Chapter 11
On Thursday morning, Bella and I decide to take a drive and look for some furniture while I'm still on vacation. We head out early to hit some consignment shops as well as regular furniture stores. Bella emailed her list to Jasper last night, and he already agreed to give her what she wants from their condo, so we're set with only needing to outfit the living room.
The first two consignment shops are a bust, but in the first large furniture retailer we find a sectional sofa that we like. The floor model is marked down for a quick sale so we decide to take it. We also find an entertainment unit in the same store, and delivery is arranged for the next day.
The next stop is an electronics store where we purchase a new flat screen TV. The stereo from my bedroom will go in the living room of the apartment, but I want to leave my TV at the house in case my dad and Esme have guests.
Our last stop for the day is Ikea, where we make out like bandits. We buy a coffee table and matching end table, some lamps, a set of dishes, bathroom accessories and lots of little things for the apartment.
After dropping everything off, we head to the house where we both start packing. Bella doesn't have much, but she says she wants to be ready to take her things over. Angela and her husband, Ben, were able to get into her condo today and said they would ship things as they were packed, so Bella's belongings will begin to arrive tomorrow.
The moving company is also arranged already. They'll be picking up the furniture under Angela's direction tomorrow, and it will arrive on Sunday. I'm somewhat amazed at how quickly everything is moving. We'll be settled into our apartment before we ring in the new year.
Friday is my day to hang out at the apartment. Bella drops me off there in the morning to wait for the furniture delivery, while she takes my car to go to her lawyer's office and sign all of the paperwork. It looks like the divorce will be filed before the year is out, too.
Bella will have a clean slate in the coming year.
While I'm waiting for the delivery truck, my first order of business is figuring out how to use the new coffee contraption we purchased. It's called a Keurig or something, and Bella said it was great and she's always wanted one. We splurged on it, so I really hope it lives up to the hype.
I find out quickly that not only is it easy to use, it really does make a perfect cup of coffee. And, brewing one cup at a time is perfect for us. We'd never drink a whole pot between just the two of us.
The next order of business is assembling the coffee table and end table. Like everything Ikea-made, they go together in no time so I place them out of the way for now.
The furniture arrives around ten thirty, and the two guys have no trouble carrying everything up the stairs and putting the entertainment center together. After inspecting everything for damage, I sign off on the delivery and tip them well. The coffee table and end table are put in place, along with a floor lamp and table lamp. Looking around the room, I'm very happy with the way everything has turned out. I take a few minutes to enjoy the view from what I'm sure will become my favorite spot on the couch before getting back to work.
Up next is setting up the TV and stereo system. I work on that until the doorbell rings, first with a shipment of five boxes from Phoenix, and next signaling the arrival of the guy from the telecommunications company. He quickly hooks up our TV and internet service, showing me how everything works and making sure I'm satisfied.
Once I finish with the stereo, I kick back with another cup of coffee and the TV remote, feeling right at home on our new couch. I hear keys in the door right around noon, letting me know that Bella is back. We discussed this morning—well, I insisted and Bella agreed—that our door is always to be locked. There's no way of getting around Jasper having Bella's new address once he receives the divorce papers, and I don't want to constantly have to worry for her safety. I was glad she didn't put up too much of a fight. I also made her promise to always park in the spot closest to our door. The other assigned space isn't far, but I'd rather be safe than sorry.
"Everything's signed and on its way to the court house," she greets with a smile. I return her greeting with a searing kiss.
"I'm so happy for you."
Emmett arrives early on Saturday morning and we get to work on pulling my things from the basement. Bella and Esme help out by dumping my clothes in garbage bags and packing up my car. While Emmett and I make several runs back and forth between the house and the apartment, the ladies start unpacking at the apartment.
By the time we have my bedroom set, bed, desk and a hutch for the dining room in place, they have unpacked most of my clothes as well as Bella's hanging clothes and the kitchen items that Angela sent. When the delivery truck arrives with Bella's furniture tomorrow, it will also contain the last few boxes that Angela packed for her. I am amazed at how quickly everything is coming together.
My dad arrives from work, handing me a case of beer just as we're finishing up. We all kick back for a little while in the new living room, enjoying the fruits of our labor. I watch Bella laugh at something Esme says to her and a feeling of contentment washes over me. I hope she's as happy with all of this as I am.
I decide to stay at the apartment on Saturday night even though Bella goes back to the house with my dad and Esme. Her bed isn't here yet, but mine is. We don't expect the delivery truck too early, but just in case, I'll be here.
Waking up in the empty apartment is awkward but okay. I'm actually kind of glad that we decided to move in together. As much as I wanted my own space, I think I would've been lonely if I lived by myself. Having Bella here will be nice for companionship, yet we'll each still have our own space.
I utilize the new coffee machine and lounge around in my PJs for a while, enjoying the homey feeling we've created. Looking around, I see a nice mix of Bella and myself. Nothing is too girly, but it's definitely comfortable.
After a breakfast of champions—otherwise known as Pop Tarts—I get in the shower to start my day. Closing my eyes, I let the hot water soothe my aching muscles. I'm thankful that all of the heavy lifting is done, and that Bella paid the movers to bring all of her stuff in.
Thinking of Bella while in the shower probably isn't the best idea. My dick stands at attention when I realize that as of today, we live together. Once her furniture arrives, she's here to stay. My mind drifts to images of her prancing around in her tiny pajamas, or coming into the kitchen with wet hair after taking a shower. Without my permission, my hand grips my length and I let out a groan at the relief it provides.
I give a few gentle strokes before grabbing the soap and lathering up, cursing at the feeling of my warm, slippery hand gliding over my cock. I groan louder this time, leaning my other hand on the shower wall and dropping my forehead to my extended arm.
A knock at the door startles me and I jump when I hear Bella's voice. "Edward?" she calls timidly.
"Yeah?" I answer, probably an octave too high.
"Just wanted to let you know I'm here." She pauses. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah … just some sore muscles." It's partially the truth.
"Okay, I'll see you when you're finished."
I thought my cock would have deflated at the interruption, but if anything, it's throbbing harder at the thought of Bella almost walking in on me. Thankfully, it doesn't take long to finish the task, and I bite my lip when I cum to make sure Bella doesn't hear me.
I guess that's one strike against having a roommate, but considering I won't need my hand too often if things keep up between us, I think I'll be able to deal with it.
Bella's sitting on the couch with her coffee when I emerge from my room after getting dressed.
"Hey," she says in a chipper voice. "The movers called a little while ago. They should be here in about half an hour."
"Cool. I'm glad the heavy lifting is done," I comment. "At least I can help you unpack stuff today."
"I was thinking I would go food shopping later on. Can I borrow your car? Esme dropped me off here." Her car won't be arriving until Tuesday.
"Yeah, that's no problem. But, I can go with you if you want."
She shrugs. "That's fine. I'm gonna make dinner here tonight if you want to join me. I mean, I don't know if you have plans or whatever …" she stutters nervously.
I turn to face her on the couch and chuckle. "I don't have any plans, Bella. Emmett invited me to a club in Port A, but he's got a new woman each week and I hate being a third wheel. A quiet dinner here, with you, sounds perfect." I reach over and graze my thumb across the blush of her cheek.
She gives me a shy smile. "Sounds good. I guess it'll be good if you come shopping with me so I can figure out what you like to eat."
"Bella," I chide. "There's not much I won't eat, especially if someone else is doing the cooking. You'll quickly learn that I can't cook to save my life. But, I can wash dishes like nobody's business!"
I get a full smile from her. "Okay, I cook, you clean. I think we'll get along just fine."
"I think this living arrangement is going to work out perfectly," I tell her before kissing her softly.
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