End of Chapter 29

They were invited over to the Hales tomorrow, as well, and we all decided to pile in and ride over together. Charlie went to get up, and Sue waved at him to stay where he was sitting. She walked over to him, and said something quietly to him that made him blush, and then he took her face in his hands and kissed her tenderly. Leah put her arm around my waist, and rested her head on my shoulder.

"That sight makes me smile," she said.

"Me too," I agreed, putting my arm around her, and we walked to the door.

Chapter 30: Peaceful, Easy Feeling (BPOV)

Monday at school flew by, as we were all anxious for this evening and watching the game at the Hales. Edward whined at me at lunch begging to come over after school, but I told him that I had stuff to make to bring to the Hales, and he would just be a distraction. He swore he wouldn't, but he was breathing on and kissing my neck as he said it, which only proved my point. Edward continued to try to persuade me with smoldering glances and casual touches in biology, which I tried to glare through, but I just couldn't resist him, and simply smiled at him instead shaking my head and mouthing 'no'. When school let out, Edward was leaning against the side of my truck pouting.

"Come on, baby," he said pulling me into his arms as I snuggled into his chest. "I promise I'll behave. I'll even help."

"Edward, we are going to see each other in just two more hours," I said looking up at him. "Be a good boy and go home and do your homework, because we'll be out late tonight…and don't growl at me!"

"Okay. Okay," he ceded, kissing the top of my head. "But one last thing."

"What is…," but before I could finish, Edward pulled me in for a searing kiss.

His hands were plunged deep into my hair, and his long fingers wrapped around the back of my head from their depths. He backed me up and pressed my body against my truck, and I moaned at the feeling of him against me. It was then that he broke the kiss, and walked away; leaving me dazed.

"See you in a few hours," he called out from the driver's side of his car, winking as he opened it. "Have fun cooking."

He had climbed in and started to pull away before I even got my senses about me enough to get into my own vehicle. I stared stupidly ahead as I drove home, my lips and body still on fire from the kiss he gave me. I tried to concentrate on cooking, and almost put flour, instead of sugar, in my iced tea when I got home. Luckily the queso I made came out perfectly, or I would have never heard the end of it.

Charlie and I piled into my truck, with my queso strapped between us. We arrived around six, and everyone else was already there. The Whitlocks were providing a dinner buffet. I walked around to Charlie's side of the car to help him out, in the guise of coming around to get the queso, so I didn't bump it on the steering wheel and spill it. He only winced slightly as he turned, and slid from the truck, playing off a hold on my shoulder as a pat.

Mrs. Whitlock greeted us at the front door. I was stunned for a brief moment when I noticed her in a Texas sweater and jeans. She usually wore meticulous dresses or skirt suits.

"Welcome," she said waving us in. "Bella, honey, I told you that you didn't have to make anything."

"I know, ma'am, but it just wouldn't feel right if I didn't," I said smiling at her. She hugged me, and started to lead me towards the dining room, where the food was. "Charlie, everyone else is in the family room, but you can follow us and make a plate first before joining them."

When we turned the corner, I thought Charlie just might cry. There laid out on several tables were ribs, corn on the cob, hamburgers, hotdogs, potato salad, veggie trays, dips, chips, and one whole table dedicated to desserts. After setting down my queso where Mrs. Whitlock directed me, I shoved a plate into Charlie's frozen, wide-eyed body, laughing.

"Charlie, I don't know what Dr. Cullen's dietary orders are for you, but there is beer in the blue cooler. Bella, honey, the pop is in the red cooler," Mrs. Whitlock pointed out and then busied herself checking on the various foods around the table.

As Charlie and I loaded up our plates, I felt two arms snake around my waist.

"Hello there, beautiful," Edward voice said softly, as he kissed the top of my head. "Chief Swan, sir."

"Edward," Charlie said curtly eyeing Edward's arms around me. Edward dropped his arms, and took a step to my side giving Charlie a sheepish smile.

"Charlie!" Carlisle called out coming into the room and clapping him on the back. "Glad you guys could make it."

He reached into the blue cooler grabbing two beers, smiling at Charlie and nodding towards the family room.

"Come on, Charlie," Carlisle said walking away. "I saved you a seat."

They walked away, and Edward reached out placing my plate on the table. I looked up into his face as he leaned down and kissed me long and slow.

"How was your distraction free afternoon?" He said with a smirk. I hit him in the chest.

"You are in trouble for that move earlier," I said poking him playfully in the chest.

"I certainly hope so," he said winking before walking over to the cooler and pulling out a Dr. Pepper for each of us.

When we got to the family room, I found a seat between Edward and Jasper on one of the couches. Alice was sitting at Jasper's feet.

"So, we all know who Jasper is taking in the game," I said. "Who does everyone else think is going to take this?"

"Do I hear the faint hint of a bet in the air?" Emmett asked. "I'm going to have to go with J on this one, B."

"I don't know," I say finishing a bite of my burger. "I think OSU might take this, and I would love to drive the jeep again."

"No way!" Emmett boomed. "The jeep is going no where near your bets again!"

Everyone stifled laughs at this.

"So what are you thinking, darlin'?" Jasper asked turning towards me.

"I think you, my dear Jasper, shall don scarlet and gray for the next week, if you lose," I say with a smile. Jasper winced, and then thought.

"And you, Bella, shall go to prom with Edward in the spring after shopping for your dress with Alice," he said with a smirk. My mouth gaped open.

I exhaled loudly and slowly raised my hand, which Jasper shook and winked at me.

"Hook 'em Horns!" He hollered.

The first half was very exciting and I enjoyed picking on Jasper as OSU took the early lead, and went into the half ahead 6-3. We decided that we needed to burn off all the food we had been eating, and went out to play a game of touch football in the backyard at halftime. We played five-on-five as Charlie, Sue, and Mrs. Whitlock watched from the deck. It was the Cullens and I versus the Whitlocks and Clearwaters.

I watched with a smile as Edward and Emmett would bump chests whenever we scored, and was pleasantly surprised by Alice's ability. She was tiny, but very fast. I often looked over to see Rosalie and Leah arm in arm laughing after one of their plays. They were quickly becoming good friends, and I was content in looking at my extended family enjoying each other and the day. In the end, our team emerged victorious as the game was called to a halt when Charlie informed us the second half was starting soon.

During the second half, the men went into the den to watch the game; the kids watched in the family room. Esme, Mrs. Hale, and Sue were in the kitchen discussing some of the things going on around town. They were all talking about improvements to the library this summer. They were all on the committee, and talked animatedly about fundraisers.

Alice and Leah sat on one of the couches in the family room with Rosalie and I at their feet, as Leah was teaching Alice how to braid.

"Cross and around," Leah instructed; showing Alice on Rosalie's hair, as Alice tried to duplicate it on mine. I hoped as I watched the game that she wasn't tying my hair in knots. I looked up to see Edward trying to slyly glance our way, and failing miserably at hiding his smile. Glaring at him, he just smiled widely and winked.

I reached out then for my plate of food that was sitting on the coffee table in front of me. I was almost there, but was brought up short by the fact that my hair was in Alice's clutches. Edward saw my attempt, and got up, walking over to where I was sitting on the floor. He sat down next to me, reaching over to grab my plate. He reached down and picked up one of the black olives off of my plate and popped it in his mouth smiling at me as he chewed.

"You are a jerk. You know this right," I said stuck fixated on his mouth, watching as he picked up another olive and wrapped his tongue around it, pulling it past his perfect lips.

"Want some?" He asked with a wicked smirk on his face.

"You know I do," I said our eyes locked, as he picked up another olive, and reached out putting it slowly in my mouth. "Thank-you."

"You're welcome," he said, the tone of his voice sounding lower than usual.

"Hold still, Bella," Alice warned tugging on my hair and bringing us out of our bubble.

With a few more tugs, Alice declared me done. I glanced up at Leah from over my shoulder and she could barely contain her smirk.

"Solid first effort, Alice," Leah said coughing slightly. "Evenness comes with practice."

I reached up then to feel the back of my head, and could feel bumps and variance in size of the different pieces. I forced a smile on my face, and thanked Alice. The glowing smile she gave me in return was worth whatever crazy state my hair was in at the moment. She bounded off to land in Japser's lap exited about her efforts. He just kissed her, and wrapped his arms around her, gently rubbing her back as he watched the game.

I reached up behind me, and pulled a cushion off the couch, and set it in my lap. Pulling on Edward's shirtsleeve, I tugged him down nodding towards the pillow in my lap. He grinned widely, and lay down with his head in my lap. I ran my fingers through Edward's hair seeing how many directions I could get it to stand out, as we watched the game and yelled at the excitement. It came down to the wire, and Jasper flopped Alice to the floor when he leapt from his seat when the Longhorns scored in the final moments to take the game.

We all laughed, and I excused myself as I went to the bathroom. When I came out, Edward was standing outside of the door. With a quick glance down the hallway, Edward turned and pressed my body into the wall behind me, and bent down to claim a passionate kiss. I wrapped my arms around his neck, and could feel every inch of him pressed against me. A small sigh escaped into his mouth as I felt his long fingers find purchase on the exposed skin on my lower back. Just as my body began to ache for this boy in front of me, I heard Charlie call my name.

"Bells, time to go. School night," Charlie called.

"You better go," Edward said slightly panting resting his forehead against mine.

"Yes, before he come looking for me," I said, making Edward's head snap towards the open end of the hallway. I giggled.

"You are evil," he said bending down to kiss me softly, once more, and taking his time releasing my lip from its place between his.

"I'll see you tomorrow," I said softly.

I was quiet on the drive home, and went straight to bed when we arrived, for it was after midnight, and I had school in the morning. That night, as I layed in bed trying to fall asleep, my mind drifted to Edward, as it often did. I thought about the kisses he had given me, and I felt something inside of me shift. I felt something stirring and coming to life. A new curiosity. A new desire that I had never experienced before.

Edward and I, up to this point, had done nothing more than kiss. Those kisses, as of late, were becoming more passionate, and my love for Edward was beginning to burn. I realized lying there in my bed that I wanted more of him. I knew that Edward wanted that to, from what I felt when he pressed into me today. The idea of a gradual progression no longer made me nervous, but excited. I couldn't wait until tomorrow.

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A/N: Real life has been rough. Spent two days at the hospital with my kid, because she stuck a broken off piece of plastic tiara up her nose. ::headdesk:: Thanks for your patience!

Also, we are BPOV again this chapter, because I had it halfway done before I realized I should have been writing in EPOV. ::sigh:: Sorry.

Don't forget to try your hand at a one-shot for the "Love for the Unloved" contest! Deadline is Sept. 27th!

http://www(DOT)fanfiction(DOT)net/~lovefortheunloved

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