Dinner
I felt something tasty moving on my lips as I regained consciousness. I hummed in response and started moving my lips against Edward's. I could feel him smile into the kiss as my fingers started massaging his scalp. His strong hands pulled me closer to him if possible.
"Come on baby. You need to wake up. I'm going to take my fiancé out to a wonderful dinner tonight but I can't if my beautiful girl doesn't get up."
"Why can't we stay here? I like being here. It's just you and me."
"You don't know how much I'd like to baby but I told my family –soon to be our family- that we'd see them tonight. It's only fair because they haven't seen me in three and a half years. No matter how much I want to stay here I want to see my family too. I've missed them almost as much as I'd missed you."
"I'm sorry Edward. I'll get up in a minute."
"Don't apologise baby. I understand that you want me to yourself and I promise my fiancé we will celebrate your birthday when we get back."
"Okay. Give me five minutes then I'll get up."
Edward started to kiss me again.
"What are you doing Edward? I thought you were going to get up?"
"If you get five minutes why can't I? I'm going to spend my five minutes kissing the birthday girl, unless she has any objections."
"No objections here. I may as well spend my five minutes kissing my amazing fiancé, unless he has any objections?"
Edward didn't respond with words but started kissing me with the love that I had been missing for the past few years. His tongue traced my bottom lip gently but I could tell he hungered for it. My lips parted slightly and Edward's tongue slid into my mouth.
All too soon he pulled away and picked me up bridal style carrying me to the bathroom.
"You get ready baby and I'll be waiting for you. Don't take too long though; I want to see your beautiful face as much as possible."
"I'll be quick. I don't want to be away from you longer than necessary."
I pulled his collar so he was level with me and pecked him on the lips.
"See you in a minute."
Edward left me on the toilet, pecked me on the lips and walked out of the bathroom.
I jumped into the shower and washed faster than I ever had but made sure I cleaned myself properly with my strawberry shampoo and body wash. Edward had always said he loved my strawberry smell. I had shaved my legs in the morning so skipped that bit.
I slid into my dress once dry and brushed my hair out getting ready to straighten my hair. I turned around to look in my makeup bag that was sitting on the toilet. Two arms wrapped around me and pulled me back. Edward started kissing my neck all the way up to behind my ear. My back arched and I moaned as he kissed and sucked behind my ear.
"Uhhrg. Edward."
"Shh baby."
Kiss.
"I."
Suck.
"Love."
Kiss.
"You."
Suck.
"Baby."
I wrapped my arms around his head pulling him into me. He moaned into my neck when I started massaging his head.
"You're taking too long Bella."
"I just need to straighten my hair and I'll be ready."
"You were gone too long though. Next time I'll help you baby."
"That sounds like a great plan but I'm nearly done. Next time I'll take you up on your offer."
He sucked and nibbled the crook of my neck whilst I pulled his hair gently.
"Can you bring my straighteners to the bedroom Edward? I'll be there in a minute."
"I'll be counting. If you aren't out in a minute I'm coming back in."
"I don't doubt it."
Edward unwrapped himself from me and brought my lips to his for a deep kiss. I pulled back first but pecked him on the lips. He picked up my hairbrush and straightener's and backed out of the bathroom.
I quickly applied some mascara and lip gloss. I'd never liked lip stick. It always seemed to have a funky taste to me. Just as I was about to leave the bathroom Edward's strong arms picked me up and cradled me to him.
"You're minutes up Miss Swan."
"I do apologise Mr Cullen. Let's not make a habit of it shall we."
"Of course not Miss Swan. There will be consequences if it continues."
"Then I'll be sure to be on time Mr Cullen."
Edward nuzzled his face into mine as he hummed.
"I love you Bella."
"I love you too Edward. Thank you."
He placed me on the floor near the bed and sat behind me pulling me into his lap. I picked up my straighteners and started my hair. Edward distracted me several times resulting in me burning myself a couple of times. After the third time of burning myself Edward took the straighteners from me and finished my hair.
"There you go baby. You look amazingly beautiful Bella."
"Thank you Edward. You look even more handsome than usual. I love you."
"I love you too Bella. My amazing fiancé."
I loved that he called me his fiancé so much. I never thought I'd be getting married. And to Edward none the less. He was more than I could ever ask for. The youngest major there ever was and the soldier who died but lived.
"Come on baby. We need to go."
"Let's go join your family."
Instead of letting me walk to the door, Edward lifted me up again and walked to the door. He didn't let me down but picked up my shoes and bag before opening the door and walking to the parking lot.
"Where's your keys baby?"
"Side pocket of my bag."
I relaxed into his chest as we neared the Bugatti. Edward opened my door and lowered me into to the passenger side giving me my shoes and bag. Before he closed the door he pulled me into a loving kiss. It lasted for a few minutes before he pulled back and climbed into the driver's side.
"Where are we going Edward?"
"La Bella Italia."
"You remembered our restaurant?"
"How could I forget? It was the first restaurant I took you to and it was the first restaurant we went to as an official couple. Now it will be the first restaurant we go to as an engaged couple. Nothing but the best for you baby."
He started the car and hit the road. We sat in a comfortable silence just relishing in each other's company. Edward picked up my hand and kissed it continuously. Eventually we pulled up to the restaurant to see the rest of the Cullen family, Lieutenant Davis and his wife and my dad. We'd be taking up a big table in the restaurant.
Wait. Did I see my dad?
"What's my dad doing here?"
"I called him."
"You called him? When?"
"When you were asleep. I thought you'd want him here."
"Thank you Edward. What did he say when you rang?"
"He didn't say anything at first. It was really silent at first but when he recovered he seemed really happy. I asked if he wanted to come out to dinner tonight for your birthday. He assured me he'd be here."
"I'm glad he's here. You are amazing Edward do you know that?"
"You are the amazing one Bella. Don't ever forget that."
"I won't if you won't."
"I'll make that deal."
We shook hands and grinned at each other before Edward got out of the car and came to open my door. He opened the door and lifted me out. I had slipped my shoes on, on the journey. An arm wrapped around my waist as his lips came down on my head. I smiled up at Edward and pecked him on the lips.
"Edward, Bella. It's nice to see you made it."
Alice gave us a knowing look.
"I'm sorry we're late. Bella fell asleep when we got in and I wanted to let her rest. She looked so tired."
"It's so good to see you Edward. I'm so surprised but none the less extremely pleased you've returned."
"I couldn't stay away forever Charlie. I couldn't leave my family and you couldn't keep me away from Bella."
He smiled down at me and kissed me on the forehead.
I went and hugged my dad as a signal for Edward to hug his parents.
"Hey Bells. Happy Birthday."
"Thanks dad. It is a happy birthday."
"When did you find out about Edward?"
"At school. He's the new English teacher."
"I meant it when I said I'm really pleased he's back. It's a miracle he's here. What with him being 'dead' and everything but it's defiantly him. I can tell by the way you look at each other. I couldn't have picked a better man."
"That means a lot to me dad. I love you dad."
"I love you too Bells. You'll always be my baby girl no matter what."
"No matter what."
I pulled back only to be embraced by Esme and Carlisle.
"Thank you Bella."
"Why?"
"Being there for Edward. Trusting in him."
"Why wouldn't I? He's the first I liked, the first I loved and will only ever be the one I love."
"You are perfect for him Bella. Please take care of him for us. He needs you now."
"Of course. I'll always be there for him."
Esme released me from her death grip and took a step back smiling at me. Edward was talking to Charlie with Emmett and Jasper.
"Hey Bella. Having a happy birthday?"
"I am now. How are you guys doing? I'm sorry for taking Edward all for myself."
"We understand Bella. I was annoyed at first, but you need your time with him, especially since you are now engaged. Congratulations by the way."
"Thanks Alice. I'll make sure Edward visits as often as possible."
"Don't worry about it Bella. We'll see him when we can but you spend as much time as you want with him. He will be your husband after all."
"Thanks Rose. You guys will finally be my official sisters."
"You look really good in that dress by the way Bella. You should wear dresses more often."
"You guys look good as always."
We shared a hug and turned to see the boys come back over to us. Edward gave me a crooked smile and wrapped his arms around me.
"I love you."
"I love you so much Edward."
He gave me a quick kiss before taking my hand and leading us into the restaurant.
Once we were all seated around one long rectangular table with Edward and I at one end, then going round you have, Charlie Lieutenant Davis, his wife Sarah, Rose, Emmett at the end, Alice, Jasper, Carlisle, Esme and back to Edward. La Bella Italia still looked exactly the same since we last came here except for an extension that doubled the size of the restaurant.
This place is like my heart. As long as people are still here it will keep growing and growing with the love it possess both giving and gaining until one day it will grow old and move with the wind to something better.
"Bella, you alright? You blanked out for a few minutes there."
"I've never been happier. Just doing some thinking."
"What do you want to eat then? Pick anything you want love."
"Can I have the mushroom ravioli?"
"Are you sure you don't want something else?"
"You will never change my mind. Haven't you learnt that yet?"
"Always worth a try. I'm guessing you want a coke with that baby."
"You know me so well."
"I'd hope so baby. I've known you almost ten years. I don't forget anything important love. You're the most important thing to me ever Bella. Never forget that."
"I won't."
"Good."
He leaned his forehead against mine and pecked my lips drawing back smiling crookedly. With an arm wrapped around my waist Edward order our food and drinks. Edward started tickling my sides gently causing me to laugh and squirm on my chair.
"Stop. Stop it Edward."
"What's the magic words?"
"Please stop."
"Nope."
"I'll kill you if you don't."
"You wouldn't if you could baby. And nope."
"I love you."
He stopped tickling me but before I got my breath back he pulled me into a searing kiss. I became faint and light headed as Edward pulled away breathing deeply into my face.
"I love you Bella."
The food arrived minutes later with Edward and I starting into each other's eyes. Before anyone started eating Lieutenant Davis stood up.
"I'd like to make a toast to Edward. He is one amazing man and I may not know what happened out there but I know he is the best major there will ever be. It is a miracle to see him sitting at the same table as us after years of thinking him to be gone. I am honoured to have met you and worked alongside you. To Edward."
"To Edward."
Everyone chorused.
"And I'd like to congratulate the two of you on your marriage."
"You're getting married?"
"Yes daddy. Edward proposed today."
"I'm so happy for you baby girl. You're in good hands with Edward; I couldn't have picked anyone better. Congratulation's Edward, Bella."
"To Bella and Edward."
Everyone chorused again before clinking glasses and tucking into their meals.
"To Edward."
I whispered leaning my forehead to Edward's.
"To Bella."
He whispered back. I gave him a soft, gentle smile to which he returned, kissed me on my forehead and pulled my chair closer to his. We both started our food and engaged in the general chatter going round the table. Every now and then Edward would feed me some of his risotto and I'd return the action. Overall I was having the best time I'd had in a long time.
After we'd finished up with our desserts Edward paid the bill despite the parents and my protests and we walked out into the cool night air.
"It was so good to see you Edward. When you are ready to talk about what happened give me a call and I'll be round."
Lieutenant Davis gave Edward a man hug before coming over to me.
"Happy birthday Bella and congratulations. Edward's a great man and you deserve each other."
"Thank you. Thank you for all your help and support."
"That's alright Bella."
I said goodbye to everyone as did Edward with us promising that after school in two days we'd all meet at the Cullen house so Edward could tell us what happened to him. I could feel myself drifting off on the spot. You'd think I'd be wide awake but a lot happened in the day and my emotions had gone haywire. We'd started to make our way to the car when I swayed and stumbled into Edward.
"Bella, what's wrong? What happened? Talk to me Bella."
"Tired."
"Thank God. You scared me so bad Bella. Let's get you home."
"Love you."
"I love you too Bella. Happy birthday my beautiful fiancé."
My eyes closed as Edward lifted me into his arms. I drifted in and out of sleep throughout the ride back to our apartment in Forks. I felt Edward's arms lift me from the car causing me to snuggle into his chest with an annoyed moan. Why couldn't he leave me in the warm car?
"Shh baby. Give me a minute and I'll get you inside nice and warm."
My arms wrapped around his neck as I snuggled into his warm neck. He tried to stop me from being jostled around, by rocking me back and forth.
I must have fallen asleep in that moment because the next thing I knew I could feel a thick comforter being wrapped around me. I curled up into a tight ball to keep myself warm. Edward slid my shoes off my feet letting the cold air in our apartment freeze my feet.
"Come on Bella. You need to change out of your dress."
"No. To cold."
"You'll warm up in some other clothes. I don't want you freezing to death baby. Please don't freeze yourself."
"Fine. Can you pass me something to change into?"
I heard him opening draws and my wardrobe. The bed dipped at the side as Edward attempted to sit me up. When I was kind of sitting up Edward unzipped the back of my dress but wrapped a comforter around my back to keep me as warm as possible. He pulled one arm from my dress and put it through a thick T-shirt he'd found and did the same with my other arm.
"Baby can you wake up a bit more so you finish changing?"
"No. You help."
"You sure baby?"
"Yeah. Love you."
"I love you too Bella."
He kissed my forehead as he lifted me onto his lap. I bent my legs so he could slide some yoga pants on me without having a struggle. One arm wrapped around my waist, he lifted me up and slide my pants on and pulled my dress down and off my legs.
"There you go baby. Nice and warm. Lie down and I'll be in, in a minute."
"Thank you Edward."
"I got you baby."
Edward placed me in the middle of the bed wrapped in two comforters, like cocoon, with a comforter laid over the top. I still felt frozen though. I heard the shower start running but a few minutes later it turned off. My eyes fluttered open when the light from the bathroom flooded the room blinding me for a moment.
When I could see, I saw Edward standing in just a pair of pyjama pants, leaning against the bathroom door frame. He had a content smile on his face as he looked around our bedroom. His eyes lit up when they landed on something to my right. I rolled over to see a picture of Edward and me. It was taken the first summer we spent together. Edward was sitting with his back against a thick tree trunk on a branch up in the tree with me between his legs. We had spent the afternoon reading in the tree. I dozed off half way through the book because Edward's voice was so calming and smooth when he was reading the book out loud. It was one of the best days of my life. It was the day we professed our love to each other.
"The moment we met my world exploded like a firework. You're it for the rest of my life."
Edward jumped in surprise as the words left my mouth. He switched the bathroom light off and made his way over to the bed. I unwrapped myself from the many comforters and pulled Edward under them all with me.
"How do you remember that? Those were my exact words."
"How could I forget? You're the only one I've ever loved and will ever love. Plus it was one of the best days of my life."
"What is the best day of your life then?"
"The day I bumped into the sweetest, bravest, handsome man that walks the earth."
"Do I get to meet him?"
"Actually, you already have. There's only one person who knows him better than you."
"Who's that?"
"Me."
"Is that so? Perhaps you should tell him that."
"I think I will."
I rolled on top of him, straddling his waist.
"For example, does he know that he is ticklish right here?"
I tickled the crook of his elbow causing him to laugh.
"I believe he did know that."
"Well does he know that his most sensitive part of the body to kiss is behind his left ear?"
"I'm not sure, maybe you should show him."
I leaned up as he turned his head to the side leaving his ear open to me. I nuzzled my nose behind his ear before kissing and sucking hard. Moaning hard, Edward's arms circled my waist squeezing me to him tightly. I moved to his ear lobe pulling it into my mouth and sucking it.
"You're amazing Bella. Where did you come from? No one can be as perfect as you."
"I'm far from perfect Edward; just observant. No one's perfect."
"I highly doubt that. You always know how to make me feel better baby. You're perfect to me."
"If you say so."
I said through a giant yawn.
"I do. Go to sleep baby. It's been an emotional day and you're so tired."
I drifted off into unconsciousness feeling content and happy for the first time in years.
"Happy Birthday my beautiful fiancé."
My smile grew even bigger as I nuzzled into his chest, his fingers stroking my hair. A gentle tune came from Edward's lips as I let the darkness take me.