I'll be there
True to his word, Edward held me the entire night. Through my crying. Through my nightmares. Through frenzied and desperate lovemaking that I begged for in between hot kisses and wandering hands.
He was so good to me.
I couldn't have asked for more.
I finally woke up around eight, not able to go back to sleep. Edward was already awake beside me, gently stroking my hair with his free hand.
"You know," he began when my fluttering eyes landed on his handsome face, "you normally talk during your sleep. But I've never heard you say so much."
"What did I say?" I murmured, blushing. I hoped I didn't make a fool of myself. He smiled at me charmingly, running a finger over my cheek.
"You were just babbling. Things about me and your family. You kept thanking me over and over in your sleep."
"At least you know I'm truly grateful." I blushed, burying my face in his chest. He pulled me back gently, kissing my lips softly.
"There is no reason for you to be grateful. I love being here. I love being with you," he said, brushing his fingers through my hair. "Bella, you are so special to me. You have to know that."
"You are to me too," I said, kissing his chest lightly. He hummed quietly, kissing the top of my head again. We laid there for a long time before my stomach growled loudly.
"Hungry?" He asked, chuckling quietly.
"Very," I said, embarrassed.
"Why don't I make us something good to eat?" Edward smiled at me, tugging my chin up to kiss him on the lips. They were so soft and so welcoming. It was so hard to pull myself away from them when he was being so... delicious.
I would never get enough of him.
"I'll have you for breakfast," I mumbled against his neck, nipping at it gently. My stomach growled again, even louder this time. Edward began to laugh, pushing me back gently.
"I think your stomach disagrees. We'll work on that after breakfast, shall we?"
"Fine," I said, throwing myself out of bed. "If we must."
Edward threw on his undershirt as I tugged on a pair of shorts. I didn't want to wear anything else and I wished that he was wearing less, but I could fix that later. He took me into the kitchen, setting me on the countertop so he could work in peace. He had learned very quickly that I was only really good at chopping vegetables and making things from boxes.
Which was one of the reasons I was working so hard on the healthy item a week thing on the list.
"Alright, I think I could make us some omelets. We've got everything here. Oo! Chorizo. I could make Spanish omelets. Onions, bell peppers, garlic, chorizo, and queso. Sound good?" He said, taking things out of the fridge.
"I am in your capable hands, Mr. Cullen," I teased him. "What do you want me to do?"
"Well, I thought we said we wanted breakfast first..." He said naughtily, wiggling his eyebrows at me playfully.
"And you were such a gentleman," I said, teasing him right back.
"I am a man. I can only be a gentleman for so long. Especially when you're wearing my shirt and no bra and you're obviously cold."
I looked down at my chest, and sure enough, I was rather perky. I snickered, covering my breasts with my arms. "Yeah, yeah. Get to work with the food."
"Yes, mistress," he joked, chopping up the garlic. The room was already starting to get fragrant and he hadn't even really started cooking.
I hopped down from the counter when someone knocked on the door. It was probably a delivery or something. I got them quite a bit with my work. I slapped him on the ass hard, rubbing it when I got done. "That's right, slave. Mm, work for me."
He chuckled, kissing me lightly. I was just starting to get really into it when they knocked again. I tried to ignore them, but it was impossible to. He pulled back, humming as he licked his lips as if he was tasting me on them. The move made me all warm inside. "Go get the door before they knock it down, love."
"Better be important," I muttered, going to the door. I flung it opened and was floored. Though, I guess I shouldn't have been surprised.
"Mom? What are you doing here?" I said, flustered and frustrated all at once.
"I wanted to talk to you," she said quietly, her eyes squinting. It was obvious that she was hungover.
"First off, Phil said you would call later and two, it's like eight in the morning. I wouldn't be too surprised if you were still drunk."
"I'm not," she quietly whined. "And before you ask, I didn't drive. I know I'm too hungover for that. And if you want to fuss at me, go ahead. I deserve it. Please, just don't yell."
"Come in," I sighed, ushering her away from the bright hallway.
"Everything okay?" Edward asked, coming out from the kitchen. As soon as he saw my mother he blushed from his toes to his hair. "Um, good morning, Renee."
"Edward," she said politely.
"I'm going to... um, get pants on," he muttered, rushing off to the bedroom.
"I take it things are serious between the two of you," she said, watching him as he quickly shut the door. Poor Edward couldn't catch a break, it seemed.
"Mom," I said as a way of warning. I was not in the mood for her crap today. She quickly brought her hands up, surrendering before the fight could even begin.
"I know, privacy," she said, frowning. "He must think I'm horrible."
"Would you blame him if he did?" I asked in return.
"No, not at all. I think I'm pretty horrible right now myself."
"Look, Renee, I'm not going to throw you a pity party-"
"I know! Baby, I know. I wasn't looking for sympathy or trying to make you feel guilty. It's just true. What I did last night was just horrible and I need to apologize for my awful behavior."
I waited for Edward to scamper off back to the kitchen, making excuses about veggies as he went before I answered her. "What the hell were you thinking last night?"
"I thought that was obvious. I wasn't," she answered sarcastically. I looked at her with a raised eyebrow, waiting for more. "I'm sorry. I was just so stressed out. I guess the honeymoon stage is over and Phil and I have been fighting a lot. And he's been working so damn much! And then, I thought I might have been pregnant and I was mad that he wasn't freaking out with me."
"He told me that you didn't tell him about it."
"I didn't."
"How can you be mad at him for that!" I threw my arms up. "He's not a frickin mind reader, Mom. You have to tell him these things."
"I know," she frowned at my scolding. I could feel it building up.
"And another thing, Mom. You should be really happy that you found a responsible man with a good job and money. You know, you always said the same thing when it came to Dad. That he worked too much. These guys just can't drop their jobs and devote all their time to you. You are not some goddess to be worshiped and maybe you should take some responsibility for yourself."
"I know that."
"Do you?" I asked seriously. "Phil is a businessman. You knew that before you got married. He's a wonderful guy and he loves you very much and last night..." I shook my head. "You disrespected him by acting that way. And you disrespected yourself. And everyone around you. I wanted to introduce you to someone I care about very much and you made me want to crawl in a hole from the humiliation of watching my mother drink herself underneath the table."
"I know," she rubbed her forehead. "I know more than you know how horrible last night was. I'm not proud of myself. I'm not proud of a lot of things in my life. I've very rarely done the right thing."
I huffed quietly, crossing my arms as I looked at her. I was not yet in the mood to forgive her for anything. "What am I supposed to say, Renee?"
"I want you to listen for a moment," she said quietly before clearing her throat. "I was seventeen when I had you. Charlie wasn't much older. It was a shotgun wedding. I know you know all of this, but I felt so trapped. And when you came home and you were all colic and crying...and Charlie was working so much. I just couldn't handle it. You were six months old when I bailed. And that was probably the most responsible thing I've ever done."
I gave her an appraising look, wondering where she was going with this. I could hear Edward steadily working away in the kitchen and I wished for nothing more than to go back to twenty minutes before when we were still in bed, holding each other.
"I'm a horrible mother," she said with a shrug. "Letting Charlie raise you was the best thing I could ever do for you. I wish I could have done better for you, but it seems I never will. But, you have to know that I do love you and I am terribly sorry for what I've done. For everything."
"Mom, last night was just so pointless and stupid," I said, giving in slightly.
"I know."
"Do you know how lucky you are? You could have gotten yourself badly hurt."
"I know," she repeated. "I am a very lucky person."
"You need to cut Phil some slack. He's trying hard and you aren't making it easy."
"I've been trying. It's hard. I'm selfish."
Talk about being brutally honest.
"And you should cut Charlie some slack too. He was working hard to provide for his family," I said, saying one of the things I had always wanted to say to my mother. She always made him out to be the bad guy when it was always the other way around.
Renee nodded her head. "I know that now. He was a good man and I ruined a good thing with him. I got very lucky to get a second chance with Phil. He's a good man."
"I'm glad you realize that," I whispered.
"Is Edward a good man?" Renee asked quietly in return so he couldn't hear us.
"He's the best, Mom," I assured her.
"Good, good," she mumbled. "Bella, I'm going to tell you this once because I wish someone had told me. Though I wouldn't have listened, so I guessed it wouldn't have mattered. But, try not to have a need for second chances." She glanced over her shoulder towards the kitchen. "Good is hard to come by in this world."
"I know," I whispered in return. "I know."
"Um, sorry to interrupt, ladies, but I was about to make some omelets. Would you like one as well, ma'am?" He asked my mother.
"He cooks?"
I rolled my eyes. "Ten times better than me."
"As much as I'd like to, I think I should head back to the hotel. I need to nurse this hangover a little longer before I'm forced to face the public," she said, patting my thigh before standing up. I followed her to the door and my mother gave me a quick hug. "Call me later, okay?"
"Okay," I nodded. I glanced back at the kitchen doorway but Edward had already gone back inside to give us some privacy. "But, Mom. I have to ask... after tonight... Can we just... let things be for a while? I don't think I'm still exactly up to being completely friendly. I need some time away from… this."
"I figured as much." She gave me a sad smile. "Of course. Just, don't let it fester too long, alright? Call later and we'll figure out how we're going to do this evening."
"Alright, Mom," I answered. After I shut the door I laid my head against it and took a deep breath. It was going to be a hard day, I could feel it already.
"Bella?" Edward called softly. He was suddenly right behind me, rubbing my shoulders gently. "Are you okay?"
I nodded my head but began to sob. Having that conversation with my mother was just so damn draining. I felt empty once again, all of Edward's comfort from the night before gone. He turned me slowly and I threw myself in his arms.
"Hush, love. Hush. I'm here. It's okay," he breathed into my hair, hugging me even more tightly.
"I... I... I..." I sobbed into his chest, just trying to get the words out but I couldn't. I could feel his shirt moisten under my tearful eyes and I clutched onto it even tighter. "Edward, I..."
"It's okay, love. Let it out. I've got you," he whispered gently.
"I need to tell you something," I whimpered, taking in deep, gulping breaths.
"You can tell me anything," he said, his hand rubbing my back.
"I am so grateful to have you in my life. I am so sorry that I wasted so much time in the beginning-"
"You needed that time, Bella," Edward said, "I knew that even if I didn't like it. I understand."
"But, I was being stupid. You are such a powerful and wonderful force in my life. You are my life now and I've never felt so happy and secure," I pulled back to look into his eyes. "That's because of you and only you."
"Aw, Bella," Edward whispered, brushing his fingers along my jaw before taking it into his hands and pulling me in close. I kissed him deeply, wrapping my arms around his neck. "I feel the exact same way."
"Do you?" I asked, placing my hands on his face. His skin was slightly scratchy with the tiny stiff red hairs growing along his jawline. It made him seem more handsome though. His bright green eyes gazed down at me, warm and comforting.
"I do," he breathed.
"Edward, I love you," I blurted out without even thinking about it. I didn't even realize that was how I felt until the words left my lips. But it was true. I had been in love with him for a very long time.
His eyes grew wide as his mouth dropped open. I could feel his skin grow warm underneath my touch and I instantly began to worry that I had done the wrong thing. Did he not feel the same way I did? Would I scare him away? Were we not ready for this?"
"You look so frightened," Edward whispered and warm wet tears fell over my fingers that still lingered on his face. His tears. I made him cry.
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have blurted that out like that," I said, trying to pull away but Edward placed his hands on top of mine.
"God, I love you. I've been in love with you since before that night you came to that overpriced French place and gave me that note that said I was right. I have been in love with you since the first time our lips touched and I've wanted nothing more but to hear you say those words. And bloody hell, they sound so much more beautiful than I could have imagined."
I started crying again and I leaned up to kiss him. It was like something broke inside of him and he was the one now frenzied. He wrapped his arms around me, pulling me to his firm body. I threw my arms around his neck, kissing him back just as passionately.
"Say it again," I whispered.
"I love you," he spoke against my mouth, backing me up against the door. My legs wrapped around his waist and he hoisted me up against the wood. "Isabella Swan, my love. My most beautiful love."
"I love you," I moaned as his lips danced across my neck lightly. "Make love to me. Please."
"Mm...With great pleasure," he spoke against my neck as he began to carry me to the bedroom. Then I remembered something. Edward was cooking.
"Is everything off in the kitchen?"
"Yes," he mumbled. "It'll be there waiting for us when we're ready."
My stomach was all forgotten when he stripped me from my clothes and I undressed him as well. He laid me back on the bed and settled on top of me. He was warm and so gentle his bright red hair brushing against my forehead as he pressed himself inside of me. I moaned as he slid into me, my head tilting back slightly as my mouth opened wide.
"Yes!"
He slowly and lovingly licked my bottom lip, sucking it into his mouth. I took his top lip into my mouth, returning the favor. His fingers lovingly drew across my hips, his movements slow and yet so full of passion. It was so amazing. It felt so good.
"I love you," he whispered against my mouth, his eyes piercing into mine. I held his gaze, unable to do anything other than respond to his hot touch.
"I love you," I replied back, my legs wrapping around his waist. He sat up for a moment, taking one of my legs so that it was hooked into the crook of his arm and repositioned himself deep within me. So deep.
Edward leaned down, taking one of my nipples into his mouth as he rocked against me. I began to tighten around him and I felt his mouth grow wide against my skin, his hot breath flowing against my flesh.
"Fuck," he whimpered. "No condom."
"Don't stop," I begged him, my orgasm taking me. I couldn't have cared less if he was wearing a condom at that moment or not.
"Oh, oh, oh..." he drew out, his breaths panting as I tightened around him. "I can't- ugh... too much," he hissed, pulling out of me a moment before he came. His warmth spread all over my stomach, surprisingly pleasant.
Edward collapsed on top of me and my arms wrapped around him. I began to pet his hair, kissing the top of his head as his face rested against my breast.
"I'm sorry. I was so... immersed in everything we were doing. I didn't even think about a condom until I felt you around me like that."
"It's okay," I assured him. "I'll take care of it, just in case."
He frowned slightly, looking up at me with confusion. "What do you mean?"
"I'll make a doctor's appointment for tomorrow morning. I need to go anyway. Condoms are kind of a pain in the ass. I'll look into some kind of birth control," I promised.
"Want me to go with you?" He asked very seriously, making me smile.
"That's sweet. No, it's okay. I know you have to work early tomorrow. I can handle it. I'm a big girl."
"What about this evening?" He said softly, stroking my hair gently. "I can cancel on them if I need to. I don't mind. If you need me, I'll be here..."
"No!" I said quickly. "I won't have you ruin someone's special day because of me. As I said, I'm a big girl. I can handle it."
"I'll be back as soon as it's over," he assured me softly.
"I'd love that," I said, touching his chin. "I love you."
He smiled brightly, brushing his nose against my own. "I love you, too."
My stomach growled loudly and he laughed, touching the noise maker affectionately, "I think it's time I feed you."
"Yeah," I agreed. But honestly, I already felt very full. Full of love, happiness, and joy. "How about after we take a shower first?"
"Sounds good," he answered me with a smile. He hopped up from the bed, bringing me with him. I giggled as he tried to kiss me, but I gently pushed him away as I sauntered off to the bathroom.
"Edward?"
"Yeah?" He asked, pouting slightly.
"You might want to bring a condom with you," I said, winking at him playfully before going inside.
I heard my bedside drawer open and a soft 'yay' fall from Edward's lip. I could tell already that this was going to be a fun shower.
So, here is an update for everything on the list so far.
Done: Friend, Size ten, orgasm, flight to anywhere, Dance in the rain, kiss a total stranger, hide and seek, gotten high, casino, tattoo, high heels, flirt, dance lessons, gym, concert, do something crafty, panties, sunrise, Greek food, Self defense, Spa, French Food, beer, gay club, Halloween, hair, double feature, Interview with a vampire
Need to do: London, formal wear, love herself, told someone off, healthy dish, bed, and breakfast, plant a tree, Mardi Gras, Tiffany's, winery, party, homemade cake, knit, baseball game, Ripley's believe it or not, five star hotel, two-piece bathing suit, sunbathe, dance club, grow a plant, and clean up language.
Thanks for reading!