AN: I just can't stay away.

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-Chapter Four: Delicious Polar Opposites-

"Where are we going, Edward?" Bella said, impatiently tugging on my hand. I resisted the urge to tell her, but her pleading brown eyes were more powerful than I thought.

"You'll see soon, love," I said, a smile teasing the corners of my mouth.

She huffed in frustration, and if we hadn't been walking so briskly, I am positive she would have stomped her foot. I chuckled at the mental image, and drew my arm around my love, shielding her from the harried week enders that shared the sidewalk with us. I was nearly tugging my wife along- I wanted to make my reservation since I'd had to park further away from the eatery than I'd anticipated, but Bella was insistent on lagging behind to look at the colorful displays that adorned the shop windows we passed. I had to drag her away from the frolicking month-old puppies in the animal shelter window.

I hated dogs. Bella loved them.

If her curiosity hadn't been so piqued by the bright store windows, I would have suspected her of dawdling.

Bella hated surprises. I lived for them.

We were delicious polar opposites.

I was Superman, she was my unassuming kryptonite.

We were still experimenting with each other. Her messy side of the closet was my undoing, and she hated finding ashes that had fallen from my clothing in the foyer.

She cleaned her side of the closet once a month, and I routinely brushed myself off before entering the apartment.

We had understandings.

I put my work things away the moment I got home, and she didn't make off with the Sunday comics the moment the paper hit our doorstep.

I made the bed when I was home, and she took care to hang up her towels after her shower.

I made dinner if I didn't have to go to work, she would make my lunch for the next day.

We had finally figured out how to coexist. The first few weeks of our marriage had been marked by trivial arguments revolving around muddy shoes and toothpaste caps, all eventually forgotten in the spirit of newly wedded bliss. We were now beginning month three of our marriage. Three months, four days. It had flown by. Bella was going back to school next month, and so I was determined to make the last few weeks of her summer the best she'd ever had. Even if I couldn't give her everything I wanted to.

The day had dawned bright and sunny, just as I'd hoped. Bella and I were walking down the sidewalk in a busy part of Seattle. I wanted to take her to lunch and an outdoor concert before I had to go to work tonight. I stopped abruptly in front of a small, quaint, albeit expensive-looking restaurant. Bella looked up at me, and I simply smirked and held the glass door open for her.

"Edward," she asked nervously as we stepped inside the dimly lit building, "Are you sure we can afford this?"

I hated that that thought even crossed her mind. She shouldn't have to ask if we could afford eating out at a nice restaurant. Damn being poor. I had slipped out of bed last night and looked at our budget, triple checking that taking a hundred dollars out of our bank account wouldn't upset our finances. As long as we didn't go out to eat for the next month, we would be fine.

"Yes, love," I whispered soothingly as the hostess led us to our seats, "I checked, we're good." We slid into the booth together, Bella tucked into my side. Her own little spot. I gently massaged the worry line that had suddenly sprouted on her forehead, marring her untainted beauty.

Even though we were very different, we had a few things in common.

We were quiet, private people.

We both liked grilled cheese sandwiches.

We had the same taste in music, thank heaven.

And we both religiously worried about the state of our finances. We were incredibly careful with what we spent our hard earned money on. Even though we had two incomes (which I hated- my wife shouldn't have to work), we still played a ridiculously sick game each month to make sure we were able to pay all our expenses.

I wasn't sure if anyone knew just how poor Bella and I really were. They must have guessed things were tight, and I hoped that no one would guess any further.

The last thing I needed was Carlisle or Charlie shoving a check in my face. I would, and I could, take care of my family, damn it.

Bella and I silently looked over the menu, and I could see her flush every time she looked at a price. I grabbed her hand, and she looked up at me, biting her lip.

"Bella, please. Get whatever you want. It's okay, I promise."

She pointed to a dish on the menu. "Can I get that?"

I wrapped my arm around her. "Of course, my love."

An over-friendly waitress (with black and purple hair, no less) soon tripped to our table, asking a little too nicely what we wanted to order. Bella timidly gave her order, shrinking into my side as the waitress' eyes bored holes into her. I also told the woman what I wanted, barely looking at her. I would not let her ruin my time with my wife. Did wedding rings mean nothing these days? I resisted the urge to glare at her as she flitted away, giving me one last lingering look, which I did not return.

The lavish restaurant was pretty empty, for a Saturday afternoon, and I guessed that the lack of customers was due to the holiday weekend.

Our food arrived in a surprisingly short amount of time, and for a few minutes, there was nothing but the clatter of our silverware scraping the china plates our food was on. I noticed the waitress eyeing us surreptitiously from her position at the bar, and I smirked, then picked up a few strands of my pasta and fed it quite lovingly to Bella, who gave me an especially sparkly smile. The next time I turned my head, the purple headed woman was nowhere in sight.

-

After we had eaten, Bella and I half ran the rest of the way to the amphitheater, my coat over her head so at least one of us would stay dry. It was pouring rain outside. I tightly grasped her hand as we dodged the bustling crowds. We knocked shoulder blades with several other soaked people, who glared at our happy faces. We kept running, the stinging wind blowing into our faces. I almost wanted to laugh, seeing the mascara Bella had so carefully applied this morning running down her pale cheeks in unashamed rivulets. We made our way quickly down the sidewalk, avoiding menacing puddles and unassuming pedestrians.

I skidded to a stop in front of the amphitheater entrance, Bella nearly slamming into my back at my unexpected stop. I had been here before; she hadn't. I breathlessly handed the usher our two sopping tickets, which he delicately took, and barely glanced at, before disgustedly throwing in the sorry trash receptacle at his feet. He wordlessly handed us programs, and motioned us into the covered pit, which several workmen were still trying to canopy. On rainy days such as these, there were white tarps to cover the modest amphitheater to prevent the audience from getting soaked. The crescent shaped stage had a sturdy roof over it, to shield the various performers from the elements. Lucky performers, I thought, frowning at the translucent plastic being stretched above my head.

The band that was scheduled to perform cheerily played their opening song, and I found myself beginning to relax as the concert went on. Bella would look over at me every so often, making sure that I was enjoying myself too. I smiled at her gently, and made sure that her hand was entwined with mine.

--

"That was wonderful, Edward," Bella sighed as we walked out of the park, the music from the concert still ringing in my ears.

"I'm glad you liked it," I said, so happy to see the smile on her face.

The sky had cleared just before the concert ended, and we walked down the sidewalk, our pace unhurried this time. Bella tried to get me to jump in the murky puddles that had formed on the street, but I vehemently declined. Who knew what sorts of bacteria lurked in those mosquito traps?

I shouldn't have been surprised when Bella practically shoved me into a puddle, soaking my left shoe and trouser leg.

We were both disgustingly damp by the time we arrived at the parking garage. Bella turned to get in the car, but there was no way I was going to let the oily, muddy water that was on the both of us anywhere near my Volvo's interior. I got two towels out of the trunk, and gave one to Bella, and draped the other over the leather driver's seat. Bella followed suit with her seat, frowning at me. She thought I was a little too concerned with my car.

We drove home in amiable silence, occasionally changing the radio station or fiddling with the air conditioner. I let Bella have the shower when we got home, and I got my stuff ready for work. I had forgotten that my station had been issued new white t-shirts to go with our navy work pants, so I quickly gathered them up, and headed to the closet my landlord called a laundry room. I ripped the tags off of the shirts, and started a load of laundry on the hot setting. I looked in the other laundry baskets for other dirty things that I could wash as well. I found a few more tee shirts and socks, and one of my ivory button down shirts. I also came across a pair of red sweatpants that were Bella's, with the tags still on them. I took the tags out, and threw the red sweatpants in with the other light- colored things I had already put in. I poured a cup of dark magenta soap and swirled it around the clothes before slamming the lid of the washing machine shut and walking out of the closet.

I finished packing everything but the new shirts that were currently getting washed, and lay down on the sofa to catch a rest before I had to go into work. I flicked on the television, and fell asleep to the news. I woke up sometime later to the smell of dinner. I sat up, rubbing my eyes, and I noticed that Bella had turned off the television and put one of the throw blankets over me. I quickly folded the blanket over the couch, and wandered into the kitchen. Bella was cooking chicken and peppers in a pan, and it smelled divine. I went up behind her and wrapped my arms around her waist.

"Hey, sleepy," she said, turning and planting a kiss on my cheek. "Dinner's almost ready- and did you start a load of laundry? Because the timer just went off."

"Oh. Yeah, I did," I mumbled, stepping away from her. "I'll be right back."

I walked down the hall and opened the closet door. It was kind of dark in there, but I didn't bother turning on the light. I didn't need to have the fluorescents on just to move some clothes. I didn't think my eyes could take it. The washing machine indicated that the load of laundry I had put in was indeed done, so I quickly transferred the items, not really looking at the clothes in my hands.

I quickly finished the task, and washed my hands and face before coming back to the kitchen. Bella had set the table, and we sat down to eat. I took the first bite of chicken and stifled a moan. It was really good. Bella was a fabulous cook, and I was glad that she was willing to make dinner for me. I could cook too, but most of the things I made were of the breakfast kind.

I helped Bella do the dishes after we were done, and after a mini bubble fight with the soapy dishwater, we managed to put the kitchen back together. I had to hurry, because my nap from earlier had gone on for longer than I'd anticipated, and I didn't want to be late for work.

I was drying the last spoon when the dryer timer buzzed, and I went to pull my clothes out before they had a chance to wrinkle. I grabbed a laundry basket on my way, and opened the dryer door, letting the clothes tumble out into the basket.

"Holy- aargh!"

I tried to stifle my frustrated yell, but Bella came running anyways.

"What is it, Edward?" she asked breathlessly, searching my face.

I pointed to the laundry basket, too furious to speak. Bella looked, and stifled a giggle.

All of my clothes had been dyed pink.

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AN: *snorts* He's got pink shirts now!! You know, brand new red pants + white shirts? Haha.

So. I don't know if I'm back or not, but I had to write something. I know you guys are pretty mad at me, but consider this chapter a peace offering. I updated PB&J too!

For the ten who got sent the teaser, it's not in here. Sorry :(

Don't forget me on Facebook and Twitter! Links on my profile page! :) I think I will post teasers on those sites once in a while!

I also put up a new story- "The Girl Next Door" Please check it out?

Summary: Childhood sweethearts turned bitter are forced to pose as a married couple. If the wrong people find out their marriage is a sham, they'll both be killed. The one thing they didn't expect? Falling in love all over again.

Shorter chapters= faster updates (hopefully)

Also, any ideas for them to do before the summer ends?