Jesus. My reviewers make me want to dance and sing.

Okay, so after two smutty chapters, I figure we'll get into the brunt of things. Bleh.

Sorry for the wait women (and possibly men) I rewarded you with an extra long chapter.

Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight. I own Bella's artistic side.

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I sat in the kitchen, sipping my cappuccino and eating a chocolate muffin.

Edward stumbled in, looking half dead. He rubbed his eyes.

A yawn split his face in two.

I smirked.

"Late night?"

He gave me a playful dirty look.

"Yeah. Some horny bitch wouldn't stop sitting on my face. Kept it up until four in the morning."

I grinned playfully. "Can't imagine who would do that. The nerve."

He rolled his bloodshot eyes. "Is there any real coffee? Not that frou-frou sugar shit you're drinking."

"In the pot."

As he poured himself some coffee, I reminisced about the past week. After the first two days we had hooked up, we were going at it like rabbits. The only days we hadn't spent locked up in my room was the day he went in for a follow up at his work, which he started next week, and the day we went in to finish up the studio.

I would never look at my office desk the same.

No sex of course, but I could only assume, and hope, that it would be soon. Still, one thing had been bothering me.

No kissing.

Not even a little bit. Did he think it was too…personal? Even if all of this was just for release, just a hook- up.

While I was okay with that, I rather liked kissing. A lot.

He sat down to drink his coffee, and we talked. My studio was opening in two weeks, and he started work at the newspaper on Tuesday.

We both jumped when the front door opened and Alice came tip toeing in. It was ten thirty in the morning.

She had made it to the top step when I called her out.

"Why, Alice! The walk of shame in your own house?"

She jumped and spun on her heel turning bright red.

"I-um- well, you see- Shit. I got nothing. We fucked."

Edward shook his head slowly. "Horrible, horrible images Alice."

I smiled. "That's my girl."

She smiled and walked into the kitchen, looking disheveled and wearing the clothes she had left in last night but looking deliriously happy.

"Coffee?"

I poured her a cup, and she told us about her date, leaving out the 'after party' aspect of it.

She winked at me. We'd have to have a girl talk later.

I inwardly flinched. I'd have to tell her about Edward. We had only been at it for a week, but the man, he had some kind of stamina.

In all honesty, I'd barely even seen her all week. Between work and Jasper she'd hardly been home, and between Edward and his tongue, I'd hardly left my room.

"Bella? Bella are you listening?"

"Hmm?"

She looked at me, brows furrowed, clearly annoyed.

"As I was saying, Jasper's parents are coming over for dinner tonight and-"

"You're sorry it's such short notice but you're wondering if I'll make something special?"

She looked relieved, her eyes open wide, puppy dog look on her face.

"I thought they lived In Texas?"

"They do, but they're near LA for some reason and they called Jazz this morning as a surprise."

I nodded.

"So will you help me? I mean, I would, but I have to go to the office in a little while, and-"

"Of course I will. I'll wow them with my culinary prowess."

She sighed in relief, and I rolled my eyes.

"Did you really think I'd leave you hanging like that Alice?"

She smirked cockily.

"Well, I wasn't sure if you and Edward would be willing to let up your activities for one day."

And she sauntered out of the room, leaving Edward and I with our jaws hanging open in the middle of the kitchen.

"That bitch knows everything." I grumbled.

"We weren't that loud were we?" He reminisced, rubbing his stubbly chin.

Mm. Stubble. I loved it.

"I dunno," I said, taking his hand and beginning to lead him upstairs. "but we need to take a shower. We've got grocery shopping to do."

He grinned devilishly, and smacked my ass as I ran upstairs giggling.

"Only if you let me peruse your aisles first."

"God Edward, you're ridiculously cheesy."

"You love it."

***

I had decided to go all out tonight to impress Jazz's parents, and to ask Alice for forgiveness for not telling her about mine and Edward's situation. Whatever that was.

Edward stood close behind me, his breathing down my neck not pissing me off as much as it had last time.

"What're you planning to make Bella?"

"An entire five course meal. I figure afterwards Alice will be so full she won't be able to yell at me without throwing up. Or she won't be able to run after me."

I walked down the fruit aisle giggling, remembering our last incident here.

He leaned down to whisper seductively in my ear.

"Of course I'd be happy with a one course meal. Just sit on my plate naked and I'll eat Bella for dinner."

I smacked his arm weakly but he could no doubt feel the heat radiating from my crotch.

"Shut up Edward."

He chuckled in that deep, smooth, mountain man voice of his.

"So what are you making?"

"I figure I'll go first salad, second soup, third a pasta dish, fourth main course, fifth dessert and coffee. Red wine with dinner, and appetizers before. And I'll probably make some kind of cheesy bread to go with it."

I felt him suddenly stop behind me.

I whirled to look at him. His eyes were wide open, his mouth agape.

"Something wrong?"

He shook his head slowly.

"You cook five course meals like nothing and you give head like nobody's business. You're like every mans dream."

I rolled my eyes and kept walking.

"You sure know how to charm the pants off a girl, Cullen."

He quickly caught up to me.

"I charmed the pants off of you."

I laughed. He had me there.

"So what appetizer are you making?"

"I'm kind of leaning to a miscellaneous thing here. No themed courses, like all Italian or all seafood. It gets boring. I'm going to mix it up. For an appetizer, I like artichoke stuffed new red potatoes with bacon and a sprinkle of cheddar. They're small, so three each should do."

I put red potatoes in a bag.

Edward followed silently.

"I want to make a strawberry spinach salad with marinated teriyaki chicken bits and a dressing of extra virgin olive oil spiked with poppy seeds and pecans."

"And soup…hmm… cream of broccoli and potato with more cheese. And bacon."

I spoke to Edward as I put broccoli into a bag.

"You don't think they'll be too full if I- Edward?"

He was staring at me with darkened eyes. The man couldn't possible be horny right now.

"Keep talking food to me. It's so hot."

I threw my head back and laughed.

"You sound like such a fat ass right now, Edward."

He pressed his very hard erection into my ass.

"Do I feel like a fat ass?" He whispered gruffly into my ear.

"No," I said brusquely, "But you best get your dick off me before I rape you in the fruit aisle. We would probably get kicked out of the store for that."

He laughed and let me continue on.

"Where the hell did you learn all this?" He asked as I picked out two blocks of cheddar cheese.

"I wasn't born with a cooking ability, but I always liked the culinary arts, so I took every class available in Phoenix. Renee appreciated it. So did Phil."

I walked over to the butcher's counter.

"Now…main course…. What shall it be?"

"What about the pasta course?"

"Oh yeah! Shrimp. Fettuccini sounds good, I make a mean Alfredo."

I looked at the butcher's cuts. What would totally bring these people to their knees….

I turned to Edward.

"I know! Braised veal shanks in a rich gravy with simmered vegetables!"

I got the veal from the butcher and looked at Edward who was staring at me.

"I'm thanking God you came into my life. Stop looking at me."

I laughed and made to grab some chocolate bars and baking chocolate.

"Edward do me a favor and get me two cartons of heavy whipping cream."

"What's for dessert?" He looked at me curiously.

"It's a surprise." I winked and made my way to the checkout counter.

"Bella!" He called after me. I turned, confused.

"What?"

"What about the intercourse?" He grinned at me.

I scoffed and turned. Jackass.

***

"Edward if you stick your germy little spoon in my soup pot one more time, so help me God I'll break your foot."

"That's what she said."

"Arghh!!!"

I threw my hands up in frustration.

"Cullen, I have two hours until Alice and Jasper get here with the parentals and if I am not finished, you will pay."

He stepped closer to me, snaking his arms around my waist, and my heart leapt.

This was a romantic position. Me in the kitchen cooking while he wrapped his arms around me? Why was It that I liked it?

He reached an arm around me and grabbed a strawberry, darting around the counter while I swatted the air with my spatula.

So much for romantic.

I looked around the kitchen. Dessert was in the fridge, I made Edward leave the kitchen for that one, promising Emmett I'd give him extra portions if he kept him away.

Rose had helped me prepare the dessert, the bread and the pasta. The soup was all me. The pasta sat on the stove staying warm and the bread was on the counter cooling. I kept sneaking her bits of chocolate, and letting her taste this and that, because god bless my little pregnant friend, she was beginning to get all emotional because of the hormones.

It was the cutest thing ever to see normally confident Rose biting her lip while plotting how to tell Emmett's parents in a way that wouldn't make them angry. She hadn't spoken to her parents since telling them.

Right now, Rose was sitting on the marble counter in front of me, chopping the teriyaki chicken.

"Bella, I just can't imagine that they'd take this well, and I mean- Edward leave the pasta alone- what if they're disappointed? We're going to need some kind of family support-"

"Rosalie. I love you, but you're worrying too much. Everything will be fine. When have we ever known Carlisle or Esme to not be loving, caring, supportive?"

Rose abruptly put down the knife she was chopping with and looked up at me with her big blue eyes full to the brim.

A lone tear slid down her cheek.

"What if I'm not good enough?"

I laid my hand on her knee and opened my mouth to say something but Emmett came barreling into the kitchen.

"My Rosalie is sad. Why?"

My mouth hung open. She lets one tear go and Emmett's spidey senses go a tinglin'.

Rosalie let out a choked sob and began crying into her fists.

Emmett held her tightly while he rubbed her back.

"Oh, Rosie, don't be sad. It's just the hormones. Little Zaira is making you sad."

I cocked my head.

"Zaira?"

Emmett nodded proudly.

"Yup."

"Em, you don't even know the sex yet."

"It's a girl. I know it. Rose knows it."

Rose nodded tearfully into Emmett's chest.

"Rosie why are you sad?"

She let out a loud howl and began hysterically talking.

Not only was she sobbing unintelligibly and muffling her mouth against Emmett, but I couldn't understand a thing she was saying.

Emmett nodded.

"Rosalie, my parents would never abandon us."

She sniffled something else.

Emmett's eyes widened comically and he separated Rose from his chest who continued to sniffle.

"Rosalie Hale-Cullen! How dare you say you're not good enough for me! I would shake you but that's not good for Zaira!"

Rose nodded sadly.

"Rosalie, I don't know when we will- but when we do tell my parents, they'll probably buy us a small island."

She laughed.

"You're right, Em. I'm overreacting."

"Yes you are." He opened his mouth and Rosalie dropped a piece of chicken in it.

He chewed and hummed happily.

I smacked him on the arm.

"Now get out of my kitchen and take Edward with you."

Behind me I heard Edward protesting as Emmett carried him out of the kitchen.

"Rose, be excited! Two weeks from tomorrow is my opening!"

She laughed and continued to chop chicken.

We chatted happily while we finished prepping everything. She even helped me with the veal shanks.

She told me cooking helped distract her, and she actually liked it now. I offered to give her some courses.

Finally, everything was ready, and I had the table set, the wine at room temperature, and Edward at bay.

Rosalie went upstairs to shower herself and Emmett, because he wouldn't do it himself if she didn't make him.

As I cleaned the counter I heard Edward tip toeing into the kitchen behind me.

I spun around to catch him with his spoon in my soup pot.

That's what she wished he did.

I lunged myself at his back and he yelped in surprise.

"What did I tell you Edward- what's your middle name?"

"Anthony. Why?"

"I want to yell at you properly, Edward Anthony Cullen! Stop fucking with my food!"

He spun slowly to look at me.

"Can I fuck with you instead?" He said mischievously, but his eyes were glinting with lust.

Funny how he could utter a sentence and the juices got flowing. Literally.

"Yes." I said breathily, my hand playing with the waistband of his pants. I had him backed against the counter and I was leaning on him, our bodies pressed up against each other dangerously.

He slid one hand up my shirt and began maneuvering his fingers beneath my bra.

I ground my hips deliciously roughly into his and he reciprocated with much…enthusiasm.

His mouth went to my neck and he began biting and licking the sensitive skin there slowly as his hand began rubbing my chest under my shirt.

I arched my back to be even more tightly pressed against his body.

He bit particularly hard and a soft moan slipped past my parted lips. I could feel him smile against my skin as he let out a throaty chuckle. Think that's funny?

I dipped my hand into his pants.

Hello there Daddy Cullen.

His breathing grew choppy as I settled my hand onto his cock, rubbing lightly, not hard enough to feel satisfaction. Torture Mr. Cullen. Torture.

He groaned into my neck.

"Bella.."

And the phone rang. We broke apart, rather startled, and I laughed nervously, feeling annoyed.

I answered quickly, almost snatching the receiver off the wall.

"Bella?"

Alice. The dirty cunt.

"Yes." I ground out through my teeth.

"You have fifteen minutes."

She hung up. Okay, Agent Pixie Piss off.

I turned back to Edward.

He sauntered over to me, trying to finish what we had going before, but there was no way I could let that get started.

"We have fifteen minutes Edward." He gave me a shocked expression and scampered out of the kitchen quickly.

"Cold shower Cullen! Cold!" I called after him.

***

They arrived exactly fifteen minutes after Alice called. I barely had time to shower and dress, and I ran to greet them in the foyer, with a flush to my cheeks.

"Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Whitlock, I'm Bella, Alice's best friend."

"And personal chef." Alice's tinkling laugh filled the hall.

Jasper's parents looked like the typical southern ma and pa , they had warm smiles that crinkled their eyes, and their twangs were more pronounced than Jasper's as they told Alice how lovely her home was.

Alice led them to the living room while I put the bread and wine glasses on the table.

Edward joined me in the dining room.

"Can I eat now?"

I rolled my eyes.

"Typical man. Just wants to be fed."

He came up behind me and leaned down to whisper throatily into my ear.

"Silly Bella, I wasn't talking about food."

What a horny fucker this kid was! You give him a little nook and it's all he thinks about!

I told him so and he laughed.

Emmett and Rosalie walked into the dining room.

Emmett sniffed the air.

"God Bella, it smells like heaven in here. Now Rose, just get naked and I'll know I've died."

She smacked him half heartedly but laughed all the same.

Alice brought in the parents and sat them down, while she poured wine into glasses.

"Edward and I will go get the appetizers, but try the bread, Rose made it."

I plated three tiny potatoes onto each little square white china plate, sprinkling bacon and cheddar on top, put a sprig of parsley on the side.

Edward helped me carry plates to the table silently.

I chewed my lip. I always got nervous when people ate my cooking.

Everyone told me it smelled amazing, but before we could eat, Mrs. Whitlock asked us all to join hands and say grace.

Jasper's cheeks tinged pink. "Ma I-"

"Jazz, let your mother pray." Alice chided him, smiling.

Mrs. Whitlock put her head down and closed her eyes. I did the same.

"Lord," she began, her little accent making it sound even sweeter. "We thank you for this delicious meal we are about to eat, and I ask that you watch over every young, and old person sitting at this table. Take care and guide their minds, hearts and souls, and nourish the young love we can feel in this house. Thank you. Amen."

The table replied with Amen. Everyone dug in, and I knew I had a hit, it was delicious. Moans of delight filled the table as we ate.

I remembered Jasper telling us about his family living in Texas and wondered how his parents were out here.

"Mrs. Whitlock, Jasper told us you live in Texas, how are you so far out here?"

"First off, it's Momma S dear, and we're staying with some old family friends about an hour and a half from here, and decided to come and meet our sons girlfriend while we were so near by. We go back to El Paso in two days."

I smiled, noticing how Alice blushed shyly at Momma S's use of 'girlfriend'.

Everyone finished the appetizers quickly, and I brought out salads. Everyone chatted happily, Jasper blushing when Mrs. Whitlock began telling about him running naked through the farm when a rabid goose snatched the pants right off him.

Alice laughed heartily, throwing her head back with mirth.

Suddenly Edward's hand was on my knee and he was whispering into my ear.

"Look at Jasper."

His face was still tinged with pink at his mother's stories, but other than that- his expression made my throat swell, and my eyes stung uncomfortably.

The look -this look he was giving Alice- was the epitome of love. Of being in love. He was looking at Alice with more adoration and loyalty than should be possibly held in one man's expression. His smile was serene, but his eyes were so sure.

I turned to Edward, embarrassed at how choked my voice sounded. "He's so gone."

Edward laughed quietly, and I stood abruptly to clear plates and bring out the soup.

By the time I brought out the veal, everyone was totally comfortable, yelling and laughing like some boisterous Italian family.

"-" Emmett began.

"Now, darlin' you make a woman feel old. Call me Momma S."

"Momma S- now, I told you me and Rosie are expecting,"

Rosalie colored beautifully, and she smiled up at Emmett.

"Yes, dear, congratulations!"

"And we wanted to ask you something."

"Ask away."

"What's the hardest thing about children?"

"Birth." We laughed.

"Besides that, Momma." Jasper rolled his eyes playfully.

Momma S pursed her lips as she thought, but before she could speak, Mr. Whitlock chimed in.

"For a man? Son, it's watching them grow up. Especially with the girls. Seeing your little baby girl turn into a woman, and all the guys after them." The feeling to this relatively quiet man's statement made us fall silent, to listen to his words.

Emmett frowned. "We're having a girl."

"How do you know the sex already dear?" Momma S asked.

Em puffed up proudly. "I can tell."

The table rang with laughter.

I cleared plates and Rose stood to help me get dessert. I set the little crystal dishes in front of everyone and watched as faces lit up, especially the women's.

"My famous dark chocolat raspberry mouse with chocolate shavings and a side of raspberries drizzled with white chocolate sauce."

"The best way to a woman's heart is chocolate boys. Learn well." said Momma S while she ate. Jasper smiled at his mother.

After we ate we said our goodbyes, and bid them a safe drive. Momma S took Alice aside for a moment, and when she came back her eyes were shining.

They left, promising to come back soon, and waving goodbye from their truck.

It reminded me of Mauve.

"Alice!" I spun abruptly. "Has the mechanic called you?"

"No, Bella. Not yet."

I frowned and went to clean up, Edward chuckling behind me. He hopped up on the counter and picked at a plate of pasta.

I sneered at him. "Aren't you full?"

He smiled. "I can never eat enough of your food."

***

Edward and I sat at my window seat that night, looking at the moon from my window.

"Seeing Jasper around Alice tonight was sure something wasn't it?" he said quietly.

I smiled softly.

"When Momma S pulled Alice aside it was to tell her to take care of her son's heart, because he had obviously given it to her."

We sat in silence for a few moments before I whispered into the night.

"I want to find someone who will look at me like that."

I kept my stare out the window, but could feel Edward's gaze on mine.

"I want to find someone to look at like that." he said after a while.

I nodded minutely.

Wants are seldom granted.

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Ah. That was a fun scene to write.

Reviews are better than five course meals.

-g