The Way We Was

Chapter 6: Daring Moves

Standard disclaimers apply.

BPOV

Edward definitely knew how to spoil a girl. There was never a doubt in my mind about that.

After he helped me into the carriage he helped to seat me comfortably. He never forgot anything. He was so thorough that if he found a bomb he'd probably know how to defuse it and then still remember to get me far away before touching it just in case.

"So where are we going exactly?" I asked him skeptically. If this carriage ride was just the beginning, it would only get more extravagant throughout the night.

"You'll see. We'll be there in just a few minutes." He winked at me discreetly.

I started to take in my surroundings in the hope that I could figure out where Edward was taking me. It didn't work. I'd never been to this part of town before, if we were even in town anymore. We were on a smoothe path in the midst of the forest. The trees were tall and sparkling. It had rained the night before and the leftover water glittered in the sun. It was beautiful, but I still didn't know where we were.

Edward wanted to keep it a surprise. I hated surprises. And he knew it. That filthy little cheater.

While contemplating slapping him for this whole surprise business I gave him a quick glare without realizing it. He looked at me confused and slightly hurt. It took me a minute to realize what had happened.

"Oh, Edward, I'm sorry. You know I don't like surprises. I was just a little irked about that. Don't be mad at me, please." I sounded pleading. Maybe I was pleading. I didn't want to scare him off just for some errant thought about surprises. Stupid errant thoughts. . . .

"Bella, it's okay. Don't worry about it. Besides, the wait is over." Edward smiled as he pointed toward one of the most beautiful lakes I'd ever seen. Not only was it a sight to see, but there was also a white table and two chairs topped with flowers and candles.

"Edward, it's brilliant! How did you get this all set up?" I was in complete awe. This man seemed to have it all.

"It all depends on the people you know." He said it all non-chalant, like he did this every day.

The carriage finally came to a halt and Edward gracefully took my hand and led me over to the table before pulling my chair out for me all in a gentlemanly fashion. At the rate he was going I would get used to this kind of thing. I might even start expecting it. Just maybe. . . .

After we were seated a man wearing a blue dress shirt and black slacks came toward us with a small notebook and a pen.

He introduced himself to us, but it felt like he was mostly talking to me. "Hello and welcome. My name is Jacob and I'll be serving you tonight. Do you know what you'd like this evening?" The last part was directed at Edward. I had no idea what this place, if that is what you could call it, had. I couldn't look at the other customers to see what they had because there weren't any. I looked to Edward for guidance. But, as always, he had everything all planned out.

"We'll be having your specialty spaghetti dinner." Edward gave me a quick wink as our server left. I was pretty sure it was to distract me from where Jacob was going, but it didn't have quite the effect he was looking for. I saw Jacob go into a small cottage a little ways off into the trees. I could see the light emitting from one of the windows and the smoke stack on top. A light breeze brought some of the most delicious smelling scents I'd ever encountered. I couldn't even describe them. It mostly had to do with the fact that I'd probably never had even half of the things I was smelling, but it was all so appetizing.

"So does Jacob just lives in a cabin out here in the middle of nowhere?" I asked. It seemed a little off to me.

"No, Jacob doesn't live in the cabin." Edward chucked at the thought and then continued. "He lives in town with is wife and two children. My Uncle Paul lives out here. He's very big on scenery and good tasting food, so he lives all the way out here and has Jacob and various other servers come out every day to cook. Paul makes sure that all of his servers are happy and in good health. He pays them well and they only work three days a week. It works for them and for him."

I thought about that. "I like that. I think it's a wonderful thing for him to do. But does Paul ever come to town?"

"Not often. The servers bring food in from the city and Paul compensates them for it with a little extra. Every now and then he'll come in for a visit to my mother. He doesn't have a wife or anything like that. He's the independent type." Edward shrugged like it was no big deal. It seemed like nothing phased him.

"Has it ever occured to you that your family has way to much money?" I asked jokingly. Of course he knew it. He just acted like money was something to use whenever and wherever.

"Not really," he jested, "But it is nice when I'm trying to impress a girl." He eyed me as if he was coveting me. I got a strange thrill out of it.

"Well, impress you have. Is there anything else you have planned?"

"Actually . . . there is more." Edward was going to kill me. This was all so much, I wasn't sure if I could take all of it. Maybe over a stretched period of time I would be able to, but he was throwing everything at me at once. Really nice stuff at me, but it was getting slightly overwhelming.

"Well, just don't tell me what it is. If you want it to be a surprise, then a surprise it will be." I gave in. He wasn't going to not do anything for me and I would probably hurt his feelings if I told him no more. Let it be, I told myself.

He chucked quietly. "I see you're getting used to this treatment." Edward tried to muffle his laughter.

I was confused at his behaviour. "Why are you laughing at me?" Was it something I did?

He immediately stopped mid-laugh. "Bella, I'm not laughing at you. I'm laughing because I've never seen anyone so determined to accept gifts before. You're one of a kind," Edward explained.

"I see. . . ." My mind began to wander off again, but then the delicious smell started getting stronger and more concentrated, pulling me back to reality where I was sitting with a gorgeous man on what was nothing less of a date. A very good one at that.

Jacob set down plates in front of Edward and me piled with copious amounts of spaghetti. It wasn't the regular, plain Jane stuff either. The sauce was chunky, with tomatoes, zuccini, olives, green onions, shallots, mushrooms, green peppers, and garlic. The smell was intoxicating. If I wasn't so intent on smelling the food I would have forgotten to breathe again. That particular thought must have shot through Edward's mind too because I saw him silence his laughter and replace it with his crooked grin.

But there wasn't just spaghetti. There was garlic bread, meatballs, and a small side of salad.

"Your eyes are as wide as saucers," Edward joked. "Go ahead. Eat."

I stared at him for a moment. He seemed so carefree. Being around Edward was just so easy. It was hard to imagine that I used to not even know that he existed. Now it felt like he was the only person who existed to me. It was too early to tell, so I decided to spear my fork into my heaping pile of noodles.

If the smell was any indicator, the taste far exceeded it. I wanted to gobble it all up on the spot, but then some of Renee's lessons on manners kicked in and I nixed that idea quickly.

"This is delicious," I told Edward.

"I thought you would like it. I'll make sure to give your regards to Jacob when he comes back." He gave me my favourite crooked smile. "You look very lovely tonight," Edward added.

I blushed scarlet. Renee had chosen my outfit for me in the morning before she left (as any good mother would) and told me how to put my hair up. Knowing my mother, she would somehow find out if I did what she told me to, so I did as she instructed. Maybe she did know what she was talking about. But I didn't want Edward to think that I was fishing for compliments.

"Th--thank you," I stammered quietly. I scooped a meatball into my mouth and looked down at my plate.

"I didn't realize how shy you were. I apologize." I chanced a look up to see his eyes slightly downcast.

"No, no! It's okay! You just caught me a little off guard. I was just so focused on the food . . ." I was beginning to ramble, so I stopped myself.

Naturally, Edward's eye brightened up and he gave a short laugh. I took it as a good sign and kept on eating. It was so good it was hard to resist.

A good thirty minutes later Jacob came back down with what looked like more food.

"What is that?" I asked Edward.

"You said not to tell you anything," he reminded me.

Jacob arrived at our table and set the tray down before removing the top. Inside were two pieces of the most appetizing cheesecake I had ever laid eyes on. If I was Paul, I'd keep Jacob around just for the cheesecake and I hadn't even taken a bite yet.

"Enjoy," Jacob said before he left again.

Edward handed me my piece of cake and then took his own. I causiously took a bite. I was instantly in heaven. Not that already being here with Edward wasn't heaven, but my mouth just went to the greatest place that earth had to offer.

"I see that you like it," Edward commented. I nodded my head still savouring the taste. "This cake reminds me of the two of is. It's very sweet and appealing," he went on.

I looked at him baffled. Did he just say what I think he said? I was pretty sure that he did. Usually his flirting was more subtle, so this was quite a surprise. Was he planning something else? Was there really more to this?

Edward leaned across the table and smiled, his eyes blazing with joy. I leaned forward without thinking and then his lips met mine. He was very sweet tasting, probably from the cheesecake, but his lips were so smooth and soft and warm. I wanted more, but thought that it wouldn't be appropriate. This was my first kiss and I knew that the cheesecake was no heaven compared to this.

This right here was ten times better than any heaven out there.

AN: So on this laptop the "h" key is really stupid and doesn't always work. If H was missing in any words, let me know. BTW, my Japanese host sister was here for the week, so that would help explain my lack of updates. It's been rather hectic. I have other stuff to do too and school started Wednesday. Eek!! Again, I'm sorry that this took so long. I really did mean to get this out waaaaaay sooner. Review review!!

P.S. Yeah . . . so I'm a vegan (only the diet, none of that saving the animals thing) and I don't know a whole lot about food. I kinda improvised on the food part. Sorry 'bout that. Oh, and I hope you enjoyed the longer chapter :)