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Word Prompt: Medicine cabinet

Originally, Edward's training day with Marcus was supposed to be after his birthday, but due to a scheduling conflict it gets moved up to the week before. I'm relieved, actually. He's been chomping at the bit to play, so this will give him his chance to shine sooner.

I'd hoped to be there for moral support, but the switch means I'm working with the guys while he heads downtown to meet Marcus. Instead of cheering, or just praying, from the sidelines, I'm working a large birthday party for a corporate bigwig with Emmett, Mike and Maggie. This is also our first time incorporating the small team we've brought on for events like this. The truth is, the business is growing rapidly - we have a great reputation that's been promoted a good deal by word of mouth. Advertising helps, too, but most of our business comes from referrals.

It's a good time for us all. I'm making the best money I've ever made, and it's doing something I enjoy - even if I am tired a lot of the time. I also want to make sure I stay busy, fulfilling my own dreams while Edward pursues his.

Ultimately, I want us to do what we do together, but in the meanwhile I'm taking his advice and focusing on one day at a time. It can be a little overwhelming when I give it too much thought - both his future and mine - so I try not to get lost in my head.

"I've got this, Bella," Maggie says softly, allowing me a minute to look over the diagram we put together. Meanwhile, she continues arranging the absolutely ginormous dessert table we've been amassing since nine this morning.

"Thanks, Mags." According to my notes, we need only to deal with the chocolate fountain, which will be at different corner, and then we're done for the day. I let Maggie know that I'm going to deal with that, and then I jog to the van we use for big jobs.

By one, we're done. Em invites Maggie and I to grab beers at Hilltop Ale House. Maggie begs out, saying she has a date, and I almost do too, but decide at the last minute to go. It's been awhile since the three of us have relaxed this way, and it's nice to catch up.

Afterward, I follow Emmett back to his place to pick up Charlie.

The house is quiet when we come in. Rose strolls in, magazine in hand. "Charlie's sleeping."

"Really?" I say, glancing at the time. It's not even six.

"She was running a slight fever."

"Oh...no. Where is she?"

"I put her down in the guest room. Embry's been feeling tired lately, too, so I hope it's not something going around."

"Man. I'm sorry, Rose."

"For what? Don't be ridiculous."

I nod, heading toward the guest room, trying not to feel guilty I was having beer while Rose was here with my sick kid.

Charlie stirs when I touch her, peering sleepily up at me. "Mom."

"Hey, baby." I brush her hair from her face, noting the flush in her cheeks. "How do you feel?"

"I wanna sleep." She yawns, turns over, and starts to doze.

I pick her up and carry her out anyway, knowing I'll feel better when we're both at home. Em takes her from me while I thank Rose. She hands me Charlie's bag. "I gave her some children's Motrin I had in the medicine cabinet. There was a little left so I stuck it in here."

The ride home is uneventful. Tired and hungry, I call my favorite Chinese restaurant and put in an order, figuring they'll deliver not long after I get home. I've just put down my phone when it rings again.

"Hello?"

"Hey. It's me."

"Hey, you." I smile, yawning. "How'd it go?"

"It...went great. Really great."

"So you've got good news, then."

"Yeah. Looks like I'll be playing for the Seattle Sounders again. Coach Schmid was there, and he remembered me from before. The whole day was just..." He chuckles. "It was like I'd never stopped."

"I'm so glad," I say, and I mean it. Not only will he be playing again, he's able to do it locally. Even and when their team has to travel, they'll be based here. It's a win/win scenario.

I pull into my driveway and cut the engine, listening to Edward recount the events of the day. It's mostly just sports stuff and how great his knee has been feeling. He mentions that he's going to be training a lot, and wants to know if I think Chuck will want to watch.

Glancing at her sleeping face in the rearview mirror, I nod. "Yeah. I think she'd absolutely love it."

"Good. Maybe we can, I don't know, get her into soccer. Friend of mine from back home heads up a league for little kids."

The thought of Charlie running around in a tiny jersey and cleats is too cute. "We'll definitely think about it."

"Cool. So how'd it go with you today?"

"Oh, it went great. Everything ran smoothly." Sighing, I step out of the car. "Charlie's got a fever, though, which sucks. We just got home."

"Shit, am I keeping you?"

"No, I literally just pulled up a few minutes ago. I should go, though. I have to get her in bed so she can sleep this off."

"Okay. I'm going to take a shower and take it easy tonight, myself."

Disappointed, but totally understanding, I exhale. "All right."

"Unless..."

"You can sleep here."

"We'll have an early night. Give me an hour."

For once we're going to sleep before midnight. It's unheard of.

Yawning widely, I get in bed, snuggling back against Edward. We usually separate during the night, as neither of us are big on spooning, but it feels so good to be close in the beginning.

"I'm really happy things worked out today," I say quietly, stroking Edward's arm. "Can't wait to see you play."

"I know." He kisses my neck. "Can't wait to see you in the stands."

"So sports movie-ish." I grin in the darkness, squirming when he squeezes my thigh.

"I like sports movies. Good ones."

"As opposed to bad ones?" I tease. "What's your favorite?"

"I have a couple. Jerry Maguire."

"Really?" I turn around in my excitement. "Me too!"

"What's your favorite?"

"Sports movie or just movie?"

"Either."

"I love creepy movies. Like The Village...or the Conjuring."

"Really? I never would have guessed that."

"Maybe we can go to the movies sometime. When we have a date night." I frown. "If we have one. Things are about to get crazy."

"We'll figure it out," he says, finding my mouth. We kiss a little, holding on to each other. "We'll make it work, okay?"

"Okay."

"It's...different for me, now."

"What is?"

"My life. The things I want...the things I take into consideration." His voice is quiet, but he sounds so sure. I wonder if these things have been on his mind a lot. "The way I feel about you."

I tangle our legs, not knowing what to say.

"You trust me?" he asks.

"Yes. I do."

"Do you love me, Bella?"

My heart stops. I touch his face. "Yes."

"Good, because..." he kisses me, sweetly, briefly, and stops, pulling back. I imagine that if the lights were on, we'd be gazing at one another. "I've been thinking about this all day. Thinking about playing again. Football was everything before…I didn't need anything else. But I need this; I need you." He rubs his thumb down my cheek. "I love you."

xoxoxo

happy easter, loves!