Rose always talked about this place, and how you needed to make reservations a couple of weeks in advance. I was almost certain that someone was bumped from this room in order to give it to Mr. Movie Star. The perks of being famous were pretty sweet, I had to admit.
It was beautiful, all rich deep wood and sparking crystal. It almost gave the feeling of being aboard ship as we looked out over the river.
We drank wine and talked about Edward’s next movie. For the first two months, filming would be done primarily in the Los Angeles area. After that, he was scheduled to shoot on location in London for a few more weeks. Edward’s part in the film should be completed sometime in May.
I hated to think about all the time I’d be without him, but it couldn’t be helped. Besides, I needed to concentrate on school, graduation only being a few months away.
Our food arrived while I contemplated this. It’s funny that before Edward, I didn’t know I was missing anything. Now that we’d found each other I couldn’t imagine life without him, I couldn‘t even imagine getting through the next month without him.
I watched him as he talked about his part in the new movie. He was so animated and full of life. It was obvious that he really loved what he did, his enthusiasm was contagious. The movie was about three boyhood friends that were separated when one family loses everything in the great depression. All three end up meeting again as grown men, in the midst of World War II in England. I got so engrossed in the story that I hadn’t realized that I’d finished my salmon as I listened to Edward talk.
We declined desert, because Edward said he had something else in mind.
Our next stop was a little jazz club downtown. It was dark enough that no one recognized Edward. I was grateful for that, I didn’t want the outside world to intrude on our bubble just yet.
“Edward, where did you learn to dance so well?” I asked. This was the second time tonight he’d coaxed me out of my seat and to the dance floor.
“My mother insisted I have lessons while I was a teenager. I hated it at the time, but I guess I’m thankful now. If nothing else, it’s come in handy for at least two of my movies. Not to mention the benefit of getting to hold you close Miss Swan.” He said as he winked.
After a few moments he murmured in my ear. “Bella.”
I looked up at him questioningly.
“This moment, right now is the one I want to keep with me. For the three weeks that we’re apart, this is the moment I will think of when I miss you the most, it’s perfect. This is my moment to treasure.”
And then he kissed me. Not a slow careful kiss, but an urgent, passionate kiss. I felt my legs go weak, but it didn’t matter. I felt the gaze of strangers on us, and somewhere in the back of my mind I hoped no one recognized Edward, but even that didn’t matter. Nothing mattered except Edward holding me in his arms, and the way our bodies felt pressed against one another.
He was right, this was my moment also.
The more time I spent with him, the more deeply in love I seemed to be falling. When Edward held me in his arms, it felt so natural and normal, like that was where I was always meant to be. Despite all of this, I couldn’t help the nagging fear that all of this was too good to be true, and that someday he’d discover that I wasn’t enough.
Why do I always try to talk myself out of being happy?
As he held me close, he sang along with the music, low in my ear.
“Edward, I never knew you could sing.” I whispered.
“I also play the piano, but don’t tell anyone. I don’t necessarily want to do that in the movies.” He smiled.
Is there anything he can’t do?
The last stop of the night was a little gourmet ice cream shop in order to have desert, of course. The shop closed about an hour before we arrived, but again, Edward had made special arrangements. They reopened for us.
It was a perfect evening, he had planned everything so beautifully. I felt a lot like a princess in a fairytale, but without the midnight deadline looming over my head. When we got home we kissed in the elevator, and again at my door. I finally broke away and said goodnight, stepping into my apartment in a daze.
A couple minutes later there was a knock at the door. I opened it to find Edward casually leaning against the door frame.
“Bella.”
“Yes Edward.”
“All my stuff is here.” He said smiling.
“Sorry.” I couldn’t control the blush as I laughed at myself.
I had officially lost the capacity to think.
--V&V--
Later, I lay snuggled against Edward’s chest.
“Edward.”
“Yes, love.”
“Tomorrow is our last night together for a while. You did such a wonderful job planning tonight, that I‘d like to plan a special evening for us tomorrow, if that‘s okay?”
“Do I get to know ahead of time?”
“No, I think I’d like to surprise you. Are you game?”
“I’ll go anywhere you lead Miss Swan.”
I slept on the sleeper sofa with Edward again. We needed to be close. We were both painfully aware that in less than two days we’d be separated again, this time for almost three weeks.
He was still asleep when I opened my eyes in the morning. I spent a few minutes studying his face.
I realized that no matter what imaginary obstacles or worries my mind could conjure up, I knew deep down to the core of my soul that Edward and I were meant to be together. He was all I’d ever want. It may have sounded silly to others that had never experienced it, but I was beginning to believe in destiny.
I closed my eyes and drifted back to sleep. I was aware of arms around me, and feeling incredibly warm. When I opened my eyes, Edward was holding me and smiling.
“Morning beautiful. Did you know you talk in your sleep?”
Oh crap. I hope I didn’t embarrass myself.
I wracked my brain trying to think of what I had been dreaming about. Hoping that would clue me in about my sleep-talking.
“What did I say?” I asked fearfully.
He smiled. “It was very jumbled, most of it didn’t make sense. You did say my name, and that you loved me.” His arms tightened around me.
“I do.” I answered simply. I then realized that I probably had dragon breath and tried to wiggle out of his arms.
“Where are you going?” He asked, a bit forlorn.
“Morning breath.” I answered with one hand over my mouth.
Edward laughed as he released me and flopped back down on the bed. “I don’t care about that Bella.”
“Yes, but I do.” I said as I ran to the bathroom.
When I came out, I found Edward in the kitchen making coffee. He slipped out to the bathroom and upon returning gave me a kiss tasting of mint. “Hey I thought morning breath didn’t matter?”
“Yours doesn’t, mine does.” He laughed.
---V&V---
We spent the afternoon with Edward’s parents since he wouldn’t see them for a while. They were taking us out on the lake to have lunch. I got a chance to speak with Esme alone while Edward helped his father prepare the boat.
“Bella, I understand that Edward told you about his ordeal.” She winced as she said the words.
“Yes, we had a long talk, several actually.” I said quietly.
“It was the darkest period of our lives. And even after he was cleared of any wrongdoing, we worried about him so much. After that first year in California, he seemed to settle into a ’public’ personality that was very different from his true self. As a parent, it was strange for me to watch Edward being interviewed, and find that the person speaking bore no resemblance to the son I knew so well.”
“Of course when he was with us, he was himself, but never in public. The first time I’ve seen a glimmer of the old Edward in public, was the interview Rosalie did. He was relaxed, and his newfound happiness showed through.”
Esme reached over and grasped my hand. “You are responsible for that my dear, I can’t tell you how much that means to us.” Esme’s eyes were brimming with tears.
“We love each other. Edward knows my pain, and I know his. We found that we’re much better together than apart.” I responded quietly.
Esme looked a little questioning when I mentioned my pain, but didn’t press me for more information.
We spent a couple of hours on the lake, until the mist turned into more of a downpour, and forced us to head back to the dock.
When Edward and I got back to my apartment, we took a nap because my plan for tonight would start very late and we probably wouldn’t be back home until the middle of the night.
I could tell that Edward was dying of curiosity, but I was keeping my trap shut for once. I had a nagging fear that he may hate my plan. His date night had been so elegant and lovely, whereas my plan was kind of silly and ridiculous, but hopefully fun. We shall see.
As per my instructions, Edward dressed in jeans, t-shirt, hoodie and baseball cap. My goal was to keep him unrecognizable for as long as possible. Where we were going, I knew there would be a crowd but I was hoping they’d be cool with having Mr. Movie Star in their midst, if and when they figured out who he was.
We left the apartment at about 9pm. No Sidney tonight. This was my date night so we were cabbing it. The taxi dropped us at a burger joint a couple blocks from our ultimate destination. After our food, we walked to the Admiral Twin Theater.
As soon as we got close, I saw understanding dawn on his face, and then he laughed. “Really Bella?” He asked skeptically. “The Rocky Horror Picture Show?”
“Yes Edward. Emmett and Rose go all the time, I’ve never been. Of course I’ve seen the movie, but never experienced it with an audience. Emmett loves it because he can act like an idiot in a theatre and not get tossed out.”
“I never wanted to go before, but when I’m with you I feel normal, and I want to try new things, it’ll be fun. Besides, from what I hear, the entire audience becomes part of the act, so you should feel right at home, Mr. Movie Star.” I grabbed his hand and pulled him toward the doors.
“If you say so.“ He smiled. We waited in the ever-growing line.
People standing there watched us with curiosity, but if anyone recognized Edward, they didn’t make a big deal about it.
We were finally ushered inside, and took our seats.
“Bella, you said Emmett and Rose come to this all the time. Are they going to be here tonight?”
“Definitely not. I made sure of it. I got all the information about it from Rose, but she told me that they had plans this evening.”
There’s no way I’d be here if my brother was anywhere nearby to embarrass me.
At that precise moment I heard a very familiar voice to my right. “Well look what we have here.”
Emmett. Shit! I will never believe Rose again.
“I believe I’ve found two virgins.” He announced.
Oh my God! Why would he say that? We need to get out of here!
I was horrified, and Edward looked like he was about to shit a brick.
I finally took a look at my brother. What a freak show. I think he was attempting to look like Riff Raff, to me he just looked like an asshole.
“Come on virgins. Get up on stage.”
Some weird chick came up to us, ushering us toward the stage. “Don’t panic Bells, it’s not what you think.”
“Rose?”
She nodded. I looked at her, she pulled off the ‘Magenta’ look quite well.
Edward was going to hate me after this. My date plan officially sucks ass.
Edward and I held hands as we walked up to face our doom. We lined up on stage with all the other ‘virgins’.
Hey, that woman looks pregnant?! No way she’s a virgin. What the hell is going on?
“Since this is your first time here, you are all Rocky virgins. Welcome to your initiation.” My brother announced.
Edward breathed a sigh of relief at the same time I did.
Oh thank God. I was convinced that Emmett had ‘outed’ us to a theater full of people. I’m still going to kill him for scaring me shitless.
We each got one smack with a paddle as our initiation. I rolled my eyes at my brother when he promised Edward he wouldn’t bruise his ‘stellar ass’.
Once past the initial scare, the rest of the evening was a lot of fun. Emmett and Rose, along with others, acted out the various scenes as the originals were projected onto the screen. With our bag of ‘props’ we were able to participate with the rest of the audience, making an otherwise really stupid movie a fantastic experience.
Edward was recognized, but the theatergoers were very cool about it. Some told him which of his movies were their favorites. Others asked politely if they could take a picture with him. A few asked for autographs. It was a great evening.
“Sorry my brother almost turned our night into a disaster.” I apologized to Edward on the way home.
“Don’t worry about it Bella.” Edward said with a smile. “I’m starting to get used to him. I guess with Emmett I should always ‘Expect the Unexpected’.”
Words to live by.
--V&V--
We dragged ourselves out of bed rather early. I was determined to make the 8 o’clock Mass at the Cathedral in order to avoid the witnesses to my previous shame.
It turned out that I had no reason to worry. The only people there were a few elderly parishioners, and a couple of frat boys reeking of alcohol from the night before.
Why the Hell would you go to Church with a hangover? Guilty conscience?
There were so few people in attendance, that the chances of anyone getting close enough to grope Edward were minimal.
As we tried to leave the Cathedral, we became aware rather quickly that the press had finally figured out that Edward was back in Seattle. There were a few photographers outside, and we were bombarded with questions.
“Hey Edward, how many other women do you have stashed in cities around the world?” We ignored them.
“Isabella, does it ease your conscience to go to Church after spending the night with someone else‘s boyfriend?” Edward gritted his teeth and pulled me along faster.
I thought about what they’d said.
Everyone I know or have ever known will think I’m a home wrecking whore.
My stomach started to hurt.
They were waiting for us at my apartment building too.
When it was time to leave for the airport, Edward made me put my earbuds in so that I couldn’t hear their shouting.
--V&V--
Emmett and Rose drove us to the airport. I know that Edward had asked them because he didn’t want me to be alone on the way back home.
We were standing near security, off to the side in a relatively quiet corner. I could follow him no further. Edward held me against him, my arms around his neck. I was vaguely aware that Em and Rose were running interference with nosy fans trying to intrude on our ‘moment’.
“Nineteen days beautiful girl. Only nineteen days and we’ll be together again in Aspen.”
I was trying to be brave, but a couple of renegade tears escaped anyway. Edward wiped them away.
“I don’t think I need to say this, but I will anyway. Please don’t believe anything said about me while I’m gone.” He chuckled.
“Point taken Mr. Cullen.” I said between my sniffles. “I’ll never believe anything about you again, unless it comes from you.”
“Bella, I’m going to miss you so much. I’m miserable even thinking about it.”
“Hey, like you said, only nineteen days right? That’s not long. You have work to keep you busy, I have school.” I looked into his eyes and broke down. “Oh Edward.” I sobbed into his chest.
He rubbed soothing circles on my back until I calmed. “I’ve got to go beautiful, they’ll be boarding my flight soon.”
“I’ve ruined your shirt.” I said as I looked at the big wet spot on his t-shirt. “I think I’ll survive.” He smiled.
“I have a confession.” I half-smiled through my tears. “I stole the t-shirt you slept in last night because it smells like you.” I admitted.
Edward smirked. “I guess that’s okay. Especially since I did the same thing with yours, it’s in my carryon.”
We both smiled at each other. “I love you Edward.” I whispered.
“I love you too sweetheart. I’ll call you when I land.” He murmured back.
We kissed goodbye, each not wanting the kiss to end, both panting for air when we finally broke apart. With one last hug, Edward turned to walk through security, and down the hall leading away from me.
I watched him until I couldn’t see him any more.
Emmett and Rose held me close as we exited the airport.
More reporters.
“Hey Isabella, how does it feel knowing he’s going back to Tanya’s bed?”
Knowing the truth, I almost laughed in their faces. Almost.
Emmett and Rose were less composed. Rose flipped them the bird.
“Hey douchebag, you tell me how it feels when I rip your head off and piss down your neck.“ My brother shouted. It was a beautiful thing.
The reporters were silent after that.
I could survive nineteen days right?
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