Chapter thirty-one. Blissfully Better

Previously…

"Um, will you go out on a date with me?" I blurted out awkwardly. I was sure dating wasn't exactly necessary in me and Bella's relationship. We sort of skipped that part and went straight to the part involving lips and hands and nervous fumbling around.

"Of course", Bella breathed, before pressing her lips on mine. It was soft and sweet and better than I had remembered it. Kissing Bella wasn't something I would ever dream of being able to experience. Her small hands had gripped my hair, and held on to my neck tightly. I wove my hands around her waist, pulling her so that she moved to straddle my lap. Our lips parted at the same time and our tongues battled and swirled around eachother, making me moan in her mouth.

With one hand, I pulled back a lever that pushed the driver's seat back so that Bella wouldn't have to be too squished between the car wheel and me.

I attacked her neck, nibbling and sucking at her creamy soft skin, inhaling her strawberry and freesia scent. My hands went everywhere and I couldn't stop them. My fingers caressed and stroked every piece of flesh, every bit of Bella that I could reach. My lips and teeth skimmed and sucked over her collarbone, her neck, her earlobe and her jaw…

"May…maybe we should, um, stop", Bella gasped out breathlessly. I suppressed and groaned, letting go of her waist to allow her to get back into her seat.

She was breathing pretty hard and her chest was rising up and down. Bella pushed some hair out of her face and fanned herself, sneaking a sly glance at me and grinning.

"Yeah…that's best", I mumbled, crossing my legs to try and hide the erection that had suddenly appeared.

It didn't work. And Bella saw.

Her eyes widened and she arched an eyebrow, oblivious to the shade of pink that was suddenly creeping up her face.

"You go meet Emmett and the others", I said quickly, "I just need to –"

"Yeah", she giggled, "I don't think Emmett would like you see you with…that when I was with you."

I agreed silently.

With that she pecked me on the cheek, without me being able to even react, and skipped out of the car.

I slumped back and groaned.

In absolutely bliss and content.

Bella's POV.

It was all falling into place. I knew that it had to work out. Nothing was bad for too long. I had Mike sorted out. I told him to leave me alone and hopefully he would. I had my parents sorted out. They weren't going to bother me if they thought that I was eating and gaining weight.

As much as eating was…let's just say uncomfortable for me, I was going to do it. Because I wasn't sick. Food wasn't a problem for me. Well…was it? I didn't know. When you say someone is sick, you're saying that they are mental. Psychos. Can't control themselves. I wasn't any of that. The only little thing that I didn't do was…eating. I avoided it because it was avoidable.

Still, I wasn't going to be sent to see a psychiatrist. That would be a good thing. My parents trusted me then, that's what our compromise meant.

To know that I had a loving family around made me better too. It wasn't always the best thing, but it made me feel safe. The only I didn't like was how careful they acted with me. I didn't what it to be that way; I wanted everything to be normal.

I knew that I also had Emmett sorted out. He knew about Edward and I. Although I was sure he had an idea that something was going on from day one. Still, it didn't stop him from frowning whenever I mentioned Edward's name. But the fact that he hadn't acted the way he usually acted when I had a boyfriend made me sigh in relief. Edward was Emmett's friend, this would work out.

I decided to change too. I wasn't going to be a whiny, immature teenager. That wouldn't help me. The only thing I was sure of was Edward that I loved him and I was going to keep doing so. And for that I had be more grown up. I had to break free and not leap away but just slowly reveal myself.

The only little detail that I hadn't properly sorted out yet was Jacob. The look on his face when he had left my house still haunted me. He was so sad. So rejected. Knowing Jake, he'd normally just cover up his expressions and carry on being happy and cheerful. He wasn't the last time. And I didn't know what to do about that.

He was my friend. Just my friend. That's all we ever were. That's all I ever intended. However much I loved him, I wasn't in love with him.

My friends, Angela and Jessica had to accept me for who I was. Who I had now become, or hopeful would be becoming. I was blissfully in love and I was changing. It was all getting better.

"Hey Bella", Rosalie called out my name. I walked over to them. Emmett, Rosalie and Jasper were sat on a large beach towel, facing the ocean. The sun was out completely, making it a very warm summer. The sand was a golden beautiful colour and diamonds floated on the surface of the water. The sky was a cloudless blue, a light tone matching my dress. I sat down beside Jasper and dug my toes into the sand. He turned to face me, offering a smile before putting his sunglasses back on.

"Hey guys, where's Alice?" I said, sinking onto my back to enjoy the sun completely.

"She's just gone back to the car to fetch something", answered Jasper, "and where's Edward?"

"Oh…he was making a phone call", I mumbled, distractedly, "um, what's Alice getting?"

"She didn't say", replied Rosalie, smiling at me. She wore a red bikini, her skin turning darker and tanned by the sun. Being in Rosalie's shadow sucked. Sometimes I admired her beauty, sometimes I envied it.

Just then, remembering that I still had my dress on I sat up and turned to Emmett. He should be pleased I wasn't in shorts. I snorted.

"What do you think of my attire, Emmett?" I called out to my brother. His eyes narrowed over me and rolled his eyes.

"Very appropriate, but I can see the bikini under the dress", he said, half laughing. I stuck out my tongue at him.

"You don't have to approve for me to wear what I want", I shot back at him.

"I won't", he said, shaking his head.

That was odd.

I watched Emmett for a couple of seconds, wondering whether he was joking or not. He wasn't going to insist that I kept the dress on? He wasn't going to suggest I go home and get a one-piece swimming costume?

Instead of looking back at my questioning gaze, Emmett merely turned to Rosalie and helped her apply some sunscreen.

I lay back down, closing my eyes and enjoying the warmth of the sun. For once, in a long time, everything felt finally right. My life wasn't perfect but it was getting better. And that's all I really wanted. For my life to get better. Not to be wild, not to be exciting or adventurous or absolutely brilliant…no. Just for my life to be better.

A hovering shadow blocked my sun, making my skin go suddenly cold. I looked up to see Alice smiling down at me.

"What?" I asked suspiciously, watching her grin grow.

"What is it, Alice?" Jasper asked, arching an eyebrow. Emmett and Rosalie turned to look at her.

"Nothing", she said, smiling mischievously at me. She took her place next to Jasper, holding his hand and playing with his fingers.

"I'm dressing you up for your first date", whispered Alice in my ear as soon as my eyes were closed again. They flew open immediately.

"How did you know about that?" I demanded, in whispers.

"I was in the car park Bella", Alice said rolling her eyes, "the windows were down and I'm sure at least six people saw you and Edward's little make out session."

I stuttered a few times, glaring at my sister but then gave up and trying to talk. She looked over my shoulder and I turned around to see who she was looking at.

And I knew before I saw him. He strided over, a perfect crooked grin in place. Bronze hair, emerald eyes and all. My Edward.

Yes, I was sure that with Edward with me, I knew that my life would be nothing but better until my last breath.

Author's Note: one more to go...