oOo
"Wow." Leah grabbed another mouthful of popcorn. "You are his muse!"
Bella had just told her friend about the fact that Edward had included her in one of his paintings. Though she had told him she didn't mind, she was a little nervous about people recognizing her.
"Nonsense!" Leah said when she'd voiced her worries. "He didn't paint you-you. He included you in his art. That's so romantic."
"It is, I guess."
Bella took a small sip of her Baileys.
"You're happy with him, aren't you?"
Bella sighed. Yes, she was happy with Edward. But she was also worried.
She knew she needed to address his drinking. It was just something she wasn't looking forward to. She remembered how he'd freaked out when she'd asked him not to have another drink, that night of their big fight. The night before everything changed between them.
Leah was watching her with an expectant look in her black eyes.
Bella nodded. She thought back to the other night, when Edward had crawled into bed next to her after working in his studio, showering her with tiny kisses and whispered words.
He was such a tender spirit, careful and deep. Continually proving his love and devotion. Always telling her she was beautiful, until she almost could believe it.
He was generous and sensitive, and such a loving, warm-hearted man.
He would never willingly hurt anyone. Least of all her. Only he sometimes did, if only by hurting himself.
"Yes," she said with a strong voice, chasing away her gloomy thoughts. "Yes, he makes me very happy. I feel, I don't know…" She thought for a moment. "I feel at home with him."
"You deserve this so much, Bella. And I'm sorry I gave you crap about him earlier. I can see he's good for you."
Bella smiled.
"And I can't wait to see your picture," Leah added.
"My picture?"
"The one you told me about. The one with you in the meadow…"
"It's beautiful. You'll love it."
"Have you made up your mind yet what you're going to wear?"
"I talked with Alice earlier. I think I'll put on the blue dress, you know, the short one with the long sleeves. Edward loves it."
Leah sighed and shook her head.
"It all happened so quickly, don't you think?"
"What did?"
"You and Edward. I mean, you're already so close. You spend all your time at his house…"
"Do you think it's weird?"
Leah took a thoughtful sip of her drink.
"Not weird," she said. "Just intense."
"That, it is," Bella admitted.
.
It was after midnight when Leah called a cab and kissed her friend goodbye.
Bella was so tired her legs felt like lead. She made herself a hot water bottle and went to bed. She checked her phone before she dimmed the light.
Edward had sent a text.
"I miss you, my love. Hope you had a nice evening with L. Can't wait to see you tomorrow. Can't wait to kiss you again. E."
She missed him too. So much.
oOo
Thank you all so much for the reviews – I'm terribly sorry I'm so bad at replying at the moment. You guys are the best!
Hugs and kisses to all of you,
harperpitt