Good evening everyone. Y'all glad it's Friday? I know I am. This has been a crazy long week. So, I've created an account on 'Archive of our own.' my username is 'Ditzydoozle,' on there I'm going to post original stories. Right now I only have one up. I would like to be a writer one day, but, I'm still trying to build myself up and work on my confidence. So, if you feel like checking it out, go ahead! The story I have up now captures my weirdness, like on here.

Anyways, enjoy!

Chapter Thirteen – The Next Step

Six Months Later

"I need that order for table eight," I said.

"It's coming it's coming."

"They've been waiting for almost an hour now. They're pissed." I said as I moved through the kitchen.

"Perfection takes time."

"Well, can we speed this perfection up? Please? You're cutting into my tips." I said.

"Five more minutes."

"Okay, I'll tell them."

I walked out of the kitchen and to table eight. The snooty couple were waiting impatiently at the table.

"Hi, I've just spoken with the cook and he said five minutes. I'm so sorry for the wait."

The woman nodded curtly and sipped her wine. I felt bad, but, I always thought ritzy food took time and that's what these rich people liked.

"Well, isn't that the most beautiful waitress I've ever seen," a pair of arms wrapped around my waist and I felt a sloppy kiss on my cheek.

"You're gross!" I complained, but, laughed.

"Sorry," he chuckled, "Can't help you, you're just so darn amazing."

"Coming for dinner?" I asked.

"I am, with a few business partners. I'm going to sit at table ten. That's your section, right?"

"It is, and I don't want you leaving me a giant tip like last time, okay?" I said.

"Fine, fine, just trying to help a waitress out." He smiled.

"Okay, go sit and I'll bring you a couple menus. How many menus?" I asked.

"Four." He kissed me on the cheek and walked to the table. I spotted three of his business partners sit at the table beside him. I grabbed four menus and walked over.

"Good afternoon gentlemen, I'm Bella and I'll be your waitress today," I said as I handed out the menus, "The chef's special this week is a chicken parmigiana. I highly recommend it, it is delicious."

"Sounds good," one of the men said, "What wine would you recommend?"

"Well, personally I like the white Riesling, but, I like my wine a little sweeter. If you want something less sweet white is Vallado. Both delicious."

"We'll have a bottle of Vallado," Edward said and winked.

"Of course, I'll bring that right too you, would you like anything else to start?" I asked.

"Glasses of water too, please." One of the older men said.

I smiled and walked into the kitchen to get their waters. I walked it all back to the table on a tray.

"Okay, here we go," I said as I poured their wine, "Have we decided on any appetizers or entrees?"

"We'll have a tomato cucumber sandwiches." One of the men said.

"Of course, I'll put that order in right now." I smiled.

After Edward and his colleagues were finished their meals, they left a two-hundred-dollar tip. I wanted to glare at him, but, I had to be polite in front of his partners. I could see his little smirk as I accepted the large tip.

"Bella, are you coming out to drink with us?" Another waitress asked as she took off her apron.

"No, I'm going to go see Edward." I said.

"Ohh, late night booty call?" A waiter asked as he walked in.

"No!" I blushed, "Not at all."

"What?" She chuckled, "Why the heck not? Y'all only been dating for six months. You're still in the honeymoon stage. The sex should be crazy."

My blush deepened, "We're not having sex right now. We're taking it slow."

"What? Are you a virgin?" He asked.

"No, I'm not. Edward and I are just taking it slow."

"That's weird. I heard Edward was a sex maniac." Another waitress said.

"We both want to take it slow." I defended.

"Does he really want to take it slow? Because no man, especially ones like Edward, will stay in a relationship that's slower then hell." She said.

"Well, that's not Edward." I said before walking out of the room.

I wanted to ignore their words, but, it was too hard to ignore them. Edward and I had both discussed moving slowly. He was all for it, but, after talking with my coworkers, I didn't feel so confident.

I mean, Edward was a dom. He loved the BDSM lifestyle. He's told me about the escapades he's had, so, it didn't seem like he went any long period without sex. What if he did grow bored and moved on?

Damn it. Damn. Now I couldn't get it out of my head. I don't know if I could handle him moving on with someone else. I didn't like to emotionally rely on people, but after the time we've spent together, my trust for him has grown significantly. I don't know what I'd do without him at this point.

I stopped by the apartment to shower and grab some night clothes for Edward's house. I'd been spending a lot of time there now. I'd been spending more time there then here now.

Alice and Jasper were sitting on the couch when I walked in. There was another relationship that was blooming. Jasper was over here a lot too. I really liked Jasper, and Alice really liked him.

"Hey Bella," Alice greeted, "Heading to Edward's?"

"Yeah, I'm spending the night there."

"Cool, we'll be here." She smiled.

I walked back into bathroom and took a quick shower. Roughly brushing out my hair and throwing on a pair of sweatpants and a T'shirt. I shoved some clothes into my bag.

"I'll see you guys later." I said.

"Tell Edward I said hi," Jasper said.

I smiled at him before walking out. Edward was parked on the street in front of the apartment waiting for me. I slid into his SUV, but, was a little shocked to find him yelling on his phone.

"This happens all the time dad! Why are you making this such a big deal?" He yelled, "It's not like I'm going to go broke. It's fi—no! I don't regret not being a doctor! You know what? I'm done. Goodbye."

Edward pinched the bridge of his nose, breathing deeply. I bit my lip and waited a couple minutes before placing my hand on his arm.

"Are you okay?" I asked.

He nodded, "Yeah. My dad just being a jerk."

"What happened?" I asked.

"One of my investors pulled out of Clyde street remodels. So, now I have to somehow find the money to make up his part of the investment. My dad heard about it and now he's grilling me about it." He said.

"I'm sorry." Was all I could say.

He looked over and smiled, "Thank you."

I smiled back and reached forward and kissed him.

He smiled before pulling away and drove off towards his apartment. As we drove there, the conversation with my coworkers kept circulating around in my head.

"Edward?" I said.

"Yeah?"

"Do you… do you ever get bored?"

"Bored?" He said, "I mean, yeah, but I'm pretty busy most of the time."

"No, no," I said, "I mean like bored with what we do."

"No, why?"

I shrugged, "No reason."

"No, don't do that," he said, "Tell me why that though occurred to you. Did something happen?"

I sighed, "It's not really a big deal."

"It must be if you asked about it," He said, "I'm not going to get mad."

"I know," I said, "It's just that some of the coworkers were talking about me and you. Not really in a negative way, but, I told them that you and I were taking it slow and they said that a man like you would get bored in a relationship like that."

"Us taking it slow? Like sex? Is that what you mean?"

"Yeah."

He sighed and shook his head, "You and I know that that's not true. And I'm not bored, nor will I ever get bored. You set the pace in our relationship."

"I know, but, a little while ago, you were having sex like every day with people. Surely, you'd get a little bored. Or maybe you'd think about it."

"Of course, I think about it. I'm extremely excited for the day you decide you're ready. But, I'm not pressuring you and I'm fine with waiting. It doesn't bother me. And it wasn't every day. I just had a very active sex life."

"Do you miss it?" I asked.

"Sometimes, but, none of it really matters to me anymore. I like this a helluva lot better than that. I like us, and I would choose us every time over that." He said.

I smiled and shifted in my seat, "Y-you know, I've been thinking a little… and I was maybe thinking I wanted to kinda… not have sex maybe—ugh, never mind." My red face fell into my hands.

"No, go on. You're fine." He said.

I took a deep breath, "Maybe I'm ready to—, I don't really know the right words for it. I don't think I'm ready to have full out sex, but, we've progressed to cuddling in your bed. Maybe, tonight we just… you know."

He smiled at me, "If you think you're ready to fool around a little bit, then I'm down for it. I just want you to be as comfortable as possible. That's all that matters to me, is how comfortable you are."

"I'm comfortable with you. I really am. I think about… it with you. I trust you."

His smile widened, "I love hearing you say that."

"Well, I do."

"Still like hearing it though. And, if you're ready for that next step, then I am more than willing to try."

I nodded, "I do really want to try."

"Okay, tonight we take it to the next step!"