SM owns it all. I just make Edward wear sexy glasses and teach 5-year-olds. Rawr.

Thanks to Magnolia822 for her unwavering support and beta skills, and thanks to my pre-readers, Kitty and TropicalSorbet. xoxo Meet you at the bottom ;)

Chapter 17: Chicken Soup for the Heart

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I'm miserable.

Simply miserable.

The headache, the sore throat, the heavy eyes and... great, now the fever.

I look at the thermometer again to make sure I'm not hallucinating. When the numbers refocus I sigh as I contemplate my plan of attack.

There should be a natural rule that moms do not get sick.

I should've known, too. G caught some bug from school a few days after the field trip and had to stay home from school for two days, poor thing.

But now he is all better and I've traded him for mom's famous chicken soup.

The worst thing is Edward and I are supposed to have another date tonight.

Now I'm sick and horny. Not a good combination. Like, at all.

I told him to stay away when he called to see how I was doing this morning. He swore he wasn't coming to see me, but something in his voice told me he was probably crossing his fingers behind his back.

Sigh. His fingers.

I haven't seen those fingers or the delicious body attached to them for the last few days.

This is highly unacceptable.

But it's totally my fault since I was the one to tell him to stay away. I don't want him to get sick.

I sent Garrett to my parents' house so I could focus on resting and being miserable, while also allowing me to lounge on my sofa as I zone out watching House Hunters, Chopped, and Yard Crashers.

After about the third hour of mindless television, Alice calls to tell the tale of her latest date with Jasper. Things seem to be getting pretty serious between them. I'm impressed. Maybe she'll finally commit.

I also tell her about the field trip, complete with innapropriate comments by five-year-olds about banging. When I'm done with the story I have Alice in stitches, giggling and snorting.

I'm glad to provide her entertainment at my expense.

"Oh, Bella. You don't ever do simple do you?"

"No, why would I? Simple doesn't like me. Complicated is my middle name."

"Well, they're all just jealous bitches. You've got the boy they want. So, when do we get to meet him? Seriously, Bella, Rosie and I haven't seen you since you started seeing Mr. Hotty Pants. Is your hoohah still intact?" Alice teases.

"Ugh, I wish that was the problem. I haven't seen in him in seventy-two hours..." I trail off before coughing up a lung into the receiver.

"Damn, woman, you sound like you're dying. Go sleep or something, I gotta get going anyway. Talk soon!"

I cough out an okay before hanging up and doing just that. But before I even make it to the stairs, a quick knock I already know so well resonates through the space.

My slippers make a dragging sound as I take slow steps to the door before opening it to reveal my savior. One side of his mouth rises to form that grin I love so much when paired with his glasses. Hell, I love the grin on it's own.

I'd marry that grin.

"I thought I told you to stay away," I say gruffly, my throat scratchy. I'm only halfway serious. I'm kinda ecstatic he's here.

"Ah, yes, you did. But, I'm starting to feel some symptoms myself so I figured I was doomed anyway. I'd rather be doomed with you next to me," Edward argues as he leans in to kiss me on the forehead before walking past me into the house.

"And I bring ice cream, so you can't kick me out now." He raises the grocery bag in his hand, grinning widely.

"Well, in that case, make yourself at home," I relent, not being able to resist ice cream or the hot teacher holding it.

"Whatcha got there?" I try to sound sexy as I sashay towards him. I probably look ridiculous doing it in old sweats and slippers with my hair up in the messiest bun known to man, but I'm hoping the raspy voice created by the sore throat and the coughing will translate into sexiness.

When Edward chuckles at my efforts, I'm sure I failed.

"Phish Food," he answers, taking the little tub of heaven out for me and handing me a spoon once we make it to the kitchen.

"Gimme Gimme!" I chant, opening and closing my hands as they reach out for the goods.

"Ah, ah, ah," he tsks, holding the tub above his head and puckering his lips. What a dork. An adorable dork. Adorkable.

"Ugh, you don't wanna kiss me, I've got dog germs," I whine.

Edward chuckles again. "Did you just reference Lucy from Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown?"

"Uh, maybe?" I lower my head but peak at him through my lashes. I might be a bit of a Peanuts fan.

"God, I knew there was a reason I was with you, c'mere." He sets the ice cream on the counter and wraps his arms around me.

"No! I'm disgusting," I try pushing him away. I'm totally faking it. I totally want him to kiss me.

"No you're not, and I'm already sick so the whole contamination thing cancels out." He leans in and kisses my neck over and over again.

His mouth on me renders me useless as I melt into him, closing my eyes and breaking out in goosebumps.

His lips start traveling along my jaw until they creep up to my lips. I can't say no.

You don't say no to Edward's lips. Ever, ever.

"But... but... oh... yeah, right there... but... school... mmmm... job... oh, damn..." I'm a bumbling mess as he skims his lips over to the other side of my neck, nibbling and kissing before arriving right below my ear.

"That's what my sick days are for," he mumbles, the vibrations making my nipples stand at attention.

I think I mutter some unintelligible sounds that maybe are words, but not really.

All too soon Edward leans away, and I pout.

Edward reaches over and hands me the Phish Food and spoon and stands behind me, leading me by my shoulders to the living room sofa.

As I spoon the first bite into my mouth I moan obscenely, taking a peak at Edward and catching him staring at my lips. I decide to add another lick for good measure.

"So where's Bree?" I ask.

That seems to shake him out of his trance. "She's sleeping over my parents' tonight. Dad picked her up a little earlier." As soon as he utters the words, his nose scrunches up adorably and he waves his hand at me, turning his head and sneezing into his arm.

"Uh oh. You weren't kidding. You're sick. My poor baby," I coo, reaching over to run my fingers through his hair. His eyes roll to the back of his head as he lets out a long sigh.

"That feels so good. You have no idea."

"Well, you'll have to wait until I finish the ice cream. I promise to give you a full scalp massage when I'm done."

His head lolls toward me as his piercing green eyes meet mine. "I should be giving you a massage, you're sicker than I am, and I actually came over here to spoil you a bit."

"Spoil me? Oh, baby, what did I ever do to deserve you?" I exclaim dramatically, placing the pint of phishy goodness on the table, realizing I've had my fill.

When I look over to see why he's so quiet, I tilt my head. It's clear from his hesitant expression something's on his mind.

"Edward?"

"Hmm?" He's staring at me again, eyes serious.

When I raise my eyebrows, silently prompting him to respond, he smiles sweetly.

"I love you."

My breath hitches.

He loves me?

He loves me.

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A/N: I cannot apologize enough for the delay. RL has been a bit much lately. Oh well.

I've joined forces with PrimaryColors (Firefly in Summer) to write a funny/fluffy relay-fic called The Whole Package. We try to update once a day and alternate writing per chapter. It's my turn coming up. It's on the verge of crack fic at this point, and we're having a ton of fun... JOIN US! UPSward/Gamerward. Link's on my profile or in my Favs ;)

Fic Recs are plentiful today :) Longest list to date! Hooray!

Practice to Deceive by Livie79: Early in the story, but it's so good already.

Lack of Color by Coldplaywhore: Hurts so good.

Take What You Want by Purelyamuse: Seriously one of the best WIPs right now. Updates M/W/F. The best Edward I've read in a long time.

My Beautiful Storm by Troublefollows1017: Wonderfully written, also owns my ass.

Penal Code by FictionFreak95 & Bellaflan: Hysterical, just funny. When you want a break from the angst.

Stolen Secrets and Shattered Dreams by FoxxyJ: A great twist on Edward's mind-reading powers, and it's all AH. Great story.

Substance Clad in Shadow by hollelujah: Obsessive Bella, she's got serious issues, but it's possibly one of the best Bellas I've ever read. VERY angsty and pretty graphic. So well written. Like SUPER well written.

Unrequited by Perry Maxwell: This one's like a drug. Another fic that pwns me.

Blindspot by FictionFreak95: Grumpward. Yes, she writes good comedy, but this is more a mix of humor and angst. She's also awesome, so there's that.

Drowning, not Waving by Bower-of-Bliss: Fun, sexy, a good time. Edward's unf, with a slight British accent.

Water Landing by Camoozle: Edward is STELLAR in this one. Trust it's E/B. Trust.

Fiercest Sun by BiteMeNowPlease: I'm usually not into BDSM fics, but this one is special. Give it a chance.

Seriously, I think I've provided you with reading material for the next 2 months.

'Til next time, my sweets. ;) xoxo