I own nothing *sob*
Sorry for the late update – had momentary writers block.
Bpov
The rest of Wednesday was uneventful. Edward gave me a ride to our psychology class and then offered to drive me to work at the bookstore again. I felt bad that he was driving me everywhere but he would always insist that he didn't mind in the least so who was I to argue? It was better than the subway. Before I knew it Thursday was here and I was to meet Edward outside the university at one for our date.
A date.
An actual date.
Oh no I can't feel my legs! Help!
I had brought another outfit to change into straight after my class. It was nothing special because honestly I didn't own any clothes I would class as 'date worthy' so I had to make do with what I had and that was a pair of navy skinny jeans (They had a little rip and the bottom of the left leg but hopefully it would go unnoticed), a navy tank top that had some lighter blue detail around the top, a purple cardigan and my long dark blue winter coat as it was getting pretty cold outside seeing as it was almost October, I then through back on my old boots that I had had for years. Like I said it was getting cold and in the scarce amount of shoes I had these where the only winter appropriate shoes I owned. Even with my scuffed up, ancient boots I would say I didn't do too bad in the wardrobe department, considering my limited choice's.
I checked my watch with shaking hands as I made my way out to the front of the building. My watch read 12.55 which meant Edward would be here any minute. The realization that this was actually happening, I was actually going on a date like a normal 19 year old and it just so happened to be with Adonis himself made my heart beat erratically in my chest and my breathes to become labored. What if he realizes that I'm not good enough for him? What if he doesn't show up at all? What if he saw me standing here and decided that I wasn't worth the effort so he carried on driving past? Was it all some kind of joke? Would he leave me standing here then laugh at me tomorrow?
I was brought out of my panic attack by a silver Volvo pulling up in front of me and a gorgeous man with messy bronze hair stepping out of the driver's side. I tried to calm my breathing as I wiped my sweaty palms on the legs of my jeans, watching the god of a man walk over to me with a grin lighting up his beautiful face, once in front of me if it was at all possible his smile got even wider.
"Hi Bella" He said in the most sexy sweet voice I think I have ever heard.
"Hi" I replied shyly as I bit my lip, unable to look him directly in the eye due to my nerves.
I heard him chuckle as he placed a finger under my chin, guiding my face up so I would meet his eyes. "You look beautiful Bella" He spoke quietly as his emerald eyes bore into mine. I blushed at his comment. "Are you ready to go brown eyes?"
All I was able to do was nod as I stood there mesmerized by his eyes.
"Come on then beautiful, we have lot's to see and little time to see it" His hand moved from my face down to the small of my back as he guided me to his car and opened the passenger side door for me. I thanked him before he closed the door; his reply was his usual "Anytime" accompanied by a perfectly crooked smile.
Once he had got in the car and pulled away he pressed a button on his IPOD which was attached to the car stereo by a black lead. Soft classical music filled the car which I recognized immediately.
"Debussy?" I asked him.
"Yes….are you a fan?" He was clearly surprised that I was familiar with the song.
"Well my mom used to listened to Debussy around the house all the time when I was younger. Clair De Lune is my favorite" I told him, looking down at my hands in my lap, suddenly feeling depressed at the thought of my mother.
"Clair De Lune is my favorite as well"
I looked up at him and smiled. "So where are we going?" I asked, starting to feel more at ease.
"That's for me to know and for you to find out" He chuckled.
"Hey that's not fair!" I protested.
He just laughed at me.
"Ass" I grumbled as I scowled at him. This only caused him to laugh harder.
"Oh I'm sorry Bella" He said once he had calmed down some, placing his hand on my knee. "You won't have to wait long we're almost there"
True to his word not five minutes later we pulled into a small parking lot. I had no idea where we were. Edward came round to my door and helped me out, he then locked the car and with a hand on the small of my back guided me towards the street.
I refrained from asking where we were because I knew I would just get the same answer as before. I tried desperately to work it out from the street names but as I was so new to the city I wasn't having much luck. Abruptly Edward pulled me into a small deli.
"I thought you might be hungry"
As if on cue my stomach growled. "Absolutely ravenous" I replied as he grinned.
"Sounds like it" He teased.
Once we paid, or rather he paid for our food he started leading me down the street once more, this time I couldn't hold in my curiosity any longer.
"Edwwaarrrdd" I drew out his name in a moan worthy of a six year old. "Please tell me where we're going" I pleaded.
He chuckled and replied as we turned a corner. "That's where we're going brown eyes" He pointed in front of us. I looked in the direction he was pointing and smiled widely up at him.
"No one should go to New York and not visit the statue of liberty" He said as he started to guide me forward again.
"Thank you Edward, I've always wanted to see it up close"
"No problem brown eyes"
Instead of stopping at the end of the cue he led me straight past.
"Edward, the cue is right there. We're going the wrong way" I told him
"No we're not Bella" He looked down at me and smiled. "I bought fast track tickets so we wouldn't be waiting all day."
We had reached the booth now; he quickly handed in our tickets, then led me over to security. As I was getting my bag back from the baggage screening Edward walked through the metal detectors, suddenly it started to beep. I looked over at him and saw him groan from embarrassment, I giggled which he must have heard because he turned to look at me and playfully glared. A male security officer walked over and told Edward to spread his legs and lift his arms up as he scanned him with a hand held metal detector, once that was done the officer gave him a quick pat down to make sure he wasn't hiding anything. When the man's hands got near the tops of his legs Edwards face paled, he looked extremely uncomfortable, especially when the guy went over his ass. I could have sworn I heard him squeak. As soon as he received the all clear he all but ran over to me looking traumatized.
"You okay?" I asked while trying to fight back laughter at the look on his face.
"As soon as we're out of this room I will be" He said with a shudder. I couldn't help but laugh.
"Hey shut it you!" He scolded.
"I'm sorry!"
"Yeah sure you are" He chuckled despite himself.
We had a great time on the ferry and while we climbed up the statue of liberty. Edward was constantly making me laugh with stories about all the things he got up to with Alice and Emmett when they were kids. I was crying with laughter when he told me about the time when he was eight, his parents came home one afternoon to find Emmett and himself dressed up in his mothers clothes – make up and all – they had been trying to cheer up Alice because a boy from across the street had been mean to her and made her cry so as big brothers they scared the living day lights out of the kid and told him never to be mean to her ever again, but Alice was still upset so they let her dress them up – it was the only thing that would stop her crying.
"God I feel so bad! All we've been talking about is me and my family" He said as we were walking back to the car. "Tell me about your family. Do you have any brothers or sisters?" He looked at me expectantly.
This really was a subject I didn't want to discuss.
"No I don't have any brothers or sisters" I answered.
"What about your parents? What are they like? What do they do?" He asked interestedly.
I took a deep breath and told myself not to cry. "My dad was the chief of police in Forks and my mom was a kindergarten teacher. They were the best parents I could of asked for. Renee – my mom – was a little eccentric; she would always come up with these crazy hobbies to try, none of which lasted more than a few weeks. One time she decided she wanted to try out sky diving. She forgot that she was scared of heights" I laughed a little at the memory. "My dad was the complete opposite. He loved the simple things like watching football on Sundays with a few beers. They evened each other out" I had no idea why I decided to tell him all about my parents, I could have easily lied to him but I didn't. For some reason I allowed myself to open up to this man, even if it was something as little as what my parents were like, it was still more than I had told anyone in the past few years.
Edward was silent for a few moments before he quietly said. "Was?"
I looked up at him, realizing my mistake.
"You spoke about them in the past tense." Edward said after I remained silent. "It's ok Bella I don't expect you to tell me anything, I mean we've only known each other a few days" He smiled slightly at me, reassuringly.
"They died" I blurted out, his head snapped round to look at me as I avoided his gaze. "Car accident. I was in the car with them. It was five years ago" It was the truth, just missing a few details. I bit down on my tongue, trying desperately to keep the tears at bay.
"I'm so sorry Bella" Edward said sincerely. He grabbed me around the waist and pulled me against him just as we reached the car. As much as I fought, the tears still came.
Epov
I couldn't stand seeing the tears pool in her eyes so I reached out and pulled her to me, hugging her small body to my chest. I felt the warm tears stain my shirt as she finally gave up on holding them in. Resting my head on top of hers I placed a light kissed on her hair as I rubbed my hand up and down her back, trying to comfort her. "I'm sorry, I'm a complete ass, I shouldn't have said anything." I felt her head move from my chest, her tear stained eyes stared into mine.
"Why are you apologizing? How were you to know not to ask?" She asked.
"I don't know, I just hate seeing you upset and it's my fault that you are" I replied dejectedly.
"Edward, it's not your fault." She was adamant. "It was five years ago, I shouldn't be crying every time they're mentioned anymore"
Lifting my hands I cupped her face so that she had to look me in the eye. "Bella, there is nothing wrong with missing your parents. You love them and they are gone, it's only natural to feel like part of you is missing when you think of them, they were the main people in your life for so long, of course you will be upset when you think of them."
She looked up at me, her brown orbs still drowning in tears. I didn't know what she was looking for but whatever it was she seemed to have found it. With the back of her hands she scrubbed at her tear stained cheeks. "Thank you Edward. Your too good to me" She smiled.
"Impossible" I told her. If anything this beautiful woman was far too good for me. "You ready for part two Beautiful?" I asked her, trying to lighten the mood a bit.
"Of course" Bella giggled. I was in momentary shock at the sound; it was so beautiful – just like her. My new favorite sound.
I opened the car door for her and she quickly jumped in. Once we had left the car park Bella turned to me and asked.
"Is there any chance at all that you will tell me where we're going now?"
"None at all" I replied with a chuckle as Bella sighed dramatically.
***
We exited the car and quickly crossed the street, I rested my hand casually on Bella's lower back.
"I thought we could take a walk through central park and then visit the MET" I said.
"That sounds great" She smiled up at me.
As we entered central park I slipped my hand from her back down to her wrist then slowly slid my hand down into hers, entwining our fingers. I looked over at her hoping she didn't mind. The look she gave me was both shocked and elated at the same time.
"Do you mind?" I asked her, nervousness clear in my tone even though I tried to avoid it.
"Not at all" She said, her cheeks flaming and a goofy smile on her face which I'm sure matched mine.
"Good, because I don't plan on letting go anytime soon" I told her with conviction, a grin lighting up my face as I looked down at her.
She just smiled at me in response.
We wondered around the MET for about two hours, if I'm being completely honest I wasn't paying much attention to the art surrounding me, I was rather distracted by the Angel holding my hand.
It had just gone 6.30pm when we arrived in time square. I watched as Bella stared in amazement at the bright colors lighting up the buildings all around us. It was obvious from her expression that she was in awe and I guess that's understandable seeing as she came from the middle of nowhere. After we had been stood in the same spot for ten minutes with Bella just staring wide eyed at the view in front of us I decided it was time to get her moving or we would most likely lose our reservations.
"Bella?" I shook her hand lightly. "Bella we need to go or we'll miss our reservations" I told her.
Her head snapped round before one of her classic blushes stained her cheeks.
"Oh God, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to stand here gawking like an idiot" She said embarrassed.
"That's okay brown eyes" I smiled and stroked her cheek. "Come on, this way" I said as I lead her down the street toward the hard rock café.
Bpov
We were currently walking down the street to Edwards's car after having a delicious dinner at the hard rock café. I honestly had no idea what I had done to deserve Edward; he was utterly perfect in every way. Okay maybe that's an over statement but I had yet to see any imperfection. We reached the car and as usual Edward opened the door for me. Once Edward had taken his seat and we were pulling away I spoke.
"Edward I just wanted to thank you for today. I've had a really good time." I told him blushing.
He reached over and took my hand, entwining our fingers. "It's been my pleasure."
I was now faced with the problem of convincing him to drop me off somewhere other than my apartment. I knew that it would be difficult to convince him if not impossible.
"You can just drop me off at the diner, I don't want you to drive out of your way just to take me home" I told him hopeful that he would make this easy.
"What makes you think the date is over already?" He asked with a smirk on his face.
"Oh well I-I just assumed" I stuttered.
Edward just chuckled in response. He released my hand as he turned sharply left.
"So are we going somewhere else?"
"I guess you'll just have to wait and see" he chuckled again.
"What! Not this again! Please tell me Edward." I begged with an over exaggerated pout on my lips.
He grinned and then turned to look at me, his eyes flickered down to my pouted lips and almost instantaneously his grin disappeared as he swallowed, he looked up into my eyes and I noticed that his had darkened for some unknown reason. A stuttered breath escaped his lips and he quickly turned back to the road, releasing a nervous chuckle as he combed his fingers through his bronze locks.
"Is that a 'no' you're not going to tell me?" I asked, confused by his odd reaction just seconds ago.
"Huh? Oh...Um that's a 'we're almost there and I want it to be a surprise'" He said as the smile returned to his face.
"You're so mean" That was my pathetic attempt an insult.
"Bella you wound me" He clutched his chest and pretended to be insulted by my words.
I smiled despite myself. Edward grinned and picked up my hand again, gently stroking the back with his thumb.
"We're here brown eyes" He said. I looked up and noticed we were in yet another car park but I could see past a few buildings and noticed the empire state building.
"Thank you" I grinned at him and jumped out of the car before he came around to my side.
"Someone's eager" Edward observed.
I grabbed his hand and started to drag him along.
"Hell yes I'm eager! I've wanted to go to the Empire state building for as long as I can remember." I told him. "It's kinda embarrassing but my mum was obsessed with 'sleepless in Seattle', she said that she always wished that my dad had taken her to New York and proposed to her on top of the Empire state building, I guess it rubbed off on me" I shrugged.
"So do you dream of being proposed to on top of the Empire state building?" He asked.
"Um… well yeah, I would love to be proposed to like that, but I don't think it will happen" I answered vaguely.
"What do you mean by that?" Edward asked confused.
"I just… I don't see myself getting married." I replied stoically
"Are you opposed to marriage?"
"Not at all. I think it's the most wonderful thing to promise yourself to someone else for the rest of your life" I replied, desperately trying to think of a way to explain myself without spilling my secrets. "I just don't think it's in the cards for me"
"You don't see yourself clearly do you Bella?" I presumed it was a rhetorical question so I didn't answer. "Anybody would be lucky to have you; your beautiful, smart, kind, funny, adorably clumsy" He chuckled at that last one while I scowled. "The list is endless" He finished.
"Thank you" I smiled slightly. I thought it best to leave it at that. It wasn't that I thought myself not good enough to be proposed to - although that was a small part of it - the real reason was that I knew I would never get the chance to say yes, I was under the power of people who had no care for me, people who treated me as their property, people who were dangerous and I would never risk someone I loved for a brief moment of happiness. I was bound by a web of pain and fear which I had no intentions of dragging anyone else into.
We entered the building, paid for our tickets and made our way to the elevator. The doors to the elevator opened for us to enter and Edward and I were the last in, I was forced backwards into Edward's chest as the doors closed. Unexpectedly he released my hand and wrapped his arms around my waist pulling me tighter into his embrace, his head resting on top of mine. I had never felt safer and cared for in my life.
"Are you okay sweetheart?"
I was momentarily shocked by his word of endearment.
"Never been better" I told him honestly. I felt a gentle pressure on my hair and realized it was his lips.
In those few minutes of Edward holding me, I forgot about all of the worries and fears in my life and just basked in the moment, in the feeling of his strong arms holding me protectively to his chest.
The doors opened and we stepped out, Edward once again grabbing my hand led me out the doors and onto the viewing platform. We walked over to the railings hand in hand as I saw for the first time New York from high above. It was stunning, I was convinced that the fact that it was dark outside and every building was lit only made it more spectacular. Edward asked a middle aged woman beside us if she would take our picture, she agreed and Edward handed her his phone. He grabbed me around the waist and held me just like in the elevator.
"Smile beautiful" He whispered in my ear.
I smiled and the woman took the photo. She handed the phone back to Edward who thanked her. We both looked at the photograph of the two of us stood together looking utterly content. I was surprised to see that I didn't look entirely terrible. Sure compared to Edward I was ghastly but for some reason we looked good together. Maybe it was just the goofy grins we both had or the beautiful back drop making it look unreal but for what ever reason we looked right together.
"Can I have your number Brown eyes? …….. So I can send you the photo" He explained coyly.
"Is that your way of subtly asking for my number Mr. Cullen" I asked amused that he felt like he needed an excuse to ask for my number.
"Perhaps" He blushed.
I made him freaking blush!!
"So am I aloud your number Ms Swan?"
"Let me think about it" I joked turning away.
Suddenly he was behind me tickling my sides. I ignored the slight pain coming from my rib, I was used to the pain it caused by now.
"Okay! Okay! I'll give it to you!" I giggled and turned to face him.
Edward smiled widely and handed me his phone. I quickly entered my number and handed it back to him.
"Thank you" He said simply before turning me around and hugging me from behind as we looked at the view in front of us.
I had no idea how long we stood looking over the city but eventually the cold wind got too cold to stay outside any longer so we grudgingly went back inside. On our way back through the building Edward insisted we go to the gift shop.
He bought me a pen with a model Empire state building on the top, a photo frame and an 'I LOVE NY' t-shirt saying it was a crime to live in New York and not own one. He ended up buying himself a photo frame as well claiming he wanted to see the photo of us sitting on his dresser every morning, he also bought a baseball bat as apparently Emmett tends to sleep walk in the nude.
We were presently in Edwards Volvo when he asked.
"So where do you live Bella? And before you say it I don't mind driving you home and I certainly am not leaving you walking the streets of New York on your own." He said adamantly. I huffed, how the hell was I going to prevent him from seeing where I lived now?
I soon realized there was no way around it so I told him my address.
Thirty minutes later we entered my neighborhood and I stared down at my lap complete and utterly ashamed. The buildings were covered in graffiti; there were groups of shady looking men lounging on the wall of a liquor store and cars with smashed in windows.
"Bella" I heard Edward say quietly but I couldn't bring myself to look at him. "Bella is this where you live?" He asked cautiously.
My only reply was to nod.
"Which apartment building is it?" He asked softly.
I looked up and pointed. "It's that one there"
Edward maneuvered the car into a space in front of my building. We sat in silence for a few minutes; I was to ashamed to look at him let alone say anything and he no doubt was contemplating what the hell he was doing with someone like me.
As I was drowning in self pity I felt Edwards hand on top of mine. I looked up at him with tears in my eyes.
"What's wrong brown eyes?" He asked kindly.
I just shook my head, causing the tears to fall.
"Bella please tell me what's wrong so I can make it better" He pleaded.
"There's nothing you can do Edward, I just hate knowing what you're thinking of me now" I replied, still unable to meet his eyes.
Edward cupped my face in his large hands.
"Bella look at me" I didn't. "Bella please look at me" My eyes met his and I was surprised to see only kindness in their green depth. "Do you really believe that my feelings for you would change because of where you live?" When he put it like that it did sound a bit juvenile. "I admit that I don't like the fact that your living here" At that I tried to pull my face away but his gentle iron grip on my face would not budge. "But only because I fear for your safety, I know we haven't known each other long but I care for you Bella. It doesn't matter to me where you come from, or where you work all that matters to me is you" The look in his eyes confirmed his statement so I nodded with a slight smile.
"Thank you" I whispered.
"Anytime" He grinned which caused me to giggle. "Can I kiss you Bella?" He said quietly, his face had turned serious yet nervous.
I looked into his eyes and swallowed. Biting my lip I nodded. Slowly, almost painfully so he leaned forward; I licked my lips in preparation. Finally his lips met mine in a feather light touch, my skin blazed at the contact and the ever present current tingled from my lips and down my spine consuming me. My eyelids fluttered shut as I gently pushed into him, molding our lips together. Gently Edward pulled my bottom lip into his mouth and sucked lightly. I moaned at the sensation as my hands glided up his strong arms, my left finding perches in his bronze locks and my right gripping his shoulder. A few moments later I felt Edwards's warm tongue dart out and slide along my lips asking for entrance, I granted his wish and just as we tilted our heads for better access and our tongues finally touched we were shocked apart by a group of rowdy teenagers shouting at each other and throwing empty beer cans around. One of which made contact with Edwards side door.
I looked at Edward with a shy smile on my lips. "I should go" I said as I turned and reached for the door handle.
"Let me walk you up" He jumped out of the car before I could protest.
We walked hand in hand up the seven floors to my apartment. The elevator had been broken for as long as I've lived here so it was nothing new to me but Edward was breathing heavily by the time we reached my floor.
"Jesus Swan, how do you climb all those steps every day?" He asked.
"I'm used to it I guess" I shrugged.
We reached the door marked 712 and I turned to Edward.
"This is me" I said shyly.
"Well I guess I'll see you tomorrow, I'll give you a ride to class?" He asked.
"That would be great thank you" I smiled.
Edward looked down at my lips and slowly leaned in to give me a good bye kiss. This kiss was a lot shorter than the one in his car but was perfect none the less.
"I'll see you tomorrow brown eyes" He gave me his crooked grin before he quickly placed a kiss on my forehead and one last peck on the lips, then he turned around and strolled back towards the stairwell.
I unlocked my door with shaky hands, quickly locking it behind me then dropped my keys in the bowl beside the door. I proceeded to calmly take a shower and get changed for bed before I started squealing like a twelve year old with her first crush. I had a massive goofy grin on my face as I climbed into bed. That was the first night I dreamt of Edward Cullen.
Again I'm sorry for the late update but I honestly couldn't get it to come out right.
It was a longish chap and you got a kiss. Am I forgiven?
Can any of you guess what Bella's secret might be? If you have any ideas let me hear your theories.
Please review it makes me so happy :)
What did you guys think of New Moon movie? Better or worse than Twilight?
I personally think it was better.
Stories I'm reading:
Undercover blue by alphadork
My favorite accident by sendmeonmyway
Exposure by tina72899
Make me believe by bellasunderstudy1