Beta'd by cejsmom and preread by Twi-mom12292005
Banner by AnaFluttersby
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Dogward/Brokenward/Virginward/Beachward/Preciousward
or as someone called him "Adorably Virginal"
Chapter 41
BPOV
I sleep more soundly than I've slept in weeks. I wake with Edward molded behind me in the spooning position. The feather light kisses he's leaving on my neck and shoulder give me goose bumps. In addition to making me smile.
"Good morning, beautiful," he hums between kisses.
"Good morning. I slept so well last night," I say stretching slightly as I turn to face him.
"Me too," he says pulling me close, my head cradled against his chest under his chin. I can feel him kissing my head and hair. The sound and feel of his steady heartbeat is soothing.
"Last night was... incredible," I say timidly. I don't want to push him, but I want him to know how much I enjoyed myself and how I enjoyed pleasing him.
He nods. "I never thought I'd ever experience that, so ya, incredible, amazing, unbelievable, etc."
I nod, snuggling in closer to him until the dogs become impatient to be let out.
~MEB~
"Thanks for breakfast," Edward kisses me chastely on the lips before taking the dishes to the sink. "It's time for me to carry my weight around here. When you cook, I'll clean." He turns his back to me and starts the hot water.
I'm still sitting at the table mustering the courage to say what I need to say. I know this is going to hurt him and that's the last thing I want to do, but it has to be done.
"Um, Edward?"
"Ya," he calls over his shoulder.
"I'm going to go visit my dad's." His body stiffens and ceases moving for a moment. Then his shoulders slump in defeat as he continues with the dishes.
I walk up behind him and wrap my arms around his waist, pressing my body up against his. He stiffens at my touch, not a good sign.
"It's just a visit. I have a few things I need to take care of up there. I'll be gone a week, tops." He still hasn't said anything.
"I would ask you to come with me, but I need a favor here," I continue. He still doesn't respond. "Can I leave Buddy here with you?"
He nods. "Sure, of course," he answers flatly.
"Hey," I say taking the soapy dish from his hand and tugging him around so we're facing each other. "I don't want to go. I just have some stuff to do. I'll be back. I'm leaving my baby with you. I have to come back."
He nods again; his eyes have yet to meet mine.
"Edward. Look at me," I prompt.
When his eyes meet mine I see sadness, fear and defeat.
"I will be back. I know this seems sudden, but it's something I've actually been putting off."
I pull him close to me. "Do you really think I could stay away from you and Booboo?" I ask teasingly.
He shrugs. "Edward, I almost lost you just a few weeks ago. It's going to be really hard for me to leave you guys, even for a few days, but it's something I have to do. Please believe me when I say that I'll be back, because I will."
I go up on my tiptoes and kiss the side of his mouth. My hands fist in his hair and pull him down to me.
His body slowly relaxes into mine and he responds to my kisses.
When we separate, he goes back to washing the dishes, and I finish clearing the table. I can see him nod before he speaks.
"This will be good. I've got some photography shoots and edits to catch up on. It will be good," he says like he's trying to convince himself it's true.
It is good, he just doesn't know it yet.
~MMB~
The days following me telling him I was leaving are a bit strained. We are still us, but not as comfortable. We don't have any more intimate moments besides kissing and cuddling. Edward has definitely raised some of his walls back up to protect himself. It makes me sad to think that he feels he needs to protect himself from me. I hope in the end he understands why this trip was necessary for him, for us.
I say goodbye to Seth and Paul before leaving for the airport. Their time working for Edward is almost over, but they have become friends. After hugging Seth, Edward continues giving him a few instructions, while Paul walks me to the car and helps me put my bag in the trunk.
"Um, Bella?" Paul asks nervously.
"Ya?" I ask distractedly since my focus is on making this separation from Edward as painless as possible.
"Um, since I won't be working for Edward anymore when you get back, can I give you a call?"
Now he's got my full attention. "What?" I ask for clarification.
"You know, so we can go out. I had to wait until I wasn't working here anymore. You know the saying, "Don't shit where you eat." He says proudly.
If the "no" factor with dating Paul wasn't already there it is now, ewww.
I shake my head. "Sorry, Paul. I'm not interested in dating... anyone right now." I glance at Edward as I say it. He's looking at me with concern.
I turn back to Paul. "But Paul, I do really appreciate all you and Seth have done for Edward and me. Your presence here has made this whole horrible experience bearable. I give him another quick hug and get my butt in the car... awkward.
Leaving Edward and the dogs isn't easy. Edward insists on driving me to the airport. I try to keep the conversation and mood light, but I tear up the second I turn my back and head into the airport leaving him on the sidewalk by the car where he dropped me off. I will miss them terribly.
~MMB~
"Bells, you should sell your house and move back here. Heck, you could build your own place with the money you spent on that cottage you have,"
I nod and try to block out the umpteenth conversation we've had about me moving back to Seattle.
I've explained to him numerous times that I want to live in Southern California; it's my home although I don't actually have a home right now. I want it to be where I settle permanently. That doesn't stop him from continuing to try and convince me to stay.
I'm so ready to go back to California, back to my boys. My flight is in two days, and it seems so far away.
~MMB~
I'm so excited I can hardly contain myself as I sit in the airport shuttle heading back to HB. I couldn't wait the two days until my planned flight so I changed it and am heading home a day early. I didn't tell Edward. I'm going to surprise him.
The shuttle driver unloads my suitcases at the bottom of the steps and I leave them there and bolt up the stairs. I stop just outside the front door because I can hear Edward in what sounds like a heated discussion with a... woman. Their words are muffled. I press my ear to the door and still can't decipher the conversation.
I quietly test the doorknob to see if it's unlocked. It is! I barely open it, just enough to hear them, but not see them. I know the dogs are going to give me away any second. I wait, straining to hear, but the dogs don't come. Hmmm?
Her voice is deep and raspy. To some she might sound alluring, to me she sounds like a slut. I can feel the anger rising in my body, my skin flushing from the heat.
I can barely hear Edward's voice because he's facing the other direction.
I push the door open a little more until I can see the back of Edward. His body language is stiff, his hands flailing when he speaks and fisted at his sides when she talks. I still can't hear what he's saying.
I push the door a little more and there she is. She's a cougar. A cougar! Attractive, maybe in her 40's. Spilling out of her clothes in many places. She moves seductively when she speaks, moving closer to him.
I'm about to bust in and claim him when I hear a portion of what he's saying. It stops me dead in my tracks.
A/N
Evil Cliffie... duh, duh, duh! Hope you trust me :)
What do you think Edward is saying? And who is the woman?
You guys are amazing! Next update on Monday! I always post info about teasers on my fb page.
Recs
Tip of the Spear by Robsmyyummy Cabanaboy
Heading West by Cullens TwiMistress
Practicum by TheFicChick
The Other Side of The Fence by Edward's Eternal