologies in advance if the formatting in this chapter looks a little wonky. I loaded it into ffn last night and it came back to me in another language. Looks like I fixed it, but if not, I'll fix it as soon as I can!
"You're getting better, I'll give you that," I admit to Edward when we're drying the last of the dishes from dinner. It became an unwritten habit of me teaching Edward how to cook in the evenings after we've finished our session, and tonight is no different. I've gradually let him take the lead, stepping in every now and then when needed, but I've enjoyed watching him become more confident in the kitchen.
Maybe it's the apron he insists on wearing, I'm not sure.
"I'll take it," Edward smiles proudly and turns out the kitchen light. "Thanks."
"What are we watching tonight?" I ask with a yawn as we make our way over to his couch, the worn brown leather crinkling beneath us once we make ourselves settled. I find my way to his side, his chest already waiting for my head to find its nightly resting spot.
"Episode Eleven?"
"Sure," I can't help but yawn again, especially when he throws the blanket on top of us on the couch. Between the blanket and the warmth coming from the fire, I know I won't be making it long. "I can't promise I won't fall asleep, though."
He sighs, and I can feel his head nod. "I'm tired myself." His hand rubs up and down my back, slowly and rhythmically, and I can feel myself fading already, as his other hand finds the channel with the remote control.
"Do you have a job tomorrow?"
"Not yet," he answers. "We'll see."
I'm asleep before the opening credits are rolling across the screen, and I know Edward is as well by the stillness of his body wrapped up in mine.
I dream of the lake outside of our cabins and the way it used to take my worries away with the current. I can't wait for Edward to take me to the hidden dock he knows of at the other end of the lake when the weather turns warm again.
I dream of Rose and wonder what she would think if she could see me now.
I dream of Alice, and though I can't form words from my mouth when she appears, I tell her how she saved me. She's smiling and hugs me, and I never want to let her go.
And then Edward appears, and everything and everyone else fades away.
As it should be.
As it always should have been.
A wave of calm washes over me when he takes me in his arms. He's my long and slow exhale after a hard day. He's the answer to my prayers, the realization I needed to prove I'm worthy of a beautiful life.
And he kisses me like he's been waiting for me for a long time. I open my eyes slowly to try to find the words to convey how thankful I am for him, but what I see makes me shriek in terror.
When I open my eyes, it's not Edward I see.
It's my husband.
And he's ready for me.
See you tomorrow!