.
"Goodbye, Charlie."
- Susan
May 12, 2010
Bella
I glance at the column of words in front of me, trying to pick the easiest activity. Unfortunately, we've already used several of them.
"Je veux...aller au zoo."
There, I conclude, feeling a small burst of pride. I'm pretty sure that's how he said it.
Edward smiles and nods.
"Bonne idée."
I scan the paper, having trouble finding his phrase. The handwritten list of possible responses looks much longer than it did a minute ago.
I'm sure my confusion is showing on my face; I don't remember that pronunciation at all.
"Wait. Did you just say Bunny Day?"
He laughs. Loudly. Much too loudly to be polite. I smack him.
"It's not funny," I scold, holding back my own laughter. "This is hard."
"I'm sorry. You're right; it is hard." Edward points out the correct line for me.
"But that doesn't look like that at all," I argue needlessly, as if someone should redesign the entire language because I say so.
"I know. It's a tricky word. The bon turns to bonne because idée - idea - is feminine."
I blink in reply, seriously rethinking my impromptu French lesson.
"How about a break?" Edward offers after a short moment, seeing my obvious frustration. "We could go somewhere."
I stand up without hesitation, having sat still for way too long. Edward does the same, placing a soothing hand on my waist.
"Where do you want to go?" I'm open to almost anything, as long as English is involved.
"We could get gelato?" he suggests, further invading my personal space. He grips my hip with his other hand, letting his thumb rub small circles beneath my shirt.
I hum noncommittally, mostly as a thankful response to his gentle motions.
Edward halts the involuntary sound when he tugs on my belt loop, bringing us closer together. His exhaled breaths are warm against my cheek, making my heart skip.
My own breathing pauses as his lips reach my neck, placing soft kisses against the skin. I can feel him all over my body, just with that little sensation.
I briefly wonder how this started so suddenly, and then I realize that I don't care one bit.
If this is coercion, it really is rather pleasant.
"We just ate gelato yesterday," I note shakily, not quite objecting. I'm just trying to come up with any combination of sensible words.
I want to wrap my arms around his neck - and my legs around his waist - but my limbs don't seem to be working. All I can do is try to inhale.
Edward places a final kiss on my pulse point before pulling away from my frozen body. Giving me more room when he backs up, much to my relief and dismay.
His expression turns mischievous as he walks to the doorway without turning away.
"I know." He shrugs, not apologizing for our earlier indulgence. The sinful grin on his face makes me flush all over.
"I just like watching you lick the spoon."
April 4, 2010
Bella
"You know this is your car now, right? You can drive it anytime you want."
I nod, still content to be on the passenger's side.
"I know. I just don't want to drive it for the first time when it's pouring. It's so pretty. And I'm not the best driver, to be honest."
Edward whips his head in my direction, his speed almost humorous.
"I wish you'd told me that before. I would have given you a tank."
"Ha ha," I remark, even though he's probably half serious.
I lick my ice cream cone carefully, ever mindful of the new interior. Watching as Edward sneaks his own spoonful at the stop sign.
It's a comfortable silence, and I hate to break it. But this seems as good a time as any to bring up something that has been nagging me since yesterday.
"Do you think Carlisle and Esme liked me?" My question is determined yet guilty, showing how it had to sneak its way out of my mouth.
Edward glances at me with raised eyebrows, stealing a quick peek before turning back to the road.
"Are you kidding? They love you. They might even love you more than they love me."
I look down, feeling shy yet pleased by the first part of his answer. I hope he knows I'm not simply fishing for compliments.
"Don't be silly. They barely know me."
"Even so. They're thrilled."
I watch the windshield wipers work as I wait for one of us to say something, still feeling somewhat anxious. Trying to act more confident than I am, but not succeeding.
Luckily, Edward chases away the quiet.
"Plus, you already know that Emmett and Rosalie like you." He throws in a playful smile. "And Rosalie doesn't like anyone."
I laugh lightly, not knowing her well enough to verify that.
"I think she's nice."
"Maybe when she wants to be," he allows.
I shrug, not wanting to talk bad about Rosalie after she has been so kind.
"I think..." Edward trails softly before stopping, seeming to second-guess his comment. He pulls into my driveway, stilling the car as blankets of water slide down the sides.
We silently watch as the rain surrounds us, its strength completely distorting our view of the house.
I'm thinking about how thankful I am for raincoats when Edward finally turns toward me, smiling as I wipe some misplaced dairy off my nose.
His eyes are mostly happy, but they have a sad glimmer to them.
They're hinting at something important, something perhaps too important for a moment when I have a sticky nose. He brushes his thumb against the tip of it, likely erasing a smudge I missed.
Then again, words are words. No matter when or where they are said.
Edward seems to agree, sharing his delayed thought as he tucks my hair farther away from the cone.
"I know my mom would have loved you, too."
July 17, 2010
Bella
I start up the Audi with some difficulty, having to rub my eyes first.
Telling myself that I have good reason to run. I'm simply retreating from a lost battle, trying to escape with my life intact.
But I'm already falling apart, and I'm not even out of the driveway.
I take a quick look around, working to calm down before I have to drive.
The car looks the same as always.
Purse tossed out of the way. Sunglasses on the dash. A million hair ties hiding between the seats.
It's been this way ever since Edward bought it for me.
The only difference is that now, he's not going with me.
A/N:
Je veux aller au zoo = I want to go to the zoo.
Bonne idée = Good idea.
Thank you to What the Fun for prereading and chatting about the chapters. And thanks to everyone who reviewed.
xoxo