oOo

"We should go to Wales. I mean, once your semester's finished."

He was shading his eyes against the low afternoon sun, propped up on his elbow on a picnic rug. Bella was snuggled into him, her cheek pressed to his chest, her legs curled around his as she lay on her back, gazing at the fluffy white clouds.

They were in a quiet spot in Hyde Park on a Wednesday afternoon late in May, having had sandwiches and salad for lunch. Both of them could use the down time – Bella had been working nonstop the last couple of weeks, and from what he'd told her, so had Edward.

She sighed luxuriously, looking up at him. He was scruffy, and his eyes were crinkling at the sides. Bella's finger traced his chin, and his neck, and shoulder, down his arm, tickling over dark blond hair.

His skin was warm from the sun, as was hers. He had even tanned a little bit, which suited him enormously.

"For your birthday," she suggested.

He made pouty lips; he didn't like his birthday. Bella tickled his ribs, which made him smile.

"I think I'd like that," he conceded. "It would mean I don't have to have a party."

"Party pooper," she muttered, sliding her fingers just inside the hem of his Polo shirt, caressing his warm stomach.

He peered at her.

"What are you doing?"

"I don't know… Feeling you up?"

A lazy smile and a glint in his eye.

"Thought so."

"Yeah, haven't had much chance to do so lately…"

"You've been working so hard," he murmured, kissing along her hairline.

"Well, so have you…" She closed her eyes, basking in his warmth that enveloped her, his scent. "Are you going to show me what you've been up to?"

She knew that he was particular about his paintings while they were still in the developing stages, but still, she was curious. He'd been locked up in his studio a lot of the time lately, sometimes painting all through the night.

"Hmm, yes. In a little while." He skimmed his nose over her ear.

"Okay…"

"It's not that I don't want you to see. It's just… I'm not yet sure where I'm going."

"It's okay, darling." Scrambling up on her elbows, she sat up to kiss him.

Edward made an appreciative little noise, pulling her lower lip between his.

"We've both been so diligent," he mumbled against her mouth. "We should celebrate. You don't need to work tomorrow, do you?"

"I'm meeting with a study group in the afternoon, but that's it."

She couldn't help the grin spreading over her face. She really had been working a lot, both for school and for Jasper. Although Edward had point blank refused when she'd offered to pay him rent, telling her that it was a ridiculous notion, after all, he owned the house, she liked to contribute to their expenses. And then, there was this secret plan of hers that included a fluffy, tail-wagging puppy…

But she had not told Edward yet, or asked his opinion on the matter. Maybe she would, later, tonight.

"So what do you suggest we do?"

"Dinner at The Summerhouse?"

"Oh yes! I'd love their salad with grilled halloumi. And you could have some fish."

He was already pulling out his phone to make reservations.

oOo

A/N: Sorry for being horrible at review replying! I read each and every one and I cherish your words!

Thank you, thank you for making it over 2000 reviews; you guys are incredible!

Okay, I have a question for you: if I ever posted/published any original fiction of mine, would you be interested in reading that? And what would you like to read?

Much love,

Your

Harperpitt

PS: The Summerhouse does exist – you can Google it