Disclaimer- Stephenie still owns the usual suspects.
I own my original characters and original story.

** This one parallels Chapter 42 of V&V 'Panty Droppers & Belly Dances'
Enjoy.

************************************LRM********************************

Chapter 42 - A Perfect Plan Comes Together

Sidney and I waited in the car while Alec went inside the airport to retrieve Alice and Jasper. I would have liked to have met them inside, but the paps always managed to make reunions uncomfortable.

After an eternity of waiting, they finally arrived at the car. I stepped out of the vehicle to give my sister a hug and shake Jasper's hand. The minute Sidney had the doors closed again, Alice began.

She gave me a dazzling smile and held out her hand in expectation of.. what?

She quirked an eyebrow, "Don't give me that innocent stare Edward. I want to see the ring."

I should have known.

Before going to the airport, Sidney and I had stopped off at Tiffany's to pick up Bella's ring. I sighed as I pulled it from my jacket pocket.

Alice snatched it away and opened the velvet box. "Edward" She gasped. "It's lovely." She said as she leaned toward Jasper, making sure he got a glimpse of it too.

Jasper gave me a knowing grin, while Alec's eyes bugged out of his head.

"Is that what I think it is Edward?" He asked.

"Yes Alec. I intend to propose to Bella when I return home from England."

He gave me an awed look and muttered "Dude".

Alice and Jasper laughed quietly.

Jasper needed to sleep, so we deposited him at the suite I'd reserved for them. It was located directly across the hall from mine, and next door to Sidney's room.

Alice had slept on the plane and was now too hyper to rest, so she decided to spend the afternoon with me. We spent the time in my sitting room, planning the sites we would visit the next day.

When it was time for supper, a well rested Jasper emerged from the suite and we all dined out together.

"So I hear Bella and Rose are going out with friends tonight?" Alice chirped.

"Yes." I sighed.

"Edward, tell me you were the supportive boyfriend and didn't give her a hard time about this."

"Yes, Alice."

"Good. We all know that girl needs to cut loose a little. From what Rose tells me, she's been quite the hermit for years." She said as she smirked at me.

She's not the only one.

"You're absolutely perfect for each other." Jasper laughed. Alice joined him. I scowled.

"Did you want to go clubbing with Jazz and me tonight?" She asked, already knowing the answer.

I shot her a glare.

"Okay, okay." She laughed. "Maybe another night."

Not likely.

I went to bed early, knowing that tomorrow would be a busy day.

I managed to get a few hours of sleep in, but by early morning, I found myself lying awake, worrying about Bella.

I was glad that she was having a chance to 'cut loose' with her friends, as Alice put it. I was happy that she finally had a group of people she could call friends. I was proud that she could go out without me, and still enjoy herself.

Truth was, I wasn't any of those things, but that's what I told her I was before she left. Thanks to my above average acting skills, she bought the lie.

Knowing that Lou would keep her safe, I reprimanded myself for my unease.

After I showered and dressed for the day I glanced at the time. I hadn't heard from Bella, and wondered if she was still out with her friends. Just as I thought about that, my phone chimed with a text.

E-

I mis u panty drper. Wait 4 me on skyppe…b4 u leave?

-B

Panty dropper? That's better than Panty thief. If she had called me that I think I would have had a heart attack.

If I had to venture a guess, I would say that my girlfriend is drunk.

I texted back immediately.

B-

Of course I will wait beautiful. I have off today. Going sight-seeing later with Ali and Jasper. I love you.

-E

I sent a text to Lou, verifying that he had the situation well in hand.

Lou-

Just making sure that you'll still be able to get the girls home by 2 a. m. as we discussed. I'm glad Bella seems to be enjoying herself.

-Edward

Less than a minute later, I received a reply from Lou, reassuring me that he'd meet the deadline.

For the next thirty minutes, I kept one eye on my watch and the other on my laptop screen which was connected to skype. I stepped away from the screen for just a moment to get a bottle of water, on my way back into the room, I heard Bella calling my name.

Or some drunken version of it anyway.

"Edwaaarrd, are you there? I'm hooome. Hello, helloooo."

I stepped back into the bedroom and saw her beautiful drunken face, close to the screen. Her eyes immediately met mine. "You look yummy." She breathed.

"You look pretty good yourself, my beautiful drunken girl." I answered with a grin.

She smiled. "Oh, Edward, we had so much fun tonight." She practically sang the words. "First, we went out for Mexican food and margaritas. While we ate, the girls said they wanted to go to a karaoke bar. I told them No way Jose, cause we were in a Mexican restaurant…"

I chuckled, so glad to see her lose her inhibitions a little.

"Well, anyway, no more karaoke bars. I have no desire to see any more 'Bella' videos on youtube. Sooo we went to a dance club, or several. I don't really remember how many…." She drifted off as I smiled.

"The girls got me to dance a lot." She was adorable. "Oh!" She gasped as if she'd remembered something.

"Edward, I almost forgot the best part of the night! We met this really cool lady. She is from Morocco, or something like that. Anyway, she taught us to belly dance. It was so much fun!"

I wish I could have seen that.

"Rose wants to have her on the show sometime." Her smile got even brighter. "I should show you!" She shouted as she jumped to her feet and started to move in a most provocative manner. "I don't know if I'm doing it right, because I can't see my belly."

I swallowed hard as I watched her.

She was so sexy. Drunk and sexy.

"You know, I think it would be better without the dress" She blurted as she …started to unzip her dress?

"Bella, what are you doing?" I blurted loudly.

"You've got to see my belly Edward. It's a belly dance Duh!"

"Bella, wait!" I yelled and lunged toward the computer, stumbling and landing face down on the damn floor.

Son of a bitch. Stupid fucking floor.

"Edwaaard are you okay?" I heard Bella's voice as I tried to right myself. Just as I got up from the floor I saw Bella, her dress still in place.

Thank God.

I needed to stop her from taking it off. "Bella stop."

"Stop what?" She asked innocently.

"Don't take off your dress." I rushed out, just as the dress hit the floor.

"That dress?" She questioned, pointing down.

Oh fuck.

I couldn't look down, because I couldn't take my eyes off of Bella in her red bra and red lace panties.

"Oh dear God." was all I could croak out.

"Are you okay Edward? You seem a little keyed up." Bella sighed. "Maybe my dance will take your mind off of whatever's troubling you."

Yes please.

I mean no. No, no, no.

And then because the universe hates me, she started to writhe around, gyrating her hips as she moved.

Oh God yes…

I couldn't tell if she was doing it properly, I was too busy concentrating on breathing so I wouldn't pass the fuck out.

Gyrate left, gyrate right, left, right, left and thrust.

Will the torture never cease?

She's trying to kill me. Drunken Bella is trying to kill me.

I couldn't speak, although I'm pretty sure I squeaked at one point.

She was so innocent and sweet while at the same time she was-

Sexy. As. Fuck.

I was stressed. Why couldn't I be a true gentleman and tell her to stop?

Because she's fucking amazing, that's why.

After a few minutes, even though all the blood had traveled south, I found I still had the ability to speak, barely. "Bella, I think you should stop and put your dress back on." I rasped out.

Even though that was the last thing I wanted her to do, I was attempting to be a gentleman.

I call bullshit, on myself.

"You're probably right, but I'm not putting my dress back on to go to sleep silly." She grinned.

"Okay." I winced.

I guess sleeping in the panties and bra would be acceptable, as long as she's under the covers. And I can stop being a voyeuristic pervert.

"Edward, I'm going to get dressed for bed, no peeking." She sang while waving a finger at me. "I think I'll wear your shirt."

What? What the hell is she doing now?

The answer to my question became painfully obvious when she grabbed my shirt from her bed while turning her back to me and unclasping her bra at the same time.

O sweet Jesus.

I gasped, I wanted to stop her, but as God is my witness, I couldn't look away. My eyes wandered down Isabella's back to the soft curve of her hips and down further to rest on her gorgeous little ass. I noticed that both cheeks were peeking out from under the lace of her panties…

Ugh.

I am a fucking pervert loser.

She peered over her shoulder, seemingly just to taunt me. "Are you sure you're okay Edward? You've been having a lot of trouble breathing tonight." She said just as the bra dropped to the floor.

Absolutely perfect.

"Has anyone every died from blue balls?" I muttered to myself.

I hope Bella didn't hear that.

"Edward, would you stop smacking yourself in the forehead, you might get brain damage."

At least smacking myself kept my hands busy.

I breathed a sigh of relief when Bella finally pulled my t-shirt over her head. "I'm sorry my belly dance wasn't very good." She said quietly after she'd turned back around.

She's got to be kidding.

I cleared my throat. "It was fine Bella. Truly the best belly dance I've ever seen." I looked down as I spoke, feeling guilty for watching her dance in her underwear.

"Edward, do you feel okay?"

"Yes, I'm fine." I couldn't look at her.

"Are you mad at me?" She asked sadly.

"Of course not Bella."

"Then why won't you look at me?" As she said this, I thought I heard her start to cry softly. I jerked my head up.

Oh God, what have I done?

"You could do so much better than me." She sobbed.

"Bella, sweetheart, don't cry. I want only you. You know that."

"But I don't understand why Edward." She sniffled as she wiped her nose on my shirt. "I'm not a very good girlfriend." She said with a hiccough.

"You are the best girlfriend. You're my girl, and I love only you." I answered.

"But I can't even do a proper belly dance." She whined.

I'm not a very good judge, but that belly dance seemed pretty damn awesome to me.

"I'm not beautiful or glamorous like Tanya. I don't have huge boobs. I'm not blonde with blue eyes."

Where in the hell was this coming from?

"You are beautiful and glamorous. I love your brown eyes and your silky brown hair. You don't need silicone, your body is perfect." I sighed then. "So perfect in fact that after your little performance tonight, I feel the need for another cold shower." I chuckled, but inside I was dead serious.

Her head shot up and she looked at me. "Really?"

"Really." I answered. "Now, will you do me a favor?"

"Anything" She whispered.

"I need you to go to the medicine chest and take 2 Tylenol with a glass of water. I'll wait here."

I watched her leave, and waited until she returned a couple minutes later.

"Now sweetheart, I want you to get in bed and switch off the light."

She did as I asked.

"Edward?" She said as she laid down.

"Yes Bella?"

"Will you sing to me?"

"Of course. I love you Bella."

"Love you too, Edward." She said with a yawn. As I sang, I watched her drift off to sleep. It didn't take long.

"Long ago and far away,
I dreamed a dream one day
And now that dream is here beside me
Long the skies were overcast,
But now the clouds have passed
You're here at last…"

I glanced up toward the door and saw my sister leaning against the frame, her arms crossed over her chest, and an indulgent smile on her face.

"Edward, that was beautiful."

I smiled at her. "Alice, how long have you been standing there? And how did you get into the suite?"

"I walked in just as you started singing, and Alec got me an extra key." She answered as she walked over and sat beside me on the bed, smiling wider when she glimpsed Bella asleep on the screen.

"Rough night?" she asked as she gestured toward Bella.

I grinned. "You could say that. I think she will be asleep for quite a while."

Alice wrapped her arm around mine and rested her head on my shoulder as she continued to watch Bella. "I'm so happy you two found each other." She said quietly.

"Me too Alice."

After another minute, Alice took a deep breath, and pulled herself away from the computer screen. "Okay, well if you're ready, let's go explore." She said happily.

I nodded, and followed her out.

-LRM-

"Edward, I hear our little Bella is a Tolkien fan?" Jasper inquired on our way to the car.

"Yes." I answered.

"As you know, I also enjoy the Professor's work, along with the works of C. S. Lewis." He continued. "With that in mind, I've always wanted to visit the pub in Oxford in which they and a few other literary-minded friends met on a regular basis. It's call 'The Eagle and Child' and Alice has agreed to make that our first stop of the day." He smiled.

Good God, he sounds like he's pleading his case in court.

"That's fine Jasper. You don't have to sell me on the idea you suave motherfucker." I grinned as I said this and, in return, he lightly punched my shoulder.

"Shut up ass." He muttered as he laughed.

Alice giggled.

As we sat in The Eagle and Child having lunch, I couldn't stop thinking how thrilled Bella would be if she were with us. I almost sent her a text, but decided I didn't want to disturb her sleep at that moment.

"Are you folks fans of the famous authors?" The barkeep asked as he delivered our food. If he recognized me, he gave no indication.

"Absolutely." Jasper answered.

"Most of our American visitors are." He said with a smile. "I heard the other day that Professor Tolkien's home is up for sale." The barkeep continued.

"Oh really?" I asked intrigued.

"Yes. It's the one he lived in while writing Lord of The Rings." He smiled. "Well, you all enjoy your meal." He turned to walk away, but I stopped him.

"Can you tell me where this house is?" I asked. It was a silly notion, but I couldn't leave before I found out a little more.

"Surely. It's just around the corner and up the road a piece." He said as he gestured with his hands. "I'd say it's less than five minutes from here by car."

Alice's eyes locked with mine, as we both realized the possibilities.

This was a serendipitous moment if ever there was one.

After we ate, and had the barkeep scrawl a map to the Tolkien house on a slip of paper, we headed out.

"Edward, you've got to buy this house for Bella." Alice said as we stood in the garden of Tolkien's former home. "Think of what a wonderful surprise it would be."

As soon as we had pulled up to the house, I'd phoned the realtor and we were waiting for her to arrive in order to have a tour.

During that tour, as we walked from room to room, I became more convinced that Alice was right. I had to buy this house. "I'd like to make an offer." I declared as we stood in Tolkien's study.

The realtor's face lit up. "Very well Mr. Masen. I'll draw up the necessary paperwork and have it delivered to your hotel."

I smiled and shook her hand. I noticed that my sister, and even Jasper were beaming at me. I looked at them questioningly "What?"

Jasper grabbed my shoulder. "Edward, this is by far one of the coolest things you've ever done. It's so 'spur of the moment'. You've really gone outside your comfort zone in order to make Bella happy."

I couldn't argue with the truth.

All the way to our next stop, Alice was bubbling over. "Oh Edward, you should definitely bring Bella here after she graduates and propose! In the house! It would be so wonderful."

I thought about that. It was a marvelous idea.

Hmm.

After the Tolkien house, I was not as interested in sight-seeing. I was more interested in planning the perfect marriage proposal.

If Jasper could hear my thoughts, he'd probably demand I turn in my 'Man Card'.

Feeling the need to indulge my sister, I plastered a fake smile on my face and stumbled through every tourist attraction she'd chosen for that afternoon.

When I returned to the suite after dinner, I noticed that Bella was no longer connected to skype.

I decided to send her a text.

B-

I guess you went to church. Call me or skype when you get back. I'll be here all evening.

-E

When I still hadn't heard from her an hour later, I decided to send another one.

B-

I hope you had a good morning and your head doesn't hurt too much. Call me. Love you.

-E

Time passed, and still no response. My phone didn't ring, and the skype remained disconnected from Bella's computer.

Little by little, I started to convince myself that something was wrong. When I couldn't stand it any longer, I phoned Alice to see if she'd heard from Bella or Rose. When she said no, I confided my fears. She assured me that she'd try to call her. If that didn't work, she'd get Rose to go over to Bella's apartment.

Feeling a bit relieved, I lay down on my bed hoping to see Bella on my computer screen soon.

It was almost one in the morning before I finally heard from her. When the phone rang, I grabbed it immediately.

"Bella" I whispered, not attempting to mask the worry in my voice. "Are you alright? Where have you been?"

"Sorry I didn't call." She said quietly.

"Bella what is the matter?" I had to know what was going on.

"Nothing."

"Why do I get the feeling that you're hiding something?" I challenged.

"Listen Edward, I can't talk long. Rose wants to watch Emmett's golf game."

"Bella" I was starting to freak out. "Don't hang up."

"Edward, I'm okay. You need to get some sleep, you've got to work tomorrow" was her response.

"Bella! Don't you dare hang up that phone!" I was pissed off and a little hurt that she wouldn't confide in me.

She didn't respond.

"Now. You need to tell me what the fuck is going on or I'll be on the next plane to Seattle." I demanded.

"Um. I don't know what to say."

"Start with why you won't speak to me." I answered, hoping she was finally going to talk to me.

She sighed and then blurted "Ican'tbelieveIdancedinmyunderwear" in a rush.

What the hell was that?

And then I understood. She was embarrassed about last night. I knew I shouldn't trivialize it, but I was relieved that it wasn't something bad, and began to chuckle. "Bella is that all that's bothering you?"

"All?" She shouted. "Isn't that enough Edward. I made a fool of myself!"

"Um, Bella, how should I put this? That dance last night was the hottest thing I've ever seen. Even hotter than the karaoke, and you know how I reacted to that." I breathed.

It was the mother fucking truth.

"You're just saying that to make me feel better." She responded.

I laughed out loud. "Bella, for God's sake, if I could have found a way to record that dance on skype I would have done it. In other words, feel free to make a fool of yourself any time." I chuckled again.

"Seriously?"

"I was hoping we were past all this insecurity baby. Can we go on skype now?"

"No, I really promised Rose that I'd be over. I'm sorry." She said quietly.

Content that we'd averted another possible crisis, I decided I'd have to accept that. "Okay." I sighed sadly. "Are you better now?"

"Yes."

"Good. And remember what I said, you can make a fool out of yourself any time, but Bella."

"Huh?"

"You're only allowed to make a fool of yourself in front of me okay?" I chuckled again.

She giggled. "Only you Edward. I love you."

"I love you too baby. We'll skype before I leave for the studio okay?"

"Okay, bye."

I ended the call and sat there laughing softly to myself for a few minutes before wandering out to the fridge for a bottle of water. Just as I turned to go back to my bedroom, water in hand, I heard a loud thump. I turned, trying to see what had made the noise. Instead of another thump, I heard a high-pitched woman's squeal coming from the other side of the wall.

Alec's room.

"Oh baby, just like that. I wanna ride your disco stick. Fuck me Alec!"

What the fuck? She's actually shouting Lady Gaga lyrics?

I wonder if she's a hooker?

I shuddered.

Precisely the reason that Alec will never be the one living in my guesthouse.

I fled to my bedroom, making sure to lock the door, before crawling into bed.

I'll have to have a word with Alec about his behavior tomorrow.

******************************A/N**************************

A/N Hmm.. Wonder what Edward is going to say to Alec?

So now we're getting closer to Bella's surprise visit. Hope everyone liked Edward's perspective on the belly dancing skype. Poor nervous boy.

Next up some more LRM…then back to V&V. Pimp me out guys…I love reviews.