Chapter 282
| - EPOV - |
She appears at my side, holding the sketch book. I turn away from mega-me and take in Bella's grateful smile instead.
"This is the most wonderful gift I have ever received. Thank you."
"You're welcome," I respond. "I should thank you, though. The drawing really helped me heal, gave me something positive to focus on when I was feeling low."
Bella sets down the book and weaves her fingers with my good hand. I close my eyes and swim in the happy moment.
"Is this really how I look to you?"
"That depends," I hedge. "Did you like the drawings?"
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==8 BPOV 8==
"Of course. I love the drawings. I just find it fascinating that while I'm drawn in vivid detail, you are this shadowy, blurry generic male form. It makes me wonder if you don't see yourself clearly."
He tips his head suspiciously. "Have you been speaking with my therapist?"
I giggle. "No, wouldn't that be highly unethical? Why, is that what he tells you?"
"He tells me lots of wise things, Bella. But before we talk about him, or anything else, I need you to hear one thing: I love you. I mean that in a healthy, non-stalkerish, non-jealous, non-possessive way."
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| - EPOV - |
Her soft brown eyes blur with tears, and she reaches up on tiptoes, cups her free hand behind my neck, and kisses me. I already know how her kisses taste, but that doesn't stop this urgent kiss from feeling like our first.
Even better, maybe, since this time we appreciate how fragile it all can be.
By mutual unspoken agreement, we both pull back before things get too crazy. I wrap my bad hand around her back and pull our joined hands to my chest. I drop my cheek onto her shoulder and she pulls her fingers through my hair.
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==8 BPOV 8==
"I love you, too, Edward," I murmur into his ear. "I wish I would've told you before. Maybe it would've saved us some anguish."
"You told me in other words. I was just too stubborn to hear it."
"Can you hear me now?" I tease.
"Mmmhmm." He rocks us in a slow dance, neither of us speaking for the longest time.
"May I kiss you again, Bella?" he asks, shredding my heart that he's not sure.
"Yes. Please. We have so much making up to do."
He closes his lips over mine and we kiss and rock, sway and hum.