oOo
"Ready for this experience?" he asked, and Bella smiled, taking the DVD from him and sliding it into the player.
They had cleared the table and were now sitting side by side in her loveseat. Edward was having another glass of wine – hers was still half full – and Bella had dimmed the lights.
"I can't believe you haven't seen E.T." He grinned.
She shook her head. She looked so pretty, so young. She had tucked one leg underneath her, facing him instead of the TV.
"You will like it," he promised.
The movie started, and Edward caught himself watching Bella almost as much as the film.
Their pinkie fingers touched at one point, but neither drew them back. Instead, and as if of their own volition, his fingers sneaked closer, lightly passing over her knuckles. He looked at her from the corner of his eye and she appeared to be watching the movie, but Edward saw her swallow, and bite her lip, and it did something indefinable to his insides.
By the time E.T. was trying to call home, his whole hand was covering hers, and a few minutes later, she turned it, allowing him to entwine their fingers. Warmth was tingling all the way up to his elbow.
He looked at her again.
"Bella." His voice was thick.
She didn't reply, but the light squeeze of her fingers was answer enough to tell him that there was something. Something sweet, and genuine.
The end titles rolled as well as a tear did down Bella's cheek, and then she did the most surprising thing, lifting Edward's hand to her mouth, kissing it gently. Her eyes were closed as she did it. Her lips were warm, and so, so soft.
Edward gasped.
She opened her eyes and smiled at him, and he could feel it on the back of his hand.
"Thank you," she murmured. "That was lovely."
Their hands dropped to his thigh.
"I thought you might like it," he said.
"Yes, the movie too," she said. "But I meant this whole afternoon and evening. I know it was just the result of your… your morning." She frowned. "I mean… I mean…" She looked so frustrated, and Edward was learning that it was her reaction to not finding the right words.
"I feel the same way," he responded simply. "Thank you for having me. I can only imagine how my day would have ended otherwise…" He cleared his throat. He was sure that she must be repelled by his drinking. It had grown rather out of hand again over the past weeks, and he was absolutely determined to get it back under control.
Wine was okay. Whiskey was not.
"I'm glad if I could help you," she murmured.
"You did."
And with that, he lifted their hands again and kissed hers.
oOo