Chapter 18: Great Expectations

A/N: SM owns Twilight. I'm just playing with her characters in my own little story.

Thanks for the reviews and good wishes - you are all so kind and generous.

So our love birds think they are ready to take the next step ... let's see shall we.


Esme was thrilled with the turnout to Bee's birthday party. Almost everyone she'd invited, which was most of the town - old and young, actually turned up and were all decked out in their formal wear. It was like Forks was just waiting for a chance to dress up and show off a little.

Bee had requested a Wishing Well instead of gifts, with the money to be donated to the local Homeless shelter. She told Esme and Carlisle she didn't want everyone to know her story but that she wanted to repay Reverend Weber for all he'd done for her when she had nothing and no-one.

Reverend Weber was thrilled and the guests knowing the money was going to such a good cause were all the more generous than if just giving a gift to a young woman living with such a wealthy family.

Carlisle and Esme were hardly surprised by Bee's suggestion of the Wishing Well but they were immensely proud of her kindness.

Esme was well-known for her wonderful parties and events but it was widely agreed that she'd outdone herself with Bee's party. The food was delicious, the music was enjoyable for all ages and the drinks, though non-alcoholic, were free flowing and perfect for the occasion.

Of course, no one was surprised when Mike and Jessica had their inevitable showdown - Jessica accused Mike; Mike accused Jessica; Lauren burst into tears; Tyler comforted Lauren; Jessica forgave Mike; Tyler made out with Lauren; and Jessica made out with Mike.

Emmett kept a watchful eye in case Mike and Tyler decided to fight it out but stood down when it became obvious that both were more interested in getting some loving than some fighting. Rose stealthily caught it all on her phone and sent 'Drama' video instalments to Alice, as she had promised. She also included a running commentary on all the evening's events so that Alice and Jasper wouldn't miss out altogether. Rose was still disappointed in her brother and angry with Alice but she resolved to forgive them as they were going to need all the friends they could get when the baby arrived.

Bee was stunned and a little panicked when the guests continued to arrive, placing donation envelopes in her Wishing Well and expressing their birthday wishes with her. The sheer number of people overwhelmed her, not to mention being in her least favourite situation, i.e. being at the centre of attention. Edward stayed by her side politely greeting the guests, shaking hands and thanking people for attending.

From the outset of the festivities, and throughout the evening, Bee and Edward remained inseparable rarely leaving each other's side for longer than it took for either of them to visit the bathroom. They were in their own little intimate bubble filled with small touches and soft whispers.

As Esme watched the couple she couldn't help but think that the event was shaping up as more of a rehearsal for the likely wedding that would inevitably occur if this serious young couple remained on their current course.

Bee had finally relaxed throughout the dinner, thanks to Edward's continual comforting presence, as well as thoroughly enjoying the exquisite arrangements and delicious food.

She tensed again, however, as the catering staff cleared away the mains and Carlisle stood in his place at their table clinking his glass to silence the room.

"Good evening, everyone. Esme, Emmett, Edward and I would like to thank you all for coming out tonight to celebrate the 18th birthday of our dear daughter Isabella Marie."

There was a round of polite applause and hushed whispers when he referred to Bee as their daughter.

"As you know Esme and I were blessed with twin sons who have been our pride and joy for over 18 years." Emmett and Edward both raised their glasses to their father and he in turn raised his glass to them.

"This year, Esme's dearest wish came true when we were blessed once more, this time with a daughter. Bee, as many of you know her, is a wonderful young woman who one day hopes to be a paediatrician. I have no doubt she will achieve this dream as she is honestly one of the most inspiring people I have ever met."

Tears were flowing down Bee's cheeks as she listened to Carlisle's loving words. Esme was holding one of her hands while Edward was holding the other, as Carlisle continued.

"Isabella has overcome more challenges in her young life than many of us will ever face in our whole lifetimes. Despite every obstacle she has overcome, she has remained ambitious, intrinsically optimistic, unbelievably kind hearted, and most importantly for her academic success, curious."

Esme kissed her daughter's temple as she lovingly and gently drew their heads together.

"We are each of us grateful for Isabella's presence in our lives and we look forward to watching her become the 'phenomenal woman' we know she will be. Please raise your glasses and join me in wishing my dear daughter Isabella, a very Happy 18th birthday with all the best wishes for the years ahead."

Everyone stood and raised their glasses and joined with Carlisle as they all toasted in unison: "Isabella".

The catering staff then wheeled out a beautiful birthday cake shaped and decorated to look like a group of birthday gifts. The main cake had 18 candles lit and the assembly all joined in singing 'Happy Birthday' as Bee sat with her hands over her mouth in wonder at the beauty of it all.

When the song was done, Bee stood and moved to the cake to blow out the candles. Esme handed Bee the cake cutting knife which had a beautiful pink ribbon tied around it but Bee's hand was shaking too much to take it. Edward reached his hand around her waist and she leaned back into his comforting hold. He kissed her neck, before whispering in her ear: "I'll help you, love."

As cameras flashed all around them, together Edward and Bee once again casting an image of a probable future event, made the first cut into the stunning cake. When the knife hit the board at the base of the cake Emmett insisted Bee kiss the closest boy. Edward gave her his best half smirk smile anticipating a sexy kiss from his girl and she leaned towards him before turning quickly to place a gentle kiss on Carlisle's cheek. The crowd roared in laughter at Edward's disappointed pout.

Bee turned to give Edward a conciliatory cuddle and kiss while the catering staff wheeled the cake away to have it sliced and distributed to the guests.

She turned to Esme and asked: "I want to say something to everyone, is that okay?"

"Of course, Isabella. It is traditional for the birthday girl to make a speech but we didn't want to pressure you."

Bee nodded and squeezed Edward's hand. He understood that she needed his help so he stood beside her, lifted his glass and clinked it with his spoon to call the crowd to silence.

Bee cleared her throat before speaking in a surprisingly clear voice: "I want to thank you all for joining us tonight. This has been the most wonderful day in my whole life. Esme and Carlisle, I cannot express just how much joy you have brought to my life. Esme you are the best friend a girl could ever ask for. I never knew a mother could be so selfless and giving. Thank you for teaching me that. Carlisle, I never knew a man could be so gentle, kind and safe. Thank you for teaching me that. "

Esme had tears pouring down her cheeks and Carlisle was desperately fighting the tears that were welling in his eyes. It was a losing battle.

"Emmy, my beautiful brother bear. You have taught me that a man can have a gentle soul even if he is larger than a house."

Everyone chuckled and Emmett responded by standing to pose with his 'guns' to everyone's amusement.

Then Bee turned to Edward: "And my sweet Edward. 'Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same'."

His hold around her waist grew a little tighter and a shy smile his mother had never seen on her son before broke across his face.

Bee turned back to her guests: "Thank you all for welcoming me and for donating to Reverend Weber's Shelter. Now, I join with countless others before me to misquote the misguided Marie Antoinette by saying 'let them eat cake'."

With this declaration everyone laughed and applauded. Bee sat back in her seat with a sigh of relief and hope that everyone would now turn to their dessert.

"Well done Isabella," Esme said as she hugged her daughter close. Bee shyly smiled and then dove into the huge slice of delicious chocolate layer cake that had been placed in front of her.

The band started up again with more of a dance set and people all jumped up to dance. Bee reclined into Edward's arms with her head resting on his shoulder, watching her guests enjoy themselves and said: "This has been such a wonderful day."

He kissed the top of her head and whispered seductively: "It's not over yet, love."

She turned in his arms looking into his deep green eyes and traced her fingers along his jaw. "Do you think anyone would notice if we slipped away?"

He chuckled: "Unfortunately, I think EVERYONE would notice if we slipped away. We're just going to have to be patient. I'm in no rush, are you?"

A slow smile grew across her face matched with a mischievous glint in her eye. He laughed a full and chesty laugh. He knew there was no way they'd escape from the party without being noticed and that Esme would be looking for Bee to farewell guests as they inevitably started to drift away. They would have to wait.

"Come on my little Bee, let's dance off some of that naughty energy. It'll be hours before we can escape this lot."

Emmett grabbed Rose and the four of them headed to the dance floor. Bee had no idea how to dance to the music that was playing but figured she'd just go with it and copy the others. However, when she passed Jessica grinding her butt into Mike's crotch right there in the middle of the dance-floor with the whole of Forks watching she decided she might not copy those dance moves. Luckily Edward had other plans anyway, as he pulled her close into his arms deciding they could slow dance no matter what damn song was playing.

Emmett laughed at his brothers old-fashioned ways and reached for his sister: "Come here Honey Bee, let me show you some real dance moves."

He pulled her from Edward's embrace and started moving her in time with the music. She just followed his lead and soon found herself being thrown about like a rag doll. Everyone around them cheered while Edward just stood there scowling at his brother until Bee let out a squeal for help.

Edward stepped forward to recapture his girl from his oaf of a brother: "Put her down you idiot before she throws up all over you."

That was all it took to get Emmett to release her back into Edward's arms, her face was flushed and she was smiling madly: "That was fun but I think I like your kind of dancing better."

"Damn straight," he said pulling her impossibly closer so that there was barely a breath between the length of their bodies. They danced the next two songs with his arms wrapped around her body and her arms around his neck resting her head on his chest. She loved that he was so much taller than her and he loved that she was so tiny. They just fit.

When they went to leave the dance floor, as Edward had expected, Esme came and stole Bee away. "Some people are starting to leave Isabella, let's go say goodnight and thank them for attending."

Bee dutifully followed her adopted mother and stood by the exit to the marquee saying farewell to some of the older guests who were happy to leave the dancing to the young ones. She quietly but genuinely thanked them for attending and for making a donation to the Shelter in honour of her birthday.

After almost an hour of this the crowd had thinned to just their high school friends and the music had changed to suit.

As the tempo picked up and the dancing heated up, Jessica's mother indignantly marched into the centre of the dance floor to drag her enthusiastically twerking daughter away insisting she leave immediately with her parents. Rose chuckled to herself the whole time filming that little scene, finishing by panning back to Mike stranded on the dance with an obvious semi and sending leery looks Lauren's way.

Lauren, however, was well satisfied with her trade to Tyler and if their dance moves were any indication they would be taking the long route home before he dropped her home.

An hour later, the band announced that they were playing their last song and Bee sent an enthusiastic and hopeful look Edward's way. He was helping the catering staff to clear the now mostly empty tables and returned his girl's hopeful look with a playful sexy smirk of his own.

"Planning to get lucky tonight, virginward?" Emmett slapped Edward's back and laughed at his brother's shocked reaction.

"It's been written all over your faces all night brother. So, do you need any helpful hints on how to please your woman? I'm the Master of Pleasure, you know."

Edward's first reaction was to sneer at his brother but then a wave of self-consciousness came over him and he wondered if he was ready to please Bee and make her first time, hell his first time, enjoyable.

Emmett saw his brother's face rapidly change from naughty to haughty to worried and he knew this was no time for joking. He took Edward to a quiet empty table and sat him down: "C'mon bro, you've got this. You and Bee are so in love it's sickening. She knows you and you know her; honestly that's all you need to make sex spectacularly good. I take it you're both virgins?"

Edward nodded slowly, having trouble regaining his composure.

"But you've been ... exploring, right? You've done some stuff, right?"

Again, Edward nodded slowly.

"Well this is just the next step. Just start out like any other make out session and let her pleasure be your guide. If she likes something do that until she's crazy for you; make sure she has at least two orgasms before you think about actually having sex and then take it slow."

Edward looked at his brother as though he was Vatsayana bestowing the secrets of the Kama Sutra: "What if I hurt her Em? I couldn't bear it if I hurt her."

"Edward, man, it's going to hurt. You're a big guy, I've seen the goods and she's only tiny. That's why you have to make sure she is almost dazed with ecstasy before you try and get that big boy inside her tiny body." Edward looked at him with even more fear.

Emmett sat closer to his brother and dropped his voice so no-one could hear: "It will be fine Edward. You can make this good for her, I know you can. First of all you need to feast from the Honey Bee Pot until she comes and comes again. She'll love it, you'll love it and she'll be so wet it will make it easier when you enter her until of course you hit that virgin wall.

"All you can do then is to get her to hold on and push through in one thrust. That's when it gets really hard for you man, excuse the pun, because you're going to want to pump like crazy but you can't, okay. You have to wait until she gives you the okay. There may be tears, there'll probably be blood but once the pain is over she'll let you know and then you're set."

"Emmett, it sounds too painful for her."

"It's her first time, bro. You can't avoid any pain but you can minimise it. You want her, she wants you and once it's over take care of her. Run her a bath, get her some tylenol, give her a massage, write her a poem, sing her a song - whatever the hell she needs."

"Thanks Em. Thanks for not teasing me. I love her so much, I really want this to be good for her."

"Hey bro', I know I tease you but the fact is I want your first time to be good too. But remember this, Bee is now my little sister and if you hurt her, I'll squash you like a bug."

He tousled Edward's perfect mess of hair and headed back towards Rose who had overheard most of their conversation. In that moment she loved Emmett more than ever. She reached up and gave him a searing kiss: "You are so getting lucky tonight, Master of Pleasure."

Edward looked across the room, watching his beautiful girl saying farewell to the last of her guests. She was stunning and he was so damn lucky to have her. In that moment he was struck with inspiration and renewed confidence.

Finally, the band finished their last song, the last of the guests were being thanked and sent on their way and Bee's obligations for the night were done. She looked around the room but couldn't see Edward anywhere. She kissed Esme and Carlisle good night thanking them for her wonderful night. She looked again for Edward but still couldn't find him.

Rose came to her and passed her an envelope with her name on it written in Edward's handwriting. She was momentarily concerned that maybe he'd changed his mind about their night together but with Rose's comforting words she relaxed: "He loves you silly girl. Open it and then find him."

Bee smailed and when Rose had stepped away, opened the note and read the note:

'Take off your clothes. Show me.

Show me your edges. I want to see

with my own eyes

where you end and where I begin.

I want to see where I fit,

where you leave off being you

and turn into me.'

Come to my room, Isabella. I need you.

Edward's love.

A tear rolled down her cheek as she smiled and touched the necklace he'd given her.

Rose walked past with Emmett on her arm, she gently touched Bee's arm as she passed giving her a conspiratorial wink as she whispered: "Might be the perfect time for that lingerie I gave you, don't you think?"

Bee nodded and smiled, moving quickly to her room. She pulled out the beautiful navy blue teddy Rose had given her and rushed into her bathroom, stripped out of her beautiful dress, hanging it lovingly before quickly stripping and jumping in the shower. She scrubbed herself clean and quickly shaved... again, just to be sure she was bare and smooth all over. When she stepped out of her shower, she dried herself and smoothed on her favourite lotion, brushed her teeth and then brushed her hair until it shone.

She looked in the mirror satisfied that she was as ready as she could be and she slipped into the beautiful silky teddy finally wrapping herself in the soft wrap Esme had given her. She took a deep breath and headed down the hall to Edward's room, knocking gently on his door. The door swung open almost immediately.

Edward stood there shirtless in a pair of sleep pants. There was soft classical music playing and she could see candles lit around his room. He took her in and smiled, reaching for her, drawing her slowly into the room and then shutting the door behind them before turning the lock to prevent unwanted interruption.

He kissed her softly up and down her neck and whispered in her ear the poem he'd written in his note as he deftly undid the tie of her wrap and slid it from her shoulders.

'Take off your clothes. Show me.

Show me your edges. I want to see

with my own eyes

where you end and where I begin.

I want to see where I fit,

where you leave off being you

and turn into me.'

Bee melted into his arms feeling his erection firm and long as she pressed against him. She gasped, "Phenomenal."


A/N: ooh this Edward is a sexy boy! I think Bee will be well pleased with his performance don't you?

I hope you enjoyed the party. I was inspired by a party I went to once. It was a 21st which was so much like a wedding it was just short one groom! I felt sorry for the girl whose mom obviously wanted to plan a wedding.

Don't you love Emmett - he teases but when he's needed he comes through with the brotherly advice.

References:

Kama Sutra of Vatsayana Paperback

by Vatsayana (Author), Sir Richard Francis Burton (Translator), John W. Spellman (Introduction), Santha Rama Rau (Foreword) August 9, 1991

Paperback: 252 pages

Publisher: Penguin Books; 1 edition (April 1993) Language: English ISBN-10: 014019360X ISBN-13: 978-0140193602

Edward's seduction poem

'Take off your clothes. Show me.

Show me your edges. I want to see

with my own eyes

where you end and where I begin.

I want to see where I fit,

where you leave off being you

and turn into me.'

~ Peregrine

I found this poem on many different sites but really couldn't find any information on the poet. post/65944747510/take-off-your-clothes-show-me-show-me-your