Edward's POV
"Who's up for some football before the game starts?" Emmett called, coming back into the room. He'd raced out without a word a couple of minutes before.
I looked over at him and saw that he'd gone to get the football from his room. I turned to look at Jasper, who was nodding, so I said, "Yeah, sure. Dad? Charlie? Interested in playing?"
My dad and Charlie looked at each other and shrugged. "I'm all right with showing these kids a thing or two," Charlie said with a smirk.
Emmett laughed. "Bring it on, old man," he told Charlie. Then he turned to our father and said, "Should we give you some sort of handicap?"
"Watch it, son," my dad said. He raised an eyebrow and added cryptically, "Or haven't you heard?"
Emmett frowned. "Heard what?"
"Old age and treachery will overcome youth and skill every time." Dad grinned over at Charlie conspiratorially.
Emmett rolled his eyes, smirking, before turning to look toward the other room. "Rosie!" he yelled. "Going out to play football. Wanna come be my cheerleader?"
I rolled my eyes, but the thought of Bella dressed in one of those short little cheerleading skirts and tight sweaters, long legs on display and breasts bouncing deliciously, made my dick stand at attention again. Fuck. So not the time for that, I growled in my head, reciting popular classical composers in alphabetical order to deflate my raging hard-on. Abel, Bach, Beethoven, Brahms, Debussy, Handel…Mmm, Bella's hand would fe—oh fuck—Hadyn, Mozart...
When Bella walked into the living room with my sister and Rose, I pulled her into my arms and dipped my head to her ear. "Will you be my cheerleader, love?" I murmured softly, my breath drifting across her neck and pulling a shiver from her.
"Maybe later, if you win," she answered just as quietly with a snicker, clearly knowing why I'd asked. Aloud, she said, "We're gonna watch the parade while you guys are outside."
"Sounds good," I told her, bending my head for a quick kiss, all too aware of her father in the background.
I gave her one last smile and then moved to the hall to get my coat and sneakers as she settled onto the couch, facing the big window overlooking the front yard.
"Have fun," my mother called from the kitchen, "but be careful. It's slick and snowy out there. I really don't want to make a trip to the emergency room tonight. And don't let them mess up my flowerbed, either!"
"Don't worry, Esme," my dad called back. "Charlie and I will keep an eye on them."
Rolling my eyes at the idea that we needed babysitters, I followed a laughing Emmett and Jasper outside.
~*~CIBD~*~
"Come on, Edward, call the play! Blue thirty-two. Blue thirty-two," Emmett bellowed.
Jasper shoved him, nearly making him fall into the snow. "It's just the five of us, and we don't have a play book, dumbass," he told Emmett. "You don't have to yell that every time."
I was standing behind Emmett, who was crouched down in front of me, ready to hike the ball to me before running across the lawn to protect Jasper, who was going to try to catch my pass. I rolled my eyes and said, "Just play the ball, man."
I'd been picked to be quarterback for both teams, and it was just assumed by all that it would be Charlie and my dad versus Emmett and Jasper. Luckily, in my opinion anyway, I would win either way. And just like that, thoughts of Bella parading in front of me in a cheerleading outfit took over my entire mind.
"Hike, hike!"
Emmett's call pulled me out my reverie a split second before the football was snapped back into my hands. The four of them raced down the length of the large yard, Emmett trying to block our father and Charlie from getting to Jasper, who was running to catch the pass I would throw. Jazz and my brother were calling out instructions, where to run, to run faster, to block them, and whatever else I missed from my position in the yard.
It was a madhouse toward their end. Somehow, in all the confusion, Jasper was running in the same direction Emmett was herding his opponents.
"Go long!" I called out, hoping to throw past the knot of men to Jasper.
As soon as I saw Jasper make a break for it, I threw the ball in a long bomb I thought Matt Hasselbeck would be proud of. Unfortunately, I overestimated how hard I would need to throw it. The ball was moving way too fast and was going to sail past Jasper.
Emmett noticed and yelled, "Run!"
While he was distracted, Charlie and my dad took off around him, gunning for Jasper. When Emmett switched his attention back to his opponents, he barreled after them.
I cringed when I saw what was coming, but it was too late. There was nothing I could do to stop it.
It was like watching a cartoon: Jasper was watching the ball, Charlie and my dad were watching Jasper and not the ground, and Emmett was just running too hard to do anything to stop himself when Charlie and my dad hit a slick spot in front of him. He slammed into the older men, who fell into Jasper, and they all hit the ground hard, rolling in four different directions, groaning.
The ball hit the side of Jasper's truck with a thud, and an ear-splitting screech filled the air as his alarm blared.
I was almost to the guys when the front door spilled open and all five women appeared on the front porch. From the corner of my eye, I saw Alice raise her arm, and the siren call of the alarm abruptly shut off.
All was quiet for a moment, aside from the groans coming from the guys, and then we heard, "My flowers!"
Sure enough, when I got to the end of the yard, I realized that all four of them were lying in the flattened flowerbed.
~*~CIBD~*~
Four hours later, my mother was still grumbling about her ruined flowerbed. We were going to be buying her some new mums, camellias—both japonica and sasanqua varieties, whatever those were—and a few different kinds of pansies as well, and replanting the ruined garden as soon as we were able. The moment she'd confirmed that we were all okay, she'd begun her "I told you to be careful of the flowerbeds" lecture. All five of us were chagrined, and rightly so, but we'd all apologized and promised to make it up to her, and while she was still grinching about it, it was more in loving—grudging, but loving nonetheless—fondness than not.
Now, all ten of us were gathered around the dining room, getting ready for my father to say grace so we could dig in to the fantastically smelling food in the center of the table. I was between Bella and my sister, and I held their hands as my dad began to speak.
"Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for this special day, a day to remember Your goodness to us. Thank You for a roof over our heads and more than enough food to eat. Thank You for the family You have given to us, for family and friends who have gathered together to eat this Thanksgiving Day meal. In your name we pray, Amen."
There was a chorus of echoed Amens, and then I gave Bella's hand a squeeze before releasing it to take the large bowl of sausage and herb stuffing in front of me. After adding a serving onto my plate, I passed the bowl to Bella and turned to take the bowl of mashed potatoes Alice was ready to pass to me on my other side.
For several minutes, no one spoke; the only sounds were those of serving spoons tapping against containers of food as everyone piled their plates high with turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, green bean casserole, broccoli and cheese casserole, Brussels sprouts, roasted veggies, sweet potatoes, green salad, broccoli salad, and two different kinds of bread. As soon as everyone had a chance to get everything they wanted from the food in the middle of the table, conversations picked up, and for almost an hour, we all ate and talked and just enjoyed being together.
At one point during dinner, Bella asked Sue about Seth and Leah.
Sue smiled and said more animatedly than I'd seen her all day, "I forgot to tell you all that they both said hello and happy Thanksgiving. She's spending the holiday with Joseph's family. Seth decided to stay on the reservation to spend the day with Jacob and Billy so they wouldn't be alone."
Bella smiled. "Please give them both my best. Pass along my wish for a happy holidays to Jacob and Billy, as well."
"I will," Sue promised.
~*~CIBD~*~
Shortly after dinner, Sue and Charlie left, saying they wanted to stop over in La Push and say hello to her kids and the Blacks. Charlie had given me a one-armed, manly style of hug, and the expression on Bella's face when she saw it was one of pure happiness.
Once the food was put away, we all gathered in the living room to watch New Orleans versus Dallas. The group had been split about fifty-fifty on sides, so when New Orleans won by three points, Bella and I got to lord it over Emmett, who'd been staunchly rooting for Dallas.
As soon as the game was over, Drill Sergeant Alice appeared again. "Okay, people, listen up," she called. "The first store we wanna get to opens at five."
"In the morning?" Emmett yelped, his voice about two octaves higher than normal.
"Yes, Emmett," she replied, rolling her eyes. "You knew that already." She gave him a "Duh!" look before speaking again. "Anyway, that means we need to leave by one thirty at the latest. Try to get some sleep, but if you can't, at least try to rest. We have a lot of shopping to do tomorrow!"
I looked at the clock. It was about eight, so we had just over five hours. Plenty of time for what I wanted, plus time to squeeze in a nap. I took Bella's hand and said, "Say good night, Bella."
She looked at me strangely and then repeated, "Good night, Bella."
Rolling my eyes, I chuckled at her. "Good night, everyone," I called as I pulled her toward the stairs. "See you in the morning."
"One thirty, Edward!" Alice yelled from the living room. "Don't be late! I have this feeling something messes up my plans for shopping with your girlfriend, and if it's because you're late, I'll hunt you down!"
I looked at Bella, who giggled into my shoulder as I wrapped my arm around her and pulled her close. "My sister can be rather frightening sometimes," I murmured, leading her up the stairs.
She simply nodded, still trying to control the giggles.
When we got up to my room, I closed the door, pulled Bella into a hug, and told her, "You can take the bathroom first, if you want a shower or anything before we try to sleep."
Instead of pulling away like I thought she would, Bella wrapped her arms around my neck and pressed herself closer to me until her lips hovered over mine. "What if I said—" she brushed her lips lightly across mine "—that a shower isn't what I want right now?"
My dick hardened instantly as her breathy words registered. "Wh—" I had to clear my throat to get the words out. "What do you want, Bella love?"
I felt her fingers slide into the hair at the base of my neck, just before her whispered word registered in my head.
"You."
I knew Bella had been resistant earlier about sex here, so as much as it pained me, I held back when she tried to close the last bit of space between us. "What about not wanting to make love in my parents' house?" I asked softly, still holding her close.
She laughed quietly. "That was before someone sent me a naughty, but oh-so-yummy, picture of himself this afternoon." Looking up at me from under lowered lashes, she continued, "Do you think you can be quiet, Edward?"
I scoffed silently, raising an eyebrow. "What about you, Ms. Swan? Do you think you can be quiet?"
"Let's find out, shall we?" She grinned and once more pulled my head down for a kiss.
This time, I let her.
We kissed until I felt her knees beginning to go out from under her, and then I scooped her into my arms and laid her down in the middle of the bed. After shedding my clothes, I joined her, pulling her to me for another kiss.
When my lips left hers again, Bella whimpered softly and tried pulling me back up, but I just shook my head and pressed a kiss to her collarbone, nosing aside her shirt to get to the sensitive skin underneath.
"You have on entirely too many clothes," I murmured, trailing my hand up her side and pulling her T-shirt up with it.
She sat up enough to allow me to pull the shirt over her head, and then she leaned forward to kiss me as my fingers quickly found the catch on her bra, undoing it with practiced ease. I slowly slid the straps down her arms and pulled the dark blue, lacy garment from her body.
Her breasts were perfect: round, just enough for my hands, and tipped with light pink nipples that simply begged to be suckled and teased.
And suckle and tease them I did. My fingers plucked at one as my lips closed around the other. Bella's back arched as my tongue circled the tightened bud over and over, leaving damp trails over her silky skin. When I scraped my teeth lightly over the sensitive skin, Bella whimpered.
I raised my head just enough to whisper, "Quiet, love, or we'll hafta stop."
She nodded and breathed deeply, watching me as I dipped my head again.
I pressed open-mouthed kisses across her chest to the other peak and then began laving that breast with nips and teases and wet kisses like I had the first. The moisture I'd left on her skin made it easy to tweak the nipple I didn't have my lips around.
Bella was whimpering soundlessly, her breaths coming in uneven, silent gasps. "More," she breathed as she began rubbing her thighs together, trying to get some friction where I knew she needed it most.
Looking up at her without raising my head, I moved my hand down and cupped her through her jeans. "Is this what you want, Bella?" I asked so quietly, I knew she could barely hear me.
She whimpered again, thrusting herself up against my hand, and nodded. "Please," she begged softly.
I honestly couldn't find it in me to tease her any longer. We both wanted the same thing—to be joined together. I rid her of her jeans as quickly as humanly possible. Without a word, I turned her so she was facing away from me, her back to my front, and slid into her from behind.
Lying on our sides like we were, our bodies were touching everywhere. The gently rounded cheeks of her behind were pressed up against my groin. Her head was resting on my bicep. I felt the coarse hairs on my legs as they rubbed against the smooth skin on the backs of hers. My free hand was cupping her breast, lightly pinching and tugging the nipple, making her writhe against me.
Our world was nearly silent as we made love spooned together like we were. There was no hard thrusts, no teasing...just a complete and utter feeling of being one. I was as close to her at that moment as I possibly could be, and just the thought of it sent me racing to the edge.
Wanting, needing Bella to go over with me, I trailed my fingers lightly down the soft skin of her stomach, until they brushed over the curls at the apex of her thighs. I could feel myself sliding in and out of her in short strokes and felt the arousal from us both spilling out around me. I dragged my finger up to the top of her lips, and when I circled my finger around her sensitive nub, Bella turned her head to my arm to stifle her cries as she clenched around me.
Her orgasm triggered my own, and I came silently, burying my face in her neck and breathing heavily.
For long moments, we lay together, still joined and panting, until our heartbeats slowly returned to normal. With a quiet groan, I slid out of her and off the bed, making my way to the bathroom to clean up. When I finished, I wet a washcloth with warm water and brought it back out to the bedroom.
Bella had turned over onto her back and was watching me with hooded eyes, a wholly satisfied look on her face. She hummed her quiet approval as I gently cleaned her, and when I tossed the cloth toward the bathroom and slid us under the covers, she reached up quietly to turn off the light beside the bed.
Turning over to face me, she kissed me softly before saying, "I love you, Edward."
I smiled at my beautiful girl, the moonlight streaming in from the windows illuminating her slightly, and responded the only way I could. "As I you, Bella, my love." I pressed a sweet kiss to her lips and then murmured, "Sleep."
As soon as her eyes slid closed, I allowed my own to close as well, quickly joining her in a peaceful slumber.
~*~*~CIBD~*~*~
Bella's POV
My cell phone, still in my jeans pocket from earlier in the day, woke me from a sound sleep sometime later in the night. I knew Edward had tossed my clothes off the side of the bed, so I disentangled myself from his arms and leaned down to fumble through my clothes until I found the intrusive noise.
Without bothering to check the caller ID, I hit Answer and mumbled, "Hullo?"
The next thing I heard had me sitting up, the blanket clenched in a fist at my chest.
"Ms. Swan?" a strange man's voice said. At my mumbled yes, he continued, "This is Detective Eli Jordan from the Port Angeles Police Department."