Previously…
She stopped laughing and took his hand, "I really am sorry I got so upset earlier."
"I'm sorry I put you in that position. I can't promise I won't make a mistake and do something you don't approve of, but I will try. You just have to push me in the right direction." He kissed her tenderly and stood still holding her hand. "Let's snuggle on the couch."
"Sounds wonderful."
He had just sat down when he heard the doorbell. He groaned, "One minute love." He set his drink down and headed to the door. Opening it his face fell in shock, "Evangeline."
The petite blonde hugged him, "Hello stranger." He leaned forward patting her back.
"What are you doing here?"
She smiled flashing her teeth and walking inside past him. "James sent me, he said you had some papers for him." He shut the door slipping his hands in his pockets, "I do, let me get them." He expected her to stay at the door, but she followed him into the kitchen.
"Here you go. Tell James anything else will wait a few days."
She sat down, "I'll pass it along. Why is security beefed up, get a death threat?" She teased. He inhaled sharply. "I wanted more, a few things came up. What are you and James up to tonight?"
"Dinner somewhere, who knows with him. He is trying to impress me and I keep wondering why. I mean I am living with him, you would think he would realize I am with him, no need to impress me."
He shrugged, "Perhaps because we went out. Maybe he is afraid we'll hook up or something. Who knows." She laughed softly, "Yes, well I suppose that is a valid concern. I mean in his defense if you were to change your mind, he would he awful upset with me." She teased.
He smiled, "I am flattered, but I doubt that will happen. I have found someone, and I have a feeling this is the one."
Her blinked in shock, "Edward Cullen has found someone he wants to take on more than one date?" He felt his lips twitch. "Yes, she is living with me and we will see what happens."
"Oh my god! You have someone living with you? I never thought I would see the day. Who is she?"
His eyes lit up, "You remember me talking about Bella."
"The old best friend?" She questioned looking at him oddly. He grinned widely, "That's the one. We met again and what can I say? The emotions we all still there and then some." He watched her expression trying to figure out what she was thinking. She smiled, "I am happy for you. Can I meet her?" She seemed genuine.
He headed for the living room, "Sure come on, but there is one more thing. Confidential as usual." She shrugged, "You know it always is. We're friends Edward, I would like to remain friends." He gave a short nod. She was one of the few people he could actually allow himself to somewhat trust. They had gone out once and that was it. She was never clingy, and actually didn't push for more.
She understood his life, and she was content with simply being his friend. He thought perhaps she and Bella would hit it off.
"Daddy, where are you?" A small voice came and Timmy followed running into his arms. Edward smiled his eyes twinkled merrily.
"What are you doing up?"
"I couldn't sleep."
He kissed his head. "Vangie this is my son, Timmy." She was silent a long moment in utter shock, first that he was a father and second how much the boy looked like him.
"Hello, Timmy." She extended her hand with a sweet smile. He shook it, "What is your name?"
"I'm Evangeline, but you can call me Vangie. My friends call me that."
"Nice to meet you Vangie." He relied politely. She giggled, "Wow, you can tell he's your son. Charisma certainly runs in the family." He sat him down taking his hand, "Let's go see mommy." He walked into the room seeing her relaxing on the couch. She sat up immediately when she saw him.
"Timmy sweetheart what's wrong?" She glanced at the beautiful woman standing beside Edward, but then focused her attention back to her son.
"I couldn't sleep mommy. Could daddy read me a story?" She stroked his cheek tenderly, "I bet he can, why don't you sit down for a minute and let us talk ok?"
"Ok." He climbed up lying where she had been. She smiled at Edward and the unknown woman. He extended his arm for her to come to him. She slid into his arms gracefully and he kissed her lips. "Baby this is my friend Evangeline, she is James's girlfriend."
She shook her hand, "Nice to meet you."
Vangie pulled her into an unexpected hug. "It is so good to meet you finally, Bella. Edward raved on and on about you forever. It's so good to finally see him happy." She glanced back and forth between them, "And in love I might add."
He chuckled, "I am that." Bella blushed. Evangeline looked at the small child, "He is beautiful Bella. I think he is almost Edward's twin."
"Yes, he does favor him a lot. I don't know if he has any of me in him."
"Sure he does. He has your nose and calmness."
Bella looked at her oddly, "How can you tell that?" She smirked back, "Ah, well the nose is obvious it's little button nose and the calmness well… Edward here is always uptight usually and Timmy seems relaxed. I can say the same for Edward right now too, seems you bring out the inner peace in him. I like it."
Bella felt the heat in her cheeks. "Wow, thank you."
"Maybe we can get together and go do something, it's hard to make friends here. True friends I mean. You have to be careful and you especially. In your position it's a very delicate situation, however I know a wonderful babysitter if you ever need one. My sister Charlise is wonderful with kids. She has two of her own and she always welcomes more."
"Thank you, that is very sweet."
She waved at her, "No problem. I know Edward is out of town a lot. We can visit and keep each other company. James is usually with him." Bella nodded, "I would like that."
"Well, it was so wonderful to meet you. Edward has my number, but I'll call to make arrangements for us to get to know each other if that's ok?"
"Sounds wonderful." She smiled. This was actually a good thing. She had been concerned about making friends here, and this woman seemed really nice. Edward placed his hand on the small of Evangeline's back, "I'll walk you out."
"Ok, nice meeting you Timmy."
"Bye, bye." He waved. He walked her to the door and opened it for her.
"Thank you Vangie for being so sweet to her."
"Edward, she seems like a sweet girl. I am pleasantly surprised at how pretty she is, and your son is beautiful. You make nice looking kids there Sparky." She teased. He nodded, "That we do."
"Planning on any more?"
"Yes, if she will have me. I wasn't kidding when I said she is the one. I love her so much. I think I always did."
"You did, I figured that out a long time ago."
He leaned on the door, "What about you and James?" He watched her expression change, "I want you to listen to me Edward, I love you to death and I like James. He is fun, but…I don't know how to say this. I don't trust him. He has a temper and I know he has been loyal to you, but please be careful. If he sees her as a threat he could cause problems."
He appreciated that she was honest. "If that becomes a problem I'll let him go. I don't want to, but I won't lose her. Not again, it has been too long in the making."
"I hate to tell you that honey. I just worry about you, and he seems kind of protective when it comes to you. It seems excessive sometimes."
He smiled kissing her cheek, "I love you for caring doll, you know that. It will all work out, you just take care of you. If he hurts you I'll kill him."
"Ok, no big brother mode tonight." She countered with a wink. He shrugged, "I will always be in big brother mode, you're like a sister to me." She hugged him, "I'll catch you later tiger take care of your family in there. I'll be in touch soon."
"See ya later Vangie."
He shut the door and found Bella curled up on the couch with Timmy. He smiled. They were so perfect, she was his other half and this beautiful child was evidence of that. He walked over kneeling, "Timmy still want me to read to you?"
"Yes daddy."
"All right then, come with me. One story and then to bed promise?"
"I promise."
He winked at Bella and headed upstairs behind him. He read a story and before he could finish it Timmy was sound asleep. He kissed his head gently and headed back downstairs. Bella had her eyes closed and he was betting she was tired too He decided to take a picture, he had always loved photography. In fact, it had been a hobby for a while. He was actually very good at it. Grabbing his camera he took a picture of her.
He wanted to remember this moment, his perfect angel sleeping quietly. Setting it back down on the cabinet he walked to her brushing a stray hair from her pink cheek.
"My love, let's go to bed."
She opened her beautiful brown eyes and smiled stretching.
"I'm sorry baby, I didn't mean to fall asleep."
"It's fine sweetheart. I kept you up late last night." He said with a twinkle in his eye. "I think you have a right to be tired." She stroked his cheek amazed at the way the red in his hair came out in the firelight. She was lost in his devastatingly beautiful features.
He closed his eyes tilting his head into her palm. "Bella, don't start this please. The look in your eyes is making me think some very naughty thoughts, and you are tired."
"Sorry, I can't help it you are so captivating."
"So are you. Do you have any idea what you do to me? Just being in the same room with you is enough to drive me insane."
"It's been six years, understandable."
He shook his head, his eyes infinitely tender. "It's not all hormonal love, it's the overwhelming need to touch you, hold you, protect you. It's like I can't get close enough and yet I'm right here with you. I get these butterflies in my stomach when you touch me. It is the most wonderful feeling."
"You are so romantic." She enjoyed knowing he felt this way. She brushed a stray lock from his eyes, glancing down at his pale pink lips. His lips were so sensuous it should be against the law, not to mention what he could do with them was simply amazing.
She outlined them with her fingertips, their softness entrancing her. She gasped when he bit her finger gently and smiled as he held it in his mouth. His tongue snaking out to caress it passionately, she couldn't keep the moan inside. Her breathing was rapidly increasing. He knew what he was doing.
"Do you want to head upstairs now love?" He asked releasing her finger. She tried to calm her now racing heart, taking a deep breath.
"I'm no longer sleepy."
"Either am I, but we should go upstairs anyway. I wouldn't want Timmy to walk in while I am making love to his mother." She gulped softly and stood, "Lead the way my love."
He stopped, "Bella will you think about something if I asked you to? I mean I'm not asking exactly, but I want to give you time to mill it over."
"What is it?"
He took her face in his hands, "Would you consider taking us a step further?"
She looked confused, "I don't know what you mean, aren't we already going further?"
He chuckled lightly brushing her hair behind a shell-like ear. "We are, but that's not exactly what I mean. I've loved you for as long as I can remember, and I know you have loved me just as long."
"I have."
"So consider making this a more permanent arrangement, consider being my wife."
She looked at him with wide eyes, "Isn't this a bit soon? We have so much to work through before we can take that step."
"I don't mean now. I said consider it remember? Think about it a while, that way when I do ask you will be ready. I just want you to know this is where I am heading, I hope you are as well."
"I haven't thought that far ahead, I mean I dreamed about it. I'll think about it."
"That is all I can ask beautiful." He kissed her hand, "Come love, let's see how many new things we can discover about each other." She shivered. He chuckled leaning to her ear, "How many new things I can do to make you scream my name."
He felt her grip on his hand tighten. She grinned standing on her tiptoes. "How about we figure out what I can do to make you scream?" He gulped suddenly he was nervous and excited all at once. She giggled, "Come on lover boy."
"Right behind you, just enjoying the view."
"I hope so, I like the thought of your eyes on me." He felt his mouth drop then closed it quickly, this new assertive Bella was something he could get used to, and he couldn't wait.