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"Oh my God," she giggled, thoroughly embarrassed.
"Seems like someone's hungry."
Edward kissed her nose.
"I only ate breakfast," she admitted sheepishly.
"That's not enough, Bella," he said, his voice very low and worried.
"I know," she assured him. "It's just because of everything that's… happening." She kissed him. "Let's make dinner?"
"Okay." He caught her lips with his before they got up and walked to the kitchen.
They had tomato soup and sandwiches, the radio playing in the background.
"It's a pity you don't use your kitchen for cooking," Bella mentioned. "It's fantastic."
"You're welcome to cook here anytime you want," Edward blurted, and cringed. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean it the way it sounded."
Bella giggled. She moved one sock-clad foot up his shin.
"I'd like to."
Edward was excited to see this other side of Bella. He'd been aware that she was playful and spontaneous at times, but she'd been much more carefree these last few days.
"What do you want to do tonight?" he asked. "We could go out, if you want. After all, it's Saturday night."
"I don't always go out on Saturday nights," she shrugged.
"What would you be doing if you weren't here?"
"Don't know. Read, maybe, or watch a movie with Leah. What would you do if I weren't here?"
"Oh, but I'm so glad you're here." He caught her foot, which had tickled its way up to his knee, and pulled it into his lap. He massaged it lightly, and that made Bella smile luxuriously.
"I'd paint, I suppose."
"So I'm keeping you from it?"
She frowned, but he shook his head.
"Right now is perfect."
His fingers slipped into the leg of her jeans and caressed her calf.
"Your skin is so soft."
She merely smiled in response, her cheeks a lovely pink.
They sat and talked for another hour before Edward suggested they move to the living room. He opened a bottle of wine and joined Bella on the sofa, where she was browsing through one of the illustrated books from Edward's coffee table.
"Do you like him?"
He gestured to the book on William Lee Hankey.
"I think so. I like this one." She pointed to one of his many paintings of a mother with her young child.
"Yeah, it's one of my favourites as well."
"Tell me about his pictures."
Bella moved closer to him and snuggled into his side, placing the book on both of their laps.
The whole gesture was so natural and loving that Edward's heart ached with happiness. He kissed her temple.
"This one," he said, "is titled We've Been in the Meadows All Day. He's best known for his pictures in this style. Realistic yet sentimental, or the other way round."
Bella looked up at him.
"Is that how you see the world?"
"I'm afraid my view of the world is much more pessimistic," he replied.
"You think so? But your paintings…"
"I paint the world as it should be. Based on how it is, sure, but…" He frowned, struggling to explain. "I like to give it an optimistic hue."
"I see."
Bella's dark eyes were luminous as her face came near and her warm lips melted with his.
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Thank you so much for all the lovely reviews for the last chapter; I'm sorry I didn't get to thank each of you personally… Your words put a huge smile on my face.
I believe that many of you will like the next few chapters…