|- 229 -|
"What is it?" Bella asks insistently, as Alice stares downward, immobile and mute.
Jasper looks over at me and nods appreciatively. "You done good, Edward."
Alice tips her face to me, and I can see tears in her eyes. Aw Jeez, I made her cry. "Thank you," she mouths.
"Oh for Pete's sake. Can somebody please show me already?" Bella huffs, bending forward to look, and incidentally showing me most of her ass in the process.
"Wow," Bella says reverently, sliding the frame out of Alice's slackened grip. "This is amazing."
A warm rush of pride surges through my body.
-o-
"How did you do this, Edward? We don't even have a picture of the two of us together like this."
Jasper pipes up, "I took the one of Alice and sent it to him," looking to Alice for credit.
"And I used the picture I took of you on my phone," I add, "not that I needed it. I got you all up here, baby," I say, tapping my temple proudly.
"And you put us together like this?" Alice asks, as if I've just put the finishing brushstrokes on the Mona Lisa.
"I did," I smile, basking in the praise.
-o-
"Thank you so much, Edward," Alice gushes, jumping over to plant a huge kiss on my cheek.
"You're very welcome," I beam.
"Okay, my turn," Jas says, passing her the tiny Tinkerbelle bag he was trying to hide from me in the car because he knew I'd mock him mercilessly.
Bella plants her knee between my legs and her hands on my shoulders, leans over my chair, and kisses me good and proper. If Jas weren't so into Alice right now, I'd worry about his view.
She puts her lips to my ear and whispers, "You are so talented, Edward."
-o-
Bella straddles my lap and presses her lips to mine. Much as I'm enjoying her appreciation for my talent, I can't wait to see her response to my little surprise. I lift my hips, taking her with me, and shove my hand down my front pocket. Bella giggles and bounces along for the ride.
I steady her with a hand on her waist, my thumb skimming back and forth over her exposed skin.
"Hey. Bella," I whisper between us. "I got you something."
"What? Why?" Her smile is bright and happy.
Holding the box between us, I answer, "Just because."
A/N: "Just because...the ladies in the Patch gave me this FAB idea!" *Born winks at Patchers*
What's in the box? Find out tomorrow! XXX ~BOH