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-four
BPOV: January 7
I wake up to the sound of cooing, and to my surprise, I hear the sound flowing right out of me. A big smile grows across my face, and I sigh. I lay on my back with a heavy arm across my chest and a large hand cupping my breast, Edward's head is lost in the tangles of my hair and his puffs of breath upon my neck. He likes to cuddle.
I think about last night, and my smile becomes infectious, my skin tingles, and I stupidly blush. We were kind of awkward, but as time goes on, and we spend more time … I giggle … awwwwwwwww… I roll my eyes and try to be quiet with my inner scream.
I turn carefully onto my side as Edward strategically moves with me his hand freeing my breast and wrapping it around my waist. Our legs twist together, my arm around his waist and both of our faces nose to nose. I love his nose, all manly and straight. I love the way his dark eyelashes fan out over his cheekbone. I love his wild hair and the light stubble over his chin and jaw. And, I love the sound of his breathing; a low growl that states his possession. I love his hold on me, his fanned fingers gripping my skin, holding tight.
I sigh.
God, I love him.
I watch him sleep until my eyelids fall heavy, and I succumb to slumber, feeling more, warm breaths on my neck, and Edward's hand, as it is once again wrapped around my breast.
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At the ripe hour of eight am, I finally awake to an empty bed and the sound of quiet voices coming from the kitchen. I jump off the mattress, run into my bedroom's ensuite to brush my teeth and hair, and clean up.
When I walk into the kitchen, I find Edward standing at the stove while Emmett leans over the island eating a piece of bacon and Jasper sits on the counter drinking from a mug.
Edward turns to see me at the doorway and smiles. "Hi, Baby."
I blush. Well, he does that to me.
Emmett unleashes and ungodly huff. "Buahahaha, you both did the nasty."
Edward moans in his pissy voice, "Emmett, c'mon."
Emmett points to Edward. "No, little brother you could never hide anything from me." Then, he stares at me, and I swallow hard. "And Bella? It's written all over your face." He walks over to me and moves my hair to one side. "Look at the beard burn. Fuck, Edward, you should have shaved. Your lady has very sensitive skin."
And Jasper moans to Edward, "And you didn't tell me?"
"You've been here all of five, fucking minutes, Jazz, and you brought Godzilla with you," Edward defends himself.
"Hey, I resemble that remark," Emmett boldly chuckles.
Sadly, Jasper looks at the floor and mumbles, "You didn't say anything."
I walk over to Jasper and hug him. He hugs me back. "Jasper, I'm sure he would have told you in private."
"Thank you, Bella." Jasper smiles and grabs Edward's shoulder. "Sorry, man." He looks back at me. "I've got some coconut oil that will take care of that burn. Alice gets like that, too."
"While you all go on and on about beard burn, I want to say I was right. And you two had better admit it." He points at Edward and me. "Didn't I say you would do the horizontal mambo? Mattress wrestling? Making ..." He emphasizes, "Loooooove!"
Edward snaps, "Enough, Emmett. Man, you're like a fucking child!"
"Well, it's true. When a man and a woman are under the same roof, and there are feelings … Yeah, it's quite obvious you both care about one another … You're going to bump…" He grinds his hips. "The uglies."
I cover my face in my hands and mumble through them, "You almost had me believing you were going to be sweet."
"I am sweet." He smiles. "You love each other." Edward looks at me as I look at him. "Yeah, see that look?" He outstretched his hands. "It's love people!"
Jasper smiles, "He's right."
I squeeze Jasper's hand. "And I promise I won't get between you and Edward, Jasper."
Jasper hugs me. "Oh, you found the right one, Edward."
Emmett grabs another strip of bacon, and stuffs it into his mouth, chewing it down and playfully asks, while smiling coyly. "Was it all good? He took care of you?"
Edward, Jasper, and I shout in unison, "Emmett!"
He extends his hands out. "What? It's an honest question. Bella, we Cullen boys are quite …"
Edward interrupts. "Enough, Em. We're fucking fine, okay?"
"I've got one question?" Emmett directs towards me.
"What?" I cautiously ask.
"Did he sleep with your boob in his hand?" he asks quite earnestly.
Edward protests, "Now, you've gone too fucking far!"
I look on with curiosity ... squinting my eyes at him. "Why do you ask that, Emmett?"
Emmett causally speaks, "Because you're got some nice ta tas there, Bella, and Edward's a breast man. And I always told him when the right one comes along, you will 'hold the gold' in your hands, that's why. I pumped that into him for years!"
Edward lunges for Emmett, but I intercede by standing between them with my hands on Edward's chest. I look up at him, tapping him. "You did do that!"
Edward blushes and mumbles, "I was sleeping." He looks at Emmett. "Because of you, we are having our first, fucking fight."
Jasper interjects, "No, technically, it's your second." Edward stares at Jasper. "Remember at the stables?"
"We're not having a fight." I sigh. "We can talk later." I look at Emmett and Jasper and give them a death stare. "I've got to get to work." I kiss Edward on the cheek, pat his face and start to leave the room.
Edward grabs me by the wrist and pleads with me, "What about breakfast?"
"I have to go." I walk out of the room hearing the three of them bickering at one another.
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I find Jean at our pastry station. She rolls out some dough and flour is everywhere, as I walk to the table.
"Hey, Mama Jean," I greet.
"Good morning, Sunshine, aren't you all a glow, today?" She smiles, and I blush inwardly. Then, she looks at my neck. "Coconut butter is good for that kind of burn." She smirks, and I'm a ball of fire.
"Ive heard that," I mumble.
Jean smiles and clears her throat. "I got your note about the puff pastry. We are making?"
"I don't know yet. I have some ideas for desserts, but I also had some savory entrees I want to share with Edward." I ponder.
"Oh, before I forget, Alice is in the office and needs to speak with you. She says it's urgent." She winks.
"Okay, then I'll be right back."
Jean coughs. "Don't count on it. Alice will want you to talk your ear off."
I nod. "I see."
"I'll continue making puff pastry?" she asks.
"Yes, please, Mama Jean."
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I walk to the office and find Alice sitting at the desk with her hands over her face, crying.
I quietly call out her name, "Alice?"
She looks up with tears streaming down her downtrodden face, as she hands me a pregnancy strip. I look at the negative results and understand Alice's breakdown. "I'm sorry, Alice."
"I just don't understand why. The doctors say both of us are healthy and there is no reason why we can't get pregnant," she sobs.
I stand near her, and she wraps her arms around my waist. I automatically hold her shoulders and head in my hands. "I guess, the time isn't right, Alice."
She cries harder, "It's never the right time. We've been trying for over a year, Bella, and nothing."
"Well, maybe you guys are trying too hard. Maybe you need to give it a rest. I have a friend who couldn't get pregnant for three years…" Alice gasps. "No, no, don't freak … She went on natural treatments, and in a few months, she became pregnant. It's not about the quantity of sex, Alice; it's about the quality of it."
"Quality sex?" she questions.
"Yes, it's about certain natural, fertility treatments and herbs. I know my friend was into myofascial release for pregnancy."
Alice sits up and looks at me. "What's that?"
"It's a massage treatment that works on the connective tissue, fascia. I can show you sites on the Net." I excited tell her.
Alice smiles and wipes her eyes. "Thanks."
"Don't have sex for a while, give your bodies that hunger," I suggest.
She looks at me coyly. "Ah, ha." She nods her head. "So, have you and Edward fed yourselves?"
I broadly grin and turn bright red.
Alice hoops, "Allllllright!" She hugs me. "That boy must have exploded. It has been way too long for him."
I giggle slightly. "He was wonderful."
"I promise to keep Jasper in my bed, so he stays out of yours," she blurts out. "That didn't sound right."
I nod. "No, I get it. Edward told me about Jasper's phobias with sleeping alone."
She sighs. "Well, I'm going to listen to you about cooling it down with the sex. Maybe I've been too hard on Jasper." She mumbles, "He has been really nervous."
"Just give yourselves a break, that's all, Alice. I'll show you the fertility sites, and you can decide." I shrug.
She nods her head. "Okay." She remembers. "Oooo, a Mr. Gish called a little while ago and wanted to speak with you about his carriage ride." She rummages around the desk, finds a piece of paper and hands it to me. "I wrote his number for you."
"Thanks, Alice. This is the man who wants to rent out the restaurant for his anniversary," I swoon.
"That's so romantic," she coos.
"He wants Edward to drive him and his wife around the Quarter and stop at St. Louis Cathedral where he proposed twenty-five years ago."
"I hope Jazz will be like that. I know Edward will be. He never forgets anything." She giggles. "He obsesses over everything and doesn't forget anything."
I smile. "I'm learning that."
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Mama Jean and I prepare simple desserts for the lunch crowd. We move around one another very easily. I make three trays full of Berry Napoleon with a Grand Marnier Sabayon, and Mama Jean finishes off each one with a sprig of mint.
We create a chocolate bowl with fresh berries over puff pastry and a sugar glaze.
Mama Jean giggles, as I balance myself on a stool and painstakingly brush milk chocolate with even strokes over the bottom half of a small, blown up balloon, holding the knotted part in my hands. I dip the other end of a wooden spoon into the white chocolate and dribble it over the milk, and then, do the same with the dark chocolate.
I hand Mama Jean a pin, and she does the honor of popping the balloon.
She takes the balloon out and lays the chocolate bowl on a small plate.
We both drop handfuls of berries into a sieve, wash them under a faucet, and towel dry each piece of fruit.
Cutting the puff pastry into a square, I place it in the center of the bowl, pile the berries on the pastry and drizzle with the sugar glaze.
I think they are too pretty to eat. Mama Jean agrees, but takes a bite and moans the rest of the morning.
I concentrate on a caramelized onion tart with Gorgonzola and Brie cheese for Edward to taste. It is my idea of something new for the lunch menu, when I get another call for Mr. Gish and hurry into the office.
Alice looks a little nervous as she hands me the receiver and whispers. "He seems upset, Bella."
I take the phone and sit at the desk, while Alice leaves the room.
"Hello, Mr. Gish, this is Bella Swan. What can I do for you?"
"Miss Swan, I hope you can help me," he solemnly says in a very quiet voice. "There has been a change in plans. I need to rent out your restaurant tomorrow night, if you can please do this for me."
"Mr. Gish, this is rather short notice. We do have reservations for tomorrow night set in the book."
There is a slight sigh, and he pleads, "Normally I wouldn't ask and put you out, but it's of dire importance that we schedule dinner tomorrow night." His voice becomes shaky. "My wife, Kaye, will be going into the hospital the following day and we won't have any other time. I will pay double, anything. Please."
I bite the inside of my cheek, trying not to burst into tears. "Mr. Gish, I will certainly talk with Edward right away and get back to you."
"Please, Miss Swan, we don't have much time." He hesitates. "I'm not below begging for this. My Kaye was a ballerina, and four months ago, she was diagnosed with fourth stage, bone cancer." He begins to cry and tears well up in the corners of my eyes.
Dear God, this poor man.
"Mr. Gish, I will call you back as soon as I talk with Edward." I compose myself. "I'm sure we can accommodate you tomorrow night. And the carriage ride?"
"Yes, we will drive to the French Quarter right after dinner and wait for our carriage. Thank you, Miss Swan," he happily croaks.
"I promise you that you and your wife will have an amazing evening." I sniff.
His thank you fades, as the call ends, and I burst out in heaving sobs onto the desk. After a few minutes of gushing tears, I stand and head for the door, wiping the tears from my eyes. Edward walks in, sees my stained cheeks and holds me tight. "Baby, what's wrong?"
I start to cry all over again and Edward rambles, "Please, don't be upset. I'm sorry about this morning. And I loved the caramelized onion tart. We can add that to the lunch menu, anything you want."
I catch my breath. "Oh Edward, you did nothing wrong. It was Mr. Gish. He called about dinner and the carriage ride. His whole anniversary thing is about saying goodbye to his wife. She has cancer."
I cry again, and Edward soothes me. "Ssshh, c'mon, Bella. It's okay."
"Please, don't be mad. He wants to have dinner tomorrow night, because she's going into the hospital the following day. I said I would talk with you, but I couldn't say no to him. He sounded so sad," I confess. "Will it be a problem to reschedule people for the next night? I'm sorry." More sniffles.
"It's fine. We can reschedule all the reservations." He grabs my shoulders and looks into my eyes. "I would have done the same thing."
I hug him tight. "Thank you for that. All I can think about is that poor man. God Edward, every minute counts, I swear."
He kisses the top of my head. "I'm beginning to understand that."
"And I will go with you on the carriage ride." I look up at him and smile.
"Good." He smiles back at me.
"And you really liked the caramelized onion tart?" I pathetically whimper.
" I loved it." He kisses me and holds me tight, rubbing his hands over my back.
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So, what else will they learn on the carriage ride?
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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
And to: Edward Cullen FBI Special Agent and Psychic by Dinia Steel
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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:
Caramelized Onion Tart with Gorgonzola and Brie2 Tbsp olive oil
4 cups of sliced onions, sliced root-to-top into 1/4-inch thick slices (about 2 med onions)
1 Tbsp brown sugar
2 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
8 oz frozen puff pastry (defrosted a couple hours in the fridge)
2 oz chilled Brie cheese, rind removed and diced
2 oz Gorgonzola or other blue cheese, diced
2 Tbsp chopped fresh tarragon
Heat oil in a large deep pan on medium-high heat. Add onions and cook for about 10 minutes until brown. Add sugar, vinegar, salt and pepper. Reduce heat and cook gently, uncovered for 20-25 minutes or until caramelized. Add a little water if the onions look like they are starting to dry out. Cool.
Roll pastry into a 10-to-14-inch rectangle. Place pastry on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Prick with a fork every couple of inches to prevent the pastry from forming big bubbles while baking.
Spread onions over pastry, all the way to the edges of the pastry. Dot with cheese. Sprinkle with tarragon. Refrigerate if not baking immediately.
Bake in a preheated oven at 400°F for 18-20 minutes or until cheese has melted, and pastry is crispy. Cool for 5 minutes. Cut into wedges or squares.
Berry Napoleon with Grand Marnier SabayonFOR THE SABAYON:
1 cup granulated sugar
18 large egg yolks, plus 1 large egg
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup Grand Marnier liqueur
MAKE THE NAPOLEON:
1 puff pastry sheet, approximately 10 by 10 inches (thaw according to manufacturer's instructions)
3 pints seasonal berries, such as strawberries, blackberries, or raspberries
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
Fresh mint sprigs, for garnish
Sabayon:
Place a medium pot with 3 cups of water over high heat to create a double boiler. Combine the granulated sugar and egg yolks in a medium metal mixing bowl and place the bowl over the pot of simmering water so it rests on top of it. Whisk the ingredients continuously for 8 to 10 minutes until stiff peaks form and the volume has doubled. Remove the bowl from atop the pot and whisk in the vanilla and Grand Marnier. Refrigerate the sabayon until cooled.
Napoleon:
Preheat the oven to 350°F
Cut the puff pastry into 6 rectangles, each approximatel inches. Place the rectangles on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Whisk the whole egg and 1/4 cup water together in a small bowl to create a wash. Brush the top of the pastry dough with the egg wash. This will help it to brown.
Bake 13 to 15 minutes, until it has risen and turned golden brown. Remove the pan from the oven. Slice the pastries horizontally to create 2 pieces of equal size. One piece will serve as the bottom, the other the top.
Assemble:
Mix the berries in a large bowl. Add the cooled sabayon and toss until the berries are evenly coated.
Place the bottom pieces of pastry at the centers of 6 dessert plates. Evenly distribute the mixture of berries and sabayon atop the puff pastries. Place the caps of the pastry over the berry mixture. Sift confectioners' sugar over the napoleons and garnish with mint.
Chocolate Bowl filled with Berries over Puff Pastry
For Bowl:
½ cup melted milk chocolate
½ cup melted white white chocolate
½ cup dark chocolate
1 balloon
For Fruit salad:
6 strawberries with tops trimmed
½ cup blueberries
½ cup raspberries
½ cup blackberries
puff pastry square
Sugar Glaze:
½ cup Confectioner's sugar
1 teaspoon milk or cream
1 teaspoon vanilla
Blow up a small balloon and tie at the end.
Drizzled with a wooden spool, the half-cup of milk chocolate over the end of the balloon, holding the knotted top in your hands. Do the same with the white and dark chocolate, creating swirls and twists, overlapping all the chocolate. Let air dry and pop the balloon. It will leave the shape of the balloon in the chocolate.
Sit the balloon frame on a plate.
Top ice cream with the fresh berries and dust with confectioner's sugar.
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Next up: EPOV