Author's Note: I own nothing. I just like to play with the characters that were created by Stephenie Meyer. No copyright infringement is intended.
Also, thank you for those of who have commented and offered well-wishes in my difficult time. It means a lot to me. Writing these stories has been my strength (as silly as that sounds) and has grounded me.
Thank you so much for reading and reviewing. It means so much to me. More than you can imagine. These stories (this one in particular) are my babies and I adore the reviews and comments I receive. Much, much love to ALL of you!
Chapter 21: The Morning After
EPOV
"Hello, Edward," came a sweet voice. "I've missed you."
"Tanya," I breathed. I looked in the direction of the voice and saw my wife. She was standing before me in a flowing white dress, her strawberry blond curls flowing around her heart shaped face. "Oh, Tanya," I cried. I reached for her but she held up her hand. I frowned in confusion. "Why?"
"I'm just visiting, Edward. I wanted to see how you were doing," she smiled. "Obviously very good. Seeing your lack of clothing."
I looked down and noticed I was wearing a pair of sleep pants and that was it. I self consciously crossed my arms across my chest. "Sorry," I mumbled.
"Don't be, Edward. I'm happy for you," she replied. "You spent so long grieving me. It's about time you moved on."
"You're not mad?" I asked.
"No. Edward I'm not mad. I'm actually very happy for you. She's beautiful."
"She is. Both inside and out," I whispered. "But I'm worried, Tanya. I can't lose her. Not like I lost you. I can't imagine the pain of losing her."
"Oh, Edward," Tanya whimpered as she reached out toward me. "I'm so sorry that I had to leave. I never wanted to be without you."
"Tanya, you didn't leave. You were taken from me," I wailed. "I was so lost."
"But now you're not. You have your Bella."
"My Bella," I muttered.
"Your Bella. She loves you. Very much. She just is hesitant to truly let you in. She made a huge stride last night, but she's not done in letting you in," Tanya said as she floated toward me. "Be patient with her."
"I know. She's so fragile."
"She's not as fragile as you think. But be aware of her past. It will bite you. And her," Tanya warned. "Be strong for her. Love her. Protect her."
"I intend to, Tanya," I said, looking into her violet eyes. "I'm just afraid of forgetting about you. You were so important to me."
"I still am. You won't forget me. I'll show up like this to remind you of what you missed," she winked. "And Edward?"
"Yes?"
"I approve. She's truly your soul mate. I was your wife, but she is your other half. Her strengths are your weaknesses and vice versa. Love her. With this," she said as she touched my temple. "And this." She touched my heart. "She will make you inordinately happy. As you will make her happy. I love you, my Edward. Enjoy your love."
"I love you, too, Tanya," I whispered. She leaned down and kissed my lips before she vanished like a puff of smoke.
My eyes cracked open and I smiled. "Thank you, Tanya," I whispered in the darkness. Bella nestled closer to me and sighed against my chest. I ran my hand through her soft hair and held her closer to my chest. I watched my angel sleep in my arms. Her tiny arms wrapped around my waist and she was mumbling quietly. I watched as she slept and I was in awe of her. Of her strength. Of her love. Of everything about her. I was over the moon that we had shared the most intimate of moments. I was so happy that she felt comfortable enough to share it with me. I was ecstatic that I was able to share my love with her. Never in my life had I felt so content. So loved. So complete.
Bella summed it up perfectly. She was my 'home.' My dream about Tanya solidified it. She gave her blessing. I was so happy. I couldn't wait to take that next step. But I needed to. Bella was dealing with some serious shit. Her ex-husband was a first class douche. Possibly a murderer. I couldn't let her get hurt. I would lose it if she did. Or worse. I couldn't be without her. I wanted to make her my wife. The mother of my children. The grandmother of my children's children. But it was too soon. We had been friends for a few months. Dating for less than a month. It was too soon. However, I knew with Tanya that I was going to marry her after three dates. I did wait to propose to her. I'll have to wait to propose to Bella. Maybe on Christmas?
"Edward…love you…my Edward," Bella sighed. She tightened her grip on me, kissing my chest. My heart soared at her sleeping admission and I kissed her forehead before slipping back into deep sleep.
xx AFS xx
"Edward," Bella grumbled. "Turn off your damn phone."
"Huh?" I answered intelligently.
"Your phone. Turn it off. It's been ringing forever," Bella said into her pillow.
I groaned and got out of bed. My muscles protested. Especially in my ass and lower back. Ugh, I'm old. I padded to my pants and pulled out my cell phone. There were several new messages. Two from Alice and one from Emmett. The messages from Alice pretty said that they arrived in Maui and were settling into their hotel. She called a second time to make sure that I get her mail while she was gone. The message from Emmett was one word. "FOOD!"
I looked at the clock on my phone and saw that it was nearly eleven. I groaned and padded back to the bed, pulling Bella against my chest. "Who called?"
"Alice and Emmett," I said in her hair.
"What did they want?"
"Alice called to let me know that she got to the hotel and to get her mail. Emmett just said that he wanted food," I laughed.
"Emmett always wants food," Bella snorted. "He's a walking garbage disposal. I've never seen one human being eat as much as he does."
As Bella was talking, a loud banging rang through the suite. Emmett's booming voice resounded through the door. "Stop fucking you two and let's get food!"
"How did he know where we were staying?" I asked. "It's not like I announced the world we were in the suite."
"I have no idea," Bella giggled. "You may want to answer the door. Emmett will take matters into his own hands and beat it down. Trust me I've seen it."
I rolled out of bed, groaning in pain as I stood back up. Bella laughed hysterically and covered her face with a pillow. I smacked her ass and pulled on my sleep pants. I walked to the door and opened it. Emmett was standing at the door with an impish grin on his face. "Morning sunshine," he bellowed.
"What the fuck?" I asked.
"Food. I need food," Emmett said simply. "Rosie's sleeping and I figured you'd be up."
"Now. I'm up now, Emmett," I laughed. "After a bunch of phone calls."
"Can I come in?" Emmett asked as he started to move into the suite.
"No!" Bella yelped from the bed. I gave him a shrug and he looked at my attire.
"I didn't interrupt did I?" Emmett asked, his eyes wide.
"No, Emmett. You didn't," I snickered. "We'll see you later, okay?"
"Of course. Later, Bella," Emmett called.
"Bye Em!" Bella shouted. I laughed and Emmett danced down the hallway. I closed the door and walked back to the bed. Bella was wearing my tuxedo shirt and a smile. "That was, um, interesting."
"Is he always like this?"
"Yes. He's like a big kid. I'm surprised that anything gets done in his classroom," she giggled. "How are you?"
"I'm fine," I said, smiling. I stretched my body and my back cracked causing me to grimace.
"You're lying," she said, wiggling her finger at me.
"I'm fucking sore," I grumbled. "How about you?"
"Me too. We're too old," she laughed.
"Yeah, we are, but it felt good while it was happening," I smiled as I crawled up her body, pressing her to the bed with my hips. "So good. Amazing."
"Wonderful," she answered.
"Earth shattering," I supplied.
"Fucking hot," she purred as she ran her fingers through my hair. "You are…wow."
"I could say the same about you, beautiful," I replied as I kissed down her neck. My fingers danced along her legs. "How sore are you?"
"Not sore enough to do this," she said as she pushed on my shoulder. She straddled my waist and unbuttoned my shirt, tossing it on the floor. Her lips crashed against mine and my hands went to her hips. "I love you so much, Edward." She scooted back on my legs, tugging on my pants. My cock was released from its plaid prison and she smirked at me. "Do you want me, Edward?"
"God, yes," I breathed. "Always, my Bella."
She reached behind her and stroked my cock with her soft, tiny hand. "So hard, Edward," she cooed. She smiled and moved further back on my body. She lined up her entrance with my cock and I could feel how wet she was. My breath hitched and she slowly lowered herself onto my dick. She moaned and her head fell backward. "Fuck." Her slick walls hugged my cock and it was the most perfect place for me to be. She started rocking on my body and she held my gaze.
"Bella," I croaked as I sat up. My lips attached to hers and we kissed passionately as she moved above me. I could feel her body grow wetter and she was so tight. Tighter than I had ever imagined. I wrapped my arms around her waist and our lips move together in tandem. I could feel her muscles flutter around my cock and her breathing was growing more erratic. "You are amazing, Bella. I love you."
She moaned and her fingers latched into my hair. She tugged forcefully on the strands and I hissed. It hurt, but it felt good at the same time. Her body moved faster and she removed her mouth from mine, biting down on my shoulder. I reached in between us and gently circled her clit as she moved faster. "Ed…Ed..ward…," she moaned into my skin. "Fuuuuuck," she cried as she gripped my neck tightly, digging her fingers into my shoulder. She leaned back, bracing herself against my knees. Her body was undulating as she got closer and closer to her release. I watched her as she moved sensually. Her head fell back and her face scrunched into a grimace as her muscles clamped down on my cock. She kept moving and I felt my own release follow hers. My dick twitched and I spilled into her, biting my lip to prevent my screams. She leaned forward and her sweaty body molded against mine. Her breath was heavy and erratic, just like mine. "Okay, now I'm really sore," she laughed.
"There's a Jacuzzi tub in the bathroom," I suggested. "Let's go sit in front of the jets to relax our tired and old muscles."
"That means I have to move," she said as she tightened her hold on me. "I don't want…"
"I know, Bella. Me neither," I said as I kissed her bare shoulder. "It's my new favorite place to be." I wiggled my hips and my dick perked up. Bella kissed me but unstraddled my waist. I frowned. She tweaked my lip and tugged on my hand. We walked into the bathroom and Bella turned on the tub. She got it to the right temperature and plugged the stopper. I got in first and Bella followed, settling between my legs.
We sat in the tub, allowing the jets of the Jacuzzi to relax our sore muscles. I rubbed Bella's shoulders and I could feel the knots in them. She moaned at my massage and my dick perked up. Not now, you perv. Bella reached behind her and wrapped her fingers around my cock and giggled. "Someone's excited."
"Can you blame me?" I snickered. "I have the most beautiful woman, naked, in a Jacuzzi, making moans that would rival a porn stars."
"Do not," she laughed.
"Hmmm, I think they do. You are incredibly sexy, my beautiful girl," I whispered into her ear, licking the shell of it.
"Edward," she sighed. "I'm too sore to do anymore. My cooter is protesting."
I snorted and let out a guffaw. She smacked my chest and started to get out of the bathtub. I gently pulled her back down, wrapping my arms around her waist. She was scowling and I felt a faint growl reverberate in her belly. "Don't be mad, love. I just have never heard someone reference their vagina as a 'cooter.' It's funny."
"You are an ass, Edward," she grumbled. "You…you…are hung like a fucking horse and…yeah."
"A horse, huh?" I asked as I nibbled her neck. "And this is a good thing?"
"First time I came from penetrative sex," she whispered, a blush covering her body.
"Really?" I asked, a triumphant grin spreading over my face. I did a mental fist pump and pulled her closer to my body. She squeaked and nestled against me. We stayed in the water until we both turned into prunes and the water had turned cold. We got up and did our normal morning routines before checking out. On the way out of the hotel, Bella threw away the Pink Panther dress. I laughed hysterically, wishing I could do it to my tuxedo. But alas, it had to go back to the tuxedo rental.
We drove back to our home, by way of the tuxedo rental, and spent the rest of the day just lounging around the house. Neither one of us did anything. Bella even went so far as ordering pizza, which I normally would have despised, but was okay with it because I just wanted to spend time hugging, loving, kissing and groping my girlfriend.
She's more than that, you know…
Yeah, I know. In my mind, she's already my wife.
Don't let her know that yet. She'll eat your balls for dinner.
We wouldn't want that. I'd like to have children.
After our dinner of pizza, Bella put in a movie and tried to distract me. I was getting nervous about my eye procedure tomorrow. She put in some pointless comedy and got me a bottle of water. I was almost tempted to get shitfaced so I could sleep tonight. Tempted, but resisted. After the mindless movie, we headed upstairs and settled into bed. I lay awake for several hours while Bella was curled into my side. I couldn't get my mind to stop racing. I huffed and climbed out of bed. Bella grumbled and then grabbed my pillow. I traced her cheek and went into my office. I spent my time working on some dictations and my presentation to the board about upgrading our trauma suites. I heard a quiet cough and I looked up to see Bella standing in the doorway of the office.
"Edward, you have to be at the surgicenter by seven. Come to bed," she croaked.
"I can't sleep," I muttered. "My brain won't shut off."
"Are you nervous?"
"Honestly? Yeah," I said with a shaky breath. "One wrong move and I'm blind."
"Edward, you're nearly blind now," Bella snorted.
"Shut it, Swan," I growled.
"It's the truth."
"I know," I sighed.
"Sleep, Dr. McFuckme," Bella snickered. "Maybe I'll give you a blowjob."
"Tempting," I snorted. "It's not necessary, my love. I'll just take some anti-anxiety meds and I'll be good."
"You still take them?"
"On average about once a month," I answered as I walked to Bella, shutting off the lights to my office. "Whenever a case, like Taylor's, comes through the ER, it hits hard. Too close to home, you know?" Bella nodded and laced her fingers with mine. We walked up to the bedroom and I took an ativan before crawling back between the sheets. Bella was on her side and I spooned my body protectively around hers, nuzzling her soft, fragrant hair. "I love you, my beautiful girl."
"I love you, too," she whispered sleepily.
My brain finally shut off and I fell into a fitful sleep. It almost seemed like my head hit the pillow when Bella's alarm shrilled from the bedside table. She turned it off and padded to the bathroom. I pulled the pillow over my head and tried to get some more sleep. Bella eventually removed the covers from the bed, smacking my ass. I got up and brushed my teeth and taking a brief shower. I walked downstairs and ate a quick breakfast of a bagel. Bella was sipping some coffee, reading the newspaper. After a few moments, I handed Bella my car keys to the Volvo. "Why are you handing me these?"
"You're driving my car," I answered simply. "I'm not sure how my depth perception is going to be and like you, I have clumsy tendencies."
"Right, Edward," she snorted. "I'll drive your car, control freak."
"Thank you, baby," I smiled.
"You're welcome. However, we have to go," she said as she looked at her watch. I groaned and followed her out to my car. She eased into the driver's seat, adjusting the mirrors. I got into the passenger side and I could feel the butterflies attack my stomach. I'd been through numerous surgeries from when I was in my car accident, but it didn't negate the fact that they still freaked me out. I wasn't going under, thankfully. I was still nervous. Bella must have noticed as she grabbed my left hand after she backed out of the driveway, lacing her fingers with mine. "Edward, you'll be okay. I had it done and I'm fine. No glasses. No contacts. No worries," she reassured.
"I'm afraid it won't work," I whispered. "Dr. Sandoval said I was a candidate as I did have some deformities in the eye, but I'm fearful that it's more to do with my injury to my noggin."
"I know it's driving you bonkers to not be in control, Dr. McFuckme. Trust your doctor," she said, arching a brow.
"You know what they say about doctors. They make the worst patients," I joked.
"It's the same thing with teachers. We make the worst students," she laughed. "We think we know all of the answers and techniques when we don't. But we insist on knowing it all."
"Same with doctors. We self diagnose. I was in medical school, third year. I was feeling run down and exhausted all of the time. I was certain I had some rare blood disease based off the symptoms. I went home for the weekend and Carlisle smacked my head. I was just exhausted, not being used to the chaotic schedule. No rare blood disease or anything else. Just exhaustion," I laughed. "After that, I pretty stuck with having my own physician diagnose me. I have a flair for the dramatic."
"And you're wicked protective," Bella said quietly.
"Only about people who I love and care about deeply. I've lost too many people in my life. I'll probably be overprotective. Don't hate me because of it," I said, squeezing her tiny hand.
"Edward, I could never hate you," Bella replied, looking at me as we stopped at a stoplight. "I'm…I'm just not used to it."
"Well, we'll have to change that," I winked.
Bella blushed and turned into the surgicenter where I was having my Lasik procedure. She parked the car. I took a few deep breaths and got out of my Volvo. We walked into the reception area and I gave my name. The nurse had me fill out some forms and then she handed me a water bottle and small cup with three small pills in them. "What's this?"
"Valium, Mr. Masen," she replied. "It'll relax you."
"It actually does the opposite with me," I said. "I get jittery and wired."
"Okay. Let me check with Dr. Sandoval what she wants you to have," the nurse huffed as she strode away from the desk.
Rude, much?
I waited for the nurse to come back and she handed me three ativan. I handed one pill back to her and she arched a brow. "You need all of them."
"No, I don't," I smiled. Kill her with kindness. "I know my body and I'll only need two."
"And why do you know that?" she sneered.
"Because my medical degree told me. And it's Dr. Masen," I snapped. So much for kindness. I popped the pills and strode back to where Bella was sitting. She was looking at me with wide eyes. "Bitch," I muttered under my breath.
"She's probably calling you every bad name in the book," Bella chortled.
"She was just rude and probably didn't even talk to Dr. Sandoval. She just grabbed whatever pill was back there without asking," I grumbled.
"What did she try to give you the first time?"
"Valium. Does nothing but make me super hyper. I told her that and she came back with ativan. She insisted I have three pills, but I would be one step up from amoeba if I had taken all three," I said, giving the nurse the stink eye. "I'm still going to be incoherent as it is with two."
"I'll carry you, big guy," Bella snorted as she poked my side. I jumped, giving her a pointed glare. She mimicked my look before she kissed my lips sweetly. "I love you, Edward. You're going to perfectly alright."
I wrapped my arms around her, inhaling her heady scent, allowing it to calm me. "I love you, too, beautiful." I pulled away and held her face in my hands. I stared into her eyes, memorizing every freckle, every contour, everything about this gorgeous woman.
"Dr. Masen? You're next," called a voice.
"Good luck, baby," she said as she caressed my scruffy jaw. "Love you."
"Love you, too." I kissed her lips, relishing in the softness of mouth before going to the entrance of the surgery suites. I could feel the ativan kick in and I was getting woozy. Dr. Sandoval came in and she put in several drops into my eyes in rapid succession. After fifteen minutes, I was led into a cold room with a large machine. I lay down on the bed and Dr. Sandoval checked my eyes. After another fifteen minutes, my procedure was done and I had my eyes covered by a clear shield to protect them from any scratching or anything else.
Dr. Sandoval explained my aftercare instructions and I was led, or rather stumbled, out to the waiting area. I grinned at Bella drunkenly and she wrapped her arm around my waist. She pulled me to the car, putting the sunglasses that I had to wear over my shield. I leaned my head back against the head rest, dozing slightly as Bella drove us back to the house. She left the car out on the driveway and helped me into the garage and up the stairs. Bella removed my shoes and gently took off my t-shirt. I fell onto the bed, taking her with me. I held her closely, nuzzling her hair.
"Edward, let me up," she shrieked.
"I love holding you," I mumbled incoherently. "So soft."
"Oh lord," she giggled. "You are so loopy. Now I know how I look when I'm on narcotics. Come on druggie."
"I am not a druggie. Just say no," I said as Bella dragged my legs up onto the bed.
"Okay," she laughed. "You need to sleep, Edward."
"But, I don't wanna sleep," I said, sitting up. Bella pushed me down, straddling my waist. "I like this idea better."
"Edward, you're so looped, you probably couldn't get it up," she teased. "Go to sleep. I'll check on you in a few hours."
"Then can we have some fun?" I asked, waggling my brows.
"Possibly. Sleep, Dr. McFuckme."
"Yes, Ms. Swan," I sighed as I laid back on the pillows. "I love you."
"I love you, too," she said as she kissed my forehead. Bella drew the curtains and shut the door. With no problems whatsoever, I fell into a deep sleep.
A/N: It was more than just the 'morning after.' Sorry. Anyhow, I hope you leave me some love (or hate!). comments are always welcome! ;-)