Chapter 7 (She Fit Right In)

Chapter 7 (She Fit Right In)



EPOV


I had my nose buried in her hair. It reminded me of the first time I saw her when she was all warm and rumpled and vanilla sugar smelling. I really wanted to pull her hair aside, stick my nose into the crook of her neck where her scent would be the strongest and just…sniff her. I was certain something was wrong with me. I’ve never had a problem with addiction, but this is getting out of control. I pressed my lips to her shoulder, not exactly kissing, but just leaving them there, like I was tattooing myself into her skin. I continued across her entire back and down her arm. I slid my fingers between hers; bringing her hand back to cup my neck like she did the night we were dancing. Wait…was that really just the night before last? I put my hand on her hip, turning her more towards me while I continued to kiss her neck. All of our kisses the night before were passionate, but we were able to be adults and keep things within the first base line. But now, if I was lucky, my plan was to at least slide into third. I was getting anxious in my wanting for her. I could tell she wanted me too. The thing with us is that it didn’t feel like it was only a physical attraction…at all. I had spent the entire day showing her who I was and where I came from and I just felt like she got it. She got it and she felt it and she liked it. I just wanted her to be a part of it, and not for just right now.


Our kisses were becoming much more heated. Gentle pressure turned into open mouths which yielded to tangling tongues and nipping lips. I ran my fingers along the hem of her t-shirt, barely under it, just teasing. Back and forth. One hipbone to the other. Her skin was soft like silk and I wondered if it would feel the same way on my mouth. I moved so that I was positioned half way over her, my leg between hers. I kissed down her neck to her collar bones and she groaned in pleasure. Knowing that I could make her feel this way already was only adding fire to my morning time business, if you know what I mean.


“Edward…”


I stared down into those dark chocolate irises of hers, losing myself.


“Hmm…”


Have mercy. She felt so damn good. I have no idea how I’m going to keep myself from rounding third and sliding on into home.


“What are you doing in my bed?”


Wait. What?


She giggled. “I said what are you doing in my bed?”


Aw hell. I must have said that out loud. I cracked one eye open and looked at my morning time angel girl. Her hair was everywhere and her nose was a little pink from being outside for so long yesterday. She was biting her lip and she was gorgeous. Although real Bella was awesome to wake up to, I would LOVE to get back to dream Bella. She was letting me love all over her.


I snuggled into her chest since she had rolled onto her side and had her head propped up in her hand facing me, waiting on an answer.


“Shhh…Edward’s sleeping. Leave a message,” I slurred sleepily.


She pulled my hair trying to get me to look up at her because like me, she tends to act like an eight year old sometimes.


“Owww-wa.” That’s right…two syllables. “Just ‘cause you like it rough doesn’t mean I do. Are you always this mean in the mornings?” I mumbled.


“You didn’t answer my question. And you better think of something because this is becoming a bit of a habit for you. Do I need to get a restraining order? I happen to know the sheriff,” she said, looking all kinds of smug. I wonder if I can kiss the smugness off of her. Hmmm…


“What was the question again?” I asked, now trying to open both eyes.


“What are you doing in my bed? I left you on the couch.”


Oh. Right.


“Um…I got cold?”


“Nope.”


“I’m afraid of the dark.”


“Try again.”


“Fine. I was lonely,” I sighed. “I woke up and you weren’t there. I didn’t really like that. I was sleepin’ better with you there,” I said, closing my eyes again.


She let go of the death grip she had on my hair. Instead she started rubbing circles into my scalp, trying to soothe the places I’m nearly sure she left bald. I had no idea what she was thinking or what she was about to do, or even if she believed me. But what was the point in lying? She had to know that I was starting to have some serious feelings for her. That’s when I felt her tracing my cheek down to my jaw and then to my chin, using her finger to tilt it up.


“Look at me,” she murmured.


I opened my eyes praying to God she wasn’t about to smack me. But what I saw was…I’m not sure of the word. You know that look people get when they say ‘awwww’? Yeah, that’s the look.


“Edward Cullen that is probably the sweetest thing anyone has ever said to me. I think I’ll keep you as my bestie,” she said with a big smile, giving me a quick peck on the mouth.


And that caused me to pout. I knew the pout was a powerful weapon and I wasn’t afraid to use it.


“Why are you looking at me like that?”


“Number one, you woke me up just to ask me a silly question and couldn’t just be happy that I was here. Number two, you pulled my hair. And number three, I really don’t think that was an appropriate good mornin’ kiss,” I said, rolling to my back and crossing my arms over my chest.


She sat up and crossed her own arms, trumping me with a raised eyebrow that basically asked ‘are you kidding me with this?’


“As much as I would love a repeat from yesterday, today we have the issue of morning breath. I’m sure I’m not exactly breathing out roses, but you mister…are a little dragon-esque this morning. Did you not brush your teeth before bed?”


“With what? Your tongue? ‘Cause you know that’s all that was in my mouth after supper,” I huffed while sitting up and giving her my best stink eye.


“Big baby.”


“I know what would make it better,” I said, pulling out the big guns and giving her my crooked grin and the wink.


“A Tic-Tac?”


Seriously, is nothing working on this woman this morning? Exasperated, I growled throwing myself back against the pillows and put my arms over my face. “I give up. All I wanted was a little mornin’ sugar. Is that so terrible?”


Just then I felt her throw her leg over my thighs, sit on my lap and pull me up by my hands until we were nose to nose.


“Remember how nicely I woke you up yesterday? All you had to do was ask nicely today for your-what did you call it? Oh yeah…sugar. Ask nicely and maybe I can get over the morning breath issue,” she mumbled against my lips. Tease. But hell yeah I could ask nicely. Especially if it got me what I wanted.


“Baby girl…I sure was hopin’ I could get some of that sweet sugar this mornin’. May I kiss you even though I apparently have…,”


I couldn’t even finish my sentence before she attacked me with a kiss. She damn near knocked me over. I was so shocked it took me a second to respond. And by a second, I mean like a quarter of a second.


She held my face between her hands and I tangled mine in her hair just trying to bring her even closer, although too close might make things a little awkward for a Sunday morning. Sunday morning…oh crap! We needed to get up and get goin’ or we’d be late. And the good Lord knows I don’t need any smartassedness from Sassy or Emmett today.


I began to slow our kiss down ending with chaste pecks all over her face while she twirled the hair at the hairline on my neck.


“I really hate to say this after all of the beggin’ you made me do, but we need to get up. Are you still comin’ with me baby girl?” I asked, looking into those deep brown eyes.


“I said I would. I don’t go back on my word, Edward. That’s one thing you need to know about me. Commit it to memory. I say what I mean and I mean what I say,” she said, poking me in the chest. “Are you picking me up?”


“Yes ma’am. I will drive all the way to your house to get you,” I said sarcastically. “I have to sit up front during the services because I have to get up and down a lot. Will you be okay sittin’ with the rest of the family?”


“I’m sure I’ll be fine…as long as I don’t have to sit by Emmett.”


“Good call,” I laughed. “Come on. I’ll even let you fix me some toast before I go back home to get ready,” I said, giving her a good smack on her bottom.


“Keep those hands where I can see them or you’ll need to repent today. How would you explain that to your sweet mother? Or to your dad who happens to be my boss?”


“Fine,” I said, rolling my eyes while I started down the stairs. “Party pooper.”


-x-X-x-


I have always looked forward to the weekends. I used it as my time to relax and recharge; a time to look back on the week that has passed and to the one that is ahead and try to figure out what I did or where I’ve been, and see how I can be better. That may seem a little deep, but it’s just another piece of my puzzle. Carlisle and Esme raised both of us boys to “just be good”, as they said it. And by that, they meant for us to be good at what we did, who we were and the decisions that we made. As for this past week and weekend, there was absolutely nothing that wasn’t good about it.


Ahhh…Bella. My pretty, angel, baby girl. I never saw her coming. She is the best combination of sweetness and sexiness that I have ever known. She is divinity and desire all wrapped in into one brilliant package. I have no walls, and Lord help me, sometimes no filter when it comes to her. I am certain that along with being my life, she’ll also be my death.


I didn’t know what she would think about attending church services with me and my family Sunday morning. It’s not a decision that everyone makes for their lives, especially if it’s not an important part of how they were raised. I know it can be uncomfortable if it’s not what you are used to, but I shouldn’t have been surprised. Bella takes to everything she does like a duck to water. This was no different. It was actually a little emotional for me to be up front leading the songs and to look out and see her singing right along while she cradled a sleeping Ally. Emmett had to take Riley for his third trip to the bathroom while Rose was busy attending to the babies in the nursery. I had never been a witness to something so pure and angelic looking in all of my life, looking at my two girls. God moves me when I least expect it.


She told me that she really enjoyed it and gushed about how friendly and welcoming everyone was over lunch at Aunt Caroline’s. She even saw Carmen there and said she knew that she’d have plenty of questions to answer concerning the gossip that was sure to follow since we were seen holding hands when we walked in.


It had been such a fantastic weekend that I was a little ‘pouty’, as she called it, while we were saying our goodbyes that night. We had spent the last part of our evening in the swing on the porch, watching the sun bow down to the cotton plants across the road. And when it finally did, we continued to watch the fireflies play chase in the long flowing strands of the willow trees. We weren’t saying anything this time. The only sounds keeping us company were the crickets and the occasional snore from Roscoe who had wandered up and made his home at Bella’s feet. I have no idea how I’m gonna break it to him that I don’t share, even with my pup. We sat there just absorbing, soaking in everything that had been the last five days and all of the time that we had spent together. The real conversations, the flirting, the hand holding, the star gazing, the dancing, and God help me, the kissing. The woman was trying to kill me with the kissing. I could only think of one other way that might be a better way to go, but kissing her was a mighty close second.


That is where we were now. Kissing on the porch, with her a step higher and leaning into me so that there was no bending or stretching. Just noses nuzzling and lips meeting and teeth nipping.


“If you are in my room when I wake up, I’m going to bypass calling Jasper and just call Alice,” she told me while she traced my ears, giving me the damn chills in the process.


“Unfortunately, I will not be there and I dare say it’ll be the worst part of my day. I think I’m gettin’ used to wakin’ up to your wild woman hair,” I chuckled while I twirled a lock that was trying to escape her pony tail.


“Well tomorrow morning I suggest you use your alarm clock because I won’t be purring into your ear this time,” she said while actually doing just that.


“Damn shame.” I pulled back and put my forehead to hers. “I’ll miss you.”


“Edward, we live on the same piece of land. I’m sure I’ll see you tomorrow. Plus, shouldn’t you already be tired of me? I’ve seen you every day since Wednesday,” she giggled.


“Still…”


“Gracious. I thought I was the girl. Give me one last kiss and then you need to go. I have an earlier morning that you do.”


“Bossy britches. I’m rubbin’ off on you. Oh, one more thing…you’re not on call this coming weekend are you?”


“No. That’s the next weekend. Why?”


“It’s Labor Day weekend. The whole family always goes to the lake house and you are invited to come with us.”


“Oh. I don’t know. I mean, that’s family time. I wouldn’t want to intrude.”


“Good night, woman. Don’t you know you are family by now? Besides, I wouldn’t have any fun if I knew my best friend was back here just washin’ her scrubs. I need you to come. I need a partner in crime or at the very least a partner against Alice and Emmett. We have a tendency to let our inner child out when we get there. Come on. What do ya say? I bet you can get some good childhood stories out of ‘em.”


“Well when you put it that way…how could I refuse?”


“Hell to tha yeah! It’ll be the best trip yet,” I said, leaning in to give her one last kiss.


“G’night baby girl. Send Roscoe home if he gets to whinin’.”


Instead she sent me home with a small wave.


-x-X-x-


That was three honkin’ days ago! I didn’t know how else to put it other than I just plain ole missed her. Monday afternoon she sent me a text letting me know that she wouldn’t be able to make it for our porch time because she agreed to work another split shift for someone who had called in sick. I swear she has the best heart. She is always willing to help out, especially at work. However, she also let me know that by getting in the extra hours now, that she would be able to take off at lunch on Friday to leave for the lake. Hmmm…maybe we’ll get some alone time after all. I think I’d like to hug whoever that was who got sick. Maybe I’ll have mom make them some soup or send them some flowers.


Tuesday evening I had to go over to mom and dad’s house. A storm had come through town that morning and blown down one of their trees. She wanted to get it chopped up and put out back in the burn pile before we all left on Friday evening. She said she knew that tonight I wanted to get the grass cut one more time between my house and Nana’s and that tomorrow night I had band practice.


So that’s why I’m a little irritated. I’m grateful that Emmett and Jasper agreed to come and help with the mowing so that it wouldn’t take so long. Fifteen acres is a lot to get done in one day, even if you do have lawn mowers and tractors with big decks. But again, this was cutting into my porch time and while I was missing kissing on my girl, I was missing my friend just as much. Hanging out with Bella has brought a peace to me that I didn’t even know I needed. I was content with my life, but was obviously missing companionship. I mean, it could be difficult sometimes to look everywhere around me and see such dedicated and loving couples and feel what I was missing out on. I’ve witnessed the looks of pride and adoration. I’ve seen the lingering gazes and sweet touches. I just didn’t see how I was going to find it for myself. There is just such easiness between Bella and me. We talk all the time, but we don’t have to. She already knows when I’m up to something or not being completely straight with her. And that probably ought to scare me, but it really doesn’t.


“Why so emo bub?”


“Hey Em.”


“Sup? You seem a little out of it. Feelin’ alright?”


“Yeah. Just…nothin’. Hey, thanks again for comin’. I appreciate it more than you know. I may not have to do this again since it’s startin’ to cool off some. Maybe one more time.”


“No problem. It gives me the chance to unwind. Practice has been crazy. I’m ready to get the show on the road, ya know?”


“Yeah. Us too. Where’s Jazz? I thought he was comin’ with you?”


“Sassy had store inventory to do and Rosie is helping her. So he took all of the kids over to mom and dad’s house for pizza night until we are done.”


“Oh. Alight, well, let’s get started. The quicker we are done the better.”


“Why are you in such a hurry? You gotta hot date you want to tell me about? I’ve seen how close you are getting with Little Bell.”


I rolled my eyes at him. “Little Bell?”


“What? Her name is Bella and she’s little.”


“I’ll tell you later. There’s Jazz pullin’ up. Come on. We’ve got a long afternoon.”


-x-X-x-


BPOV


Damn it this sucks! Is it too much to ask to have some quiet time with my man? You wouldn’t think so, but it’s now Wednesday and I haven’t seen Edward since Sunday night. If I don’t get to see him at some point tonight I am going to have to take a page from his stalker notebook and show up on his front porch or in his bedroom in the morning. Which seriously doesn’t sound too bad to me. Stalking may have its benefits after all.


I worked late on Monday and on Tuesday he was over at Carlisle and Esme’s house until pretty late. If it weren’t for texting and late night phone calls, we probably would have missed each other all together. It’s insane for me to think how close we have gotten in such a short time. I wasn’t lying when I told him that I had never had a best friend. I had friends that I hung out with when I was at Charlie’s house every summer, but no one I’d tell all my secrets too. Edward made me want to spill my guts, and to be honest, I wasn’t sure how good of an idea that was just yet. I didn’t have anything to hide, but it put my heart in a very precarious place. I knew getting close to him like this could wreak total havoc on my heart when it was time to leave, but I decided to push that aside and just for once, go for it. No one had captivated me like he had. He was gorgeous and sexy for sure, but he was fun and witty and playful and he gave me a comfort I didn’t even know I was missing or looking for.


I pulled up in the drive to my house and spotted Alice’s black Toyota Highlander. She said she missed her sporty car, but that sometimes you have to do what you have to do when you’re haulin’ young ‘uns around. Her words, not mine. My question was more along the lines of why in the hell do you drive a black vehicle when you live in Alabama? It’s hotter than Hades in this place. Her answer was that it made her feel not so mom-like. Whatever.


What was odd was that I noticed Rose’s car here as well. I wondered if the guys just decided to park here since I knew they were helping Edward with the grass. Oh well, at least I knew I was going to get one more look at my luscious lawn boy, and this time the ogling would probably be welcomed.


I put my key in the door knob only to realize that it wasn’t locked. Odd. I wonder if Edward has been by or something? I walked in and went straight to the kitchen to grab something to drink. Seeing someone sitting at my table out of the corner of my eye, I jumped.


“Holy shit! You scared me to death!”


“Sorry skank. We just let ourselves in. Hope you don’t mind,” Alice said, sitting at my kitchen table facing the bay window and holding a small pair of binoculars.


“Um…no, I don’t mind. But what are you two doing here?”


“Number one, we are here to help you pack. Number two, it’s mowin’ day,” Rosalie said, looking at me like I should know what that meant.


“Yes…and…?”


“Come over here and you’ll see,” she said, waving me over to the window.


This window faced the back yard that was basically bare with the exception of the stray tree here and there. And that’s when I got it. All three of our men were working out in the yard and they made it look damn good. Hell yeah it’s mowing day. It should be a national freakin’ holiday, that’s for damn sure.


I turned to face them and quirked an eyebrow. “Do you always do this? Come and spy on your men from afar?”


“Look Bella. We both have two kids and all four of us work. That doesn’t always leave a lot of time for appreciation and straight up lust, if you know what I mean. We’ve both been married a while so a lot of times we are in the routine of having what we call ‘maintenance sex’. Sure, we have our times of sweet love making but occasionally we just want a full on frenzied fuck. This is our foreplay,” Rosalie said like it was nothing.


All I could do was stand there and blush. While it was no secret to me that I had plenty of lust built up for Edward, we were nowhere near ready for that. To be honest I was actually a little surprised to hear Rose say ‘fuck’. Now that I thought of it, none of the Cullen’s used much profanity. I didn’t either, but most men I had ever been around were pretty potty mouthed. I’d have to ask Edward about that.


“You girls want to stay for supper? I can make enough for the guys too.”


“I told you there was more than one benefit to coming over here,” Alice said, nudging Rosalie.


“I see how it is, using me for my food and the good view. I’m going to change. Save me a seat. I want to be in the front row for that back and ass show.”


“Told ya,” Alice said, looking over at Rose. “Bella, do you have anything you want to share with the class about Edward? I mean, you know we ain’t blind, right? You know you can tell us. It’ll stay right here between us girls, I swear,” Alice begged.


“Gah Alice. I swear you can pester the horns off of a billy goat. Leave her alone. She’ll tell us when she’s ready. But really Bella, sooner rather than later would be awesome!” Rose laughed.


I’m starting to realize that I’ll never have a secret ever again.


For the next two hours we alternated between watching the guys, packing almost everything I’d need for the weekend and getting supper ready. I was worked into a twitterpated frenzy by watching the sweat roll down Edward’s back, right down to those damn dimples above his ass. I’m fairly certain he wouldn’t need a shower after I got done licking every inch of him clean. It seemed like my girls were in much the same state as I was. The only conversation we had was to let out the occasional groan and ‘jeez’ and ‘holy mother’. You get it.


Alice texted Jazz to let them know that they were at my house, and for them to get washed up at Edwards and then meet here for supper. I thought that was a shame, not getting to be up close and personal with all of that hotness. At least those two would get to reap the full benefits of today’s ogling session when they went home. I would be stuck here…alone. I need to dig that box out of the back of my closet. Like quick, fast and in a hurry.


“I hope you made a bunch, Little Bell, because the men-folk are starvin’!” Emmett said, walking in the back door.


“There’s plenty. Everything’s on the table. Go ahead and sit down and I’ll bring in the drinks.”


Emmett had walked in first, followed by Jasper, who each immediately scooped up their wives in big hugs and kisses. Edward walked in behind them and made a beeline for me. He grabbed me around the waist and picked me up, giving me a small twirl. I was a little surprised to be honest. He had his nose buried in my neck and hair and I could hear him take in a big lung full of air.


“I missed you baby girl,” he murmured in my ear.


“I missed you too,” I giggled. “Put me down!”


“Unh-unh. This is good.”


I leaned down and whispered in his ear, “Baby, it you put me down now, I’ll make it up to you later, I promise.”


He sighed, putting me down and looking me in the eyes, “I’ll be holding you to that. But for now…”


He leaned in and gave me a very G rated kiss. Yeah, we’ll have to bump that rating up by a LOT later.


We ate supper, talking about our weeks and about the upcoming weekend. I was so excited to be invited to go. Being around just Edward was fantastic. But getting to be around this whole group and watching how they interacted as not just a family, but as true friends, was pure magic to me.


After supper we got everything cleaned up and said our goodbyes to Alice, Jasper, Rosalie and Emmett, promising to meet at Alice’s house by four Friday afternoon so that we could caravan to the lake.


Edward and I finally got to have some porch time even though it was getting late. I brought out my guitar playing a little while he sat and twirled my hair that hung over the back of the swing. It was this kind of sweetness that was making me fall hard for Edward Cullen. I had no idea what was going to happen with us, good or bad, but I knew it would be worth it. He was the first person who had ever made me realize that something was missing; to make me want more. I just hope he is willing to be the one to give it to me.


-x-X-x-


It was 3:45 on Friday afternoon and we were in Alice’s living room waiting to leave for the lake. I already knew Alice enough to know better than to be late. Apparently her husband did not. She was putting the last of the snacks into the kids’ car bags and walking around mumbling things like “can’t believe that man was off all day” and “he better be ready for a real war” and “I’m gonna kick his ass ‘til our grandkids can’t sit down”. I kept my mouth clamped as tight as I could and stayed out of the way.


Edward walked in her back door where he had been loading the rest of their luggage into the back of their car. He had his cell phone held to his ear saying, “Look, you better haul ass ‘cause if you ain’t here in fifteen minutes dressed in REAL clothes and ready to go, Sassy is gonna leave you out in that field to fend for yourself.” After that he closed his phone.


“What was that about?” I asked Edward, not understanding a word he’d said or the context in which he said it.


He laughed at me. “You know what? You’ll see when Jazz gets here. You will wet your pants, just wait.” He leaned over and kissed my temple and walked into the play room to round up Brandon and Mary Beth.


Those were two of the cutest kids I had ever seen. They were twins and a perfect mix of Alice and Jasper. Brandon was about two inches taller than Mary Beth already, making them think she was going to be little like Alice. He had dark hair like Alice, but blue eyes like Jasper. Mary Beth had blonde hair like Jasper that was cut in the cutest chin length bob and green eyes like Alice. It was hard to tell about their personalities yet because all kids are kind of rambunctious at this stage. All I know is that they thought it was funny to call me Bellie and I didn’t mind it at all.


About that time I heard the door that led from the garage into the kitchen open. And there in all of his uniformed glory stood Jasper Whitlock…decked out like a Confederate soldier. All I could do was stare at him because seriously, there were no words.


Brandon and Mary Beth ran through the room to where Jasper was standing, with Edward following right behind them.


“Daddy! You better hurry. Mama’s been talkin’ to herself,” Mary Beth told him while jumping up to give him a big hug.


“Thanks for the warnin’ Bethie-bug,” he said, giving her nose a quick nuzzle. “Hey big man! You ready for some canoeing?” he asked Brandon.


“Yes! Come on! Everybody’s waiting on you. Let’s go get in the car Mary B,” he said, grabbing his sister’s hand.


Edward had put his arm around my shoulders and Jasper stared at me, I’m sure waiting for a reaction. I said the only thing that came to mind.


“Well fiddle-dee-dee Major Whitlock.”


Edward and Jasper both burst out laughing. That is until Alice came in. She stopped in the middle of the kitchen and put her hands on her hips.


“Get your ass out of that costume! You are NOT gonna make us late because you were out playing soldier. GO!” Jasper took off to their room like a rocket. Smart man. Don’t make Alice have to tell you twice.


I turned to Edward and said, “Please, for the love, tell me what that was about.”


“Jasper is a big history buff. He’s part of a group that re-enacts famous Civil War battles. He had the day off and found a group about an hour away that was practicing for an upcoming Sons of the Confederacy event.


“Yes, and if he doesn’t come on, whatever he has going on down south will never rise again,” Alice grumbled.


I didn’t even bother holding in the laughs this time. “And Alice is ok that he does this?”


“Well, she says he’s a history nerd, bless his heart, but she loves him anyway.


I just shook my head and walked out to the truck with Edward.


“If you thought that was somethin’, wait ‘til you meet Pops!”