Chapter 8: Demon shoppers!!!!!
Chris all but collapsed on the nearest seat he could find when they entered the cafe. After nearly four hours shopping with three girls he was about ready to sit and never stand up again. Wyatt and Leo weren't fairing much better. The Cullen males just smirked at them, they were now used to the behaviour of their girls. "Eugh!" Chris started. "I hurt." He muttered, unnoticed to him Edwards eyes snapped towards him and he began to scan him for any injuries.
"Where?" Edward asked when he could see no obvious signs of injury.
"Everywhere." Chris groaned out pathetically. Wyatt and Leo smiled at him.
Edward let out a deep breath, that he wasn't aware he was holding, when he realised that Chris was only talking about his exhaustion. Carlisle and Esme smiled fondly down at him.
"Come on Chris we weren't that bad." Alice said as she sat opposite him.
"Not that bad!" Chris scoffed. "You were all demons! Possessed the lot of you!" He exclaimed as he looked at Alice with pure disbelief. Wyatt and Leo agreed enthusiastically. Edward laughed outright at the girls affronted faces, he then sat down next to Chris and without hesitation he took his hand and began rubbing soothing circles with his thumb. Chris smiled tiredly and then leant his head onto Edwards shoulder. Wyatt and Leo were only just able to control their 'awwwws' but the girls had no such qualms. Alice was practically bouncing on the spot and Rosalie and Esme were all beaming and wearing smug grins on their faces. Fortunately neither Chris nor Edward noticed this so they continued talking to each other in low whispers and ignoring the existence of everyone else present.
Since their first meeting a few hours ago, the pair had been practically inseparable. They walked hand in hand into the stores until one of the ladies forced Chris to go try on a handful of clothes and pick out which ones he thought were comfortable. Almost as soon as Chris walked back out of the changing rooms with a pile of clothes that he liked Wyatt and Leo were pouncing on him to take the clothes to the counter to buy them and Edward was at his side again reaching for his hand.
Esme's heart was warmed when Edward 'took the plunge' and removed his glove, it was his show of trust in his newly found mate. A test. To see if he could handle his 'differences'. Chris however, either didn't seem to notice the drastic change in temperature or didn't care. He simply held on tighter to his hand and continued on his way. Edward was ecstatic when Chris didn't pull away, it gave him just the smallest hope that he would be able to cope with one day being brought into the secret of their family, however vague that hope may be.
As they were sitting in the cafe, Edward focused all of his attention on the brunette resting his head on his shoulder. He had never felt so at peace before, so whole. He knew now that he would do everything in his power to keep this treasure safe from the world.
He now knew what it feels like to love.
When the families finally parted ways Edward was reluctant to relinquish his hold on his treasures hand, but he did, only when Alice promised him that he would see him again tomorrow at school. I will see him earlier than that. He promised himself as he watched their car drive out of the lot, he didn't even hear his brothers teasing thoughts anymore all he thought was that he couldn't bare to be apart from his mate for much longer.
Sitting in the cafe in the mall Chris was wondering what the hell was happening to me! Never in his life has he ever acted this way with anybody else. No one has ever made him feel as safe as his current 'pillow' did at that moment. First he held hands with, in essence, a stranger, then he began practically lying all over said stranger in the middle of a crowded mall. But he couldn't help it. He needed to be close to him, needed to make sure that he was still there, needed to ....snap out of it Chris!
When the time came for them to part Chris felt Edwards reluctance to let go as if it was his own. When it came to climbing into the truck to drive away he felt like he had left a part of him behind. Wyatt noticed his glum mood and decided that it was time to speak.
"Cheer up Kiddo, you will see your guy again tomorrow at school." Although it was meant to be teasing it held a great deal of reassurance. Chris couldn't help but feel light-hearted and a smile crossed his face. Sleepily he leant his head against his brothers shoulder and drifted off to sleep dreaming of what tomorrow might bring.
His last thought before he dropped off was Wyatt's shoulder is too soft...I need my Edward Pillow'. He wasn't even awake enough to wonder what the heck! At his bizarre new thoughts.
A/N Sorry its taken so long to put this chapter up but I have had a nightmare with computers and virus's!!!!
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