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not beta'd

storyline - Laugh

prompt - satin

We went to the movies, like old times.

Ate at a diner, talking until it was late.

There was newness there, like seeing him for the first time. All of the things I'd never forgotten were there, but it's like I saw them through new eyes, remembered why I'd fallen for him in the first place.

He was telling me a story about something silly, his eyes shining with amusement, when he took my hand and started playing with my fingers. My heart flip flopped and I knew we needed to leave soon; I wanted to kiss him and forget about all the things that weren't perfect with our arrangement.

Perfect yet.

We had lots of figuring out to do – logistically— but things would be good again soon.

I blinked back in to the moment. Edward was still telling the story, but he was wrapping it up. I grinned at his happiness, picking up my soda with my free hand and taking a sip.

His eyes flickered to mine, and it was like he knew. "You ready to go?"

Still smiling, I nodded. And tickled his palm.

He smirked, letting go. Our waiter passed by, slipping the check on to our table with a murmured "thank you".

I watched Edward pay. He always used cash, and he was a good tipper. I was glad. I didn't think I could make it with a stingy man, especially since I'd once been a waitress myself. It was one of the many minor things I appreciated about him, and I knew that the minors made up majors after awhile.

Back at the apartment, there were few words. We undressed and got in to bed together like we'd never been apart, our legs tangling and our hands reaching for one another. His touches and kisses were rough and then smooth, demanding and then soothing, sandpaper and satin.

I pushed him on to his back and climbed on top, letting the sheet fall away as we started to move together. His hands were everywhere; my hips, my stomach, my hair, and finally my face, when he sat up and slid me closer, giving us barely any space to work with.

It felt better.

"Call me when you land," he said.

He looked so serious, almost more so than the day he'd left.

I nodded, swallowing down the stupid lump in my throat. "Of course. You don't have to remind me."

He smiled, leaning down to kiss me again.

Eventually I picked up my bags and stepped away. "I'll miss you."

"I'll miss you too. Maybe I'll come soon." He shook his head. "I will come soon."

I nodded, touching my mouth. "Love you."

I turned away so he wouldn't feel pressured to respond but he yanked me back, digging his fingers in to my hair as he kissed me again. "Love you too."

My heart was beating so fast. I wanted to say screw the plane, screw the ticket, screw my apartment and my job and my life back home. But I couldn't, not just yet.

Like a movie, I was the last to board the plane and what a sad soul I was. The lady checking tickets at the mouth of the jet bridge smiled sympathetically at me, wishing me a good flight. I didn't look to see if Edward was standing where I left him. I knew he was.

I'd made my move, now he could make his.

And the thing was I felt good about it.

My home felt empty. Familiar and that was good, but empty. I left my bags at the door and wandered from room to room, looking, feeling, smelling. Hints of him were pretty much gone except for a couple of the hidden few (the boxers in my drawer, the empty picture spot on the wall).

As promised, I'd called upon landing, but now I called again, craving his voice.

"Bella? Everything okay?"

"Everything's fine." I sighed, sitting on the couch. "I just… wanted to hear your voice."

I heard, felt him smile.

We talked until I felt tired, and then I lay down on the cushions, kicking my boots off.

And talked until I was sleepy, and then until I fell asleep.