We're moving forward with a little bit of plot, the tiniest smidgen.
Apologies for mistakes, I hope you all enjoy this.
The night had settled thickly over the parking lot, the glow of the diner's neon sign casting a pale red hue across the cracked asphalt. Moths fluttered aimlessly around the buzzing light of a nearby streetlamp, their tiny shadows flickering across the ground. The lot itself was quiet, save for the occasional hum of a passing car on the distant highway, leaving Edward cloaked in solitude as he leaned against his Volvo, hands shoved into his pockets.
His eyes, however, were anything but idle. They were fixed on her, framed perfectly by the wide diner windows. Bella stood behind the counter, her hair loosely tied back and her uniform slightly rumpled from the long hours of her shift. She was radiant in a way that made Edward's chest tighten. The casual ease with which she moved, the way her lips curled into a tired but genuine smile as she spoke to a customer; it was mesmerising. He couldn't look away, though he felt ridiculous standing there, hiding in the shadows like some lovesick teenager.
Though he was anything but. Or at least that's what he'd told himself.
The scene inside was a picture of late-night Americana. The clinking of plates and low murmur of conversations carried faintly through the glass. A jukebox in the corner played an old blues song, the melancholic notes filtering into the night. The walls were adorned with faded photographs of the diner's better days, their edges curling and discoloured. Edward couldn't help but wonder how many people had come here, how many lives had brushed past hers without ever truly noticing her.
But he noticed her. Every little thing. The way she tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. The way her brows knit together as she scribbled something on her notepad. Even the subtle shift in her posture when she stretched, trying to work out the kinks in her back.
His gaze softened as he watched her laugh at something a coworker said, her hand covering her mouth for just a moment. She was tired, he could tell, but she was still so damn beautiful. He glanced at the flowers sitting on the hood of his car, suddenly feeling a pang of doubt. Was this too much? Was it too soon? He didn't know how to be this guy - the flowers, the wine, the waiting outside her work. It all felt foreign, but for her, he was willing to try.
His internal debate was interrupted when the diner door jingled open, the sound startling him slightly. Bella stepped out, her laugh carrying into the night as she shoved her notepad into her shirt pocket. Edward straightened instinctively, but his step faltered when he noticed someone else following her.
A guy; blond, slightly stocky, wearing a cheap leather jacket, walked up beside her. He looked like a smug ass hole, typical creep. He was chatting animatedly, gesturing with his hands as if whatever he was saying was the most interesting thing in the world. Edward froze, his jaw tightening as he watched the interaction. The guy leaned closer to her, just enough to make Edward's stomach twist uncomfortably.
From where he stood, Edward couldn't hear the words, but he could see Bella's reaction. She smiled politely, the kind of smile she reserved for customers or awkward small talk. It wasn't the smile she gave him. Still, the guy persisted, his hand brushing her arm as he laughed at something she hadn't even reacted to. Edward's fists clenched at his sides, the crinkling of the bouquet barely registering in his ears.
The parking lot, once so quiet, suddenly felt stifling. The faint buzz of the streetlamp seemed louder, more oppressive, as Edward's gaze remained fixed on Bella. She took a subtle step back, her body language screaming disinterest, but the guy didn't seem to get the hint.
Edward stayed rooted in place, every instinct in him screaming to walk over and interrupt, to pull her away and remind this stranger that she wasn't interested. But he hesitated. Who was he to claim her? They weren't official, not in any concrete way. Hell, he hadn't even met her friends, let alone earned the right to act territorial.
And yet, the thought of her brushing past this guy without noticing him standing there, waiting for her with flowers and wine like some pathetic rom-com cliche, made him feel sick.
Finally, Bella's gaze drifted away from the blond, her eyes scanning the parking lot. The moment she saw him, her entire demeanour changed. Her polite smile melted into something real, something that reached her eyes. She waved him over, her lips parting in surprise. The knot in his chest eased up, and he grabbed the flowers and wine easily.
"Edward!" she called, her voice cutting through the night.
The guy, whoever he was, turned to follow her gaze, his expression shifting into something sour when he saw Edward approaching. He ignored him entirely, his focus solely on Bella. The flowers and wine felt less ridiculous now, the uncertainty evaporating as he closed the distance between them.
"Hey," he said when he reached her, his voice low but warm. He held the bouquet out, a small smirk tugging at his lips. "Thought you might need these after a long shift."
Her eyes widened slightly as she took the flowers, her fingers brushing his. "Are you serious?" she asked, her voice tinged with disbelief but softened by a smile. "Edward, this is…" She trailed off, looking down at the bouquet with something close to awe, inhaling deeply. "Thank you."
The guy shifted awkwardly beside her, clearing his throat. "Uh, hey, man. I don't think we've met."
Edward barely glanced at him, his attention fixed on Bella. "We haven't."
Bella shot the guy a pointed look. "Thanks for the talk, Mike." Mike. He resisted the urge to swing at his fuck ugly face and instead placed a possessive hand on Bella's hip, finally turning to look at him. "I'll see you around, okay?"
The blonde prick hesitated, clearly debating whether to push his luck, but something in Edward's sharp gaze seemed to dissuade him. With a mumbled "Yeah, sure," he turned and walked off, leaving them alone.
Bella turned back to him, her expression softening as she leapt forward into a much needed embrace. She inhaled his scent, snuggling her nose in the crook if his neck before moving back to arms length. "Flowers and wine?" she teased lightly, holding up the bottle with a tugged eyebrow. "Trying to spoil me or something?"
"Maybe," he said, his smirk growing. "Is it working?"
She leaned into him, her hand resting lightly on his chest. "It's definitely working."
The tension that had gripped him earlier melted away as she kissed him, slow and deliberate, her lips brushing his in a way that made the rest drip into nothing.
Edward's hand came up to cradle her jaw, his thumb grazing the soft skin of her cheek as their kiss deepened. Bella's fingers curled into the fabric of his shirt, grounding herself in the warmth of his chest and the bitter taste of his cigarette burned mouth. When they finally pulled apart, her forehead rested against his, a soft laugh escaping her lips.
"Where are you taking me?" she asked, her voice a little breathless.
He stepped back slightly, motioning to his car. "Get in and find out."
She raised an eyebrow but didn't argue, her curiosity clearly piqued. Clutching the flowers and wine, she climbed into the passenger seat of his Volvo. Edward slid into the driver's side, his fingers drumming on the steering wheel for a moment before he started the engine.
The drive was quiet at first, the low hum of the car's engine blending with the soft tunes playing from the radio. Bella sat back, her legs tucked beneath her as she stole occasional glances at Edward, enjoying the feel of his hand lazily gripping her thigh. His thumb traced back and forth, squeezing every so often as if to say this was real, or I'm here. The streetlights faded as they left the main roads behind, replaced by the dense silhouettes of trees and the open, starlit sky above.
"Are you going to tell me where we're going?" she asked, breaking the comfortable silence.
"You'll see," Edward replied cryptically, a hint of amusement in his tone.
They climbed a winding road, the view outside the window turning into a sea of darkness interrupted by specks of light from distant homes and businesses. Bella pressed her forehead to the glass, watching as the town below grew smaller and smaller.
Finally, Edward turned onto a gravel path that led to an overlook. The spot was secluded, surrounded by tall pines that swayed gently in the cool night breeze. He parked the car and stepped out, moving quickly to open her door. Bella climbed out, her breath hitching slightly as she took in the view.
The town stretched out below them, a sprawling tapestry of lights twinkling like stars against the dark earth. The sky above was clear, the stars scattered in every direction, their glow unpolluted by the artificial lights of the city.
"Wow," Bella whispered, hugging the flowers to her chest as she turned to look at Edward. "This is… perfect."
"I thought you might like it," he said, his voice softer now. He walked around to the trunk, pulling out an old plaid blanket he'd grabbed on impulse before leaving. He spread it out on the ground, motioning for her to join him.
They sat side by side, the wine between them. Bella kicked off her shoes, tucking her feet beneath her as she leaned into Edward's shoulder. He wrapped an arm around her, holding her close as they sat in comfortable silence, the only sounds the faint rustle of the trees and the distant hum of crickets.
"This is so not what I expected tonight," Bella murmured, her head resting against his chest.
"Good or bad?" Edward asked, his tone teasing but laced with genuine curiosity. He felt slightly ridiculous and cliche, doing this was the last thing on his mind. But as the end of her shift drew near, he couldn't help himself. He hadn't seen her in nearly a week, their schedules hadn't lined up, and he missed her. It was a strange, gnawing feeling ,to miss her. To miss her presence, her taste, her lingering gaze and touch.
She tilted her head up to look at him, cutting him from his thoughts, her lips curving into a smile. She was beautiful. "Good. Really good." Bella whispered quietly.
He chuckled softly, brushing a strand of hair away from her face. "I wasn't sure I'd get this right," he admitted. "The flowers, the wine, this spot… I've never done the boyfriend thing before."
Bella's expression softened, and she reached up to touch his cheek. "You're doing pretty damn good so far," she said, her voice filled with warmth.
Edward's arm rested loosely around Bella as they sat together on the blanket, the quiet of the night pressing in comfortably around them. The view stretched out below; tiny, distant lights twinkling in the valley like a sea of stars on Earth. He could feel her warmth against his side, the steady rhythm of her breathing, and for a moment, he wondered if he should just keep his mouth shut and let the night stay perfect. It's what he'd usually do, but he had to take a leap now or never.
It had been gnawing at him for a week now, and with the calm wrapped around them, it felt like the right time to bring it up.
"So," he began, his voice breaking the silence but staying calm. "There's something I've been meaning to ask you."
Bella glanced up at him, brows knitting together in confusion. "Hm?"
He hesitated, running a hand through his hair before turning his gaze back to her. "When I talked to my mom last week, I kind of… brought you up."
Her brows creased further, and she leaned back slightly to look at him better. Back onto her own arm for support. "You brought me up? Like, in what way?"
"It's my father's retirement weekend, you know she asked me to go, and I said I would if I could bring you." He gulped, searching her to find any of the thoughts sweep around in her deep irises but locking on to none. "It's a large affair." He continued. "A big farewell pretty much." he trailed off, fidgeting with his nail nervously.
Bella blinked, her eyes widening slightly as his words settled. "You want me to meet your family?" She clarified, unsure.
"Well, yeah," he admitted, his tone both nervous and earnest. "I mean, it's not like I'm planning to throw you into a wolves den, but… yeah, I'd like you to come with me."
Bella let out a breath, leaning forward and bracing her arms on her knees. She stared out at the view for a moment before turning back to him. "Edward… we haven't even been dating six months." He sighed, this wasn't going the way he'd hoped. "This is really new - like, for both of us."
He nodded, already expecting the hesitation. "I know. I get that."
"Do you? This isn't just new for me," she continued, her voice gentler now. "It's new for you too. You told me yourself you've never done the whole 'boyfriend' thing before. You're still figuring it out - hell, we're still figuring it out. And now you're talking about throwing me in front of your entire family? Do you get how scary that is?" She curled in on herself, overwhelmed at the possibility.
Edward's hand found hers, his thumb brushing lightly over her knuckles. "I wouldn't have asked if I didn't think it was something I really wanted. I know it's a lot, and I'm not trying to push you into anything. But… I don't know. It just feels right."
Bella gave a soft laugh, shaking her head. "Right? Edward, my track record with meeting families is not good. The last time I tried, it was a disaster. His mom couldn't stand me, his dad barely said two words to me, and the whole thing felt like this awkward performance I was doomed to fail at. I'm not great at being the 'perfect proper girl'."
"You don't have to be perfect," he said firmly. "That's not what I want, and it's not what my family's expecting. Trust me, they're far from perfect themselves."
She frowned, looking down at their hands. "It's not just that. Meeting someone's family; it's a big deal. Like, a 'this is getting serious' kind of deal. And I don't know if I'm ready for that yet."
Edward leaned forward slightly, his voice softening. "Bella, it doesn't have to mean anything more than what it is. I'm not proposing, or asking you to move in with me, or whatever else people read into this kind of thing. I just want you there with me because… I don't think I can do it on my own."
Her gaze flickered up to his, uncertainty written all over her face. "You're really serious about this, aren't you?"
"I am," he said simply. There was no use in denying it, meeting them all fully after so many months or years for some, put him on edge. He'd changed a lot since growing up.
She sighed, running a hand through her hair. "I don't know, Edward. It's a lot to think about. I'm not saying no, but… I need time to wrap my head around it."
"That's all I'm asking," he said, his voice warm and understanding. "Just think about it. No pressure."
She studied him for a moment longer before finally leaning into his chest again, her head resting against his shoulder. "How long do I have to think about it?" she muttered.
His lips quivered into a smile, and he pressed a kiss to her temple. "I have to let my mother know by the weekend."
Bella hums. Her fingers absentmindedly toying with the fabric of his shirt. The quiet night stretched around them, the faint rustle of leaves and the distant chirping of crickets the only sounds accompanying her internal debate.
"That's not a lot of time," she finally said, her voice soft.
"I know," Edward admitted, resting his chin lightly atop her head. "But my mother's not exactly the patient type. She likes having things planned out, and it will be meticulous. IT always is when it concerns my father."
Bella smirked faintly. "Sounds like someone else I know."
He chuckled, the vibration of his laugh rippling through her. "But seriously, no rush. If it's a no, it's a no. I just wanted to ask."
She tilted her head back to look up at him, her dark eyes studying his face. The moonlight caught his eyes beautifully, the green effervescent and shining. The sincerity in his gaze made her heart twist, and she could see how much it meant to him even if he was trying to downplay it or brush it off.
"Can I ask you something?" she said after a pause.
"Of course."
"Why now? I mean, you've had a week to bring this up. We text all the time."
Edward hesitated, his jaw tightening briefly as he considered his words. "Honestly? I didn't want to push you. But the closer the weekend gets, the more I realise I couldn't picture myself going without you there."
Her breath caught, and she quickly glanced away, her cheeks flushing. "Edward…"
"I mean it," he said, his tone unwavering. "It's not about showing you off or making some big statement. Which I of course want to do. I'll also just feel… better when you're with me. Like I can handle whatever awkward family shit my mom has planned."
Bella bit her lip, her heart tugging at his words. She wasn't used to this, someone being so open, so vulnerable with her. It was terrifying and exhilarating all at once.
"Okay," she whispered after a long pause.
His brows lifted in surprise. "Okay?"
"I'll think about it," she clarified sternly, although leaning more towards pleasing him. "Seriously think about it. But if I do this, you better promise not to leave me alone with your mom for too long."
Edward grinned, relief washing over his features. "Deal. I'll stick to you like glue."
"And I don't want to be left with any gross old uncle Al, listening to him ramble about what he used to do back in his day."
He chuckled.
"I don't have an uncle Al."
"Good," she said, leaning into him again, letting the warmth of his arms chase away her lingering doubts for the moment.
They sat in silence for a while, the quiet comfort of each other's presence settling between them like a soft blanket.
Because even though it scared her, the idea of being with Edward - of taking that step - felt a little less daunting when he held her like this.
I'll post more soon, I need to catch up on sleep, I won't lie lol. Thank you for all your responses. It's very appreciated.
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