Chapter Three: "Reunion" (Bella's POV)

"Mom. Wow."

I felt Nessie and Jacob's eyes on me as I entered the living room and pirouetted in front of the couch. "What do you think?"

"You look amazing," Jacob said. "What's the occasion?"

"Edward's coming home tonight," I said a bit smugly. "I thought I might dress up a little."

"Daddy's going to love that new dress," Nessie said just as smugly, though for a different reason. "And to think you almost didn't try it on. Where would you be without me and Aunt Alice?"

"I never had a choice," I replied as I looked down at my dress happily. It was just as fabulous as Alice had promised it would be. "Are you hungry?"

Jacob shrugged. "I'm always hungry."

"I'll make dinner," I offered. "You guys can stay here and watch TV."

Jacob grinned. "Thanks, Bells."

Trying to kill time, I made an elaborate lasagna, and toasted some garlic bread to go with it. Humming to myself, I cooked and imagined Edward's reaction to the dress. I laughed a little as I deviously planned my night, wondering when he would arrive and how long it would take before we were alone.

An hour later, the lasagna was ready, and another hour later, I went back into the living room to gather dirty dishes.

"You're really happy, Mom," Nessie observed as I straightened up the living room.

I shrugged. "I've missed your dad. I didn't have him constantly at my side all weekend like you've had Jacob."

A smile dawned on Nessie's face as she snuggled into Jacob's side. His arms wrapped around her and he put his feet up on the coffee table. Obviously they weren't going to move for a long time, which didn't give me much to do as they commandeered the TV.

Deciding to completely clean the kitchen, I took their dishes to the sink and filled it with water. Before I washed dishes, I decided to scrub the counters and sweep the floor and clean out the refrigerator. I even rearranged cans in the cabinet. Finally, the only job left was my least favorite--dishes.

Stalling, I peeked in on Jacob and Nessie.

They were both asleep, stretched out on the couch that Edward and I loved because it was big enough for two people to lay on together. His arms embraced her as he snored.

I sighed and thanked my lucky stars I was the one seeing this--Edward would probably freak, and he couldn't read my mind.

"Jake," I whispered, shaking his arm a little. "Jake, hon, wake up."

His eyes opened and focused on me…and then he woke with a startle. "Oh, jeez, Bells," he groaned as he untangled himself from her and stood up. "This…this was not supposed to happen. I fell asleep…"

"Don't worry about it, Jake," I told him. "It happens. Do you want to take her to her room and say good night?"

He smiled at me gratefully. "Thanks, Bells," he said before scooping her up and walking down the hall.

A minute later, he joined me in the kitchen as I started washing the load of dishes. "Bella," he said quietly. "I know that that was entirely inappropriate. It won't happen again."

I said nothing as I listened for footsteps in the woods or outside the door. Nothing. So I had time to talk to him before Edward came in. "Jake," I said, "do you really want to hear my opinion on this situation?"

He hesitated. "I…guess?"

I pulled my hands out of the water and wiped them on a dishtowel. "The way I see it, she's about to--technically, I guess--be sixteen. Edward's rules are kind of getting ridiculous. I know you can only hold her hand when he's not around, and that's silly. I was seventeen when I started dating Edward, and let's just say that he and I were doing a lot worse than holding hands. So I'm going to ask him to lighten up and give you a break."

Jacob sighed and took a minute to choose his words. "I…I understand where Edward is coming from. He loves Nessie more than he loves anyone in this world, I think maybe even you."

I nodded. "And that's how it should be."

"Of course. But I want him to trust me. I mean, I will be his son-in-law pretty soon."

I giggled. "Oh, don't rush time. I barely survived my wedding--I'm not sure how I'll handle hers."

He grinned. "Edward will make me do it the traditional way."

"I know."

"I don't love her inappropriately, Bella. She's still a kid--I'm don't want to take advantage of her physically. I have no desire--yet--to have a physical relationship with her. I don't know how to make him see that, though."

"Jacob, he reads minds," I reminded him. "He knows your intentions. But he's a…father. You see. I'll tell you what--I'll talk to him. You'd be amazed at how quickly I can change his mind on some things."

"Thanks, Bella," he said, drumming his fingers on the table. "I'm gonna be going now. Have a wonderful night."

"You don't have to leave," I told him.

Jacob grinned a little mischievously. "Bells. I'm not going to rob Edward of time with you when you look like that." He gestured to my dress. "You look beautiful, and I'm sure he's just as eager to see you as you are to see him. So good night."

"Thanks, Jake. 'Night. Be careful."

He rolled his eyes. "I brought my car." A little dreamy glint appeared in his eyes when he mentioned his new car--my old Ferrari that I rarely drove.

"Still…be careful. Unlike you, I'm more worried about your safety than the car's safety."

He laughed as he walked out the door.

I could hear no footsteps besides his, so I exhaled impatiently. Turning back to the dishes, I turned some music on before scrubbing marinara sauce off the various pots and pans.

I didn't have to wait long.

The door opened, and immediately I was there, flying into his arms with an enthusiastic kiss.

"Mmm," Edward murmured against my lips. "It's good to know at least one of my girls still meets me at the door."

"Ness is asleep," I told him. "But I stayed up for you. Welcome home."

"Thanks, love." He kissed me again before adding, "It was a very long weekend."

"Agreed."

"Shopping didn't distract you?"

I rolled my eyes. "No. I was miserable the whole time. Will you come to the kitchen with me while I finish up the dishes?"

"Yes ma'am." He sat me on my feet. "Let me go put my bag in the bedroom."

I flew to the sink and immediately started scrubbing, going at human pace just for the heck of it. Seconds later, he was behind me, kissing my neck.

"Can I help?" he asked.

"You can dry," I said, nodding towards a towel. "This is the last chore of the day, I promise."

"It's no problem. So tell me what you bought."

"I mostly bought Nessie some stuff, and we picked Jacob out some new clothes."

"Did you buy winter clothes?"

I raised an eyebrow. "It's June, sweetheart."

"Well…just between you and me, I think Alaska is going to be a reality."

I quit scrubbing. "Really?"

"We ventured up there, and looked at the hospital Carlisle was offered a job at. It's a great place, and there are lots of wildlife and some amazing realty."

"Hmm."

He frowned at my passive hmm. "Our time in Forks is running out, love. Carlisle's supposed to be over forty now."

"I know," I hedged. "It's fine. I'm just thinking of more shopping." I pretended to shudder.

Edward laughed as I handed him a wet plate. "Speaking of, you didn't tell me what you bought for yourself. Do you want to give me a fashion show?" he joked.

"One minute. Let me check the living room for dishes."

When I reentered the kitchen, Edward was leaning against the counter. I watched his eyes widen as he took in my dress for the first time. I paused and twirled around, letting the dress fan out around me.

"Did you buy that this weekend?"

"Yes. Do you like it?"

He smiled my favorite crooked smile. "It's my favorite color on you."

"Yes. That's why I bought it."

"Hmm…it's very…sexy."

"You like it," I beamed.

"I think that's an understatement. You look beautiful, Mrs. Cullen."

I smiled widely. "I'm glad you like it." I sauntered back over to the sink to finish the last few dishes and waited on him to touch me.

He was back behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist. "Did you buy anything else this good?" he whispered in my ear. "Because honestly, I'm very satisfied with this shopping trip. Did I mention you look very, very sexy?"

I laughed. "I think you did. You can tell me again, though."

"You've got me pretty keyed up," he admitted.

"Two more dishes," I told him.

Instead of saying anything, his lips traced from my ear down my neck, and then followed the neckline of the dress. While he caressed me, I hurried to finish the dishes and put them on the drying rack.

Edward, impatient with the limited amount of skin bared by the dress, gently slid my sleeve down my shoulder and his lips followed my collarbone. As his nose skimmed my bra strap, he paused.

"Hmm…that's new…" he observed before sniffing it again.

Finally finished with the dishes, I tilted my head up to kiss his face as I dried my hands. His eyes curiously met mine. "Did you buy some…fun things as well?"

"I did go to Victoria's Secret," I admitted.

"Do I get to see?"

I immediately spun around to face him. Shrugging, I said casually, "Sure. Go ahead."

He grinned before unbuttoning the front top half of my dress. I said nothing as he drank in the view…and smirked.

"More blue," he said.

"It is your favorite color on me."

"I think you've taken that color to new heights. Is there more?" His hands moved to my hips.

I laughed. "Yeah, but you'll have to find it." Instantly, I ran to the bedroom, keeping him at my heels. By the time he closed our bedroom door, I had my dress off to reveal the rest of my new lingerie set.

He stood and stared for a few seconds before I pulled him by his shirt collar and pulled us onto the bed.