Chapter Seven. Bed manoeuvres.
Bella's POV
"You can use the shower in my bathroom, I will use the one downstairs." Edward said. So I went to get my old vest top and sweats that I used for pyjamas and my bag of toiletries and then went back to his bathroom.
Once I was finished and dried, I got dressed into my pyjamas and went back into Edwards room, he was just coming through his bedroom door as I entered. He was only wearing a towel that hugged him tightly low on his hips, he was glorious, his still wet muscles shimmered in the light. The sight of his abs and then his V, I was literally biting through my lip at the delicious sight before me, I kept my eyes down but then I saw a bulge in his towel, it made my heart race. Slowly I raised my head and as I did I saw his naked body from the waist up. Rosalie hadn't been wrong, it was definitely something to look at, I had not seen anything like it. He was pale skinned but sculpted, and the sight of him made me quiver all over and shivers ran down my spine. But more strongly than I would have thought possible was the urge to rub my naked body against his. Oh. My. God! I was shocked at myself, why had I just thought that? What was wrong with me? My breathing caught and I bit harder into my lip trying to control myself. He was perfect, he wore a silver chain around his neck, the way it lay over his collar bone, was unbelievably sexy.
I looked up at Edwards face and his expression surprised me, his lips were slightly parted and his eyes were full of... need? I looked down to see what he was looking at and I turned away embarrassed. The room was warm and despite the shower I was suddenly sweating, my tight vest top was only thin. So I can only assume my excitement at the sight of his body had caused my nipples to stand out.
I looked up at him sheepishly, his eyes were alight with excitement, which did not help my resolve and then he licked his lips, that was all it took for me to come undone. He walked slowly towards me and pulled me to him, I dropped whatever it was I was holding and my hands automatically moved to his chiselled abs. He leaned down and pulled my face to his, both of us groaning as our lips met. I felt his hand brush over my breast and I gasped, my lips parted and as they did he slid his tongue into my mouth. Primal urges I had not realised I had, started to take over me, growing wilder when he squeezed my breast gently and we both moaned at the pleasure of it.
But then we both heard someone on the stairs, I didn't think, I pulled away unwillingly, grabbed my clothes and toiletries that I had dropped in the excitement of the moment. I ran across the hall to my room, quietly shutting the door behind me.
There was a knock at the door. "Are you decent?" Jasper asked.
"Yes Jazz, come in." I said, folding my arms across my chest.
He walked in, "I just wanted to check you were okay and say goodnight."
I smiled and walked up to him as he sat on my bed, I kissed his cheek. "Thank you Jazz, I'll be fine now, so you can stop worrying and I love you." I said as I climbed into bed. "This will work out for the best Jazz you'll see, we all deserve a little bit of happiness, so don't fight it okay." I said.
He got up and leaned down to kiss my forehead. "I'm sure you're right Bells, I hope that too, goodnight."
"Goodnight Jazz." I said and he walked out and closed the door.
Seconds later my cell buzzed, so I picked it up, I had a message from Edward.
I am never going to sleep after that kiss... that was amazing, I can't stop thinking about it, and its making me hard... E
I pulled my pillow over my face to stifle my giggle, then my text message buzzed again.
I want you so bad right now, its driving me crazy. I think its worse with you across the hall where I can hear you giggling, than it was when you were the other side of town. E
I know... I want you too. B.
I sent that and it was silent for a couple of seconds before my bedroom door opened and Edward put is head around the door.
"Can I come in?" He whispered.
I grinned at him and patted the bed next to me, he came over and lay face up on top of the covers, he was wearing a pair of pyjama bottoms, but his top was still bare and screaming to be touched.
"I'd get under the covers with you," he said, "but there is no way I could control myself if I did that." He said rolling onto his side to face me, he looked at my face for a long second before he pulled us back together and crushed his lips to mine once again.
~F~
My alarm went off, waking me instantly, Edward was still wrapped around me, but under the covers.
"Have you been here all night?" I whispered.
"Oh yeah..." He whispered back, grinning by the sound of it and squeezing me tight to his chest.
"Do you have a loaded weapon in your pocket or are you just really pleased to see me?" I asked giggling.
"Both." He said rubbing said weapon across my butt.
The bedroom door opened suddenly and we both looked up shocked.
"Bella!" Rosalie almost shrieked.
Edward dived out of bed and ran to his own room.
"Yeah, you'd better run," she called after him, "and you'd better hope that Jasper was too busy to notice." She went on, then turned back to me. "Bella, you didn't?" She asked.
Realising what she meant, I gasped. "No! I did not."
She giggled, "Well maybe next time."
"Rose!" I said aghast.
She laughed and almost skipped back down the hall, what was wrong with her? I didn't remember her ever being in such a good mood before.
I got out of bed and closed the door whilst I got dressed, I came out of my room almost at the same time as Edward, he looked down the hall then pulled me to him. He gave me a long and lingering kiss on the lips before taking hold of my hand and we walked down to the kitchen hand in hand. Everyone but Carlisle was already there, we sat at the table and Esme put a plate of bacon, sausage and eggs in front of each of us, there was a pile each of toast and pancakes in the middle of the table. I looked over at Rose who only had half the amount of food that I had, but Emmett had twice as much, catching on I looked at Edward and back at my food, he didn't catch on. I picked up his fork and staked two sausages of mine and put them on his plate, he grinned at me. I slid my plate over to his and quickly slid one of my eggs onto his plate too, before I picked up some toast to start eating.
Edward leant over and whispered in my ear. "What, no bacon?"
"Oh no," I whispered back, "I like my bacon too much." I said.
He kissed the indent under my ear, "I like your bacon too much too." He chuckled and I started giggling.
The others looked to see what we were chuckling at.
"What?" Emmett asked.
"Sorry, private joke Emm." Edward said grinning at him.
Carlisle walked into the kitchen then, "Oh good you are all here... I do not want to start laying down rules on our first day, but after last night, Emmett, Edward and Jasper, all bedroom doors are to remain open after eleven pm and no one is allowed in anyone else's room after that time." He said.
I saw Jasper glare at Edward and then at Emmett, but why was his name mentioned? Then I saw the way he looked at Alice, I recognised that look, that was the way that Edward had looked at me last night.
"Jasper what did you do?" I asked shocked.
"No one did anything." Carlisle said, looking around the table, "if they had I would have put a stop to it, but in future I wont let it get so far." He said looking at Edward.
"I didn't do anything." Edward said innocently.
"And you never will." Jasper told him.
"People in glass houses shouldn't throw stones." Rosalie said to Jasper and they all burst out laughing.
"What have we created?" Esme asked Carlisle. "We'll have to rename the house, 'couples nest.'"
"So what's on the agenda for today?" I asked.
"Well I was thinking, if the three of you go back to your old place and start packing, then we'll bring the other cars later and help with the bigger things." Carlisle suggested.
"No, I'm going too." Edward said, lifting my hand and kissing it.
"As am I." Alice said leaning her head on Jaspers arm.
"Rosie, ain't going nowhere without me." Emmett announced.
"There maybe some private things they might like to pack, that they don't want you to see." Carlisle said slightly embarrassed.
"I don't have anything that I wouldn't want Edward to see, though I don't have anything, I'll be lucky if I need a whole box to put everything I own in." I admitted.
Edward as carefully as ever, pulled me out of my seat and into his lap. "I will soon change that." He said.
"You are all I need." I whispered to him.
"To be honest, none us have much of anything." Jasper said.
"Well if you want to keep things like your own beds." Carlisle started to say.
"No way... I love my new bed, that's the best nights sleep I think I ever had." I assured him.
Rose snorted and I glared at her, remembering that she knew about Edward spending the night in my room.
"What? Jasper asked her.
"Oh, I think I know why Bells slept so well." She said and I was glad that I remembered to put the cover up on both cheeks again, disguising my would be crimson face, it didn't help when I felt Edward tense up beneath me.
"And why is that?" Jasper asked suspicious, whilst I continued to glare at her, surely she would not betray me this way?
"I caught her sleeping with a teddy bear this morning." She said.
"Bells hasn't done that in years." Jazz said suddenly concerned.
"Oh, I've a feeling she'll be sleeping with this one a lot from now on." She said, turning away from Jasper to wink at me. I made a mental note, to borrow some money and buy a teddy the first chance I get.
Jasper turned to Carlisle, "Actually most our furniture isn't worth keeping." He informed him.
"Well, if you are sure?" He asked.
"We are." Rose, Jazz and I said together.
"I guess that settles it then, you can all go, just give me a call, if you need the extra car or help." Carlisle said.
"Sure thing." Jasper said.
"Though leaving you all unsupervised probably isn't the best idea, so I am trusting you all to behave and concentrate on the packing." Esme said.
"I will see if I can have a dumpster delivered for the day, to put all the furniture you don't want in." Carlisle said.
"That would be great... Thank you." Jasper said.
"Maybe one of us should go along to chaperone?" Esme suggested.
"Geez Mom, we won't do anything, you can trust us." Emmett said, pouting.
"I guess I'm going to have to, though if you hurry, I have an idea for this afternoon, I would put this just to the girls, but I am guessing you boys won't let them go for an entire afternoon."
"Damn straight we wont." Emmett and Edward said and Jasper pulled Alice into his lap and wrapped his arms tight around her. She reached up to kiss his cheek sweetly, it made me feel good to see Jasper looking so happy at long last.
"I think a shopping trip is in order, so we can stock up your closets." Esme said.
" But we don't have money for clothes." Rose said.
"You do from now on, I will be giving you a clothing allowance."
"That's hardly fair." Rose said.
"Okay, you can give me 10% of your wages as a living allowance and I will give you a clothing allowance." Esme suggested.
"Still hardly fair on you, but I will go along with it for now." Rose said. "But make it 25%."
"That goes for me too." Jazz agreed.
"But I don't have a job." I said.
"Bella, Edward and Alice don't count as they are all still under eighteen." Carlisle said.
"What? So I have to get a job now?" Emmett asked perplexed.
"Well, if Rose and Jasper can, then so can you." Carlisle told him.
"Mom?" Emmett protested.
"No Emmett, I agree with your father." Esme said.
"Man that really sucks." Emmett complained.
"They are looking for someone big and strong at my store, to help with deliveries." Rosalie said stroking her hand over his chest.
"I guess I could look into that." He said grinning down at her.
As soon as breakfast was done we all set off back to our old house, Jasper got all the packing boxes back down from the attic and Edward and I went to make a start on my old room. Like I had told them, it didn't take long, most of what I had were school books and my small collection of my own reading books. I loved the classic fantasy books, I had a very battered copy of The Hobbit that I had read to death, it was falling apart.
"Why do you keep this?" Edward asked.
"It was my Dads, it was his favourite book." I said. "He loved fantasy books and its a passion he passed down to me."
"Well we will have to find something to keep this safe in, but if you want to read it again, you can just read my copy, I don't think this will take another reading before it falls apart." He said.
"Okay, thank you." I said, happy in the knowledge that he owned a copy of my favorite book.
"Well now, you are very welcome." He said and leaned forward to kiss me.
~F~
"So we just have the bed and dresser left to move" Edward said pulling the mattress off the bed and turning the bed on its side to carry to it.
"Edward you can't take the bed out without taking it apart first." I said as he started to manoeuvre the bed towards the door. "Edward you can't."
"What? You think I can't handle one single bed by myself?" He asked.
"No, I just think that is pointless hurting yourself, at least get Emmett or Jazz to help you." I said.
"I bet you I can do it myself." He said.
"I am not betting on it." I informed him.
"So you think I can do it then?" He asked.
"That's not the point," I said, but he just waited with his eyebrows raised for me to answer, I sighed, "not without hurting yourself pointlessly."
"Okay," he said a grin spreading across his face. "So if I can get this down the stairs and into the dumpster without hurting myself, what are you willing to forfeit?" He asked.
"That depends on what you want." I said.
He grinned hugely. "I would want you to... well... you remember what you attempted to do when we first spoke to each other? Well I would want you to follow through this time." He said.
I didn't understand what he meant and my eyebrows almost knitted together as I tried to decipher what he meant. I looked at him confusion evident on my face, was he?... blushing?.. The first time I had spoken to him was when I had my face in his lap, less than an inch from his... Oh...My...G! Does he mean..? He wants me to..? My jaw dropped open, "Edward!" I gasped.
"What? You're sure I wont be able to do this so you have nothing to worry about," he said, my mouth was still open, I realised and snapped it shut.
"And what do I get if you can't do it?" I asked.
"I get to do it to you instead." He said still grinning, my mouth fell open again and it was a while before any words would come out.
"Oh so its a win, win situation for you then?" I said when I could finally speak again.
"Absolutely, but it is for you too." He smirked.
I was so shocked I just laughed and seeing that as his cue he started to move the bed.
"Edward this is crazy, your going to hurt yourself." I complained.
"Relax, Bella I'll be fine." He said.
"You must want me to do this pretty badly, to be doing this?" I asked, "please Edward, don't do this." I begged.
"Of course I want you to, you have no idea, I've been dreaming about it since it almost happened." He said still grinning.
"You could have just asked." I said as he neared the stairs.
"Now where's the fun in that?" He asked, fighting back his grin for once.
"Okay, I promise I will do it anyway, if you just get some help." I said desperately, when he reached the top of the stairs.
"You promise?"
"Yes!" I almost screamed, as the bed almost jerked out of his hands.
"What the hell?" Emmett said coming out of Rose's room and grabbing the bed before it fell. "Are you crazy?"
"No, not crazy... just determined." Edward replied.
"You can play your Jedi mind tricks on Bella after the final next week, until then just do as she said and just ask her okay?" Emmett said.
At this point I actually wanted the bed to fall on them both, he had heard everything, I must have been scarlet in colour but for where the cover up make up was, as it was I was so embarrassed I ran to the bathroom to hide.
"Emmett you dumb-ass, now look what you've done." I heard Edward shout as I slammed the bathroom door shut behind me.
"What the hell is going on?" I heard Rose yell.
Then I heard the unmistakeable sound of the bed crashing down the stairs. "Damn you Edward, why'd you let go?" Emmett shouted.
"I have to make up for your mouth... again." Edward said, seconds later I heard a light knock on the bathroom door. "Bella, babe," Edward whispered into the door.
I couldn't face him, it was too much.
"Back off Edward." Rose's voice called, I saw the handle move, by which time I made a snap decision, I couldn't face anyone right now, I needed time to think.
"Bells, let me in please." I heard Rose say, but I was already half way out of the window which was above next-doors garage.
It wasn't that far to jump and it was preferable to facing any of them right now. I quickly lowered myself down and dropped the final few feet, trying to make as little noise as possible, I didn't want to alert them to my escape. I ran across the garage roof and climbed down onto the neighbours oil container, then down onto their garbage bin. I ran through their back yard and into the encroaching forest. I knew this part of the forest very well, I'd spent a lot of time walking here. I heard the bang from the bathroom, I've no doubt it was Jasper breaking the door in, then I heard them shouting my name. I ran as fast as I could, they were all fitter and faster than I was, but I had a head start and familiarity on my side. I ran down the trail to get deep into the forest until I reached the familiar stream, I turned off the trail, jumped over the fallen tree and ran along the side of the stream to the old small broken bridge that I had found months ago. I crawled under the bridge and sat leaning against the wall.
It was a relief to stop, I was breathing very hard and fast and hearing them all running through the forest calling my name did nothing to steady my over-active heart rate. I tried not to listen to the frantic calling as they passed and I tried my best to think straight, was I over reacting? It was beyond embarrassing, knowing that Emmett and Rose had heard us and I still couldn't believe he had asked me for that. Was he really like that? Trying to trick me into doing something like that? But then he had invited me to join his family, surely he wouldn't have done that, just for that? But still I didn't care right now, I was still far too embarrassed and I couldn't face any of them yet. Right or wrong I didn't care right now, I needed some alone time, so much had happened in the last few days and I had not had a second to myself to sort all the things in my head.
I don't know how long I sat there, but gradually the calling stopped, I hoped that Jazz and Rose knew me well enough to get back to packing. They knew I'd be back when I was good and ready, I didn't make a habit of running off like this. Sometimes I just liked my own company and I would be back when I wanted and not a minute before. At least I hoped they would explain that to Edward, I really didn't want to hurt him, I just didn't want to be with him right now.
I closed my eyes as my body began to relax to the rhythmic gurgling of the stream and the birds singing, it was most reassuring and restful.
"Bella!" I heard Edwards voice cry out and I jerked upright. Edward threw himself under the bridge and fell to his knees at my feet. "Oh Bella." He choked, I could see even in the dim light that his eyes were close to tears. "I am so sorry... I never meant... to hurt you... again, can you ever forgive me? I'm... so... sorry..." He gasped.
"Edward!" I gasped, he was a total wreak, I got to my knees and took his face between my hands. "Edward, of course I forgive you... I just needed sometime to think, that's all."
"That's what Rose said... but... damn, I'm such an ass, I've ruined everything..." He said berating himself.
"You haven't ruined anything, I love you, I just needed a moment." I said staring deep into his eyes.
He placed his hands over mine. "It felt like my life was over, when I saw the open window, and you weren't there. He said.
"What's that supposed to mean?" I asked.
"I thought I had ruined everything, like I had pushed you too far and you didn't want to be with me. It was like someone had ripped my heart out, I just can't live without you Belle." He said.
I sighed in relief and pulled my hands from under his, I stared into his eyes and pulled him to me, then I wrapped my arms around him and hugged him like my life depended on it, I ignored my protesting ribs.
"I told you, you can't get rid of me that easily didn't I..? I meant it. I am sorry if I worried you, but it just got too much on top of everything that's happened lately and I needed to sort my head out." I said.
He hugged me back tightly, "I love you so much Bella, you have no idea just how much you mean to me." He said.
"I think I am starting to." I said. "Wait," I said pushing him to arms length, "how did you find me?"
"I remembered you telling me about how you sat for hours under an old bridge over a stream behind your house, so I followed the stream," he said. "Could you do me a huge favour?" He asked.
"Of course."
"Next time you need some alone time, can you tell me, instead of running off like that, please... I know it was my fault, but in future... please?" He begged.
I smiled, "Okay." I said.
"Can I ask you one more thing?" He asked.
"One?" I asked.
"For now." He said after a long pause.
"Okay."
"You love me right..? That's not the question." He added quickly.
"More than anything else in the world." I admitted.
He took a deep breath. "I never want to lose you," he said and took another deep breath. "Not ever, so... will you... agree to be my wife?" He asked, I felt my eyes widen, my heart rate start to race and I gasped. "I know that we are still too young yet, but will you agree to get engaged until we are old enough?" He asked.
My jaw dropped and I just stared at him.
"Belle?" He asked sheepishly.
"I... I..." was all I could think, my mind was going crazy, he really did want me that much.
"You don't have to answer me now." He said suddenly, watching the different emotions cross my face, "obviously this is a big thing to think about, so take all the time you need, okay?" He said, looking deep into my eyes with all the love and honesty he could.
I shook my head.
"What?" He asked worriedly.
"It... its not really something I need to think very hard about." I informed him.
"Its not?" He asked and his face fell.
"No." I said simply and I crawled out from under the bridge, he followed me out. "Edward." I said turning to him and looking up at him.
"Yes?"
"When I said I loved you... I meant... I really love you... so, yes." I said.
"Yes?" He asked again, his eyebrows knitting together.
"It would be an honour to be Mrs Edward Cullen." I said.
I watched his whole face light up. "Yes?" He asked.
"Yes." I confirmed and grinned from ear to ear.
He pulled me into his arms, hugged me tightly and spun us both around in circles. "Thank you," he said, "you just made me the happiest person alive."
"I can think of one person who is happier." I said, before we fell to the ground.
He pulled me on top of him and kissed me until were were both breathless.
"There is just one thing though." I said as we walked back towards the house with our arms wrapped around each other, we were both covered in mud.
"What's that?" He asked.
"Well apart from needing a reason as to why we are both covered in mud, I think it might be a good idea to put off telling anyone for a while." I said.
"We fell, that's all and what do you mean by a while?" He asked.
"I'm not sure, maybe a year... or two." I said worriedly.
"Why?" He asked equally worried.
"I am not sure Jazz will take the news too well and I would really like you to survive, at least for a few years." I explained.
He laughed, "I don't know how long I'll be able to keep it quiet, I want to shout it from the roof tops, but if it helps I will wait until everyone's together." He said.
Oh brother... this is so not going to end well.