Author's Note:
Thank you for reading and reviewing! Pushing 500 reviews now and I'm thrilled!
Our fave couple is moving forward, but there's still some things they need to settle, and of course, we haven't heard the last of you know who… For now, though, let's see how Thanksgiving goes.
I do not own Twilight or any of the things that go with it…
Chapter 18
BPOV
The forecast for the day before Thanksgiving was supposed to be clear and cold. I was grateful it wasn't supposed to rain since I had a three-and-a-half-hour drive ahead of me. It was still early, though, so how accurate that forecast was remained to be seen. The neighborhood was quiet as I drove down the street and pulled into Edward's driveway, which made sense considering it was still dark out. I cringed as my headlights swept across the front of his house. Maggie's room faced the front, and I hoped the light didn't wake her. I knew she slept like the dead, though, so I wasn't too terribly worried about it. I could see a light glowing from the kitchen, and I knew Edward was up, but I still picked up my phone to text him and let him know I was here. Before I could type out a message, though, the front door swung open, so I jumped out of my car and hurried inside. I nearly groaned at the sight of Edward in his low-slung flannel pants and rumpled t-shirt, his hair crazier than usual. I tilted my face up for a kiss after he closed the door behind us.
"Good morning," he said, his voice gravelly with sleep.
"Good morning to you, sleepy head," I said, feeling bad for dragging him out of bed before six, even though it had been his idea.
"Come on," he said, leading me toward the kitchen. "Coffee's ready."
I settled on a barstool at the kitchen island while Edward poured our coffee before he came to sit beside me. We each sipped our coffee for a minute while I studied Edward. He was obviously still half asleep as he stared at his coffee, and I couldn't hold back a giggle.
"What's so funny?" he asked, his head snapping up to look at me.
"You," I said with a laugh. "Why don't you just go back to bed, and I'll hit the road?"
"Because I won't get to see you for a few days or spend the holiday with you, so I wanted a few minutes with you before you leave," he pouted.
"You're adorable, and I love you, but it's early. This is why I tried to talk you out of this last night after dinner," I pointed out. "You're half asleep."
"I'll show you asleep," he growled then abruptly stood, hauled me up against him, and kissed me hard. His loose pajama pants left nothing to the imagination as he pressed his hips into me. I could feel him, hot and hard against my stomach, and I moaned softly. I knew I needed to get on the road, but I was rapidly losing any willpower I may have had.
"I just came for coffee," I mumbled, pulling away from his lips.
"I'll fix you some to go when I'm done with you," he said, and I squealed when he stooped down and picked me up with his arm hooked behind my knees, then headed for the stairs.
"Edward, what are you doing?" I whispered as he climbed the stairs. "Put me down! Maggie is right down the hall."
"Then you better be quiet," he said, then unceremoniously dropped me on his bed, before he turned back to lock the door.
"Edward, seriously," I tried to say before he followed me onto the bed and stopped me with a kiss.
"Baby, Maggie is dead to the world. And I know you need to get going, but I just want to love you before you go." Then he kissed me again and I forgot why I was protesting in the first place.
Four and a half hours later, I passed the wooden sign welcoming me to Forks and I sighed, already wishing I was back in Seattle. Edward and I had made love quickly and quietly, then I'd dragged myself out of his bed and into my car before I could talk myself into staying. Edward had seen me off with a travel mug full of coffee and a kiss on his front porch and now I was back in my hometown. I smiled as I drove past the diner, remembering countless hours there, hanging out with my friends talking about boys and life and it was a little funny to think how drastically different my life had turned out from the plans Alice and I had made as teenagers. I'd never planned to stay here, so settling in Seattle was in keeping with those plans, but of all the boys we'd talked about over milkshakes the two I'd ended up with had never crossed my mind. First, I'd married Jake, who I'd never considered more than a friend as a kid, and now I was with Edward. Even if I'd thought of Edward that way back then, I wouldn't have said anything after Tanya had set her sights on him. But now here I was, back home alone and wishing I were with the man I loved more than I'd ever loved anyone.
I shook off thoughts of Edward as I pulled up to my parents' house. I sat in the car for a minute and studied the white two-story home. Home is exactly what it was. I'd grown up in this house. My dad Charlie's parents had left it to him before I was born, so it was the only home I'd ever known before I moved out on my own. The driveway was empty, but I could see lights glowing from within, so I knew Sue was home with her car parked in the garage. I reached into the back seat and grabbed my bag and headed up the front walk. The house was warm and the smell of the fall candles Sue had sitting around filled the air. Just as I was about to call out to her, she appeared around the corner from the kitchen.
"Bella!" she exclaimed, coming toward me and drawing me into a hug. "I'm so glad you're home, sweetheart."
"Me, too," I said as I hugged her back.
Pulling back, she said, "Take your bag upstairs to your room, then come into the kitchen. We'll have some coffee and catch up, then we'll bake!"
I nodded and left to do as I'd been told. I went upstairs and dropped my bag into my old room. It had been updated since I moved out, but it was still home. The room was comfortable and cozy, and I knew I'd always have a place there if I needed it, but that had more to do with the people in the house than the bedroom decor. Still, it was nice to know it and they were there if I needed them. They'd proven it many times throughout my life. Most recently, this was the place I'd come for solace after Jake's infidelity. I'd gone to Alice first, but home was where I'd truly found peace. Although Jake's dad was his best friend, Charlie had been ready to hunt Jake down with his shotgun when I'd shown up out of the blue and told them what happened. Sue had convinced him going to jail for murder wouldn't help me in my time of crisis, not to mention it wasn't a good look for a police chief. I giggled softly as I remembered Charlie muttering that he hadn't intended to get caught, but he'd calmed a little at her words anyway.
Leaving the bedroom, I made my way downstairs to the kitchen and watched Sue for a moment as she prepared our coffee. Her straight black hair may be peppered with gray now, but her warm brown skin was barely lined with age, and she moved about the kitchen gracefully. I so admired this woman. She may have technically been my stepmother, but she was the only mom I'd ever really known. My own mother, Renee, had decided being a wife and mother in a small town was too stifling, so she'd taken off when I was four, leaving Charlie to raise me alone. Sue Clearwater had been the widow of one of Charlie's friends from the nearby Quileute reservation, and she'd been raising her two kids, Leah and Seth, on her own, but had still managed to step in and help Charlie with me after Renee left. It had taken them a few years to make things official, but they'd eventually begun dating and married when I was fifteen. It had been quite an adjustment when Sue, Leah, and Seth had moved in with Charlie and me, but it hadn't taken us long to find our rhythm. Seth was a couple of years younger than me, and his sweet, easy-going nature had made it easy to get along. Leah was a different story, though. She was a little older than me and I was thankful that she had chosen to get her own place as soon as she turned eighteen and hadn't lived with us for very long after our parents got married. Even after close to twenty years, she was still somewhat resentful of her mother's marriage and was not an easy person to be around. We got along for the most part, but we'd never be close.
Sue turned and smiled when she saw me come into the kitchen, then carried two mugs of coffee over to the table and motioned for me to sit down. I sat across from her and took the warm mug in my hands, blowing lightly on the steaming liquid.
"So, how are things?" I asked her.
"Good. Same as usual around here. You know your father, he likes his routine," she said with a laugh. "He should be home around three today, by the way."
I nodded as I sipped my coffee, then reached for my phone when it buzzed. A glance at the screen told me I had a text from Edward. He was checking to see if I'd made the drive safely, and I couldn't keep the smile off my face at his sweet concern. I responded quickly, letting him know I'd made it and would call him later and we exchanged quick I love yous before I placed my phone back on the table. I looked up to find Sue watching me with an eyebrow cocked in curiosity.
"So, tell me what's new with you, Sweetheart," she said. Not wanting to lie, but not having much choice, I merely shrugged.
"Not much, really. Work has been busy, but that's about it," I said vaguely.
"That didn't look like 'not much' to me," she said, pointing at my phone.
"Oh, that was just a friend making sure I got here okay," I told her, sticking to the truth as closely as I could.
"A friend? Are you sure? I've never seen that look on your face when you talked to your friends before," she pointed out with narrowed eyes. My first reaction was to be defensive, but this wasn't the same kind of inquisition I'd come to expect regarding Edward, and suddenly I wanted nothing more than to confess everything to Sue. This is the kind of thing a girl needed her mom for.
"Okay, fine, you're right, it wasn't just a friend," I began, and Sue motioned for me to go on. "I've been seeing someone, and he's amazing, and I'm in love with him."
"Oh, Bella! I'm so happy for you!" Sue said and rose out of her seat to hug me. "Now, tell me more about him. Who is he? What does he do? How did you meet?"
I laughed at her rapid-fire questions and took a deep breath, preparing to launch into the whole story. I knew Sue would love me no matter what, but I was still a little nervous to see how she'd react. "Well, he's an architect, and I've actually known him for a long time. In fact, you know him as well," I hesitated and Sue gave me an impatient look, so I just went for it. "It's Edward Cullen."
I waited for her to say something, but Sue just arched her eyebrows in surprise and sat silently for a minute. The Cullens may have left Forks several years before, but they and my parents had known each other well, considering how close Alice and I had been. Edward was already in college when Sue and Charlie got married, but that didn't change the fact that they knew him and had known Tanya and her parents as well. Finally, just before the silence became unbearable, Sue spoke.
"Edward Cullen. Okay, I'm going to need the whole story," she said softly. So, I told her everything. I told her we'd run into each other and had coffee and then started spending more time together one on one. I told her how we'd just become closer as friends at first but hadn't been able to deny our attraction. I told her about Maggie and how much I loved her and how we enjoyed spending time almost as a family. I also told her about the troubles with Alice and how we'd tried to fight our feelings, but ultimately, they ran too deep, and we'd given in.
"So, that's it. That's the whole story. And I know it's a crazy situation, and I should feel terrible about being with him. I do feel terrible about the lying, but I love him. I tried to give him up, but I couldn't, so I decided to go with it," I rambled until Sue stopped me.
"Bella, sweetheart, I get it and I'm not going to judge you or Edward for following your hearts," she assured, squeezing my hand across the table.
"Thank you," I said, slumping in my seat in relief. "But I have to admit, while I wasn't exactly worried about you throwing me out, I did expect more of a lecture than that."
"You'd get one in any other circumstance. I certainly never planned to hear my daughter tell me she's seeing a married man and be fine with it, but here we are," she said with a soft smile. "Bella, I said I get it and I really do. I fought my feelings for your father for a long time, and he did too. Harry was his friend and we both felt like we were betraying him, but Harry was gone, and he would have wanted both your dad and I to be happy. Now, I know it's not exactly the same situation, but Tanya is gone too. She may be breathing, but it's been a long time since she was truly his wife."
"Wow, I never realized you and dad struggled like that. But I appreciate that you sort of know how I feel. Tanya and Edward didn't have a great marriage, in fact, she was leaving him for her lover when she was in the accident, but I still feel a little guilty because he is technically married, and she was my friend."
"Ha! Bella, we both know that girl was never a friend to you," Sue said dismissively, and I looked up at her in shock. "What? I'm not blind. That girl took up with Alice and did her best to completely sever your relationship with her."
"I didn't realize it was that obvious, but you're right. It's taken me a long time to admit how bad the two of them were at times. I've never been completely oblivious, but I wanted to give them, especially Alice, the benefit of the doubt. The sad thing is, after being in a coma for six and a half years, Tanya may have finally succeeded," I said sadly.
"Maybe not," Sue said, "Hopefully Alice will come around one of these days. But you know it will be worse if she finds out she was right on her own. Maybe you and Edward should consider talking to her and the rest of his family."
I nodded, contemplating what she was saying. With a more rational person, it might work, but Alice was far from rational where Tanya was concerned. Not wanting to ruin the entire day being upset about Alice, I told Sue I'd think about it and talk to Edward, but for now, we needed to start on the pies. Sue knew me well enough to know I needed to think things through at my own pace and there was no point in pushing, so she let it go and we started the pie crust dough. We talked about a little of everything while we worked, the latest happenings in Forks and my life in Seattle, and before I knew it, I heard the cruiser pulling into the driveway. A minute later, I listened to the familiar sound of Charlie coming in the door, hanging up his utility belt, then his footsteps drawing closer to the kitchen and I smiled because I'd listened to him go through this same routine my whole life.
"There's my girls!" he said as he came into the room and kissed Sue on the cheek, before turning to hug me. "Bells, it's good to have you home, baby girl."
I hugged him back and took a moment to absorb the security and love I felt in my dad's arms. Charlie Swan may have been a man of few words, and nobody would ever accuse him of wearing his heart on his sleeve, but I'd never once doubted that he loved me and would do anything for me. I guess I was feeling sentimental from being home and talking with Sue earlier, because I had to blink back tears as I stepped out of his embrace.
"Hi, Daddy. I've missed you," I said, then turned to grab a can of Vitamin R from the fridge and hand it to him. This was a familiar routine as well. Charlie's mustache quirked in a smile as he took the beer and sat at the table and popped it open.
"So, what are my ladies making me?" he asked, sniffing the air.
The three of us talked for a few minutes before Dad got up to go into the living room and motioned for me to come with him. I looked at Sue, but she waved me off and told me she had things under control, so I followed him out of the kitchen. I sat on the couch and pulled my legs up under me and Dad settled into his recliner. I propped my chin on my hand and waited for him to speak, knowing he would when he was ready. He clearly had something on his mind, so I gave him time to decide what he wanted to say.
"So, Bells, what's new with you?" he asked finally.
I shot a startled look toward the kitchen, then back at him. I knew Sue hadn't had a chance to give him an update, so I wasn't sure what he was getting at. I knew there was no point in avoiding the question, so instead I asked for clarity. "What do you mean, what's new with me?"
"Baby girl, you should know by now that your old man misses nothing," he said. "I know something is up with you because I can see it in your face. You look different. You look happy."
"I am happy, Daddy," I said, shaking my head in disbelief. The man could read me like a book.
"Well, since you haven't looked all that happy in a long time, this is new. So, tell me what's up."
I sighed, resigned to telling my story again. Much like with Sue, I knew he wouldn't judge, but I was nervous. I knew there was no point in stalling, though, so I jumped right in and told him everything. When I'd finished my tale for the second time, Charlie sat quietly for a minute, just like Sue had. I would have laughed at the similarity if I hadn't been holding my breath.
"Well, Bells, you do have yourself in a bit of a predicament, but I know the Cullens are good people and Edward is a good man. He's raised that little girl all on his own and done more for a wife that betrayed him than most others would have. I have to respect that. It's unfortunate that he's stuck at the moment and therefore you are, too, but if he makes you happy and treats you well, then you have my support."
"Thanks, Dad," I said with a sigh of relief, thankful to have the support and that the conversation was out of the way. Charlie had said what he had to say and there was no further discussion. We sat for a few minutes, listening to the news droning on the television, and I was just about to go back in the kitchen when Dad spoke up again.
"Oh, one more thing, Bella. I hope this doesn't upset you, but I wanted to let you know that I invited Billy over for dinner tomorrow. Rachel usually cooks, but she's going to her in-laws this year. I would have told you sooner, but he was afraid you wouldn't want him here and wouldn't commit until earlier today," he said.
I nodded in acknowledgement but didn't respond as I thought about it. Billy Black was my dad's best friend, and my former father-in-law. He was a good man, and I knew for a fact he'd raised his son better than the son's actions indicated. I didn't hold Billy responsible for Jacob's actions, but I hadn't really talked to him since the divorce, and I was a little afraid it would be awkward. I'd never say I didn't want him around though, and I'd never wish for him to spend Thanksgiving alone. If his kids all had other plans, then he needed to be here with us. It was as simple as that. I could put aside my nerves and if it proved to be awkward, I knew Seth would come through for me and act as a buffer.
"It'll be fine, Daddy. Thanks for telling me," I said, then uncurled from the couch and headed back into the kitchen to help Sue.
By noon on Thanksgiving Day, I was exhausted. I'd stayed up too late the night before talking to Edward and gotten up way too early to help Sue cook. We'd finally gotten to a point where we were just waiting for the food in the oven, and I was seriously contemplating sneaking upstairs for a nap when Seth came bounding through the front door. Before I could even say hello, he swooped me into a hug with my feet dangling off the ground. I laughed as he swung me around in a circle, then dropped me back on my feet and grabbed a couple of beers from the fridge and pulled me out onto the back porch.
"Come on, sis, let's catch up," he said as he sat on the porch swing and handed me one of the beers.
"Alright, let's catch up. What's new, little brother?" I asked, curling into him on the swing to ward off the cold.
"You know me, just living the good life, fighting off all the pretty girls," he grinned.
"Yeah, you better fight them off, or Claire will kick your ass," I grinned back at him, speaking of his long-time live-in girlfriend. "Speaking of, when are you going to make an honest woman out of her?"
"I don't know, maybe I'm keeping my options open," he said jokingly as I rolled my eyes.
"Please," I scoffed, "You are beyond whipped, buddy, so you may as well put a ring on it."
"Ha! You're not wrong," he smirked. "So, I may as well tell you that I have a plan and I have the ring."
"Aw, that's great, Seth!" I said and hugged him. "I wish she didn't have to work this year."
"Yeah," he agreed. Claire was a nurse over in Port Angeles and had to work the holiday. "Now, let's get to the good stuff, Sis. What's new with you?"
I rolled my eyes and asked, "Good lord, am I wearing some kind of sign?" Seth just gave me a confused look. "Sorry, but our parents both asked me that same thing yesterday."
"Well, we all know you, Bells, and there's something different about you. You look happier than you have in a long time. Even before that jackass fucked around on you."
"That jackass was one of your best friends," I reminded him.
"Yeah, until he fucked over my sister," Seth said angrily. I appreciated having him on my side, but I hated that the demise of my marriage had affected so many of the people I loved.
"Well, it is what it is, Seth. But you're right, I am happy," I said, then told him a slightly abridged version of the story. I told him the truth, knowing I could trust him, but I didn't feel like going through every single detail for the third time in two days.
"I'm happy for you, Bells. But if he hurts you, I'll kick his ass, just like I kicked Jacob's," Seth swore.
"Well, I don't think it will come to that, but I'm glad you have my back," I said. "And I know I don't have to say it, but don't tell anybody, especially your sister."
"Like I'd ever give Leah ammunition like that. She's enough of a bitch without any help," Seth snorted, and I laughed in agreement as he pulled me to my feet and back into in the house.
An hour later, my anxiety kicked into high gear when I saw Billy's van pull up in front of the house. Dad and Seth went outside to help him up onto the porch instead of him having to go all the way to the back where the ramp was. Billy had been in a wheelchair since I was little, having lost the ability to walk in a car accident. That same accident had taken the life of his wife, Sarah, and left Billy to adjust to life in a wheelchair and raise three kids on his own. He'd handled it all with a strength and dignity I'd always admired. Between him and Charlie being best friends, and growing up so close with Jake, Billy had always been like a second father to me. I was nervous now because I wasn't sure if I'd lost that connection to him when I left Jake or not. I was ashamed to admit I'd avoided him any time I'd been in town, and he'd also tried to call me shortly after I filed for divorce, but I hadn't answered.
I was sitting on the couch when Charlie, Seth, and Billy came into the house and though I wanted to run, I forced myself to remain in the room. Billy must have asked them to leave us, because Dad and Seth made a beeline for the kitchen.
"Hi, Billy," I said softly as he rolled over to face me.
"Hello, Bella, I've missed you," he said sadly, causing tears to well in my eyes. Why had I ever thought he wouldn't want to see me anymore, or blame me in some way?
"I've missed you too," I said. "I'm sorry that I never called you back and haven't seen you when I've been in town. I just wasn't sure if you -,"
Billy reached out and took my hand, cutting off my words. "Bella, of course I wanted to see you. Jacob may be my son, but you have always been a daughter to me and that will never change. I love my son, but I am not proud of some of the choices he has made. I'm sorry that those choices hurt you and made you feel like you couldn't talk to me."
"Oh, Billy, I'm sorry. I never blamed you and I'm so sorry I pulled away," I cried. "I've been so afraid that you'd blame me like Jake did, or maybe just mostly afraid that it was my fault, and it was easier not to face it for so long."
"What do you mean Jacob blamed you? How could it be your fault he broke his vows with another woman?" Billy asked and I wished I kept my mouth shut. This was the last thing I wanted to get into.
"I'm not surprised he never told you, but I couldn't give Jacob a child, so-,"
"That's nonsense," Billy interrupted. "Please don't tell me you blame yourself for something that was out of your control or for Jacob's choices."
"No, I don't anymore, but when he first threw it in my face, it was hard not to take it to heart. It didn't take me long, though, to realize that even if that was the true cause, it didn't excuse the fact that he cheated. I think more than anything though, that was just his excuse when he got caught. I'm not angry or even hurt anymore, Billy. My biggest regret is losing my friend and second family. I honestly think that Jacob and I should never have gotten married, but we can't change the past."
"No, we can't change it," Billy said. "We just have to make the best of what we are given. So, I propose that we move on and don't let Jacob's actions come in between us any longer."
"I think that's exactly what we need to do," I said and leaned forward to hug Billy.
I sat back after releasing Billy and we talked for a few more minutes, just catching up on each other's lives. I asked about Rachel and Rebecca and their families, and I told Billy I was seeing someone, though I left out all the details. I was relieved that he was happy for me and wished me well. I felt lighter than I had in a while when we made our way into the dining room.
Dinner was pleasant. The delicious food mostly made up for Leah's mood. She'd arrived while Billy and I had been talking, and I'd simply rolled my eyes when the front door slammed into the wall. She hadn't said much to anyone, and nothing to me, but when she did speak it was snarky and critical. I wasn't surprised by her mood since Sue had told me the day before that Leah and her boyfriend, Jared, had broken up recently. Seth loved nothing more than to egg her on, and the rest of us tuned her out for the most part. The only real drama of the day had been when Leah had made a snide comment about my divorce, but Billy had shut her down before Sue or Charlie could say a word. Billy was an elder in the Quileute tribe, so she knew better than to argue.
After we'd all stuffed ourselves, Leah had stormed out and Billy and Charlie had retired to the living room and were watching football. Since Sue had done the bulk of the cooking, Seth and I cleaned the kitchen. When we were finally done, Seth went into the living room, and I snuck upstairs to call Edward. We talked for a few minutes, but he was still at his parents' house where he'd gone into Carlisle's study to talk and couldn't disappear for long. I asked how things were going with Alice and he said she'd been pretty quiet and hadn't started any drama. I was relieved that their holiday hadn't been ruined by another of Alice's tantrums. As much as I missed Edward, I was glad I had come home and turned down the Cullen's standing invitation. I was sure things would have gotten ugly if I'd been there. Granted, the holiday only proved to me that Alice's biggest issue was me, and that stung a little, but I was happy that she wasn't taking it out on her entire family.
After talking to Edward, I must have dozed off, because the next thing I knew, I was rudely awakened by Seth jumping on my bed telling me it was time for dessert. I enjoyed the rest of the day with my family and Billy, but I was anxious to get back to Seattle and Edward. I was planning to stay in Forks until Saturday, and if I hadn't already made plans to go shopping with Sue on Friday, I would have left a day early. Sue and I had a good day, though, and I was glad for the time spent with her and Charlie both.
Saturday morning, I hit the road early. I loved my parents, but I was more than ready to get back to Edward. A small part of me panicked a little at how quickly I'd gotten so attached, but I had no desire to pull back. We had plenty of hurdles ahead of us, but I was determined to enjoy what we had, so I kept driving and went straight to Edward's when I got back to the city. Maggie was with Esme and Carlisle for the day, and they were keeping her overnight, so I planned to take full advantage of the time alone with Edward.
I called Edward when I was close, and he was waiting for me when I pulled into his driveway. I pulled into the empty side of his double garage and had barely turned my car off before Edward was pulling open my door and hauling me out of the car. His lips crashed down on mine and I fumbled to close the car door, only to be immediately pushed back against it. Edward's hands wandered down my body and I raised a leg and hooked it around his hip as his lips continued to ravage mine. Edward ran his hands back up from my hips and raised my shirt a little as he went. I remembered where we were when the cold air hit my skin and I sucked in breath, pulling away from our kiss.
"Your neighbors are about to get a show they weren't expecting," I panted and tilted my head toward the open garage door, causing Edward to chuckle.
"Shit, I'm sorry. I didn't intend to attack you the minute you arrived," Edward said.
"I'm not complaining," I said, reaching up to kiss him again. "But maybe you could attack me inside where it's warm."
"I believe that could be arranged," he said, then pulled me into the house, hitting the button to close the door on the way. We made it as far as the couch before he attacked again. Twice.
"I guess it's safe to say you missed me," I laughed a while later. We were cuddled under a blanket on Edward's couch, and neither of us seemed very inclined to move.
"Eh. Maybe a little," he said. I smacked him lightly on the chest where my head was resting, and a chuckle rumbled under my ear.
"Well, I missed you. A lot," I said as I leaned up to kiss him softly.
"You know I missed you, baby. I wish you never had to leave my arms."
"Me, too," I said. "And I don't for the next twenty-four hours."
"I was going to take you to dinner, but pizza and a movie right here on this sofa are sounding pretty good at the moment," Edward said.
"Pizza and a movie sound perfect," I said and burrowed into him a little closer.
Later that night, after another round of lovemaking, Edward was asleep beside me in his bed. I should have been exhausted, and I was, but I couldn't turn my brain off long enough to fall asleep. Being with him felt so right, and I was happier than I'd ever been, but I couldn't help wondering how long it would last. Would this always be enough? Hell, it already wasn't enough, but we had no choice but to take what we could get until the situation with Tanya was resolved. I was thankful for what I had, but I still wanted it all. Determined to not let my nagging thoughts ruin what I had, I finally turned over and snuggled into Edward and willed myself to sleep.
Author's Note:
Well, they made it through Thanksgiving apart and are back together. And we finally met Charlie and Sue! I love them both! Let me know what you think!