Don't even ask. RL is what it is.

TropicalSorbet and Kitty pre-read my stuff. Magnolia822 red pens it all and makes it pretty. I have the best team ever.

SM owns. I just make Edward wear glasses.

Chapter 18: Gesundheit

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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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I'm hallucinating. That's exactly what this is. I've read about this.

You're so sick you become delusional. Your body's way of coping with germs and loss of electrolytes... or something.

But Edward's right here, in my house, on my couch, looking at me with clover-green eyes that look...

Loving.

He loves me.

And how do I feel?

Well, aside from feeling like I've been run over by a bunch of wildebeests like Mufasa in The Lion King...

I feel fucking awesome.

Because, yeah. I totally love him too.

"Bella? Hey, you there?" Edward's voice brings me back as he waves his hand in front of my face.

"Huh? Oh yeah, yeah, I'm here."

"Uh, okay..." He starts to get all uncomfortable and I realize that even though I've admitted my feelings to myself, I have yet to reciprocate out loud.

This must be rectified, for sure.

In my head, I'm crawling over to him and straddling him like a sex goddess, but I'm sure the reality is I look like a desperately thirsty woman crawling towards a beautiful mirage.

His eyes widen and his smirk grows as I settle on his thighs, my hands immediately lacing themselves through his hair. He groans and closes his eyes in appreciation, but I can feel the tension radiating off his body.

"Edward." His eyes open and focus intently on me.

"I... I..." Oh, God. No.

"Yes?" Edward drawls the word out, waiting for my response.

"Damn it. Have you ever had the urge to sneeze and it never happens? Gosh, this sucks!" I whine, crimping my nose shut with my thumb and index finger.

Edward looks on in nervous amusement as the urge subsides.

"Okay. I'm okay now. Where was I?" I smooth my hand over his scruffy jaw. His eyes are fire.

"Edward, I lo... I... lo... Achewww!"

My eyes shut tight in reaction to the violent and sudden sneeze that exits my mouth. So sudden, in fact, that I'm not able to cover it in time.

Oh, God. What have I done? I just sneezed all over my boyfriend, to whom I was about to confess my undying love. Please someone, just put me out of my misery.

I'm terrified of opening my eyes and accessing the damage. Edward hasn't moved, hasn't said a word. I don't even think he's breathing.

But then I feel trembling. What the hell? I bravely open one eye. Edward's eyes are closed tight, his lips pressed hard together as his shoulders shake.

He's laughing. The mothereffer is laughing at me, and I'm mortified. This is not how I had envisioned this moment.

Before I can think too much, I'm off of him and running away to my bedroom where I close the door and fling myself on the bed and curl myself up in a fetal position, hoping to disappear. A little sob escapes me and now I'm just a sniffling mess.

I hear his familiar footsteps and a quiet knock on my door. I don't bother responding because I know he's coming in regardless. He practically lives here anyway.

There's a dip of the mattress next to me and his warmth surrounds me as he hugs me towards his chest.

"Shh. Bella, baby, why are you crying? I'm sorry I laughed. I swear I wasn't laughing at you. Please, Bella. Talk to me. Why are you crying?"

He sounds so sincere and apologetic. I ruined everything.

"I ruined everything!" I sob.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, I ruined the moment. You made everything so perfect, and the way you said it was so simple, so determined. I wanted to do the same." I turn to face him and stare into his compassionate eyes. "I wanted to look at you straight in the eye and tell you I love you, and then I have to go and fuck it all up with my stupid cold and I sneeze right in your face like a friggin' little kid with no manners..."

"Bella..."

"... And wanted to be all sexy for you, and you feel so gosh darn good between my legs, and your eyes... Gah! Your eyes are so expressive and green..."

"Baby..."

"... So, so green, and I probably look like death warmed over and you... YOU look edible even when you're sick! I can't even..."

His strong voice rouses me from my rambling.

"Bella!"

"Hmm?"

"Do you realize you just told me you love me?"

"Huh?" Did I?

"You just told me you love me." He smiles that beautiful smile that kills me every single time.

"I did? When?" God, I'm such an idiot.

"Yeah, you did. Right at the beginning of your little speech, by the way, you're cute as hell when you do that, but yeah, you said it. You told me you wanted to look into my eyes and tell me you love me. Well, you actually just did. And, I love you too. So much, Bella." He pulls me forward until our foreheads are touching.

"I'm a moron. I can't believe I can't even remember saying it for the first time," I whisper, sniffling as Edward wipes the last of my tears away.

"Well, you're here now; you can say it again, you know," he says teasingly. I smile.

"I love you, Edward. Almost from the beginning, I think."

"Same here. Now, do you want to take a nap? Because I could use one after you spread your death germs all over me. I think your penance should be to stay here in bed with me and cater to my every need," he says, wiggling his eyebrows like a nerd.

"You're a cornball."

"But you love me," he says, smiling smugly.

"I do. I really do."

He leans in and kisses me on the nose, then on the lips. No tongue. Because we're sick, and that's kind of gross.

"So, sleep, yeah?"

"Yeah. Sleep is good." I yawn. Edward settles into bed, as we both take off our clothes and just stay in our underwear under the covers.

He loves me. I smile as I drift into dreamland.

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A/N: Teacher of the Year is up for Fic of the Month over at The Lemonade Stand. It's up against some ridiculously awesome stories, and I know I won't win, but go there anyway and pic your favorite... My fav's up there, and nope, it's not mine lol

Only one full chapter left and one short epi and I'm puttin' this puppy to bed. I'm still writing my relay-fic with primarycolors called The Whole Chapter, so make sure you check that out.

So, on with some fic recs. Ya Can't complain, giving you another long list!:

Like Crazy by Willyoupleasebequiet: Terribly under-reviewed, and some of the best, smartest, wittiest E/B banter I've read in a while. Lots of "Friends" references too.

No Measure of Time by Cosmogirl7841: This chick slays me every. single. time. with all her writing, and this story clenches at my heart every chapter.

Watch Me by RochelleAllison: This little OS was born out of a very interesting FB thread over at TLS that I was proudly a part of. Edward and watchp0rn.

Snapdragon by prettykittyartist: Real life issues between a married couple who love fiercely, but have lost their way and imagine that- a husband who takes his wife for granted. You don't say?

When Will I Know by deb24601: Pretty outstanding.

Dusty by YellowBella: Freaking awesome, I can't even tell you how hung up I am on this story.

A Soft Place to Land by btwnthestacks: Sweet love story. That's it. And sometimes, it's enough.

Last Call by Robsmyyummy Cabanaboy: Another story I'm totally hung up on.

Unbecoming by BookishQua: ANOTHER story that's got me by the you-know-whats. Gah! So good.

My Sweet Variable by LifeInTheSnow: If you read her "Branching Inward" you know how good she is. This is totally different, but it's now really starting to take off. Can't wait to see where it goes!