Chapter 21 (They Got Married)

Chapter 21~(They Got Married)


EPOV

I’m not sure what I ever did to the women in my family to make them act so hateful to me the night before I got married, but that was the only word that came to mind when I thought of each and every one of them, minus my baby girl, of course. Hateful. Like it wasn’t enough that they kept us apart for most of the day doing dude and chick shit. They thought they were going to keep us apart the night before the wedding too? Two words…bull…snort! Not happenin’. I grumbled and cussed every honkin’ one of them under my breath right up until I slung my leg over the top rung of the ladder that was propped against the roof right next to our bedroom window. I swore to the good Lord that if they even thought about trying to get me out of this room, I’d take them over my knee and blister their asses. Even my mama’s.

I would have felt bad sneaking around if Bella didn’t want me to be there with her, however, the window that was opened as wide as it could go told me that she had in fact been waiting for me. Yeah, that’s a lie. I damn sure would have snuck in anyway. Been there, done that.

Once I was inside our room I closed the window behind me and quickly undressed down to my boxer briefs so that I could crawl into the bed and get all snuggled up with her. I had no idea how she managed to talk Sassy and Rose into staying in the guest room, but at this point, I honestly didn’t care.

“Why are you creeping around? It’s not like anyone else is in here,” she whispered, peeking over her shoulder.

I stood up straight. What was I thinking? This was our house and our room, damn it! I brought out my best crooked grin and swaggered over to the bed and crawled in behind her, making her giggle.

“Shhh…don’t wake up the sisters!” I whisper-warned her.

“What took you so long? I was nearly asleep.”

“Well, I got a whole lot of unsolicited advice today…from every single one of ‘em. Pops bein’ the worst.”

“What? No way!”

“Mmmhmm…let’s just say that if we live as long as he has, you’ll still be a happy woman in your seventies, according to him.”

“Oh my lord,” she groaned into her pillow.

“I can’t even make this stuff up. I mean, seriously…there are no words. I’m not even sure my family tree branches anymore. I know so much about everybody and what they’re up to, I swear it just intertwines.”

She turned over, giving me a kiss and a smile that I could see even in the moonlight. This was her mischievous smile.

“Can I sit on your branch tomorrow?” she asked and wagged her eyebrows at me. We seriously needed to quit hanging out with Em and Rose.

“You can sit on my branch any time, baby girl. It’s pretty…sturdy. You can probably even bounce on it.”

“You’re sick,” she giggled, nuzzling her nose in my chest.

“You started it.”

She sighed as I tightened my arms around her and began to twirl the ends of her hair around my fingers.

“I get to be your wife tomorrow,” she murmured. Good Lord that word sounded so damn good…wife.

“Mrs. Edward Cullen. Mmm…I really like the sound of that. Almost as much as I like the sound of becoming Mr. Bella Swan.”

She raised her head, shaking it while looking at me. She was fighting that grin, I just knew it. “I’m trying to have a sweet moment here,” she said.

I traced down her nose to her pouty lips that kissed my finger tip. “I know, lovin’. I’m just sayin’ in my own way that I can’t wait to be your husband. You realize this means that even when I’m being stupid and silly and most assuredly a smart ass, that you can’t get rid of me. At worst it’ll mean that I’ll have to eat take out.”

“Or sleep on the couch.”

“Um…no ma’am! Never, not ever. When you get mad at me, and I can guarantee that you will, let’s promise that we won’t go to bed until we have had the hottest, loudest, filthiest, hair-pullinest make-up sex this side of the Mississippi River,” I growled into her ear while cupping her ass.

I both felt and saw the shiver run through her body before she said, “Deal.” We were quiet for a few minutes, thinking about all that was going to happen tomorrow and this weekend, I’m sure. I couldn’t wait to see her walking down the aisle to me. We had decided to only have family at the wedding because we just wanted it to just be about us...getting married…giving ourselves to each other. We didn’t need a lot of witnesses and we didn’t want anything big and fancy because that just wasn’t us. We were laid back; every day; peanut butter and jelly. I wasn’t even going to have to wear a tux! But I knew that the minute I saw her, all bets were going to be off on my coherency.

“What are you thinking about?”

“Tomorrow,” I answered.

“What about tomorrow?”

“What you’ll look like walking towards me.”

“Do you know what you’re going to say?”

We were taking traditional vows with the ring exchange, but we were also going to say a few words of our own. It wouldn’t be us if we didn’t have our own opinion.

“Mmhm…the gist of it anyway. Do you?”

“I think so.”

“As long as you say ‘I do’ at the right time, I’ll be good,” I chuckled and pulled her on top of me. She immediately tried rolling off of me, but I held on as tight as I could. I knew we had agreed to no sex tonight, but I wasn’t above trying.

“No sir. No hanky-panky until tomorrow. I wasn’t mean enough to cut you off for days, plural, or even weeks. You won’t die.”

“Can I at least feel you up?” I asked, rubbing my hands up and down her sides.

“Edward…” she whimpered.

“Baby girl…”

“Would you settle for a teenaged make out session?”

“Does that include feelin’ you up?” She sighed. I really had no shame when it came to this woman and I knew I had worn her down.

“Fine…but over the clothes only…and no climaxes…or marks that anyone can see!”

“I’ll take it!” I said a little too loudly.

“Shhhh,” she giggled, smiling against my lips.

It didn’t take me long to get lost in her soft lips, in her taste…in her. I kissed my baby girl when she giggled, when she tried to stifle her moans, and until she was droopy eyed and tired. When she fell asleep with her nose smooshed in my neck and my hand up the back of her shirt, I whispered how much I loved her and how I couldn’t wait for her to finally be mine and then kissed the top of her head before sweet sleep carried me off to meet her in my dreams.

-x-X-x-

BPOV

I had been sleeping on my stomach and Edward had his leg hitched up on my butt, his arm thrown across my waist and his head resting on my shoulder. I could hear mumbling in the doorway as my eyes started to flutter. I wasn’t stupid enough to open them all the way quite yet, knowing that Edward and I had been caught. I tried to be as still as I could because miracle among miracles, Captain Cullen didn’t feel awake against my hip and if they drug him out of the bed, I didn’t want us to both be embarrassed. At least he abided by last night’s chastity rule…mostly.

“Why did we even bother?” Esme asked.

“’Cause y’all are stupid.”

“Uh…meanness. You need more caffeine.”

“What…it’s true. You can’t seriously tell me that you thought he would stay away from her last night,” Rosalie said, sounding all smirky.

“How did he even get in here? I didn’t hear a damn thing.”

“This ain’t exactly his first rodeo Aunt Es. He’s sneaked in here many a time. Bella says his stalker skills are like ninja stealth these days,” Alice snarked.

“Fool. He better be dressed under those sheets. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen that white ass and I really haven’t had enough coffee yet to see it now.”

Oh crap…here it comes! I had never been more thankful that he was holding me down. He was helping to stifle my laughter and he didn’t even know it!

“Edward Masen Cullen! Get your tail outta that bed right now, mister, before I wear you out!”

Esme had made her way over to the bed and was snatching sheets like it was her job. Unfortunately for Edward, his leg was tangled up in said sheet because he tended to hang a leg out of the covers to ‘thermo-regulate’…or so he said. When she snatched, he flipped…right out of the bed and onto the floor beside the bed on his ass. The girls were cackling and I wasn’t much better. I at least had the decency to cover my mouth with my hand as he looked up at us, sulking. My poor baby!

“May I help you?” he asked his mom through gritted teeth.

She grabbed his ear and said, “You are not supposed to be here! It’s bad luck!”

“Oww-wa! First of all, let go of my ear, woman! That shit hurts,” he said, swatting her away and standing up. “Secondly, it’s not like Bella and I are very traditional, so get over it. I wanted to spend the night with my lovely bride, in my own house mind you, so I did,” he said as he flounced back down beside me on the bed.

Oh mercy…even I wasn’t that dumb.

Esme looked back over her shoulder at the girls, amused.

“I know he didn’t.”

“Umhmm…yes he did.”

She looked back at Edward, who had sense enough to start to squirm under his mama’s gaze. “Did you just sass me?”

“Um…”

“I asked you somethin’. Did you just sass me?”

“No ma’am?”

“Hmph…and lied. Well, let me just remind you that first of all,” she said mocking him, “I am still your mother and secondly, this ain’t your house. This is my house. Your house is out back. Just because you’ve been shacked up and livin’ in sin doesn’t make this house yours.” Whoo, Mama Cullen was on a roll! She winked at me on the sly, letting me know that she was just pulling his leg.

“Um…I’m sorry. Mama, did I ever tell you how pretty you look in that housecoat? And I really like what you’re doin’ with your hair.”

She rolled her eyes at him. “We’ll give you a minute to say goodbye to your lady love and then you need to get.”

“Don’t I even get breakfast?” Rotten. The man was spoiled rotten!

“You’re lucky you don’t get your ass whipped. You have five minutes before I call your brother.”

“Fine,” he grumbled.

Esme walked over to me and leaned down to give me a hug. “Ah…good mornin’ Sweets. That’s how you handle him. It’s your job now,” she whispered, making me a little teary to tell you the truth. She cupped my chin gently in her delicate hand and looked me over before grinning and leaving the room with Alice and Rosalie in tow.”

Edward flopped back on the bed and pulled me down with him as the door clicked behind them.

“What in the mess was that about?”

I giggled and stretched out along the side of him, drawing circles around his belly button and in the sexy strip of hair just below it. “She was just messing with you sugar. She’s a Cullen. It’s her job to get you all riled up.”

“Well she’s a honkin’ pro. And you ain’t far behind her, Jezebel. You better cool it with that hand or we may find ourselves in a very compromising position. I mean, I’m good, but I do require more than five minutes.”

I sighed and laid my hand over his heart instead.

“Are you ready?” I asked.

“Have I not been begging you to just let us go to the courthouse?”

“Me too. Are you nervous?”

“About gettin’ everything I’ve ever wanted? Not a chance,” he said, lifting me up and kissing the fool out of me. He kissed me breathless before we stopped so that he could change his clothes before leaving.

Not much later there was a soft knock at the door and Alice popped her head in. “Let’s go bubs. We need to help Bella get ready and you need to help the boys put the chairs out before you get ready.”

“Okay.” He turned to me one last time. “I love you…so much it’s kind of stupid really.” He pressed a soft kiss against my lips.

“I love you, too, sugar. I’ll see you at two?”

“Don’t be late or I’ll throw you over my shoulder and haul you down the aisle myself.”

“Mmm…tempting.” He quirked his eyebrow at me. “Yes, two o’ clock…sharp!”

“See ya there, Mrs. Cullen,” he said, kissing my forehead.

-x-X-x-

EPOV

“So where are y’all goin’ for the weekend?”

“If I tell you that, you’re just gonna try to ruin it,” I sighed.

Jasper and Emmett had been trying to find out where Bella and I were going for our ‘wedding weekend getaway’, as she called it since technically it wasn’t our honeymoon, for weeks. I was refusing to tell them because I was not about to have them storm in on us or play some sort of prank, and knowing them as well as I did, that would surely be on their agenda.

“Dude…seriously? Do you really think our wives would let us get away with something like that?”

Hmm…I hadn’t thought of that. Sassy was all hyped up on her super power pregnancy hormones these days, and thank the Lord for that in this case, and Rosalie loves Bella so much that she’d probably withhold sex from Emmett for at least a month if he tried something. To say that the girls were thrilled to be getting a new ‘sister’ was about as big of an understatement as me just saying that I merely loved that woman. Something about the balance of power being back again. Who knew with those two.

“That may be true, but still…not happenin’,” I said, placing the white bamboo chairs in rows facing the gazebo.

Mama, Alice and Aunt Caroline had spent the better part of yesterday afternoon getting things set up out here and it was gorgeous. Bella was going to be so excited and I absolutely could not wait to see her walking down the path from the house towards me to become my wife. The pillars of the gazebo were draped in some kind of gauzy white material and tied back with ice blue ribbons. There were pops of crimson red flowers at each tie back and all around the top; it really looked magical.

The tents were already set up across the lawn and would provide cover for the tables where people could sit and enjoy their food and catch up on the latest gossip, cause let’s face it…that’s what they would be doing. The florists had finished with the gazebo a couple of hours ago and were just putting the finishing touches on the centerpieces on the tables.

When Bella asked what I wanted to have for the groom’s cake, I could only think of one thing; Carmen’s red velvet cupcakes. Bella easily agreed and said we could just do a cupcake tower. I mean really…is it any wonder I was marrying this woman? That decision actually led to her choice in the wedding colors; crimson and ice blue. Looking around, everything was coming together quickly and it was only a couple of hours until I would get to see her.

I had been so lost in taking in what would be the best day of my life that I hadn’t realized that we were finished setting up the chairs for the ceremony. It was only going to be the family plus Angela and Ben, bringing the total chairs that we needed to seventeen however, when I counted I noticed that there were eighteen.

“We got one too many chairs fellas.”

“No we don’t. We have an extra comin’,” Jasper said with a very amused grin. Emmett looked like he was about to double over because he was trying so hard to hold in his laugh.

“What do you mean an extra? It’s just the family, Phil and Renee, Angela and Ben. Who else is there?”

“Pops is bringin’ a date.” Emmett lost control and my jaw came unhinged in total shock.

“What…who?”

“Carmen.”

-x-X-x-

BPOV

I sat on a bar stool upstairs in the middle of Esme’s bathroom surrounded by the Cullen women, my mom and Angela as they all had some hand in helping me to get ready to become the next Mrs. Cullen. I was the picture of calm on the outside but on the inside I was in full on squeal mode. I could barely contain it, I was so insane over this man who was about to become my husband. How I had ever managed to find completion in this town, I’d never know, but it didn’t matter because after so many years of running, I had finally won my prize. He would be mine forever, and even if I died before him, I told him I’d come back to haunt him because I couldn’t stand the thought of not being with him. He told me I was creepy. I think I may have had one too many Diet Dr. Peppers this morning.

“Okay Sweets,” Esme said. I looked at myself in the mirror for the first time in the last hour and she was standing behind me with her hands cupped on my shoulders as her eyes met mine. “I think we are all done here. We just need to get you in that dress and put on the finishing touches.”

A wide, white smile stretched across my face. “Finally!” The rest of the girls giggled, already knowing how I was feeling.

I wasn’t very traditional but I did like the idea of having something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue for my big day. After we had gotten back from the spa yesterday, Esme pulled me into her room and gave me the diamond pendant that I was wearing around my neck.

“I have somethin’ that I want to give you that belonged to my mother. It’s part of a set that I wore the day that I married Carlisle,” she said, leading me to sit on the edge of her bed. She opened the side door of her tall cherry wood jewelry armoire and pulled out a very delicate looking necklace. She walked over to me and asked me to hold out my hand. In it, she placed a beautiful diamond pendant that hung from a delicate white gold chain. It was stunning in its simplicity.

“It’s beautiful, Esme.”

“Rosalie wears the engagement ring that matches it and I still have the earrings,” she said, fingering the stones that were in her ears.

Hot tears began to stream down my face at the gesture that she was making. She had welcomed me in the very beginning without question. This showed me that not only had she accepted me as the woman who would be her son’s wife, but that she loved me like her own daughter. I had never felt so much maternal love in all of my life. I hugged her as hard as I possibly could. I already loved her, and the whole family, more than I had words for, but from that day forward, I would always consider her my mother first.

“Oh Sweets, I didn’t mean to make you cry,” she said, wiping my tears away and looking concerned.

“No, it’s ok. They’re happy tears, I promise.”

“Well, those are perfectly acceptable. I just wanted to give you a little piece of me, well…other than my wayward and smart ass son, that is. Consider this your something old for tomorrow.”

“I will. Thank you. I love you, Mama.” She gasped before hugging me with all of her might. Once we got ourselves together, we went back downstairs to join the other women for a light lunch before finishing up some of the fine details for the reception.

After I was zipped and buttoned into my gown, that I considered my something new, Alice fixed the veil in my hair that she had worn on her and Jasper’s wedding day. When she saw my dress, she knew that it would be a perfect fit to go along with my dress just as it had been for hers and I was so touched that she would offer to let me borrow it. I was truly gaining two sisters in her and Rose.

Renee had observed quietly in the background for most of the day, but I could see something in her eyes as she watched the others, my family, flit around me all day; love and pride. I knew we would never be especially close, but it gave me hope that as adults, we could at least become closer friends. She could see that I had found complete joy in my new life and I could tell that she was genuinely happy for me. That was enough for me. I was touched when she offered me the handkerchief that was given to her to carry on her wedding day by my Grandmother Swan. It was a delicate linen square that had a blue swan embroidered on one corner. I’m fairly certain I shocked the hell out of her when I gave her a hug after accepting it. Just because we weren’t close, didn’t mean I didn’t love her. It was almost like she was giving me a little piece of Charlie with that gesture. She was never what you’d call ‘mom material’, but she chose to give me life, even when she wasn’t ready, and for that I could only be grateful.

I gave the mirror one last look, noting the warm glow in my cheeks and the sheer excitement in my eyes before we all began to make our way downstairs. It was time for me to go get my man.

-x-X-x-

EPOV

I stood at the bottom of the steps in my black suit and light blue tie, waiting for my baby girl to walk through the doors and down the pathway to me where she would finally become my wife. We had pre-recorded our own music for the ceremony and for parts of the reception, making it all the more special to us. Bella had asked Jasper if he would photograph the wedding because she wanted more candid shots than posed portraits. She especially couldn’t wait to see what he would capture in black and white, as that had become a sort of specialty of his. Even I had to admit that the man had an eye for it.

As the members of our family made their way down the path, they each greeted me with a hug or kiss in congratulations and best wishes before taking their seats. When the last person was finally seated, I cast my eyes to the French doors at the back of the house, knowing that the most important person in my whole world was the only one who remained. The first strands of Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring played through the surround sound system that was on the back porch signaling that it was finally time.

It felt like days instead of mere seconds until I heard the click of the latch as the door slowly opened, revealing to me the most perfect angel this world had ever seen. Mercy she was a vision; so much so I wondered if I could be struck blind by her beauty. And Lord help me, she was mine!

Her dress was white and mostly fitted, flowing out from her knees down. I was glad that she chose not to let her veil cover her face because I wanted to drown myself in every detail that I could. Bella was casual elegance, walking towards me with her red flowers down at her side and the crystal beads on her dress catching the light, casting prisms of color all around her. Her shy but confident smile was the same one that she wore each night as she came to meet me in our bed. She was demure and sexy and she giggled when I met her half way down the path because I simply couldn’t wait for her any longer.

“No one has ever been more beautiful, lovin’,” I said to her, memorizing every detail of her exquisite face, burning it into my memory because I never wanted to forget this moment; how she looked and how I felt. I didn’t even realize I was leaning in to kiss her until she took a small step back and shook her head.

“Not so fast, sugar. I believe we have a few things to say to each other before we get to that,” she smirked. She had every right to, of course. The damn woman owned me and I was not ashamed to admit it. Hell, that’s why we were here!

“Well then let’s get this show on the road! I’ve got vows to take and a bride to kiss!” That earned me her very best eye roll.

We walked hand in hand up to the gazebo where our preacher was waiting for us. The song finished, and Brother Marcus began to read a few passages to us from the Bible about how a man and wife should love each other and treat each other. He talked to us about how marriage wasn’t to be taken lightly; that it wasn’t just a promise between the two of us for today, but a sacred vow, a covenant between us and God forever. No take-backs. I could hear her saying it in her own mind as she grinned up at me. Then it was time for our own words before we spoke more traditional vows and exchanged rings.

“Edward, the first time I saw you, I was nearly struck dumb by your…dimples,” she said, casting a quick glance at Brother Marcus before grinning at me. I heard the girls giggle from their seats. Jezebel. Everyone knows I don’t have dimples on my face. “The first time you introduced yourself to me and touched my hand, it was electric. Anytime you are near me I can still feel it in the air around us, setting my skin on fire. The first time you kissed me, it was pure magic; giving me goose bumps and butterflies, and to tell you the truth, every kiss still does that to me. But when you loved me, it felt like home. I had thought that I was content in the life that I was living, but it wasn’t until I met you that I became truly happy for the first time. You have given me a big, crazy family…”

“Amen!” Pops interjected. I peered around her and raised my eyebrow at him, effectively shushing him.

She grinned. “…a place to live, a place to love and somewhere to belong. You are my very best friend, my soul mate and today, you’ll be so much more when you become my husband. From this day forward, I’ll be your wife, your helper, your biggest supporter and forever your best friend. I’ll love you more with every day that passes until my days are done…and probably even after that,” she concluded with a wink.

I had to shake my head at her because while what she said was completely heart felt, it was also totally us; a little bit serious and a little bit silly. And I told her it was creepy when she said she would come back to haunt me if she died before I did, but what I didn’t tell her was how much I loved it that she meant that she just wanted to be with me for life or longer.

Then it was time for me to give her a dose of her own medicine. God, we were weird.

BPOV

Mercy. The man could wear a suit like nobody’s business. I thought I was going to choke on my own drool when I opened the door and saw him standing there, waiting for me. His hair was messy like he’d had his “mornin’ lovin’”, as he called it, and his grin was bright and crooked and oh so delicious looking. He had just the right amount of scruff and I already couldn’t wait to feel it against my bare skin later. I was so absorbed in him that I barely noticed anything else; he was everything and I just wanted to be everything to him.

“Bella, from the first time we met, I knew that I would love your cheeky…attitude,” he said, smirking at me. Oh, touché Mr. Cullen. “I was immediately drawn to you, needing to be near you whether it was in the form of new found friendship or later in complete adoration. God’s word tells us that He can do exceedingly and abundantly more than all we could ask or imagine and I’ll just say that He was showin’ out the day He gave me you. You are so much more than anything I ever wanted. You are everything I needed and never knew to ask for. You are smart, kind, funny, a little bit wicked and so amazingly beautiful. I promise you that when you are sick, I’ll send my mama to take care of you when I can’t and when you’re hungry, I’ll get a recipe from her and cook you supper. When you need clothin’…well, I’ll just hold you and keep you warm and when you need lovin’, I’m your man. From this day forward, I’ll do my best to be everything that you want and need in a best friend and husband. I love you, baby girl…for life or longer.”

Thank the Lord and Sassy for waterproof mascara! Whoo, that man!

I laid my flowers down on the bench behind me so that we could exchange rings. I slid the platinum band over his knuckle on his third finger, promising him my life long fidelity, deepest love, fullest devotion and tenderest care.

He promised to love, cherish and protect me, to always be faithful and true to me as we put God first, all the days of our lives as he kissed the diamond band once it reached its final resting place.

Finally. I was his and he was mine. Forever.

Brother Marcus pronounced us husband and wife and I yelped when Edward surprised me by wrapping his arms around my waist and picking me up, effectively kissing the ever loving fire out of me. The man knew nothing about ‘church tongue’, but I wasn’t complaining. He tasted like liquid sin and I didn’t care if I had to face an eternity in hell; I’d drink every last drop of him.

He rested his forehead against mine and squeezed his eyes while he shook his head. “My wife,” he whispered. I was so filled with love, or maybe it was the Spirit…who really knew at that point, that all I could do was nod and let everything that I was feeling flow out through my tears. I was finally home to stay.

-x-X-x-

The reception was absolutely gorgeous. The tables were draped in ice blue linens and adorned with deep crimson centerpieces and intricate white lanterns that housed pillared candles in all sizes. Edward was careful not to make a mess when he fed me a cupcake from his precious red velvet tower and I wasn’t quite as careful when I fed him a bite of my bride’s cake. He didn’t seem to mind that I wanted an excuse to kiss the icing off of his lips.

I was surprised to find out that Carmen was Pops’ date and I think we were all a little stunned to find out that they had in fact been dating for the better part of six months. I could only assume that was how she was so up to date on all of the Cullen family gossip.

We ate and laughed and danced until the sun started to get low in the sky, signaling that it was time for us to leave so that we could make the best of what little time we had for our ‘wedding weekend getaway’. I may or may not have finally kissed it out of Edward that he was taking me to the house at Spring Lake while Pops stayed in town.

“Don’t you be defilin’ my house, Sunflower,” he joked into my ear as he hugged me goodbye. I didn’t make him any promises.

Good thing too because we had no sooner made it into the house when I found myself being pushed up against the wall by the back door. Hmmm…it seems all that teasing I did in the car was totally worth it! Edward was working every single one of my ‘hell yes’ spots; sucking behind my ear, ghosting his thumb just under the swell of one breast while squeezing just up under the cheek of my ass with his other hand. I mean, he had the perfect angle since I did have one of my legs wrapped around his hip, trying my damnedest to get some friction.

I was a moaning mess when I noticed that he started pulling away, turning my inner fist pumping ‘hell yes!’ into a super pouting ‘hell no!’

Edward leaned back to look at me and chuckled. I didn’t know why he was laughing; he was panting just as hard as I was. Wait…

“Did I say that out loud?”

“Yes, lovin’. All of that was out loud. I just wanted to slow us down a bit. You know, at least make it to the bed.”

“Beds are so overrated.”

He laughed through his nose that was nuzzling mine. “Okay, how ‘bout I wanna be a little bit selfish and see you in some of that new lingerie? You know how I love your pretty panties.”

That was true. The man did love me in panties and nothing else. He thought I didn’t notice his staring from the bed into the mirror when I got ready in just that in the mornings, leaving the bathroom door cracked just enough. He probably also thought I didn’t realize that I did that. He’ll never truly understand my brand of wicked.

“Come on, wife. I’ll make it worth your while.” With a pop to my butt, he grabbed our bags and led us downstairs to the basement bedroom.

There was really no need to unpack because we were only staying two nights, and to be honest, I had no plans of going farther than the back deck. Most of what I packed was lace and satin anyway; who needed to put that in a drawer?

I excused myself to change into the little number I had bought just for tonight. There was no need to even pretend to be virginal, so I went in the complete opposite direction and chose crimson red…of course. It was a sheer, lacy fly-away baby doll top that tied in between my breasts and matching v-string panties that barely covered enough to count. Yeah, husband…try slowing it down this time.

I’d heard him shuffling around while I was changing and when I walked into the room, he had set tea-light candles all along the dresser and chest of drawers, casting the room, and him, in a warm glow. He had been propped against the headboard waiting for me, but as soon as I entered the doorway, he was out of the bed and over to me like a shot.

He attacked my mouth, but it was slow and sucking and sensual, taking first my bottom lip between his lips and then nibbling on the top one.

“God Almighty, baby girl. What are you wearin’?”

“Not much.”

“And praise the Lord for that!”

He reached around my back and behind my knees, picking me up and lowering me to the bed, his eyes never leaving mine. When my back rested against the mattress I threaded my fingers into his hair, bringing his lips back to mine where they belonged. His lips were soft and warm and tasted partly like me and partly like the vanilla Chap Stick he used every night before bed, which not so coincidentally smelled like me. Dirty man.

He trailed hot open-mouthed kisses down my neck and to my collarbones, over my sternum until he reached the bow, which he proceeded to untie with his teeth. Oh my, back to hell yes.

Edward continued his downward kissing path, removing my panties along the way. His eyes were hungry and dark as he looked over my now naked body. I never knew with that look if he was going to adore me or attack me, but I knew I would love it either way.

I let my legs fall to the sides, just slightly in naughty wife invitation. He smirked, reaching out and trailing a finger over where I was all ready and sensitive for him. He claimed me there, first with touches and then with kisses until I couldn’t stand it anymore and urged him back up until he was hovering over me.

I dipped my hand into the top of his waistband, finding him so ready that it couldn’t be comfortable. I pushed his boxer briefs down his hips until I could no longer reach them. The rest I pushed down with my toes, all the way to his ankles so that he could kick them off.

I lifted my head to kiss his neck and chest. I explored every line and every muscle of his back and around to his torso, tracing the defined indention above his hip flexor muscles, and have mercy, I was ready for him to flex them, down to where he was hard and all man. I stroked him for a little relief, causing him to squeeze his eyes shut in both pain and pleasure.

All of that time spent re-memorizing each other and nothing was actually said. It was only our moans and groans and gasps and hisses until he said something so simple and sweet that if he didn’t have my brain so lust filled, I might have cried.

“Bella, I am so very yours, but now I want to make you my wife in every way. I want to make love to you for hours. I want you to forget that it’s breathing that keeps us alive and not this.”

Again, there were no words; only my nod and as I did so I gripped his biceps and accepted every inch of him when he thrust into me, rocking slowly until he was at full hilt. Heaven and Home. One in the same.

I don’t actually know how long we made love that night, but I was starting to believe him. It was slow and sweet, then fast and furious; first in one position and then rolling into another. I reached my final breaking point as I rocked above him, both of my hands gripping the sheet on either side of his head that was lifted in order to capture my nipple in his mouth. He had loved me so good and for so long that I simply couldn’t take any more. Well, not right then anyway. I squeezed him as hard as I think my body possibly could, bringing him over the edge with me. We were a panting and sweaty, but very satisfied mess, smiling at each other as only two goofy people in love could.

“If I didn’t love you before, sugar, that certainly sealed the deal.”

“Glad to be of service,” he smirked. I smacked him in the chest and rolled over to the side and off of the bed.

“Where are you goin’?”

“Well, Pops said not to defile his house, but he didn’t say anything about the basement. So come on! We need to refuel because Shower Olympics is next…if you’re up to it,” I said with a wink over my shoulder.

He growled and chased me up the stairs completely naked.

We spent the next two days there together just loving each other; sometimes quiet and whispered and other times loud and laughing. I had gotten used to the sound of the jingle of his dog tag dangling from his neck when we made love, but the feel of the cool metal of his wedding ring as his fingers slid over my skin and he touched me in all the good ways that a husband should was a brand new kind of wonderful. We had so much love, joy and adoration for each other that the way we were here, together, made me think that there couldn’t ever be anything better.

-x-X-x-

I couldn’t have been more wrong. Six weeks later had Edward and I unpacking our luggage in a deluxe ocean view state room on the Disney Magic headed to Nassau. Once everything was put away, we roamed around the ship until it was our turn to eat supper. When our bellies were filled with delicious food and our noses had smelled enough salt air for one day, we retired back into our state room. I asked Edward to turn down the bed while I got his birthday surprise ready.

“What do you mean surprise?” he asked, pulling me to stand between his legs as he sat on the edge of the bed. “I thought I told you not to get me anything for my birthday.”

He pushed up the hem of my shirt, kissing all over my belly while I ran my fingers through his hair. “I didn’t exactly buy you anything,” I told him cryptically. His bright green eyes met mine in total confusion. “Just…get comfortable. I’ll be right back.”

I grabbed my toiletry bag and locked myself in the bathroom. I hurriedly undressed, leaving on only a pair of blue cheeky panties, since that was where it all started, and a silky matching robe. We had already exhausted everything in my lingerie drawer after all and really, it was kind of pointless by then.

I looked at my body in the mirror, the only difference being that my breasts were a little more pert looking. I was thankful that Edward slept like the dead, otherwise he would have noticed that I had been getting up in the middle of the night to pee the last couple of weeks. I was able to nap the days I was off of work and suggested early bed and snuggle time on the days when I did. He never questioned it because let’s face it, the man loved his snuggle and lovin’ time. I was fortunate so far that I hadn’t been hit with the nausea that plagued so many women. When I took the pregnancy test at the beginning of the week I immediately called the doctor and checked with the cruise line to be sure it was safe for me to still travel. I wanted to save the news for Edward’s birthday if at all possible. And it was damn near impossible because I was about to bust out of my skin to tell him. They gave me the ‘drink lots of water, rest when you can, wear Sea-Bands for nausea’ talk and set up a time for my first appointment two weeks after my phone call.

I had gift wrapped the damn test the day I took it, knowing exactly how I wanted to tell Edward that we were going to have a baby.

I walked out of the bathroom with the gift box in hand. He was propped up on the headboard skimming through my People magazine when took my seat in front of him. Of course by then his eyes had settled over the top of the page on something other than the gift that was in my hand. My precious little perv.

I handed him the box and he turned it over in his hands and then shook it. “Is it a fancy pen set?” I rolled my eyes and shook my head because the lump in my throat wasn’t allowing me to actually say anything just yet. “Is it…a medic alert bracelet?”

“Just open the damn box already!” Okay, it seemed that screaming was easier than talking.

“Sheesh, alright. But tell me, if you didn’t buy it, where did you get it?”

“Um…I guess you could say that I kind of made it…but I had some help.”

He ripped off the paper and once he lifted the lid he just stared at its contents.

“Surprise? I got you pee on a stick,” I said, trying to keep the mood light. “Happy Birthday!”

When he looked up at me, his eyes were bright and crinkled at the corners and his smile was wide.

“Baby girl?” he asked.

“Or baby boy. We won’t know until around my birthday…” I rambled.

The man tackled me back onto the mattress and seared my mouth with the most passionate kiss I’d had since our wedding day. Then, just as quickly, he jumped back and laid his hands against my lower belly. “Oh shit! I’m so sorry! Did I hurt y’all?” The man was cute in all his frantic hand wandering. And a round of tears began as it just registered that he just referred to both of us; mother and child. Of course the tears scared him even more.

I sat up on my knees and caressed his face before placing a chaste but calming kiss on his beautiful pout. “We’re fine, sugar. Absolutely fine. We go to the doctor in two weeks.”

Bless his heart. He was still in shock. “How long have you known?” he asked, pulling me over to straddle his lap.

“About a week. It has been killing me not to tell you, but I wanted this to be a surprise for your birthday so bad.”

“Mission accomplished. How are you feelin’? Are you sick at all? How far along?”

“Nope. Not yet. Just tired and getting up a couple of times at night to use the bathroom. Your cologne smells stronger to me than it used to but otherwise nothing else. Oh, and I think about six weeks or so.”

He ran his hands over my shoulders and down my sides until he reached my belly again and rested them there reverently. He swallowed thickly and whispered, “Our baby.”

Lord have mercy with the tears. I nodded against his forehead and agreed, “Ours.”

Our love making that night was slow and gentle. He touched me everywhere he could in quiet worship and adoration of who we were together as a couple and what we were about to become as a family. He kissed me until my lips were swollen and loved me until we were both tired and sated. We enjoyed our time alone in the sun while we could because in the winter, we’d be bringing a new little Cullen into our hearts and into our home.