Author's Note: Finally got this chapter up. It's a bit short, but I think the content makes up for it.
I thought of going with an APOV this chapter, and prolong the cliff hanger, but what can I say? Even I'm not that evil!
Hope you enjoy it!
Oh, and read the A/N at the end of the story. I've got some news for you!
He looked at me for a second, cupped my cheek in his hand, and kissed me!!
Well, kiss was an overstatement. It was actually it was more of a peck. Our lips met chastely, and as suddenly as he had kissed me, he pulled away.
It took me a minute to form any coherent thoughts. I just stood there, opening and shutting my mouth like a fish, trying to say something. Edward had made no move to say anything either. He just stood there, gauging my reaction.
Finally I managed a hoarsely whispered, "What was that?"
Instead of answering my question, Edward looked over my shoulder, and winked at Ethan. Before I could ask either of them what in the world was going on, Ethan gave Edward a 'thumbs up' sign, and scampered away. He ran to his room and shut the door. Edward just grinned, as if everything was going according to some plan.
By now, my brain which was turned into mush just a few seconds ago, had regained its ability to function normally.
"Okay, what was that for" I asked once more, my voice stronger this time. "You can't just kiss me like that and….mumphhh". Edward had clamped his hand over my mouth midsentence, leaving me struggling to break free.
"Let me explain, Bella' he began calmly. He let go of me, and I tapped my foot impatiently, waiting for him to continue.
"Why don't you sit down first?' he offered. "You must be tired after work"
Once we were both comfortably seated on the couch, he began talking about his day with Ethan. Not quite the romantic confession I was hoping for, but I would take what I got. When he told me about their 'agreement', it left me gaping open mouthed.
And here I had thought that he had kissed me because he had feelings for me! I knew I shouldn't have gotten my hopes up, but it's hard to think rationally when you were being kissed. I knew it was time for me to face the truth. He didn't care about me. He didn't love me. The only thing keeping him here was Ethan. I tried my best to hold my tears back, but I just couldn't. They fell softly in a steady stream, and Edward looked completely horrified.
"Bella, what's wrong?" he asked concerned.
"Nothing" I choked out. "I just need to be alone right now".
I began walking away, but Edward arms snaked around my waist, preventing me from moving any further.
"Bella, you can tell me anything. You know that, right? I'll always be here for you" he said.
"Really Edward, its nothing. Just stressed from work, I guess" I lied, trying to pull away from his grip.
"You don't expect me to believe that, do you Bella?" he asked softly.
Maybe it was the assuming tone his voice took. Maybe it was the tension from work. Maybe I was just going insane from being so lonely. Whatever it was, I finally cracked.
"You say you'll always be there for me. That's not true" I whispered. "You won't always be there for me. You'll always be there for Ethan. Much as I'm glad you're being a good father, I can't take this anymore. I want you to care about me too, not just about Ethan. I know that the only reason you're here is because you feel guilty that you haven't been there for your son. But I don't want you to feel obligated to stay here. I want you to stay here because you enjoy my company."
I stopped for a second to look at Edwards face. He looked like he wanted to say something, but he remained silent. I took that as a sign to continue.
"You say I can tell you anything. That's not true either. I can't tell you what I'm thinking about, because you won't like what you hear."
Edward looked hurt, and I felt horrible for saying what I had said, but I knew that it was the right choice to make. If I had continued to keep my emotions bottled up, I would have gone mad. "My offer still stands, Bella" he said finally. "I'm ready to listen to anything you might have to say to me."
"Okay what about this? I love you." I spat out.
Edward looked shocked. "What?" he whispered.
I laughed bitterly. "See? I knew you wouldn't be able to handle it." I said. "But since I've already said it, there's no harm in saying it again. I love you. I never stopped. It hurt so much to see you again, and not be able to touch you, to kiss you. I knew you had moved on, so who was I to demand that you care for me? And every time I see you with Ethan, it breaks my heart. You're such a good father, and I wish I had given you a choice when I knew I was pregnant. We could have been such a happy family.
I tried to move on; I tried to forget you Edward. Really, I did try. But I was never quite able to stop thinking about you. I never dated a single man in all that tine. I told myself that it was for Ethan's sake that I didn't see any one else, but now that I think about I realize it's because I loved you for all those years. Seeing you again just confirmed it. All I wanted was for you to love me too, to care about me even half as much as I care about you. Guess we all don't get what we want, huh?"
The tears had stopped flowing, and for some strange reason I felt great relief for getting all that off my chest. Edward looked as if I had slapped him, but there was a sudden change of expression toward the end of my little speech. A look of strong determination flashed in his eyes.
And that's when he really kissed me. It wasn't a peck like before, but a full blown, tongue battling, breath taking, mind boggling kiss. I couldn't help but respond. We sat there, devouring each other hungrily. His tongue begged for entrance, which I granted. I moaned softly and nibbled on his lip. This earned a deep groan from him, turning me on like nothing else could. As our tongues danced away, a tiny part of my brain reminded me that he said anything to my confession. This time, I was the one to pull away.
"Edward, don't distract me" I reprimanded. "I want to hear you say it. Do you have feelings for me or not? I can't go on like this anymore, not knowing what you think of me."
"Bella" Edward breathed. "I'm disappointed. I thought the meaning of that kiss was quite clear. I love you. I never stopped either. And I want this to work more than anything"
I was so overjoyed, I could hardly speak. But who needs to speak when you can kiss? And that's exactly what I did. Pulling him down by his collar, we began round two of our steamy make out session.
Our feelings had been hidden so long. We released all our pent up frustration into that one kiss, because this time we were both ready for it. When we finally came up for air, Edward stared at me, while playing with my hair. Though New York fashion was short, chic hair, I had never cut mine. Edward had always loved my waist length hair, and somehow it had never felt right to chop it off.
He kissed me once more, but this one didn't display the passion the previous kiss had. It was more tender and, dare I say it, loving. He held me like he never wanted to let me go, and I clung onto him desperately.
"My beautiful Bella" he said quietly. "I'm so glad I can finally call you mine."
"I was always yours" I replied, causing him to smile, and (you guessed it!) kiss me once more. He held me tight, and we just sat there, satisfied to be in each other's arms.
This would have been a highly romantic moment, if Alice hadn't chosen to come home at that exact time. We automatically jumped apart at the sound of the keys, but we weren't quick enough. Alice spied our intimate embrace, and sighed. "Finally." she said. "I thought you two idiots were never going to fess up. Anyway once you're done being all lovey dovey, can we have dinner? I'm starving!"
Before either of us could respond, Ethan bounded out of his room. He hugged her, before saying excitedly, "Your plan worked, Aunty Alice!"
"Shh!" Alice hissed, but it was of no avail. We had already heard Ethan.
"What plan?" Edward asked curiously.
Alice and Ethan simultaneously put on their sheepish puppy dog looks.
What was going on?
THEY KISS! Oh my gosh!
Yes readers, finally after toturing you all for so long, Edward and Bella finally confess. But what's all this about Alice's plan?
Review, and tell me what you think.
NOTE: I just wanted to say that I have started another story. It was an idea that was just in my head, and refusing to shut up, so I put it up!
It's called 'Drunk In Vegas', you might want to check it out and tell me what you think. Updates will continue simultaneously for both stories.
Also, I've now officially registered myself to be a Beta Reader!! If any of you need any betaing done, check out my Beta Profile!