Warning my lovelies: Lime juice IMMEDIATELY ahead!

Chapter 4:

EPOV

I had died and gone to Heaven.

There was no other explanation for it. The feel of her lips on mine and her soft full breasts pressed against my chest was just...exquisite. I trailed kisses from her lips to her ear, where I paused to suck on her earlobe.

Bella gasped as she arched into me. I reveled in the sound; wanted to bathe in it, soak in it, marinate in it.

"Edward" she moaned.

Oh hell yes, she's going to do that again. And again, and again, and again. Her head tipped as soon as my lips touched her neck and she mewled for me.

Fuck.

"Do you like that baby?" I asked her, my voice low and rough.

"Y-yes." She breathed.

I palmed her ass and lifted her onto my lap so she was straddling me, my lips never leaving her neck, marking her for the world to see as mine.

When I was satisfied that there would be a nice dark love tattoo on her neck, I went back to kissing those luscious lips of hers.

Her tongue battled mine eagerly. My hands trailed up, underneath her shirt, stopping just beneath where I wanted them most. I held them there, waiting for any kind of signal that it was okay to touch her tits.

She leaned back and looked at me through heavy lids, smiling sexily. Without a word said, she slowly unbuttoned her top.

My mouth watered and I actually whimpered as she let the shirt fall from her shoulders.

"So Sexy." I whispered reverently. Her breasts were perfect. Full, soft globes that easily filled my hands as I palmed them, thumbs swirling over her dusky nipples through white lace.

Her eyes closed, kiss-swollen lips forming a perfect 'o' as she let out a slow breath and rolled her hips over mine. Ah, God. I so very badly wanted to taste them, to tease her nipples with my tongue and teeth.

I reached behind her and unhooked her bra. As I reached to slide the straps from her shoulders, she spoke.

"Edward! Wake your lazy ass up!"

Wha?

"Wake up! We have to be in Seattle when the malls open!"

I glared at Alice over the roof of the car as I unlocked it to let she and Bella in.

Not only had Hurricane Alice waken me up at the ass crack of dawn to go shopping, and hadn't even told us the plan the night before, but she had gotten me up 20 minutes before she intended to be on the road, so I hadn't even had enough time for some Me Time in my shower. Now I was tense and grouchy.

The brat rolled her eyes at me. "Bella, you sit up front with Edward, he's got his panties in a bunch this morning."

"I told you you should have gotten him up earlier." Bella told her. "I know I need time to get functional in the morning."

I winked at her as I pulled the car out onto the road. "See, Bella gets it."

In the rear view mirror, Alice rolled her eyes at me again. She stretched out across the back seat and was asleep before I pulled into the gas station.

Pitiful. We weren't even out of Forks yet, and she was comfortably stretched out after she'd gotten every one else up before Jesus and the saints.

I stuck the gas pump in its designated slot, swiped my gas card and went inside to get something to wake my ass up.

I chugged half of the Monster before I'd even made it back to the car, and opened the passenger door to hand Bella a hot chocolate.

She smiled at me, so pretty as she thanked me that I couldn't help reaching in to undo her seatbelt and tugging her out of the car and into my chest. Before she could say a word my lips were on hers, kissing her with all the pent up passion that I didn't get to spend in the shower this morning.

When I finally heard the gas nozzle click, I broke away from her, then planted one, two, three more quick kisses on her mouth. She just stared, wide eyed and astonished, at me.

"Good morning Bella." I grinned cheekily, feeling much better.

"G-good morning Edward." She's so damn cute, my sexy, shy Bella.

As I pulled back onto the road, I glanced over at her in the dim light that shone on us from the dash panel. She gazed out of her window, looking wistful and thoughtful. I wanted to lick the side of her neck.

For sure, that means something is wrong with me right? I managed to refrain from assaulting her with my tongue, and instead asked her "Something on your mind?"

She glanced over, and even in the dark, I could tell that her face was red. For a long while, Bella didn't say a word, and I thought she wasn't going to answer me.

"You kissed me last night." She blurted out, pushing her glasses up the bridge of her nose. "And again this morning."

I raised an eyebrow at her, a technique that I'd practiced for hours in the mirror when I was a kid.

"Why yes," I said. "Yes, I did. Is that okay?"

"What does that mean exactly?"

"Well, it means that I like you, a lot. It means that I find you extremely attractive and that I want to get to know you better. I was hoping that it means you'll go out with me. "

I gave her the eyebrow again and tried to gauge her reaction. "Go-go out with you?" She stammered, casting a nervous glance back to Alice, who was still passed out.

"Yes, go out with me. We have today, and tomorrow to get to know each other a little better. Maybe afterwards, you can decide whether or not you want to try dating? You know...officially."

"Like, be your girlfriend."

"Yes."

Please, say yes, please say yes. I don't care what it takes, I NEED Bella to be mine. She's everything I have ever fantasized about, from her demeanor, to the hair, those glasses...shit.

"Okay." She said with a small, shy smile.

Okay?

She said okay?

Fucking right! I'm going to give her the best weekend of her life.

We talked the rest of the way to Seattle as Alice snored softly in the backseat. I learned that her favorite color is green, she loves all type of music, wasn't much of a tv watcher, hasn't been to many movies, and that she had never had a boyfriend or been on a date before.

"Like never?" I asked dumbly, completely astounded. How could there not have been one guy to see how beautiful she is?

"Never." She affirmed. "Boys don't want a girl with huge glasses and baggy clothes, Edward. They want girls like Jessica; skinny girls who dress well and don't have an awkward lack of decent social skills."

Her tone and expression were both so bitter and hurt. But would it be total Doucheward-like of me to say that I'm glad no one else looked at her like I did?

If they're too fucking stupid to see what hid behind those clothes and glasses, too dumb to pay attention to how sweet she was, then all the better for me. I won't have to kick anyone's ass for trying to take her away from me.

We pulled into the parking lot of the mall, and I walked around to Bella's side and helped her out.

"Hey," I said softly. "I do. I want you. I see you Isabella, even if no one else does, and what I see is beautiful and sexy."

She blushed for me as I held her hips. God, they felt incredible, rounded and soft. I ran my hands upwards, feeling a noticeably smaller waist, and as I pulled her to me, I couldn't help but to imagine her without these baggy clothes. I was damn well going to enjoy this shopping trip and the opportunity to see her in something more form fitting.

All of a sudden, the car door hit me in the back as Alice climbed out. "You could have woken me up." She bitched.

I rolled my eyes. Score one point for Terrible Twin Timing! Again. "We literally just got here Alice."

"Then let's go!" She grabbed her purse, slammed my car door, and stalked off.

An hour later, Alice's grouchy ass was blessedly drinking a huge coffee as Bella and I trailed behind her. She attacked the stores with her usual finesse: like a creature possessed. Bella wasn't shopping. She didn't know a mall trip was on the agenda so she hadn't brought any money with her, and when we offered, she told both Alice in I, in no uncertain terms, that we weren't buying her anything.

I was, of course, getting ready to buy her lunch, though, and then dinner when we left here. I just didn't tell her that yet. "Break time." I called to Alice, fucking starving. We had a long standing deal in place for when we went shopping together: I didn't rush her or leave her alone and she didn't bitch about taking a break to eat.

"Okay," She sharply veered course like a heat seeking missile and made a left into the upcoming food court. We did our usual hand-off, Alice handed me her bags and I handed her my debit card. Alice had her own money, of course, I just always bought lunch. It was our thing. I parked it with her ridiculous mountain of shit and kept an eye on she and Bella as Alice grabbed her hand and dragged her off.

I could see the argument from here and I knew what was happening. Bella was refusing to get anything. Did she think she could make it all the way through the rest of the day and back to Forks without letting one of us feed her? She was going to try, I'm sure. Eventually Alice gave up, and flounced back to the table with a chicken wrap and huge soda, Bella trailing behind with her hands in her jacket pockets.

She went to sit when Alice did but I grabbed her hand and pulled her back up. "No you don't, woman." I accepted my card from Alice and pretty much prepped myself for a battle. Bella was going to eat. It was happening, whether she liked it or not. "You can pick something, or I can pick something for you, but you're eating. You've never been shopping with Alice; we could be here all fucking day."

Bella wasn't paying me the slightest bit of attention. She was staring down at our cupped hands. I stared too, wondering if it was an 'awe' stare or a 'Why the Fuck Are You Touching Me' stare. I almost released her, just so I wouldn't have to keep feeling the insecurity, but ended up shifting my grip so that our fingers interlaced instead.

"Bella?"

She tugged on our hands until they were upright between us and continued to stare at them with a look on her face that I really didn't know how to describe. "You're awfully touchy." She observed in a low voice.

"Touchy? I am not- Oh. You mean touchy-feely?"

Shit, too much? It was a 'Why the Fuck Are You Touching Me' stare. Way to fuck it up already Edward.

"Yeah, kind of. It's my thing. All of ours, really. I'm a big cuddler. You aren't?" Fuck, I thought all girls liked that shit. I wiggled my fingers in preparation of letting hers go, but then she tightened her grip.

"No! I mean…I don't know. I like it? It's nice." She was still staring at our hands. She hadn't loosened her grip, and I held hers, now, just as tightly. "I just haven't… I don't- um… When my dad came to get me, that was the first hug I can remember getting in…" to my horror, her eyes were watering. "I don't know, it's the first one I can remember."

"Well," I hugged her to me, letting go of her hand to wrap her completely in my arms. "It's a good thing I'm so 'touchy' huh? We'll make up for lost time."

She was slow to move, tentatively wrapping her arms around my waist underneath my jacket. Christ, she was shaking. Just how shitty of a person was her mother? What the hell kind of parent starved their kid of any affection? Even Emmett and I gave each other real hugs every now and then instead of those one-armed man squeezes and fist bumps that he liked so much.

Emmett and his "thing" about touching other people. Emmett had had a lot of behavior issues when we were first brought to Mom and Dad, but he was a total Mama's Boy. He used to follow Esme around and as soon as she was seated anywhere, climb into her lap and curl up tight in her arms. In fact, whenever she or Mom or Charlie couldn't hold on to him, he was pretty much a terror. He never slept, was always hyper, was always touching things, touching other people, trying to squeeze the shit out of the dog all of the time, or just curled in on himself in the smallest, tightest space he could fit into. He stayed like that until Dad brought home a weighted blanket and vest after talking to a therapist friend of his, and the morning after he'd slept the entire night under that blanket, Mom said it was like having a totally different child.

I suddenly realized that we were drawing attention, standing there hugging off to the side of the food court like that and people were watching us. I glared at gawkers over her head. I would damn well stand here as long as she needed me to and fuck them if they didn't like it.

Alice knew, just like she always seemed to, that something was up. When Bella and I walked back to the table hand in hand and without food, she merely gathered up her things, grabbed Bella's other hand, and led us all to the entrance.

Of course, the wench went to sleep again as soon as we got in the car. She'd been like that ever since she was a kid, and frankly, I'm amazed that she made it to school most days without falling asleep on the ten-minute drive.

Not that I was going to complain this time. Gives me more time to talk to Bella without Nosy interrupting.

"So, Bella." Jesus, why the fuck was I always so nervous to talk to this girl. "I have to volunteer for a couple hours at the animal shelter in the morning. Would you like to come with? Maybe after, we can go out for breakfast?"

"Come with you to the animal shelter?"

Shit, I wanted to see her in my second home, and watch her interact with the animals, but maybe it was a dumb ass idea. What kind of idiot takes a girl to a smelly shelter for a first date?

"I'd like that." She said, smiling.

Oh, thank God. "What all do you do there?"

"It depends on what's needed for the day. I like to get there early enough to help feed them breakfast. The dirty ones get baths, haircuts. Walks, play time, training for the ones with behavior problems, that kind of a thing. Weekdays after school are best though, the veterinarian comes on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and he lets me shadow him."

"You want to be a veterinarian?" She sounded surprised.

I smirked at her. "You didn't notice all of the animals in my room?"

I grabbed her hand, needing to touch her, and held it on the gear shift with mine, fingers tangled together. She turned a deep red again, and cleared her throat.

"Animals?"

"I guess you were a little distracted at the time." I teased her, and the blush spread down her neck and beneath her shirt.

Holy. Shit.

Eyes on the road, Cullen.

"A little," she agreed softly. Jesus, it was hard as hell not to stare at her. So fucking sexy, her voice. Low, for a girl's. Sultry.

"Fuck," I groaned under my breath. It was going to be a long drive home.

We ended up making good time, and I held Bella's hand the entire rest of the way, using both hers and mine together to shift gears when necessary since I was unwilling to let her go. I knew I was being a sap, but whatever. I couldn't seem to help myself.

Alice woke up about an hour away from home and gave me a pointed grin in the rear view mirror, but thankfully didn't say a word.

When we finally made it in, Ma met us at the door. Even though we'd never had an issue, she was always nervous when I drove that far out, and she always hugged us especially tight when we got home. She planted a kiss on all of our foreheads after she python squeezed us, Bella included, and bade Alice leave her bags by the door so that we could wash up. Dinner was ready.

Thank. Fucking. God.

Bella POV

Dinner was amazing. And I got to meet Bree, the 5 year old foster child that the Cullens were hoping to adopt soon. She was a gorgeous little girl with red hair and blue eyes. She looked like a baby doll, and she was completely fascinated by me.

She wanted to sit in my lap during dinner. Carlisle and Esme tried to get her to sit in her own seat, but I didn't mind. I held onto her with one hand and ate with the other while she chattered on about her favorite movies.

"You've never seen Frozen? Never, ever?" She sounded completely appalled, her little mouth falling open wide enough for her chicken nugget to fall out. I couldn't help but grin at her as I caught the mushy mess before it could land in her lap and put it on the corner of my plate.

"You're in for it now." Esme grinned at me. Around me, Cullens all over were picking up their plates and cups.

"Did I miss something? Where are you going?"

"To watch Frozen." They chorused as one.

"Just bring your dinner with." Carlisle advised, and they all headed for the set of stairs in the corner the led down to the basement.

The basement was fully furnished with the biggest couch I've ever seen, and 4 bean bag chairs surrounding it. There was a projector hanging from the ceiling, pointed at a large screen that took up the entirety of one wall. But what really caught my attention was the piece of furniture that sat in one corner.

"Oh my God."

My hands started shaking and Emmett reached out to snatch my plate before I dropped it. Esme wrapped the arm that wasn't holding her dinner around me, and I felt the familiar burn behind my eyes before my vision blurred for the second time that day.

"He bought that for you after he saw you sing." She told me softly. And I knew…. I knew which school show he had been to. It was one of my last ones. Renee had been so mad at me, because I'd wanted to sing I Have Nothing again. She had let it slip once, when watching The Bodyguard that it was Charlie's favorite song, and so I sang it every chance that I got, hoping he would come hear me.

But this particular talent show had been themed 'Dreams' and before we performed, each child had to name something that they dreamed about doing or having.

My answer. My answer had been that I dreamed about a pink and white piano to learn all my favorite songs on. It was the only time I'd ever mentioned it.

And here, in the Cullen's basement, sat a shiny white piano with pink short keys instead of black, and faded pink cushion on the bench. And on the panel above the keyboard, in pretty golden script:

For Isabella, from Daddy.

A whimper escaped before I could swallow it back, and I knew the sobs were coming.

"Wait Bella!" Esme called, but I was already up the stairs. I heard her footsteps following me and then her arms were wrapping around me as we sank to the floor on the top step.

"I hate her! I hate her so much!" I cried. "She didn't even like me. She didn't like me, and I could have been with my dad this whole time. Why?"

Esme let me cry, and squeezed me tight. "It's okay Sweetheart," she told me. "You're here now. We've got you now and you're not going anywhere."

More footsteps and then tiny hands on my knees and a kiss on my face.

"Bellaaaaaaaa," Bree sang. "No cry, come watch Frozen! You'll feel better."

"Can't argue with that logic" Esme giggled and wiped my cheeks with her hands. "Or, it's best not to, at any rate. Are you okay baby? Do I need to call your dad?"

"No, I'm fine."

We trailed back down the stairs, Bree pulling me, and me pulling back slightly so she wouldn't fall. I didn't look up, too embarrassed to meet anyone's gaze. I let Bree lead me to a spot on the couch, and we sat. Edward simply squeezed in next to me and handed me my rescued dinner plate.

Watching Frozen with the Cullen Family was the perfect thing to shatter the awkwardness of the moments before. They had all seen it so many times that the musical numbers were family wide sing-alongs.

You could tell Bree loved it. She bounced from lap to lap cuddling with everyone until a song came on, and then she was up and dancing all over the room until it was over and she sat in who's ever lap was nearest.

She fell asleep with less than half an hour left, in Edward's lap, her little mouth wide open and releasing snores way too loud to be coming out of something so tiny and cute.

"Jesus." I stared at her, shocked.

Emmett laughed. "That's our little chainsaw. Here, bro." He took Bree from Edward and disappeared up the stairs to put her in bed, calling a goodnight over his shoulder. Esme and Carlisle disappeared next, with only Alice sticking it out to the end with Edward and I.

As soon as the credits started rolling though, she took off, yawning big. "See you in a bit." She called to me, and then it was just Edward and I.

"You good?" Edward asked me, draping an arm over my shoulder. He pulled me to him, and pulled one of my arms over his waist so that we were cuddling. After one day I was already losing the embarrassment that reddened my face every time he hugged me or held my hand, but my eyes still watered, and for some reason, I still shook.

"Yeah," I sighed, tucking my chin to hide my tears from him. "I'm good." He pulled a blanket from the back of that monstrous couch and piled it messily on top of me so that it covered me from ear to toe, tucking the ends down between us, and just like last time, he held me until the shaking stopped. The blanket made a huge difference, because this time the change was almost instantaneous. The thing was surprisingly heavy, but it felt good. I felt more in control, but my body felt less tight. I moaned as I basically went limp in Edward's arms.

Not embarrassing at all.

"Is that better?" he asked, pulling his head back so he could look at my face. Even my face felt lazy, and it took serious effort to open my eyes and look at him. "So good." My voice could only be described as a whimper at this point. It must have embarrassed Edward as much as it embarrassed me because he sat us up and shifted a little, even though he didn't let go of me.

"How did you-?"

"It's Emmett's." he told me. "He had a…thing with hugs too when he was little. The blankets helped him basically do everything better. They're pretty cool. We keep them around now; in case we get more foster kids who need them." He looked at me and caressed my cheek with one hand. I felt so good and relaxed at that moment that I leaned my face into his hand.

He grinned at me. "I would have tried it earlier, but I didn't want to make a big deal about it in front of everyone. Do you want me to have Dad bring one of the bigger ones out? See if it helps you sleep better?"

I nodded, and closed my eyes again. Anything to sleep straight through the night. Hell, I could sleep right here, just like this. Edward called his dad, who came down with Esme in tow, not 30 seconds later.

The both came up short when they saw us. Whether it was because I was still curled around Edward, or was under Emmett's blanket, I don't know. But I was extremely tired of blushing around this family.

"The weighted blanket?" Carlisle asked, while Esme grinned at us.

Edward ignored his mom. "She shakes for a while when I hug her." He admitted to his father. "When I tried the blanket she just…went limp?"

Carlisle kneeled down on the floor in front of us, examining me without touching. "Bella? Why are you crying?"

"I don't know?" I answered. "I feel so much better. It's weird, I always felt so…tense and overloaded. I don't right now. At least, not as much."

"You certainly look a lot more relaxed. Let's see here." He unlocked a closet across the basement, and stood there for a moment before returning with a couple of blankets in those big square plastic bags. The first one he pulled out was white. "This one," he explained. "Is 25lbs. It's for your bed and it's made like a regular duvet, only heavier, so you can put a cover on it and it looks like a regular blanket."

The second one looked like the throw blanket that I was under, fuzzy like a baby blanket, only shimmery and champagne colored instead of navy blue. "This one is smaller, and it's 19lbs. I'm pretty sure that's the size of the one you're under now." He switched the two out quickly, before I could miss the weight, and chucked the blue one on the couch. "You keep these two. Emmett rarely washes his, and it's probably got God knows what growing in it."

He studied me then, for a moment, as if debating, before he started. "Bella, Sweetheart these blankets help a lot of different things. Sensory disorders, anxiety, depression, PTSD. Even though it already seems to be making a difference, I think maybe you should have a talk with your dad about taking you to a therapist. It's not a big deal," he cut in quickly, seeing the stricken look on my face.

"Edward, Alice and Emmett all saw one regularly for years, and we went as a family as well. You went through a lot before you got here, and if we find out that the blankets are enough, that's wonderful. But if there are other things going on, your father can help you better- we can ALL help you better if we find out what other things you need. And most importantly, you'll feel a lot better as well. Okay?"

"Okay."

"And you," Carlisle stood again, ruffling Edward's hair. "Good job Son."

"Ever the observant one," Esme was still smiling as she kissed both of our heads. "Clearly he didn't get it from me, how did I miss this?" She motioned between us.

Oh God. I ducked my head under the edge of the blanket.

"Moooooom!" Edward groaned.

The next morning, Edward knocked on Alice's door bright and early. Carlisle had produced a trundle bed so that I wouldn't smother Alice, who barely stayed under the covers when she slept, with my giant blanket, and I had moved it fairly close to the door so I'd be able to hear Edward's knock.

"I'm up." I called softly.

"I want to leave in about an hour, Babe."

"Okay." I grinned at the pet name, glad the door was shut and that Alice was sleeping so no one could see the idiot expression expression on my face.

I showered and dressed, and headed down to the kitchen where I found Edward, and Esme, who was making coffee in this ridiculously huge and complicated looking machine

Esme looked at me and frowned at my usual long skirt and sweater. "You may want to put on some old pants and shoes dear."

I frowned too. "I don't have-"

"I have something." Edward interrupted, "Here, come on." He abandoned his task and grabbed my hand, towing me back up the stairs and into his room. He started digging around in drawers and I took the opportunity to look for what I had missed the last time I was in here.

And I felt silly because I had to have been ridiculously wrapped up in Edward to miss the entire WALL of cages and glass cases. Habitats on shelves from floor to ceiling, some with red lights, and a couple with water misting from the top.

The most amazing one was a tall narrow cage about my height, tucked into the corner. It looked like section of tropical rainforest. I walked closer, fighting the urge to press my face to the screen because I didn't know what in the world was in there.

"That's Reptar." Edward said in my ear, coming up behind me and resting a hand on my waist. "Reptar?" I asked, still scanning all over the cage for who and whatever Reptar was. Edward walked us closer and pointed to a clump of orchids where a lizard with all kind of colors hung out amongst the leaves, chomping on one of the flowers.

"He's my Panther chameleon." He explained. "Fucker is always eating my best flowers."

"I thought chameleons blended into their surroundings." I observed, noting his oranges, yellows, reds and blues against the green leaves and roots of the orchid plants.

"Myth," Edward corrected. "They actually turn bright colors based on their moods, and if they're afraid, aggravated or pissed off, they turn dark. No blending."

"Oh. What are in the other cages?"

He laid a pair of sweatpants over my shoulder and led me over to show me what was in the other cases. Mostly different kinds of geckos, including a very cute one with some super girly eyelashes, two snakes, and-

"This one-" Edward reached around me again, pointing, when the biggest spider ever literally jumped out of nowhere and landed belly out on the glass right in front of my face.

"SHIT!" I shrieked, slamming back into Edward's chest.

"It's okay," he chuckled. Both arms wrapped around me now. "That's Freddy. He's an asshole."

"Freddy?"

What the hell possessed him to name that thing Freddy?

"Krueger. Alice named him."

"Apropos."

"Mm." he agreed, and turned me in his arms to face him, apparently done with his tour. "Have I told you good morning yet?" His nose tickled the side of my face.

"No," I whispered. "Not yet."

He kissed me once, twice, three times lightly, said "Good morning," then tapped my hip and kissed my cheek. "Go change, Babe."

Once in the bathroom, any level of comfort I'd achieved with Edward was quickly nixed by the fact I fit into his clothes. Shouldn't they be hanging off of me?

Sure the sweatpants were a little long in the legs, but they were tight around my butt. The zip up hoodie fit like it could have been one of mine except it was a little long in the sleeves.

"Bella, everything okay?" Esme knocked. "Can I come in?"

"Yeah,"

She came in, teal hair tied up in her Rosie the Riveter scarf again and a pair of tennis shoes in her hands. "What's wrong?"

"I'm just being stupid." I grumbled, turning away from my reflection.

"About?"

I tugged on the waistband of Edward's pants. "I just….feel frumpy." I muttered.

Esme looked at me, eyes wide. "You're not fat, if that's what you're getting at."

"I feel like it." I whispered.

"We're the same size, girlie. Look." She grabbed a handful of the back of my sweatshirt, drawing it tight, and pointed to the mirror where we stood side by side in it's reflection. True, she was taller than me, but we didn't appear to be much different in size.

"Everybody looks frumpy in shapeless clothes, Bella. You just have to dress for your body type. Tell you what, later we'll go on a separate shopping trip, just you and me, and I'll help you pick out some things that flatter you, hmm?"

I hugged her. "I'd like that Esme, thank you."

Edward POV

I'm not even going to contemplate what's taking Bella and my mother so long in the bathroom. I've long ago given up trying to figure out what women do in there in packs and I'm fairly certain I didn't want to fucking know anyways.

They came out soon enough, Bella looking sexy as fuck in my old sweats and a pair of mom's gardening tennis shoes on her feet. Her hair was out of it's usual bun, instead pulled into a long braid that hung over one shoulder. You could see more of the curl in the less severe style, and if she knew how badly I wanted to see her shake it loose before tugging those fucking glasses off and crooking her finger at me 'Come here Mr. Cullen, and let me take care of that Hard Drive for you', she'd probably hide behind my mother.

My mother who was apparently traumatized by how blindsided she was by me cuddling Bella on the couch, and was now watching us with her weird Vulcan Mom Stare. Time to get the fuck out of here.

The first part of our date went well, really well. Bella and I went to the shelter, and I introduced her to the couple who ran it as well as what few volunteers other than myself that were there. I showed her around, and she cuddled the cute and uglier animals alike, and when I tried to leave her in the puppy room to play while I mucked out some of the pens, she chose to come help instead.

A definite keeper.

Now we sat in the diner. After ordering at the counter, we found a spot in back, and sat on the same side of the booth, where I'd scooted in after her, invading the shit out of her personal space.

"This okay?" I asked Bella, pulling her close until we sat hip to hip and practically forehead to forehead. She nodded, leaning her upper body against my side. Her tits pressed against my arm and I may have shuddered a little. Just like that, I was seriously fucking revved up.

"Bella," I whispered, caressing her waist. It was one of my favorite places on her so far, and following the hourglass curve from her ribs to her hip made me want to kiss her stupid, right here in front of everybody. "Baby, have you thought any about what we talked about yesterday?"

"About dating officially?" Her small hand came up to the side of my neck, rubbing small circles. I shivered, the feather light touch revving me up even more. "Yes," she continued. "I-"

"You have GOT to be freaking kidding me!"

No. No, no, fuck no. Not right now damn it! Her fucking shrill voice interrupted the pretty damned important moment and I knew exactly who it was without even turning around.

"Ignore her." I whispered, but Bella was already stiffening, withdrawing her hand from my neck and sliding away from me. I groaned. Shit.

"When Lauren called and told us you'd brought her here, I thought she was making it up." Jessica whined.

"I don't see how it's any of your damn business." I snarled, whirling on her, only to find Mike Newton standing next to her. Fucking shocker.

"The diner is public domain last I checked, and you're interrupting our date, so fuck off."

Behind me, Bella gasped, whether it was because I'd announced that we were on a date or because I'd told Jessica to fuck off, I don't know. It may have been low key, but a date was a date, and it was a fantastic one until the scuzz bucket showed up.

"You can not possibly be on a date with that!" Jessica shrieked, the fucking banshee. "Fucking look at her!"

Bella shrunk further into the corner of the booth and I felt my face mottling. Not from embarrassment, but from red hot anger. "And I suppose, what? I should be here with you instead?"

"Well yes."

God, I really wanted to let her have it, but I didn't really want Bella hearing me be that big of a dick to another female. I reached back for Bella's hand, but she had curled almost completely in on herself, with her head facing the corner, like she was not only blocking Jessica out, but blocking out me too.

"Oh, no you don't." I grabbed her hand where she had them both tucked under her arms and pulled her back to my side. I'd think about the fact that I totally got a back hand feel of side-boob later.

"We're making progress, you're not shutting me out, Gorgeous. Let's go."

"Go?"

"Yes, Baby, let's go." I kissed her, half for my benefit and half to give Jessica and pretty blatant hint, and I may have tugged on her bottom lip with my teeth a little, too. I deepened my voice, and said in her ear: "We were having a pretty important conversation and I'd like to continue it."

"Yeah?" I felt her shiver in my arms, and I could tell she was dazed a little, from the intimacy, and I loved it.

"I mean, we can talk here too, but the harpy in the background kinda sucks the romance out of it."

"Yeah, a little." She grinned then, and it was new mission in life to make her this at ease around me, always. Knowing now how relaxed she was from the weighted blanket, it was a hell of an ego stroke to see that I could have the same effect on her without it.

Our waitress, God bless her, was two steps ahead the shit storm, and had already boxed our food. I handed her the 50 I had, told her to keep the change, and tugged my girl outta there by the hand. At that point, Jessica and Mike could have been on fire and I wouldn't have seen or heard shit.

AN: Awww, so the changes in the story are definitely more prominent now. Edward and Bella haven't left me alone in weeks! Next up, they have the conversation we all have been waiting for, me included!