All copyrights, trademarked items, or recognizable characters, plots, etc. mentioned herein belong to their respective owners. No copying or reproduction of this work is permitted without their express written authorization.

not beta'd

storyline - Countdown

prompt - whore

"So you'll never guess who called Edward last night." I poke at my Caesar salad.

Rose takes a sip of water. "Ugh. Don't tell me it was the ex."

"It was. She said she'd heard through the grapevine that he was getting married again, and that she wished him all the best."

"Oh. That's not so bad, I guess."

"And then she started asking if he was really ready, and if "the new girl" knew what she was getting in to."

"Whore." Rose scowls, tearing at her bread roll.

"I may or may not have had a similar reaction," I admit, settling back in my chair. "Like, you hear about bitchy exes, but encountering them is just weird."

"Does she live around here?"

"No, but I guess her family does, so she has ties."

"How did Edward take it?"

I smile, remembering. "Actually, he didn't really react at all. He thanked her for calling and hung up. He was really civil about the whole thing."

Rose nods. "Wow. That's cool, I guess."

"It is." I shrug. "I mean, it's weird she called but… it was nice seeing that she had absolutely no bearing on Edward's mood. At all."

"It's been a long time."

"Yeah, it has." I check the time. Edward had to work late, so I decided to take Rose out to dinner. It's been awhile since we've done this, being busy with work and relationships and life in general, and it feels really good to reconnect.

"So. The wedding." Rose wipes her mouth and drops the napkin back on to her empty plate. "You started any actual planning yet? Any ideas?" She grins, rolling her eyes. "Has Alice started coordinating yet?"

I laugh, shaking my head. "Alice has been behaving herself…although I did mysteriously start receiving both Martha Stewart Weddings and Brides in the mail this month."

"No, you didn't!" cackles Rose. "That's hilarious."

"I know, I know. It is. There are some pretty inspiring pictures though." I feel myself blush. "I've been bookmarking like crazy."

"Aw! Do you know where you want to do it?"

I shake my head. "That's the thing. Edward doesn't want to get married in a church, but I do. But neither of us wants the other to have to compromise… I don't know. We'll figure it out."

"Yeah, you will." Rose nods. "He's so relaxed, and you're so… you."

I grin, tossing my napkin at her. Somehow, I know just what she means.

I'm sitting up in bed, leafing through yet another bridal magazine that has found its way to my mailbox, when Edward comes home.

We're at my house tonight; it's one of the last times. Saturday is moving day, and then he gets his wish of cohabitation.

"Hey, babe." He drops a kiss on my head and begins to loosen his tie. "Hm. I like that one."

I look down at the picture he's pointing to. It's long white table beneath a tree, with all of the fixings for an ice cream social on top of it. It's both elegant and whimsical, and I'd been admiring it before he walked through the door.

"Really?" I smile, nodding. "I like that one, too. But… I don't know that I want ice cream instead of a cake."

"Bella." He's down to his boxers and button down now. He nudges me over and flattens me on to my back. The magazines crinkle beneath us. "Everyone knows ice cream goes with cake."

"I don't like them together."

"I do."

"Good. Then we can have both, and I'll eat mine separately."

He smiles, leaning down to kiss me.

"So it'll be a summer wedding?" I hold him away, knowing I'm teasing him. "Ice cream's pretty summer time…"

He fakes to the left and nips my neck, making me squeal. "That's almost a year away; you crazy?"

"Then when?" He's tickling me now. Paper tears as I laugh and protest, pushing him away.

"Spring."

"Okay, okay!" I kiss his face. "Spring."

He lets up, rolling to my side, pushing the rumpled magazines off the bed.

Feeling feisty now, I sit up and straddle him. "Okay. So we'll do it in the springtime. But I'd still like to do it in a church."

"I know, I know." He slips his hands beneath my t-shirt and holds my hips. "I've been thinking about that…"

"And?"

"And, if it's a big deal to you, then we should do it. As long as we can have the reception outdoors."

"Of course we'll have it outdoors," I say, leaning down to kiss him. He lets me, and after a moment, I feel him harden beneath me. Moving to his neck, I suck at his skin, loving his reaction.

"Mm. Compromise never felt so good," he moans.

"You're so cheesy," I whisper, going back to his mouth.

reunited, and it feels so good!

circumventing ffnet's stupidness feels so good, too...