Fifty-Nine

E

New Year's Eve is wet and muggy, and I can only hope that it isn't any indication that tonight is going to be a bust. Bella and Ben have put so much time and energy into planning the night, I'd hate for all their hard work to be for nothing.

I wake up later than usual and find the spot next to me cold and empty. Bella warned me that she'd be gone early because she's meeting Ben at Seth's store to pick up last minute supplies.

By the time I stumble through the door to open for the day, Rebar has been transformed into a tiny indoor Times Square. Everything is gold. From the streamers hanging everywhere, the balloon arches to the table coverings.

"Wow!"

Bella comes out of the kitchen, dragging a helium tank, and her eyes light up when she sees me. "Hey, babe. You're here early."

"I thought I'd come help out, but it looks like the two of you seem to have everything handled."

She laughs. "Hardly. Ben's freaking out because the distributor sent the wrong colored balloons. Silver would clash, but luckily, Seth found a bunch of black ones. We're adjusting the decor just a little."

I ask her where Ben is, and she explains that he's gone to pick up some more black decorations: streamers and confetti and such.

"You don't think this is enough?" I ask because there's metallic crepe paper hanging from damn near every viable surface.

Bella just rolls her eyes and tells me to trust the process.

While she fills balloons and lets them float to the ceiling, I busy myself with opening for the day. Setting up the register and stocking bottles.

The walk-in cooler is filled with cases of champagne, and there are half a dozen boxes of disposable flutes taking up space in my office.

When Ben returns, I run out and help him unload his truck. He's in a great mood but tells me to stay out of the cab.

"Bella's outfit is in there. No peeking."

I begrudgingly hold the ladder so Bella can hang a massive disco ball in the center of the room before people start pouring in.

We get a lot of pre-gamers, mostly those who want good seats next to the stage.

Ben somehow managed to get a local band with a popular following booked for tonight. He assured me they are well worth the cost and took Bella and I to one of their shows. My girl fell in love with them, so I happily paid the deposit.

Once they deem everything is perfect, Ben stays behind to help me out while Bella heads to Rose's to get ready.

I walk her out to the car and tell her to be careful.

"I'll see you in about an hour." Her eyes glisten with excitement. "I can't wait to ring in the new year with you."

I lean in to kiss her goodbye, but she pulls away with a tinkling laugh. "You gotta wait for midnight, handsome."

"Says who?"

Bella points at herself and climbs in. "It'll make tonight just a little more special."

I catch the door before she can shut it. "You're not going to withhold sex before the wedding to make it more special, are you?"

She laughs. "I don't know. You are pretty irresistible. I don't think I could keep myself from jumping you whenever I want. It's just a kiss, babe. I'm sure we'll be able to make it to midnight before one of us spontaneously combusts."

"Get out of here." I shut the door, and she's quick to roll the window down. "I love you, and I'll see you soon."

"Love you too."

Ben is patiently waiting for me behind the bar. He tells me that my outfit is waiting for me in the office.

"Should I be afraid?"

"Nah, man. It's just a nice shirt that'll match your girl's pretty dress." He chuckles.

The dress shirt isn't bad. It's not something I'd typically wear. I mean, it's a buttondown, but it's also covered in sequins. I know better than to argue, so I get dressed and get back to work.

Just as the sun starts to go down, we're getting pretty busy when something sparkly catches my eye. Without even thinking, I drop what I'm doing and practically float to the back door.

She's standing there, with a crimson smile and smokey eyes, acting as if she isn't the most beautiful creature in the world. Her dress is also covered in sequins. It's short, showcasing her long legs, and low cut, showcasing her spectacular tits.

"Hi there."

"Baby ... wow," I gush.

Bella runs her fingers through her long hair and asks me what I think.

"You're making this wait for midnight hard, baby." I grip her hips and pull her close. "Really fucking hard."

She presses herself into my erection, making me groan. "I thought you'd like it."

"Let's go to the office."

Bella laughs and shakes her head. "Ben needs us."

My hands leave her hips and move to her ass. I squeeze hard and lean down, trapping her earlobe between my teeth. "Baby, trust me when I say what I want to do to you won't take long."

"Edward." She gasps. "You can have me any way you want me when we get home. Behave and let's get through the shift."

It takes everything in me to let her go. I don't warn her that there's no way we're going to make it home before I have her. I'll let it be a surprise. Instead, I offer to put her bag away so she can get to work. Alone in the office, I take a few minutes to calm myself down before joining the fun.

The next few hours fly by, and I barely have time to ogle my fuck-hot fiancée. She makes sure my eyes are on her though.

The band is a big hit, and Bella is driving me crazy, dancing to the music behind the bar. Shimmying in her short little dress and grinding against me whenever she gets the chance. Which is often because she doesn't stray very far. She ignores my warnings, even when I'm growling in her ear. Even when I'm begging for her to stop torturing me.

Before I know it, I'm pulling the champagne out, and we all work to fill the flutes. Lauren comes out from the kitchen but insists that she shouldn't help pass them out. "I'll end up dropping everything," she explains with a red face. "I have no coordination."

"It's cool, girl." Bella shrugs. "I've called in a few favors."

Minutes before midnight, Rose, Emmett, and Seth show up at the bar, ready to help. We all grab a tray and start circulating, assuring that everyone, including Felix at the door, has a drink.

The band starts the countdown, and Bella joins me behind the bar. She throws her arms around my neck. "This is going to be our year, baby."

I nod and pull her close. "Starting with marriage."

"FIVE!"

Bella steps closer. "We really need to get started on planning that ..."

"FOUR!"

"I want you to be a Cullen by this time next year."

"THREE!"

"I'm pretty sure we can make that happen."

"TWO!"

"I love you."

"ONE! HAPPY NEW YEAR!"

Bella crashes her lips to mine, and I wish I had the power to freeze time because this moment, with her, is perfect, and I want to savor it.

When we finally pull apart for air, she drains her glass of champagne and waits for me to do the same.

"You have lipstick … everywhere." She laughs.

I reach for a napkin, and she tries to clean my face but gives up with a sigh. "I have some makeup cleaner in the office."

I squeeze her hip and ask her to come help me in an effort to get her alone when we're reminded that we're not alone.

"Yo! You two wanna get with the program?" Ben calls. "These people are dying of thirst out here."