Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of Stephenie Meyer. No copyright infringement is intended. The original plot and storyline of Never Enough, however, belong to me. Please be nice and don't copy or translate without permission. Thank you.

Even though I say it every week, I just can't say it enough - my world just wouldn't be the same without Cullen_Crazy01 and iadorepugs. Thank you so, so, SO much for all your help, support & encouragement. You guys are the best, and I love you lots!

Just a gentle reminder here about the rating of this story (M). I'm not your mom, but if you aren't legal, please come back when you are!

So, wondering what in the world Edward had to say in his text? Read on, and meet me at the bottom!

Chapter 12

A rapid succession of loud knocks on my bedroom door woke me suddenly from the only deep sleep I'd had all night. "Mom! Rebecca and Braden are here! Aren't you up yet?" Sarah's excited and very loud voice penetrated the fog of my sleepiness, and I looked at the clock on my night stand, trying to see the time through half-open eyes. Nine twenty. A.M. I could hear the raised voices of the excited teenagers downstairs, and I groaned, rolling over and pulling the covers up over my head. I swore under my breath when my cell phone hit the back of my head, and I searched blindly for it in the tangled covers.

Memories of my largely sleepless night flooded my mind, and I groaned anew, this sound tinged with frustration. Even after shutting off my phone, I had been unsuccessful in shutting off my brain, which had replayed my kiss with Edward over and over again in exquisite detail. It had taken me hours to fall asleep, only to awake in the middle of the night panting, my skin feverish, alive with desire and arousal. The low, urgent throbbing between my legs left me gasping for breath as I finally took matters in my own hands, so to speak, to relieve the tension. In the darkness of my bedroom and the anonymity of the night, I brought myself to a trembling climax as I relived the memory of Edward's kiss. His fingertips on my face, his hands in my hair, his lips on mine, the feel and taste of his tongue as it sought my own...

As I came down from my orgasm, I remembered that he had sent me a text, which I had childishly ignored. I grabbed my phone from the nightstand and turned it on, watching impatiently as the phone lit up. There were now three texts from Edward.

10:25 – Bella, please call me. We need to talk.

11:02 – I didn't mean what I said, or how I said it. I'm an idiot! Please, call me.

11:32 – I'm so sorry I upset you – I hope that's not why you haven't answered. I'll call you tomorrow.

I had scrolled through his texts over and over again in the dark, trying to decide what he wanted to say. I glanced at the clock – 3:41 a.m.. Definitely too late, or too early depending on your point of view, for a return call or text. I castigated myself for turning off my phone at all, wishing now that I had been mature about it and read his text when he sent it. Would I have called him? Probably not after the first text. Maybe after the second. The third text pulled at my heart strings, and I hated that he thought I was angry with him. Jacob and I had wasted so much time and effort on miscommunication. Did I really want to start a relationship with Edward that way? With a heavy sigh, I had rolled to my side, setting the phone on the pillow next to me and surrendering to the siren's call of my erotic dreamland.

I could hear feet thundering down the hall, and pulled my pillow over my head as Will pounded on my closed bedroom door. "Mom! C'mon! I thought we were leaving early this morning. Stop being so lazy!" This from the thirteen-year-old lump that I had to pry out of bed every morning for school?

"All right, all right, I'm up. Go make a pot of coffee if you expect me to be able to function," I instructed through the door, stretching languidly as I tried to talk myself into getting out of bed.

I was glad that the kids were excited to make our annual pre-Christmas shopping trip to Seattle. Every year when school let out for the holiday break, we would go to Seattle that first weekend to shop, eat, and sightsee. This year, both kids were bringing their best friends, and I had booked a three-room suite at our favorite hotel complete with jacuzzi and swimming pool. As much as I loved watching the bookstore evolve and come together, I was looking forward to some uninterrupted time with my kids as well.

A long, hot shower and three-quarters of that pot of coffee Will brewed were just what I needed to get myself moving. We piled our luggage in the car, the kids flipped a coin for seating arrangements, and we were on the road by eleven o'clock.

My phone rang when we had been on the road for about forty five minutes. Will, riding shotgun, grabbed the phone immediately and said, "Yo, who is this?" The boy definitely spent too much time with his Uncle Seth. "Heya, Mr. Cullen. Yeah, she's driving right now. We're going to Seattle for the weekend. Do you wanna talk to her? Oh, okay, do you want me to take a message? Her computer? Of course, she doesn't go anywhere without it. Sure sure, I'll tell her. Cool. See ya!"

Will hung up the phone and twisted in the seat once again to resume his conversation with Braden in the back seat. "Excuse me?" I said, exasperated. "Do you have something to tell me?"

Will looked at me blankly. "Huh?"

"The phone?" I prompted.

"Oh, yeah, right," he said, a relieved smile on his face. "That was Mr. Cullen."

"Which Mr. Cullen?" I asked patiently.

"There's more than one?" Will looked surprised.

I could almost hear Sarah rolling her eyes from the backseat as she broke into the conversation. "Emmett Cullen's the huge guy with all the muscles that was painting the big walls yesterday. I babysit his kids. Edward's the cute one that was working on the mural, with the reddish brown hair and ball cap."

The cute one? I looked in the rear view mirror, to find Sarah and Rebecca with their head's together, giggling. Well, at least the girl's got taste, my inner voice admitted.

"Ewww." Will made a face and pretended to gag. "I think he said it was Edward… although he might have said Emmett, those names are kinda close, aren't they? Anyway, whoever it was, he asked if you had your computer with you this weekend, and he said he'd send you an email."

I was irrationally disappointed that he hadn't asked to speak with me, but then again, I was trapped in the car with four teenagers. What could I say in front of them? 'Hey, Edward, just wanted to let you know that I really enjoyed your tongue, and by the way, the mere memory of your kiss got me off in the middle of the night'? Yeah, not the conversation I wanted to have with the kids listening in.

It was hours before I even had the opportunity to think again about any email that might have been sent earlier. We shopped, we dined, we swam, we dined again, and everyone was now closed behind the bedroom doors of the suite. I felt flutters of nervousness when I logged into my email account. There was a message waiting for me, sent shortly after the phone call, and I was glad the kids were in their own rooms as my cheeks burned with a hot blush at his words.

From: ECullen

To: BBlack

Date: 20 Dec 11:50 am PST

RE: Clearing up a Misconception

Bella,

I had hoped to talk to you today face to face, and I don't want to get into the whole discussion through an email, text, or instant message, but I had to tell you that my ONLY regrets about kissing you last night were the timing and location. I had imagined something much more private…and uninterrupted…for our first kiss. I'm sorry for making it seem like I felt any differently. I hope you have a nice stay in Seattle – when will you be home? Be safe.

Edward

As I re-read his message several times, I had to wonder, as I had often done since meeting him, if Edward was for real. The way he spoke to me, the way he treated me with such courtesy and gentleness, his concern and compassion – he seemed more like a mythological being than a mortal man. Surely there was something wrong with him! A gambling addiction? A stable of mistresses? A third nipple? Edward was simply too good to be true, and the notion that he seemed to be interested in me simply boggled my mind.

I must have sat there for at least ten minutes, typing and deleting, rewording and erasing. I tried to be witty, coy, or charming, and finally gave up because I just kept sounding like an idiot. My fatigue from my sleepless night and the day's rigorous activities finally convinced me that for now short and sweet would be my best response.

From: BBlack

To: ECullen

Date: 20 Dec 10:42 pm PST

RE: Misconception Cleared

Edward,

My only regret is that I ran away rather than staying to talk it out. I'll call you when I get back Sunday evening.

Bella

I didn't allow myself to log into Facebook. I knew if I saw him online I would be unable to resist the impulse to chat, and our next conversation was too important to me to mess it up by misstating or misinterpreting what was being said. I curled up on the huge hotel bed, a wistful smile on my face as I thought of his words, and anticipated the conversation that would occur upon my return to Port Angeles.

The weekend passed swiftly, filled with myriad activities planned both by and for the kids. The ride home was quiet as the fatigue from the weekend caught up with everyone. My Jeep was stuffed with enough bags and boxes to make it impossible to see out the back window. Clearly we had done our part to boost the economy. I dropped off Rebecca and Braden at their respective houses. The sun was setting as we pulled in the driveway, and I was incredibly grateful to be home, even though it was later than we had originally planned.

"Hey Mom, this was on the front porch for you," Will said, bringing in a large silver box with a deep blue bow at the same time he brought in the mail. On closer inspection, I could see my name clearly written in a familiar, elegant script on a card attached to the bow, and I felt my heart rate accelerate. Nowhere in the dozen or so text messages we had exchanged over the weekend did Edward mention anything about a package. I took the package up to my room with the rest of my things before Sarah could spot it and start asking questions, but had to leave it unopened in order to fix dinner.

After dinner, the kids asked me to watch a movie with them, and I couldn't resist the opportunity to snuggle on the couch with the both of them. We ate huge bowls of popcorn, followed by only slightly smaller bowls of ice cream, laughing at the latest antics of Steve Carrell on the screen. By the time the movie was over and we had cleaned up the kitchen, it was time for bed. I trudged sleepily up the stairs and opened the door to my room. I smiled as I spotted the box sitting on my bed, my thoughts automatically turning to Edward. What had he done? One way to find out…

Although the box was large, about two feet square, it was very light. The package was beautiful - the silver box subtly embossed with snowflakes, and the card a perfect compliment in dark blue and silver foil. No name was signed, but I recognized the handwriting from months of working with the plans for the bookstore. Inside, the note simply read, "Thanks for the concert," in Edward's elegant script.

Concert? I puzzled, shrugging my shoulders at my own inner voice. I grasped the plush velvet bow, carefully tugging at the ribbon. When the box was free of its frilly trimmings, I paused for a moment before lifting the lid, enjoying the build of anticipation. When I couldn't take it any longer, I took a deep breath and lifted the lid.

Inside was silver and blue tissue paper that complimented the box, and I eagerly shifted the tissue to one side, seeking whatever he had wrapped so beautifully for me. I felt tears sting my eyes when I pulled a large stuffed hippopotamus from the box. It was floppy, and fluffy, with pale pink ears and startling green eyes that reminded me of the man who had chosen it for me. I hugged the hippo to me, nuzzling my nose into the plush fur and closing my eyes. I caught the slightest hint of Edward's cologne, and a shiver ran down my spine.

I pulled my cell phone out of my pocket to dial Edward's number, until I noticed the lateness of the hour. Crap! I had promised to call him when we were back, and it was already after eleven! I debated it was too late to call, and settled instead for a text. I set my hippo against the pillows and took a quick picture with my camera phone and sent it to Edward with a quick note.

I got a hippopotamus for Christmas! He's adorable - thank you! :)

My phone buzzed almost immediately with his response.

So you're home now?

Had he been anxious to hear from me? Yes, home safe.

May I call you?

I think that answers the anxious question, my inner voice giggled. Give me ten minutes?

Nine minutes, fifty seconds and counting…

I raced to the bathroom and rushed through my nightly ablutions. After scrubbing off my makeup, brushing my hair and teeth, and donning my pajamas, I hurried back to my room with only a minute to spare. I turned back the covers and climbed into my bed, hugging my hippo to me as I settled against the mound of pillows against my headboard. The moment I pulled up the covers, my phone buzzed.

"Hello?" I said softly.

"Hello, Bella," Edward replied, his voice just as soft, slightly gruff and wholly erotic.

I let out a breath I didn't realize I had been holding. "Hi, Edward. How are you?"

"I'm better now," he said, and there was no mistaking the emphasis he put on "now."

I hesitated only a moment. "Me, too," I confessed quietly, and I heard his relieved sigh.

"I know I said I didn't want to get into this over the phone, but I need to make sure that we're on the same page as far as our kiss the other night," Edward said, his words coming quickly, and I had to listen closely to not miss any part of what he was saying. "I really, really wanted to kiss you Bella. I could kick myself for making you think I didn't want you. I am so sorry that I hurt you with what I said."

"Edward, please, don't apologize. I'm the one who's sorry for not staying around to talk it out, and for turning off my phone when I got your text," I said, hoping he could hear the regret in my voice.

"Ahhh, so that's why you didn't answer me? I was afraid that I had really offended you, either with the kiss, or with the apology." His own tone was conciliatory as he added, "And that apology? About the stupidest thing I've ever said to you, by the way."

"I may have been a little childish in turning off my phone," I admitted in a small voice. "I was embarrassed. When you said you shouldn't have kissed me, I thought you meant you regretted having kissed me at all."

"I could never regret the best kiss I've ever been interrupted in the middle of," Edward said quietly.

"The best?" I teased, my heart lightening instantly at his words.

"The best," he agreed emphatically, his voice husky. "Although I am very much looking forward to trying to improve upon perfection."

I felt a shiver of anticipation at his words, and may or may not have groaned involuntarily into the receiver.

Edward's answering growl made my cheeks grow hot, and I cuddled my hippo closer. "How was Seattle?" he asked, very obviously trying to change the subject. I heard the rustling of fabric in the background, and I imagined he was settling in for the night as I was. Mmmmm, Edward…in bed my inner voice moaned breathily, and the thought made my pulse race.

Not a good time for those kind of distracting fantasies, voice! Trying to carry on a conversation here! "Fantastic, exciting, and very, very tiring, trying to keep up with four teenagers. It was fun, but I'm glad to be home."

"What did you do while you were there?" he asked, sounding genuinely interested. I gave him an abbreviated version of the trip, punctuated by occasional yawns that grew with frequency as I talked.

Edward chuckled into the phone. "You sound exhausted, Bella. You should get some sleep."

"But I like talking to you," the words slipped out before I was able to censor them, and I could feel another blush warm my cheeks. I buried my face in the hippo's soft fur, too embarrassed by my slip to continue.

His voice was warm. "I like talking to you too, but you need your rest. We can continue our conversation another time."

"What about coffee tomorrow?" I asked impulsively, biting my bottom lip nervously as I waited for his response.

His sigh this time was heavy, his tone filled with regret. "I wish I could, but actually I leave for Portland in the morning. I have to be there by ten for a client meeting, and I'll be there all week, then off to Seattle for Christmas. Can I take a raincheck on the coffee?"

I fought against the feeling of rejection that threatened. He wasn't saying no, he was just saying not right now, and I knew how busy that project in Portland was keeping him these days. "Sure, just let me know when you get back in town."

"Is it all right if I call or text you while I'm in Portland?" he asked, his voice relieved.

"Of course," I told him softly, stifling another yawn.

He chuckled again, and the sound made me smile. "All right, Bella. Get some rest, and I'll talk to you again, soon."

"Okay. Good night, Edward," I answered, my voice almost a whisper.

"Sweet dreams, pretty girl."

~*~*~

Christmas was hectic, but the best one I'd had in a while. For several years, the holidays had been hit and miss as my marriage deteriorated. Two years ago when it became apparent there were more bad years than good, despite all the effort we put into fixing things, Jacob and I decided it was time move on, and began quietly preparing. Christmas last year had been incredibly stressful, as Jake and I knew we were finally going to tell the kids after the holidays that we were getting divorced. This year was a breeze by comparison, the level of tension practically non-existent.

The house was full all day long. Charlie, Sue and Seth were there, of course. Seth's older sister Leah stopped by with her family. Even Billy, Rachel and Paul visited on their way to Jacob's house to wish us all a Merry Christmas. I missed my former in-laws, and was grateful that we were still able to spend time with one another with a minimal amount of awkwardness. My mom Renee and step-dad Phil skyped us in the afternoon so that they could open their presents together with the kids. The resulting squeals when Sarah and Will opened their spring break plane tickets to Florida could probably have been heard in Florida without the benefit of the technology linking them. Renee was almost as excited as they were about the upcoming visit.

Sue and Charlie offered to drop Sarah and Will off at Jacob's house on their way back to Forks. The sudden quiet of the house was startling, but not unwelcome. It occurred to me that it was getting a little easier to let the kids go and not lose a piece of myself every time they left. I felt a small bit of pride at the progress I had made. My dominating emotion this evening was exhaustion from a busy week, not sadness or melancholy that my children were with Jacob and Renesmee. I was actually looking forward to the solitude after the craziness of the pre-holiday week.

I looked around the house and found that Sue had been very thorough in her cleanup efforts, and there was nothing much for me to do before bed. I climbed the stairs, humming softly as I remembered the day. I checked the display on my cell phone, smiling as I anticipated what was rapidly becoming my favorite part of the day – my nightly phone call with Edward.

It had started on Sunday when we cleared the air about our kiss, and had continued each night since. We had exchanged texts and emails during his time in Portland, but ended each evening with a phone call. The last several nights, tucked under the covers with my hippopotamus in my arms, I had enjoyed the soft timbre of Edward's voice in my ear for at least a few minutes each night before falling asleep. His project had him working crazy hours and some of our conversations were short, but always so sweet. He ended every phone call by telling me, "Sweet dreams, pretty girl," and just remembering it made my blush flare. Hearing him say it with such sincerity almost made me believe it.

Like clockwork, my phone rang at exactly eleven o'clock. "Hi, Edward," I answered.

"Merry Christmas, Bella," he said back. His voice was rough, a little raspy, and I was instantly on alert.

"Are you all right?" I asked.

"I'm ok," he reassured me, chuckling a little. "I played hard with the girls today, and I'm a little hoarse. Maddie and Lillie are great at Rock Band, but I had to sing lead vocals all day long."

The idea of Edward playing so lovingly with his nieces all day long warmed my heart...and my girlie parts. Nothing was sexier to me than a man devoted to his family. "No guitar?" I teased, my voice a little breathy.

"Nope, they're better at it than I am, and my ego can't handle that," he said, and I could hear his smile through the phone. "How was your holiday?"

I filled him in on my day at home, and he told me about spending the day with his parents and Emmett and Rosalie. "So are you back in Port Angeles now, or did your mom talk you into spending the night again?" I asked him, my heart racing at the thought of being able to see him again once he was home.

He paused before letting out that heavy, bothered sigh of his. I could picture him running his fingers through his hair in frustration. "Actually, I'm still at my parent's house in Seattle…before heading back to Portland again tomorrow morning. I've still got some loose ends to tie up there this week. It should only take another day or two, and then I'll be home, early next week at the latest." He sounded almost as disappointed as I felt at the news.

"Well, I wish you luck in tying up your loose ends in Portland, then," I said, trying to keep my voice cheerful. Even though we hadn't made plans, I had hoped to see him next week, when I would have so much free time on my hands. At least I had lunch with Rosalie and Alice to look forward to on Tuesday. I was unable to stifle a huge yawn, and Edward's answering chuckle made me smile. "Sorry, it's been a long day."

"I understand. I'll let you go, and I'll text you tomorrow. Sweet dreams, pretty girl."

~*~*~

"So what are you planning to wear on Thursday night?" Alice asked me the moment the waiter left after taking our orders.

I shrugged my shoulders. "Not sure. I've got a dress that I wore to Holly and Embry's wedding two years ago, and I was thinking with the right jewelry and shoes, I'd…"

"No way!" Alice cut me off, a horrified look on her face. "You are NOT going to recycle a dress for my New Year's Eve party, Bella!"

"Why not?" I asked in consternation. "It's a perfectly acceptable dress, and I've got a sweater that I can throw over my shoulders if I get…too…cold." My voice trailed off, and I grew more and more alarmed as Alice's face grew redder and redder, her lips pinched tight.

Rosalie snorted in laughter. "Bella, I think you may have just given Alice an aneurysm. Breathe, Alice!"

Alice took a deep, shuddering breath and closed her eyes for a moment, visibly willing herself to relax. We could certainly use some of Jasper's calming influence right now. "Alice?" I asked. "Is it really that big a deal if I wear something I've had for a while? I mean, it's not like I get out shopping for myself very often."

Alice's eyes popped open, and a relieved smile immediately lifted the corners of her lips. "Oh, well then, why don't you let me pick something out for you, Bella?"

I shook my head in protest. "Oh no, Alice! I couldn't ask you to do that! I mean, what I've got will be fine. Seriously, I promise not to embarrass you."

"You're not asking, I'm offering. And nothing would bring me more pleasure than to choose your New Year's Eve outfit, Bella" Alice was animated now. The gleam in her eyes honestly frightened me a little bit.

"You've done it now," Rosalie muttered, not quite under her breath, confirming my fears. She smiled at me reassuringly. "Actually, Alice worked her way through college as a personal shopper. I always told her she should have gone into fashion."

"I am in fashion, just for homes and businesses instead of people," Alice countered quickly. "Seriously, Bella. I would love to find the perfect New Year's Eve outfit for you. Please?"

She had the puppy-dog-eyes down as perfectly as my children, and I felt my resolve weaken. "I have a few stipulations," I cautioned her.

Alice clapped her hands with glee. "I can handle them. Name your conditions!"

"Nothing too tight, or too short, or strapless. Something that would help camouflage my tummy, hips and thighs might be nice. Oh, and no high heels." She nodded enthusiastically until I reached the last part. Then her eyes widened.

"No high heels?" she squeaked.

"No high heels," I confirmed. "I'm klutzy enough in my bare feet, no use in tempting the Fates with high heels."

Alice tilted her head to one side, studying me shrewdly. "Okay, no high heels. Give me your measurements and shoe size, and leave the details to me. Oh, and you'll be joining us at the day spa New Year's Eve morning, so be ready to go at eight. No arguments," she warned just as I was about to protest. "Rose and I do this every year, and we want you to come with us for some girlfriend time."

"All right," I said, my protest drying up at the prospect of time with my friends. I turned to smile at Rose and noticed that she was distracted by her cell phone.

Rosalie's brow furrowed in confusion as she stared at her display. "Sorry, I've got to answer this. I'll be right back," she said, getting up and walking away, her phone at her ear.

Alice started asking me rapid-fire questions about colors and fabrics, cuts and styles. After five minutes of non-stop inquiries, I held up my hand. "I'm going to go use the restroom before the food arrives!" I said, praying she wouldn't follow me and continue the fashion inquisition. I sighed with relief when I made it to the restrooms Alice-free. I loved that woman, but damn, sometimes she was just scary.

As I exited the bathroom, I heard Rosalie's voice, low and fervent, coming from just around the corner. A peek showed that she was standing with her back to me, directly between me and our table. I paused indecisively, not sure if I should just walk by quickly, or wait for her to finish her call. She raised her voice slightly, and I could suddenly make her words out clearly.

"You know she's just yanking your chain. I don't care what she's promised you, there is no order." She paused to listen and then responded. "I'm sorry, I wish I had better advice for you." I recognized Rosalie's 'compassionate lawyer' voice, and I felt sorry for the person on the other end of the phone who needed the voice, while also feeling glad that was behind me now.

Another pause in the conversation, then Rosalie exhaled sharply. "I don't think so. Look, Edward, just come home, okay?" Rosalie paused, listening while I literally felt the color drain from my face. I couldn't move at this point if I wanted to. Rosalie spoke again, her voice softer. "I know. Okay. Call us when you get back. Talk to you soon."

With a click Rosalie shut her phone, and I quickly retreated into the bathroom to hide in the stall. My thoughts were racing. What had that conversation been about? Because there was no doubt in my mind that my Edward was the Edward was that Rosalie had been speaking with.

My Edward? My inner voice asked coyly.

Not the time or place! I groaned internally.

I waited for a few minutes before carefully exiting the bathroom, making sure that Rosalie was no longer in the alcove before making my way back to the table. I knew I needed to make sure she had no idea I'd overheard anything, so I took a couple of deep breaths and pasted a smile on my face before joining them at the table again.

The waiter was just setting our lunches down in front of our spaces when I took my seat. Alice raised an eyebrow, silently questioning what had taken me so long. "Phone call. Sarah needed something," I lied, focusing on my lunch. Alice and Rosalie resumed the conversation, discussing details for the New Year's Eve party. If either of them noticed my preoccupation, they didn't say anything.

Later that evening, getting ready for bed, I couldn't get Rosalie's half of the conversation out of my head. Edward and I had exchanged several texts through the afternoon, all light-hearted, no hint of whatever his phone call to Rosalie was about. I settled into bed with my hippo at my side, waiting for my phone to ring. What would I say to him? Should I ask him about what I overhead, or leave it alone?

"Hey there, Bella," he said as soon as I picked up. I couldn't hear anything in his voice that might hint at something being amiss.

"Hi, Edward," I said softly, biting my lip.

"What's wrong?" he asked immediately, picking up on my tone. God, he was so perceptive to my moods!

"Nothing. I'm just tired," I told him, twisting a strand of my hair around my finger, feeling the guilt grow. What had I told myself just last week about miscommunications? "How about you? Anything exciting happen today?" Chicken!!

"Just a long day that I'm glad is over. I'm waiting on one other thing here in Portland and then I'll be headed home late tomorrow night. Later than I wanted to be, but still in plenty of time for New Year's Eve. You're still going to Alice's party, right?" Edward asked.

I stifled the disappointment that flared when he brushed off my question. He'd talk when he needed to or wanted to, right? And until then, it wasn't really any of my business, was it? "Yes. As a matter of fact, I agreed to let her pick out an outfit for me to wear," I confessed.

"That was rather brave of you," Edward teased. "Actually, it will be fine," he reassured me. "Alice has pretty good taste. You shouldn't end up looking too much like Björk at the Oscars with a large, fluffy swan dress."

I groaned theatrically, flashes of truly horrendous outfits now running through my head. "Oh God, I wonder if it's too late to take it back?"

"If you told her today, she's probably already purchased several possibilities," Edward laughed. "I'm sure it will be fine. You are pretty in anything you wear, Bella."

And cue the multiple physical reactions – blush, racing pulse, accelerated breathing. If I reacted this way to his voice over the phone, how was I going to handle being with him again on New Year's Eve? "Thanks," I whispered softly, not even sure he could hear me.

"You're welcome," he whispered back, the huskiness of his voice sending a tingle down my spine. This time I heard him yawn, and the rustle of fabric in the background. "I'm beat and need to get some sleep to be prepared for tomorrow. I'll be home tomorrow night, and then I'll see you Thursday night." He sighed heavily, and it was the first time he truly sounded like the trip was a hardship. "Can I tell you the idea of Thursday night is about the only fucking thing that's gotten me through this week?" His voice was low and apologetic when he added, "Sorry for the language, I'm just exhausted."

I was far from offended. The way he'd said it made the profanity sound more like an accolade. "I'm a grown woman, and I used to work in a garage, Edward. It's not like I've never heard or said fuck."

He inhaled sharply, and his low groan made me bite my bottom lip in anticipation. "Jesus, Bella. I can't wait to see you. Thursday can't come soon enough."

Well, I hope that this chapter made up a little bit for the drama of the last one. Next chapter will be New Year's Eve *grin*

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