Deceptions

Bella sat at the kitchen table, a coffee cup in hand, and looked across at her best friend, Angela. It hadn't been that long since she had seen her, but it seemed like it had been forever.

"So is Mike working late tonight?" Angela asked cupping her coffee cup in her hands as she took a sip.

"I think so," Bella replied absentmindedly.

"You think so?" Angela asked her eyebrow rising in question.

"He is always working late, anymore. I've given up trying to figure out when he will get home," Bella let out a sigh before continuing "sometimes I don't even see him until he crawls into bed."

"And that doesn't bother you?" Angela asked setting her coffee cup down on the table her eyes intently focused on Bella.

Bella looked at her for a moment before casually shrugging her shoulders. "If I try and mention it he just brushes it aside saying that he is "working hard for our family." It made me feel guilty for asking him, so I stopped."

"You are either a really patient and loving wife," Angela stated "or you trust him way too much."

"What do you mean?" Bella asked softly.

"Well, how do you know he isn't having an affair?"

Bella looked at her friend for a moment in consideration before responding "that's really unlikely Ang."

"I'd be worried sick," Angela stated shrugging softly "but that is just me. How is the sex?"

Bella immediately thought of Edward and suddenly her face was aflame.

"Well it looks like you have nothing to worry about," Angela stated laughingly.

"Right," Bella replied turning her head to look out the patio window at the swing set in the backyard.

"Hey Ang, do you think you could watch Alice for an hour or so. I really needed to run to the store to pick something up and I just remembered. She is asleep and it would be such a hassle to pull her out of bed and dress her for such a quick trip."

"Sure, Bella." Angela replied smiling softly "Alice is always a little angel for me. Take your time."

"Thanks." Bella replied placing her mug in the sink and grabbing her cell phone.

"No problem." Angela called as she walked out the door.

--

"Hey it's me," she stated softly into her cell phone as she hopped into her car "can you meet me?"

"Hold on," he replied softly and she heard fabric moving and then talking.

"I'll be there in ten minutes." He stated and then she heard the dial tone.

--

She pulled up to the park, noticing that his car wasn't there and made her way over setting down on the swings and rocking back and forth. She leaned back for a moment and looked up at the moon, getting caught up in the beauty of it.

Bella was lost in her thoughts when he plopped down in the swing next to her and she turned sideways to look at him.

"Is everything ok?" Edward asked softly kicking off the ground and rocking back in forth as he continued to look at her.

"I don't know," Bella replied frowning slightly "how did you get away?"

"I told her that Jaspers car broke down and that he needed some help," Edward stated shrugging "if he needs to, I know that he will cover for me. You?"

"I told Angie I needed to run to the store." Bella replied softly "Then called you."

"What's the matter?" Edward asked digging his heels in so that he stopped and then hopping up walking over to stand in front of her. "What has got you so down?"

"I just needed to see you," Bella replied honestly as she looked away from his eyes "I'm sorry for pulling you away from her, I just felt like I couldn't breathe."

"It's not like that and you know it," Edward replied grabbing her face and turning her to look at him "and I missed you too."

He leaned in then and placed a subtle kiss on her lips and then her forehead. "Do you want to talk about it?"

"Not really," she replied softly letting out a sigh and leaning her head against the chain holding the swing up.

He picked her up and sat down in the swing, pulling her in his lap and leaning his head into her hair.

"How long do we have?" he asked breathing her in.

"An hour at the most," Bella replied leaning her head back onto his shoulder and letting out a deep sigh.

"Feel better?" he asked kissing the back of her head and wrapping his hands around her waist as he shifted on the swing.

"A bit," Bella replied truthfully turning her head to look at him and kissing him gently on the lips. "Thank you."

"My pleasure," he replied softly brushing her hair out of her face with his free hand before leaning in and kissing her deeply.

His free hand wrapped itself into her hair as his hand traced small circles on her stomach through her shirt.

"Are you sure you don't want to talk about it?" he stated pulling back and smirking at her for a moment.

A soft laugh escaped her lips and she wiggled her body around so that she was straddling him. "Shut up and kiss me."

"Gladly," he replied leaning in and kissing her.

"Bella," he murmured against her skin as he moved his lips to her neck.

"Hmm," she replied softly in pleasure as she titled her head back.

"I think I am falling in love with you."

Thanks to all of you who reviewed, or added to your alerts or favorites! Sorry I didn't update sooner, but I had a bit of a family emergency that kept me away from my computer for a few days. I have found two people who are going to be taking up beta duties for me, thanks to all of you who offered!