I have to thank my a fantastic trio of friends for helping me with this: m0t0b33, teamalltwilight and Pyejammies! ;)
As always, I don't own anything Twilight related or anything else you might recognize in my story. I DO own the idea.
We'll just call them Hot Mama and Jailbait. :) Check the pictures in my FB group: Addicted-to-romione-bedward Fanfiction (link on my profile)
Bella's POV
As I come around, I become aware of muscles that haven't hurt in such a long time. With a smile I remember the delicious feelings Edward brought in me last night.
"Mhmm." I stretch and turn over, but the bed is suspiciously empty. And cold. "Edward?" I call out, unsure where he could be.
Interesting. He's awake before me.
"EDWARD?" I yell again, not feeling like getting out of the bed.
"Coming! Hold on!" he shouts from downstairs.
I grin and relax back on the bed.
I won't dwell on what we're doing. It's what we want — it's natural.
There's clinking and Edward's heavy footsteps. I wonder what he's up to, and then he appears in the room's doorway with two plates with food and a glass of juice on each plate.
"Couldn't find a tray." He shrugs and approaches the bed, placing the plates carefully next to me before taking my face in his hands and kissing me.
"Hmmm. I could get used to this," I whisper, kissing him back.
The gesture means so much. It shows that he's not just a teenager — more mature than most his age.
"Did you sleep at all?" I ask worried when I see the dark circles under his eyes.
He chuckles, shaking his head. "Not really. We need to change rooms. There's a tree right outside the window and it was windy last night...I couldn't sleep," he explains.
"Silly boy. What did you do? Didn't you go to another room to sleep?"
"I couldn't sleep! Until I realized it was branch...I thought it was some burglar or wild animal or shit. Sleep was long gone so...I put up the tree, decorated it and the house...made breakfast. I did snooze a little on the couch, though."
"Quite the night owl," I tease him, kissing his nose. "Let's eat this. Is it safe?"
"How you wound me!" he gasps.
Edward snuggles into my side, throwing me a huge smile before raising a piece of bacon to my lips. I accept it and chew slowly.
It's good.
Beyond expectations.
"You're quite the cook, honey."
He beams at me and winks before biting on his toast. "Told you I could cook."
"Well if you think you're so good then why don't you take over the cooking? I'd love to have that job out of my way."
"I...no...Bella...it's a rare occasion..."
I laugh, ruffling his hair. "I love this. Thanks."
"Oh!" Edward exclaims as I'm stacking our empty plates to take them to the kitchen, but later. "We're out of logs. Do I really have to chop them?"
"Yes. Do you want me to do it?" I ask. I remember helping Carl with chopping wood.
"Nah. It's a man's job."
Bite your tongue, I think amused.
"I'll go do that. You can look at how I decorated round here." He winks and jumps out of the bed, going to dress warmly for outside.
When I finally drag myself out of the bedroom, I look around surprised.
He put garlands on the banister and there are a few balls as well. In the living room, the small tree we bought is near the fireplace overly dressed in golden and red ornaments. He even painted the windows with artificial snow.
In the kitchen I find a mess and all the happy thoughts leave my head.
There are three pans in the sink, bread crumbs everywhere, two teabags on the counter and the kettle set on the side.
It looks like a warzone.
Mental note: Never allow Edward in the kitchen.
Deciding to put off cleaning as much as possible, I shrug in my winter coat and boots then go to see if he's doing okay with the chopping.
I find Edward levering with his leg on the big wood he's trying to cut and with both hands trying to extract the axe from it.
I can't help but laugh which makes him turn to me and scowl.
"It's stuck!" he whines.
"Because you don't know how to chop! And that one is there to put the logs over on it!" I tell him exasperated. "How can you think of chopping that one?"
"Well you do it, Mrs. Know-It-All!"
"Move away," I groan, rolling my eyes.
With a little difficulty, I extract the axe, grab a log and cut it. I used to do this side by side with Carlisle.
"I think I'm going inside to search for my ego," Edward mumbles, starting to walk toward the door.
"Whoa! Come back here!" I shout. "I just showed you how to do it!"
"Maybe you can show me again?" he wonders. "Several times. Until we have enough wood."
I laugh and put out another log then make sure he's looking before cutting it. "See? Easy." I pass him the axe.
He manages to chop a few logs on his own so I decide to go clean the kitchen and prepare us lunch while he's learning to chop.
It's probably the last time we're coming to Aspen without chopped firewood.
I'm mostly done when Edward rushes inside with his arms full of logs. His nose and ears are red.
I need to take care of him. I don't want any of us getting sick and ruining this holiday with snot and fever.
"So much wood!" I joke.
He throws me a look then winks. "All for you."
"Are we talking about the one in your arms or the one in your pants?" I ask offhandedly.
"Bella!" he exclaims shocked, his eyes wide. "Were you holding back before? Since we talked about this…you're quite the tease."
"I never held back," I answer promptly. "Okay, maybe a little." I show him how little with my fingers.
Edward chuckles and as he passes me, he drops a kiss on my cheek.
I'm starting to get used to this. A lot.
Over lunch, we plan the ski trip. I can't wait.
"So it's Christmas," he murmurs when we finish eating.
"Yeah. You want to see what Santa brought you?" I tease, taking his hand and leading him to the living room.
I made sure to put my present under the little tree while he was outside. It wasn't much, but I knew he'd appreciate it.
"Can I go first?" Edward asks.
"Sure." I sit on the couch, relaxing as he takes a nicely wrapped box. "Did you wrap it?"
"It took me an hour. No joke."
"Aw." I cup his cheek. "You shouldn't have worried because I love to destroy the wrapping."
"Do as you please. I just wanted it to look nice." He shoots me a smile.
I try to unwrap it nicely but there's so much tape that I end tearing the paper to tiny pieces. I'm met with a rectangular box – not any box. A Tiffany's box.
"What have you done?" I moan.
"I saved up my money. I wanted to get you something really nice. I hope you like it." He catches his lower lip between his teeth as I open the box.
There's a necklace with an infinity charm.
I love this boy.
My hands freeze on the necklace as I realize what I just thought.
I know it's the truth, but I'm sure for him this is just lust and probably the rush of being with an older woman.
I'm aware we're not going to work in the long run for various reasons, but I like to live in the moment.
"Can I put it on you?" Edward's voice snaps me out of my thoughts.
"Sure, honey. It's really beautiful."
He exhales in relief. "I thought you'd think it's stupid."
"No way! It's the best gift I've ever got!"
"Don't lie, Bella. I'm sure it doesn't compare with the stuff Dad used to get you."
"He either gave me clothes or books. Just that. Always," I say truthfully. "I never got jewelry." I finger the charm. "Does this mean something?"
His ears turn red and he looks away. "Maybe…"
I wait for him to say something else, but when he doesn't, I let it slide.
"Maybe is an answer," I confess.
I go to get his present when he tells me the meaning of the charm. I nearly faint.
"It shows my feelings for you. Always." His voice is so raw and shaky that it brings tears to my eyes.
"And what do you feel?" I whisper, turning to face him, still kneeling.
"Is it too soon to talk about this? You don't have to say it back…but yeah." Edward gulps loudly and fixes me with his deep green eyes. "I'm in love with you."
I feel tears rolling down my cheeks, but I can't move, can't talk.
"I knew it wasn't a good idea," he mumbles.
No!
It's a great idea!
If I could find my voice I'd tell you how much I love you too.
"Bella, please don't cry," Edward begs me, sliding off the couch to hug me. "Forget what I said."
How can I forget your beautiful voice saying that you love me?
I cup his face in my hands and kiss him deeply, hoping to pour into it my feelings which I'm unable to voice for some reason. He hugs me tightly, kissing me back eagerly.
"Me too, sweet boy. I love you so much!" I choke out, burrowing my face in his neck.
"You…love…me?" he stutters.
"Yes!" I almost shout.
"I want to show you how much," Edward whispers, stroking my hair. "Can I? Please, Bella?"
"After I give you my present." I put the envelope in his hands.
"What's this?"
"Open it and see." I wink, kissing up and down his angular jaw.
Hurry.
I need you.
He opens the envelope with trembling hands.
God, we need to calm because I don't want to rush our first time.
"Whoa! Basketball tickets?" he asks in disbelief.
"I hope you like the teams," I tell him worried. "I just eavesdropped on one of your conversations with Emmett – totally by mistake. I swear."
"There are two tickets? Are you coming with me?" He cocks his head.
"I'm not into sports, hon. But you can take Emmett."
"Awesome!" He gives me a huge kiss before putting the tickets away. "I love you."
I grin and press my lips to his. "Me too."
Edward stands and helps me up too then tugs me to the stairs.
"Wait." I plant my heels against the floor, but I'm on the carpet and he's not stopping so he drags me a few inches after him.
"What? Don't you want?" He almost whines. "Upstairs?" This time he whimpers. "Please, baby."
There's a tightening in my stomach and a general amazing feeling as he calls me that. Goosebumps and shivers. Heart pounding in my chest, swelling.
"We'll get upstairs…eventually," I say teasingly.
"You want it there?" He point to the carpet in front of the fireplace.
I can't help but laugh. Kid's mind is set on one thing – having sex.
I want that too, of course. But I want us to take our time exploring each other before connecting in the most intimate way.
"How about you help me make dinner, we eat then I show you my other present…and we take it from there?" I ask.
"Are you fucking kidding me?" Edward explodes. "Wait! Second present?"
I snort in laughter. "Yeah, but that's for later. I'm afraid we're going to rush it if we go up right now. Please, a little more patience."
"Ugh! What's a couple more hours to the years I've been waiting to get you in my bed?" he asks theatrically.
"That's the spirit! Now come help me prepare dinner."
"But if you weasel your way out of sleeping with me later, I'm gonna tie you to the bed and make sure you won't be able to walk for the next week!"
"I might keep you to that."
"You're going to kill me," Edward moans, trudging after me to the kitchen.
Hold the tomatoes, please. You can throw them at me after next chapter...if you don't like it. :)
PS: After 24th, posting will be a little slower because apparently I don't have enough chapters to go at this rate...so I'll post every 2-3 days? Besides we'll be busy with the holidays, right? :)
The necklace will be up in my group if you want a visual.