The Learning Curve: Chapter 70

Edward's House

Now that Bella and I were officially planning to have sex, it was all I could think about - which made my efforts to hide how much I wanted her doubly difficult. I knew I couldn't let her see it, though, because I knew if she knew, she would talk me into rushing forward, and I couldn't rush this.

If I was being completely honest with myself, I was nervous. Really nervous. I couldn't afford to screw this up.

But that was a problem for later. First I had to create the opportunity. As I'd told Bella, I had an idea, but it was a crazy one. Bella wouldn't like it at all if she knew. Unfortunately, my options were limited. I was still seventeen, so getting a hotel room would be tricky, and besides, I didn't think either of us would be very comfortable having our first time in an unfamiliar place.

Since I couldn't go up to Chief Swan and ask him to vacate his house for a night and manage to leave with my balls intact, there was only one place to turn.

My father.

I made sure to catch him in the middle of a midnight snack. I'd heard on Animal Planet once that cats were most relaxed when eating, and I felt that applied pretty well to my dad. My chances of success had to be better when my dad was wolfing down a large slice of apple pie.

"Dad...I need a favor."

He looked up from his dessert. "What favor is this?" he asked, taking another bite.

I sat nervously on one of the stools lining our kitchen island. "I, um, I was hoping you might...take Mom for a weekend away?"

My dad set down his fork, and I knew no amount of strategic timing would have helped me here.

"Edward, does this have to do with the emergency condom stash?" he asked bluntly.

I squirmed. "There wouldn't be any emergency, exactly."

He sighed. "I see."

"It's just...it's something she wants," I said quietly, a last-ditch appeal. "I want to make it nice for her."

My dad rubbed his forehead. "You understand, Edward, that as a father, I'm not supposed to condone this. I should tell you to wait until you're both legal adults and not under my roof."

My face fell. He was going to say no.

"But as a physician, I know that teenagers are notoriously incapable of controlling themselves and that you'll find a way to make it happen with or without my help."

He stood for a moment in silent indecision and then groaned, waving me off with his fork. "Fine, fine, I'll do it. But for God's sake, Edward, be careful. And don't expect me to protect you from Chief Swan if he finds out."

He returned to his pie, and I scurried out of the kitchen before he changed his mind.

A/N: Some info for those who asked, regarding last night's movie, no, we didn't go to New Year's Eve. It was Sherlock Holmes (the second time for me). Love RDJ's Sherlock.