oOo

Edward was waiting for her when she returned home later that day. He was quite cheerful, his cheeks rosy, from the long walk he'd taken, he said.

"You didn't work?"

"A bit, yes. But I wanted to take you out for dinner, what do you think?"

He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close.

"Did you get wet?"

"I'm sorry?" His green eyes were sparkly and alive.

"During your walk," she clarified. "Did you get wet?"

"What? Um, no. Took it once it'd stopped raining." He placed a kiss on her lips. "So what d'you think? Dinner at The Waterway?"

Bella couldn't help but smile at his unexpected exuberance. She stood on her tiptoes and kissed him.

"Okay," she murmured against his lips. He tasted like fresh mints, and his stubble was scratching her deliciously. "Let me just take a shower."

"Care for company?" he whispered into her ear, making her shudder.

"Absolutely," she swallowed.

.

"So," she said once they'd been served their fresh lemonades, and were back to holding hands across the table. "I've been thinking about something."

Her heart was galloping inside her chest, but she had decided to broach the subject tonight, since he seemed so happy and serene.

"Oh, yes?" Edward's smile was contagious.

"Yep." She took a big breath. "What would you think about getting a dog?"

For an instant his eyes showed shock, and wistfulness. She gave his fingers a tender squeeze.

The left corner of his mouth went up. His eyes changed from sad to hopeful.

"How long have you been thinking about that?" he asked, his voice slightly thick.

"I don't know," she said. "A few months…"

He raised her hand and kissed it, and then opened it and cradled it against his cheek.

"I think," he said, looking way too young and cute for a forty-year old man, "I think that I would like that very, very much."

Bella's heart was flying out toward his. She had to get up and walk around the table so she could have a seat next to him. So she could hug him, and kiss him.

She was surprised by her own reaction, but Edward's response meant so much to her. In some way, it seemed to signify the beginning of a new chapter in his life. She'd never known Milo, but she did vividly remember the Edward she'd come to know on the day of his demise.

"Thank you, love," he was whispering into her hair.

"It will be great," she replied softly. "You know I miss Pookie as well…"

"Yeah," he murmured, kissing her ear.

They were interrupted by the arrival of their dinner, and Bella returned to her place across from Edward.

"When do you want to start looking?" he asked.

"I don't know." Bella took a bite of her zucchini risotto. "I already looked at some homepages. You do want to get a dog from a shelter, don't you?"

Edward nodded. He looked so happy, so touching, so young.

"So many things to decide," he said. "A young one? A girl or a boy? What breed?"

"I think we should just go and look. He or she will find us."

"You're right," he said. He grabbed her hand. "I can't wait to do this with you, love." He smiled. "Everything is better with you."

The words moulded themselves around Bella's heart like honey.

oOo

Hmm… Edward seems very cheerful.

Thank you from the very bottom of my heart for your reviews, I promise to be better about responding again!

Hugs and kisses from

Your

harperpitt

(Join me on facebook, if you haven't already. Harper Pitt, same profile pic.)