Disclaimer: Everything Twilight belongs to Stephenie Meyer
IMPORTANT AUTHOR'S NOTE: I am once again blown away by your guys' reviews. They are absolutely amazing and totally make my day. As everyone has already become aware, Edward did nothing wrong and yet Bella is not letting him explain this. If they just talked it out, would the problem be fixed faster? Yea, most likely. But two things to remember; Bella obviously has some major insecurity issues that are going to be completely unraveled in the next chapter and Edward is just a man who is torn between the undying love he feels toward Bella and the anger he feels for not being able to tell her what really happened that night (and the fact that he came home to her totally groping Jacob on the couch). They are both two very stubborn people and yes this is all one, big misunderstanding. So I decided to make their journey—wherever it will end up—one that is bumpy, funny, and very entertaining so I hope you all accept that and enjoy the ride along with me.
Most of you can already tell that this story is somewhat controversial. A lot of people are concerned by the fact that Edward is not making a bigger deal about Bella's infidelity. Some people have mentioned that if it were reversed, Bella would totally throw a fit and you are right, but remember that Edward and Bella are two different people (not just gender wise but emotionally as well). Edward isn't thinking emotionally right now (like Bella has been so far), but more logically and he first needs Bella to understand that he did nothing wrong in order for her to see that she made a huge mistake, one she should be reprimanded for and trust me, the next chapter is going to vindicate all those who are angry at Edward for not getting his say and it isn't going to be easy. But it has to get worse before we can start having some fun! :p Remember also that this fan fic is anything but conventional and I hope you guys stick with the story because I have a good feeling about this one. This chapter is a lot lighter, but the next one is going to be very angsty. After that things will pick up, but definitely expect angst and comedy mixed in through out. It's a complete contradiction, I know, but there will definitely be more comedy than angst so don't worry ;) and I hope you all take it for what it is.
So enough with the author's note, right? They will not usually be this long, I promise! Enjoy this chapter! :)
Bella POV
Today was the day. Today was the day I had been dreading—dreaming about—more like having nightmares about, over the last week.
Today I would be going to Seattle with Edward. We would be spending the next four weeks keeping up the façade that we were still happily married. Today was the beginning of what would probably be the worst and longest month of my twenty five years of existence.
After grabbing both of my suitcases, I made perfectly sure the alarm system was turned on in my apartment. I locked all of the doors and windows, grabbed my purse, and headed out after locking the door behind me.
Goodbye sanity, I thought to myself as I boarded the elevator and began my descent to the first floor. The apartment I was living in had a nice little lobby down in the front with a table that always had a beautiful arrangement of flowers in the center of the room as well as a few nice chairs for visitors to sit on while they were waiting for someone. My breath caught in my throat when I saw that one of the chairs was occupied by Edward.
He was sitting there waiting for me wearing a pair of jeans and a simple grey shirt. His hair—his beautiful bronze hair—was in its usual disarray and just begging for someone to run their fingers through it. My fingers actually twitched to reach out and touch it. I was so caught up in my thoughts, that I actually let go of one of my suitcase handles in an attempt to reach out for his hair—even though he was halfway across the room—and it fell to the floor with a loud bang.
Edward quickly turned his head in my direction when he heard the noise and instantly stood up to come and help me. I snapped out of it and realized my hand was still somewhat suspended in the air, still reaching for him, so I quickly put it back by my side and glanced at him as he picked up my suitcase.
"Th-Thank you," I stuttered, going to grab the handle again. Instead he took my other suitcase as well and nodded for me to go in front of him.
He followed me out to the cab he had gotten for us, rolling both suitcases behind him, and helped the driver place them in the trunk. We had decided to share a cab to the airport so we wouldn't have to leave our cars in the parking lot while we were gone. Still, seeing Edward sitting down in the lobby waiting for me was a sight I never thought I would see. Not after our separation.
It had been so long since he had come to pick me up to go anywhere. It was like the old times, when we were dating in high school and he used to pick me up from Charlie's house and we would go see a movie or go out to dinner. All of our dates back then ended
the same way; we would make out in his car for thirty minutes down the street from my house before he drove me up and kissed me some more and I got out. I found myself smiling and blushing at the memory, not catching myself until Edward's voice snapped me back into the present.
"We're here, Bella," he said softly. I blinked a couple times and turned to see he was standing outside of the cab holding the door open for me while the driver was getting our luggage. I still felt like I was in a daze as I looked back at Edward and saw him smirk. "What were you thinking about?" he asked teasingly.
I put on my best glare for him and sighed as I exited the vehicle. "Nothing important."
His face fell a little at my statement, but he quickly recovered and got our things onto a luggage cart. It felt like we were waiting in line after line for hours, but soon enough we were on our plane and taking off for Seattle, Washington.
Of course Alice had gotten us first class—thank God for that—and I was extremely relieved because the seats were much bigger and I wouldn't have to sit in such close proximities with Edward. I don't know what it was, but being near him again after all this time awoke those feelings that I had greatly missed these past few months apart. I hadn't even known I'd missed them until the day at the café. It was our first time meeting face to face in three months and it had caused an entire surge of emotions to come crawling back to me. Emotions I was all too familiar with and trying desperately to forget.
I was still in love with Edward Cullen.
And I was trying with all of my might to hate him.
"Do you want a sleeping pill, Bella?"
Edward snapped me out of yet another daze today. I looked over at him and saw that he was holding a small white pill in his hand and looking at me indifferently.
"Um, yea, I guess so," I answered lamely, taking it from him.
Big. Mistake.
The second my hand touched his, there was an enormous electric shock and I knew he felt it too. I quickly pulled my hand away, taking the pill with me, and just stared at him, not really sure what to say.
"Sorry," he said quickly before sitting back in his seat and popping the other pill into his mouth. He took a sip of the water that the stewardess had brought for him.
I nodded and managed a small smile before putting my own pill in my mouth. All too soon I realized my water cup was empty and a stewardess was nowhere to be found. Edward, having realized my situation, held his water cup out to me since it was only half empty. I looked at it, then up at him cautiously.
"It's just water, Bella," he said in a somewhat irritated tone. "I didn't poison it or anything."
I shook my head. "I know…I just—"
"You have been swapping spit with me for the last eight years and you can't even drink out of the same cup as me?" he asked incredulously.
My mouth gaped open at his bluntness and I was at a complete loss of what to say. I closed my mouth, not wanting the pill to fall out and cause me to make an even bigger idiot of myself.
He was still holding the water cup out to me and without looking at him, I grabbed it out of his hand and gulped the contents down quickly, making sure to swallow the pill in the process. I turned to him and gave him a smug look as he took the now empty cup out of my hand. I was just about to grab my pillow and put it behind my head when he spoke up again.
"That's my girl."
I froze. I turned slowly to face him and saw he had his eyes closed, his seat reclined, and his pillow behind his head. He looked completely at ease, that fucking smart ass.
"I am not your girl, Edward," I said in a low, vehement voice, causing his eyes to snap wide open and look at me curiously. "Stop pushing me. I know what you're doing. You're just trying to get a rise out of me and I won't have it anymore." I grabbed my pillow and put it behind my head and leaned back, crossing my arms grudgingly and glowering down at the aisle.
"I wasn't trying to get a rise out of you, Bella," I heard him say softly. "I don't know why I even said it. It was an accident. I'm sorry," he said, his tone having a little bit of a bite to it that I'm sure even he noticed.
I sighed and shook my head, reclining my seat back and closing my eyes, praying for the sleeping pill to kick in already. "Goodnight, Edward. See you in Seattle," I said in a careless tone.
I heard him sigh and shift next to me. "Goodnight, Bella," he whispered.
I scrunched my eyebrows tightly together and willed the tears that were threatening to escape to go away. For some reason, the way he whispered goodnight to me, reminded me of just how many good nights we had had together and just how many nights he would whisper those exact words to me.
After we made love.
After we fell asleep on the couch watching t.v.
After he carried me to the bedroom when I had fallen asleep on the car ride home for the hundredth time.
After the first night we were married.
All of those memories came rushing back to me. I could not believe how three simple words could have so much attached to them.
I finally got control over my emotions and I felt my body grow heavier and the noises of the plane's engine drift away as I fell into a deep and peaceful slumber.
XxXxX
"Bella, wake up. Bella. We're about to land."
I groaned and shifted a bit, sniggling against something very warm and very soft.
"Bella." Who in the hell was waking me up? I was enjoying a wonderful and peaceful slumber and sleeping against something that smelled very good and very familiar.
It was a mix of musk…and man… and HOLY MOTHER OF SHIT.
I quickly opened my eyes and sure enough, I was resting my head on Edward's shoulder. Not just resting, but my freakin face was pretty much buried into the crook of his neck and one of my arms was slung over his mid section. Much to my horror, when I looked down, I saw my right leg was also hitched over one of his. I quickly looked up at him and pulled away, missing the warmth almost immediately. He was awake.
"How long have I been sleeping like that?" I asked in an accusatory manner.
His face looked so fuckin amused and guilty as hell. "Not too long," he quickly stated. "Just the last five hours."
My eyes just about bugged out of my head. The entire plane ride was only six hours, which meant I was sleeping on Edward for the duration of our flight.
"And how long have you been awake?" I asked with the same accusatory tone.
He sighed and shrugged, raking his hand through his hair and looking down into his lap. "I'd say about…two hours?"
"Two hours?" I asked fervently, my eyes narrowing. I was pissed. "You let me…sleep like that for the last two hours, knowingly, and didn't try to wake me?"
"Why would I try to wake you, Bella?" he asked, as if it were the most preposterous thing in the world. "You were comfortable. I didn't wan to disturb you."
"You can't…we're not…I mean…" I trailed off, at a complete loss of what to say.
Okay, so maybe he was trying to be polite and let me sleep, but still. We were separated. He couldn't just do those things anymore.
"It's not as if I was groping you in your sleep or something," he defended sarcastically. "At least not intentionally," he mumbled the last part with a chuckle and my eyes snapped up to his. "I'm kidding, Bella," he said in a serious tone when he noticed my hard glare.
I rolled my eyes and sighed angrily as the seat belt light turned on. My hands were shaking with anger as I struggled to buckle mine.
"Stop squirming, Bella."
I looked at Edward and gave him a hard glare. He just returned it with his own; I hated to admit it, but his was sexier.
"Shut up, Edward. This is your fault you know," I snapped back.
"How in the hell is this my fault, Isabella?" he demanded.
"It just…fucking is. And don't you dare call me Isabella ever again," I seethed angrily. He knew I hated being called by my full name.
"Why not? Isabella. Marie. Swan?" he asked, emphasizing each and every syllable just to get under my skin.
I sighed in frustration and slouched back into my seat after finally letting the stewardess help me with my seat belt.
"It's your fault because you are so fucking annoying," I finally retorted, pouting with my arms crossed over my chest. It may have been childlike, but I didn't care.
"How am I annoying? You're the one who was all over me while you were sleeping. I think I'm the victim here," he had the nerve and audacity to say.
I turned to him then, using the full force of my glare on him. Right when I opened my mouth to verbally bitch slap him, I saw the stewardess come back and stand next to us from my peripheral vision.
"Excuse me," she said in a too sweet tone of voice. Edward and I finally tore our glares away from one another and turned them on the bitch that interrupted. She seemed taken aback by our angry facial expressions at first, but quickly recovered. "We've had a couple of complaints that you two are being a little noisy. Would you mind keeping it down for the duration of the flight? We are about to land at our destination."
"I'm sorry," I replied in my fake nice voice. "He can't seem to control his running mouth."
"No, I'm sorry," Edward said to her sarcastically. "She doesn't seem to know when enough is enough."
I looked at him then and raised my eyebrows. "You're one to talk!"
"Am I, Isabella?"
"Don't call me that!" I actually lunged at him, but the seat belt kept me firmly in my seat and the stewardess had to grab my arms gently to keep me from attacking him.
"Miss, miss please calm down," she said quietly, still restraining me.
I huffed and glanced around me angrily only to see everyone in first class staring at me with wide-eyed and amused expressions. I felt my face grow hot with embarrassment and finally managed to calm down. The stewardess went to get me some water as I sat back in my chair and waited for the plane to finally land. It had begun its descent already, but it would be at least another fifteen minutes until we touched the ground.
I could not wait to see Alice and Jasper at the airport. I wish everyone else could have been there too, but they were all still at work. Either way, I was glad that I would finally be free of this torment, if only for a short while.
I chanced a glance in Edward's direction and saw that he was looking out the window, trying desperately to control his laughter. I opened my mouth in shock that he was finding all of this so funny. I decided I wouldn't add fuel to his fire any longer. I would just ignore him. So I shook my head, graciously took the water bottle handed to me by the stewardess, and spent the rest of the landing in a nice silence, my eyes closed, pretending I was somewhere else completely.
Finally, after twenty agonizing minutes, the plain landed and we were allowed to get up out of our seats and grab our belongings. I stepped out into the aisle and waited until Edward got our two separate carry-ons out of the over head luggage compartment. He handed me my purse and we began making our way off of the plane.
Once we finally got into the terminal, we went through baggage check—Edward and I only had two suitcases each so it didn't take too long. He got us a luggage cart and piled our suitcases onto it as well as our carry-ons as I held the cart steady for him. To any innocent bystander, we would look like a happy couple going on a romantic getaway.
Oh little did they know.
We began walking out to the main terminal where Alice and Jasper would be waiting when suddenly I remembered something important. "Oh! Wedding ring!" I gasped as I dug into my purse to retrieve it from the safe little box it was in.
That was part of the deal; we would have to wear our wedding rings even though we were separated. Knowing Esme and Alice, they would notice if we didn't have them on from a mile away. I glanced at Edward and saw that he already had his wedding ring on.
"When did you put it on?" I asked curiously as I eyed the diamond on mine. It was such a beautiful ring. I missed how it looked on my finger. It fit so perfectly.
I looked back up at him just as he sighed and ran his hand through his hair. "I've been wearing my ring since we got on the plane, Bella. Didn't you notice me put it on in the taxi on the way to the airport?"
"But…we didn't need to wear them until now. Why would you put it on before we even left New York?" I asked, completely confused at his logic.
"I was just trying to get into the façade okay, Bella?" he said in a frustrated tone, raising his voice a bit and picking up his pace, probably to get away from me.
Was he upset that I hadn't noticed he was wearing the ring or was he upset that we had to do this in the first place? I take it it was both. Well, I wasn't too thrilled either, but at least I wasn't bitching him out. Well…not anymore at least.
I sighed and picked up my pace to catch up with him just as I caught sight of Alice and all her five foot two glory as she bounced up and down, smiling at me, as Jasper gave us a warm, laid back smile beside her.
I was smiling at the both of them and just about to walk a little ahead to give her a hug since they wouldn't allow the people waiting to cross the line over, but Edward suddenly took my hand. I looked up at him confused and opened my mouth to speak, but was quickly interceded by him.
"They know we show affection every time we're together. They'll notice something's off," he said quietly as we finally approached Alice and Jasper.
I was still in a daze. How had I not thought of that before? Oh shit. Would Edward and I actually have to fake affection too? Call me an idiot, but I obviously didn't think this through. I figured we would go, smile, congratulate, leave, and then go about our business how we had been for the past three months. It just now suddenly hit me that to the Cullens, Edward and I were a happy, loving, married couple of three years who—at times—could get very touchy. Crap. What had I gotten myself into?
"Bella!" Alice's excited voice brought me back to the present as she enveloped me in a chokehold of a hug.
"Sweetheart, let her breathe," Jasper said softly to her, chuckling a bit.
Alice giggled and pulled away from me before embracing Edward just as tightly.
"Hey there, Bella," Jasper said, smiling widely at me as he engulfed me in a nice, comfortable hug. Jasper always new how to make me feel mellow.
"Hi, Jasper. I missed you guys." My voice sounded sad, even to me. Jasper pulled away and looked at me, his eyebrows scrunched together in confusion as he tried reading my face.
"Are you okay, Bella?" he asked, concerned.
"She's fine, Jazz!" Alice answered for me, grabbing my hand and letting the boys handle the luggage as she pulled me to the exit of the airport. "She's probably just jet-lagged."
"It was a six-hour flight, Al," Jasper stated matter-of-factly. Damn you, let the pixie speak.
"Whatever," Alice huffed absentmindedly as she looked both ways and practically dragged me across the street to the parking structure across from the airport.
I was surprised. The weather was actually pretty nice for summer in Seattle. It felt like at least the low seventies.
"It's nice weather this year, Alice. Looks like you picked a great time for a wedding," I said as we made it to Jasper's black BMW. "Do you guys know where you're having it yet?" I asked curiously as the boys put the luggage into the small trunk.
"Oh yes!" Alice squealed excitedly. "The Fairmount Olympic Hotel! It's absolutely beautiful, Bella. I can't wait to take you and Edward to see it. Oh! And it's only twenty minutes away from mom and dad's lake house!"
"Mom and dad got another lake house?" Edward asked, confused, as Jasper struggled to close the trunk of the car.
Alice looked at him and rolled her eyes. "Same one they've had for the last five years, Eduardo," she replied mockingly. "Oh!" she gasped again, turning back to me. "And the best part is that we're going to be staying there for the next four weeks! It's closer to the city and the venue and it's right next to the lake and I can't wait for you to go on the boat with me. Plus, we're letting you and Edward have the room facing the lake. There's a balcony that is absolutely beautiful…very romantic," she said suggestively, wiggling her eyebrows.
And with that I blushed.
And Edward coughed profusely.
Alice looked between us confused and opened her mouth to speak, but Jasper beat her to it. Thank God.
"All set, Ali," he said as he walked around to the driver's seat. Alice was still eying us a bit suspiciously, but she finally relented and walked to the passenger side and got in.
I sighed and looked anxiously at Edward who looked just as nervous as me. He opened my door for me and we got in as Jasper started the car and pulled out of the airport parking lot.
The drive to the lake house wasn't too bad. Alice did bring up our sex life on a couple of occasions. Thankfully Jasper chimed in both times saying, and I quote, "Aw, Alice, I don't want to hear how they go at it like a couple of gorillas in heat."
What. The. Fuck.
Edward kept his arm around my shoulder the entire time and would even say things to me softly every so often. Words of endearment. Trivial things like the weather and a store we passed by. We had both been caught off guard by Alice's instincts that something was up so we were kicking it up a few notches.
If that was the case then why did it feel so right and natural?
"We're here!" Alice announced as Jasper turned into a dirt road.
The last twenty minutes of the drive was surrounded by trees and forest and beautiful green scenery. It reminded me of Forks and that thought made me smile.
We followed the dirt road a while longer until it started traveling upward. Jasper finally pulled up in front of one of the most beautiful lake houses I had ever seen. It looked like something straight out of a movie. If the side facing the trees and forest looked this good, I could only imagine what the other side—the side that everyone on the lake saw—would look like.
Jasper pulled into the garage that was fit for at least five cars and he and Edward got to work unloading all of the luggage. Alice took my hand again and Jasper and Edward followed us—each holding two suitcases—up the stairs and to the second floor. I offered to help, but Alice told me to just let the men do their jobs, to which they both scoffed and threatened to throw Alice over their shoulder and take her down to the lake and dump her.
We reached the door at the end of the hall and Alice threw it open, pushing me inside first. It was beautiful to say the least. It wasn't an overly giant room, but it was definitely big enough to accommodate more than two people. There was an enormous king sized bed in the middle—the headboard touching the wall—as well as antique wooden bedside tables on either side. There were two drawers on the other side of the room against the wall opposite the bed and next to the doorway that led into a huge and beautiful bathroom. The bathroom had a bath tub fit for ten people as well as a view of the other gorgeous lake houses that were beside us.
Edward and I followed Alice and Jasper as they led us to the balcony that overlooked the lake and I gasped at the sight before me. I could see the stairs that led from somewhere up by the house, down to the dock for boats. I looked around us and saw the other few lake houses and people already swimming or taking their boats out.
It was about five in the evening and Alice informed us that Emmett and Rosalie would be arriving in the morning because they had work and would need to go home and pack. Esme and Carlisle would arrive late this evening and we would probably be sleeping because, according to Alice, we were most likely super jet-lagged.
"Jazz and I are going to go the supermarket nearby to get groceries to keep us at bay for now," Alice said with a laugh. "You guys just relax, rest…cuddle." She made sure to emphasize the last word with a devilish smile.
"I could go with you, Alice. And the guys could stay here and catch up," I said quickly.
"Don't be silly, Bella. I know you're tired. You're eyes are pretty red," she pointed out.
I sighed, defeated. As much as I hated to admit it, I was pretty tired since I had tossed and turned the previous night, dreading these next four weeks with a passion.
"Alright, we'll be back in a couple of hours," Alice said as she hugged me tightly and kissed my cheek before doing the same with Edward.
"Later, man," Jasper said to Edward before turning to me. "See you, Bells. Sleep tight," he said, hugging me tightly before following Alice out of the room and closing the door behind them.
And then there were two.
Edward and I just stood awkwardly next to the bed after Alice and Jasper left, our eyes downcast and looking everywhere but at each other.
Finally Edward cleared his throat and I looked up at him. "So, uh, I don't know about you, but I'm pretty tired," he said, only glancing at me a couple times.
I nodded and looked at the bed. "Yea, me too," I offered lamely.
"You can take the bed," we both said at the same time.
"Sorry," he sad quickly. "Um, you take the bed. I'll just lay down on the couch downstairs."
"What about Alice and Jasper? Won't they think it's weird we aren't sleeping together?" I pointed out.
As soon as the words left my mouth, I regretted them, realizing what I had just said. Edward chuckled without humor and rubbed the back of his neck apprehensively, still looking down.
"Bella, we haven't slept together in over three months. It's not that weird anymore," he said quietly.
"First, that's not what I meant by 'sleeping together,'" I said. He looked up at me, amusement evident in his eyes. "And second, it may not be weird to you and me, but it will be to them," I finished, crossing my arms over my chest.
"Alright," he finally conceded. "I'll just…go on my side and you stay on yours," he said as he climbed onto the bed and laid on his back, letting out a satisfied sigh.
"What are you doing?" I demanded, walking around the bed to go stand next to him.
"What do you mean?" he asked me, seeming utterly confused.
I rolled my eyes and sighed as I walked over to the door, locked it, and walked back. We would have to be in the same room, but we didn't both have to be in the bed. If the door was locked, no one would come in and see that I was asleep on the bed while he was in the bathtub or something. It was common logic. I don't know why I didn't just think of it before.
He was watching me curiously, a hint of mischief in his eyes. "Why, Mrs. Cullen, are you trying to seduce me?" he asked teasingly, sitting up on his elbow.
Gah! Must he be so effing sexy all the time?
To my own surprise, I began leaning in toward him. His breathing hitched as my face came within a few mere inches of his. I saw him visibly swallow the lump in his throat and sit up a little more. I licked my lips and looked down at his then back up into his eyes. He was watching me curiously and a bit apprehensively, probably wondering what the hell I was doing.
"It's going to be Miss. Swan again very soon," I said in a low, threatening voice. "And you're sleeping on the fucking floor."
Author's Note: How was that? ;) A nice comedic relief seeing as next chapter will be sort of hard to read…but it will all be worth it. Reviews make me very happy =D