AN: I forgot my disclaimer! I do not own Twilight, nor do I own the movie 'Fireproof'. I'm just borrowing the characters and the movie title.
Go listen to the "1, 2, 3, 4" song by the Plain White T's if you're not sick of it.
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-Chapter 2: One, Two, Three, Four Hundred and Seventy-
"So, tell me more about the new guy," I said to Garrett as we were hanging up our gear.
He let out a loud snort.
"This guy, Laurent, is such a bozo. He's like, French, and like, I don't even know why he's here. All he does is complain. I think maybe this wasn't his top career choice. I mean, he's like, over qualified for the job. He's more of the professor type- he's the last guy I'd peg to be a firefighter. Word's been going around that he's been in some shady dealings back in France or wherever the heck he's from. The guys and I looked him up, and this dude's lived all over the world, never stayed in one place for more than two years, he's like an urban nomad or something. Anyways, he-"
I punched him in the arm. "Garrett, you sound like an old woman."
He glared at me. "I swear, Edward, something is not right with this guy. He's a creep! He has no business being a firefighter! Something's not right about him. And I am gonna find out what."
Garrett did not trust foreigners in the slightest. Never mind the fact that he moved to Washington from Ireland when he was two.
"Garrett, I think you're overreacting. Give the man sometime to show his true colors. Then you can make your judgments. C'mon, my shift ends in three minutes and I want to get out of here." I had never been so eager to go back home. Now, there was someone waiting for me there and I couldn't wait to see her again. Twenty four hours was too long for my liking.
He smirked at me. "Ah, yes, you're not longer married to your job. How is the lovely Bella?"
I looked at him suspiciously. "What's it to you?"
He held up his hands in surrender. "Whoa, whoa! No need to go all caveman on me! Engaged here, remember? It was just a simple question!" He said, pointing at his bare ring finger and looking the picture of innocence.
"She's fine," I grumbled, stuffing my hands in my pockets as we walked out of the station. I felt bad for jumping on Garrett when he asked about Bella. Not many guys shared his genuine, innocent curiosity. And he was engaged to Kate, one of the few decent women I knew. my sister worked with. Old habits die hard, I guess. I still was very protective of Bella even though we were married now. Even though my wife was certainly not a prize to be won, I had fought hard to make her precious and sought- after heart mine.
I could see the beginnings of the sunrise from where we were and I could tell it was going to be a nice day today. I said my goodbyes to Eric, and slung my bag over my shoulder. I made a beeline for the Volvo and quickly climbed in.
I think I set a new record for how fast I drove on the way home. It was probably a good thing I didn't pass any policemen. I took the stairs up to the apartment, and impatiently unlocked the door. It was dark in the apartment, and I flicked on a light so I could get in without tripping over anything.
I set my keys on the table by the door, and dumped my bag in the small closet that held the washer and dryer. It wasn't even six in the morning yet, and I knew Bella was still sleeping. I quietly opened the bedroom door, and there was my angel, buried under the covers. Quickly changing out of my uniform, and into one of my old shirts and a pair of sweatpants, I slipped under the covers and placed a kiss on Bella's cheek.
She stirred, and sleepily blinked open her eyes, a small smile appearing as she saw me.
"You're back," was all she said, as she nestled her head into my chest.
I placed a chaste kiss on the top of her head before succumbing to sleep. There was no need for words. I was home, and I would never be alone again.
--
Bella let me sleep well into the afternoon. I woke up around one o'clock to the smell of something cooking. I sleepily rubbed my eyes before stumbling out of bed and to the kitchen. Bella was carefully watching a sizzling pan, and looked up when she saw me enter.
"No, no, go back to bed," she wailed, her face reddening.
I let the perplexity I was feeling show on my face.
"I was going to surprise you," she explained.
No one had ever made me breakfast before, with the exception of my mother.
"Believe me, love, I'm shocked. What are you making?" Whatever it was, it smelled heavenly.
She bit her lip. "French toast."
"Really? You made me French toast?"
Her face blushed crimson again.
"I'm sorry, I thought you liked it. I can make you something else. It's not a big deal-"
I cut off her apologetic rambling with a kiss, molding my body around hers.
"I love French toast, Bella. It's one of my favorites. I can believe you did this just for me."
"Of course, silly boy. I love you." Her hands found their home in my unruly hair.
"I love you too. But you're burning my breakfast."
I got a well placed smack for that remark.
I guess the truth really does hurt.
--
"What do you want to do today?" I asked a little while later, sitting across from her as we ate our slightly crispy breakfast.
Bella shrugged. "I don't know. I honestly thought you were going to sleep all day. I was planning on going to the grocery store. There's nothing in the refrigerator and what was in there went bad two weeks ago."
"So, what, you want us to go food shopping? How romantic."
"I never said you were coming along. And grocery shopping isn't supposed to be romantic."
"I have to come, Bella. This dull apartment holds no interest for me without you in it. Let's go," I said, standing and throwing my plate in the sink. I grabbed Bella's hand and spun her around, pulling her close to me. She gasped, and put her hands on my forearms.
"Edward!"
"Get your purse, love," I said, bending down and giving her a chaste kiss.
"Edward, the dishes," she protested, pointing to the sink behind me.
"Hang the dishes."
And with that, I dragged my lovely bride out the door.
--
"Four hundred and seventy? Four hundred and seventy calories, Bella? No, get a different type." I said firmly, putting the box back in the freezer.
Bella crossed her arms and pouted at me.
My wife and I were standing in the frozen food section, debating over which type of ice cream to purchase.
"One or two helpings isn't going to kill you, Edward. I want it," She said stubbornly, and plucking out the box I had just put down back into the basket.
"No, Bella. Pick a different one, one that maybe isn't so unhealthy?" I gently took the ice cream out, and reached to place it back in its rightful home.
"I want this one," she argued, trying to tug the cold carton out of my hand.
"Bel-la,"
"Ed-ward," she said, mimicking my whining tone.
"No."
"Yes."
"Bella."
"Edward."
"Bella, seriously."
"Oh my gosh." Her brown eyes went wide.
"What?" The serious tone of her voice threw me. I didn't realize that our frozen dessert was so important to her. If she really wanted the ice cream, I guessed we could get it. Bella was right. It really wasn't going to hurt me.
"Bella, what is it?" I threw the stupid carton in the basket and grabbed her shoulders.
"Ow, Edward, that hurts." She squirmed out of my hands.
I half-growled. "Will you please tell me what you're thinking before I lose my mind?"
"Calm down, Edward. I just realized something." Her eyes were sparkling.
"Your epiphany?" I pleaded.
"We're having our first fight!"I was incredibly confused as to why she was so happy about this.
I could feel my eyebrows lift in disbelief. "What? No, Bella, we've fought before."
"But this is our first fight as a married couple! Should we like, I dunno, document this or something?"
I sighed in mock exasperation. Bella was going to be the death of me.
"I think we should get out of here. Who knew a trip to the store would mess with your head so much? Our first fight? Is that something we should be proud of? We'll get the ice cream, I don't care anymore, let's just go." I entwined my fingers with hers, and started to walk out of the aisle, feeling slightly frustrated. I was jerked back when I realized I was moving and Bella wasn't.
"Love?"
Her eyes dropped. "We don't have to get that kind, Edward. Pick something else out. I wasn't that serious anyways."
Cue the guilt trip. Bella was so selfless over something as trivial as ice cream.
"Bella. I don't care if you were serious or not. We're getting it. I want to eat all four hundred and seventy calories and then walk around and moan and complain to you of a stomach ache. So please, Bella, don't be a spoilsport."
The sparkly smile that I loved so much was back.
"Whatever you say, Edward."
Bella slipped her arm through mine, and we walked up to one of the registers to pay for our food. A family of four in the next aisle attracted my attention, and I was momentarily distracted. A pudgy man and his wife were arguing, and their two children (who would have been cute if the looks on their faces weren't so repulsive) seemed to be having a squabble of their own.
"Look, Sylvia, just get the potato skins."
"Ow! Dad! Owen punched me!"
"John, we are not getting a whole box of those disgusting things just for you to chow down on. The doctor said your blood pressure-"
"Screw my blood pressure! I'm as healthy as a horse!"
"Mom! Brenna won't stop touching me! Stop, Brenna!"
"Be quiet, the both of you, or so help me-"
"John! Shh! We're in public! Kids! Stop fighting!"
Bella and I looked at each other with wide eyes.
"Do you think that'll be us in ten years? They look so mad," Bella questioned softly, unable to tear her eyes away from the scene.
I put my arm around her shoulders and kissed the top of her head.
"I sincerely hope not, Bella."
--
Both Bella and I had salads for lunch. The '470', as we had lovingly dubbed the ice cream, was currently sitting on the counter, thawing. I shot it death glares over my salad, which made Bella giggle.
"Goodness, Edward. I thought we resolved this back at the store."
"I retract my earlier statement, love. You can be the one to eat it and then moan and complain to me about having a stomachache. I'm too full to eat."
A little coy smirk played on the corner of Bella's red lips, which had me confused.
"You know… 470 is Jacob Black's favorite. He eats it all the time."
"Does he, now?"
"Mhm. Buckets of it." I noticed her voice dropped an octave.
"Good for him. I hope that idiot gets as big as a house."
"Edward! That's not nice! I bet he's more fit than you, anyways."
I sputtered salad dressing all over the table.
"Take that back, Bella Cullen. He is not."
She raised an eyebrow at me, teasing my jealously.
"I don't know, Edward."
"I would know, Bella. And he is not more fit than me."
"Prove it." Her eyes were full of mirth.
The ice cream soon lay forgotten on the counter, melting everywhere.
--
After that, we spent the rest of the day lounging around the house, watching mindless television programs and eating the troublesome ice cream. I had to admit, it was worth the 470 calories. I would never admit it to Bella though.
I was sitting on the couch in the living room, and Bella was sprawled on the floor with her laptop. She was arranging her class schedule for her last year of school. She didn't have many classes, but they were intense courses and I hoped they wouldn't wear her out too much.
"When do you start school, love?" I asked, nudging her ankle with my foot.
"August 24th," she replied in a bored tone. "Why?"
"I don't know, I was just curious. Why are you signing up so early? You don't start for three months."
"I may only have four classes, Edward, but they're specialized and I have to make sure I get a seat."
"Oh," was all I said. I had never been more thankful that I was done with school. I would not miss the exams, boring professors, and the awful stress that had been put upon me.
--
The weeks that followed were filled with work. People who were eager for summer had begun to light their barbecue fires, and had somehow forgotten, in their eagerness, how to put one out. I would come home and tell Bella all the various situations I found myself in, and watch in delight as she laughed with me. I found it hard to laugh, though, after being summoned at three in the morning to put out a fire that had gotten out of hand.
Bella was now working at a small, hole- in- the -wall type of bakery in downtown Seattle. Ben and Angela Cheney, who were good friends of mine, had offered her a job at their bakery after tasting one of her home made creations. Bella loved to cook and bake, and was pretty good at it too. She was assistant manager (under Angela, of course), and loved the position. I liked it a lot too. Bella would often bring home leftover pastries and breads, and I (in a style reminiscent of Emmett) would eat most of it.
I began staying longer hours at the gym, too.
All too soon, my twenty third birthday came, and all too slowly, it left. I wasn't really into celebrating the fact I was another year older, and thankfully my family didn't make a big deal out of it. They did, however, purchase tickets for me and Bella to go spend a week in California. That I actually enjoyed. It was nice to do something that took us far away from home. Even though it stung that I would not have been able to pay for a vacation like that myself, I pushed the thought out of my mind.
Bella and I had begun saving money from our combined salaries. We wanted to buy a house within the year. I had begun saving before we were married, and it wouldn't take too much longer before we were able to put in a down payment. Our goal was to get a house before Christmas. For some inexplicable reason, I felt that we needed bigger living quarters sooner rather than later. I couldn't explain it, and Bella thought I was a little too excited about purchasing our first home. She thought that since I was so into having more room, I was also into adding a third member to our two-person household.
"You know I'm not ready to have a baby, right?" She asked me worriedly over dinner one day, pushing her pasta around with her fork.
Even though I badly wanted to start a family, Bella had told me time and again that she wasn't ready to add a baby to our already stressful lives. I was slightly inclined to agree with her. Bella's last year of college was going to be her hardest, and I was not going to help add the pressure of being pregnant and taking care of a newborn while she finished her degree.
With the way my crazy work schedule was, I wouldn't be able to help her with a baby too much anyways. Of course, I would make time, but I was gone for twenty four hours (sometimes longer) every forty-eight hours, and was occasionally called away for two to five days at a time to fight fires in other places. We were still young, and were only almost three months into our marriage. We had time. I just had to remind myself of that whenever I saw a baby boutique or parents with little ones in their arms.
"I know you aren't, love. I'm just tired of living in the apartment. I want a new place, one for the two of us to create our memories in. A new start, if you will."
She nodded in agreement, and I heard her breathe a sigh of relief. After that, I didn't bring up the subject again. We would look for a house (and have a baby) all in due time.
--
"Hey Ed, I need a favor," my older brother whispered harshly through the telephone, a week after we had gotten back from my birthday vacation.
I was cooking dinner out on the pitiful ledge my landlord called a patio and was trying not to look down at the busy street below me.
"What is it, Emmett?" I asked tiredly, flipping a steak over the grill, and cradling the phone to my ear with the other hand.
"Well, y'know how me and Rose are coming up on seven years, right?"
"I can do math, Emmett. What about it?"
"And y'know how we were gonna go to Cancun for our anniversary and her parents were gonna watch Emmalie and Royce?"
"Yeah…" I said, not liking where this conversation was headed.
"Well… Rose's mom busted her leg tripping over that yapping squirrel she calls a dog, so she's out of commission and Rose and I were wondering…"
"If Bella and I would watch the kids?" He had to be kidding.
"Just for a night! One night! Until Mom and Dad get back from Dad's conference. She said she would take them for the rest of the week. Please, bro? I'll owe you, for like, ever!"
"I'll have to talk to Bella…" I said, hoping to stall.
"Thanks Eddie! I'll totally make it up to you and like, yeah! Thanks a lot man! We'll drop them by around seven! Start baby proofing!"
"Wait! I never said-"
He had already hung up.
He was going to get it.
Wait- seven o'clock tonight?
"Bella!"
--
"So I would put Royce down in about an hour, and Emmalie can go to bed at nine. Bottles are in the bag, you have our numbers-"
"Just go, Rose, we've got this, don't we Edward?"
I forced a smile. "Yeah, Rose, go. You don't want to miss your flight."
"Okay, well… be good for Auntie Bella and Uncle Edward, babies, Mommy will see you soon. I love you!"
My sister in law kissed both of her kids goodbye, and waltzed out the door.
As soon as Rosalie was out of sight, my one year old nephew began to cry. Bella picked him up, and slowly rocked him from side to side. I would have almost fallen for her calm façade, were it not for the panicked look in her eyes.
"I think he's hungry, Auntie Bella," Emmalie said calmly from her perch on the couch. Bella swiftly opened a bottle and handed it to Royce, who took it, felt it, and then threw it on the floor, splattering droplets of milk all over my clean carpet.
"You have to warm it up, Auntie Bella, 'else he won't drink it," Emmalie explained, still absorbed in the movie that was playing on the TV.
I picked up the bottle, and unscrewing the lid, put it in the microwave. Bella followed me, bouncing Royce in her arms.
"Edward! What were we thinking? I can't do this!" Bella said frantically as Royce's cries grew louder.
I chuckled and took Royce from her. "Luckily for you, love, I have had a little more experience. Besides, Rose and Emmett wouldn't leave their kids with us if they didn't think we were capable."
"Yeah, you have experience. I have nothing! I don't know how to do anything!" she cried, throwing her hands up in exasperation.
"All in due time, love," I said, pulling the now warm bottle from the microwave. Bella turned to walk out of the kitchen, seeing as I had the situation well in hand, but I stopped her.
"You've got to learn sometime, honey," I said, holding the baby and the bottle out to her. She chewed her lip in dismay and confusion. I motioned for her to sit down, and placed the baby in her arms. I handed the bottle to my wife, and she tentatively put it to Royce's mouth. He instantly grabbed the bottle and began to drink.
A smile broke out on Bella's face. She looked up at me, eyes shining. An unbidden image came to my mind, one of Bella and a baby too, but this time, the baby had dark brown hair and sparkling green eyes. Was that what our child would look like, when we had one? Bella would make an excellent mother, of that I was positive. She was inexperienced, that was for sure, but as I watched her interact with Royce, I couldn't help but notice how well the mothering instinct came to her. However, I remembered my conversation with her earlier in the week, and forced the picture of Bella and our child out of my mind.
All in due time.
"Uncle Edward?" My five year old niece came quietly into the kitchen, twirling one of her long blonde ringlets between her fingers.
"Yes, Emmie?"
"I'm lonely," she said sadly, looking up at me with her sapphire eyes. "Will you come watch the movie with me?"
"Sure, Em, let's go," I swung her up over my head, and placed her on my shoulders. She squealed with delight, and tightly braided her little fingers into my hair. We walked over to the sofa, and I promptly tumbled her onto it, ignoring her little squeals of protest. She curled up next to me on the couch, and I threw a blanket over the both of us.
"Uncle Edward?" Emmalie asked softly, about halfway through the movie.
"Yes, Emmalie?"
"I'm glad you married Auntie Bella." She said, so quietly I could barely hear her.
I felt a smile tease my face, and I looked over at Bella, who was on the other side of the room, wholly absorbed in watching Royce play with his fingers.
"I'm glad too, sweetheart."
--
"No, no, Auntie Bella, he likes the green blanket with the froggies on it."
All four of us were in the guest bedroom where Emmalie and Royce would be sleeping. Emmalie was giving Bella a mini tutorial on all the things Royce needed in order to go to bed, and I could see Bella's eyes get bigger by the second. I was used to the various quirks that babies needed before bed, having experienced it second hand with my niece and nephew, but Bella was a little overwhelmed.
"This one?" Bella asked, holding up a small, fluffy blanket that had little ribbon and silk tags on it.
Emmalie smiled. "Yep, that's the one."
Bella handed her the blanket, and Emmalie skipped over to where Royce was standing up in his Pack n' Play crib. She kissed the top of his head, then tenderly put the blanket over his shoulders.
"It's time to sleep, Royce. I love you, brother bear." She coaxed him to lie down in his little crib, and made sure the blankets were securely tucked around his little body.
She tugged on Bella's hand. "It's time to turn out the light, Auntie Bella."
Bella flipped the switch, bathing the room in instant darkness.
We cuddled on the couch with Emmalie, her head in Bella's lap. I put on a movie, and Emmalie fell asleep before the opening credits even finished playing. I quietly carried her sleeping form to the guest bedroom, taking care not to awaken Royce, and gently settled her in the queen sized bed. Bella came in, and set a small glass of water on the bedside table, and kissed Emmalie on the forehead. I did the same, and we silently tiptoed out of the room.
I had to work the next day, so Bella and I didn't stay up like we normally did. I took a quick shower, and put my duffel bag by the door so I could grab it right before I left. I made sure the front door was locked and the lights turned out before I climbed into bed, wrapping my arms around Bella. I loved the way she felt in my arms, and there was no denying that she was made for me. We were perfect together, and I fervently hoped that that was the way it would stay for the rest of our lives.
--
I helped Bella feed Royce and Emmalie breakfast the next morning before I left. Royce was definitely Emmett's child. For someone so small, he ate a lot, and made a huge mess in the process. He really was not helping my case for starting a family. Bella wanted nothing to do with babies after peeling squashed banana off of the kitchen tiles.
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AN: I love pre-kiddo Edward and Bella. Hopefully you like them too.
I can't believe how many reviews I got for Chapter One. I've never gotten so many, ever. I'm sorry I didn't reply to all of them. Please, still review!!! I discontinued PB&J because only a handful of people seemed to really care about it. Don't let that happen to Fireproof, because I will do it.
PM me if you want PB&J to come back. Almost 20 of you have…
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(I don't know when I'll get the next chapter up, but I'm working on it. I graduate high school in a week and a half, so I'm really busy.)
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