And so we reach chapter the seventh! It's been a fun ride so far, eh? I'm trying to move things along though, so that it's the same time in the story as it is now! December. So it sort of skips a few weeks without much of an explanation. Let me know if that bugs you, I could come up with a one-shot that includes the dates ExB had in those missing weeks.
So how many times have you seen the movie now? I'm going to my third viewing on Saturday, and am really excited! Me and my mom have even convinced my dad to go. Heh heh heh... He won't know what hit him. :D
Hope you're all having a great week! Thank you so much for all of your reviews/story alerts/story favorites and such. I really appreciate it, more than you know!
EPOV
My shift at the hospital was spent in a total daze. After visiting Bella at her job, she was all I could think about. Her, us...
To think that she hadn't trusted me, that I had lied of my feelings for her... It drove me to the brink of insanity. Had I really done anything to make her doubt me?
Well, you screwed up at handling Jessica.
Oh, right.
"Edward!"
I flinched at the harsh sound to that voice. The voice that was always calm and collected, never raised.
"I'm sorry, Carlisle," I sighed, hanging my head in shame.
Damn it Edward, you know better than to daydream at work! You could kill someone!
Well, I suppose i've never had anything to daydream about before now...
"My mind has been elsewhere today. Sorry."
"It's alright. But if you're unable to concentrate, I don't know if this is the place for you to be. We require your full, undivided attention here, Edward. I know you understand that."
I nodded, awkwardly shoving my hands into my pockets.
Why do I feel like i'm two years old again...
Carlisle's features softened, and he placed a firm hand on my shoulder.
"Take the day off to clear your thoughts, alright? You can come back tomorrow."
"Okay," I nodded, giving him an apologetic smile. "Thank you."
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This was stupid. Idiotic. The worst idea ever. At least at work I could do things to take my mind off of Bella. But now with all of this free time....
"Stop moping, Eddie," Emmett said cheerily, patting me roughly on the back. I flinched and glared over at him.
"I'm not moping. And don't call me Eddie, you know I hate it."
"I know," he grinned. "But really man, cheer up! Why don't you call her, instead of just sitting around here thinking about her and making yourself miserable."
"She's probably at work."
"Well what if she isn't? Maybe she's distracted too, and so was let off early like you were."
"No, Bella is more responsible than that. Besides, why would she even be distracted?"
"Ah come on, Eddie! I saw that look in her eyes at the party as you two left. She's crazy about you."
"You don't know that," I grumbled, trying to shield my face so he couldn't see the new pink tint.
"Awwww! And little Eddie feels the same way about her," Emmett laughed, reaching over to try and pinch my cheeks.
"Could you possibly be any more annoying?" I growled and pushed him away. He just chuckled and took my cell phone from the table.
"Well if you won't call her, i'll call for you."
"You wouldn't..."
"I'm guessing she's number one on speed dial?" He asked while flipping the phone open.
"Emmett!"
"I sure hope she's home. I've never been good at leaving messages."
Oh God, he actually found her number! IT'S RINGING!
"Emmett. Give. Me. The. Phone."
"Okay," he shrugged, tossing it my way. I fumbled a little and nearly dropped the thing, causing Emmett to roar with laughter. "No wonder you refuse to play football!"
"Hello?" Bella's voice asked softly from the phone. I took a deep breath to calm myself and held the receiver up to my ear.
"Bella..."
"Edward?"
I could practically hear the smile in her voice, which made a huge smile of my own break out.
"Yeah, hey."
"Hey...What are you doing?"
"Um, well I was let off work early. So i'm just at home with Emmett. So how come you're at home? I thought you were at work."
"Yeah, but...well, they sort of let me off early too."
"Well?" Emmett asked with a smug grin.
"She was let off early too," I hissed, swatting at his arm in hopes that he'd get the hint and leave.
"HA! What'd I tell you, man? She's got it as bad for you as you've got for her!"
"Is that Emmett?" Bella asked, causing my face to turn a light shade of pink...again.
You know, I never used to blush.
"Yeah...I'm sorry, he can be a real pain sometimes," I said while casting a glare his way. He shrugged and left the room. "So are you doing anything right now?"
"No," Bella said quickly and, if I'm not just giving myself an ego boost here, eagerly.
"Great! Would you like to do something?"
"I'd love to."
"Alright, i'll head on over."
"Hey, um...Edward?"
"Yes?"
"Well...you know, you've seen my place, but...I haven't...really...um," she stuttered. I could practically hear the blush in her voice.
"So you'd like to come over here," I chuckled.
"If that's alright with you..."
"Yes, of course it is. I'll give you my address."
Emmett popped his head back into the room and began making kissing noises. I took off one of my shoes and threw it at him.
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And so, the next few weeks I spent every moment of my spare time with Bella. Jasper and Emmett were beginning to get fed up, since they rarely saw any of me anymore. They were threatening to call my parents.
"Come on guys. I'll tell them about Bella soon, but until then I don't want to put any pressure on her. I don't know if she's ready for that kind of commitment yet."
"Edward, you know how she feels about you. She's moments away from spouting the 'L' word," Emmett sighed, rolling his eyes.
"He's right," Jasper nodded. "I know you don't think so, but everyone else that's given you two as much as a passing glance can see it."
"That's not true," I grumbled, shaking my head. "I may have strong feelings for her, but there's no way to know how she feels. She's impossible to read."
"Why don't we let your parents decide that one," Emmett grinned, reaching for my cell phone.
"No you don't, not this time!" I swiftly dodged out of the way of his hulking arm, and couldn't help but chuckle at his surprised expression.
"So you really don't want me to call 'em."
"I will call them myself - once Bella and I are ready."
Jasper nodded, smiling warmly at me while crossing his arms. Emmett, on the other hand, didn't look like he was willing to give up.
"Come on, Eddie! Take the next step."
"Emmett," Jasper warned, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Let him do this his own way. He knows what he's doing."
"Ohhh man, this is because of that Alice thing, isn't it?" Emmett groaned. "So now you two are gonna be all buddy-buddy because you've both gone cuckoo over some chick?"
"That's one way to put it," I laughed.
Emmett opened his mouth to reply to that, but a knock on the door cut him off. I grinned cheekily and strolled over to open it, knowing just who it would be.
"You know you don't need to knock anymore, Bella," I chuckled, placing a chaste kiss on her lips. She blushed, which caused my grin to grow further.
"Okay."
"So would you like to come in before we head out? I must warn you though - Emmett is likely to give you a good ribbing."
"Umm...Well, I..."
"We don't have to," I laughed. "Just let me grab my jacket."
I turned around and walked to the closet in the hallway, opening it up and searching out my favorite leather jacket.
I hope it doesn't look like i'm trying to impress her. You know, even if I am. But more than one woman have given me an extra once over while I wore it. Finally i've found one worth trying to show off in front of.
"Wearing the jacket?" Emmett laughed, waggling his eyebrows.
"So?"
"Good luck!" He grinned, strolling out the door right past a very curious Bella.
"What was that?"
"Nothing," Jasper laughed. "Emmie was just giving Eddie a rough time." He grabbed his jacket out from the closet and headed for the door. "Later, Eddie."
"Later Jazzie," I replied coldly, turning away from him. I sighed in frustration as I heard footsteps coming up behind me.
"Eddie?" Bella asked innocently. I turned to look at her, and couldn't help but shudder involuntarily at the angel before me.
That little minx...
"Yeah....It's just something they like to...well, eh, tease me about," I stuttered. Bella giggled - a sound that caused my heart to skip a beat.
Face it Edward, you've got it bad. You're one step away from writing a love song about the woman.
"Oh really?"
"Yeah..."
"Well, I kind of like it. Eddie."
I grinned at that, and wrapped my arms around her waist as she giggled again.
"You know, i'm starting to like the sound of it. Say it again?"
"Eddie," she whispered, leaning up to me. I shivered, and my grip around her grew tighter.
"You're driving me crazy, love," I grumbled, closing the distance between our lips. She froze momentarily. I was about to pull away when suddenly her hands grabbed at my hair, and she pulled me closer. I smiled against her mouth, and began to slowly drag one hand up her body as the other clung to her hip for dear life.
"Edward," she moaned, breaking away for air. I growled at that, and began to kiss a trail down her neck. Her hands dug into my scalp and she began to slowly press her hips into mine. By this point my hand was nearly up to her chest.
And she still hasn't pushed you away...
My hand began to tremble as it slowly crept closer to its target. I nearly chickened out, until suddenly one of Bella's hands came down and helped me reach my destination.
"Bella," I hissed, too afraid to move my hand for fear of a loss of self control. "You're driving me crazy..."
Your mother raised her better than to ravage your girlfriend in the middle of a hallway with the front door open...With the front door open!!
I quickly pulled away, and dashed over to the door, slamming it closed. I took a moment to catch my breath, then leaned my back against the door, running a hand through my already tousled hair.
Thank God nobody walked past the door. Or was...peering in, I shuddered.
"I'm so sorry, Bella...I shouldn't have....lost control like that. As much as I wanted it, it probably wasn't the best...I mean, it's just that..."
I was interrupted by Bella as she began to laugh. It was clear she was a little breathless after our antics, and my male ego swelled at the fact.
"Don't be sorry, Edward. Really."
She walked over and leaned her head on my shoulder. I wrapped my arms around her with a smile.
"To be honest, I rather enjoyed myself."
I chuckled at that, and held her closer.
I should really wear this jacket more often.