oOo
Edward woke to a sensation of softness and warmth.
He didn't open his eyes, wanting to enjoy the moment a little longer until he needed to get back to reality.
Because it was gorgeous. As if he was wrapped in cotton and security, in comfort and glorious silence.
He hadn't woken this relaxed and rested in years.
Blinking, Edward realized that he wasn't dreaming, or still half asleep.
He was awake.
He was awake, with Bella in his arms. Her back was to his front, and his arms were around her slight body. Her hand was covering his. One of her feet was between his calves.
She was breathing evenly, her dark ponytail splayed over the pillow.
Maybe he had died during the night, and this was heaven?
Edward thought back to what had happened before they'd gone to sleep. All he could remember was intense exhaustion, and the rustle of paper as she turned the pages of her book.
Edward smiled, and shut his eyes.
When he opened them again again, minutes or hours later, Bella had turned in his arms, and she was smiling at him.
"Good morning," she whispered.
"Um, good morning." He rubbed his eyes. "What time is it?"
Not that it mattered, there was nowhere he needed to go, and no place he'd rather be than right here, right now.
"Half past nine." She tickled his chin. "Did you sleep well?"
"Mmm-hmm. You?"
"Very well." She moved closer and placed her head against his chest, right under his chin.
Edward wrapped his arm around her. She felt tiny and fragile, but he wasn't fooled by that anymore. He knew that she was strong. Strong and wise and warm-hearted.
He buried his face in her warm hair.
She smelled like cream and roses.
"Bella?"
"Hmm?"
"Can… can we spend the day together?"
She giggled, and the vibration was delicious.
"Of course," she mumbled against his neck.
.
They had a perfect day.
While Edward was in the shower, Bella made breakfast, which they had in bed. They watched My Fair Lady, apparently because there was a rule that Bella had to see that movie a few days before Christmas, and he'd kept her from it last night.
She had put on sweatpants and a T-shirt and placed her head on Edward's chest at some point. Again, as if it was the most natural thing in the world. Edward put his arm around her shoulder and kissed her temple, and he could feel her lips pull up into a smile.
In the afternoon, they went shopping for groceries. Hand-in-hand, they strolled through the aisles of Sainsbury's. Bella placed fruit and vegetables and yoghurt into the cart, and Edward added bread, cheese and eggs.
Once back at her place, Bella made tea and they sat on the sofa with a Christmas CD playing in the background.
"Are you okay?" she asked, surprising him.
"Yes. Yes, of course I'm okay. Isn't that…" He stopped when he saw her bite her lip. He took her hands in his. "I'm not very easy to read, am I?" He sighed deeply. "I know… I know we should, we have to talk more about… everything. But right now… all I want to do is sit here with you. It's so peaceful. I know I tend to close up…"
"Yes." But she smiled.
"You need to, I don't know. You need to remind me. Prod me."
"Prod you?"
"Yeah." He lightly prodded her side. He could feel every single one of her ribs. He tried not to show his distress. "Yes. Like that?"
Bella giggled.
"You want me to prod you like that?" She reached out and did the same to him, only much harder than he'd done.
It tickled.
"I was speaking figuratively," Edward laughed, "but, yes."
"Okay." She smiled. "I'll prod you, Edward Cullen."
And then, she snuggled up to his side.
oOo
Thank you for your beautiful reviews. Please keep telling me what you think – it really helps me developing this story.
I know our Edward is giving all of us whiplash right now, and I can promise you that the road ahead of those two will be bumpy for quite a while – that's why they deserve a bit of fluff every now and then.
Hugs and kisses my lovely, lovely readers!
Your
harperpitt