SM owns everything that sparkles in Twilight... My Bella owns a sparkly vibe... no, wait, that's me, lol

Chapter 22

XXX – Revelations – XXX

My heart was beating and my nerves were jittery, full of anticipation as I placed the baking dish in the oven.

Edward loved this particular dish so I was making my famous homemade lasagna for our little soirée and had planned to accompany it with homemade Caesar salad, garlic bread sticks and of course wine. Lots and lots of it. This was a big step for me and I needed the reinforcement.

I had always been self sufficient and never relied on a man so, to say that I was nervous, was the understatement of the year. I had been dealing with it fairly well, mind you, it's just that telling people about everything felt kind of weird.

Oh, and telling our friends would make it even more real.

And let's not forget, we needed to get these friends of ours nice and plastered to make them agree to what we had planned for them. They were going to be our labor force after all.

It wasn't that we needed their approval to move in together and we were probably putting too much on our shoulders in the search for everyone's approval but realistically speaking, Edward had gotten married less than six months ago and was already divorced and thinking of shacking up with a different girl.

You'd think that kind of decision needed some outside perspective, good or bad.

It wasn't like they were going to stop us, we were grown adults after all.

The smell of the lasagna wafted through the house as I prepared the lettuce and homemade dressing. I liked to keep myself busy as Edward slept upstairs.

Edward had gotten up early and gone to the hospital for his early shift while I went grocery shopping and vandalized his beautiful kitchen with my stellar cooking skills. We had exchanged house keys weeks ago which was quite a big step in our relationship, but not quite as big as actually physically moving in together.

I was a nervous wreck.

I wanted more than anything to be with him in that bed upstairs.

My girlie bits chastised me with every step. Edward and I had managed to grind our naked bodies together in about every room in this house. No space, horizontal or vertical, had been safe from our experimentation.

Except for the piano.

Yes, the piano would be our next adventure.

Definitely.

I smiled as I peeked around the corner from the kitchen where I could see just the edge of the large black instrument peeking at me through the doorway.

Being in that kitchen alone was a first for me, oddly enough. I guessed I'd have to get used to it if I was going to live here.

I looked at the clock and noticed that our friends would be starting to arrive soon. The butterflies in my stomach could not be controlled so I poured myself a glass of red wine and drank half of it before putting the lettuce in the big mixing bowl and cleaning up the counter top.

I pondered whether or not to wake up Edward then decided it was time. I didn't want him to be woken by the door bell, after all.

I padded my way upstairs and opened the bedroom door, the sight waiting for me was something I certainly hadn't expected.

Edward had showered and gone to bed when he had gotten home earlier and now he was lying on his side, the sheet barely covering his manly bits with the sun shining through the cracks in the curtains giving him an almost ethereal look.

God, he was sex personified right there, eyes closed, messy sex hair and ohhh the sinewy muscles.

Cue drool, Christhelpmenow.

I walked slowly towards the bed and climbed in next to him, laying my head on his pillow. I fingered the tendrils of hair around his ear and earned a sigh in response. I scooted closer to him and pressed my hand against his heart, feeling it beat against his chest. Something I hoped would never stop. The thought of ever losing him made my soul ache. I quickly tuned out those feelings and brought my hands to his back where I squeezed our bodies together, tightening my hold on him and maybe waking him at the same time.

Finally, Edward brought his hand around my torso and tightened his grip on me, "Hey baby, is it time already?"

I nodded, "Yeah, I'm sorry for having to wake you. You looked so peaceful."

"It's okay. I could get used to waking up like this." I felt his lips curl up against my skin.

"Me too, baby." I smiled. God, I was so far gone for this man, it wasn't even fathomable.

"Hmmm, I wish I had time to sex you up good and proper, Miss Swan." His breath tickled my skin, making me shiver; his words making my underwear slightly uncomfortable.

"Well, if we're quick about things-"

Cockblocked by the mother fucking door bell.

"Fuck, they're early." I gritted out through clenched teeth just as Edward's hand had found solace on my left boob.

"Can you get that, baby? I'll get dressed and meet you downstairs." he kissed my cheek and sat up, relieving my tit from his grasp.

I rolled my eyes and acted like a petulant five year old, "Fine. But you better finish that tomorrow, mister." I scowled at him, my lip twitching, begging for me to let go and just smile already.

Edward grasped my wrists with both his hands and pulled me to him, kissing my nose, "You know it baby."

I reluctantly made my way downstairs, smoothing down my hair and clothes before opening the door.

But what I saw there staring back at me, was definitely not what I was expecting.

Oh no she di-in't!

"Tanya?"

Tanya gaped at me, obviously confused, "Bella?"

I shook my head and took a deep cleansing breath. Fuck,notthisshitagain.

I huffed, attitude completely evident in my stance and demeanor. "What are you doing here?"

"I should be asking you the same thing. Where's Edward?" She smiled but it didn't meet her eyes. This was a different Tanya. I had no idea what to do with her.

But I didn't have much time to think about it because all of a sudden, I felt Edward's arms wrap around my waist. "Baby tell them to-" Edward took a good look through the doorway, "Tanya, what do you want?"

Tanya rolled her eyes, "Can I come in? I won't be long. It's good that you're here, Bella, this will save me a trip actually."

I frowned and opened the door wider, letting her in.

Hopefully she hadn't turned into a vampire and I hadn't sealed our fate by inviting her in.

What? I have a very fertile imagination, thank you very much.

We made our way to the living room. She obviously knew where it was since she had lived there long enough.

I rolled my eyes at my inner thoughts, seriously, vampire? Who thinks that?

Me, that's who.

The food smelled awesome.

MaybeifIignorehershe'llgoawayfaster.

I tried to look anywhere but directly at her.

IfIcan'tseeyou,youcan'tseeme.My inner bitch chanted while I willingly ignored the blond twat.

What are you, five?

Mehh, sometimes.

Yeah, okay, I suck.

I kept my mouth shut 'cause this shit my brain was coming up would just serve to prove me crazy.

"Wow, Esme had a field day in here. This looks nothing like my house." she mused as she took a seat on the sofa.

Edward sat next to me on the sofa opposite Tanya and held my hand in one of his as he raked the other one in his mussed up sex-hair. "Cut the crap, Tan, what is it now?"

She took in a deep breath and closed her eyes, "Well, I've been going through therapy and have joined this group." she started, her eyes surveying the room and not meeting mine or Edward's as she spoke. "I'm here because I have to apologize to both of you. Edward, I'm sorry for everything. I'm sorry for making you feel like less of a man because of my addiction I'm-"

"What addiction, Tanya? What kind of sorry excuses have you come up with now?" Edward fumed, pinching the bridge of his nose and speaking through clenched teeth. Apparently her being here was annoying him too.

Good to know.

"I had a sex addiction. It started a while back, probably around the time you were away at med school and I was alone. I found a sense of peace in being with all sorts of strange men. Having empty encounters in dirty bars and back alleyways. I have to come clean to you, it's one of my steps. My therapist is good to me. He says that you were a good wake-up call. I did love you, Edward, but I also did fail us miserably and for that I'm very sorry. God, this is hard to admit out loud. For what it's worth, what I said the other day still stands. The two of you will be good together."

Edward clenched my hand hard as I absorbed her words. Sex addict? Well, it would explain quite a bit. But fuck, she had Edward, I couldn't even imagine wanting anyone else in that way. Ever.

I shook my head thinking things over; I just couldn't wrap my head around it.

Seriously, biatch, sex on legs sitting right here, baby. What were you thinking?

"Bella, I'm sorry for lying to you. I used to regale you with stories about my conquests and you'd sit there and listen to me and treat me like a friend when all I was doing was using you. Telling you these things made me feel better about me. You were like a cushion of sorts for me. I couldn't tell anyone else and since I purposefully kept you at arm's length well, you were the perfect person for me to let off some steam to. I told you things I've only told my shrink. I miss our friendship," she frowned and looked at her hands, "I know I wasn't much of a friend but everything you did for me, was all you, Bella. I'm sorry I wasn't more for either of you." She looked up and took a deep breath, "The both of you deserve more than this kind of crappy apology, but it's all I have. If anything, you have my blessing. Not that you need it, but just know that you have it. And Bella, this house has you written all over it. You'll love it here." She smiled at me. A genuine beautiful Tanya smile I hadn't seen in months.

"How did you know I was moving in?" I knitted my brows together and searched her face for an answer.

"I didn't, but you will. He's a good man, Bells. I just couldn't love him enough." Her eyes met Edward's, "But no worries, I met someone. I love him so much. He is nice and sweet. He reminds me of you in a lot of ways but he knows about my addiction and we're working through it. He's very patient with me. He wanted me to do this. Set things straight with the people I've wronged. It feels good."

Edward nodded, "Alright well, good luck with that, Tanya."

She stood up and headed for the door. "Thanks for listening. And I truly am sorry for everything. Just be happy, okay?"

I rolled my eyes, "Okay."

I watched as Tanya saw herself out of the house. Edward snaked his arms around me and hugged me closer to him, "God, that was almost awkward."

I snorted, "Almost?"

"Yeah, it felt weird to have her here, ya know. I almost feel like I need to scrub the house to rid it of her cooties."

I giggled, "Cooties, Edward?"

Just as he was going to answer me, by hopefully humping me senseless, the doorbell rung again, at least this time it would be one of our friends.

XOXOXOXO

Everyone seemed to arrive at the same time which was great. Even greater is that they had just missed Tanya. Now that would have been awkward. For her, I mean, not for us. Maybe she had more shit to apologize for.

Meh, who knows, as long as she left my man alone, I really didn't give a shit.

I introduced Ange and Ben to everyone. Of course Ange already knew Alice since we had had lunch together on a few occasions. Ben found his intro with the boys easily since they started talking cars or some shit. I could never understand exactly what it was that men discussed when we weren't around so I left them to their own devices. Soon enough, the four of them were laughing and walking away towards the great room.

As I was taking jackets and making small talk with my girls, oh and explaining how Tanya had just left the house, the oven timer went off, alerting me to the fact that dinner was ready.

I excused myself and took care of taking out the lasagna and finished prepping the salad.

"Bella, are you okay?" Alice asked as she, Ange and Rose joined me in the kitchen.

"Yeah, I mean she was cordial and everything. It's just, gahhh, ya know. How she's just putting her whole cheating on an addiction. I think it's a whole crock of shit." I mixed the salad almost violently, sprinkling in some cheese and lemon zest. "Seriously, what if Edward was here alone? What the hell would she have done?"

Alice put a hand on my shoulder stopping me from massacring the bread sticks, "Bella, stop it. Stop worrying over this. She's gone and hopefully she's found someone that is willing to get tested for STD's once a month."

I scoffed, "Yeah, poor shmuck."

Rose let out a snort, "Hey, you got lucky. She could have been here to deliver way worse news."

"Seriously, Rose?"

She shrugged, "I'd get that sofa she sat on steam cleaned if I were you. Ya know, cooties?"

We all erupted in a fit of giggles and made our way into the dining room where the boys were waiting for their food.

Typical men.

We took our seats around the table and started talking about everything and nothing. I was a nervous wreck with our earlier Tanya drama adding to the impending news of my holiday timed move.

Edward and I had decided that I would take the reins and give the speech.

I had been drinking all afternoon so by the time we had finished eating, I had about three quarters of a bottle coursing through my veins already and it wasn't even dark outside.

Finally ready, in a moment full of brazen behavior, I stood up, making my chair crape on he floor behind me, directing everyone's attention at me. "Okay, guys, ehmm, I have something to tell you." I started then sucked in a large breath, "Edward and I are-"

Emmett snorted playfully, "Are you pregnant?"

I gaped at him, anger coursing through me. Why wouldn't he just shut up already. And pregnant, might I reiterate about the wine, hello, Emmett. Gahh. "Dude, I am not pregnant! Mother Nature made an appearance last week, trust me, my vag was a bloody mess. That, I remember." I rolled my eyes at him.

Emmett's face went from happy and full of mirth and mischief to white and almost sickly in about three point four seconds.

Ha, good thing men don't bleed once a month.

"TMI, Bella, T. M. I." He visibly shuddered as I smirked in a 'yeah, so you shut the fuck up, now, Emmett McCarthy' kinda way.

"You asked for it. Now, please, sit down and be quiet so we can actually tell you our big news." I kept my eyes on Edward who was looking at me with a soft smile playing on his lips, his fingers tented together in front of him and his eyes full of love.

Still soo pretty.

"Oh, so you do have some big new?" That was Alice.

I rolled my eyes, "Yes, now could you people just shut up and listen for a second, please."

Rosalie huffed and rolled her eyes, "Fine."

Jesus, you'd think me being the only one standing at the head of the dinner table would be enough to draw all of their attention, but noooo, these people were totally stealing my thunder.

"Would you guys just fucking listen to me," I pounded my fist on the table for emphasis, "I'm moving in here and you fuckers are all going to help me move my shit." I huffed and made a production of sitting back down dramatically.

Silence. I may have heard some crickets chirping.

Can I reiterate that I was thoroughly plastered by this point, yes?

Okay, so maybe I might have overreacted just a smidgen. Pregnant, really? Had I gained weight? Seriously, dude?

Then it started with Alice, "Oh. My. Gawd. I knew it! You two are sooo cute. Wow, Bella, I mean, this is just perfect. I can help you pack up and..." I zoned out after she said she'd help out with the packing.

My poor little psyche couldn't handle whatever she had to propose. I had been through enough today already. Alice was going all psycho Tasmanian devil on my ass and for once in my life, I just blocked her out.

Okay, well maybe not the first time 'cause I'm pretty sure I had blocked her out on many occasions before. But still.

What was I thinking? Wanting to handle this? I should've let Edward tell them all. I bet they would have let him talk.

Fuckers.

Yeah. You tell them.

I think I did.

Aww, shut up already.

"Bella, are you okay, sweetheart?"

I stopped concentrating on my dirty plate and looked up to meet seven pairs of eyes staring back at me with concern, "What?"

"This is wonderful news, Bella." Angela smiled sweetly at me.

"Thanks Ange."

Emmett cleared his throat looking almost shy, "I'm sorry I interrupted you. This is awesome. I'm happy for the two of you."

Edward sat across the table from me and gave me his sexy ass crooked grin. "Thank you all for being here. Your support means a lot to us. I know it wasn't very long ago that I was crashing on your sofas and being slightly emo but just so you all know, Bella is it for me."

His words made my entire body tingle with excitement. I couldn't help but smile sweetly at him and hope I didn't melt from all the swooning I was experiencing. He was it for me too and it felt nice to hear him say it out loud in front of the people that meant so much to us.

Especially after my freak out.

"I love you too, baby."

"Do you guys need us to leave?" Emmett, again. Fucker.

I looked up to the ceiling for an answer and sighed dramatically. "No, Em, that's okay. You can stay."

"So I guess the Christmas party's going to be here this year then?" Alice asked excitedly.

I glared at her, "Ehmm, I don't know, Al, I mean with the packing and moving its just-"

"Oh, Bella, don't be so dramatic. We'll have that done in no time, won't we guys." Alice gave Emmett and Jasper pointed looks. Damn, the girl was a tiny terror. I was glad to have her in my corner.

"That would be great Alice," Edward chimed in, "We could invite your parents and mine. This is wonderful. Bella, baby, don't worry about the move, I'll help you in here and you know the cleaning service will come by, I'll have Giana put in a few extra hours to help you unpack if needed."

Ah yes, the perks of living here. Edward had a cleaning service come by to dust and clean the floors once a week. Some things a girl could definitely get used to.

"You're right," I relaxed a bit more and took another sip of my wine, "This is good. I'm sorry I've been a little tense guys and Emmett, I'm sorry I snapped at you."

The big oaf looked sheepish sitting next to me, "No problem Bells. For the record, you don't look pregnant."

I giggled, "Thank God."

Rosalie smoothed her hand lovingly behind her boyfriend's back, "Bella, if you don't mind, I have an announcement of my own."

"Go ahead, Rose, I guess we can all confess to something. Confessions are very popular today." I waved my hand around dismisively.

She stood up, "Well, EmmettandIareexpectingin June." and sat back down.

Did she just say what I think she did?

Oh, and I thought Tanya had stolen my thunder.

Motherfucking Christ.

Edward and Jasper gaped at Emmett while Alice grinned from ear to ear. Ange and Ben just sat there smiling, probably wondering what kind of incestuous drama they had wandered into.

"What?"

Emmett spoke up, "It would have been cool if you were pregnant, ya know, Bells, 'cause we're expecting a little one and yeah, sorry about that."

And again, "What?"

"I saw a doctor yesterday and he confirmed my suspicions. We were going to have you all over at our place but on the drive over here, I got sick twice and had to stop by the side of the road to throw up. We figured we might as well tell you guys in case I end up being sick. Lord knows I can't keep food down, apparently." Rose rolled her eyes.

We weren't talking, just gaping at the two of them. Maybe it was because they didn't seem to be in that place yet. I would have expected this from Alice, maybe, but certainly not Emmett and Rosalie.

Alice broke the awkward silence, "That's great you guys, congratulations. So I guess it will be an interesting summer."

"Yeah, we've accepted it. We're ready. We've been together long enough and this is one of those unexpected oopses in life." Emmett put his arm lovingly around Rose and she melted into him.

God, I was so glad I hadn't sleep with him. This would have been awkward.

After congratulating Emmett, Edward winked at me and gave me a reassuring smile. Our friends talked amongst themselves as Edward and I continued our silent conversation from across the table.

Eventually, we got up and brought all of the dishes to the kitchen. Edward had his evening shift so the night was cut short for his sake.

Ange and Ben were the first ones to leave. They were going to go catch a late movie and call it a night. I invited Ange into my morning coffee ritual with Alice which earned me a high pitched squeal from the pixie herself.

Rose and Emmett left hand in hand. I was happy for them. Not about the stealing of my thunder part 'cause yeah, that sucked but still, their news was good news too and we could all use some of that.

They truly seemed happy about their little unplanned happy mishap. Which oddly made me almost jealous in a strange way. Edward and I weren't there yet, heck, we were miles away from there, but a small part of me, probably located around my ovaries, couldn't wait to have a baby.

Alice helped me get the kitchen cleaned up while Jazz and Edward discussed the rat.

Huh, I still hate that thing, just sayin'.

Alice and I discussed the packing mission, as she called it, and we decided that we would come over every night this week and pack shit up. And by we, I mean Alice.

I may need more wine.

'Cause we also decided that we were going to go do some Christmas shopping next weekend.

Fuck my life.

I couldn't say no either, I mean, she was helping me pack; the least I could do was suffer through the pain that is shopping with Alice, right?

Yes, bring on the wine.

I may develop a slight dependence on it. But it's all good. I have a sex God/doctor to look after me, a maid service to clean up after my drunken ass and friends that would apparently do anything to make me happy.

Okay, so I may have gone overboard with the wine.

As we waved Alice and Jasper goodbye from the front door, I couldn't help the sense of calm that washed over me. Edward had his arms wrapped around my waist as we stood there side by side, close to each other. I felt like I belonged there. This was already my home, and yet my only possessions that were actually inside the house were the clothes that I had brought over that morning.

Home is not where your things are, it's where your heart is. And my heart was here, in this house with Edward, the man I loved.

I kissed him goodnight and watched him leave for work. Closing the door behind him, I couldn't help the tear that escaped.

It wasn't that I was sad, well, maybe I was a bit sad since the girlie bits had been begging for Edward's peen and there was simply no time for it, no, they weren't tears of sadness, these were tears of joy.

I was happy.

A/N: I know, no lemon, I think I've spoiled you in the last few chapters, bwahahaha...

Anywho... WitchyVampireGirl wanted me to shake my pom poms so there ya go baby, I shook them, just for you, mouah!

And Scrimmy, the music you sent was perfect, thank you, bb!

I'd like to rec some fics but there are too many that I love to start naming them so just take a look at my faves, they rock! Just sayin' :o)

Oh, and the scene where Bella goes and wakes up Edward was inspired by my manip on my FB avi... check it out, it's pretty and makes me drool... :o)