Another super thanks to 2brown-eyes for taking this ride!
Dear Alice,
My dilemma is a brewing storm, and you're the only person I can turn to. Years ago, I met a man who was eight years my senior, and at the time, I was still a minor. The crush I harbored was gigantic, but I kept it all to myself.
I went away to college with stars in my eyes and love in my heart. No other boy could compare to the man I'd loved for so long.
Fast forward ten years, and that huge eight-year gap is only the difference between twenty-five and thirty-three. That's nothing in the grand scheme, but I'm so afraid of rocking the boat. I'd hate for anyone to be suspicious of his motives then, as he was never anything but kind and cordial.
I've tried to give him subtle hints of my interest, but if he's noticed, he hasn't reacted. I'm lost, on the verge of giving up, but should you ever give up on love?
Tell Me the Future in Forks
Dear Tell Me,
Simply put.
No.
You should never give up on love.
I know all may seem lost, but it sounds to me like a grand gesture is what's needed in these desperate times. How can he reciprocate if you never put it all on the line?
Go big or go home,
Alice
"Shit," I moan as Edward thrusts into me from behind.
He meets my eyes in the mirror, and his are dark and filled with need. "This is going to be fast."
I hold his stare for a beat before gripping the marble countertop with a nod. "Fuck me, Edward."
His fingers grip my hips in a bruising embrace as he pulls back and slams into me again. I swallow a moan, careful not to alert prying ears. He pivots and I push, my ass and his pelvis slapping together at a furious pace.
His grip on my hip loosens as his fingers wander beyond my soft curls to my clit. I stiffen, the added stimulation bringing me just to the edge. His teeth find my bare shoulder and sink in, sending me careening. From the first flutters, an avalanche breaks free, and bright, white light clouds my vision.
His hand snakes up and covers my mouth as he thrusts into me, hard, three more times before slumping with his own groan. "Damn, wife," he rasps, his lips skimming over the indentions on my skin. "Still driving me wild all these years later."
I meet his eyes in the mirror and mouth, "I love you" just as there's a tiny knock at the door, causing us both to snap into action, righting our clothes and trying our level best to pretend everything is normal in here.
"Mommy," our three-year-old daughter yells through the thick wood. "Aunt Rose said it's time to go. Where's Daddy?"
Edward narrows his eyes, already hatching a plan for payback, no doubt. "I've got this," he whispers, kissing my cheek. "Fix all that." He motions to my disheveled appearance. "And we'll see you in a few. She is right, we're already running late."
"Five minutes."
He nods and yanks open the door, swooping Luna into his arms and making her forget all about her mommy. As I touch up my makeup and straighten my up-do, I hear our youngest's laughter as her Daddy keeps her entertained.
Forty-five minutes later, our family of five is in the limo waiting for our turn to exit for the yearly Cullen Christmas Gala. My two oldest, Masen who's nine and Anthony who's seven, aren't as charmed by the whole thing as they used to be, but they're good sports and it's the only event we require them to attend each year.
As we meander down the carpet, posing this way and that, I eye Rose and Emmett as they sneak around the media with their daughter Hope, who's only two. They've been married for eight years now, and getting pregnant wasn't as easy for Rose, but they finally got their miracle baby.
They're loitering just inside the doors of the building when we join them so we can all head up together. Emmett's moved into a more personal role for Edward than driver/bodyguard, and Jasper has stepped into his old role. Rose works with me at the Cullen Foundation for Foster Children, Cullen Corp's official charity, and Alice is set to join us after the first of the year.
"Mom, can we go to the roof with Uncle Em?" Masen asks, his green eyes large and hopeful, just like his father's when he wants something.
"You know the rule," I say as the elevator dings. "After your father's speech."
"Yes." Mase fist bumps Emmett.
"Cool." Anthony holds his hand up for a high five as he passes his dad when the doors open.
Rose takes both the girls, a hand in each one of hers, and leads them off the elevator ahead of us.
Edward holds out his elbow. "Are you ready for another Gala, Mrs. Cullen?"
I take it, smiling. "My favorite event of the year."
As is tradition, Edward leads me from the elevator straight onto the dance floor. The band shifts to our annual first dance song, an instrumental version of All I Want for Christmas Is You.
"Have I told you how stunning you are tonight?" His eyes are on mine, while the world spins around us.
"You have." My cheeks flame. "Just before you fucked me into oblivion."
He throws his head back and releases this long, rich laugh, and I just stare. My husband is even more beautiful today than he was ten years ago, if that's possible. His shoulders are broader, his jaw sharper, his eyes more intense.
But most of all it's his devotion—to me, the kids, and the Cullen Corporation. He shines in every aspect of his life, but fatherhood is extremely sexy on him, and he wears it well.
His eyes spark with amusement. "You could say it a little louder, so it'll spread like wildfire."
"And take the spotlight from our charity?" I fake gasp. "Not a chance."
His smile is soft and genuine. "I'm so proud of you, Bella."
"Thank you." Even though he says it often, I still preen under his keen business praise. "Without your guidance, I would've never known what was possible for me."
"I don't believe that," he says, snorting a laugh. "My wife is a fierce, independent woman who just needed a little nudge to get her moving in the right direction."
"Nudge, shove." I shrug a shoulder, smirking.
After our reconciliation when I was pregnant with Masen, things took a while to fully settle down. But with AKA on our side instead of against us, the furor died down faster than we expected. And much like the first month of our marriage, by March, I was climbing the walls.
Edward recognized it and produced only a gazillion options to satiate my thirst for more. I ended up attending some business management classes online, which I eventually put to use when I volunteered at a local charity.
Two years later, he handed me the reins. He wanted a dedicated Cullen Corp charity, and he wanted me to not only create it but to run it as well. It was hard, and I cried sometimes, but he gently guided me through the storm, and what we have now is a dream come true.
"I love you, Mrs. Cullen."
"Forever, Mr. Cu—"
Just then the record scratches and our song ends.
My heart starts pounding as I realize there's a commotion near the elevator, and flashbacks from years ago roll through my mind.
"What the hell?" Edward is tense and protective, his arms holding me closely into his chest.
It's then that I see her.
Alice Cullen is walking from the elevator.
She's in a sparkly red dress that's cut clear to her navel and has a slit from the bottom that ends just before showing us all her goods. Her eyes are dark and intense and set on something on the other side of the room.
Every person in the room is gaping at her, and the sea splits to create a path for her.
At the end of the split is… Jasper?
He's leaned against the wall, not a care in the world.
But he must sense her because he lifts his shaggy head, and I can see his eyes bulging from here.
"Did you know about this?" I whisper, looking toward my husband.
"Not a fucking clue."
I can't tell whether he's upset or not, but it doesn't matter. It's not his choice. Not his life.
Now this morning's Dear Alice column makes perfect sense.
And she couldn't have picked a better guy.
Wahhhhhhhhhhhhh :'(
Gonna miss you guys.
I think the Perfect Knot expansion is next, and it'll prob be something like Feb before I see you again.
You can friend me on FB at Fyrebyrd Fics (and if I turn you down, resend it so I know it's a serious person!)
Merry Christmas!