Pleasant Surprise – PART SIX
Repost of Original.
Disclaimer – Twilight belongs to Stephanie Meyer.
The brunette waited for a response from the vampire and when he nodded, she sighed heavily and gave her own stiff nod, "Alright, I suppose I should start at the beginning then..."
Bella started from the months following Edward's departure, describing to him the anguish she felt at his sudden disappearance and the worthlessness that suffocated her at his cruel words. Not wanting to stay on that particular topic for too long, Bella quickly went on to tell him of the increasing interest she developed in reckless activities.
He listened quietly with regret filled eyes as she told him of how she and Jacob's friendship had been destroyed because of the tribe's dirty little secret. It hurt her to speak about the Quileute boy she'd been best friends with and it angered Edward when she told him that she had been so close to returning his feelings and giving him a chance.
"I guess it's a good thing he shifted when he did, because it would've killed me to have him turn his back on me after I'd given him the chance he wanted." Bella spoke quietly and suddenly found her clasped hands the most interesting thing in the room. "I was ready to let him love me and love him in return, and then he wanted nothing to do with me. It was very sudden."
"How did you discover their secret?"
She chuckled dryly, "I slapped Paul across the face, near broke my fucking hand too. Next thing I know he's shaking like crazy and then bursting into a massive bloody wolf." She rubbed her neck absentmindedly, "It scared the shit out of me to tell the truth. I swear he would've attacked me if Jake hadn't intervened."
"Those mutts attacked you?" Edward hissed, his eyes turning black at the mere thought of what those sick bastards could have done.
Tanya sensing his growing fury cleared her throat to grab his attention, "They didn't attack her Edward, believe me when I say that if they had, I would've hunted them down and tore their insides out long ago."
"Please the both of you calm down, okay? Nobody is going to tear anybody's insides out."
Bella went on to tell Edward about how Sam had ordered that she leave La Push and not return, threatening her life if she ever tried to tell another human being about what she saw.
"I was shattered, confused, depressed and hurt...it was all so overwhelming that it didn't take long for me to go looking for love in all the wrong places."
Edward decided to veil his anger under false calm and listen quietly as the brunette basically admitted to finding comfort in other men's arms. His dislike for Lauren and Jessica proved to be worthy and only increased as he learnt of Bella accompanying them to parties, where they had introduced her too underage drinking, smoking and even the occasional illegal drug here and there.
"Charlie busted me with possession of marijuana one night after I returned from a party in Port Angeles. I was so out of it the next morning that it took me almost ten whole minutes to realise that he threw me in the cells for the night."
Even though it was clear that Charlie disliked Edward, the vampire had never once admired her father as much as he did when he heard that. He gave her an ultimatum; get out of the house or pull yourself together.
Bella cringed slightly at the memory, "Naturally I chose the first option and Charlie was there to help me. It took a shit load of counselling but eventually I got myself together."
Charlie had even sat with her and helped her apply for universities and colleges all over the country and he was there when she opened every reply; rejections and acceptances alike.
"It wasn't an easy decision to make but I ended up choosing Alaska University for reasons that were truly unknown to me."
At this point Bella excused herself to make a coffee, returning with a steaming brew and a small piece of cake. She settled in beside her girlfriend and broke off a small bit of the cake, popping it into her mouth with a small moan of appreciation.
Edward's lips twitched into a small smile at the sight, seemingly glad that his mother's cake went down so well with the brunette. "Esme baked it for you. She remembered how much you liked her chocolate cake from your visits."
"I do love her cake, there's honestly nothing else like it." She put another piece into her mouth, eyes rolling into the back of her head at the flavour, "I'll have to give her a big ol' kiss in thanks."
Once Bella had finished the cake in an almost comfortable silence, she nursed her coffee in her hands and cleared her throat as warning she was about to continue.
It was clear that it was painful for Edward to listen to but he kept his word and remained silent, adamant not to make a scene.
She breezed through her first meeting with Tanya in the lecture room that fateful day of her first class and Edward knew then and there that their love was pure, 'She was so unbelievably beautiful, and when she actually spoke to me I honestly didn't think anything could rival the musical sound...and I was right'
He'd never seen it before now because he'd been so blinded by his desire for a mate, a label, but he could see it now. He loved Bella but their love had been naive and dispassionate. It lacked so many things that mates were supposed to share.
He could recognise their love without being angry as she spoke, but as Bella began to go into a little too much detail about their first date, their first kiss and the first time they made love, Edward began to grow uncomfortable and slightly upset.
He could never have done those things with Bella, no matter how hard he tried.
Bella took notice of his rigid posture and immediately closed her mouth, looking at her girlfriend for help, hoping she could rectify the situation with her calm and controlled mannerisms. Tanya didn't say a word and instead took the brunette's hand in her own, running her long fingers across her knuckles gently as they waited for the other vampire in the room to control himself.
Edward lowered his head between his legs and breathed in deeply, exhaling heavily as he tried desperately to calm his demanding emotions. His most recent hunt served to relax him only a small amount, so the silence continued as he forced the calm to reign dominance.
When the brunette heard his rumbling growl she shuffled closer to her girlfriend's body, fearing the worst reaction. Her brown eyes held the uncertainty that Tanya also felt. The blonde watched him intently, waiting for just the slightest inclination of any violence. She wouldn't tolerate that.
"How did I mistake my feelings for those of a mate? I don't understand it; I was so sure Bella was my soul mate."
Tanya spoke up for the first time in a while, "You were lonely and surrounded by mated couples, so it was only natural." She sighed quietly, not wanting to be the one to say these things. "What I figure is that when you realised you couldn't read Bella's mind, you became intrigued by her. The more time you spent with her, the more your feelings for her grew into love."
Edward's body slowly lost its tenseness as he listened to the older vampire speak, her light accent barely registering in his befuddled brain.
"You love her Edward and nobody is denying that, however, you aren't connected to her in the way that a mate should and therefore you are not her soul mate. When you meet your mate for the first time, it is an unbelievably magical moment. Your souls merge in the most amazing way and the absolute love you feel for them is undeniable." Tanya's lip turned down sadly as she gazed at him sympathetically. "You wanted so badly to find your mate that you wouldn't accept anybody else's opinion on the matter. In your mind she was your mate and your happiness and no one was going to take that away. You denied yourself what you craved, that being a companion, for all those years and as such you ended up breaking two hearts."
Silence reigned over the three as Tanya's word slowly sunk in. Edward hadn't so much as even shifted his position until the sound of the door opening and closing disrupted them. Still he didn't move.
Alice walked in calmly, eyes drawn as she gazed at her brother with sad uncomprehending eyes. "You're leaving again."
Tanya and Bella looked back at Edward in confusion, not believing for one second that he would leave his family because of the things he'd just learned. He simply sighed and avoided his sister's gaze.
"I've made up my mind Alice, there's no use trying to persuade me otherwise."
The smaller vampire walked forward and knelt before her brother, taking his face in her small hands. They stared each other off for a moment before Alice dropped her hands and lowered her head.
"There's no changing your mind I see." Alice whispered.
"No," He murmured. He forced a small smile onto his face and lifted her chin, trying to reassure her, "I just need some time by myself. Who knows? I might even find my mate."
Guilt tugged at the corners of Tanya's conscience as she glanced between the two siblings, "Where do you plan to go?"
He sighed as his sister moved to sit beside him, his eyes glancing at Tanya briefly. "I'm not sure. I think I'll go where my feet take me."
Bella frowned at his answer, feeling slightly at fault for what would be his separation from his family. She ran a hand through her hair as she thought of Esme and how hard his departure would be on her. She was such a loving woman that the mere thought of her in any sort of pain, had Bella's insides churning uncomfortably.
"Esme will be upset with you leaving." Bella spoke up after a few minutes, watching as Edward's body stiffened slightly.
He nodded with a resigned sigh, body deflating, "She will, but she'll understand my need for space and she'll respect my decision."
"Just don't slip into old habits Edward. You are so much better than that." Bella knew Alice was referring to his diet. She worried just as much.
He chuckled lightly and wrapped an arm around his sister, hugging her to his body. The act was so sweet and genuine that it brought tears to Bella's eyes. "You don't have to worry about that, I promise Ali."
He placed a kiss on her forehead before standing to his feet and glancing at the other two women opposite him. Tanya stood and the two vampires met in the middle of the room, sizing each other up for a moment until Edward broke the silence by clearing his throat.
"I hope you can forgive me for my behaviour someday Tanya. It would be a pleasure to have you regard me as a friend once more."
Edward held out his hand and though Tanya was still slightly angry at him for how he had acted, she took his hand in hers and shook it gently.
"Only time will tell, but I agree that it would be nice. Good luck Edward and be careful."
Tanya stepped aside and placed a hand on her girlfriend's lower back as she came up beside her, chocolate coloured eyes peering into the eyes of her ex-lover. Edward smiled a small but genuine smile in return, taking her hand in his and placing a gentle kiss upon her hand.
"Hopefully next time we meet, it won't be as horrible as it was this time." He joked quietly, taking a step backwards and away from the two women.
The brunette smiled sadly, "I hope so Edward." She couldn't think of anything else to add.
With one last glance at the human who for now held his heart, he gave Alice a nod and together they headed for the front door. He hesitated in the living room doorway before straightening his back and disappearing around the corner. He didn't look back.
Alice looked back at Tanya with sad eyes before she too disappeared, the front door closing quietly behind them. Bella continued to look on in confusion, not quite understanding what had just taken place. Yes, she knew Edward was leaving, but did that mean the other Cullen's were as well?
"He's gone to say goodbye to his family and apologise to ours, then he's leaving." Tanya explained, somehow knowing exactly what was going through the brunette's mind.
"Do you think he'll be back?" She sat down on the couch and snuggled into her girlfriend's comforting arms. She hoped it would ease some of her guilt, but it did no such thing.
"Eventually, I suppose. He'll return to his family long before he comes to visit us again." She rubbed up Bella's arms, cool skin barely touching the warmth of her lover's, "Don't expect him to return anytime soon. He needs to calm down and come to terms with everything and that may take awhile."
"Do you think the Cullen's will be angry at me? I mean if you want to get technical, then it's my fault Edward is so...miserable. Add to the fact that he's leaving his family." She tilted her head up and gazed into her lover's eyes with a sort of vulnerability that Tanya hadn't seen in a long time. She looked down and studied her clasped hands, "I don't want them to hate me."
Tanya placed her hands beneath her girlfriend's thighs and lifted her easily into her lap, trailing them up to rest comfortably on her hips. She lifted the shirt Bella wore just a little and ran her cool fingers sweetly along the swell of her arse, reassuring her with her loving and familiar touch.
"Nobody could ever hate you, you're just too fucking sweet." She whispered the words against her lips before kissing the brunette softly, emphasising her words with a swipe of her tongue along her lower lip. Her golden eyes gazed deeply into chocolate ones and Tanya's cool thumbs stroked over the ink on her back, "And it isn't your fault Edward's leaving. He's done it before and he'll probably do it again but he always comes back to his family."
Gazing into her lover's eyes, Bella momentarily forgot about everything else but the love that she found in those honey coloured orbs. They held so much devotion and love that, strangely enough, it reassured her. Edward was not hers to worry over so desperately.
Her own eyes fluttered shut as she leant forward and kissed her girlfriend, hands coming to twine around her neck. A moan escaped her lips as a cool tongue touched her own, stroking it so gently that it made her heart flutter. Tanya's hands slid lower to cup her arse, tugging her closer to her body and pressing their covered breasts together deliciously.
After a few seconds Bella pulled back slightly out of breath and pressed her forehead against Tanya's, her eyes still closed as she soaked up the stability and reassurance that the blonde would show in times like this.
"I think I'm going to go take a shower," Bella opened her eyes slowly and licked her lips, a small smile gracing her features, "And then I think I'll sit down and have something to eat."
"Anything in particular you'd like for dinner?" The blonde offered sweetly.
Bella climbed off her lover's lap and gave her a smile, "Surprise me."
So while Bella showered Tanya set to work on a simple meal of steak, salad and chips, knowing that her girlfriend would probably fill herself up on Esme's cake later anyways.
The Cullen's returned while Bella was eating and it was with a frown that she realised they had retired to their rooms without so much as a goodnight. The Denali's returned shortly after when Bella was cleaning up her dishes and the brunette not known any different, she would have thought nothing was wrong.
After she'd cleaned up she made her way into the living room where Irina was lying on the couch staring blankly at the TV, her hand absentmindedly trailing up and down her exposed stomach. Bella glanced at the pale flesh where her shirt had ridden up before lifting the vampire's feet and plopping down at the bottom of the couch.
"How're you doing sweet cheeks?"
Irina looked up at her with gentle eyes when the brunette didn't answer. Bella shrugged with a small frown and tapped Irina's feet lightly.
"Scoot over, will you? I need a hug and since Tanya isn't around, you'll have to do." Bella winked playfully at her sister-in-law as she opened her cool arms and smiled softly, beckoning her over with a crook of her finger. Bella snuggled into the small space between Irina's body and the back of the couch, eyes closing as she slung her leg and arm over the cooler body. "Where is everybody?"
Irina wrapped her arms around the warm body beside her and laid her head on top of the brunette's, "Tanya said something about calling Kate and Garrett. My dear husband is reading upstairs and Carmen and Eleazar," She grinned cheekily, "well they're participating in some seriously kinky foreplay at the moment."
Bella visibly shuddered, "Jeez, couldn't you have just said they were enjoying their alone time? It sweet and all but I don't need to hear that."
"Wait till you're a vampire, honey!" She laughed, "Then you will have to listen to it."
Bella giggled quietly before letting out a sigh and nuzzling Irina's throat, "Can I ask you something?"
The vampire's forehead creased slightly as she recognised the seriousness in her voice, "Of course you can. What's wrong?"
"I don't think, after all the years I've lived with you guys, that I've actually asked your opinion on being a vampire." Bella shifted so that she was leaning on her elbow and staring down into the older woman's golden eyes. She smiled inwardly as she read the confusion the vampire was feeling. "So I believe it's about time. Do you like being a vampire, Irina?"
The vampire grinned and let out a small laugh, expecting a question far more complex. Eventually she looked back up into the brown eyes of her sister's mate and gave her a smile, still not sure on how to actually answer the question.
"For me Bella, it was sort of like a roller coaster. At the beginning I was too overcome with my instincts to really care, you know a new life and all that." She shook her head, "But then I realised that there was no turning back so things went on a downward spiral for awhile. Things became repetitive and what not." Irina gave her a small smirk, "I was bit broody in my old days, I'll admit."
The vampire admired her left hand from its place wrapped around the brunette and smiled as she looked at the two golden rings adorning her finger. Bella followed her gaze to the rings and wasted no time in taking Irina's left hand in her own.
It was such a natural thing to do, that it made Irina feel somewhat more human.
Bella twirled the gorgeous rings softly with a look of envy and Irina couldn't stop herself from smiling inwardly at the action. Bella had never been fond of getting married herself but just by seeing the hopeful glaze in her eyes, Irina could tell that having Tanya in her life had changed all that.
Irina left her hand in the warm cocoon that was Bella's own and pointedly kept her observation about the rings to herself, continuing her explanation instead.
"Anyways, I guess I just didn't understand where my life was really heading until I met Laurent. I mean I tried to be happy for my family and my sisters and even though they never said anything about it, I know they could see right through me. I was never truly happy until I met Laurent." Irina smiled up at the young woman earnestly, "So to answer your question, yes I love the life I have now. I love my husband and my family and I love that you will one day soon be one of us."
Tears welled in the brunette's eyes as she gave the vampire a grateful smile, "You really mean that?"
Irina tutted quietly and cupped the human's face, leaning up to place a kiss on her forehead in the way only a sister could, "I wouldn't say it if I didn't mean it. Bella, you belong with Tanya and you belong with us. We're your family and we love you more than you could possibly understand."
x-o-x
The next morning Bella didn't hear or even see any of the Cullen's as she got ready for work. She did, however, speak briefly with Carmen and Laurent as she ate her breakfast before saying her goodbyes and disappearing out to her Audi. Tanya had been flittering about the house all night and morning and though Bella would have liked to question her on it, she found that work was far more important and her curiosity could wait.
Her lessons went by slowly and by the time her break had come around, she was utterly exhausted. She'd slipped her laptop into her shoulder bag, bought a sandwich, apple and bottle of water from one of the uni take out bars before making herself comfortable in the lounge area. Students and teachers alike mingled as they ate their lunches there.
Bella had finished half her sandwich and was in the middle of surfing the internet when someone sat down on her left. She looked up and smiled as she recognised that someone as her favourite student.
"Afternoon Professor," Melissa took a sip of her coke, smiling as she tucked her feet under her on the complementary leather couch, "Enjoying your lunch?"
"Most definitely." The brunette closed her laptop and placed it on the table in front of her. She gave the younger woman a curious glance as she picked up the other half of her salad sandwich, "You're awfully happy today. Can I assume your talk with Kristy went well?" She was referring to the smile on the red head's face.
Melissa's cheeks flushed lightly and she couldn't stop the sigh of contentment escaping her lips, "It went amazingly. You were right as per usual."
"How so?" The brunette took a bite.
"She didn't disagree with anything I said. I told her everything I told you and she admitted the same to me. She must have hid it well because I never sensed her jealousy." She took on a thoughtful look before smiling and shaking her head, "Regardless, it went beautifully and we've agreed to no more sharing."
"See? What did I say?" The brunette teased good naturedly as she placed her sandwich back down. She wiped her mouth as she swallowed and offered the woman a sweet smile, "I'm happy for you Mel, you both deserve to be happy."
"Yeah, well I just wanted to thank you Bella. I would never have brought up the issue with Kris if it weren't for the talk we had yesterday." Melissa smiled shyly and the older woman found it sweet in contrast to her usual confidence and cockiness. When she noticed Bella about to object, she held up her hand and silently begged her to stop. "No really Bella, I wouldn't have had the balls to bring it up otherwise. So thank you."
The older woman smiled and gave a gentle nod, "Your welcome Melissa." She wouldn't argue with her.
For a while neither said anything and they settled into a comfortable silence. Bella pulled out her laptop and continued to browse flight prices to Seattle until she noticed a curious red head trying to peak over her shoulder. Raising an eyebrow, she took in the sheepish grin that appeared on Mel's face.
"Sorry," She didn't sound all that apologetic, "May I ask what you're looking at? The hopeful expression on your face is kind of driving me insane with curiosity."
Bella laughed at her excuse but turned her lap top so that she could see. However, upon reading the younger woman's confusion, she closed the laptop and placed it back on the table.
"Break's coming up," Bella shrugged, "And I'm hoping to convince Tanya to take me to my hometown for a week or so."
"Didn't your parents just come down or something?" She asked in confusion, as though not understanding why she'd want to spend more time with them.
"Only for the weekend, they left already. I guess their visit made me realise how much I really missed them and Forks in general. It's really only my dad who lives there and I'd like to catch up with some old friends if they're still there. That would be nice."
She shrugged, "Well I'm sure your girl wouldn't mind. Your happiness is her own, right?"
"I suppose so. Do you and Kristy have any plans for break?"
Melissa smiled wistfully and shook her head, "Nah, I think we'll just bum around the house. Maybe we'll go somewhere, I don't really like plans. I'd rather be spontaneous, it's more romantic."
"I don't know, I don't really like surprises." The brunette shrugged and fiddled with her unopened bottle of water, a small smile on her face. She gave the younger girl a sly wink, "But I do love to be romanced."
Melissa grinned and shook her head, "Every woman wants to be romanced Bella. What about your partner? Does Tanya like to be romanced?"
Before Bella could even open her mouth, Melissa's mobile shrilled loudly from her pocket and it was with an apologetic smile that she reached for it and put it to her ear.
The brunette didn't eavesdrop and instead finished off her lunch, pulling out her own mobile and grinning as she noticed a text from Tanya.
Hey baby :) I know I've been MIA since Edward left but it's all for a good reason. I love you and I'll see you this afternoon. – Tanya
The phone was slipped back into her pocket as her mind whirled in curiosity. Now that Tanya had pointed it out, Bella realised that she hadn't really spent a large amount of time with her since Edward's departure. What had she been up too?
She pursed her lips in thought and practically jumped when Melissa plopped back down beside her on the lounge.
"So that was Kristy and she wants to have a movie pizza night on Friday evening. She wanted to know if you and your girlfriend would come." Clearly shocked with the invitation, Bella almost chocked on her saliva and raised her gaze the younger woman's. Melissa grinned and tilted her head to the side teasingly, "Don't be so shocked Professor. What, are you too good for us uni students or something?"
Bella stuttered for a moment, much to her student's amusement, before finally letting out a heavy and somewhat confused sigh. She gave the younger woman a quizzical glance.
"Why would you want one of your Professor's there? Wouldn't that be awkward?"
"Nah, not at all," She shook her head, "You're more of a friend then my professor. I mean, yes, I respect you and your teaching methods, but I'd also like to think that you're a friend?"
A blush found its way onto Bella's face more out of flattery than anything else as she lowered her head, "You think of me as your friend?"
"Of course I do, I mean we talk like friends would don't we?"
"I suppose we do, but I'm not entirely sure it would be appropriate for me to join you Friday night. Even if I do see you as a friend, I'm still your Professor." She reasoned with a small concerned frown, "What would people think?"
"Who cares? If you and your girl don't want to come that's fine, but Kris and I would be disappointed."
"Now you're trying to guilt trip me."
The red head grinned, "Is it working?"
The older woman laughed and tapped her friend's leg scoldingly, "No, it isn't. But your right; who cares what everybody else thinks?" She felt at ease with the realisation that what she did in her spare time was nobody's business but her own. She smiled, "Tanya and I would love to come Friday night Melissa."
The two women split soon after and with a heavy sigh, Bella headed to her next lesson. The hours dragged by and when the end of the day finally came, the brunette's throat was slightly dry from having to talk so much. She sipped from her now hot bottle of water, packed her laptop away and headed for the door.
However, as she closed the door behind her, barely looking up and turned around she ran smack bang into a cool and hard body. It was with a grunt that she regained her footing and looked up into familiar golden eyes. Tanya stood there with her arms crossed and a teasing grin on her face, trying desperately not to laugh at her girlfriend's clumsiness.
"Think you could be anymore silent?" Bella grumbled sourly, adjusting the shoulder bag and stepping around the blonde.
Tanya merely giggled and followed beside her as they walked through the empty corridors, "Good day sweetheart? You sound positively joyous!"
She sighed and tilted her head in the vampire's direction, attempting a small smile, "Sorry, it's been a long day." Linking their arms, she rested her head against her lover's shoulder, "This is a nice surprise, though. I wasn't expecting to see you until I got home."
"Yes, well I feel bad for having partially ignored you this last 24 hours. I swear the phone just didn't want to separate from my ear."
The two women left the building and headed down the path toward the car park in relative silence. Bella was simply to content with Tanta's presence to speak and the vampire was too absorbed in the sounds of those around her. A smirk found its way onto her face as she recognised the less than subtle sounds of thrusting and pleasured cries.
Bella noticed the amused grin and instantly became curious, "Something funny?"
"Not funny per say. See that lecture room to the left?" She nodded her head toward the large brick building and snorted a laugh, "There are two people fucking in there. They're being anything but quiet. I wish you could hear this!"
Bella laughed nervously and glanced toward the building awkwardly, "I don't because then I'd have to report a Professor for breaking the rules by sleeping with a student."
"You never know, it could be two Professors having a quickie before going home to their families." Tanya shrugged as they rounded the corner and subsequently left the lecture buildings behind.
"That's just as bad. Now, would you stop trying to distract me and instead tell me why I slept by myself last night and ate alone this morning?" Bella pouted playfully, "I missed you."
The vampire giggled and guided her girlfriend toward the sleek black Audi, taking her shoulder bag from her shoulder with a wink, "Wouldn't you like to know?"
"Yes I bloody well would." They slipped into the car, Tanya in the passenger side and Bella in the drivers. She turned to face the blonde and raised her eyebrow, "So? Who was so important that you practically ignored your mate for?"
Though it was unnecessary Tanya put her belt on and motioned for Bella to do the same before answering.
"First I was on the phone to Kate, telling her about the Edward fiasco and I spent about two hours convincing her that she didn't need to cut their getaway short. I did eventually, so they'll be home in a couple of months." Tanya tapped her chin thoughtfully before leaning in and pecking her girlfriend's lips teasingly and pulling back with a smirk. "The rest you don't need to know until later."
Bella glowered in frustration, barely able to respond to the kiss, and instead started the engine of her Audi, "You know I hate it when you keep things from me." She pursed her lips in thought, eyes narrowing as she turned to face the blonde once more. Tanya rose an eyebrow and shuffled closer to the door, unsure of what was running through the human's head, "You haven't given me that special gift you promised for my birthday either. You said you'd give it to me later that night and you never did. This better not have anything to do with that."
The vampire merely raised an eyebrow before tilting her head to the side, "I have no idea what you're talking about." She batted her lashes much too innocently as a smile formed on her lips, "I never mentioned a special gift."
Her eyes narrowed even more, "Bullshit. I'm onto you missy!"
Golden eyes shone in mischief as blonde eyebrows wriggled suggestively, "I think I like the sound of that gorgeous."
Bella growled under her breath as she turned her attention back to the car itself and eased it into first. The drive home was silent as Bella brooded frustratingly. It wasn't that she was angry at Tanya, it was just that it annoyed her when the blonde kept things from her. She hated surprises and her lover knew that better than anyone, but she also knew that if it was a good surprise Bella's reaction would be well worth it.
When they arrived at the house, Bella continued to give her the silent treatment and instead hung out with Laurent in the living room playing video games. Tanya opted for the couch and was eventually joined by Eleazar, who deemed their situation amusing enough to laugh at.
"What did you do this time?"
Tanya rolled her eyes but grinned despite herself, "I'm keeping my last night activities a secret from her. She's not too happy about it."
Bella's eye twitched only minutely but Eleazar caught it regardless and couldn't help but laugh, "Is this true, my dear?"
He was teasing her and though it was subtle, it was his intention to get a reaction from her. Inhaling and exhaling loudly, she tried to focus entirely on the game she was playing. Laurent wouldn't beat her again. She wouldn't let him.
"If it came from Tanya, then I dare say it is." Laurent answered distractedly, grinning as he went in for the kill on Bella's character. He whooped loudly as her character dropped to the ground dead and the game subsequently declared over, "Yes! I win again!" He grinned cheekily at the human, "See? It's not the game that sucks, it's you."
The brunette harrumphed and threw the controller to the side, "This game sucks, not me." She argued.
Tanya giggled at the adorable tantrum, "Awww my poor baby." She cooed.
Bella turned swiftly and the glare that she sent toward her girlfriend faltered slightly, as she fought off a smile, "Your poor baby, huh? I'll show you poor baby!"
And with that Bella launched herself off the ground and toward her girlfriend, giggling as their bodies came into contact and Tanya allowed the brunette to push her backwards on the couch. She giggled herself as the human straddled her, hands tugging at her blonde locks and lips pressing firmly against her own cooler ones.
Time seemed to slip by as their lips moved together and their tongues stoked and danced to a rhythm that was completely their own. All too soon Bella pulled back, leaving a breathless and embarrassedly excited vampire looking at her in confusion.
"Why'd you stop? I was enjoying that." Tanya almost sounded whiny.
Smirking at her accomplishment, Bella leant in and pressed her lips to her lover's forehead, "So was I, but that's what you get for being a bitch and teasing me."
She pushed her girlfriend back slightly and peered up at her strangely, not quite understanding the smirk present on her face, "Wait, what? Now I'm confused."
Laughing quietly Bella leant down so that her lips brushed the shell of Tanya's ear, "As punishment, you'll have to go another night without sex. That's what you get for keeping secrets."
The brunette jumped off her lap with a grin, swatting away Tanya's all too eager hands before sauntering off toward the kitchen where she could smell Carmen cooking.
"You're joking, right?"
Bella laughed at the hysterical edge to her girlfriend's tone and continued on into the kitchen, smiling as she took a seat on the stools by the counter. Carmen was busying herself by the stove and the human couldn't stop from inhaling the delicious scent.
"That smells great Carmen."
The other woman smiled in delight and twirled around to face the younger woman, "Why thank you Bella. I hope you're in the mood for some good old fashioned surf and turf."
"God yes! My mouth is salivating just thinking of it." The brunette licked her lips and inhaled again, "It smells amazing."
"So you've said. What was it you said the first time I served it?" She tapped the counter thoughtfully before snapping her fingers. She let out a small giggle and fixed her amused gaze on Bella's own curious one, "You said it was positively orgasmic!" She laughed again and turned back to the stove, "Good timing on my behalf, don't you think?" She teased.
Bella grinned and glanced in the direction of the living room where she could hear her girlfriend growling petulantly. She laughed.
"Oh definitely."