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.
There are breakfast recipes at the end. These are so rich and yummy.
And Happy Valentine's Day… Love ya'll!
Chapter 32:
BPOV: February
I see Aunt Sally staring at something, batting her eyes having difficulty focusing. And I think that Renee is back for round two, but my heart races in absolute excitement at the sight in the doorway.
I run, despite my stupid heels and long gown into his arms. "Daddy!" I hold him tight as he kisses the top of my head. "Daddy!"
"Bella," he whispers. "I'm so sorry she got away from me, Sweetheart."
"It's not your fault, Dad," I try to reassure him. "You look as if you need a drink."
"I need a few." He chuckles hard and squeezes my hand smiling at me.
Edward approaches us with his hand out towards my father. "Sir."
They shake. "Sally has told me quite a bit about you, Edward."
Edward looks Charlie dead in the eyes. "I hope enough that you will give us your blessing."
Oh, the beady-eyed stare is on his face, he stands tall and grunts. "We'll have to see about that." Yikes.
"Daaaaad!" I strain. Then, poke him in the ribs. "Cut the badass crap out."
Edward winks at me; I leave my dad's arms and go into his.
Dad frowns. "Guess I'll have to get used to that."
"You say that as though it's painful," I quip.
"No father wants to give away his daughter, Bella," Charlie grumbles.
"I'll keep that in mind," Edward nudges me.
Sally stumbles to me. "No mother ... Either."
I smile at her. "I always had you."
She hugs both Edward and me. "This is a good thing, Charlie. Don't give Edward a hard time for too long." She glares at Dad. "He rides a Harley. That should count for something other than the fact that he loves Bella." She hiccups and giggles. "Damn, Edward, your mother can drink me under the table any day." She passes out.
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Edward and I push the lounge up next to Aunt Sally's bed. I think she will feel a lot better just seeing the two of us when she awakens from her drunken stupor.
There is a light knock on the door, I answer, and one of the maids gives me a small bottle of smelling salts.
Edward and I sit on the lounge looking at Aunt Sally. I want to call her 'Mom', but a habit is a habit.
She is so still on the mattress in a fetal position with a small purr coming from her lips. See, as crazy as she is, she is always a lady. Well, except for Krewe du Vieux.
Bleach my eyes.
Bleach my eyes.
Edward mumbles into my ear, "Well, are we going to sit here and look at Sally or are you going to fucking wake her up?"
I smile at him. "I'm taking her in. She looks so small lying there." I laugh. "That's going to be me in thirty years, Edward." I turn to face him. "Are you sure?"
He cups my face in his hands and leans into me. "No fucking doubts, Baby." He recalls. "Oh, I owe you an apology, Bella."
"For what?" I ask.
"Valentine's Day," he grimaces. "I'm a lousy boyfriend."
I correct, waving my fingers in the air and showing off my ring, "Fiancé."
He rolls his eyes and clears his throat. "We were so busy, it slipped my mind. My mother reminded me tonight. She wanted to know how we celebrated. When I told her I forgot she insisted I apologize to you." He hangs his head.
I giggle. "Ah, I forgot, too."
He looks up at me. "Then, you aren't pissed at me?"
She makes a silly face. "No. You make every day Valentine's Day for me. I know that's sounds cheesy, but if walking on air all the time is love, then Edward I am airborne because of you." I sigh and give him attitude. "You give me goose bumps, butterflies in my stomach … and wet panties."
He hums a low groan. "Same here, accept the wet panties, but my boxers get very tight."
Our mouths crash together.
"Maybe you two would like the bed," Aunt Sally sings.
We break apart, wipe or mouths and sit up straight.
Aunt Sally sinisterly giggles. "I could cut the sexual tension with a butter knife. Really you two, go home and be together."
"Have you been awake this whole time?" I squint at her.
"No, but long enough to know that young man adores you." She wiggles her eyebrows. "But I knew that the first time I saw him." She smiles at Edward. He blushes.
"Even though I was a murdering, gay rapist?" he jokes.
Aunt Sally howls, "You were such a good sport." She starts to giggle. She stares at us, fans herself and falls back onto the bed in hysterics legs kicking, fists pounding the mattress and whoo hooing.
We both stand, slowly walk towards the door and exit.
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We head back to the apartment with Esme, Carlisle and Dad. Since Edward's parents are with us for a few nights, he asks Charlie to stay in the other guest room.
Edward closes my mouth as I watch their conversation with amazement. Charlie accepts the invitation easily. Something is up.
Edward settles his folks into one room, and I lead my father to the other.
"It's a nice place here, Bells; Edward's done well for himself." Dad looks around as we walk down the hallway and into the guest room. I turn on the light as Charlie follows me into the room dragging his carry-on.
"He's workedextremely hard building up this place. You know that the restaurant downstairs…"
"Yes, it's Edward's." Charlie interrupts. "Sally told me."
"I guess she has left me very little to tell you." I shake my head.
"I hope to have a little alone time with you." He looks so sad.
"Of course," I hug him. "There are towels in the linen closet. I know you brought your own toiletries, but if you need anything, just look through the drawers and the medicine cabinet. Edward keeps everything stocked."
"I like that." He grins.
"Also, the remote for the TV is in the top drawer of the night stand, if you feel like catching up on the news. We get up early, like you. So, expect a humongous breakfast."
He pouts.
I giggle. "Yes, Dad, I will make your doughnuts."
"Good daughter." He kisses the top of my head.
"See you in the morning." I start to walk away.
"Bella?"
"Yeah?"
"I'm sorry, Sweetie." I hate to see him look so sad.
"It's alright, Dad."
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When I enter the bedroom, I find Edward sitting on the edge of the bed in sleep pants. His head is down with his elbows resting on his knees.
I walk over and stand between his long legs, He sits up, and I wrap my arms around his shoulders as he rests his head on my chest. I comb my fingers through his soft hair. He leans back, closes his eyes and enjoys the scalp massage.
I hum. "I need to get out of this dress."
He buries his head between my breasts. "I need for you to get out of that dress, too." He starts to flick his tongue and hold me closer.
I tease, "Someone's frisky." I scratch his head.
He takes a long, deep breath. "It has been a long night, and all I want to do is wrap my arms around you."
"Edward, thank you." Tears fall down my cheeks.
He wipes the tears with his thumbs. "Why the tears?"
I huff a giggle. "I loved how you proposed." I sniff. "I will never forget it."
He chuckles. "Damn, fucking straight, you won't!"
We laugh.
He slaps me on the ass. "Now, woman, go get ready for bed, I'm tired."
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I walk back into the bedroom to find Edward out like a light and on his side with the covers at his feet. I crawl onto the bed, cover us and curl up close to his warm tush, wrapping an arm around his bare waist. He radiates a lot of heat. He soothes the tension right out of me.
I rest my head on his left shoulder and listen to his even breaths, feeling the rise and fall of his chest, and smelling a mixture of his body wash and shampoo, as it's taste faintly lingers on my tongue.
I scoot up and bury my head into the curve of his neck. Still not sleepy, I turn, and we lay butt to butt. Next, I roll onto my back and stare up at the ceiling. The heater makes a cracking sound and I look over and watch the flickering flames fly upward molding into visions of Renee. She plays in my head, and I wonder how long it will take for her to ruin Edward and me.
Okay, this is crazy.
He is more than that.
I trust him.
But she is adept at planting doubt.
I stare at the outline of my ring fanning my fingers in front of my face. The tears spill over the sides of my eyes, and I wipe them quickly and whisper to myself, "Stop being a wuss, she's not going to win."
I turn over to face Edward, stare at the back of his head, and down his shoulders. I lift the blanket to view his ass. No, I won't let her win.
This is mine.
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By five-fifteen, I am out of bed, showered and dressed in jeans and a large, purple T-shirt that hangs over one shoulder and bare feet. I prepare to create my breakfast feast, make sure I have all my ingredients and lay everything out on the island.
I take a peek through my cookbook of my personal recipes, bookmark the ones I need and prop it up onto my vintage, white, iron bookstand of swirling vines of leaves, bud roses, and full blooms.
Edward enters the kitchen dressed in a faded, gray T-shirt, fitted jeans and bare feet. He kisses me on the top of my head, but goes straight for the coffee maker. "So, what are you making?"
"Whiskey bacon doughnuts and stuffed French toast, my dad's favorites, your dad's sausage and egg skillet omelet ..." Edward looks surprised. "I asked him what he likes to eat in the morning." He nods. "Grand Marnier cranberry muffins for your mom." I hug him. "And for Emmett, I have this recipe for beer pancakes."
He squeezes me. "Aren't you the little breakfast pleaser!"
"I wanted to make something for everyone. After all the craziness of last night, I wanted us to have a peaceful, family breakfast." I blow out a long sigh.
Edward smirks. "This I got to fucking see."
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Since our dining room is too small to accommodate everyone and Miss Evie can't climb the stairs, we move breakfast to the restaurant's dining room.
Edward, Dad and Carlisle move five tables together comfortably seating eleven people.
A cantankerous Miss Evie shuffles through the front door holding onto her walker, with Aunt Sally and Richard on each side.
Edward hugs Aunt Sally, shakes Richard's hand and graciously greets Miss Evie. "I heard you had some good foot work going on there, Miss Evie."
"I wished I had more. I should have kicked her ass!" she grumbles.
Edward laughs. "Glad to know you're on our side." He walks her over to the table. "Can I get you a cup of coffee or tea?"
"Tea would be wonderful, Edward, with a little milk and sugar," she coos.
Edward helps her to sit, moving her walker to one side. He begins to walk away, but Miss Evie gives his ass a solid grope and winks. Poor Edward blushes many shades of red.
Esme grabs my arm as we giggle.
Dad and Carlisle are already at the buffet loading their plates with food.
Alice, Jasper, and Emmett enter through the back door.
Emmett carries a huge bouquet of brightly colored roses, Baby's Breath and ferns in a clear crystal vase. He smiles at me. "After all that went down last night, I … ah … saw these and thought you might have every kind of emotion today." He bends and kisses me on the cheek and whispers into my ear. "Welcome to the family." He clears his throat. "And I still want a rematch." He places the bouquet on a table and shoves his thumbs up.
I smile, get a quick hug as Emmett spies the buffet table and excitedly heads in that direction. "Food!"
Aunt Sally walks slowly to me with Richard at her side holding her elbow.
She nudges Esme. "What were we drinking last night? My head still has jackhammers inside."
"I think it's great you two hit it off." I gesture to Esme and Aunt Sally.
"JuJuBee, could you talk a little softer … please?" Her eyes don't focus.
I feel terrible for her. I know she is hurt, and I gently pull her into a hug and whisper softly, "I'm sorry she was horrible to you."
She soothes, "Just don't allow her to feed you the doubt. I know Edward will stand up to her, but I know what she is capable of. Just remember that, Bella." She gives me chills how she reads my mind.
Once everyone has a plate of food, we sit around the table discussing the engagement. Actually Esme, Aunt Sally and Alice start to plan a wedding. Miss Evie has a nap resting her head on her chest.
They go back and forth with a date, flowers and reception halls. Edward and I sit side by side looking from Aunt Sally to Esme to Alice, a three-sided tennis match.
I finally speak, "Do we get to decide anything?"
All three look up at us, and say, 'no'. They go back to their planning.
Edward whispers into my ear. "We can elope."
Charlie, Carlisle and Richard have their heads together at the other end of the table. Charlie shoots a dirty look at Edward. "Over my dead body you two will elope."
Emmett and Jasper walk back into the dining room with bottles of champagne in their arms. Wait, when did they leave?
They mix a little orange juice with champagne and suddenly we have Mimosas for all.
Aunt Sally eyes widen, she shakes her head and sticks with her ginger ale.
Miss Evie wakes in time to make a toast. "I'd like to say one thing." She looks at Edward and me. "If you stand united, no one can control you two." She glares at Alice, Esme and Aunt Sally. "And as for these three meddlers … well, it's your wedding! Down the hatch," she gulps her drink.
Emmett roars, Aunt Sally cringes and we all up our bottoms.
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As breakfast winds down, we all scatter in different directions. Aunt Sally and Richard leave with Miss Evie, but not without her getting one last pinch of Edward's ass.
I see him hobble into the kitchen rubbing his sore bum. Poor baby. Emmett follows laughing hysterically.
Esme and Carlisle go upstairs for their jackets. They plan to take Dad to the Quarter for some sightseeing.
Alice takes inventory of the bar while Jasper sets up the area.
Dad helps me straighten out the five, new tablecloths. The room is back to normal.
"So, how long do you plan to say, Dad?" I lay new silverware over a napkin.
"As soon as I get your mothe… ah, Renee out of your hair." He clears his throat. "Sorry."
I smile. "It's okay. She's still my mother, just adoptive."
He speaks quietly, "No, I'm sorry I never told you. I'm sorry for a lot of things."
I grab his hand. "Dad, it's the past."
"I let her handle things … raise you, while I went about my business." He drops his shoulders in defeat and I hug him.
"It's what couples did back then."
"It wasn't the covered wagon days, Bella," he grouses.
I giggle. "Well, you know what I mean. She never worked, and you did."
"There's so much I need to tell you." He holds my shoulders and looks into my eyes. "I don't want you to hate me."
With surprise, I shake my head. "I could never hate you."
His voice is but a whisper. "You might."
Carlisle and Esme walk out from the kitchen laughing. "Honestly, Carlisle, now I know how Emmett got that way!"
Carlisle burps. "I think it was the onions."
Esme scolds, "Thank God it's that end, this time!" She shakes her head and looks at Charlie. "Ready to go?"
"Yeah, I'll follow you out." He kisses the top of my head. "We'll talk later."
I whisper in his ear. "You can't say something like that and just leave."
"Okay," he whispers back, "I'm divorcing her."
And he walks out after Esme and Carlisle.
I sit down carefully with my mouth wide open.
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Charlie left Bella with quite a bombshell.
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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 8999279 by compass54
And to: Midnight-Confessions 9182601 by ohgeefantasy
Careless Hearts 9881551 by ohgeefantasy
And to: Edward Cullen FBI Special Agent and Psychic by 9626040 Dinia Steel
Also, found this story: Finally in Phoenix 9987411 by laughablelamb
AND: A Crack in the Door 8874295 by jane-with-a-y
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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:
Stuffed French Toast
1 loaf French Bread
3 Tablespoons Any Flavor Fruit Spread
½ package of Cream Cheese, room temperature
2 whole Eggs
1 tablespoon cinnamon
½ cups milk
2 tablespoon butter
Heat skillet or electric griddle to 325 to 350 degrees.
Cut french bread into 2-3 inch wide slices. Use a paring knife to cut into bread to create a pocket.
Mix cream cheese and fruit spread together and stuff into bread pocket.
In a separate bowl, break 2 eggs; add cinnamon and milk and combine well.
Dip bread into egg mixture, coating all sides.
Put 2 tablespoons of butter into a hot skillet and melt completely. Add all of the bread to the skillet and cook roughly about 3-6 minutes on each side, until it reaches a nice golden brown.
Serve with butter and syrup.
Whiskey Bacon Doughnuts
2 cups flour
½ cup warm mashed potato
½ tsp kosher salt
¼ cup sugar
1 cup warm milk (not hot)
pinch of sugar
5 teaspoons yeast
Canola Oil for frying + 2 tablespoons
1 cup milk
pinch of sugar
Candied Bacon
½ cup golden brown sugar
½ to 1 teaspoon Cayenne pepper
8-10 Bacon Slices
Whiskey Glaze
3-5 tablespoons high quality whiskey
2 cups confectioners sugar
¼ cup heavy cream
pinch of kosher salt
5 tablespoons Whiskey
The Dough:
To make the donuts, start by gathering all the ingredients. The donut recipe suggests baking the potato in the microwave, but I boiled mine. Either way will work. Clean and peel your potato. Bake in the microwave for five minutes or boil for 10-15 or until tender. Mash the potato. You will need ½ cup for this recipe.
In a mixer bowl, combine the flour, sugar, salt & potato. Next, add the milk mixture and 2 tablespoons of Canola oil. Using the paddle attachment, knead the dough for three minutes. The dough was really sticky, so I added a few extra tablespoons of flour as needed. You can also do this step by hand. Remove the paddle attachment and cover with saran wrap. Place a cool damp cloth over the top allow the dough to rise for at least an hour.
The Candied Bacon:
Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees F. Combine ½ cup of brown sugar with ½ - to 1 tsp. of cayenne in a large bowl. Stir the mixture until no sugar clumps remain. One bacon strip at a time, press one side of the bacon into the mixture and coat it. Place it on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil. Repeat with the remaining bacon strips. Bake for 8-12 minutes or until the bacon is crispy or done to your likeness. Remove from the oven and allow to cool. Cut the bacon into bite size pieces.
Back to the Donuts: Once the dough has risen, punch it down and lightly flour your work surface & rolling pin. Roll the dough out and use a donut cutter or glass to cut out the circles. Allow the dough to rise again while you heat up the oil.
In a deep cast iron skillet, pour in the canola oil. You don't need to put in too much. Just enough to cover the donuts. The oil should be about 360 degrees. You can do a test run with the donut holes.
Place the donuts in the oil, three at a time. Flip the donuts over after 8-12 seconds and allow the donut to get golden brown. Remove the donuts with a heat safe spatula and place on a rack to cool.
The Whiskey Glaze:
Combine whiskey, confectioners sugar, heavy cream & salt in a bowl. Whisk until smooth.
Glaze the donuts:
Dip the donuts face down into the glaze and using a circular motion with your wrist, coat the donut. Top immediately with the candied bacon sprinkles.
Spiced Dark Craft Beer Pancakes
1 cup sifter all-purpose flour
¼ granulated sugar
¾ teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
1 egg
1 cup beer
2 tablespoon melted butter
½ teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon orange peel
In a large bowl, combine all dry ingredients and spices.
Ass all wet ingredients and whisk. Heat skillet on medium heat, coat with butter pan spray. Add batter in ¼ cups, wait for bubble to form and flip until golden brown.
Serve with butter and syrup.
Grand Marnier Cranberry Muffins
1 ¼ cup orange juice
¼ cup Grand Marnier
¾ cup canola oil
2 cups chopped cranberries
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 ½ cups sugar
2 tablespoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
1 ½ teaspoon orange zest
4 egg whites
Preheat oven 400 degrees F.
Combine the orange juice, Grand Marnier and the oil and set aside
In a large bowl, combine the flours, sugar, baking powder, salt and orange zest.
In another large bowl, beat the egg whites until frothy.
Combine the juice mixture with the beaten egg whites.
Add the egg mixture and the cranberries to the flour mixture, stirring just until moist.
Grease your muffin tin and make 12-24 muffins
Bake for 25 minutes or until golden brown and puffed.
Italian Sausage And Egg Breakfast Skillet
1 tablespoon olive oil2 cups frozen hash brown potatoes
8 oz. cooked, sliced Italian sausage
1 cup sliced mushrooms
4 eggs
¼ cup milk
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon dried oregano
½ cup Italian cheese blend
Heat oil on a medium-high heat, add potatoes. Cook with cover for 6-8 minutes, until golden. Add sausage and mushroom. Cook uncovered about 4 minutes.
Beat eggs, milk, salt and oregano in a bowl.
Reduce heat to medium. Pour eggs over mixture in skillet. Mix carefully so egg is thoroughly cooked.
Sprinkle with cheese, take off heat, let cheese melt.
Mangiare (eat).
And please, review … it makes me happy.
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