End of Chapter 20
We eventually have to come up for air, and we part panting and pecking and remaining close. When we part, her eyes show the promise of commitment and togetherness. She wants me as I want her. She will care for my heart, as I will fiercely protect hers. I smile at her then, and say the only thing that comes to mind.
"Welcome home."
Chapter 21: Absolute Beginners (BPOV)
I spent the whole rest of the drive home to Forks clutching Edward's hand and a big, stupid smile on my face. I would have been embarrassed, if it weren't for the fact that Edward's expression mirrored my own. Edward kissed me. I kissed Edward. It wasn't like any other kiss I had before. I felt his kiss from my hair follicles down to my toes. His kiss was a perfect blend of tenderness and passion. It was everything our first kiss should be. It was also an experience I was looking forward to repeating.
We spent most of the ride between Port Angeles and Forks, we sat in comfortable silence listening to Edward's iPod, holding hands, and stealing glances at each other. Our friendship was so strong at this point, that there was no awkwardness in this moment. There was no mystery about the boy who sat beside me. I knew his actions tonight came out of sincerity. I knew he kissed me because he felt the same mixture of excitement, and at the same time, serenity that I felt when I was with him. It just felt natural and right.
Before I knew it, we were pulling up in front of my house, and Edward put the car in park and turned off the engine. The energy in the car was almost palpable as I turned to face Edward. He smiled at me then, and reached out and took my face in his hands.
"Bella, I have been thinking about kissing you again since we got into this car."
His eyes danced between looking at my lips with desire, and looking into my eyes for permission. I smiled shyly at him and nodded. He returned my smile, and leaned forward across the consol until his lips met mine slow and sweet. My hands reached up and slid into his hair and I pulled him closer to me. We opened our mouths and welcomed each other in, tasting, and enjoying this new layer to our relationship. I broke up our kiss with a soft caress on his lips, slowing our dance into sweet stillness.
"Thank-you for tonight, Edward," I whispered trying to slow down my heart.
"Thank-you for saying yes."
"To the date?" I said with a laugh and a look asking him if he was crazy.
"To me," he said looking down at his hands.
"Edward," I said softly, running my fingers through the hair on the top of his head, because I could, "I was always going to say yes. When the weight of Charlie's world wasn't on my shoulders and I could breathe again, I was going to say yes."
He smiled at me then, and his long arms pulled me to him. He shifted suddenly and looked at the clock.
"I still have ten minutes until ten o'clock," he said then opening his door and walking around to my side, opening my door for me and holding out his hand. "Maybe if I have you back early, Charlie will let me do this again."
He winked at me as he helped me out of the car, and then popped the trunk so he could get my suitcase out. He carried the suitcase up to the door, and I opened it letting us inside.
"Dad, I'm home," I called out.
"In here, Bells," he called from the living room.
Edward set down my suitcase in the hall, and followed me into the living room.
"You kids have fun tonight?" Charlie asked with a knowing look.
"Yes," I said shooting Edward a grin. "We had Mexican food."
"You know what you are doing, don't you, kid," Charlie said smirking at Edward.
"I don't know about that, sir, but thank-you for letting take Bella out this evening," Edward said. Esme would be proud of his manners. "Well, I better be going. School in the morning."
"I'll walk you to the door," I said watching an emotion flit across Charlie's face I didn't quite recognize.
"Chief Swan," Edward said walking over to shake my Charlie's hand.
"Edward," Charlie offered in return. "Drive safe."
"I will, sir. Good night."
Edward turned and started walking to the door then, and I followed him. I opened the door, and he turned around to face me. I stepped forward and wrapped my arms around him, and he held me close laying his cheek on top of my head.
"Thanks for picking me up from the airport tonight, and dinner," I said looking up into his eyes.
"Anytime," he said brushing the hair from my face.
"Good night, Edward," I said softly.
"Good night," he repeated back before leaning in to give me one last soft kiss.
He squeezed me close one last moment, and then turned to walk out to his car. I stood in the doorway and waved as he backed out of the driveway, and watched as he drove off down the street. I shut the door then, and walked back in to my dad.
"So how was your date?" My dad asked trying to hide his smile at my discomfort.
"It was nice," I said kicking the bottom of his foot that was sticking out into the room on the footrest of his recliner. "Edward was a perfect gentleman."
"I'm not worried about that kid," he said waving me off. "He's a nice guy, and I wouldn't have said yes if I thought he wouldn't treat you right."
"So, how was your Thanksgiving…with Sue?" I asked, and now it was my turn to crook my eyebrow at him.
"It was good," he grumbled and shifted in his chair. "Leah and Seth were there, and my old friend Billy and his daughters and son. It was a nice time."
"Is that the only time you saw Sue while I was gone?" I asked leaning over the arm of the couch towards my dad smiling.
"Ummm…no…I…you must be tired after your long trip, and you have school in the morning, so you should head to bed," he stumbled.
"OK, dad," I relented. "I'll drop it."
I got up and walked over and kissed my dad on top of his head.
"Good night, Bells," he said. "I sure missed you, kid."
"I missed you too, dad."
I walked out and grabbed my suitcase and hulled it up the stairs to my room. Opening my suitcase, I sighed at the pile of laundry in front of me and decided that it could wait until tomorrow. I went in to the bathroom and washed my face, brushed my teeth, and headed off for bed. There was one more thing I needed to do, though before I went to bed. I reached over to my nightstand and picked up my phone, and quickly typed.
Good night, Edward. –B
Good night, sweet girl. –E
The next morning as I got ready for school, I was kind of nervous. What were people going to think about Edward and I? Were they going to think I wasn't good enough for Edward? I didn't let the doubt creep in often, because I knew Edward and I were intellectual equals, and had a lot in common otherwise, but we all have our insecurities. I stood firm in the thought that Edward chose me. Edward wanted to be with me.
I tried to find my way back into my morning routine, but Charlie was feeling much better, and required less of the "mothering" he accused me of. He was responsible about his medication and diet now, but I still made him breakfast before I left, just because I missed him and wanted to. I kissed him and was out the door, and into my truck headed to school.
When I got there, I parked next to Edward's Volvo. He was standing outside of it, leaning against the front fender. When he saw me pulling in, his face lit up in a smile, which I returned. I cut the engine, and by the time I grabbed my stuff, my door was being opened. I turned still seating on the bench seat and faced my lovely boyfriend. He stepped forward in between my legs, and his mouth found purchase on mine as his arms snaked around me pulling me close. He stepped away, and I started laughing softly.
"Well, good morning to you, too," I said.
"Good morning, beautiful," he returned, pushing a piece of hair behind my ear. "May I carry your bag for you?"
"Sir, you are a gentleman and a scholar," I said sliding out of the truck and handing him my bag. He laughed, and wrapped his free arm around me, and kissing my cheek.
It was walking across the courtyard then with Edward, that I realized that he had been trying to show me all along how he felt about me. I realized that no one stared at the sight of Edward's arm around me, because he always did that. He was always touching me in some small gesture. Edward, in his own small ways, had been expressing his feelings for me since the day after the slap heard round the world. I hung my head suddenly feeling very bad for being so wrapped up in myself.
I looked up and smiled at him then, determined to be more away of the boy standing next to me, and to be open to what he had to give. The feeling that he would take care of me emotionally was something I had no doubt about.
"What is that smile about?" He asked.
"I was just thinking how lucky I am," I said.
"How so?" He asked still perplexed.
"Lucky that you were forgiving. Lucky that you were patient. Lucky that you want me," I said leaning my head against his shoulder.
We had reached my locker now, and I exchanged my books for the ones I would need for the first half of the day.
"I've wanted you from the first conversation we had Bella, and there is no need to apologize for the past. It was all just a lack of communication, and I don't fault you for it. I understand why you couldn't or didn't feel like you could tell me. We are here now, and I couldn't be happier," he leaned over and softly kissed my lips. "Now, I better get moving. I will see you at lunch!"
He kissed me once more, and turned to take off down the hallway. I sighed and closed my locker and wandered into homeroom. The first few periods dragged, and I found myself daydreaming with thoughts of Edward. By the time I reached third period English class, I thought I was distracted, but that was until I saw Alice wavering in her chair. She reminded me of a blown up balloon someone was holding closed with their fingers. All it would take was one false move, and it would take off zipping and zooming around the room.
"Good morning, Alice," I said in a false calm.
"Oh Bella," she squealed and wrapped her arms around my neck. "I'm so happy for you both! This has been such a long time coming."
"I'm just starting to realize that," I said more to myself.
"So, now, you guys can go to the winter formal together!" She said clapping.
"Say what?" I asked.
"The winter dance! I'm on the committee, of course," she said.
"Of course," I muttered. "When is this night of embarrassment, Alice?"
"December 19th," she answered.
"Oh Alice, I don't I will be able to," I said trying to swallow down the lump that rose in my throat. "That is the day before Charlie's surgery."
"Oh," Alice said her face falling, not in disappointment, but understanding. "We'll just wait and see, then."
The thoughts of Charlie's looming surgery plagued my mind for the rest of the morning until lunch. The surgery was just three weeks away now. Surgery was often used in early detection cases, because if they could remove the organ, such as the prostate, or cut out the infected tissue, such as my dad, it help prevent the caner from spreading to other areas of the body and/or organ.
Carlisle had arranged for Charlie's surgery to be performed in Port Angeles, so I wouldn't have to make the drive to and from Seattle in order to visit Charlie, and they both refused for me to sleep in the waiting room. Carlisle and Esme had offered to have me stay with them while Charlie was in the hospital, so I wasn't alone at home. Charlie had graciously accepted, and I could see some of the weight lift off of his shoulders. I could tell this was something he had been anxious about.
I was walking towards lunch buried in making some notes for myself about some things I wanted to look up about Charlie's surgery in my iPhone. I was so intent, that I didn't notice Edward come up behind me and wrap his arms around me. I immediately was awash in contentment, and sighed, and leaned my head back against his chest. I could feel him glace over my shoulder to see what I was typing, and he hummed in understanding.
"Worrying about the surgery again, I see," he said still holding me as we got into line in the cafeteria.
"Just some questions I thought of," I said putting my phone away.
"Why don't you just ask my dad?" He asked.
"I don't want to bother him," I said shaking my head.
"Bella," he sighed, "my dad adores you and your questions. He said that he has never come across such an informed caretaker."
I laughed.
"That's my girl," he said grabbing a tray, and nodding for me to load it up with what I wanted. We worked our way through the line, and sat down at our table. This time, though, we were truly three pairs. I looked up to see Emmett staring at me with a big, stupid grin. I rolled my eyes. Here we go.
"So…," Emmett started. "Rumor has it someone was seen kissing someone else this morning."
Emmett winced and glared at Edward who was glaring back, and I assumed had just landed a blow to Emmett's shin.
"What the hell was that for?" Emmett asked rubbing his shin. "Bella knows I was just teasing. I think it's great man. It took you two long enough."
"Here, here," Rose muttered.
The rest of lunch was spent talking about everyone's Thanksgivings. Mostly, everyone listened to what I did, since most of them were here. They all thought it was funny that I did the Turkey Trot, and I listened to all the delicious foods that they ate here.
After lunch, Edward and I headed off to Biology together. We walked hand in hand and discussed favorite Christmas treats. We reached Biology to see the TV and DVD player set up in the front of the room. As we got settled, I whipped out my phone and made some quick notes to myself about some of Edward's favorite cookies, with the plan of making them for him.
Mr. Banner started class explaining that we were going to be watching an episode of Plant Earth every day until we got out for Winter Break, and were to write a paper about the habitat or one of the species we learned about that day. I smiled at that, because I loved this series. Edward returned my smile, and leaned over to me.
"I love this series," he whispered. I laughed quietly. "What?"
"I was just thinking the same thing," I said meeting his eyes to see his affection grow.
"Why does that not surprise me?" He asked rhetorically. I reached out and took his hand in mine under the lab table and looked him in the eyes.
"Because we were cut from the same stone," I whispered.
"That we were," he said as Mr. Banner cut the lights and started Pole to Pole. Most people would think that two teenagers on the verge of love would spend the hour making eyes at each other or trying to cop a feel under the table, but that just wasn't Edward and I. We kept our hands linked together, and we would trade brushes of thumbs against the back of the other's hand, but we both remained enraptured with the beautiful imagery and the fascinating creatures. There was time enough later to study the magnificent creature who was holding my hand.
After the hour was up, Edward walked me to gym, and kissed me good-bye saying he would meet me at the cars after school. I stood there and watched him walk away. He had such a grace about him. His long legs carried in a way in which his movements were like water, fluid and smooth. Once again, I stood in awe that this boy chose me. I took my clumsy ass into gym for another 40 minutes of torture.
Luckily, the rest of the day sped to a close, and I was practically running out the doors towards my truck. Edward was already standing there, leaning against his car. I walked right up to him, dropped my bag, and wrapped myself in his embrace.
"You just saw me an hour ago," he laughed into my hair.
"Yes, but I wasted so much time, Edward," I said into his chest.
"Then we will have to make-up for that, won't we," he said with a smirk.
"Let's start now," I said throwing my arms around Edward's neck and diving into a deep kiss.
"Enough of that, you two!" I heard Emmett shout. "You're in public for, God's sake!"
"I think he's jealous," Edward whispered against my lips.
"I think you are right," I said my lips still ghosting over his.
"Do you have time to go for a drive or something with me?" Edward asked.
"Sure," I said. "My homework load is light tonight. Let me drop my truck at home, and we can go."
"I'll meet you there," he said kissing me once more and releasing me.
I pulled into my driveway, and ran inside to drop off my book bag.
"Dad!" I yelled as I hurried into the door.
"Bells," my dad said blushing hurrying to put some distance between him and a slightly disheveled Sue. I tried to suppress a snicker.
"Um, dad, Edward wants to know if I can hang out for a bit. I'll be back in time for dinner?" I asked.
"Sure," he said clearing his throat. "That's fine. You kids have fun. Be safe."
"We will!" I said heading for the door. "See you later, Sue!"
Edward was waiting for me in the driveway when I came out of the door. I busted into laughter on the way to the car, and I could see the quizzical look on his face from through the windshield. He looked at me when I got in the car, and then drove off giving me time to calm down. Once I started catching my breath, his curiosity had been pushed to the limit.
"Are you going to tell me what you are laughing at?" He asked.
"I think I walked in on my dad and Sue making out!" I laughed again.
"You saw them kissing?" He asked in disbelief.
"Almost! Luckily I called out when I first walked in the door, but my dad was all blushing, and Sue's hair was a mess."
He joined me laughing then.
"So, where are we going?" I asked.
"A favorite spot of mine," he said.
"You're not going to tell me, are you," I stated, not asked.
"Not at all," he said winking.
We drove towards his house, but then drove past it a couple miles before he pulled off onto an old logging road and parked the car. He got out, and walked around and opened my door. He took my hand, and started down a path in the woods. We walked a few minutes, and right when I was about to ask where we were headed, the trees cleared, and a large flat rock jutted out from the path. Stretched out below us was the Sol Duc river and the tree covered banks. It was breathtaking.
"Edward, this is beautiful!" I whispered.
"I come here when I need to think," he said looking out at the expanse in front of us.
"What are you thinking about today?" I asked wrapping my left arm around his waist and snuggling close to him.
"I am thinking that there is something I want to tell you," he said looking at his feet.
"Edward?" I asked worried. "What is it?"
He turned to me then, and took my face in his hands.
"Bella, I love you," he said softly. My eyes went wide. "I know this seems soon, but I have loved you as my friend for months, and that night reading to you on my couch, I knew it was turning into so much more, for me, anyways."
"Edward," I started and decided to just let my emotions talk for me," that night started a shift for me, as well. I couldn't stop thinking about you, and then hearing you play the next day. I have never felt this way for anyone before, and wasn't sure what to call it, because it was so much more. But now that I have heard those words from your lips, that's what it is. I do love you, Edward."
He kissed me long and languidly. Our emotions manifested themselves in this dance of lips and souls with the sounds of nature as our soundtrack. We held each other and kissed some more, and time slipped by around us. Eventually, it was time for me to get home. Edward reluctantly drove me there, with those similar sentiments falling from our lips with our departure. I waved and walked into my house wrapped in this new emotion, this new era of my life. There were rough times ahead, but I was not going to be alone, and that gave me confidence to face what lay ahead.
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A/N: So this is the last update for two weeks, because I am on vacation/holiday for the next week. If you need a good rec to hold you over, check out my site: http://ejfanfic(dot)blogspot(dot)com I post the reviews I leave for everything I am reading there. Thanks for your patience while I am relaxing at the beach with my family!
I do read all the reviews you send me! Sorry that I don't get to respond to them all! But I thank each and every one of you who take the time to let me know how you like what I am doing. Your encouragement and support mean the world to me!
NOTE: Due to personal reasons, Black Sheep Fics has disbanded.
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