A/N: Time to meet Lizzy. I hope y'all are liking it. I know I'm enjoying reading it all over again.

No copyright infringement is intended. All recognizable characters are owned by Stephenie Meyer. I own the plot and the mistakes.

ENJOY!

7/1/2023

Cherry Pies and Backwards Baseball Hats

Chapter EIGHT

EPOV

Bella had called me Dean as I put her to bed. I didn't know she wanted to call me by my middle name, and I didn't care, but that was the first time she had ever said anything about it. I would ask her about it later if I didn't forget.

Eric had invaded my house because his dumbass roommate and his girlfriend were fighting, and no matter how many times Eric told them to take it somewhere else they didn't listen, so he grabbed an overnight bag and headed to my house. I don't mind when he needs a place to stay, but calling would have been respectful. Sometimes I regretted giving him a key.

I was a little excited for the day to begin. I couldn't wait to introduce Bella to my mom. I know she'll love her as much as I do. Mom said she didn't have to meet her to know she makes me happy. She had already offered to give me my grandmothers ring for when I'm ready to propose. Honestly, I'd marry her tomorrow if I could, but honestly wasn't sure how she truly felt about marriage. I'm positive that I want her to be my wife. There's no doubt about that, and her family? Well, I love them, too. I had never met a family like them. They made me feel welcomed like I had always been around.

Bella had a few things to take care of, so I headed back over to my place to do my laundry and other chores. Eric is a freakin slob, and who knew what else he messed up after I left him to his own devices in my house. I hated it, but I had neglected cleaning my house for far too long.

I dusted and washed the few dishes in the sink that Eric left behind, vacuumed, and washed three loads of laundry. I changed my bedding and fluffed up my pillows.

By five, I was exhausted from doing my house work all day. It kept me busy enough to keep from going back over to Bella's to bug her. I wondered if I could get another quickie out of her before we headed to my moms. I should just ask her to move in with me.

I was folding the last bit of my clothes when I heard the front door open then close. "Knock, knock."

"In here!" I yelled for my visitor.

As I put the last few shirts in my dresser, I turned to see Bella leaning on the door frame watching me. "You make folding clothes so damn sexy."

"Glad you think so." I raked my eyes over her from head to toe. "And you make wearing a skirt so sexy that it makes me want to wear one."

She raised her brows at me. "Oh, really?"

"No, but I really do want to stick my head up your skirt and eat you." I stepped towards her and wrapped my good arm around her to cup her ass. "Are you even wearing panties?"

"Something like that," she teased. "For me to know and you to find out later." She wrapped both her arms around me and cupped my ass in return. "What time are we going to your moms?"

"As soon as we're done messing up my bed." She looked around me at the bed. "I changed my sheets and washed my comforter."

"You've been busy," she says then looks up at me. "I love a man who knows how to clean up after themselves."

"Good thing you love me then because I try to clean up the best I can." I leaned down and pressed my lips to hers then took advantage of her willingness and urged to deepen the kiss. There was no hesitation, of course, as she opened her mouth to mine.

Without ending our kiss, I picked her up and carried her to my bed. I sat her on the edge and eased my way between her legs as I pushed her skirt up only to slip my fingers under the thin material of her panties and pulled them down. I pushed two fingers inside of her and found that she was extremely hot and slick with want.

I finger fucked her until I couldn't take it anymore. "Will you let me have you before we go to my moms?"

She nodded and reached up to try and undo my pants, but I helped when she started fumbling. As soon as she pulled my cock from from my jeans, she took me into her mouth. "Oh, damn," I said as I looked down to watch what she was doing. As far as I was concerned, she was a pro in my book.

I couldn't take my eyes off of her as she looked up at me while she sucked me in and out of her hot mouth. "Suck a little harder, baby." I could see spittle seeping out from the corner of her lips as she began to move faster. I didn't want to cum in her mouth, so I pulled back, releasing her suction and pushed her back to lay down. I pulled her ass to the edge of the bed and pushed her legs wide open before I reached into my nightstand and pulled a condom out, and as soon as I was covered, I pushed my way between her legs and entered her in one swift thrust. If she wasn't loud before, then she was definitely loud now.

As soon as we were done, we slipped into the bathroom to clean up. "I want you to move in with me."

"What?!" Bella asked incredulously with wide eyes.

"I want you to move in with me." I reached for the hand towel and began drying my hand. She was still sitting on the toilet. "I don't like being in separate houses."

I turned long enough for her to finish on the toilet. As soon as I heard the water come on, I sidled up next to her. "I can't move in with you."

"Why not?" I held the towel out for her as she shut the water off.

"Mas, we barely know each other, and we haven't even been with each other that long." She was giving me a sad look, hoping I would understand.

I was trying not to get irritated. "We can get to know each other while we live together. It'll be worth waking up with each other every day." I didn't want to beg, but it was starting to look like my only last resort.

"Edward," she crossed her arms over her chest, and I knew she meant business when she used my first name. "There's nothing wrong with how things are right now. We can spend the night with each other whenever we want. You can stay with me a few days, and vice versa."

I heavily exhaled. "I want you with me every night and every morning."

I made sure my jeans were buttoned and straightened my shirt and started for the door. "I think it's too soon." She took the hand towel and hung it up. "Just give it a little more time; let's not rush this."

"You're making me feel like you're wanting your cake and eat it, too. I'm here whenever you want me, otherwise you stay at your place, and I'll stay at mine. It's such a great convenience."

I was really beginning to get irritated with her, and I was honestly not trying to start a fight, so when I looked at her, I wasn't sure how to decipher her facial expression. I felt a little scared because I had never asked a girl to move in with me before, and the way things were going right now, I wasn't sure that would ever happen.

"You did not just say that." Yeah, she was pissed. "Do you hear yourself? You honestly think that we're just conveniences to each other because we don't live together? You're acting like I don't have room for you in my life other than to see you when I need something?"

"That's not what I said." We were definitely arguing now. "And I'm not going to apologize for the way I feel. I want you here with me. I want to come home from work and see you when I open that door."

I watched as she closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "Let's go have dinner with your mom and we can talk about this later. I'm starting to get really pissed, and I want us to have a nice time with your mom."

I turned to walk out of my bedroom and left her standing there. I was really trying to keep my temper in check. We hadn't argued at all about anything, and now we're having a disagreement over living arrangements.

We were quiet the entire trip to my mom's. It was only a twenty-minute drive. Bella kept her head turned towards her window and watched the sidewalks as they sped by. She had her elbow propped on the door handle and her chin resting on her fist. It didn't matter what was going on, I still see her as the most beautiful girl that I've ever known.

My mom lives in a double wide trailer that's nestled into a very nice community. There wasn't anything trashy about the whole park. It gave trailer trash a whole new and better meaning, and moms lot, was the biggest on the property with immaculate landscaping. That was the luxury of being the park manager. Her home was paid for and being the manager, her lot rent was barely non-existent.

"Are you gonna ignore me the entire time we're here? Or for the rest of the night?" I pulled into the parking space next to my moms shiny Toyota Camry.

Bella shrugged. "Not while we're around your mom."

"You're going to ignore me when we go home?" Was I really that oblivious to how serious she was making our little spat?

She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "Can we just..." She waved her had towards my moms house.

I closed my eyes and took a few deep breaths before opening my door. Bella was out before I could even get around to open the door for her. She waited on the sidewalk until I passed her. I stopped and turned back to her. She had her arms crossed over her chest, and without giving her time to protest, I slipped my hand around her neck and pulled her mouth to mine. I gave her one long, hard kiss. Lucky for me, she responded with a moan. "Stop being so petulant." I said against her lips.

"Edward," she said through gritted teeth. "Let's go or take me home."

I rolled my eyes. "What the fuck ever."

She walked behind me as we made our way down the walkway to my porch leading to the front door. I tried to hold Bella's hand, but she pulled away from me.

My mom met us at the door. "Hi, sweetheart," she said in greeting as she hugged me.

"Hey, mom." I gave her a little squeeze then turned to Bella. "Mom, this is Arabella."

Mom pulled Bella into a hug. "It's so nice to finally meet the girl that captured my boys heart."

"It's nice to meet you, too," Bella said. "You can call me, Bella."

"You can call me Lizzy." Mom pointed towards the kitchen. "C'mon in. Dinner's almost ready. I decided to cook instead if that's okay." She turned to look at me. "I made your favorite."

"Oh, yeah. You make garlic bread, too?"

Mom gave me a questioning look. "Son, when have I made lasagna and not make garlic bread?"

"Maybe once since I was ten," I said with a smart-ass tone.

Mom giggled. "Honey, that was 17 years ago, and even then, you threw one heck of a fit. You refused to eat that night, so I saved the lasagna for the next night so you could have your bread."

"I'll have to keep that in mind," Bella said. "You'll have to tell me more about Edwards childhood."

At least, from the way she was talking, we would still be together in the future.

"I'm sure we'll be seeing a lot of each other, so what I don't spill tonight, I'll tell you another time."

"I'll hold you to that," Bella stated firmly. "In the meantime, is there anything I can help with?"

"For just tonight, you're my guest, so grab a seat. I'll get everything served."

I watched as my mom bustled about to get our plates, silverware and glasses to put on the table. I held my hand out to help and she didn't refuse.

Throughout dinner, mom told Bella bits and pieces about when I was a kid. It was only fair that I sit back and enjoy Bella learning more about me. She had to do it as I chilled with her dad and other family members the night before.

"When he was twelve, he wanted to be a professional skateboarder. The house we lived in at the time had a pretty good sized backyard, so he convinced his uncle to build him a pipe."

"It's calla half-pipe, mom, and it's just call skater." I took the last bite of food on my plate then pushed it away. "Uncle Al built me a huge half-pipe, too."

"That thing stayed in that backyard until we moved here. The moment you started noticing girls, that's when the skateboard became part of the past."

"How many ER visits did I have?" I leaned back further and crossed my arms over my chest.

"Son, the amount of money I spent on hospital visits alone, could've bought me three brand new cars." Then she waved to my hand. "That hand alone, has probably been broken four or five times."

I smiled at my mother. "This comes off in a few days."

Mom giggled. "You should've seen him try to teach his cousin Rosalie to skate. I thought my sister, Alice, was going to break his bones for him."

I shrugged my shoulders. "I think Rosie was eight or nine when that happened. Uncle Jasper thought it would toughen her up because Aunt Alice always babied her."

"Wait," Bella chimed in. "Would this Alice and Jasper happen to be the Whitlocks that own the deli downtown?"

"The very ones," mom replied. "You know them?"

"I love them. I have lunch there almost every day, and for the last six to eight months, Mr. Whitlocks been talking about setting me up with his nephew." Bella turned her eyes on me. "Would you be the nephew he's talking about?"

I smiled at her. "Probably. He's always said that I needed a good woman with a good head on her shoulders to take care of me." I reached over and took her hand. "I'll have to let him know that I finally found my match."

Bella's cheeks pinked up. "You're a dork."

"I'm a dork in love." I gave her hand a light squeeze.

We helped mom clear the table and clean the kitchen. It was only fair considering she cooked everything.

Mom excused herself for a few minutes, so I took the opportunity to assault my girlfriend by slipping my hand around her waist from behind and pulled her flush against me. I leaned down to kiss her neck, and she tilted her head to give me better access. "I love you," I tell her. "I can't wait to get you home."

"My home or your home?" She asked. "You have to be at work way earlier than I do."

"It doesn't matter. We wouldn't have to decide if we lived together."

Bella moved away from me. "Don't do this," she warned. "Not here. I'm having a great time. I love your mom and I don't want it ruined."

I backed further away from her. "Fine. Do what you want."

"What do you mean by that?" She sounded offended.

"Just what it means. I'm ready to head home, though. I'm pretty tired."

A hurt expression crossed her face, but I wasn't about to relent.

Mom caught my attention and waved me towards the hall where Bella couldn't hear us. "What's wrong with you two?"

"Nothing; she's just being stubborn."

"Stubborn, how?"

"I asked her to move in with me, and she thinks it's too soon."

Mom gave me that look. "You're just like your father. When he wanted something, he wanted it right then and there. Did I ever tell you that he wanted us to get married as soon as we found out I was pregnant with you?"

"No," I shook my head. "What's wrong with that?"

"Edward," she sighed. "It was my choice to wait until I was eighteen. I figured if we made it through those two years before my eighteenth birthday without too many big fights, then I'd marry him. That fight alone was the biggest we ever had so that's why we waited. It was a compromise. We talked and tried not to make the issue bigger than it really was."

I rolled my eyes. "You think we should wait, too?"

Mom patted my cheek. "If you love her the way I see that you do, then you should wait just a bit longer. Maybe a month or two."

"I hate this," I admitted.

Then mom took my hand and placed something into it. "I wanted to give you your grandmother's ring, but I decided to hold on to it for one of your kids, so I'm giving you the ring your dad gave me. I have my wedding band, and that's enough for me. You'll know when the time is right."

I looked down at the ring, and immediately wanted to go to Bella right then and there and ask her to marry me, but that would probably cause an even bigger argument between us. "We've only been together or a couple of months. What if she hates me next month?"

"She won't. I can see how much that girl loves you, and I know you love her just the same if not more. She's different, and definitely a keeper." She patted me on the chest. "I know you've dabbled with dates here and there just to get laid, but Bella's not just a piece of ass for you."

"Mom!"

"Don't mom me. I know what boys want. I'm prime example of it." She raised up to kiss my cheek. "Give her time, sweetheart. You'll win in the end regardless, but time is the answer."

When we pulled into my driveway, I wasn't really sure what to say. We hadn't said two words to each other during the ride home. I wanted to grovel at her feet, and tell her how much I love her just to get her to talk to me. "Will you stay with me tonight?"

I wanted to tell her that we can take it at her speed even though I wanted her in my bed every night. I love her so much that the feel of her next to me as we sleep, was something I knew I needed every night.

She glanced over at me. "If we're just going to argue then I'll just go home."

"Just hear me out, okay? There's some stuff I want to say then I'll leave it alone until you're ready." I watched for her reaction. "Okay, just please listen to me."

She giggled, and I really wasn't sure what was so funny about what I just said. "You can make something so minor sound so technical and serious."

"Everything I feel about you is serious."

"Fine. Walk me to my house because I need to feed Winchester."

She actually let me hold her hand on the way to feed her cat.

I followed her into the kitchen and leaned against the counter as she washed then filled both the food and water dishes for Winchester. "I'll wait," I finally said. "I'll give you all the time you need. As much as I want you with me every night, I'll be patient." I eased my arms around her from behind. "You mean too much to me for us to argue over stupid shit."

She turned in my arms. "That's all I want. We're still new and I'll want nothing more than us living together once we know each other better."

"We'll know each other better tomorrow," I said jokingly.

She poked my stomach hard with her finger. "Cut it out."

Thank you!

RTB