Disclaimer: Stephanie Meyer owns Twilight. I own a ridiculous number of Rob porn. Dearie dearie me …
Fasten your seatbelts everyone …
Chapter 17
"Edward?"
"Shit babe, I'm sorry, I didn't realise you'd be asleep already," Edward said hurriedly.
"No, no, it's okay," Bella replied, her voice still husky with sleep.
"God you sound sexy,"
"Mmm-hmm, funny you should mention that, I was having a very nice dream about you," she replied. She yawned and rolled over onto her back, pulling one of her pillows into a more comfortable position.
"Was it a good dream?" he whispered.
"When they feature you, they're always good," she replied with a sleepy chuckle. She jumped as there was a knock at the door. "What the hell?"
"What's wrong?"
"I think there's someone at the door," she replied. She sat up in bed, trying to wake up.
"Late at night?" Edward said in a skeptical tone.
"Urgh, it's probably someone with the wrong apartment number, I swear to god they've got to put up some signs around here."
"You want me to call you back?"
"No!" she yelped, and then relaxed as Edward laughed. "Sorry, I didn't mean to sound so desperate, it's just so good to hear your voice. Just let me get rid of whoever it is and I'll be right with you."
"Okay, I'll be waiting," Edward laughed.
Bella set the phone down and got out of bed and glanced down at herself. She was only wearing Edward's t-shirt and her boy leg knickers, so she'd have to hide behind the door when she opened it. She rubbed her eyes as she stumbled towards the door. Whoever it was knocked again, louder this time. They were not going to get a happy response.
She pushed her hair off her face and opened the door, trying to shield her semi-clad state, then she gaped and took an uncertain step forward.
"Edward?"
"In the flesh," he smiled, reaching for her.
"But, you're in Prague," she said dazedly, "I'm talking to you on the phone."
"You mean this one?" he held up his iPhone and grinned as he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her to him.
"That'd be it … what are you doing here?"
"I got sick of waiting. I saw a break in my schedule, so I took it. I don't have much time, but I wanted to spend it with you," he said, talking into the nape of her neck as he kissed and nibbled his way towards her mouth.
o * o * o * o *
Edward's slow lingering kisses re-ignited the embers of Bella's dream, building a steady heat in her veins as she shifted against him, restless to feel his friction. He trailed open-mouthed kisses up her neck before claiming her mouth, and she moaned, feeling his smile against her lips. He ran his hands up her sides, cupping her breasts and teasing their sensitive peaks, making her arch her back against him. Bella gave a soft murmur of protest as his warmth disappeared from against her, then her eyes flew open as she felt his hands run up her thighs. Her back arched again as his tongue dipped inside her.
"Edward …" she whispered, her eyes fluttering closed as she succumbed to the sensations of the slickness of his tongue and the rasp of his stubble against the delicate skin of her inner thighs.
Moments later, Bella was still shuddering from her climax as Edward rose up over her, and slid into her with one smooth thrust. As the bedroom lightened, the lovers set a leisurely pace, exchanging soft kisses and whispered words of encouragement. Bella wrapped a leg around his hips, urging him closer as he buried his face against her neck, his hands digging into her shoulders has he tried to clutch her closer to him.
Bella put her arms around him, one hand tangling in his hair at the nap of his neck, the other on his backside, wanting him closer, closer still. All the while, every cell in her body was whispering to her … this one, this one.
Edward pulled back, and then slid in deeper, making Bella bite her lip as she gasped and clutched at him, dizzy with the rightness of the feel of them together. He rocked higher, sharper, and she cried out, shivering with heat against him. Edward's eyes were hot on her, and she stared back until he dipped his head and kissed her again. He rocked again and again, rocking until she broke, arching against him as he held her steady, and while she was still gasping his name, he shuddered too and fell against her, sighing her name into her neck.
"Oh … " Bella sighed when she could speak, "that was … "
"Good?" Edward said, breathless.
"You'll do," she replied, still panting for breath.
"That's it?" he said, feigning outrage.
"World class, gold medal Olympic standard good," Bella said, trying to calm down her breathing.
Edward rolled over onto his back, and breathed out in a long, shuddering sigh as he glanced at his watch.
"Just so you know, I can usually last a bit longer than that. Then again, I don't normally experience foreplay that lasts for 9 weeks."
Bella curled up against him, "I'm so happy I didn't dream it all."
"I think you were dreaming part of it, I woke up and heard you sighing my name, so I figured it was time to get the party started."
"Party, huh?"
"Something like that," he cocked an eyebrow at her. "So I guess if that makes me the party host, I should say thank you for coming."
"Not at all," Bella cuddled into his chest, "thank you for having me."
She heard the rumble of laughter in his chest before it erupted, and they clutched at each other, laughing for the sheer joy of it all.
o * o * o * o *
Having begged and cajoled until a gap had been found in his schedule, Edward had gotten the first available flight out of LA, appearing on Bella's doorstep late at night, much to her half-asleep confusion.
They stayed in bed all morning, kissing and loving, before hunger finally drove them out of the apartment. By unspoken agreement they had ended up back at their favourite café. They found a table outside that was relatively secluded, and sat as close together as possible, alternating between reading the newspaper, and bringing each other up to date on what had been going on, and what their friends had been up to.
"Oh god, so he found the secret stash," Bella groaned with laughter and put her head in her hands.
"And just to add insult to injury, he took a photo with his stolen booty," Edward replied.
"You've got to show me the photo sometime," she giggled.
"Happily, but promise me you'll bake some more cupcakes for me," Edward begged.
Bella leaned forward and gave him a soft kiss.
"Once I get started, you'll have to tell me when to stop," she said.
"Deal" Edward replied, rubbing his nose against hers and then kissing her forehead.
Bella leaned against him with a sigh, adjusting her sunglasses as Edward continued to flick through his newspaper. Life was good.
"What time do you have to head out," she asked in an idle tone, turning her head to look up at him as she felt his body tense.
"Tomorrow afternoon," he said quietly, then wrinkled his nose at her when he saw her watching, "why, are you trying to get rid of me already?"
"Not at all, I just want to know exactly how much longer you're mine to toy with," she winked.
"Oh I think we both know you can toy with me all you want," he leered, making her laugh.
"Ewwww! That might work for Emmett, but not for me!"
She turned back to sip at her coffee, and Edward glanced at her neck to see that the skin looked pink and angry. He ran his finger over it lightly, and she turned to look at him.
"I was just looking at this mark on your neck," he said by way of explanation.
"Admiring your work?" she said as she eyed him over the rim of her coffee cup, her eyes dancing.
"I did that?"
She reached out and brushed the tips of her fingers across his stubble.
"It's stubble rash from a certain someone," she said.
"Huh," he said, "So you mean your skin pinks up like that when I .." he leaned forward to kiss and nibble at the nape of her neck, making her squirm and sigh against him.
"Precisely," she said, flicking her hair forward to cover it up, "what is it with guys wanting to mark their territory?"
He sat gazing at her with a slight smile on his lips for a moment, replaying the morning events through his mind's eye. He reached down and ran his hand up and over her thigh, skimming along her jeans and following the inside seam until she reached down and grabbed his wrist with a breathless laugh.
"More rash?" he said in a whisper as she kept squirming against his insistent hand.
"Oh god, yes … but you knew that already," she gasped and her laugh became a quiet moan.
"Hmmmm," he smiled. He slowly released her, and watched her pick up her cup again and attempted to straighten her hair with a flustered hand.
He reached out with an idle finger and gently pushed her hair off her shoulder so that the pinkened skin was exposed once more.
Mine. He thought.
o * o * o * o *
By mutual accord, they had stopped in at a supermarket and picked up the fixings for their evening meal at Bella's apartment.
"How many am I cooking for tonight?" Bella asked while she was frowning over some mushrooms.
"Huh?"
She had looked up at him, distracted from her mental recipe calculations.
"How many am I cooking for tonight?" she repeated.
"Just us," Edward looked baffled, "Why?"
"I was wondering if you wanted to get Emmett and Rosalie over," she said. "You haven't seen them for a while either, so if you want to give them a call as well that's fine by me."
"I guess," Edward said doubtfully.
"I'm not forcing you to invite them," Bella continued, "I just didn't want you to think that I was keeping you all to myself while you're in town."
Edward grinned and stepped closer to her, his breath tickling her cheek.
"Don't you want me all to yourself?"
"Oh you know I do, Cullen, but I didn't want to seem entirely selfish about it," she replied, turning her head slightly so that his lips brushed against her face.
"Mmm-hmmm," Edward breathed, nuzzling against her, breathing her in.
"Still," Bella continued, jerking herself away and tossing some mushrooms into a bag with quick, jerky movements, "it's your call."
Edward smirked at the now-flustered Bella. Spots of colour were high in her cheek, and her eyes looked a little wild. It was an amazing feeling, knowing that he could make her feel that way about him.
"I think another quiet night at home will be perfect," he replied, as he sauntered along behind her, admiring the view as her denim clad hips swayed from side to side.
o * o * o * o *
Bella unlocked the front door to the apartment, and stepped back to let Edward carrying the shopping inside. He set the bags down on the table as she closed the door behind him and headed into the bedroom to drop her handbag. A stack of papers beside her laptop caught his eye, and he picked up the first few pages. He began to skim through the text, and then his attention was caught and he began to read with more interest.
Bella kicked off her shoes, and then paused in front of the mirror, huffing with quiet amusement as she saw the stubble rash on her neck.
Edward slowly took a seat at Bella's desk and kept reading.
She went into the bathroom and washed her face, then brushed her hair.
He kept reading.
By the time Bella reappeared, Edward had worked his way through ten pages.
"Is this what you've been working on?" Edward looked up, his face bright with interest, "It's good!"
She stilled.
"Where did you find that?" she asked.
"Right here on the desk," Edward replied. He gave the page he was holding a lingering glance, and then slowly set it down.
Edward got up from the desk and headed towards her. "It's fantastic writing, is it yours?"
"Some of it," she replied in a strained voice. "I'm working on it for someone," she continued.
Edward looked from her to the pages, and then back again.
"This is the mystery project?" he asked, "The one you didn't want to tell me about?" He put the pages down and crossed to her. "Why would you keep something like that such a mystery? You're a fantastic writer! I've only read a few pages and already I'm hooked." He gave her a quick hug and dusted a kiss against her temple.
"It's nothing," she temporized.
"Bella it's clearly much more than nothing. I just don't understand why you didn't want to tell me about it, did you think I wouldn't approve or something?"
Bella shook her head.
"Is this what you've been working towards all this time?" A smile started to appear on his face, "because if that's the case, you're there Bella. It's going to be so great." He glanced at the desk and then back at her. "I know some people I can call about it, we can get you meeting the right people and-"
"No," Bella interrupted, "Thanks Edward, but no. This is something I really want to do for myself."
"Okay," he said, a little taken aback, "but if you want I can-"
"Edward," Bella broke in again. "Sorry, but this is … it's just … I … " her voice trailed off and she rubbed at her eyes, trying to keep calm. The glow of Edward's attention was making her nervous. "I guess I wanted to keep it quiet because then if it didn't work out, you wouldn't have to know that I'd failed at going for my dream."
"Babe," he reached for her again, "it doesn't matter, we can get through it together."
Bella stared at him, and felt tears pricking her eyes as his hands clasped her shoulders and tried to pull her to him. She braced her hands on his chest and pushed herself away.
"You're saying it doesn't matter? It's taken me ten years to get to this point, Edward, so don't try to brush if off so easily."
"What?" Edward looked confused. "I'm not brushing it off, I'm just saying that you're not alone in this."
"I know, and that's what frightens me sometimes."
"What are you talking about?"
"I've always tried to be independent, so any successes or failures are mine. I can't live as a satellite to your life, and I don't know if I know how to be a partnership without losing myself."
"Bella … " Edward looked lost. "I don't expect … you're so much more than that, I-"
"You're going to hurt me," she said, breathless.
"What?" Edward looked as if he'd just been slapped.
"You're going to break my heart," she went on, taking a breath that sounded like a sob. "Someone glamorous, famous and sexy will come along, and you'll leave, and I don't think I can get over you. If I ever let myself love you, it'll be all the way, it'll be forever, and I'm too goddamn scared to do that. It already hurts a little bit just thinking that if I let myself – "
"Bella, I will never hurt you," Edward said.
"Not on purpose, you're not that kind of guy, but you could leave. We've never promised each other that we'd stay. I can tell myself that other guys I've been with were idiots, but you know me."
"Bella, come on," Edward reached for her.
"No," she evaded his hands. "Nobody has even made me feel as good as you do, nobody has made me feel as real as you do, and that means that when you leave you'll be leaving the real me."
"Who says I'm going to be leaving?" Edward was starting to get angry.
"It's what guys like you do to women like me," she shrugged.
"That's one of the dumbest lines I've ever heard."
"What?"
"You're scared so you're going to be pre-emptive so that you can push me away first? That's bullshit."
Bella narrowed her eyes at him.
"You're losing the higher ground here Edward,"
"Well come on. You think you've got exclusive rights on heartbreak? Where do I stand in this equation, or is it going to be all about you?"
"What?"
"You go off on tour with a band for chrissakes, tell me that the lead singer is a terrible flirt and I'm supposed to smile and be okay with all that. But when I go overseas filming it's a different story? What the hell's all that about?"
"I told you there was nothing going on with Jacob and I, you're blowing this out of proportion."
"If that's the case, why did you go see him the other night, and make a point of telling me about it?"
Irritated, Bella shook her head.
"I didn't go to see him, I went to see the band," she said slowly, "Angela wanted to go out for drinks, and Jacob told us where they'd be playing."
"Same thing," Edward snapped.
"It is not, and you know it."
"Of course it is, and Jacob IS the band, I'm not some kind of dumbass."
"Well you could've fooled me, you sure are acting like one."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Exactly what it sounds like, dumbass."
"Right. So you're name calling now. That's really mature."
Bella gave a hollow laugh. "Oh sure, and mature is being jealous of nothing?"
"As mature as thinking that if you run away from something first then it won't hurt as much?"
"It's worked for me so far," she said dismissively.
"Right, and look where that got you. You've deliberately kept yourself so far below the radar that you've become the invisible woman."
"Oh really. And how about you? You've built a career out of always being someone else, and you accuse me of being invisible?"
Edward stared at her for a long moment, his jaw clenched.
"That's rich," he said at last, "given you've mentioned your career means reflecting everyone else's lives except her own."
Bella's face went white.
"I can't believe you just said that. That's the pot calling the kettle black, isn't it? You hide behind everything you do! Every time you step outside into the world, you're hiding behind your persona. The Edward, you want the world to see. Nobody knows who you really are. At least I don't pretend to be somebody else all the time, even when I'm pretending to be myself."
"What do you mean, my persona? Who the hell do you think I am?"
"I don't know, you tell me!" She yelled back at him.
Edward stood gazing at her, his hurt clearly visible. "You know me Bella, you know the real me."
"Do I? Or are you just that performing seal more often than you're prepared to admit?"
"This is ridiculous. You're not making sense."
"So I don't know what I'm talking about?"
"Oh god Bella," he groaned, "Stop it. Just stop."
"No you stop Edward. You stop it. You're doing exactly what you said you wouldn't. You're hurting me. You said you wouldn't and you are. And you'll leave, just like I said you would."
"Bella, don't do this. This isn't us. This isn't what we want," he said in a soft voice.
"Isn't it? You leave all the time. Why is this time going to be any different to any other? You'll go your way, and I'll go mine. Just like last time."
"It won't be like last time Bella. If I go now, this will be much worse."
"I don't see how. The end result is the same isn't it? You go. I stay. That's life."
They stood in the room staring at each other. Tears of rage and frustration in their eyes. How could a day so right, end up so wrong?
He stood staring helplessly at her, as Bella stared back. She angrily raised a hand to dash away the tears on her cheeks.
"Bella ..." Edward reached for her, his throat aching.
"Leave it Edward. Just … leave it."
And he did.
Edward looked around the room, feeling helpless, then he turned and left the room. The sound of the apartment door clicking shut sounded loud in the sudden silence.
o * o * o * o *
Bella drew in a shuddering breath, and then doubled over, wrapping her arms around herself and keening at the sudden pain his absence had caused.
What the fuck had she done?
Her mouth opened and closed, but no sound came out. She looked at the desk, the pages that Edward had read and praised her with glowing eyes were still sitting there. Just paper. Just words on paper. How the hell had they been the catalyst for this sudden disaster?
She stood up and ran shaky hands through her hair, and then stumbled towards the bedroom.
As soon as she entered the room however, she clapped a hand over her mouth to stifle the sob that rose in her throat. She could still smell the morning they had spent in bed. The sheets and blankets were still twisted and kicked aside, a pillow had been thrown to the floor. Twisted cotton detritus from the hours they had held each other while they laughed and loved.
Moving on instinct, she headed into the bathroom, slowly peeling off her clothes and stepping into the shower, flinching as the cold blast from the shower hit her body. She stood shivering as she adjusted the water temperature, then slowly turned around under the spray, closing her eyes as the warm water hit her face and ran over her body. She stood there for a long time, letting the water soothe her, as she stared blindly at the tiles in front of her. Eventually, she sank to the floor, hugging her knees and beginning to weep quietly.
She had brought this entirely on herself.
She knew she had acted out, and now was reaping the self fulfilling prophecy that she had sown.
It had all gone too far.
What had she done?
o * o * o * o *
Edward left the apartment and walked. He had no idea where he was going, he just kept going. He reached into his shirt pocket and pulled out his sunglasses, slipped them on and kept walking, his head tucked into his chest.
What had just happened?
He had long ago accepted that his career had come at the cost of a normal life. Until now that had been enough for him. The adulation from his fans and critics had been validation enough whenever he finished a project, but now it had an empty, hollow feeling.
Until Bella.
She had swept into his life like a breath of fresh air, treating him like anyone else she knew. She had introduced him to her friends, cooked him dinner, included him in her life without a moment's pause.
And what had he done? Introduced her to his brother and sister-in-law, and then left the country, leaving her to fend for herself with the media.
He wanted normal. He needed normal.
He wanted Bella.
But what could he possibly offer in return?
o * o * o * o *
Bella sat under the shower spray, her mind drifting over the argument.
Edward had left.
He had said he'd never hurt her, but then he had left.
Still, she had told him that he would, and then she told him to leave.
And he had.
Why had she said those things?
She ran through the conversation again.
"You're scared so you're going to be pre-emptive so that you can push me away first? That's bullshit."
He had a point.
o * o * o * o *
Edward kept walking.
"No you stop Edward. You stop it. You're doing exactly what you said you wouldn't. You're hurting me. You said you wouldn't and you are. And you'll leave, just like I said you would."
She had a point.
o * o * o * o *
Bella stood up, pushing at the hair that had plastered itself to her face.
"Bella, don't do this. This isn't us. This isn't what we want."
What did she want?
o * o * o * o *
"You leave all the time. Why is this time going to be any different to any other? You'll go your way, and I'll go mine. Just like last time."
He didn't want to leave. He had never wanted to leave. And yet she had told him that he would.
And he had.
But what did he want?
"We've never promised each other that we'd stay."
He stopped in his tracks as her words ran through his mind. She was right. All their conversations, all their emails. Neither of them had truly said what they wanted. No promises had been kept, but assumptions had been made.
"If I ever let myself love you, it'll be all the way, it'll be forever, and I'm too goddamn scared to do that. It already hurts a little bit just thinking that if I let myself-"
Then it hit him.
She was just as scared as he was.
o * o * o * o *
She turned off the water and got out of the shower, feeling totally waterlogged. She wrapped herself in a towel and sank down to sit on the floor. Her mind racing.
"You think you've got exclusive rights on heartbreak? Where do I stand in this equation, or is it going to be all about you?"
That's where it had started. She had opened her mouth, and her toxic insecurities and spilled out, poisoning everything in the room.
What option did he have but to retaliate?
"You go off on tour with a band for chrissakes, tell me that the lead singer is a terrible flirt and I'm supposed to smile and be okay with all that. But when I go overseas filming it's a different story? "
He was just as scared as she was.
o * o * o * o *
Edward turned and began to slowly retrace his steps, his mind still churning.
He'd had a taste of a normal life with Bella.
A real life beyond the reel.
And then she had turned tail and run away. Not from his fame. Not from him. She had run from the idea of him, and what they could have together. The prospect of making herself vulnerable had been terrifying to her, and so she had pushed him away.
And he had let her.
He picked up the pace.
o * o * o * o *
Oh god, what had she done?
She'd found a man who gazed at her with adoration, but she had never been able to tell him how she truly felt. It had taken copious amounts of alcohol to even be able to admit it to her girlfriends, and yet had she been able to tell the one person who needed to hear the most?
No, she'd kept silent.
Her throat felt tight, and ached with unshed tears. The conversation had gone too far.
How was she going to fix this?
She'd told him to get out, and he'd gone.
She had to get him back.
o * o * o * o *
There was a burning ache in his chest.
He knew what he wanted.
He wanted Bella.
Now he just had to convince her.
He started to run.
o * o * o * o *
She got up and dried herself off, and mechanically dressed herself again. Underwear, a clean t-shirt, her soft and faded jeans. Bare feet.
She had no idea where he would have gone.
Then she heard the knock at the door.
o * o * o * o *
Panting, Edward leaned against the wall and knocked on her door. Quietly at first, and then louder.
Was she still at home?
He waited.
o * o * o * o *
Bella crept towards the door, her heart in her mouth.
The knocking sounded again.
She slowly opened the door.
o * o * o * o *
Edward straightened as he heard the lock click, and then the door slowly swung open.
Bella stood there, her face scrubbed bare, wet tangled hair hanging around her shoulders.
Edward gulped and caught his breath as they started at each other.
They both moved at the same time.
Without a word, they simply stepped forward and wrapped themselves in each other's embrace. Bella didn't make a sound, but he felt her shoulders shaking, and the warmth of her tears soaking through his t-shirt onto his chest. He bent and scooped her up into his arms and carried her inside, kicking the door closed behind them.
He carried her into the living room, and sat on the sofa, cradling her against his chest as she clung to him. He buried his face against her neck and inhaled her scent, his throat working against the tears that were building.
When her tears began to subside, he lifted a hand to brush her hair away from her eyes, and gently ran a finger under her eyes, tracing away the moisture. Her lip trembled, matching the quiver he felt in his own.
"Hey," he croaked, "hey now."
She hiccupped, making them both smile.
"Oh Edward," she whispered at last. "I don't know what the hell I'm doing."
"Neither do I, but I hope we can learn together."
Bella fisted her hands in his t-shirt, as she struggled to sit up straighter.
"Edward, those things that I said … I was out of line, and it was my insecurities talking."
Edward sighed, and leaned his forehead against hers.
"You think what I said was any better?"
"I just … when I saw you reading my writing I felt … exposed. Raw, I guess. I just didn't know what to do, so I lashed out."
"And how," Edward added with a wry smile, "But I held my own in that department."
"Yeah," she whispered.
"So," he said.
"So," she prompted.
"Here we are."
"Yup."
Edward took a deep breath, and settled her more comfortably on his lap, lacing his fingers together around her hips and pulling her closer. He looked deeply into her eyes, holding her gaze so that she would have no doubt about the sincerity of his words.
"Bella, it's not meant to be like this. We're not meant to be like this. I don't know what the hell I'm doing half the time, but I know this much. I'm here with you because you're the one thing in my life I'm not prepared to let go of."
He paused and took another deep breath.
Bella's gave never wavered.
"I love you. I'm not perfect, and I can't promise to never be a dumbass, but I'm yours. If you'll have me," he paused, "for keeps."
Bella bit her lip and nodded, her eyes filling with tears again, and she ducked her head against his chest.
"Hey," Edward put a finger under her chin and raised her gaze to his. "No hiding," he leaned forward and kissed her softly, his heart thumping with fear.
"Edward, I …" Bella choked and started again. "it all feels right with you, and I know I can say those three words to you and you'll keep them safe."
"Always," he agreed.
She leaned forward slightly, reaching up to cup his face in her hands.
"I love you, Edward Cullen, with all my heart," she breathed, as she kissed him.
The kiss was tender and sweet, as they cherished each other with their lips.
When they finally came up for air, Bella nestled her head against his chest. Edward rubbed his hands over her back, pulling her closer still. His heart was pounding, feeling as if it wanted to burst out of his chest. Relief bubbled through his veins, expanding in his chest until he felt he would explode from the joy of it all.
She had chosen him.
"You know," he observed after a long moment of silence, "you managed to stack the odds in your favour pretty substantially."
"Huh?" Bella had been tracing her finger in spiral patterns on Edward's chest, almost mindless with relief and bliss. She looked at him in puzzlement, "how?"
"Your cupcakes. I don't know of anyone that could resist those. I think you had an unfair advantage there, Swan."
"Well," Bella smiled, snuggling into his chest again, "no-one had said we had to play fair."
o * o * o * o *
They sat, entwined in each other's arms for a long time, both of them seeming to fall into a light doze, punctuated now and then with soft kisses.
Eventually Bella stirred, and looked across the room at the bags of groceries that Edward had carried inside earlier that morning. It felt like a lifetime ago now.
"The ice-cream has probably melted," she commented, looking regretfully at the bags.
"Can we re-freeze it?"
Bella wrinkled her nose, "I'm not sure, I don't think it'd be the same."
"Okay, we'll go get some more," Edward patted her bottom, and she obligingly wriggled off his lap, standing up and reading out a hand to pull him to his feet. He dropped a kiss on her upturned face. "What say we start the day over and hit the shops again?"
"I think that sounds good," Bella agreed, "just let me go wash my face."
Edward reached out and traced a finger under her eyes, and she offered him a tentative smile before walking towards the bathroom. He smiled as he heard the water running, and the splashing noises of Bella's ablutions. He puffed out a sigh of relief. He felt wrung out and exhausted, yet exhilarated at the same time.
They'd done it.
They had finally told each other how they felt, and they were still together.
It wasn't going to be easy, but the important thing was that they were together.
o * o * o * o *
Bella glanced at her reflection and grimaced. Her face was blotchy and red from crying, but her eyes were peaceful. She felt exhausted, but optimistic. She peeked out of the bathroom, and could glimpse Edward's profile.
He was so beautiful, and he had chosen her. She shook her head in wonder at it all, and hugged herself quickly, then shook her head at her foolishness.
She padded into the bedroom and grabbed some socks, pulled them on and then put on her favourite Chucks sneakers, picked up her bag and went back out to the living room. Edward glanced over as he heard her approach, and her heart turned over as he flashed her a winning smile.
"Ready?" he said, extending a hand.
"I'm ready for anything," she answered, as she took his hand, and he led her through the door and into the world outside.
o * o * o * o *
They made their way back to the Market, and Edward draped his arm around Bella's shoulders as they walked up and down the aisles, neither one wanting to be out of contact with the other. Bella picked up a few more items that she had forgotten, and then they headed towards the dairy section to check out the ice-cream.
"Are you feeling very hungry?" Edward commented as Bella stared at all the different flavours.
"Not particularly," she answered, glancing up at him. "But there's always room for ice cream."
"And cupcakes," he agreed.
Bella grinned at him, and then sucked in her breath as an idea hit her.
"I've just had an idea," she said, her eyes gleaming, "if you want to get Emmett back."
"If you're talking revenge, I have no idea what you're thinking but I love it already."
"I was hoping you'd say that," she twinkled, "go get a basket, there are a few more things I need."
"Yes ma'am," he smiled, and went to get one.
Bella watched him walk away, admiring the view.
o * o * o * o *
Rosalie was sitting in the kitchen, enjoying a cup of Chai and flicking through a trashy magazine when Emmett sauntered in. He dropped a kiss on her head and headed towards the freezer.
"Have you heard from Edward?" Rosalie asked.
"Not since he replied to our photo email. I think we've got him stumped," Emmett grinned. He snapped open the container and took out a cupcake. "Good times," he muttered happily under his breath, and then stopped. How many cupcakes had there been when he took one this morning? Six? He could have sworn there were six. Now there were only three left. He shot a glance at his wife, who gave him an innocent gaze as she sipped her drink.
o * o * o * o *
Bella opened the oven door, blinking as the warm air rushed into her face, and slid in the baking tray. She closed the door, and then flicked on the oven light. Edward appeared behind her so quietly that she yipped in surprise as his arms slid around her, moving up to cup her breasts through her t-shirt.
"What are you, a kitchen ninja?"
"When it comes to checking up on you, I'll be whatever you want," he replied, nibbling on her neck.
Bella let her head fall back against his chest, tilting slightly to give him better access. Edward's hands gently cupped and caressed her breasts, before sliding back down her sides to pull her hips against his. She sighed slightly as she felt him, hard and firm against her. She reached up blindly, to tangle her hands in his hair and pull his face towards her for a kiss. Their tongues danced together, and she bit gently on his bottom lip, making him growl, as he pushed forward, trapping her between the warm oven and the heat of his body.
"Hot," she whispered.
"You sure are," Edward muttered back, running one hand between her thighs, and cupping a breast again with the other.
"No, honey … the oven," Bella said.
Edward muttered a curse as he moved, and Bella had to stifle a giggle as he pinned her against the kitchen bench.
"Oh, so you think I'm funny, huh?"
"Uh-uh," Bella whimpered as he sucked at her earlobe, before trailing his tongue lightly down her neck. God he knew exactly what to do to reduce her to a mindless wreck. "Not at all," she squirmed against him, making him groan again as she turned in his arms, her hips brushing against him.
She raised her face for another kiss, and gave a gasp of surprise as he picked her up and seated her on the kitchen bench in one smooth gesture. Her bottom had barely touched the bench before he grabbed her hips and hauled her forward, parting her legs so that he could stand between them. She eagerly wrapped her legs around his hips, and pulled him close for a kiss.
"How long have we got?" Edward said, sounding breathless.
Bella shot a quick glance at the digital clock on the oven.
"Tw- oh god that feels good, twenty minutes," she stuttered, her eyes all but rolling back in her head as Edward ran his hands under the back of her t-shirt, unclasping her bra.
"Good," he muttered, thumbing her sensitive peaks before taking one in his mouth. Bella clasped his head to her chest, wriggling impatiently against his hips, seeking the friction that would lead to release.
"Shouldn't we take this to the bedroom?" she ventured, her heart thumping as Edward flickered his tongue against her collarbone.
Clothes. They were wearing too many clothes.
"And risk spoiling our revenge? I don't think so," he said in mock outrage, then gave her a slow, simmering look. "Besides, I think you're fine right where you are."
"Oh, but I … Oh!" Bella squealed as Edward popped the button on her jeans, and pulled the zipper open. He slid his hands under her bottom and lifted her slightly, helping her wriggle her jeans over her hips, before stepping back and pulling them all the way off her legs. He discarded them in a careless heap on the floor and stepped back into her embrace.
Bella rubbed her legs around and over his hips, urging him closer still, reaching down to fumble with his jeans, making him chuff with laughter.
"Feeling a bit impatient are we?"
"Cut the small talk Cullen," Bella panted, biting her lip in concentration, "and just get … them … off."
Edward's quiet laugh turned into a groan as Bella succeeded in undoing his jeans, and snaked her hand inside to cup him in her warm hand.
"God, that feels," he gritted his teeth, trying to prolong the moment, "so good."
"Good is for amateurs," Bella replied as she squirmed against him, "I'm sure we can do better than that."
"Yes … ma'am," Edward gasped, as she pulled him down for another kiss.
He ran his hands up her thighs, dipping his fingers into her waiting warmth and hearing her whimper into his mouth. She pulled her face away slightly, her cheeks flushed and pupils dilated as she pulled at the waistband of her panties.
"Edward, help .. get these damn things .."
Without a word, he sank his fingers into the flimsy fabric and yanked, making Bella shriek again as the small garment was forcibly torn off her body.
"Something like that?" he said as he sucked the delicate flesh behind her ear.
"Exactly," she agreed.
"Bella, I need you now," he said.
"Be sweet," she whispered back.
"I don't know that I can," he rested his forehead between her breasts, "I want you so badly, the sweetness can come later."
"We've got plenty of time," she agreed, as he lined himself up against her, both held their breath as he slid into her slippery cleft.
"God," Edward closed his eyes and nearly fell against her. She felt so good. The emotional rollercoaster than had dipped so sharply that morning, was now climbing back up, racing them towards a dizzying peak.
Edward began to thrust and rock into her, and Bella covered every bit of him that she could reach with kisses. He grabbed her smooth, round bottom in his hands, groaning as she shifted to encourage him, pulling him deeper inside her.
He felt the familiar heat began to gather low within him, before starting to roar through his veins.
Bella whimpered as she felt the coiling warmth low in her belly, spiralling tighter and tighter, ready to explode.
Edward opened his eyes, and gazed at Bella, feeling the rush begin to flow through him, every cell in his body chanting this one, This One, THIS ONE.
Bella cupped his face in her hands, her lips quivering as her release began to shiver through her, feeling her body spasm around him, the whispering rush in her body saying this one, This One, THIS ONE.
They both cried out as their release swept through them.
And the cupcakes turned out just fine.
o * o * o * o *
"Hold it Cullen, if you want these things to turn out properly you'll keep your smokin' ass on the other side of the counter," Bella said, not evening looking up as she carefully piped on some frosting.
"Smokin' huh? I think I like the sound of that," Edward commented as he leaned over the counter to drop a quick kiss on the top of her head.
He watched her work, admiring the attention she gave each cupcake, before slowly and quietly reaching over to dip his finger into the frosting bowl.
"I saw that," she added.
"Aw c'mon, you can't blame me," he protested.
Bella shot him a quick grin and kept working, shaking her head.
"I let you lick the beaters, but you can't have anymore until I've finished this lot."
"Fine," he huffed.
The kitchen was silent as Bella kept piping on the frosting. Eventually she straightened with a sigh, and rolled her shoulders to release the tension.
"Okay, and I think we're nearly done apart from the sprinkles."
"Ohh, can I do that bit?" Edward said, his eyes bright with anticipation.
Bella sighed as she reached out to ruffle his hair. "I swear it's like you're 12 years old sometimes."
"What can I say? Cupcakes bring out the kid in me," he answered.
"Alright, well you can finish them up, and then I'll get the camera." Bella smiled as Edward all but scampered to get the sprinkles, and then stood over the trays, his forehead creased in concentration as he decorated.
"You know," she mused after a moment, "I never would have thought that after all we've gone through today, your last night in town would end up in a bake-off."
"Guess that's life, unpredictable at the best of times." Edward finished the last cupcake with a flourish, and turned to face her, dusting his hands off, and then reaching out to pull her towards him. "It's not always good, but as long as we're together we can take on anything, deal?"
"Deal," she smiled.
"Now, it's time for revenge," Edward said gleefully.
"Whoops, I nearly forgot the camera, back in a sec," and she went into the bedroom.
Edward watched her go, marvelling at the day's events. Their argument had been agony, and yet since their mutual declaration of love and devotion, the pair of them had been giddy with relief. Finally being able to admit how they felt to each other had been a liberating experience, and Edward had to stop from grinning like an idiot all afternoon.
"Happy attack," he murmured to himself, smiling at Emmett's phrase.
"What's that?" Bella had returned.
"Nothing, just thinking about happy attacks," he answered, and at Bella's mystified expression, went on to explain the phrase to her.
"I like it," she said at last, "it's such an Emmett thing to say." She looked at the kitchen bench and then back at Edward. "So, how did you want to set this up?"
"Your original idea is still my favourite," he replied.
"Right, let's do it."
o * o * o * o *
Later that night, Bella looked up as she heard Edward fossicking in the kitchen.
"I don't believe it, you're eating another one?"
"Mmits mot my fault," he said, or at least tried to. He chewed and swallowed and tried again. "If you didn't make them so damn good, Em and I wouldn't have gone to war over them in the first place."
"So it's all my fault?" Bella said, smiling up at him as he came and made himself comfortable on the sofa beside her.
"Yup, and I couldn't be happier about it," he replied. He turned and stretched out on the sofa, with his head in her lap.
Bella picked up the remote and started the movie, then began to run her hands through Edward's hair. He all but purred with contentment, rolling onto his side and reaching down to rub his hands up and down Bella's calves.
"What're we watching?" he said after a long contented moment.
"I have no idea," Bella said drowsily.
Edward opened his eyes and looked at the screen. Bruce Willis. Die Hard?
"You want to go to bed?"
"Yep."
They slowly got up, and Edward followed Bella around the apartment, stopping and kissing her whenever she stopped to switch off lights, and cleared the kitchen bench. Finally they stood in the bedroom doorway, and Bella flicked off the light, leaving them both in darkness. Edward reached out, feeling his way until his hand brushed against her face. As his eyes adjusted, he saw her smile as he put his hand on the nape of her neck and pulled her towards him for a kiss.
Bella smiled as she saw Edward's hand reaching towards her, all but shivering with delight as his warm, dry hand cupped her head and his lips brushed against hers. She stepped into his embrace, and allowed herself to be led towards the bed.
Edward undressed her slowly, as if savouring every moment, kissing her body as it was exposed under his loving gaze. Bella returned the favour, and the two of them crawled into bed and snuggled into each other's embrace.
Bella gloried in the feel of her breasts brushing against Edward's naked chest, and she nuzzled his neck, nipping gently and moving her tongue over his skin in swirling patterns.
"I love you so much, Bella."
"And I love you, Edward."
And thus content, they slept.
o * o * o * o *
"Honey!" Rosalie hollered, and then sighed. "Oh who am I kidding?" she put her fingers in her mouth and whistled, then cocked her head as she heard a faint 'Be right there Babe!' from the backyard.
A few moments later, Emmett strolled into the living room, where Rosalie was ensconced on the sofa with the laptop on, and a movie playing on the big screen TV.
"Whassup?"
"You got mail," she answered, handing him the laptop.
Emmett sat down on the sofa, and Rosalie crawled over so that she was curled up beside him, reading over his shoulder.
"You haven't opened it?"
"Nope, I wanted to see it at the same time you did," she replied.
To: Emmett Cullen
From: Edward Cullen
Subject: RE: GAME ON
You tried, but I still win.
Suck on THAT.
Edward
PS. Love to Rose.
"There's a photo attached," added Rosalie.
Emmett clicked on the attachment, and they both leaned towards the screen as it opened, and then both exploded with laughter.
The photo was simple. Bella's kitchen bench had been cleared, and there were about 30 cupcakes, each one beautifully decorated, arranged to spell out the words 'MINE ALL MINE'.
o * o * o * o *