Big thanks to the wonderful SunflowerFran for beta'ing this.
I do not own Twilight; remaining mistakes are mine.
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He went to the porch and opened the bottle of champagne while Bella served them the risotto and salad she'd made.
In the distance, a pink ball of fire was sinking into the sea, presenting another spectacular sunset.
"Here."
Bella set down their plates and the salad bowl.
"Wow, that looks amazing."
"Thanks."
The atmosphere was tense between them. Edward almost didn't want the champagne anymore. He still wanted to prove to her that he could do this. He knew what she was thinking, even if he couldn't say the word to himself.
He would prove to her that he was not… that. He could have a couple of glasses and stop.
He poured two glasses.
"So what do you want to do tomorrow?" Bella asked.
Chewing on his first bite of risotto – which was divine, he shrugged one shoulder.
"Don't know," he said once he'd swallowed. "Gosh, baby, this tastes incredible."
"Thanks." She smiled, but it wasn't in her eyes.
"We could go to Cardiff. Or just stay here, be lazy on the beach. What do you want to do?"
"It's your birthday, darling." Surprising him, she raised her glass. "Let's drink to that, shall we?"
The tension eased between them after that. He understood that Bella was trying to show that she trusted him, which he appreciated immensely.
They chatted easily about this and that, and Edward wanted to hear an exact description of how she'd made the risotto.
He did have a second glass, but Bella declined. When they were finished, they cleared the table and he washed the dishes – including their empty glasses – and Bella dried them.
After that, Edward lit the fireplace, and they settled on the sofa to the soft tunes of Chopin and two mugs of hot chocolate.
They played a game of Rummy, which Bella won, having played it every Sunday for years and years with her dad.
When it was close to midnight, Bella vanished for a few minutes, reappearing on the stroke of twelve with a chocolate cake. Thankfully, it said 'Happy Birthday' instead of bearing forty-one candles. There was just one in the middle.
"Oh, love." His heart constricted at the thought of how much thought she'd put into this. She must have made the cake while he was purchasing the cheese this afternoon – he even suspected her of setting up the cheese-shortage so he'd leave the cottage!
"Thank you so much," he whispered against her lips.
"Make a wish," she murmured back, her lips tugging at his.
He blew out the candle and did just that.
Their kiss was long and slow and rather exciting. Edward felt himself stir inside his jeans.
"Did you?"
Her lips were so soft against his.
"Mmm-hmm…"
And with that, he swept her in his arms and carried her to the bedroom.
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Thank you for all your reviews. I must have the best readers in the universe.
I promise, this is a last calm before the final storm!
Have a great weekend; I'll see you soon. The story's now almost written, so there should be more updates – how does that sound?
Hugs and kisses, my lovelies!
Your
harperpitt