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not beta'd

storyline - Laugh

prompt- stockings

We ordered pizza and stayed in, which is pretty much what I'd been planning on doing anyway.

"So…have you really found a place?" I asked, eating a mushroom that had fallen on to my plate. "Or were you bluffing?"

"No, I really did find something," he said. "We can look at it when we're done… or tomorrow, even. I have the reference number and the website."

"Cool." I nodded, looking around. "Want to watch a movie?"

"Maybe in a while." He leaned back, stretching his legs out in front of him. "I'm kind of tired, actually."

"Let me guess: you want to 'go to bed' soon," I said, smirking.

He grinned. "What's wrong with that? I've had a long day."

"So have I," I said, playing along. I stood and collected our empty plates and cups. "I'm exhausted."

Edward helped me clean up and then followed me to the bed room, where he'd left his suitcase earlier.

"It really is weird to be back here," he said. "Surreal."

I bit my lip, trying to see the room the way he saw it. It looked the way it had the day he'd left, give or take a couple of minor changes. I'd gotten new sheets for one thing, and a new comforter, hoping the fresh scent and unfamiliar patterns would help me get over Edward. It didn't work.

"Remember the year you put coal in my stocking?" he asked suddenly, chuckling.

"Remember the year you put stockings in my stocking?" I shot back. "Those slutty thigh high fish nets?"

His chuckle turned to a fully fledged belly laugh, and he sank on to the bed. "You looked really good in those, though, you have to admit."

"I admit nothing."

"You still have those?"

I marched over to the dresser and dug around my underwear drawer, locating the stockings in seconds. "And I still have these, too." I tossed the pink boxers at him.

"I'll wear these of you wear those," he offered.

"No deal."

"Aw, come on Bella…"

"Nope. Go take a shower."

"Fine."

I smiled. "Fine."

As tempted as I was to join him in the shower as I had done many times before in our past, I still respected that we were building back. It would be so easy to slide in to old habits, and while not all of those things were bad, I just wanted to be really vigilant.

In many ways, I was allowing Edward to take the lead in our renewed relationship. It wasn't that I wanted to let him run things, but I felt the need to take my cues from him for the time being. Going to see him had been a big enough step on my part, and I didn't want him to feel crowded.

Turns out I needn't have worried.

After a shower of my own, I walked in to the bedroom to find Edward in bed, dozing. He'd turned out the lights in the rest of the apartment.

I wondered if he'd put on the pink boxers.

Quietly, I crossed to my dresser and pulled out a long sleeping shirt. I dropped my towel and put it on, and then loosened my ponytail so I'd be more comfortable in bed.

I turned and blinked, startled. Edward was watching me now, his eyes sleepy but intent in a way I knew quite well. It was the look that would get me to wear those silly stockings for sure, if he pushed the issue enough.

Aware now that his eyes followed my every step, I hung my towel in the bathroom and turned the last light off.

"Good night," I whispered, joining Edward under the covers.

He reached over and pulled us together, his hand up under my shirt, on my naked hip. "Not yet."