oOo
They sat down on the bed.
"I'm frightfully sorry," Edward said. He took her hands in his, and again, Bella could feel the tears pricking at her eyes.
"I don't know what happened just now. I felt just so… threatened." He sighed deeply.
"But why, darling?"
"I don't really know. I'm far from perfect." He swallowed. "I couldn't help but think what you must have had with him…"
"Edward. What I have with you is what's important. Stefan… he's totally in the past. How can you not see that?"
"I don't know," he said again, and also, "I'm sorry."
Finally, her tears spilled over. They were for him, for him not being able to himself clearly at all. Beautiful inside and out, a world-renowned artist, he had such a low opinion on Edward Cullen.
"Why does everything always have to be so difficult?" she whispered.
Edward drew her closer, gently wiping her tears away with the pad of his thumb, his green eyes pained for her pain.
"I'm sorry," he said again, staring at their entwined hands.
"Stop saying that." She shook her head. "I just… I don't want you to…"
She didn't need to finish the sentence.
"I know." His voice was deep and thick. "I know, love."
They were silent for some long minutes.
Edward hadn't turned on the lights after she'd gone to have her shower, and the room was starting to envelop them in darkness.
"I've never had a very high opinion on myself," Edward said after a while. "I mean, even as a kid… I guess it's why I first started to paint."
"And is that why you…" she trailed off, again not wanting to say the word.
Edward did it for her. "Drink?" he said, looking up and into her eyes.
She said nothing, slightly nodding her head.
"Maybe. Also, it makes working easier."
"How so?"
She was playing with his fingers, caressing them lightly with her own.
"It lowers inhibitions, well that's obvious, I guess. It makes it easier to get stuff out. Stuff from within."
"I see."
They were silent again, sitting there in the dark, close to each other. The tension was almost gone, and Bella's tears had dried.
"Look at us," she said after some time. "Always putting obstacles in front of ourselves."
"Yeah." Edward laughed a little. He rested his head on her shoulder, wrapping his arms around her once more.
She said nothing, but kissed his forehead.
"I love you so much." He took a deep breath. He kissed her neck.
"I love you too."
"When we return to London…" He heaved a sigh. "When we return to London."
"What is it, Edward?"
"I don't want to be without you, love. Ever again."
"You won't be."
She frowned, wondering where this was going. She ran her fingers through his hair.
"I don't want to be without you," he repeated. He moved so he could look into her eyes. "Bella, will you move in with me?"
oOo
I'm so sorry about the late, late, late update. I was away for ten days and couldn't go online with my MacBook.
Have a good time, and thank you for your support – you know who you are, and I couldn't do it without you!
Your
harperpitt