The Twilight Twenty-Five
thetwilight25 dot com
Prompt: #17
Pen Name: MinaRivera
Pairing: Edward/Bella
Rating: T
Word Count: 500
Beta: Ms. Walrus
Photo prompts can be found here:
thetwilight25 dot com/round-eight/prompts
Precious Time
"No way in hell I'm touching those!"
Bella rolls her eyes at her best friend's dramatics. "You don't have to clean those up, Alice," she tells her. "Those skates will be thrown out. You just need to put them in bags."
Alice gags and scrunches up her nose. "But they smell!"
Bella laughs and shakes her head. "You'll live!"
Alice gags again just thinking about touching those old and smelly skates, but she's resigned to do it. She was lucky to get this job with Bella at the roller-skate alley, especially after her daddy cut her off when she over expended on her shopping trips last month.
Bella watches her best friend work for the first time, and she can't help but feel a bit proud of her. She has always been a spoiled brat, but it seems like Dr. Cullen finally had enough and sent her to get a job.
It was about damn time, Bella muses as she wipes down the tables.
"Hey there, gorgeous."
Bella squeals and jumps on him. He catches her just in time, and she kisses his face. He laughs and kisses her back.
Alice comes running from the back, squealing when she spots her brother.
"When did you get back?" both girls ask at the same time.
Edward grins, setting Bella on her feet. "Today… came here straight from the airport."
"Does mom know?" Alice asks, still wired from the surprise visit.
"Yeah, she and dad picked me up from the airport."
"How long is your leave?" Bella asks, hugging his waist.
Edward smiles sadly. "I'm only staying until Monday."
Bella tries to hold back the tears, but one manages to escape. She wipes it off and smiles up at him. "At least you'll get to spend Thanksgiving with us."
Alice leaves them alone, letting them enjoy this moment. She knows the minute Edward gets home their family will demand his attention; who knows when they will get a minute alone again.
Edward pulls Bella closer, his hand wrapping around her tiny waist. She was so small next to him; she barely reached his chin.
"We'll find the time to go to our meadow while I'm here, okay?" Edward promises, his heart breaking when he feels her shaking, knowing she's holding back tears.
"I love you," Bella whispers, her forehead touching his collarbone.
He hugs her tighter, almost folding himself around her. "You're my life, Bella. I'll always come back to you."
Later that night, Bella and Edward lay together on her small dorm bed. They barely fit, but they don't care. They kiss and talk all night, their touches intimate and passionate.
In the morning, they have breakfast with the family, their happiness so palpable, enjoying it while they can. Edward's visit's short, and every minute is precious.
When Monday comes, tears are in everyone's eyes.
Edward promises to come home for good in six months' time.
Bella's so overjoyed when he keeps his promise, and she marries him that same week.
Thank you for reading. xo ~Mina