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.
AND recipes at the end … yum!
Chapter Twenty-two
BPOV: January 6
All of a sudden I am frozen in place ...
Like a statue …
I can't move …
I can't talk…
I stand in front of Edward's parents; immobile and mute, but Edward rambles. His father eats another cookie and his mother stares at me with this glazed smile on her face. I faintly hear him say that I am his girlfriend ... His pastry chef ... And his coordinator for his carriage rides.
I finally move and look up at him. He smiles broadly holding my hand and telling his parents we are living together.
I think I'm still breathing … but I can't catch my breath.
What?
Did he say … marriage?
The room feels like it's spinning. Yup, my legs are no longer holding me up.
Hello floor.
I can hear my name repeated over, and over ...
As I fade to … black.
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As I begin to wake, I hear an angel speak, "You don't need to call 911, she's coming to, the poor thing." Such a sweet, soft voice. "She's a pretty girl, Edward."
"Give her some air. Back away, everyone." Such a tone of authority and intellect. "Are there anymore cookies?"
"Here are the smelling salts!"
"Thanks, Alice."
I smell the ammonia and feel my heart race. My eyes water as I open them to see five pair of eyes staring at me. Edward is right looking so frightened, as his mother and father stand to the left of us. Alice and Jasper sit on the edge of the desk, watching us, their heads going back and forth as though they are watching a tennis match.
"Bella, do you hear me?" Edward panics, touching my face so carefully.
I straighten up, as Edward places his arm around my shoulders. I smooth his face with both of my hands, smiling into his eyes. "I'm okay." I sit up and see I am in his office, on the sofa. "Please, don't worry."
Esme looks back and forth from Edward to me, "They are so cute together. Emmett was right."
Jean rushes in with a glass of water. "It's nice and cold." She hands it to me carefully.
I smile at her. "Thank you, Mama Jean." I take a sip.
"Oh, Bella, you scared us all," she says, looking down at me.
"I don't know what happened. One minute, I was standing there and the next; I felt my legs just melt."
Edward grumbles, "It was all Emmett's doing." He glares at his parents.
Carlisle interjects, "Your brother only mentioned that your girlfriend was working as your pastry chef. We were already planning on coming down for lunch." He casually explains.
"Well, you should have let me know. I could have prepared Bella," Edward says with a tone that lets us all know that he is upset.
"I'm fine, really. Maybe a bit embarrassed. I've never fainted before." My face must be brilliant red because the heat flushes my cheeks.
"Oh, Dear, don't be. I'm sorry if we startled you," Esme soothes as she pats my shoulder. "The sorbet was such a lovely touch to our lunch, Bella."
Carlisle interrupts, "I loved the cookies, myself!"
I squeak out a small, 'thank you'.
"Yes, she's a whiz in the kitchen," Jean proudly announces. "Well, I'm going to head back there, now." She affectionately runs her hand down my hair. "Just take it easy." She says as she is leaving the room
Esme continues, "Did you prepare the cheese souffle` and the crab salad, Edward? They had a nice taste and texture together."
Carlisle smiles. "Yes, a very light lunch, but those cookies."
Edward is a combination of both his parents, but he has his father's smile. I like him, and I like his mother. "I'll make sure you have a full batch to take home," I say to Carlisle. But before I knew what happened, he reached down and hugged me.
Edward whispers into my ear. "My dad has a major sweet tooth. You have become his favorite person."
"Yes, she has." Carlisle winks. "Do you happen to make any Irish cookies?"
I wink back at him. "Thank you, Mr. Cullen. And yes, I do."
"Oh, call me Carlisle or dad, and make me Irish cookies, please," he broadly smiles.
"How about Irish Soda Bread Cookies, Irish Potatoes, and Irish Ginger Snaps?" I sound off, counting on my fingers.
Carlisle sits down next to me, edging Edward out of the way. "Aw, my grandmother used to make all of those."
I shrug. "I'll try to do her justice."
Carlisle turns to Edward. "Son, where did you find this gem?"
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Hours later as we close up the dining room, and Edward finishes the paperwork, he takes me by the hand, and we walk up the stairs to the apartment. I laugh at the thought of his dad leaving with a bag of wafers, and his mom with sorbet. And the promise of having dinner Monday night at their home, and my bringing bags of Irish cookies. I look forward to spending time with them.
Edward opens the door and allows me to walk in first. "What are you grinning about?"
I giggle, "Your dad and the bag of wafers."
"I told you he had a huge sweet tooth." He closes the door. "So, how was your first day at Savoureux?"
With my infamous sarcasm, I admit, "Other than fainting, it was great."
I turn around to have Edward wrap his arms around my waist and nuzzle my neck. "It wasn't too much for you?"
I'm a little giggly with his stubble running up and down my neck. "I used to work in Hell's Kitchen, literally, Edward. This was a piece of cake, literally, Edward," I emphasize.
He sighs. "I don't want to scare you away with work, my parents' surprise visit, and my father's relentless request for Irish cookies. He went on and on over your wafers."
I smile. "Yes, he did like the wafers." I hug him tightly. "But I liked your parents. They were very nice." I let go and walk down the hallway with Edward following me, gripping my hand.
"They liked you. My dad thinks you are his answer to cookie heaven." I giggle. "And Mom's got our wedding arranged in her head," he says so casually.
"She can talk with Aunt …" I stop.
We walk into the room, and I sit on the bed. "I'm not upset about any of this." I look up at him, as he stands between my legs, then kneels, wrapping me in his arms. "I always wanted her to be my mother." I rest my head on his shoulder.
"She certainly loves you, Bella," he mumbles into my neck.
"I love her."
Edward gives me a quick kiss on the lips and stands. "I'm going to take a shower." He wiggles his eyebrows. "Want to join me?"
I smile. ""I'm not trying to tease you." I gesture towards his crotch. "I just need…"
He interrupts, "Time." He seriously explains, "Look, I want us." He gestures between the two of us. "And I'm willing to wait, Bella."
"I think I'll go shower in my bathroom." I nod and get up from the bed and walk to the door.
"But you will be back?" he asks.
I turn to look at him. "Yeah, if you want me to."
He smiles. "I like holding you."
"More like groping me when I sleep," I kid him.
"You're never going to let me fucking forget that, are you?" he gripes.
I walk away, shouting out, 'nope'. I hear his laugh.
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About an hour later, we are both in bed, cuddling close, when I excitedly sit up. "Oh, I forgot to tell you." Edward sits up, turning on the light. "We have a reservation for a carriage ride."
God, he smiles. "Really?"
"Yes, it's a couple celebrating their twenty-fifth wedding anniversary. The husband prefers the dinner here, but wants a midnight ride in the Quarter. He called to make the plans. It's all a surprise for his wife. He specifically wanted the restaurant all to themselves; a private dinner."
Edward hums, "He's renting out the whole, fucking place for this?"
"Yes, for two hours, from eight to ten on Thursday night."
"It would be feasible to close the restaurant at seven-thirty and give them an amazing atmosphere," he mumbles.
"I'm so glad you said that, because I was thinking the same thing,'' I agree. " Maybe you could play for them, a private concert of love songs?"
He nods his head. "Yeah, that would work. We could decorate a little, nothing too elaborate, but something tasteful for their anniversary." He brainstorms.
"Then, he was taking her somewhere else, but wanted a carriage at midnight in front of the Cathedral." I squeal. "Here's the best part, he proposed to her a year before at midnight. So, the dinner is a day, well night before, but the proposal is the exact time." I sigh, as Edward watches me. "It's so romantic and sweet."
"Does he want a Jean Lafitte kind of tour?" he asks.
"No, just a driver, and no tour, because they live here, but he wants the ambiance of the Quarter. He asked if you were a young man and could dress in proper attire, be clean shaven and could sing."
He looks at me. "I'm singing now?"
"No, I'm pulling your leg, but he does want conversation,'' I report.
Edward beams. "That settles it, you're coming with me."
I stare at him. "What? No! I can't do that, this is your deal."
"Bella, he wants conversation," he argues. "I can't do it by myself, I need your help." He touches my cheek, "I need your feminine touch."
"You're not playing fair," I grouse and bite my cheek.
He pulls my cheek free. "I'm not playing." He rubs my cheek and cups my face. "I need you." He gently kisses my lips. "Please?"
I shake my head. "I can't say 'no' to you."
He kids, "Yes, you do."
I smack his shoulder. "I'm going to go sleep in my room." I begin to pull the covers off, and he grabs me, tossing me underneath him, his arms holding him up above me. "You're not going anywhere."
And he tickles me.
I scream, "No, stop."
I giggle to absolute hysterics.
Can't … catch … my breath.
And I get the hiccups.
"Oh God, I hate the hiccups." Hiccup!
Edward laughs. "The only way to get rid of them is to keep tickling you." He continues to attack my body with pinches.
"Edward, stop." Hiccup! "Awwwww. Please, stop." Hiccup! "I can't breathe." He doesn't stop his assault. Hiccup! "I swear, I can't breathe!" Hiccup!
"You sound just fine to me," he adds kisses under my neck. The tickling stops, but the kisses become sweet. "Can you breathe, now?"
Hiccup! "Are you serious? Now I'm all swoony breath." Hiccup! "And all lightheaded." Hiccup! And whooooo, I need to shut my mouth," I pant and hiccup!
We stop and stare at one another. I give him a shy smile. "Edward, thank you for stopping."
"I know my limits." He smirks.
Hiccup! "Like hell, you do!" I banter.
He gives me a huge smile. "I really like this time with us."
"Maybe we should create a set of rules for our …" I wave my hand around.
"Our relationship?" He frowns.
"Yeah, liike we should talk before going to sleep every night," I say.
"What, like a final report?" he questions.
"Somewhat. We can share anything that comes to mind. Everything we wanted to say throughout the day?" I shrug.
"For now, how about telling one another things about ourselves, getting to know one another better." he interjects.
"Yes, exactly. I hate brussel sprouts." I sadly admit.
"I love your pouts." He kisses me softly.
"I love your hair." And I run my fingers through it.
"I love your hair. It's only fair," he rhymes, smoothing my hair back, and lightly running his knuckles over my cheek.
"Hmmm, let's go to sleep," I yawn.
"I need to count sheep," he sings.
"You're not tired, you silly tool?" I sing back.
"Nope, gotta get up and see my mule." He chuckles.
I lean my hands on his chest and rest my chin down. "Edward, are you going to the stables in the morning?"
"Yeah, I need to see what's going on with Julia. I know Hank has everything under control, but I think of her as more than a feedbag."
"I know. I can see how much you love her." I yawn, again. "Can I tag along?"
"Do you want to sing a 5:00 am song?" he starts the rhyming again.
I look at him. "Sure." God, he makes me feel so much.
"You concur?" I get the radiant smile.
"Agreed." I smirk.
"Concede." He boasts.
"A need." I keep the game afloat.
He looks at me with a hunger.
"A want. I want."
He kisses me with gentle tenderness.
"My parents have been married over thirty-six years. I want that, Bella. I didn't open my bed to you for a quick fuck." He laughs. "I hate to admit this, but I've only shared this bed with Jasper."
"Is there something you need to tell me about you and Jasper?" I giggle.
"Jasper can't sleep alone. Alice and I don't know what happened to him, but since he was a little kid, he has either slept with his parents, Alice or me."
I look at him in shock. "Seriously? He seems so at ease."
"Jasper's a very sensitive person and he gets hurt very easily. If I don't talk with him or I am gone a certain amount of time, he gets worried, really frantic," Edward explains.
"Oh, poor Jasper, that's horrible for him." I smile. "But he's such a good friend to you."
"And now, he is to you, also. He says you are my soul mate." Edward beams, and I blush.
I question, "So does this mean if he spends the night, he'll need to sleep in here?"
Edward looks at me wearily. "Probably."
"Hmmm, as long as he stays on your side of the bed, it's fine with me." I bite the inside of my cheek.
He pulls my cheek, hesitates and says, "I love you."
Okay, I have goose bumps …
My heart races …
I look very carefully into his eye, his very sincere eyes.
I take a deep breath, and a lone tear falls for the corner of my eye. "I love you, too." And I sink into him, hugging him tightly.
He holds me at first, a little at bay, but slowly his arms wrap around me, securing me.
I think Edward holds his breath afraid to make any kind of move, since I put a stop to him every time. What else would he believe me to do?
I'm not a virgin, I know what to do. And I want to. I know that being with Edward is going to be beautiful. We both want, need and deserve this.
Sliding my leg between his, I roam my hands down his arms and over his hips, caressing his upper thighs. Edward makes a grunting noise, and I proceed very slowly.
He is giving me the lead
I pull away from him and look into his heavy-lidded eyes. He doesn't say a word; he watches.
"I want to do this right, Edward."
He smiles and reaches for me. "Bella, whatever we do is right."
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX
Oooo, bad me. Making you wait all this time for them finally to get it together. Next time. Love is in the air!
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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
And to: Midnight-Confessions by ohgeefantasy
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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.
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Recipes:
Soda Bread Cookies
2 cups all-purpose flour
¾ cup white sugar
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ cup butter
½ cup dried currants
¼ cup buttermilk
1 egg
¼ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon caraway seeds
Preheat oven 350 degrees F.
Combine all dry ingredients in a small bowl, cut in butter and add currants.
Mix in beaten egg. Pour in milk and mix with a fork to make a soft dough. You may need a bit more milk to add.
Place dough on floured board, knead for 5-6 minutes. Roll out dough to ¼" thickness, cut into squares and triangles with knife. Bake 12-14 mins.
Irish Potatoes
1 cup confectioner's sugar
1 cup shredded coconut
1½ tablespoons cream
2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
Sprinkle the sugar over the coconut. Add the cream, mixing gently.
Roll about 1½ tablespoons of the dough and roll into a ball. In a bag, place the cinnamon. Then, roll balls in the cinnamon, until coated.
Irish Ginger Snaps
1 cup white flour
1 egg
¼ teaspoon salt
¾ cup shortening
2 cups all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon ground clove
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Cream sugar, egg, salt and shortening together. Add flour, baking powder and spices. Mix well. Roll small mounds into balls and roll into sugar. Bake for 5-6 minutes.
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Next up: EPOV