Under My Nose
Bella Swan needs a change in pace, a slower groove to enjoy the simple pleasures life has to offer her. She moves from the Big Apple to the Big Easy, from subways to streetcars, from nouveau chic to historically quaint, from a large Manhattan apartment near Park Avenue to a shotgun house with her eccentric aunt, in Mid City and off Canal Street. She's ready for love, commitment and that happily ever after, but does she have the patience to wait out her heart's desire? It's frustrating to be right, "under his nose".
Chapter Eight:
BPOV (première partie) (part one) … early morning January 2
My teeth chatter, as I stand on the edge of the front porch and watch Edward turn the corner. I can still hear the roar of his bike traveling down Canal Street.
A gust of chilling wind spawns me to head inside, but I look one more time at the end of the street from the doorway.
"Don't you think you should close the door?" Aunt Sally says as she sneaks up behind me.
I jump. "Jesus, you scared the crap out of me." I catch my breath. "I'm going to put a bell around your neck!"
"Nonsense, I wasn't quiet, you were lost in thought. Would you like to sit and talk?" She smiles gently, sits on one of the sofas and pats beside her.
I sit cross-legged and face her. "So what's on your mind, my darling aunt?" I snip.
She snips back, "Oh, don't get so snippy with me. You know perfectly well what I want to talk about!"
"He's nice," I stare at my hands in my lap.
"JujuBee, who are you trying to kid, me or you?" I still don't look up. "There's fire between the two of you."
"Yeah, I think so, too." I clear my throat. "But I'm not sure if I'm ready for this."
"Oh, my sweet girl, you don't have a choice. You came all this way for him to find you." I look up with a sour face. "Don't look at me that way, and stop trying to deny it."
"I haven't said anything. I'm not denying it, I'm just saying not ready." I take a huge breath and blow the air out slowly.
"JujuBee." She grabs my chin and stares me in the eyes. "Smitten is written over both of your faces. All the signs are there."
"Aunt Sallyyy?" I draw out.
"Listen to me. Have I ever steered you wrong?" I shake my head. "Good, then you have to do as I tell you to do."
"I won't play any girlie games!" I admittedly protest.
"There are no actually games, Honey, it's more like a …" She waves her hand around. "... Dance. You move, then he moves. Eventually, you will both move together." Her eyes get wide. "And did you see the size of his feet and hands?"
"I don't see the importance of the size of the feet and hands," I mutter.
"Oh, Ye have much to learn, little grasshopper. When they are that large …" she fades out, humming, shaking her head up and down with wide eyes.
I look at her in disgust with my hands flailing out. "And what can you do with a monster …?" I point towards my lady bits.
Aunt Sally is hysterical with laughter. "You tame the snake or in his case, anaconda."
I am beet red. "Are you purposely trying to make me blush?"
"No!" She sits up straight. "I'm trying to prepare you. I know you have had relationships, but this is going to be different." She palms my face. "Oh, JujuBee, I am so excited for you to be in love."
"Ah, I think you are taking his a little too far, Ms Streep." I hiss.
She smiles. "I think you doth protest too much, Miss JujuBee. You both were sparking." She touches my hair. "Yup, see … little singed!"
I pull her hands off, giggling. "Stahhhhhhhp!"
"Okay, okay, I'll stop for now." She messes with my hair. "Sorry, another ash."
I know I didn't see my bed, until well after 4 am, but promptly at ten, my cell rings.
Startled, I sit up in bed and knock everything off the nightstand, trying to retrieve my cell in midair. As I juggle from hand to hand, I fall to the floor with a humph. Ah, but my cell is intact.
"Ouch, shit." I grumble to myself, "This better be good."
I sit on the floor, cell in my hand, legs outstretched and I breathlessly speak, "Hello?"
"Bella? Hey, it's Edward." He's up and happy.
"Hey, yourself. What's up?" I try to be 'up'!
"Well, ah, I did mention that I'd take you on a practice tour. You still up for it ... today?" Oh man, he's nervous. Or do I want him to be nervous? God, Aunt Sally, this makes me crazy.
He questions, "Bella, you there?"
Oh crap. "Yeah, Edward, I'm here."
"Did I wake you?" He says regretfully.
I don't really lie or tell the truth, but I giggle. "Actually, I'm sitting on the floor from falling out of bed!"
"So, you're falling for me?" He gasps. "Fuck! I didn't ... It was a jo ..."
I interrupt him, giggling, "It's okay, Edward. You and my aunt channel one another." I yawn and scratch my head. "So, you still want to take me on a tour?"
"Yeah, if you're up for it?"
"Once I get off my ass, I can get ready. What time should I meet you?" I ask, as I gather myself up off of the floor, rubbing my bruised cheek.
"I can come pick you up," he offers.
"Naw, I don't want you to go out of your way, and besides, you have to ready Julia."
"All right, but I'll take you home," he insists.
"Okay." I snort. "So, what time?"
"Can you give me a few hours and meet me at noon at the stables?"
"Sounds good." I smile.
Aunt Sally carries a large picnic basket from her bedroom. "You can use this," she hands it out to me, and I take it with a puzzled look on my face. "JujuBee, you are going out with Edward, yes?"
I turn beet red from face to toes. "Yes, Ms. Eavesdropping Sneak.!"
"Hey, I was in my room, and I could hear you." she grouses. "So, okay then, Plan A in motion."
"No girlie hocus pocus," I plead.
She disregards me and continues to speak from inside her head. "Well, this is actually plan A and a half. You already got him eating your desserts. Now, you want to make him a scrumptious lunch with a delightful wine and more treats." She smiles broadly. "One part of the body is yours. Hello stomach." She giggles. "Then, the … "
I stare at her in utter shock. "I am not going there!"
"Get your mind out of the gutter, JujuBee. I was talking brain, funny bone, and then his … sexy bone."
"You really are something else." I sarcastically flatter with my arms across my chest.
"Don't be so defensive, I'm on your side." She starts to walk towards the kitchen. "How about your killer chicken salad with French bread? How long does it take you to whip up those chocolate thingies? He really liked them."
"Excuse me, but I have less than two hours to be there, let alone get ready." I gradually raise my voice.
"Then, I suggest you get a move on." She smiles.
I call Edward to apologize for running late. Between showering, doing my hair and makeup, I prepare something different than my killer chicken salad. Something tells me that comfort food is the way to go. I also bake a puff pastry dough, filled with a vanilla buttercream and raspberry sauce. Ah, Tupperware is an amazing invention.
It's almost one and Aunt Sally spares me the streetcar, and drives me to the stables. With a kiss on the cheek and a slight pinch on my ass, she tells me to break a leg.
I dress warmly in a soft, pink, angora sweater with matching stocking hat, black jeans, knee-high, wedgie, black boots, and a black, knee-length, sweater coat. I am toasty warm.
I enter the stable to find Edward singing along with Marvin and Tammi's Ain't No Mountain High Enough. He bends over to straighten out Julia's leg warmers, and I stand to the side, as he serenades Julia with great passion. I giggle quietly to myself.
He sings softly, " Remember the day
I set you free.
I told you
You could always count on me
From that day on I made a vow
I'll be there when you want me
Some way, some how."
He belts out, "Cause baby,
There ain't no mountain high enough
Ain't no valley low enough
Ain't no river wide enough
To keep me from getting to you."
I contemplate a duet, but wipe that thought from my head. Instead, I giggle, and Edward turns quickly and blushes.
He walks over to the Ipod and shuts off the music. His head is down. "You caught me."
"You've been holding back, Edward. I see you were saving all your passion for Julia," I tease.
He shyly looks at me, running a hand down his neck. "She doesn't criticize."
I huff, "Why would she … every girl likes to be serenaded."
He smiles, looking at the basket. "So what do you have there?"
I give him a shy smile. "Lunch?"
Within seconds, he stands in front of me, picking up the lid of the basket.
"What did you bring?" Oh, I get a killer smile. Green beacons. Green Beacons. All hands on deck. Whoo Hoo.
I exhale pursing my lips. "I made us grilled, gruyere cheese with sweet glazed onions on buttered, pan-fried, rye bread, homemade tomato soup and coleslaw."
"You didn't have to bring anything," he barely whispers. His expression is one of total surprise. "I can't believe you made all of this so quickly."
She giggles, "Hey, I'm a lightning bolt and you are giving me a tour. You need to keep your strength up." I look around. "Is it alright to eat here with Julia?"
"Sure, if you don't mind." He grabs a blanket and covers the floor, while I place the basket on the blanket.
I take a large carrot out and show Edward. "May I give this to her?"
He nods, "Sure."
I extend the carrot out to Julia; she brays and starts to nibble. "You like that." I pet her between her ears. "Well, I brought you a bunch for your eating pleasure."
Edward quips, "I'd like some of that pleasure." He gasps. "Sorry, there's something about your … food that excites me."
Silence.
I truly don't know how to respond to that. I just turn my head to the side and come back. "Ah, I brought a six pack, too. That's okay?"
We both sit on the blanket cross-legged, as I take the containers out of the basket.
Edward eyes every container, but extends his hand when I pull out the six pack. "May I?"
I hand him the ice cold bottles, and he raises his eyebrows. "Root Beer?"
"You're driving, besides, it refreshing with what I made." I swallow hard.
He nods his head in agreement. "I like Root Beer."
Edward watches as I place two sandwiches in a plate for him with a medium container of coleslaw. I unscrew the thermos, pour soup into a bowl and hand it to him with silverware. He says 'thank you'. I serve myself, and I wait anxiously for him to take a bite of the sandwich.
He bites into the crusty, rye bread, raises his eyebrows and looks at me. Nodding his head and swallowing, he clears his throat. "This is really good."
I smile. "Thank you."
He then tries the soup. His manners are impeccable, dipping the spoon into the soup, and carefully placing it into his mouth without a drop spilled or slirp heard. He takes the napkin and wipes his mouth. "Bella, this is really extremely tasty. I love the hint of basil."
I smile again. "Thanks."
When Edward samples the coleslaw, he hums. No, he groans in ecstasy. It's a little unnerving and quite a turn on. "What is in this?"
He stares at me, quickly shoveling another spoonful into his mouth.
"The usually; cabbage, carrots, celery, green pepper, mayo, salt, sugar and Balsamic vinegar. I do add onions, but since we were eating glazed with the sandwich, I didn't want to overpower … the taste." He's just stares at me. "What?"
"You sound like a pro." He smiles. His eyes crinkle up with such excitement.
I fidget. "No, just like to cook." Oy, forgive me. I can't tell him yet.
We finish with lunch, and he stares at the basket with a sly, childlike smile. "No dessert?"
I huff, "Okay." I pull out the last two containers, and open both. Placing the vanilla, butter cream filled pastry on a plate; I drizzle the raspberry sauce over it, and hand it to Edward with a fork. As if in slow motions, he digs his fork into the flaky pastry, takes a bite, licks his beautifully, full lips and deeply moans, 'Bella'.
Dear God, right to my loins.
I catch my breath. "I gather you like it?" Is it hot in here?
"I didn't expect all of this." He takes the last bite of the pastry, chews it quickly and swallows. I stare at his Adam's apple. "And I was rushing around this morning, and didn't get a chance to eat."
I look away, stand and walk around, until I am next to Julia. She nudges close to me. "Well, good, I'm glad I brought it. There's another sandwich and soup left. You can have them for later. Also, more carrots for Julia." I pet her.
"I'd love the recipe for your coleslaw, if you are willing to share it," he inquires with a small smile.
"I think I can part with it." I kid.
"Okay." He claps his hands. "Are you ready for the tour?"
I quickly respond, "Yeah, show me how romantic you can be."
Oops.
We both stand still in shock as I blush down to my toes. Good thing he can't see them. "I'm sorry … I have no idea where that came from."
He laughs. "You make me feel a lot better, Bella."
I frown. "Why?"
"Ah, my blunder about pleasure, earlier?" he chuckles, and wipes a hand through his hair. "We both seem to have no fucking control."
"Yeah, and no filter." I shrug and roll my eyes. "I'll make a deal with you."
Edward leans up against the wall, crosses his arms over his chest and places one foot over the other. "Okay."
"Every time we get foot in mouth, we laugh it off." He smiles, and I swallow hard. "It's not as though we are, ah, um, trying to impress one another." I quickly blurt out. "We're friends." I extend my hand out to him. "Deal?"
He stands up straight, wipes his hands over his thighs, grabs my hand and shakes it. "Deal."
It's like this electrical vibration goes up my arm to the butterflies in my stomach, and my legs are suddenly spaghetti. I never get this way. What the hell is this guy doing to me? It's only a handshake for Christ Sake. And I watch him rub his arm, too. He feels it, too, whatever this is.
I take a deep breath, give him my biggest smile. "Okay, Romeo, time for 'la tournée de romance' et prenez mon cœur." (The Tour of Romance and take my heart.)
Edward turns his head in surprise and answers, "Peut-être que je le ferai." ( Maybe, I will.)
I place a hand over my mouth and softly mumble. "You speak French."
He smiles. "Mais bien sûr. Et vous le faites, trop." (But of course. And you do, too.)
I boldly laugh, and he does, too. We stare at one another. I nod my head, and he does, too, our eyes lock. You could hear a pin drop.
I break the silence. "Do you speak Italian?"
He quickly says, "No."
I laugh. "Buono." (Good)
He ponders. "Do you speak Spanish?"
I say, "No."
He smiles and laughs. "Bueno." (Good)
I start to put the containers back into the basket, as Edward folds the blanket and puts it away.
He takes out all of Julia's riding gear, and I pretend to be busy with the basket.
Okay, we like each other. That is quite evident in our behavior towards one another, but the question is; will he do anything about it? And I know me; I will never make a first move. A guy has to come for me and show me he truly wants to know me and wants to commit. That's the process. That's the only way there can be a relationship. I don't chase. Aunt Sally says it's not ladylike. My one old-fashion beliefs that sticks, 'the guy has to be the man'.
Edward calls for his mule handler, Hank, and tells me he will be right back. He exits, and I talk to Julia.
I pet her nose to her ears. "So, what do you think, Julia? Does he like me?" The mule nudges me. "Yeah, I think so, too. But the issue is ... The important issue is … will he act on this?"
She shoves me. Hard. "Hey, he has to make the first move."
Julia brays loudly. I just stare at her, as Edward walks back into the stall.
"Okay, Hank is outside. We are going to saddle Julia up, and we can get this tour started." He smiles.
"I'm ready to see the sights."
Edward winks, "I'm ready to show you."
I wiggle my eyebrows. "I bet you are."
"All the more to show you, little girl," he says as he mimics the wicked witch.
We both laugh.
Well, aren't they flirtatious? Let's see what happens on the tour. Maybe, some daydreaming?
A/N: Thank you to my Beta, Sunflower Fran. I appreciate her time, her proper grammar and quick pen. Another great find by PAD!
To Robseve and Postapocalypticdepository (PAD), my pre-readers that give their unselfish time and creative input. Both of these ladies are inspirations and true friends.
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Next up: BPOV (deuxième partie) part two