I don't own Twilight or the characters the owner(s) allow us
to play with, just this plot and the hopes I may one day also
be an author of my very own OF.

Fran made this sparkle. Any mistakes remaining are my own.

Dear 'Guest,'
No! I cannot make the chapters longer. This story is entirely
pre-written, and the chapters are whatever length they
needed to be. Thank you.

-LWTC-

Chapter 7

Thursday is Thanksgiving, pretty lady. What are your plans? You've sidestepped the question long enough. (E)

I haven't side-stepped anything. *polishes her halo* I already told you, I am working. (B)

Yes. You work until 5pm. What are your plans after? You've side-stepped plenty, Dr. Sawn! #halomyass (E)

Why, Mr. Cullen, are you insinuating that I am less than angelic? I am a model of morality, I'll have you know! (B)

I'm not going to fall for it this time, woman! Come to dinner at Mom and Dad's. *sees the demonic horns propping said halo* (E)

Is that an invitation or an order, sir? *adjusts halo on ramming spikes* (B)

It's whatever will make you agree to dinner at 7. Dad put in a request for your lemon/cheese pound cake. He says with or without strawberries. *readies red cape* (E)

Olé! LOL, Okay, I give. Ask Esme what else I can help with. I have Wednesday off, so I can even go over there and help her prepare … you know what? Just send me her number, and I'll give her a call. #thoughtthematadordidthesidestepping

-LWTC-

Wednesday morning dawned early for Bella. As always, she needed her coffee/Edward fix, as she had made plans to be at Esme's by eight in the morning. She snuggled deeper under her electric blanket after hitting the snooze button and grumbled about starting the day. When her alarm blared again some ten minutes later, she reluctantly climbed out of her cozy bed and stumbled into the shower. She dressed in her black jeans and tank top, and slipped one of her Uncle Charlie's old flannels on, buttoned half way. She was comfortable and 'bummy' enough for a day of baking. She twisted her hair back, and pinned it with two large clips, slicked on some ChapStick, and considered herself presentable enough.

She had stopped at Best-Buy™ on her way home and bought Whitehouse Down to give to Carlisle. He was a big fan of action-packed movies, and Bella happened to know that he didn't like football. She wanted to surprise him with something entertaining, while the rest of the guys watched the game.

Maybe this would be the year the Lions actually won?

Nah …

Edward was rather happy to see Bella stop in on her way to his mother's house. After her emotional outburst with Alice, she hadn't stopped in for three days, and he had been worried she would withdraw completely. His texts had been answered those days, but the responses were short and lacked their usual snark. He was so pleased when she resumed her morning routine on Monday. The three days he had spent without seeing her were torturous at best. He worried about her constantly, and wanted to see with his own eyes that she was okay.

Seeing her now, he rolled his eyes.

"Your coffee, Doctor," he drew his mouth into a disapproving pucker. "Where—pray-tell—are your hat and gloves?"

"Umm …" Bella bit her lip and cringed sheepishly.

"Woman! You are so …, " Edward ran his fingers through his hair and tugged, "frustrating. You keep saying you'll stop and buy some, but it's been weeks. Weeks, Bella! It's twenty-four degrees outside, and there's snow on the ground."

"Thank you, Captain Obvious," Bella straightened her stance, ready to argue. Sometimes when she argued with him, it was exciting. She didn't know why, but she felt exhilarated after they fought. "… or should I call you Dad? I never had one of those. You want the job?"

"If you were my kid, I'd be turning you over my knee right about now," Edward's eyes flashed, and he leaned towards her, getting in her face.

"I'd like to see you try-"

Edward surprised both of them when he sat her coffee cup on the side table, and in a swift maneuver, spun them both around so that he was seated on the couch, and she was lying over his lap. He lifted her coat and gave her one hard, solid swat on her butt.

"What do you think you are doing," Bella shrieked, pushing herself off. She didn't know whether to be angry or amused. She stood, rubbing her smarting backside, staring at Edward, mouth agape.

For his part, Edward was shocked and thrilled that he had done such a thing. He hadn't taken the time to really think it through, he simply gave in to the urge. As he stood back up, towering over her small stature, he began to laugh. The sound was pleasant to Bella's ears, even though she was a trifle miffed at him. She shook her head, lifted her chin, and threw him a smug expression.

"Guess who I'm going to tell allll about this?" Bella laughed.

"You wouldn't."

"Oh, I would," she grinned, and bit her lip; her eyes bright and mischievous. "I will."

"She'll skin me alive!"

"Maybe you should have thought about that before you smacked. My. Ass."

Edward reached for her and caught her wrist as she tried to run from him to her car. He pulled her to him and tried to wrestle her keys out of her hand—behind her back. This put them in the closest proximity they had ever been, with her chest smashed against his. They were laughing, chests heaving with excitement and hilarity until they locked eyes. She was so soft and smelled so good. He couldn't stop himself, as he leaned in and ran his nose along her neck, inhaling her sweetness.

Bella's heart was racing, and breathing was difficult as he leaned towards her. The feeling of his nose against her neck, and the sound of the slight groan that came from his throat after he breathed her in, made her feel weak and woozy.

Bella hadn't exaggerated when she told Alice that she wouldn't know what to do with a man if she had one. Having gone off to college at fifteen-years-old, she was somewhat alienated from her classmates. Not that anyone picked on her or anything like that … she was treated as a child. Even after she turned eighteen, her peers were still three and four years older than she was, and tended to treat her as a baby sister.

She had never been held like this.

Never kissed.

Her breath hitched as Edward drew his nose upwards from her neck, along her jaw and cheek until they were nose-to-nose, breathing each other in.

Edward's gaze dropped to Bella's mouth. Her enticing, pouty lips beckoned. He looked back to her eyes and saw both fear and excitement there. He leaned in a fraction more and could just feel the warmth of her skin against his lips when…

Ding

"Hey, Edward. Sorry to interrupt," Jim broke him out of his Bella-haze, "but I can't get the diesel card reader to work." Jim had the propriety to look ashamed.

Edward cleared his throat—several times, and released Bella, stepping cautiously away from her. He was embarrassed to have almost kissed her, not only in public, but in his own store; not only in his own store, but without having thought to look and see if they were alone. Dammit, he thought.

"No need to be sorry, Jim," he cleared his throat again and tried to communicate his lament to Bella with his eyes. "Let me get you squared away, I know your time is limited."

Bella was flushed from head to toe with both embarrassment and arousal. She grabbed her travel mug and fled with a tersely mumbled "See you later."

-LWTC-

Thank you all for your lovely words regarding the last chapter.
Everyone is appalled at Renee. You will find you have company!

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