Chapter 18
Charlie laughs at me when I call him to ask how he feels about Edward and I moving in together. I am perturbed by his laughter at first. What the heck is so freaking funny? I think. His answer is simple, "I'm surprised it took a month, honestly. You guys are destined for each other." I'm shocked. Charlie believes in destiny. He reassures me that if it feels right and the only concerns I have are because of how fast it is then it is meant to be. We will be just fine. He warns me to be prepared for some bumps in the road because that happens to any couple when they change their situation in a big way. So I tell him how much I love him and then ask my next question. "Dad, have you heard from Renee lately?"
He sucks in a breath and lets it out slowly. "Not in almost six months. Why?"
"I am meeting Edward's parents today. I am so nervous and I know it is stupid to be so nervous but I am. The thought of sitting with Esme and talking about the future I have planned with her son just makes me wonder why my own mom doesn't want to know about it. I'm afraid I will run her off too."
"Oh baby, that is not going to happen. Esme raised Edward and he is a wonderful young man. She is a loving mother who will be thrilled to be adding another daughter and a granddaughter to her family. I wish I had a reason for why Renee is how she is but I don't. You did nothing wrong, I don't know how many times we have to have this conversation," he says.
"I know, I know. I don't even think about her most of the time. Rationally I understand that she made a decision and it had nothing to do with me but the little girl in me that didn't have a mom to help her wants answers."
"Honey, are you in therapy? I know Natalie is but are you?"
"Not right now. I've had too much going on. I guess I need to go back, don't I?" I concede.
"Probably wouldn't hurt," he says with a slight laugh. "Honey, you'll do great with her today. You are a great mom and she will see that. In my experience, as a parent you just want to see that the person your child chooses can do the job."
"I hope you're right. I love you dad. Thanks."
"I love you too kid. I'm coming up to help you move so I can see the house and play with my granddaughter! See you soon."
We say our goodbyes and hang up. Natalie and I take a walk and then start packing up our stuff in the hotel. I can't wait to move and I know she feels the same. We eat pizza and giggle a lot! I scheduled the moving truck and ordered some boxes to be delivered with it. Alice and I plan out what we were doing in the house. I have four days to get organized and packed.
Before I know it Edward is knocking on our door. It is time to meet the parents. Natalie and I are dressed nice but casually in simple sundresses and flip flops. She actually let me braid her hair today. I love her white blonde hair but it is not easy to braid because it is so fine. She looks adorable as always and Edward makes a big deal out of her new look. I braided mine too, while hers is in a low braid mine is French braided. As Natalie said, "We don't want to be twinsies."
We follow Edward to the car and head off. We had a forty-five minute drive to Carlisle and Esme's home in Maple Valley. We played silly car games with Natalie and Edward held my hand the whole drive. In the middle of round three of I Spy Natalie asked Edward about his parents. She loved Alice so I was sure she was really excited to meet some more of his family.
"Well my mom Loves to decorate. She changes the decor of the house so often we never knew what we'd find when we got home. She loves the color blue. She hasn't changed a single thing from either mine or Alice's bedrooms. She said she was waiting till we had kids so she could let them decorate the rooms. I think it's because she didn't want us to grow up and move out."
Natalie thinks about that for a second then laughs, "I think you are right Edward, cause if she was going to let her grandkids decorate then wouldn't Jamie have changed Alice's room."
Edward nods and says, "Exactly. But don't tell her I said that."
Natalie giggles and "locks" her lips, pretending to drop the key inside her dress top. I just shake my head at the antics of these two.
We turn onto a long winding road that leads to the most amazing house. It is all windows in the front and has an odd shape. Tall, maybe 3 stories on one side and then stretching out probably forty or fifty feet on the other side. The front walk is beautiful with plants on both sides and a large flower bed in the center. The windows glow a warm yellow from the light inside. I can see the entire entry of the house into the kitchen because there are no window coverings. As we walk up I feel like I am gawking.
Edward starts to chuckle at me but then I realize that Natalie is doing exactly the same things I am. We are both mesmerized by the sheer beauty of the house. "This place is gorgeous," I state as explanation for my behavior. Natalie just laughs and says, "and I thought our new house was big."
Edward takes us inside the front door and calls out for his mother. She comes from a hallway and smiles brightly when she sees us. "Oh, you're a little early. Come in, come in."
She is a little taller than me and has dark chestnut hair that falls down her shoulders. She has a soft but athletic build. Natalie is beaming at her. She smiles at Natalie and I swear her eyes twinkle like something from a movie. I am just totally enthralled in her. "I am so happy to finally meet you both," she says coming towards us with outstretched arms.
I'm not normally a hugging kind of person but I just can't help myself. I allow her to wrap me in a hug and I even reciprocate. She feels like home. I never understood that phrase before but now it will always mean a hug from Esme Cullen. She pulls back and goes on to hug Natalie who just simply melts into her. I haven't even spoken and I never want to leave this house. A nagging voice in my head says it is because I never had a mom but I try to ignore it and find my voice.
"Thank you for having us. Your home is lovely."
"Oh my gosh, I love this place!" Natalie gushes.
"Well thank you both. I have been waiting very impatiently for Edward to bring you around. I have been quite jealous of Carlisle and Alice."
"Carlisle was a wonderful help to us both," I say, "Where is he?"
"He'll be down in a bit. He just got home from the hospital," she says.
She leads us to a large room with a large sectional sofa and a huge flat screen television on the wall above a beautiful stone fireplace. The room is painted a warm mocha color with white accents. The sofa is a plush tan microfiber. The floor is absolutely gorgeous and looks like old barn wood stained a glossy mahogany color. I can picture a large Christmas tree in front of the floor to ceiling windows and snow on the ground outside.
"Make yourselves comfy, our dinner should be here soon," Esme says, "I am going to check on Carlisle and set the table."
When she leaves the room Edward pulls me to sit next to him on the sofa while Natalie starts to pick through the basket of children's books in the corner of the room. There is a small reading nook there that appears to have a children's theme to it. There are two baskets of books and a basket of dolls. In the middle of that is a large lavender beanbag chair and behind that is a tall wooden doll house. Natalie finds something and plops down in the beanbag chair. I lean my head on Edward's shoulder. "You parents are perfect."
He laughs and shakes his head. "Um no, they aren't but they are pretty awesome."
I scoff, "Your mom is like the perfect mom."
"She can't cook. I mean she doesn't ever cook. She can make sandwiches and she can bake a mean cookie if it comes out of the refrigerated food section."
"What? Really? What did you grow up eating then?" I say in total disbelief.
"Well dad cooked most nights but mom would bring home food or have it delivered. One time when I was eleven she tried to cook Thanksgiving dinner and nearly set the house on fire. We had to remodel the kitchen because the smoke damage was so bad."
He is laughing pretty hard by now.
"Oh wow! That's pretty crazy. My dad can barely heat up a frozen dinner so I understand. I've had to cook for so long that I just always assume everyone can cook."
"Nope and Alice and I learned to cook from dad because he said everyone should know how to cook a meal for their family. Mom was raised by nannies and didn't have anyone who would show her those basic things. She more than makes up for that one thing by being the most present mom you could ask for though so it's a good trade off," he explains.
I kiss his cheek and soak up the warmth he is giving off. He really loves his parents.
Esme and Carlisle come in the room carrying dishes and bags. "I decided to eat in here, if that's okay with you three," she says looking at each of us for confirmation.
"No this is fine," I reply.
Carlisle sets the bag on the coffee table and Esme sets plates down on each side of the table. Edward and Carlisle begin to pull items out of the bag. There is a tray of sandwiches, a container of what looks like cole slaw and one of potato salad. They place a bag of chips and a container of French onion dip on the table as well. Esme takes the lids off of everything and places spoons in each dish.
"What can I get you to drink?" Carlisle asks Natalie and I.
"I will take water," I say.
"What do you have?" Natalie asks.
"Hmm why don't you come with me and we will take a look," he offers. She hops up and follows him to the kitchen.
"Bella, she is just precious. How is she holding up?" Esme asks.
"She's doing really well. She is having fewer nightmares and seems to be adjusting rather quickly."
"She is such an old soul, Ma. You are going to love her," Edward adds.
"I already do. Edward talks about you both all the time so I feel like I already know you."
I blush and smile. I don't really know what to say. Natalie and Carlisle come back with a pitcher of what looks like fruit punch and glasses. Natalie is carrying a bottle of water for me. Once they are seated around the table we all make plates and eat, chatting away. Natalie was telling them all about our new house and how Edward was going to live with us. Esme seemed a little surprised by that announcement but not in a bad way. Carlisle started to chuckle as she went on about how Edward was going to live with us and we were going to be a family.
"What's so funny, dad?" Edward asks.
"Nothing at all, I am just not surprised that you are moving in together. You really are an instant family, and it couldn't be more perfect," he explains.
"My dad said the same thing this morning," I interject.
"I think they should just get married," Natalie says. Both Edward and I choke on our food and begin coughing.
There are tears running down my cheeks and Edward is gulping his drink. Esme and Carlisle start laughing heartily. Natalie is totally unfazed by the commotion. I am staring at her with a, "what did you just say" look on my face.
She gives me a shrug and says, "Well I do."
I have to laugh. Edward joins me and soon we are all wiping the tears from our eyes; except for Natalie who looks at us like we've all lost our minds.
We spend the evening playing some card game I'd never heard of called Phase 10. Natalie kicked our butts. When it was time to leave Esme offered to keep Natalie any time, saying she couldn't wait to get to know her better. Natalie was ready to make it a date but she wanted to move into the new house first.
We drove home after hugs all around. I needed to talk to Edward about my mom. I didn't want to but I was going to have to. His mom was so great and I knew that I was going to have to explain why I am so taken by her. I know he noticed because he seemed puzzled by my reaction to her. For now I was just enjoying Natalie's happiness. She had a huge family that loved her now and she more than deserved it. Edward held my hand all the way home.
We get back to the hotel and Edward carries a sleeping Natalie to her room. We take a seat on the sofa and turn on a movie. We aren't watching it because we are making out like teenagers. I love kissing him. We spend the next two hours exploring each other as best we can without undressing. We are both a panting, red faced mess when we notice the credits rolling on the screen. "I am going to take a shower," I announce. I get up and head to the bathroom. I am surprised that Edward didn't immediately follow and start to think that I should've explicitly invited him to join me. I start the water and undress. My skin is still so heated that the water almost feels cool when I step in. I start washing my hair when I hear Edward fumbling around the bathroom. I back up against the wall facing the curtain when he pulls it back and steps inside. His naked body glorious in the steamy water, he wastes no time pressing his lips to mine. I can't climb his body fast enough. I wrap my legs around his waist as he presses my shoulders into the wall of the shower. We connect quickly and he begins a steady rhythm in and out of me. I nibble on his ear and neck while his fingers dig into my hip and shoulder where he is holding me. I have nothing else to hold onto and I am slipping down his body with each thrust of his hips. "Set me down," I command. When he lets go of my legs I slid down to stand before him. Our height difference puts his cock level with my navel. I grab ahold of his length and pump him a few times before I turn around and place my hands against the wall at the end of the tub, bending at my waist and pressing my ass against his hip. He grabs a handful of ass cheek and squeezes hard.
"That is the sexiest view," he says stepping back to admire my body. He uses both hands to spread my cheeks apart and teases my slit with his thumbs. I start to rock against him. He slips his cock inside of me and pushes forward until he is balls deep. He stops and presses me into the wall, grinding. I squeak out a moan. "Please Edward. I need you."
"What do you need?" he says tickling my back entrance as he continues to grind his hips into me.
"I need you hard. Pound into me," I beg.
"Really?" he asks. We've only had sex once but I really need him to let go with me right now.
"Yes, really. I am so worked up from earlier and the only way to fuck in the shower is hard and fast."
"No need to explain, I just wanted to hear you talk dirty," he says as he pulls almost all the way out and slams back in. He hits the spot on the first thrust and my knees nearly buckle. I brace myself and he starts pounding his body into mine. My arms are now bent and my head is hitting the wall but I don't care. He is panting hard and I am doing everything I can not to scream out with each thrust. I can feel my orgasm coming like a freight train when he reaches around and grabs my right nipple pulling hard. My body convulses and I cry out, "Oh GOD! Yes! I'm coming!"
He slows down to feel my walls pulse around him, once my body starts to come down he starts pounding again. My body tightens up preparing for another earth shattering orgasm. He slams into me once more and stills with a groan. I come around him again. "Wow, Bella. That was incredible."
"Yes, yes it was."
We get out and dry off. He throws on his boxers and a t-shirt while I go in search of something to wear. I check on Natalie when I go into the bedroom for clothes. She is sleeping soundly, so I kiss her cheek.
When I return to the living room, Edward has the bed pulled out and set up. We snuggle in and fall asleep easily.