The Fic Lab Prompt #19: Birthday

This is a continuation of my No Idea prompt. This scene takes place the following morning.

-b-

"Morning, sleepyhead," Edward says, startling me as I head towards the bathroom looking for a bottle of Advil to cure my pounding head. I definitely drank too much last night. I don't even look at him until after I pull the pills from the medicine cabinet and down two with some water from the sink. I quickly brush my teeth trying get rid of this cottonmouth and because I don't want to face Edward with my hangover morning breath.

"Did you sleep here last night?" I ask him as I make my way into the living room. I finally look up and see him standing there in just his jeans. He's shirtless. I wasn't expecting to see that. I start to feel flushed as I stare at him.

Wow, Edward looks really good without a shirt and I'm a bit flustered. This is not the first time I've seen him shirtless, so why is my body reacting this way? I've seen him at the beach enough times that I should feel comfortable with him like this.

"W..wh..why don't you have a shirt on?" I stutter, mortified that I can't get out a simple sentence.

Edward laughs at the look on my face. "Good thing you didn't come out of your bedroom two minutes sooner or you would have caught me in only my boxers. I think your face would be even redder than it is now."

I'm sad I missed seeing that, but I don't say it to Edward. He and I are just friends, I berate myself. Why is my mind heading in weird directions today?

"And yes, I slept here," he continues. "You were drunker than I've seen you in quite a while. I didn't feel right leaving you all alone."

"Thanks, that was sweet of you," I say as I smile back to him. Edward really is the best. I don't know what I'd do without him in my life.

"So, how much of last night do you remember?" he asks, turning a bit more serious now.

"I remember I don't have a boyfriend anymore." I feel much better about that than I would have expected.

"Don't you?" Edward asks with a wry smile.

"You were there, you know I walked out on Alec."

"Mhmm." The look in his eyes and his trademark crooked smile seem to be saying there's something he knows that I don't.

I've seen that crooked smile of his a million times, but today it makes me want to giggle like a school girl. What is going on with me? Everything about him is affecting me differently today and I feel like I'm losing my mind.

"Do you remember anything about our conversation at the bar?" Edward is looking at me with expectation. If there is something I should remember, I'm drawing a blank.

"I don't know," I say with frustration. "It seems like it must have been something important if you're so curious about it. Can you just tell me?"

"I'd really prefer you remember this on your own," he says, looking disappointed that I don't remember.

"Ok, ok, let me think about it. Why don't you make some coffee while I try to remember?" I just need some time alone to think.

Edward gives me a nod and heads into the kitchen. I try to remember what happened at the bar, but it's difficult. My headache was just starting to clear up, but as I rack my brain thinking about last night, it feels like it's coming back.

I remember getting into Edward's car after I walked out on Alec…I remember getting our table at the bar while Edward grabbed our beers…I remember complaining about dating yet another asshole…I remember more beer and more beer and then things get fuzzy. So far, nothing earth shattering.

"How's it going out there," Edward calls from the kitchen. "Remember anything, yet?"

"Stop pressuring me," I yell back with a exasperated laugh. This really must be something major that I am not remembering if it is that important to Edward. I love Edward, I really do, but he can be frustrating sometimes.

Then it clicks, I love Edward. I've always loved him as friend, but could it be more? Finally, the picture appears in my brain of us talking about dating each other. My stomach feels like butterflies, this could change everything. Think, Bella…how did that conversation go?

Oh yes, I'm the one who said we should try dating. Edward was afraid I was too drunk when I brought it up. But I remember now - he said he'd be all in if I wanted it. And I do want it. If my new physical reactions to him today are any indication, I don't think I've ever wanted anything more.

Just then, Edward comes in from the kitchen with two cups of coffee that he places on the coffee table - on the coasters, of course. He's a stickler for things like that. I look up at him and I cannot control the smile on my face.

"I see you remember. I hope that's a yes, then," he smiles back at me.

"It's definitely a yes, Edward. I think I've always wanted you, but I was too afraid of losing what we had. I'm pretty sure yesterday's birthday has turned out to be one of the best days of my life," I say as I stand up and jump into his arms.

"Mine, too. Happy yesterday birthday, Bella. I love you."

-b-

AN: Feel free to review this or any other chapter, if anyone is actually reading, lol.