Mail Order Bride
A/N WOW! Lots of mixed reviews about Edward. He IS attracted to Bella, have no doubts there. However, he is still also in love with his late wife. Essentially, he is torn between two very different woman. This next chapter may be frustrating to some of you, but I promise there is a reason for it. Just hold on a little longer. Edward will come around.
On another note, I am now at over 100 reviews! You are all so awesome. Thank you for the kind words and all your guesses. Some of you were correct. It was…..Nessie! Enjoy this new installment. Review and show the love!
Happy 4th of July, everyone!
Chapter 14
"What are you doing?"
Hastily, Edward withdrew his hand, and blocked Bella's state of undress with his body. Both were panting, trying to gain control. Finally, Edward turned to face the intruder.
"Nessie? Sweetheart, what are you doing down here? I thought you were playing?" Edward said, trying to keep his voice under control.
"We were, but Jackson got tired. He asked Grandma if he could go to sleep," Nessie said, eyeing the pair. Daddy was sitting in front of Bella, as she was frantically doing up her blouse. Nessie raised an eyebrow.
"Are you playing a game? Is that why you are out of breath?"
Bella blushed to the roots of her hair, as Edward tried to get himself under control. He couldn't believe what had just happened. He had practically taken Bella right on the chair! Glancing at Bella, he noticed she refused to make eye contact with him. What must she think right now?
Bella was stuck between panic and bewilderment. What had just happened? One moment, she was agreeing to a loveless marriage, and the next she was being ravaged. Bella was so embarrassed at her behavior, she refused to look Edward in the eye. As discreetly as possible, she rose and walked into the Kitchen, needed space to cool her body.
Edward saw Bella walk to the Kitchen. Facing Nessie, he realized his child was still awaiting his answer. Clearing his throat, he said, "Yes, we were playing a game. It just got out of hand, that's all."
Nessie wanted to ask more, but realized she wouldn't get any other answer. Her Daddy looked like he had been hit between the eyes. Running from the room, she shouted, "Grandma, that nice lady and Daddy were playing a game. They were breathing funny like when I play tag."
At that moment, Edward wanted to crawl under a rock and die. It would figure that his mother would send his daughter in to spy on the two of them. Then, he clearly heard Nessie say, "If Daddy can play games in the house, does that mean I can play tag in the house, too?" That was certainly awkward…..
Bella heard Nessie's declaration from the Kitchen, and was entertaining similar thoughts. Her heartbeat had finally slowed to a steady rhythm again, and she wasn't shaking as much as she had been. Realizing she couldn't hide forever in the Kitchen, Bella stepped back into the Dining Room.
Edward jumped to his feet as she entered the room. Just as she was opening her mouth to speak, Edward beat her to the punch.
"Miss Swan, I apologize profusely, for my callous and ungentlemanly behavior. It was reprehensible in the extreme. I took advantage of a situation that was beyond your knowledge and control. I offer you my most sincere apologizes, and assure you, that will never happen again!"
Bella felt her stomach drop. He regrets what just happened. Gathering her fragile heart around her, like a shield, she said, "I understand. I accept your apology and would like to offer one of my own."
Edward looked at her, a quizzical look crossing his face. "For what? You did nothing wrong."
"For what Nessie saw. She is much too young and impressionable to see things like that. I'm sorry she witnessed that."
Edward had half a mind to tell her that his mother had instigated that particular interruption, but decided against it. Bella was already embarrassed enough. No need to add logs to the fire.
"Miss Swan, If this changes your opinion on wanting to marry me, I understand completely. My earlier offer still stands. I would readily pay your train fare back home, if you would rather not become my wife, after my behavior moments ago."
Bella was actually, seriously contemplating taking up his offer. After what had just happened, she couldn't honestly say that she would be happy without affection, especially after sampling desire for the first time. She really didn't want to leave Nessie without a mother, either. Having already lost one, Bella didn't have it in her heart to make her lose another. Swallowing her pride, Bella made a decision, one she hoped would be for the best.
"I will still marry you. However, we won't need to consummate the marriage. As this is a business arrangement, I won't hold you to that. This is not a love match, and we don't need to act like it is. We will simply be two people, living together, who happen to share a last name. I will expect nothing else from you. Are those terms acceptable to you?" Bella asked with trepidation.
Visibly, Edward relaxed. The consummation of the marriage had been weighing on him. Now, Bella was giving him an "out clause." One he fully meant to accept.
"I accept your terms. We will be partners, in name only," Edward said, holding out his hand. Delicately, Bella took it and they shook on it.
"In name only," Bella echoed, the shattered pieces of her heart plummeting to the floor.
Bella soon learned that Alice was a human whirlwind. As soon as she learned that the marriage was going forward, Alice began dragging Bella to shop after shop, searching for the perfect wedding dress. Bella didn't want anything fancy, or expensive. Alice wanted the most fancy and expensive dress she could find.
"Alice! I appreciate your help, really. But, I don't need anything that fancy. Something simple and cheap is fine," Bella told her, after being hauled into yet another dress shop. How many of these places were there, anyway?
"Bella," Alice said, whining slightly, "You only get married once. Don't you want a beautiful dress? One everyone else will envy?"
Bella so badly wanted to confide in Alice. She and Edward had agreed to a "business" marriage, so why have a beautiful dress? It wasn't as if he would even notice it. This was a business arrangement, nothing more. Bella figured she could wear a sack, as much as he would care.
Outwardly, they made a pretense of acting like a semi happy couple. They didn't hold hands or act like a couple did, however. If anything, Edward was keeping a cool distance from her. He had told her that he was having one of the bedrooms in his home made up, for her. Obviously, they would not be sharing a bed. Otherwise, Edward spoke to her very little. Bella didn't know whether to be mad or glad.
As it was not proper for an unmarried woman and man to live together, alone, Bella and her family had been staying with Esme and Carlisle. When Esme told them they were all welcome to stay as long as they wanted to, the entire Swan family had, at first, refused. Only Esme's gentle prodding had changed their collective minds.
Edward and Nessie came every evening. No longer did Edward trust himself to be alone with Bella, so he made sure they were never alone. One of the adults was always present in the room, as well. They would hold conversations with the other person in the room, but rarely with each other. It was a rather awkward silence that ensued. If the others noticed, it was not mentioned.
Finally, the day that Bella had anticipated and feared had arrived. It was her Wedding day…and in no way did she feel like a bride. If anything, she felt hollow, and utterly alone. You chose this. You made the decision to be in a loveless marriage. This is for Nessie's sake. This is all for Nessie. Remember that…
A/N Awww, poor Bella! Next up is the Wedding. Hope you all liked and as always, review and show the love!