Under My Nose

by gabby1017

Edward Cullen turns thirty in six months and wants to leave the dating scene to find his "Miss Right". Leaving his restaurant behind, he drives a carriage in the French Quarter of New Orleans searching for true love. Who is it? And will he know, when he finds her? Or will she be right under his nose?

20. Chapter 20

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'.

A/N: Thank you to the readers who review every chapter. There are a handful of you. I appreciate the love, and I find your input very helpful. When we get into further chapters, I will send you another surprise. Again, thank you for your constant support.

And thank you to the readers who follow and favorite that I am unable to send a thank you PM.

Update info: I update every Friday night around 8:00 pm ct. Mercury is still retrograde so, you might find a few typos.

AND recipes at the end … yum!

Chapter Twenty:

BPOV: January 5

I love this woman so much that I can't bear to see her cry. She clings to me tightly, as I contain my emotions. I have to be strong for her. Oh crap, I don't know how much longer I can hold out.

She whimpers softly, "I'm so sorry. I wanted to tell you, as you were growing up, but I didn't have any rights. It was your mother and father's decision."

I straighten up, as a cold feeling comes over me, and I look up at her. "You mean Renee didn't want to tell me."

Aunt Sally catches her breath and nods her head. "But your father went along with her. He felt it would be best for you."

"How would that be best for me, lying to me my entire life?" I spit with anger. I release myself and back away.

"Please, JujuBee, don't be angry," she pleads. Richard sits close and places his arm around the back of Aunt Sally's chair.

"How can I not, Aunt … " I blow out a puff of air. "Aunt Sally sounds strange to me, now." I turn my back and close my eyes. "I don't know what to believe. My entire life has been a sham." I drop my head.

Edward wraps his arms around my shoulders and rests his head on mine. "It's okay. We'll get through this."

I turn to look into his caring eyes, smile and touch his jaw. I whisper, "Thank you."

He kids, "Besides, you like her better than your alleged mother, anyway, this works out to your advantage."

With a quiet giggle, I kiss his lips. "You always make me laugh."

I turn to Aunt Sally. "I'm not angry with you." I break from Edward and kneel in front of her again. "I'm not. I love you so very much." She starts to cry. "I can't bear to see you cry. You've always been Aunt Sally, but I have always felt this strong connection." I rest my head on her lap, and she runs her hands through my hair.

"I'm sorry, Bella, to please my sister, I hurt you; the one thing I never wanted to do." She takes the napkin from the table and blows her nose. She looks at the cake, grabs her fork and shovels in a huge piece. She hums and says with a full mouth. "She wanted a child; actually your father wanted a child."

I grouse, "He wanted a son."

"But he got better." Aunt Sally coos,"A daughter with spirit and huge balls." She digs into her piece of cake, as her cheeks puff out.

Edward quickly goes in for the kill. "You have balls?"

I snip, "Watch it, Cullen." I point at his crotch. " Do you want to keep yours?"

He places his hands in front of his crotch with a look of surprise. "You wouldn't!"

"Hey, there goes your five offspring!" I sarcastically warn.

He closes his mouth and sits back in his chair.

Aunt Sally moans, as she eats. She reaches for the cake and cuts another piece, but looks up at me. "What? You know I eat, when I'm stressed."

"There's nothing for you to be stressed out about." I shake my head at her.

She clears her throat and swallows a huge bite of cake. "Well, there will be when parents find out about this."

"I'm not going to tell them." I shrug.

"But I have to," she murmurs.

"You don't have any rights, Aunt Sally, so you told me; you are under no obligations to tell them anything," I slyly state.

"Bella, you have to tell them," she blurts out.

"I don't have to tell them anything. They told me nothing, and I can do the same. AND I am asking you not to say anything, either." I gloat. "They don't have that right to know since they did their best to keep my life a secret. You owe me, Old Woman!"

She stops chewing. "You're not being fair."

I cross my arms over my chest. "Well, nothing has been fair. So, let's keep everything quiet. Let dead dogs lie. I don't want to stir any pot where my mother is concerned."

"Are you going to be stubborn about this?" she asks.

"I've made a decision, and I will say it again, 'they did not think of me'. This is all on my mother; I know her way of thinking, Aunt Sally. She figured, if I didn't know the truth, she could have complete control over me, her puppet." Aunt Sally tries to protest. "No, stop. You know as well as I do, she didn't want me to know, because it would drive more of a wedge between us, and draw you and me closer." I huff. "I was never close to her. I could never feel her sincerity. She had me to appease my father, and make to make him and me feel guilty whenever she felt insecure. Don't try to defend her."

"Oh, JujuBee, you are so bitter. I am so sorry." Aunt Sally grumbles.

"No, I'm not bitter. I'm aware of her ploys and manipulations. She is not to know that I know about the adoption.

Is …

that …

clear?"

Aunt Sally wavers.

"No, you can't do that. All of you have been unfair to me for twenty-seven years, to be exact. I am asking you for some time, Aunt Sally. I'm not saying I won't confront my parents at some point, but I want to be free without her for a while. I need a damn break. Can you at least do this for me?" I plead.

She sighs. "Of course, I can do this for you. I would do anything for you."

"Good." I look at Edward. "We want to give whatever this is between us a chance." I look back at Aunt Sally. "I will never have that chance if Renee is around and you know it!"

She shakes her head. "Yes, I'm afraid you are right."

"Then, swear to me you will say nothing." I walk to Edward and grab his hand. "Give us a chance to have some happiness."

"I want that more than anything, JujuBee," she cries.

Edward speaks, "Thank you, Aunt Sally… Sally? … Mom?" He smiles.

She smiles back.

I look at him. "She didn't give birth to you!" I kid.

"No, but she did to you, and she could become my mother-in-law."

Aunt Sally gasps, and I swallow hard. "I just moved in with you, Edward"

"Exactly, and your point, Bella?" he says smugly.

I try to answer, but he has me. I can't think of anything to say.

"Tongue-tied?" He smirks. "Cat got your tongue?" He taunts.

"This is a courtship all the world over - the man, all tongue; the woman, all ears."

"Aren't you the tongue expert." I sarcastically throw at him, rolling my eyes.

Bad move on my part, but I prevail. "All the better to hear you?"

He grins. "Touche`, Mademoiselle."

And I boldly remark, pointing a finger, "On guard, Monsieur!"

He whispers faintly in my ear, "L'épée que j'ai pour vous s'empaler avec plaisir!" (The sword I have for you will impale with pleasure!)

Aunt Sally strains to hear, but shows disappointment from her lack of French as Richard's face turns a light pink, and he smirks.

I gasp, but recover, " Vous parle encore la langue, mon amour?" (You still talking tongue)

He grins, "Prenez-le comme vous comme, ma fille douce." (Take it as you like, my sweet girl.)

I hiss, "Tu es un mauvais garçon, Monsieur." (You are such a bad boy, Mr.)

"Je être aussi mauvais que vous le souhaitez," he says, breathing into my ear (I can be as bad as you want)

I sigh with a childlike face, "You promised."

He gently smiles and cups my face, "I will keep any and all promises, as long as you give me a chance."

I place my hand over his, "Deal."

Aunt Sally pokes Richard, whispering, "What did they just say?"

Richard leans into her, "He promises to give her what she wants and more." He winks at me.

"Why do I have a feeling there is more you are not telling me?" she huffs. "I really need to learn French."

Again, Richard leans into her, "You should, because sex would be very romantic."

Aunt Sally gives him a sexy grin, "Like it's not now?" She giggles.

"No," I say. "Learn a language I don't know. T-M-I. T-M-I!

We all laugh and the tension releases.

Edward excuses himself to walk into the bedroom, and I wonder what he is up to, with that look on his face.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

It's very odd to call her aunt now that I know she is my mother, but Aunt Sally is all that I know. When I hug her at the door, she holds onto me tightly. "I love you, JujuBee."

"I love you, too." I stress. "Please, know that, okay?"

She releases me and looks me dead in the eyes. "I do know that." She squeezes my upper arms. "We'll talk soon?"

"Of course," I hesitate. "And you won't …"

She reassures me. "I won't tell them anything."

Richard takes his turn with a huge, bear huge. "I'm proud of you. Te es comme ta mère." (You are like your mother)

I broadly smile at him. "Finally one I can be proud of."

Aunt Sally questions, "What did you both say?"

Edward chuckles. "Richard said that Bella was like her mother."

Sally hugs Richard around the waist, as he kisses the top of her head. "Come, let's give them time."

Edward and I go finish the dishes, and he looks at the clock on the stove. "Okay, we've got to get going."

I frown. "Where are we going?"

He guides me to the front door, takes our jackets off of the hall tree, and as he is holding them, he says, "It's a surprise."

I slyly ask, with a squint to my eyes, "What are you up to?"

He begs, "Trust me, and put your boots on"

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

We walk through the kitchen of Savoureux, our boots clatter, echoing throughout the empty space. Edward swings the door open to the dimly lit dining room, and I see a small table near the piano with candlelight and a covered dish.

"What?" I surprisingly squeak.

He softly whispers in my ear, giving me a chill down my spine and back, "Votre table vous attend." (Your table awaits you)

I mumble, "Merci." (thank you)

He pulls out a chair for me; I sit, and he pushes me in. Edward reaches for the bottle of champagne on ice and pours both glasses. "Est-ce à votre goût?" (Is this to your liking?)

I take a sip. "C'est très bon." (It is very good)

"Merveilleux," he whispers. (Wonderful)

He sits across from me. "C'est à mon tour de vous nourrir." (It's my turn to feed you)

I smile, and bite the inside of my cheek. "Et que suis-je pour manger, Edward?" (And what am I to eat, Edward?)

He gently pulls my cheek free. "Mon Isabella, j'ai trois pâtisseries pour vous faire goûter." (Isabella, I have three, sweet pastries for you to taste)

"La première est une tarte au citron." (The first is a lemon tarte)

Edward uncovers the dish. He takes a fork, cuts a piece of the tarte and raises it to my mouth. I take the bite and hum, as Edward stares at my lips. "C'est un beau son à mes oreilles." (That's a beautiful sound to my ears)

"Vous avez fait cela?" (You made this) He nods and feeds me another bite. "Mais pourquoi pas vous?" (But what about you?)

He sits forward. "Que diriez-vous cette morsure pour moi?" (How about this bite for me?) Edward slowly kisses me. His kisses deepen after three gentle pecks. "Le goût de citron bon de vous." (The lemon taste good from you)

I catch my breath. "Pas mal de toi non plus." (Not bad from you either)

"Vous voulez essayer une truffle?" (You want to try a truffle?) I nod, and he brings a chocolate mound to my lips.

"Je veux essayer." (I want to try) Edward kisses me again forgoing the pecks. I think my legs melt.

The last sweet is a French lace cookie with pecans, but we never get to it. The kisses explode.

I back away to catch my breath, again. With my hand on my lips, I stare at him. "This was so very sweet of you."

"I'm glad you liked it, but there is more," he says while standing. He reaches for my hand. "C'mon."

We walk out of the front door and find Garrett pulling up with Julia in Edward's carriage.

"Julia!" I yelp. I run to her face and pet her nose. "Hey, girl." And I look up to Garrett. "Hi Garrett, so nice to see you."

Garrett smiles, "You, too, Bella."

Edward stands next to me with his hand over mine, both petting Julia. "What's all this about?"

He clears his throat."It's a beautiful night; the stars are out and for once, someone else is the driver. I can point out all the great shops on Magazine. There are a lot of interesting homes and great architecture with history. It's just a short drive, Bella. I thought it would be nice to be together."

"This is the single, most romantic and selfless thing anyone has ever done for me." I turn to cup his jaw in my hands. "And the most manipulatively, brilliant plan to get me to talk." I giggle. "You are one smart cookie, Edward Cullen."

He bends to kiss my forehead. "I've been known to have a good idea or two." He reaches out for my hand and I lay mine in his. "Let's go for a ride, okay?"

"Okay."

Edward helps me into the carriage and sits next to me. "Garrett, we're ready." The carriage starts to move ahead.

Garrett shouts out, "You know Bella; Magazine Street is one of the primary streets in New Orleans."

"Is that so? I ask.

Edward wraps his arm around me, and I settle back into him. "You warm enough?"

I look up at him. "Yeah, I'm fine. You?"

He kisses my temple. "Fucking perfect."

Garrett continues, "Magazine Street is six miles long and follows the length of the crescent through Uptown, curving the river. It turns into Decatur." He cops an attitude. "The ins and outs of the streets are fascinating, but I have to admit, some of the road planning was done by drunken fools."

I laugh. "And you know this how?"

"I know a few of those drunken fool families," Garrett chuckles. "One thing, New York is the city that doesn't sleep, but New Orleans is one that is layered deep, around every corner. We got jazz, good food and voodoo."

Edward nudges me. "Yeah, you do that voodoo on me."

I banter back, "You mesmerize with those green eyes. It's hella on Bella!"

"But it's tougher on your fella, blue balls and all!" he moans.

"Yeah, well, I have a river that quivers with your every glance." I groan.

"Ha, in my pants I grow a lance of desire from your fire!" he sings.

And I yodel, "Oh sire, my need is dire, but I want to know your every mojo." And I stop, get serious and calmly look up at him. "All kidding aside, I want that happily ever after."

Edward smiles and kisses my forehead.

Garrett chuckles silently, but settles in and remains silent throughout the ride as though he is in deep thought. Both, Edward and I snuggle closer. He takes out a small bag with the French lace cookies, and feeds me while I feed him. I feel a lot better and promise I will talk when we get home.

Edward whispers, "I know you are my happily ever after, Hella Bella."

"I believe you, blue balls and all." I bite my cheek, and he pulls it free.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

Oooo, so what's next?

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recipes:

Tarte aux pommes (lemon tarts)

10" partially cooked pastry shell

4 lbs cooking apples

1 teaspoon lemon juice

2 tablespoons granulated sugar

⅓ cup apricot jam

⅓ cup Calvados, rum or cognac or 1 tablespoon vanilla

⅔ cup granulated sugar for topping

3 tablespoons butter

½ teaspoon cinnamon

Preheat oven to 375F. Quarter, core and peel the apples. Cut enough to make 3 cups into ⅛" lengthwise slices and toss into a bowl with the lemon juice and sugar. Put aside for the top if the tart.

Cut the rest of the apples into rough slices, about 8 cups. Place in a pan and cook over low heat for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are all tender

Beat apricot jam, Calvados, sugar, butter and cinnamon. Raise the heat and boil, until its thick enough to hold a clump in the spoon.

Spread applesauce into the pastry shell. Cover with overlapping layer of sliced apples, arrange decoratively.

Bake in the upper layer of preheated oven for about 30 minutes, until apples have browned lightly. Slide tart onto a serving dish, paint over apples with apricot glaze.

Apricot Glaze:

½ cup apricot jam

2 tablespoons granulated sugar

Stir the strained apricot jam and sugar over moderately high heat until thick enough to coat the spoon with a light film, and the last drops are sticky as the fall from the spoon (225-228 degrees on a candy thermometer).

Apply glaze while it's still warm.

Chocolate Truffles

1 cup heavy cream

12 oz semi-chocolate, finely chopped

4 tablespoons melted butter, room temp

1 tablespoon brandy

½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder

In a saucepan over medium-high heat, warm the cream until very hot (but not simmering). Remove from heat, stir in chocolate and butter until melted and mixture is smooth. Add the brandy and whisk until a smooth ganache forms. Transfer to a bowl, cover and refrigerate until firm. 1 hour.

Place parchment paper onto a baking sheet. Scoop level tablespoons of chilled ganache and place on baking sheet. Refrigerate for 19\0 minutes.

Spread cocoa powder onto a plate. Roll ganache into a ball and into the powder. Can also roll into coconut, cinnamon and sugar, powdered sugar, chopped nuts or colored sugar,

Refrigerate the truffles at least 30 minutes. 4 doz.

French Lace Cookies

½ cup corn syrup

½ cup shortening

⅔ cup packed brown sugar

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 cup chopped pecans

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Place parchment paper onto cookies sheets.

In a medium saucepan, heat corn syrup, shortening and brown sugar over medium heat, stirring constantly until, mixture comes to a boil. In a small bowl toss together flour and nuts; stir into saucepan. Remove from heat.

Keep warm by setting over a pan of hot water. Drop teaspoonfuls onto baking sheets. Cookies need to be at least 3" apart. They will spread. Bake 5 minutes. Let cookies set, before removing from baking sheet.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

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.

Now, let me rec Postapocalypticdepository stories, since she so graciously rec'd mine.

Never Judge by the Cover: 9056924

Boys Will Be: 8868006

Rude Awakenings: 8876785

It's a New Dawn, It's a New Year: 8862243 (complete)

And a shout out rec to: bURN by compass54

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

And thank you to all the readers, whether you review or not. I enjoy every comment and suggestion. Yes, NOLA (New Orleans, LA) is an exciting place to live. And to combine the old world with the new is a challenge, but the humor is quite a serious business. My objective is for all of you to smile, after each chapter.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

Next up: EPOV