Chapter 33: Developments
B POV
I wake up to a text on my phone.
Be over in a bit.
I smile and roll out of bed. Charlie had some sort of meeting with the mayor and a couple of other town officials. He'd be gone until after three, dinner wasn't until five. I had invited Edward over to help me cook dinner. He couldn't do Sunday because of a family dinner for his dad, so Saturday is what was decided on.
I grab my robe and bag of toiletries and head to the bathroom. I quickly shower and dress and head downstairs. I look through the fridge, I'm missing a few ingredients. We'll have to take a quick store stop. I hear a car door slam and look out the kitchen window, Edward's here. I rush to the door and open it, his hand is up in a fist like he's about to knock. He's wearing his letterman's jacket, a pair of Docker's and a white t-shirt.
"Wow that was quick," He chuckles.
"I saw you pull up," I shrug.
"I figured." He takes a step in, his hands are at my hips pulling me to him. He bends down and lays a small kiss. "So what's the plan?" He asks as he pulls away.
"Well we have to go to the store."
"Okay, then lead the way." He steps aside and offers me an arm. I grab my jacket and keys, turn the lock and grab his arm.
"Where to?" He asks as he plops into the driver seat.
"Just the grocery store over on Pine." I huff as I get comfortable.
"Alrighty," He starts the engine and takes off. "So did you send that e-mail to Mrs. Denali like we discussed?" He leads the conversation
"Yes, I sent it yesterday." I answer mildly. "Hopefully this won't come back to bite me in the ass though."
"Well you have me to back you up, and Mrs. Denali is fair when it comes to disciplining students. Even if they are her own kids, you remember how she was with Tanya after the whole food fight thing."
"Yeah I know," I huff. "I'm just worried."
"Well don't," he takes my hand in his and pulls it up to his lips. I love when he kisses the back of my hand, it reminds me of the night of the first after party I went to, the night his feelings for me became more apparent.
"So your dad's birthday dinner is tomorrow night huh?" I ask raising my eyebrows. "How old is he now?"
"He's turning forty, that's why it was such a big deal if I missed it. So why did you decline Esme's invitation to join us?"
"Because it's a family celebration. Jazz and Rose aren't going either." I point out.
"Well, yes but Rose and Jazz go every other year. They couldn't this year because their dad is taking them camping."
"Edward I'll be fine. I'll go when there's a party, not a family dinner celebration. But I did get him a card, can I get you to give it to him?"
"That was thoughtful, of course I will."
"Thank you," I say as we pull into the grocery store. We exit the vehicle and walk in the store hand in hand. He releases my hand to grab a cart.
"What first?" He asks enthusiastically.
"Produce." I command. He swings the cart right and we head over to the produce aisle. As we turn the corner to the multitude of colors that is the produce section I see Angela.
"Angela!" I call out. She looks up from the bin of apples she's surveying and smiles.
"Hey Bella! Hey Edward!" She waves back, bags an apple, dumps it in her cart and strides over to meet us. "What are you two up to?"
"We're shopping for dinner," I shrug.
"Oooh, fun, for who?"
"My grandfather is coming over for dinner tonight and Edward is over to help me cook and keep my sanity." Angela's tinkling laughter is infectious.
"Well I gotta go. You two have fun shopping. I'll see you at school on Sunday!" She brings me in for a hug and then continues on to the checkout.
"Okay, where were we?" Edward puts us back on track. We finish gathering the rest of the items on my mental shopping list and head to the checkout lanes.
As we unload the cart I look up, James is standing at the end of the counter waiting to bag our items. I noticeably tense and Edward follows my gaze. He clenches his jaw and takes a step in front of me. Him and James have a stare down right there in the middle of the store. I put my hand on Edward's bicep to anchor him back into reality.
"Paper or plastic?" James asks quietly. I don't detect any malice or venom in his voice.
"Plastic is fine," I respond curtly.
The elderly checker looks from Edward to James and back again as he rings up the items. He shakes his head and rolls his eyes in a 'boys will be boys' type of way. I squeeze in between Edward and the counter in order to swipe Charlie's debit card. Edward moves back a bit and wraps his arms around my waist protectively, not taking his eyes off of James.
"Can I help you out to your car?" James offers the standard and required line with no hint of malicious intent or undertone.
"No thank you," I decline. He nods once and relinquishes the cart to me. I push it out, Edward glares at him as we pass, James looks away and back to the counter where the next customer's items are waiting for his packing.
"What was that about?" I ask quietly.
"I was simply giving him the 'don't even think about making a scene' stare down." He shrugs lightly, his demeanor improving dramatically once we are outside the store.
"Well it was unnecessary; he doesn't seem interested in us anymore." I say as we load the groceries into the back of his car.
"Maybe, I don't understand it though. He seemed dead set on making our relationship something that we should be ashamed of, then he just stops? What the hell?"
"Cullen! Swan!" A voice yells from behind us. We both turn and my eyes widen in surprise. James is jogging toward us.
"What do you want James?" Edward almost growls.
"I wanted to apologize." I blink a few times in surprise and look over at Edward. He has a wary expression on his face and his eyes are narrowed.
"Really?" Edward scoffs.
"Yes, all that shit I said to you guys, well I was paid to do it."
"What about the parking lot thing?" I ask tapping my foot in annoyance.
"Paid to scare you into not going anymore." He stuffs his hands into his pockets and looks down at his foot.
"Who paid you?" Edward asks forcefully as he comes around the car to stand beside me.
"Who do you think?" His eyes snap up to Edward's. "Tanya."
The anger in me intensifies. "Oh my GOD! Are you kidding me?" I shout as I throw my arms open.
"What exactly did she say and do?" Edward asks curiously.
"Well she first approached me after the food fight. She told me she'd pay me fifty bucks if I tried to mug Bella at the football game. Then when that didn't work she paid me another fifty to try and embarrass you in the hallway."
"When did she approach you the second time?" I ask narrowing my eyes.
"It was a couple weeks before homecoming, mid October or so."
"The concert," I look up at Edward.
"She has a death wish." He spits.
"She approached me again after Christmas and asked me to break into your house. I told her to fuck off, that I didn't want to risk breaking into the Police Chief's house for a measly fifty bucks. She upped the ante and offered me a hundred. I just walked away."
"Why are you telling us now?" I ask a little peeved. "What changed your mind?"
"Well, my best friend won't talk to me now. Laurent said he wouldn't go along with it, that it was one thing to bully a couple of freshman but that mugging someone and getting our asses kicked was a whole other thing."
"So you're not seeking revenge for the whole parking lot thing?" Edward leadingly questions.
"Naw. I was pissed in the beginning, but I realized it was my fault. I shouldn't have taken Tanya up on her offer. So we cool now?" He offers his hand. Edward tentatively reaches his hand and grasps James'.
"I guess, but let me know if Tanya comes after you with any other 'offers', deal?"
"Deal." James nods and they shake on it. "I gotta get back to work, you two have a nice day. Oh and Bella, I really am sorry."
"Thanks," I blush as I look down at my feet. James lopes off back toward the store and Edward and I get back in the car.
"Well that was an interesting and unexpected development." I whisper.
"She has got to be stopped." He fumes, his hands white knuckling the steering wheel. "An e-mail isn't enough at this point."
"Edward, please calm down." I whine. "James told us that he would tell us if she were up to anything. After the e-mail she won't try anything for a while."
"So! She won't stop Bella! Her lot in life is to put others down and I'm tired of her going after you! She needs to get over the fact that I don't want her and that you and I are together!" He shouts. I let him sit there in the silence for a minute before I start again.
"I'll let the principal know when this whole school thing starts up, if that doesn't stop her I don't know what will. Is that alright with you?"
"Fine." He spits and slams his foot on the gas as the light turns green. I reach out and rub my hand along his leg to try and calm him down. After a couple minutes he has calmed. We pull up to the house and he lets out a large breath.
"I'm sorry," he whispers. "I shouldn't have gotten that angry." He turns to me, a look on his face that reminds me of a little boy that just got disciplined.
"Edward," I sigh. "I understand you're pissed about this, I am too. However, Tanya isn't going to stop simply because we want her to and I'm not going to lower myself to her level in order to teach her a lesson."
"I know." He looks down at his hands as he plays with the cuticles. "That's just another reason I love you." He looks back up at me.
"Let me handle this?" I reiterate. He nods in agreement and leans toward me. He lays a small kiss on my temple and then exits the car. We take the groceries inside, deposit our jackets on the back of the kitchen chairs and unload the groceries.
"Okay what do you need me to do?" He says cheerfully, the gray cloud from this morning dissipating.
"Nothing right now. I'm going to get the steaks marinating and then we can go watch a movie."
"Alright," he smiles and leans against the counter to watch me cook. "What time is your dad supposed to be home?" He wonders aloud.
"Not until around two or three." I answer as I slap the steaks into a shallow Tupperware container. He cranes his neck to the clock.
"It's only eleven right now." He looks back at me.
"Uh-huh." I nod as I rub the steak with a salt and marinade mixture.
"Where did he go?"
"He had some sort of Sheriff's meeting this morning then he was leaving from there to pick up my grandfather." He doesn't answer, he just continues watching me. I put the steaks in the fridge to sit for a while and wash my hands.
I feel him behind me as I dispense the soap on my hands. He gently moves my hair and kisses my neck lightly. His hands snake around my waist and he pulls my backside flush with his pelvis. I can feel him quickly growing against me.
I lather my hands lazily and let my eyelids droop. He bites my earlobe and I let out a soft gasp. I let my hands run under the water for a second and then slam the faucet down. I turn quickly in his arms, wrap my hands around his neck and kiss him fiercely. He groans into my mouth and I slip my tongue between his lips.
His hands greedily clutch at my hips and waist as he pulls me to the left away from the sink. He presses me up to the counter and I stretch to meet his lips better. My lower butt lifts above the counter line and he bends to grab my thighs, pulling me up so that I'm sitting on the counter.
I spread my legs so that he can press his body closer to mine. I let my hands travel down his shoulders and chest to his abs. My fingers itch to feel the contours of his skin. I push my hands up under his shirt and rub my hands back and forth across his stomach. I feel the slight moisture begin to soak my panties. His hands skim between my legs and cup my sex. I moan and sigh at the same time.
"Bella," he breathes. "I want you." I nod and push off the counter. I take his hand in mine and lead him to my room. As soon as the door is shut his lips are back on mine. We both kick our shoes off as we make our way to the bed. His shirt is over his head, my pants are left strewn next to the bed. My hands claw at the zipper on his pants to no avail.
"It's stuck," I pout uselessly. He chuckles and pulls his wallet out of his back pocket, discarding it on my nightstand and works the fly himself. His khaki's loosen around his hips and with a flick of my wrist are pooled at his ankles. He works my shirt up and over my head, the hesitation I feel every time this starts happening is soon eclipsed by the look of wanton lust in his eyes, it belays my fears and I throw myself into him with enthusiasm.
His hands shower my back with affection as he searches for the clasp of my bra. He still is terrible at unclasping it and growls in frustration. I giggle and pull the strap down my arm. He relinquishes his battle with the material and lets me pull it over my head. One of his hands cup around my breast but even that isn't enough to contain it.
"Edward," I whisper. "I want to try something."
"What?" He asks between kisses.
"Lay back." I push him gently back onto the bed. His legs hang over the side and he props himself on his elbows. I let my hands trail down his chest and lower myself to my knees. His eyes light up in understanding and as if in reaction his length grows in front of me. I pull his boxers down his hips and release him from the confines of the cotton. I take in the sight of him and lick my lips. I had wanted to try this since before our first time. I had used my hands to bring him to release but this was so much more…intimate.
I brace one hand on the side of his thigh and let the other wrap around him. I bring my lips to the tip and lay a soft kiss. His breath hitches and I smile to myself. I let my tongue flick between my teeth and tease the sensitive skin. He lets out a hiss and it encourages me to continue. I take the head of him into my mouth and suck him like a Popsicle. His head lolls back and he groans lightly.
Another side of me takes over and I can't stop myself, I leave a long lick along the length of his shaft, pulling another beautiful sound from him. I wrap two fingers around his base and take him into my mouth again and drag my fingers up as my mouth goes down.
His arms give out and he covers his face as he moans. I smile around him and continue the inverse movement of up and down at the same time. He pushes himself up again and reaches his hand down to my hair. He pushes my hair behind me and leaves his hand wrapped around my neck. My eyes meet his as I continue.
"God. Bella-ah. That feels…" He trails off as I let my tongue work along the underside of him.
I moan a little and he laughs out loud, his body reacting in sharp spasms. He sits up and grasps my chin in his hand and I release him from my mouth thinking I'm doing something wrong.
"Bella, Bella…" he trails off breathlessly. "That feels too good. I can't take much more if you keep doing that." He pulls me back up to him and I let it go for now, there will be more time to explore that later, I'm sure.
He rolls us over so that he's holding himself above me, kissing me with deep, hungry kisses.
"My turn," he whispers salaciously as he trails his kisses down my neck and collar. He pauses when he reaches the valley between my breasts. He brushes his lips back and forth across the overheated skin. I giggle as he continues to the peak of my nipple. He flicks his tongue back and forth across the sensitive bud. I moan and my body involuntarily arches into him.
He smiles against my skin and continues his parade of kisses down my stomach. I shudder at his touch and suck in my tummy as far as I can, it still causes me a tiny bit of embarrassment in front of him. He either doesn't notice or is choosing to overlook that.
His fingers hook into either side of the bikini strap underwear I have on. He pulls them down, running his hands along my thighs, knees and calves as he pulls them off of me. He lets his left hand roam back down my leg but his right hand pauses at my ankle, holding it in the air. He lays a kiss on the bottom of my heel and torturously works his way back up the inside of my leg. He drapes my leg over his shoulder as he continues his descent.
I close my eyes and lose myself in the feel of his lips on me, the way his hand tickles the flesh on my hip. His lips disjoin at my knee and I am just about to open my eyes to see what he's doing when a kiss on my inner thigh, dangerously close to his destination, causes me to jump a bit.
"You okay?" He asks from between my legs.
"Uh-huh," I squeak in response and let out a shaky breath.
His hand traces from under my thigh and he trails two fingers through my forever moistening folds. I sigh at the contact. He spreads my legs a little wider and readjusts himself. With no more warning than that I feel his hot tongue on me. I cry out a little, causing him to increase his action. He dips two fingers into me as his tongue works the small bundle of nerves a little more north.
Within minutes I'm panting and gripping the sheets, my body growing tense.
"Oh God, I'm so close Edward." I warn him. He hums in response and the vibrations cause the same reaction from my body as they did his. I cry out as his hands move with more resolve, his tongue begging me for my release. I grip more of my sheets in my hand, curl my toes and let myself fall over the edge. My hips buck in response and he continues working his fingers as I ride out my orgasm.
Before I can open my eyes his body is molded to mine, his lips tangling with mine and the taste of me on him is like an aphrodisiac.
"Hold on I want to do something now." He leaves me stretched out on the bed. I bend my knees and curl my arms around my stomach and watch him as he grabs his IPod out of his discarded pants. He walks over to my IHome and quickly plugs in and chooses a song.
The slow and low drum beat echoes through the room. Edward swiftly moves back to me and covers his body with mine. My heart slows to match the beat of the drum.
"I've always wanted to make love to this song." He whispers in my ear sending shivers up my spine. The violins pick up as he kisses me softly. I wrap my hands around his neck and tangle my legs around his. He moves back into position over me.
The chiming begins and his hands roam across my skin. I sigh as he slowly guides himself to my entrance. He lays one languorously seductive kiss on my lips that spans the rest of the chiming. At the first light crash of the cymbals he presses into me. I moan and he continues. With every crash of the cymbals he pistons into me, letting the chiming and violins lead him back out. Then the cymbals stop and after a short pause he lets the slow beat of the drum lead his movements.
A loud crash of the symbols ups the speed of the low drum beat and I cry out at the sudden increase in tempo. I feel like I'm slowly burning. It suddenly calms again and the torturously slow pace is resumed. I cling to him as another loud crash of the cymbals signals him to speed up again and increase in volume, causing him to increase his force.
Soon the drum ceases and the violins take over as well as a new drum. He sets the beat to the new drum and I cry out louder as his speed reaches a new high as well as the force. It feels so good I can't help but to claw my nails into his back which seems to only fuel him more. The music drops off but he continues with his speed, the speed the violins and chanting has taken. I moan and sigh and scratch my nails a bit. He pushes into me at the same speed but with more force as the music grows louder.
It goes on and on and I can feel my coil winding tighter and tighter. His breathing matches the rhythm of his hips. I can feel the song change, an edge of almost chaotic desperation makes me succumb. I begin pushing my hips into his, meeting him blow for blow, note for note. I bite my lip in anticipation.
The song reaches a new plane and right as it crescendos into a great crash of the cymbals we both cry out in ecstasy. My eyes roll back as my head slams into the mattress. My release hits its peak right as the as the last bit of the crescendo ends and I come back down as the chiming finishes the last few notes.
We lay there both spent and panting for a moment before he rolls off to the side. My heart races wildly and a giggle erupts from my chest, followed by a chuckle and then a full out belly laugh. I cover my face with my hands before peeking through my fingers at him.
He has a slightly confused but amused look on his face.
"What's so funny?" He voices a little self-consciously.
"Nothing! It's just, wow…that was…" I exhale my breath in a short beat-like rhythm like Charlie does. "…I can't even form words! How did you come up with the idea for that?" I nod to the IHome.
"Well," he rolls back towards me, letting one arm prop his head up and the other arm wrap around my plump stomach. "I don't even remember where I first heard the song, probably on a movie trailer or something. I downloaded it and it quickly became a song I would listen to when I was studying or reading. Then one day I was driving myself on some road trip alone and listening to it and for some reason or other I had this thought that it would be a great song to...screw to." His face contorts in an expression of concentration and humor and I turn towards him.
"Well good idea, 'cause that just rocketed to top five on my list of favorite songs, ever." I lean in and press my lips to his. We lay there just kissing for a few minutes before I feel the need to shower.
"I'm going to hop in the shower," I whisper quietly.
"Mind if I join?" He cocks one eyebrow at me. I stiffen in response, he wants to shower, with me? That's something new.
"If you really want to…" I trail off.
"Great let's go," He hops off the bed and pulls me up with him. He wraps his arms around from behind me and penguin walks me to the door. I open it and peak out, just in case.
"I'm already here," he whispers into my ear. "No need to check if the coast is clear. I can't really surprise you in the nude this time. Besides you already are." He lays a kiss behind my ear and lets his hands roam down my body to emphasize that fact.
"Thanks," I smile. "Wait." I remove his hands from around my waist and grab my robe and a towel from behind the door. I hand him the towel and wrap the robe around myself. He wraps the towel around his waist and we dart across the hall to the bathroom.
I turn the water on and let it warm up before I disrobe and step in. Edward quickly follows suit and I just stare at him, not really knowing what to say. He's here, in my shower, with me, what next? He reaches his arm behind me and pulls back, shampoo in hand.
"Well, turn around," He chuckles and spins his finger in a circle and I do as he's directed. I hear the squirt of shampoo and the click of the lid. My eyes follow his hand as he puts it back on the shelf.
His hands make a quick swish as he spreads it between both hands. His hands tangle in my hair and he lathers the soap into my wet strands. He massages my scalp and I lean my head back into his touch. The jetting of the water on my chest and the slow kneading of his hands roaming through my hair soothes and relaxes me. I never knew I could feel this comfortable, naked, in front of someone.
"How's that feel?" He asks quietly.
"Amazing," I sigh.
"Good. You have such beautiful hair Bella, I could get lost in it." I giggle lightly and pull my head back up. When he's satisfied with it he lets his hands fall to my shoulders and pushes me around. He pushes my head under the spray of the water and helps the suds rinse off and down the drain. I smile and reach my hands up as well. I put my hands over his and we move them together.
He lets his fingers slip from beneath mine and trail down my face, cupping my cheeks he lays a kiss on my lips and then pulls back. His hands roam lower to my shoulders, across my breasts to my waist where the beginning of my love handles start. I tense slightly and he picks up on it.
"Bella, stop." He urges. "This," he moves his hands to the meat of my ass, cups and yanks my body towards him, "is such a turn on it's ridiculous."
"I still don't understand why though." I quietly mew.
"Because, there's more of you. More to hold onto, more to love, more to kiss, more to feel." His hands move back to my waist and he pulls me closer to him. "I love every inch of you Bella."
I smile and grin sheepishly, I guess I'm okay with that answer.
E POV
Bella and I managed to finish our shower without getting too physical. There was groping, caressing and kissing, mostly on my part, but I couldn't help it.
Currently we sit on her couch watching some made for TV adaptation of Spartacus, with the Eastern European doctor from ER in it. Bella's head rests on a pillow in my lap and her breathing tells me she's fallen asleep. It's almost four, her dad and grandfather should be here any second. I switch the TV off and let my fingers roam through her hair, beckoning her awake.
"Bella," I whisper quietly. "Wake up Love, your dad should be here soon."
"Make the monkeys go away," she mumbles through her sleepy state. I contain my laughter by pushing my hand over my mouth. She sleep talks, this is a new development.
"Why are the monkeys here?" I ask, trying to get her to talk more.
"They want grandma's banana bread recipe." She says a little clearer than before.
"How should we get rid of them?" I manage to say between muted chokes.
"Throw the pudding at them." She whines and squirms a bit.
"We already used it all." I laugh in response.
"Noooooooo," she cries out lightly. I can't stand it anymore.
"Bella my Swan, wake up." I shake her a bit and manage to bite back my laughter.
"Huh?" Her eyes flutter open and then close again as she stretches.
"What time is it?" She squeaks.
"Just before four, your dad should be here with your grandfather soon."
"Okay," she nods and moves to sit up. She stretches again and my eyes travel to her chest that she's pushing out. God, I can't stop myself, I don't even try. She's perfect for me.
She sees me looking and smiles a vixen-like smile.
"My eyes are up here," she points to her face.
"I know, but your eyes are not what have caught my attention in this exact moment." I splutter never taking my eyes off of her chest.
She stands and my eyes follow like a cat tracking a mouse. She laughs and walks out, strutting her hips a little. My eyes transfer to her full ass and I jump up and follow her into the kitchen. Before I can grab a hold of her, she turns and shoves a pile of plates at me.
"Mind setting the table?" She tilts her head and bites her lip. I lean in and kiss her lips quickly then take the plates to the dining table. I set them out and head back into the kitchen.
"Silverware is in that drawer," she points to the drawer to her left with the knife she has in her hand. I grab four of each set and the cloth napkins she had put on the counter above them. I finish setting the table and head back to the kitchen.
"Sit there," she points to the kitchen table chair. I take a seat and she brings over the garbage can, a vegetable peeler and a sack of potatoes. "Think you can peel these for me and put them in this-" she reaches for a large pot on the counter. "-pot?"
"I'm sure I can handle that," I roll my eyes and get to work. We work on making a salad and peeling potatoes in silence for a minute or two when she reaches over to a clock radio hanging under one of the cabinets. She presses a button and the radio turns on. The kitchen is filled with a man's voice backed up by a guitar and drum. Bella seems to know it because she sings along.
"Don't patronize, I realize I'm losing and this is my real life. I'm half asleep, and I am wide awake. This habit is always so hard to break. I don't want to be the bad guy, I've been blaming myself and I think you know why. I'm killing time, and time's killing you, every way that I do." She lifts the cucumber to her mouth and turns on her heel to me and sings into it.
"Did you say please just follow me? I thought you wanted me, 'cause I want you all to myself! I can try and suck it up, I just can't suck it up, make me feel like someone else!" She flips her hair around and bends over, using her whole body to belt the lyrics. I laugh at her enthusiasm and give her a wink, humming to the catchy tune.
She turns back around and finishes chopping her makeshift microphone and bouncing on her toes along to the beat. The sound of the door slamming alerts us to the fact that Charlie and his father have arrived. Bella reaches over to the music and turns the volume down quickly.
"Hey dad!" She calls. "We're in here making dinner!" I look up as Charlie comes around the corner. I stand and reach for the nearest dish rag. I wipe my hand off quickly and straighten up as Bella's grandfather comes from behind Charlie. He's Charlie's height and has Bella's eyes, it shocks me a bit and I lose my focus.
"Well, you must be Edward Cullen?" He gruffly states.
"Yes sir," I nod my head and reach out to shake his hand. He meets my handshake with hands that feel like pumice stones. I give two forceful shakes, showing him that I'm not intimidated. "Nice to finally meet you Mr. Swan, I've heard a lot about you." We release our hands and I take a couple steps back towards Bella.
"Likewise," he grunts and takes a seat opposite the one I had just occupied.
"What's for dinner Bells?" Charlie asks curiously.
"Oh, um…steak, scalloped potatoes and salad." She answers and gets back to cutting vegetables. I return to my seat and continue peeling the potatoes.
"She's got you doing the work?" Mr. Swan accuses as he rests both hands on his cane.
"Not quite, I'm happy to help." I answer mildly.
"In my day the women did the kitchen work." He grunts. I don't know how to respond so I just chuckle softly. What a dick thing to say.
"I suppose next you'll be doing the laundry huh?" I bite my tongue and force a smile, not wanting to say anything that I'll regret later. Jacob was right, he's kind of a douche.
Bella looks back at me and gives me an apologetic smile and mouths 'Sorry'. I flash her a reassuring smile and start in on the last potato. I set the pot on the stove and she turns her head to look at me. I lean in and lay a kiss on her cheek. I turn around and lean against the counter.
"So I hear you're quite the gardener Mr. Swan." I start a conversation.
"Yes, the way a man cares for his possessions says a lot about him. A yard, home and car that are kept in order reflect on him. If you can't keep the things around you looking good you might as well give up anything you may want to accomplish outside of your home."
"Maybe that's where Bella gets her work ethic." I smile and wink at Bella who returns my smile.
"I doubt it, if she did she would take better care of herself." Bella's knife clatters to the cutting board. My hands tighten on the counter but before I get a chance to say anything Charlie cuts in.
"Dad, what did we talk about in the car?" He forcefully spits. "Say one more thing…" He moves his head back and forth and clenches his teeth.
"Yeah, got it." Mr. Swan grunts and leans back in his chair extending his legs a little more. "Sorry Isabella."
She doesn't say anything but picks her knife back up and continues her systematic peeling and cutting. I edge a little closer to her, giving her silent encouragement.
"Dad," she says. "The steaks are in the fridge, will you go start the grill so we can get those started?"
"Sure thing baby," He nods and heads out the back door leaving me and Bella in the kitchen with this ass of a man who I am quickly growing less fond of.
"So Edward," He starts again. "I hear you play football and basketball."
"Yes sir, baseball as well."
"What positions?"
"I'm running back for the football team, point guard for the basketball team and first base for baseball."
"Wow, sounds like you are athletically gifted." He appraises, scratching his chin as he says it.
"Yes sir, my family has been very supportive of my hobbies. I have a couple of scholarship offers in baseball." I boast a little.
"I didn't know that," Bella beams at me.
"Yeah they're just small offers, nothing too big." I respond coolly.
"Well if I were you I would focus on that at this point in your life. A man's ambitions are important. You don't want to tie yourself down with anything too early in life."
"That may be, but my true passion is science. I hope to someday be a doctor like my father."
"A doctor, really?" His face reflects admiration, he seems impressed. Maybe this will help him ease off Bella a bit. Charlie bangs in through the door, whips open the fridge and pulls out the steaks. I notice he has black smudges on his fingers.
"Need help Chief Swan?" I offer.
"No thanks son, the barbecue and I just had a mild difference in opinion. I beat it though. How do you like your steak done."
"Medium rare," I answer.
"Good then everyone's will be up at the same time." He huffs and heads back out the door.
I turn back to Bella.
"Anything else I can help with?"
"No I think I have it handled. I just have to put these potatoes in the oven and let them cook then we should be good. What do you want to drink?"
"Hmm is there milk?"
"Of course," she nods.
"I'll have some milk then."
"Okay, grandpa if you want you can go have a seat in the dining room."
"Alrighty," he heaves as he pulls himself up and heads into the dining room.
Once he's out of earshot Bella turns to me. "I am so sorry, he can be so insensitive sometimes."
"Don't apologize for his comments. You don't have any control over them. I can't believe he said that about you."
"Welcome to dinner with grandpa Charles," she shrugs. "Really that's not bad compared to what I have heard before."
"What?" I ask taken aback.
"He once told me that if I wanted to marry well I had to get a man drunk first." My mouth drops open and my face falls. What the fuck? How dare he!
"That is horrible Bella, don't you ever believe that." She shrugs and nods. I wrap my hands around her waist and nestle my chin against her shoulder. "You are beautiful, any guy would be lucky to have you. I'm lucky to have you, do you hear me?"
She turns her head and kisses me on the cheek.
"I love you," She whispers. I angle my head more and leave a slow but chaste kiss on her lips.
"Uh-hum," Mr. Swan's gruff cough is heard from the doorway. We both snap our heads in his direction and I release my grip on Bella.
"What is it grandpa?" Bella asks quietly.
"If you two aren't too wrapped up in necking there I'd like a drink."
"Of course," Bella wipes her hands on a dish towel and grabs a glass from the cupboard. "What would you like?"
"I'll take some tea." Bella nods and pulls a pitcher from the refrigerator. She pours him a glass and hands it to him. "Thank you." He turns back and heads into the kitchen.
"AWK-WARD," I whisper quietly as I lean back against the counter again. Bella giggles as she gathers the bowl of salad, tongs, salt and pepper off the counter. I follow her out to the dining room. She deposits the items and gestures for me to take a seat. I sit in the chair closest to the kitchen and wait for her to return.
She comes back a couple minutes later with the salad dressing and two glasses of milk. She sets one in front of me and the other across from me.
"Steaks should be done any minute now, along with the potatoes. I'll be right back." With that she leaves the room and I'm left alone with Mr. Swan again.
I clear my throat and begin talking again. "So how long have you lived in this area?" I ask.
"Since birth," he answers. "My family has lived here as far as I can remember. I worked in the mill up until a little less than a decade ago."
"Wow, that's dedication." I commend.
"Yep," He nods once. "So tell me, an athletic, smart and handsome young man like yourself has a lot of potential. A lot of prospects if you will. Why are you wasting your time on someone like Bella?" My mouth goes slack before I slam it shut. My hands ball into fists, my nails digging into the palm of my hands. Fuck this, I've had enough.
"With all due respect sir, you and others may think I'm crazy or drunk or whatever other excuse you use to rationalize our relationship. However, I love your granddaughter. She is caring and smart and hard-working and intriguing and, to me, breathtakingly beautiful. For you of all people to believe any different is ludicrous. I am respectfully asking you to stop your off-hand comments, at least in front of her and I. I find them neither truthful nor humorous, they are condescending and bitter words that she doesn't deserve in the least. By saying things such as that, you alienate any possibility of having her in your life, which is a shame because she has the ability to light up your life in unexpected ways, I know she has mine. Now if you would excuse me I'm going to go tell her how much she means to me."
With that I excuse myself from the table and walk into the kitchen. I nearly bowl Bella over because she's standing in the doorway. She wraps her arms around my chest and clings to me.
"Did you hear?" I mumble into her hair. She nods into my chest. I lift her chin with my fingers. "I meant every word." I say and lean in to kiss her. She pulls back slightly.
"Thank you Edward. I love you so much." She smiles up at me. "If he says anything else, I'll handle it though okay? I want him to know that I won't put up with it anymore either." I nod quickly and she presses her lips to mine. I can only hope that this newfound confidence will help her deal with the coming onslaught with this Tanya problem.