Same disclaimer applies-Twilight belongs to S.M., but the idea of this story is mine.
Many thanks to my awesome betas and friends - TeamAllTwilight and m0t0b33.
We're all caught up so now it will only be present time.
Once the last of presents were unwrapped, Edward disappears with Jasper upstairs.
I'm picking at the littered living room when the doorbell rings loudly.
Finally, I think in relief. I'm no longer outnumbered.
I throw the door open and beam at Alice. She grins, hugging me tightly.
"What's with the impromptu visit request?" she asks, as I step away for her to come inside.
"You'll see." I wink. "You didn't have plans, did you?" I ask cautiously.
"Nah, I was contemplating whether to go see the ball drop or watch it on TV." She giggles.
"TV, because we're having a small party. By the way, thank you so much for all the presents!"
She smirks before walking to the living room. "Whoa! So many presents."
"Tell me about it," I mumble then lean on the banister, looking toward the upper floor. "Baby, Alice is here!"
"We'll be right there!" Edward shouts back.
"Someone else with you two?"
I just smile innocently, as Edward brings Jasper in the living room. They're laughing and talking about something. The front of Jasper's shirt is over his head as he shows Edward the art on his chest.
From the look on my husband's face, I think he wants one too. I won't say no.
And if the glazed over look on Alice's face is any hint at what she's thinking, then I better start preparing the wedding.
Jasper rolls down his shirt, scratching his stomach as he turns to face me. His eyes land on Alice and a smirk forms on his lips.
"Man, your pretty wife has a pretty friend!"
Alice gasps and flies across the room.
I get up, alarmed that she's going to hit Edward's friend, but contrary, she latches on him. It's funny as hell considering she barely reaches his shoulder, and well, they literally just met.
Though, I'm not one to judge. I bit Edward's ass before I kissed him. Heck, I fucked him before we even kissed.
"I've waited so long for you!" Alice gushes, tilting her head back to gaze at Jasper. He eyes her curiously, but grins slowly.
"My apologizes, pretty lady. I've been held up in other business."
Edward joins me, nodding to them. "Do you think they need a room? If you just turned my best friend in a pussy whipped guy, I'm totally blaming you. I just got him back."
"Aww—sorry, baby. But look!" I point to them. "My matchmaking skills are awesome!"
True, their clasped hands are raised between their chests, and of what I can see, they seem to be moments away from kissing. Currently, they seem to be having a deep conversation through their eyes.
Edward takes my hand and leads me out of the room, biting on his lip, trying not to laugh. He holds it in until we're upstairs, in the entertainment room.
I notice that while they've been up here, they prepared our small celebration. There are bottles of wine and bubbly wine, glasses, the TV is running and a bunch of Wii games are stored next to the TV.
We'll get to that only if Alice and Jasper don't plan to hog the guest room for hanky panky.
"Edward!" I hiss, pinching his elbow.
"Hey!" He holds his elbow, narrowing his eyes at me. "Tell me, you don't find it funny."
"It is funny, but I never doubted my matchmaking skills," I state proudly.
"Hmmm." He wraps an arm around my shoulders, bringing me closer to him. "We never thanked Rose for her crazy party. If it wasn't for her, we'd have never met."
"I beg to differ. I was starting my job the next day."
"True, baby. But I doubt I'd have acted on it." He gives me a small smile.
"Then I'd have made the first move." I wrap both my arms around his midsection. "I love you, and don't make me think of a life where you wouldn't be in it. I don't even…" I shake my head vigorously.
"Me either," he says softly, tilting my head to kiss me.
"Bella!" I'm suddenly snatched from my man's arms and dragged across the hallway, to our room. "Oh. My. God!"
"Alice, chill."
"Bella!" She takes me face between her hands, looking seriously at me. "Thank you so much!"
"Uh, I didn't do anything."
"You introduced me to my soul mate."
"I think you've been single for too long."
"No." She shakes her head. "Jasper is who I've been waiting for. How can I ever thank you for this?"
"Uh, consider this my thank-you gift for the fabulous wedding you gave me. And stop looking at me like that. It's creepy."
She smiles big, and then throws her arms around me.
I can hear voices from behind us, and deep manly chuckles.
Great.
Edward seems to find me in compromising positions with Alice. All the time.
"Don't worry, man. You have to come to accept that sometimes…they do that." I can tell he just shrugged, without even looking at him.
"If they kiss, too, they'll make my night complete," Jasper says amused.
I immediately pull away from Alice, because I can't trust her foggy, Jasper hazed brain at the moment.
We move to the entertainment room where Jasper continues his stories.
At some point before midnight, family starts calling to wish us a Happy New Year considering the lines will be blocked at twelve.
For the big moment, we pull our winter coats and boots and go to the front yard with the fireworks. While Edward and Jasper are figuring out how to use them, without setting themselves on fire, I work on opening the bubbly wine. Alice holds four glasses to her chest.
"Maybe you should put them down," I advise. "We don't want any accidents."
We can see the firework show from city, and after a look at my phone, I realize it's twelve on dot.
"It's past midnight, guys! Do you think you can fire those fireworks any time soon?" I call for them.
"It's a careful job, baby."
"We'll start drinking without you!"
I start pouring bubbly wine in the glasses, exchange pleasantries with Alice, we kiss each other, grinning. I'm really happy I could make her happy and that she found what she's been waiting for in Jasper.
Our fireworks are nothing compared to the show downtown. The men must have done something wrong.
Anyway, they finally give up and join us.
I offer Edward his glass, but he slides a hand around my back, dipping me down and kissing me. I gasp, wrapping my arms around his neck and pouring my bubbly wine down his collar.
Oops.
He straightens and shakes like a dog, making all of us laugh.
"Awesome start of the year," he mumbles.
"Don't worry, baby. It's good for the skin," I snort out.
We eventually return inside.
While Edward takes his first shower on this year, I insert a game in the system. Let the night begin.
This is definitely not how we planned this night to go, not like we had a definite plan. But it definitely didn't involve best friends hogging us, when we could have been in bed, ringing in the New Year while making love.
That was my idea, anyway.
I didn't get to tell it to my husband, because his friend dropped by unannounced. And apparently, he planned on staying.
Maybe Alice will take pity on the newlyweds and take him off our back. Slim chance. Even if he's her soul mate, I know her. She'd want him to woo her and take her to the movies and…we'll have to sneak around. Jasper doesn't seem like the most sensitive guy in the world. It's going to be interesting living with him.
*BH*
On the first day of work after our break, it's hard to wake up and get back to the routine.
Edward's helping me with making breakfast which is odd, but I'm not complaining.
I leave him to finish the bacon while I take a shower. When I return, he gives me a sheepish smile.
"Cereal and milk is a healthy breakfast."
"You burnt it, didn't you?" I moan.
"Totally not my fault. The strips of bacon where too thin and they burnt." He grins, glancing to a spot behind me—what used to be Slob's corner. "Too bad we have to throw it away."
"Don't tell me you want another dog!" I beg him.
"I didn't say that. I just…you know…I miss him," he mumbles, turning around and clearing his throat.
"I miss him, too," I whisper and walk to him, wrapping my arms around him.
"Since our breakfast is ruined…" Edward turns around with a sly smile. "I think I'll have some Bella breakfast."
"Nooooo!" My retort turns into a moan when I'm hoisted on the counter, his hand slipping between my legs making my terrycloth bathrobe slide apart. He pulls me on the edge of the counter, kneeling on the floor as he dives for my nectar. "Fuck!" I shout, grasping at his hair.
"God Almighty! You're no longer alone!" Jasper's voice comes from the doorway. His eyes are tightly shut, his nose scrunched.
Embarrassed, I try to push Edward away, but he doesn't budge. He simply gives his friend the finger, his gesture going unseen.
"Baby, please," I beg, pushing his head away with both hands.
"Fucking cockblocker. Just wait, Jazz!" Edward mutters, finally standing and helping me down.
I rush out of the kitchen, my hands on my burning cheeks.
Perfect way to start the week.
It's not the first time he caught us, but there usually was a door between us.
When we finally leave for work, we start warning Jasper to be good, not open to strangers, not set the house on fire… until he mumbles that he feels like a chastised child. To which we laugh and tell him that he's our baby, and hug him making him push us out the door.
Walking on heels again seems like a form of torture. Edward holds my hand, but chuckles under his breath when I wobble.
I want to hurt him, but I need his support, so I restrain myself.
Just as the elevator's doors open at our floor, we see James with Victoria in his arms, probably saying goodbye.
"Dude, that's my little sister you're molesting!" Edward snaps slightly amused.
With a popping sound, they separate only for Victoria to jump on her brother. "Edward! I missed you!"
"We saw each other a couple days ago," he mumbles.
"Only for a few minutes," she whines.
"We stayed at Mom and Dad's for five hours talking about the honeymoon," I tell her. "You are never on time."
"Don't blame me, Vicky!" James exclaims quickly.
"But you said, another five minutes, which turned into two hours!" she pouts, turning to look at James.
"It's your fault, honey. You're too irresistible."
"Ew, man!" Edward shouts.
"What, big bro?" Vic grins. "Blame Mom for making us so fucking gorgeous." She flips her hair over her shoulder. "You and I, lunch. Today." She gestures between us as she steps in the elevator.
After a kiss from my husband, I go to my office, while he disappears in his own office with James in tow.
