I was angry with myself for not being able to sleep on the airplane, because the jet lag was kicking my ass. As I relaxed in the tub full of bubbles, I thought about what I’d like to do in London.
Stupid Bella, you didn’t even ask Edward if he has any time off.
So I laid my head back and began to formulate a list of questions to ask Edward over dinner. I didn’t even realize it when I started to nod off.
“Bella. Sweetheart are you alright?”
I knew that voice.
“Bella, dinner’s here.” I could hear the door open. “Are you still alive?” Edward asked with humor in his voice.
“Oh shit, I must have fallen asleep.” I croaked out. The water had almost gone cold, and I stood abruptly, still a little disoriented.
I heard a gasp.
Oh shit. Edward’s here.
In a split second I turned my back in the direction of the gasp, hoping I didn’t give him too much of a ‘show’.
“Oh Christ, I’m sorry. I’ll just… “ He stuttered. I couldn’t see his face, and I couldn’t respond. “When you’re ready…. I’ll just wait in the other room.”
I heard the door close quietly.
Well, that was unexpected.
The old Bella would have locked herself in the bathroom for a week out of sheer embarrassment. Surprisingly enough, I didn’t feel embarrassed. A little nervous, surely, apprehensive about what Edward was thinking right now, most definitely, but not embarrassed.
It was puzzling.
I secretly hoped that he didn’t see too much. I mean, I think the bubbles strategically covered the important bits, but he definitely got a ‘butt shot‘ when I turned around.
I slipped on my nightgown and robe, and timidly stepped out of the bathroom. I found Edward at the table in the sitting room, waiting for me.
“Sorry” I muttered as I took my seat.
“About what?” He asked grinning.
He wasn’t embarrassed.
“Um, well, making you wait to eat?” I answered quietly.
Edward nodded and grinned as he ate a forkful of peas.
“And maybe flashing you in the bathroom?” I added.
The peas went airborne as Edward sputtered out a laugh, practically choking on them.
When he was back in control, he spoke. “Bella, believe me when I tell you there is absolutely no need to apologize for that.”
Ugh. Yeah, I thought I wasn’t embarrassed.
I could feel my cheeks start to flame as I stared down at my plate, unable to look at Edward.
Edward set down his fork and reached a hand under my chin, attempting to make me look at him. “Hey” he whispered. “Bella please don’t be like this.”
I could feel my eyes filling with tears, it was an irrational reaction, but I was tired and emotional.
“Sweetheart, don’t cry” Before I knew what had happened, Edward pulled me out of my chair and onto his lap. I curled up and quietly cried into his neck while his hands rubbed my back.
I still couldn’t look him in the eye, so I spoke into his neck. “That wasn’t exactly what I’d hoped for, the first time you saw me naked Edward.”
I could feel his chest rumble as he softly chuckled. “If it’s any consolation, I didn’t see much. There were a lot of bubbles.”
I sniffled. “Really?” I was finally able to look him in the eye.
“Really. I was quite disappointed.”
I decided to tease him. “Disappointed by what you did see? Or disappointed that you didn’t see more?”
He made a noise that sounded a little like a growl. “Disappointed that I didn’t see more you silly girl. But what I did see was absolutely breathtaking.” He whispered. Then he kissed me.
Before I knew it, my hands were in his hair and I was lost in the kiss. We finally broke apart to breathe, and then we both started to laugh.
Edward guided me back to my seat with a smile. “As much as I’d like us to spend all evening kissing, you need to eat. So let’s eat and talk because then you need to sleep.”
I like it when he’s bossy.
I nodded in acquiescence and dug into my food. After a couple of bites, I realized I was starving because the only thing I’d eaten all day was a scone on the airplane.
After inhaling the majority of the food on my plate, I was aware of Edward’s low chuckle from across the table. I glanced up at him to find him smirking. “What so funny” I asked around a mouthful of asparagus.
“I take it you haven’t eaten all day?” He asked.
“Not since this morning.” I admitted.
Edward must not have been very hungry, because he stopped eating and spent the rest of the meal watching me while resting his chin on his hand.
“God, I’ve missed you.“ He said quietly.
--V&V--
Edward and I talked until I literally couldn’t keep my eyes open any more. I did find out that he had off on Saturday and Sunday, and had already started making plans for us.
I was lying in bed, in Edward’s arms, my favorite place to be.
“Any chance you will share those plans with me?” I asked with a yawn.
He narrowed his eyes at me and smirked. “No way. I think it’s my turn to surprise you Miss Swan.”
I woke up to the sound of muffled whispering. It took me a moment to realize that Edward was having a hushed phone conversation with someone.
“I hadn’t planned on that Alice.” He whispered. “You don’t think I should wait until I get back next month? We don‘t have a lot of time before Bella has to go back.”
I heard a sharp intake of breath. “Ali, you just gave me a great idea. No, I think I can handle things from here. Thanks. Love you too. Goodbye.”
I rolled over to face him and stretched. Edward smiled at me. “Feeling better now?”
Boy did I feel better. Several hours of uninterrupted sleep did wonders for my mental capacity. “I feel great.” I said with a smile.
“What did you want to do today?” Edward asked.
I thought about that. “Well, I could go play tourist but..” I looked at him again and smiled. “I don’t have any desire to be away from you today Edward. I mean, I know you have to work but can I come with you? Then maybe tomorrow I won’t mind being on my own so much.”
He smiled happily. “It’s bound to be boring for you Bella, but I’m not going to lie, I’d be ecstatic to have you with me.”
“That’s settled then.” I said as I rolled out of bed to get dressed.
Edward sat up, bracing his elbows on his knees, deep in thought. “There’s something you should know.” He actually looked a little sheepish. “I’m getting married today.”
“Huh?” was my brilliant response.
Edward laughed. “In the film Bella. We’re staging a wedding scene today. The scene itself will only last a few minutes, but will probably take all day to film.”
It was weird to contemplate Edward getting married in one of his movies. I’d seen him kiss other women, have fake sex with other women, fake kill people, even be fake killed himself, but he’d never gotten married.
I wasn’t sure how I would handle that.
“Who’s the lucky girl?” I asked with a grin, although inside I felt a little sick.
Edward moved until he was standing in front of me, his hands rubbing soothingly on my upper arms. “Rachel Novak. You remember her, the paps tried to invent a relationship between us.” He studied my face as he continued. “Her character is an American Army nurse that my character knew as a child. He meets her again in England, they fall in love, and so forth.”
I sniffed, trying to look unaffected by this conversation, but I had to ask the most important question. “Do you have any ..you know.. um any of those kinds of scenes with her?”
Edward chuckled. “Bella are you asking if I have any ‘sex’ scenes with Rachel?” He said while making air quotes at the word sex.
I should be ashamed of myself. Why should it bother me if Edward has ‘fake sex’, it’s his job after all.
I sighed in defeat, annoyed with myself. “Yes, I guess that’s what I’m asking.”
He chuckled again. “Yes, there’s one brief scene which we haven’t filmed yet.”
Why is there a knot in my stomach?
My verbal filter failed me again as I blurted “Oh my God Edward, please tell me she isn’t going to see your junk. At least not before I’ve had a chance to see it” I slapped my hand over my mouth when I realized what I’d said.
Edward didn’t notice, he was too busy laughing his ass off.
“Have I mentioned just how adorable you are?” He said as he continued to laugh. “Bella, no one gets to see my ‘junk’ as you so eloquently put it.” Again with the air quotes. “I wear a piece of material down there. It tapes on. I’ve done that for every intimate scene I’ve ever done. Believe me baby, I keep it covered.” He said as he winked.
“So your little costars have never seen more than your butt?” Why did this fact make me so happy?
“Nope.” He grinned.
“Even Jonelle Everett?” I smirked.
Edward made a disgusted face. “Especially not her” Then I saw him shudder.
I can’t believe we just had an entire conversation about Edward’s peen.
While I got dressed, Edward excused himself to find Alec. I decided that if I had to compete with Edward’s ‘bride‘, I needed to be extra pretty today.
I opted for sweet rather than sexy because I still had to be comfortable, choosing a pretty little dress with a strawberry print. After applying a little makeup and deciding to wear my hair down, flowing over my shoulders, I was ready to go.
The shoot today was on location at a little village church in the country. When we arrived, I felt like I’d walked into the pages of a Jane Austen novel. Everything was old stone, lovely gardens, and quaint churchyard.
The studio had basically taken possession of the entire village for the day, using the local pub for the cast and crew to gather during meals and breaks. They had day rooms reserved in the local inn for the actors to use in lieu of their trailers which remained back at the studio‘s main film site.
Before Edward had to report on set, he introduced me to Yves’ fiancee Crystal. I liked her instantly.
“When Yves told me that you had flown over to surprise Edward, I came to the set in the hopes of meeting you Bella.“ Crystal stated excitedly. “It‘s a shame you won‘t get to meet Tony‘s wife Molly, she can’t come over until next week.”
Crystal and I spent most of the day together, watching our men from a distance. Edward looked so handsome in his dress uniform as they did take after take outside of the church. Rachel looked very beautiful in the part of the bride.
I knew I was being unreasonable, but I felt a twinge of jealousy every time she was with my Edward.
Dear God, I’m such a silly girl.
Crystal was great at distracting me though. She looked at me with a knowing smile “Be glad that Rachel is Edward’s ‘love interest’ in this film. Poor Molly has to put up with Nicole French. She tried to put the moves on Tony during the first day of filming. As soon as Edward arrived on set, she went after him.”
I was alarmed. Edward hadn’t said anything about that. Crystal saw the expression on my face. “Relax Bella. Your man knows how to shut down the skanks.” She laughed. “I wish Yves would take some lessons from him.”
I started to chuckle as I remembered how he almost had me thrown out of his trailer yesterday.
Every time he had a break from filming, Edward would come over to sit with me. He had lunch delivered to his ‘day room’ so we could relax and have a little privacy, both of us well aware that the village was loaded up with paps and fans constantly snapping photos.
By afternoon, Crystal and I decided to explore the village a bit. I was in heaven when I found an old bookstore. After snapping up copies of Romeo and Juliet, Bleak House, The Mayor of Casterbridge, and The Hobbit, I was one happy Bella.
Those are going on a special shelf in my living room.
The thought of going home tugged at my heart, so I tried to push it from my mind, deciding instead to enjoy my time with Edward.
Crystal and I went in a couple other shops where I found some gifts to take home to Rose and my friends. When we arrived back at the pub, Crystal went in search of Yves. I found Edward sitting at a corner table deep in conversation with Alec. Edward had a serious, determined look on his face and kept jabbing the table with his finger for emphasis.
I had given Edward a diluted version of my arrival at the suite yesterday, hoping to spare Alec some of the admonishment he was sure to receive. By the looks of things, I hadn’t been successful.
I quietly approached their table. “Alec, don’t screw this up. It’s very important to me. You don’t have time for your little ‘distractions’, you need to concentrate on your job.”
“I understand Edward.” He replied quietly.
They both looked up in surprise when I pulled out a chair to sit.
Edward’s face immediately lit up. Alec looked a little nervous, and then got up and excused himself. “Did you explore the village?” Edward asked.
“Yes” I grinned “Found a bookstore” I said as I showed him my bag of treasures.
He laughed and grabbed my hand. “Look, I’m almost done for the day. I want to take you out tonight.”
Back at the hotel, I showered quickly. Since we were going out to eat, I decided to wear the dress and shoes that Alice had sent. We were going to one of Gordon Ramsay’s restaurants. I silently hoped we didn’t see Gordon himself because, quite frankly, that dude intimidated the crap out of me.
Our dinner was wonderful, filled with light conversation and delicious food. It turned out that Gordon was there. He came out and introduced himself before we received our entrees, and then I didn’t see him any more for quite a while. He was definitely just as intimidating in person as on television.
The crowd in the restaurant was polite, not staring at Edward overly much. When it was time for our dessert to arrive, who should deliver it to our table but Gordon Ramsay himself.
I froze like a deer in the headlights as he approached.
“Hello again Edward and Isabella. I thought you might appreciate a little personal service.” He smiled as he presented our desserts.
I suddenly lost my appetite as Edward invited him to sit for a moment.
“Thank you Gordon, that was unexpected but much appreciated.” Edward smiled.
“How was your meal Isabella?” Gordon asked.
“Delicious” I squeaked.
Gordon smirked and turned back to Edward. “How much longer will you be in England Edward?”
“A few more weeks of filming yet to go.” Edward answered.
I excused myself to go to the ladies’ room. It was difficult sitting at the same table with two guys who literally sucked the air out of the room.
What about Johnny Depp?
Yeah, I don’t count that because I was not sober.
You’re not sober now.
That was true, but I’d only had two glasses of wine. Not enough to lose all my inhibitions.
As I washed my hands, I thought about the lunch with Johnny Depp, and how Edward at first thought I was crazy for accusing that waitress of unhygienic behavior.
I wish Gordon had been her boss. I’d enjoy seeing the ass-chewing he would have given her.
I chuckled as I thought about that.
When I returned to our table Gordon was still there. He and Edward were talking quietly and I watched as Gordon handed him his card.
They both greeted me with large smiles. “Here she is.” Gordon said jovially.
I just smiled in return and took a gulp of my wine.
“Isabella, are you always this quiet?” Gordon asked.
“No, not really. I like to talk. Sometimes too much. But I’m also afraid of embarrassing Edward in public with my ramblings.” I suddenly realized I was doing it again.
Shit.
Gordon and Edward looked amused. “Um well, Gordon let me just say that you have a lovely place here.”
“Thank you Isabella. Although I don’t have a lot to do with the daily operation of this particular restaurant, they call me in from time to time to help with things like hiring and firing.” He grinned.
Firing? Hmmm
Feeling brave because I was actually having a conversation with Gordon ‘F-word’ Ramsay, I continued. “May I ask you a question?”
“Of course Isabella” Gordon answered, still smiling.
“What would you do if you found out that one of the wait staff didn’t wash their hands after using the rest room?”
Edward tilted his head toward me curiously. When I looked at Gordon, I almost shit myself.
His face turned blood red, and his expression lost all humor. “Which one was it Isabella? I need to know. They will be fired immediately. Well, after I‘ve kicked their ass first.” He practically shouted.
“No Gordon, you misunderstand me..”
“That type of behavior is never acceptable if someone wishes to remain in my employ.” He was really angry.
Edward stared at him with a stunned look on his face.
“Can’t trust these fucking people as far as I can throw them.” He immediately shot up from the table and barreled into the kitchen.
We heard a lot of shouting and commotion, and I definitely heard more than one cooking implement hit the floor.
Crap. What have I done?
“Edward, I was merely trying to find out how he would have handled that nasty waitress from our lunch with Johnny Depp. I wasn’t talking about anyone here.”
“Oh no.” Edward muttered. “We have to do something Bella.”
When Gordon approached our table a few minutes later, he still looked pissed, but controlled. “No one will admit to it Isabella. I hate to bother you, but will you point the culprit out for me please?”
“Gordon, I’m so sorry. I wasn’t speaking of anyone here. I’ve had it happen to me before, and I wondered how you’d handle it. By what I just witnessed, I think I got my answer. I feel so bad that you yelled at everyone.” Edward smiled and patted my hand.
Gordon studied me with a puzzled expression, and then burst into laughter. “All in a days’ work Isabella. If nothing else, they’ve all been reminded of the importance of washing their hands.“ He was still grinning. “Well, I will leave you two to eat your dessert. Enjoy the rest of your evening.”
And then he was gone.
I think I’m getting an ulcer.
Edward and I laughed all the way back to the hotel.
--V&V--
That night as I lay in Edward’s arms, I found myself clutching onto him. My time in England was moving much too quickly, before I knew it Monday would arrive. I had spent so many days looking forward to this trip, and soon it would be over. My stomach clenched at the thought.
“Trouble sleeping?” Edward whispered.
“A little.” I admitted.
“Did you want to do something tomorrow before I have to be on set?”
“Maybe go to a museum?” I asked hopefully.
So that’s what we did. We didn’t have much time because the British Museum didn’t open until ten, so we went straight to the exhibits we were interested in and spent a little over an hour before having to leave. I was lost in my own world, viewing artifacts of Medieval Europe, when I noticed Edward studying me with a serious look on his face.
“Are you okay Edward?” I asked quietly.
He smiled “I’m better than okay, I’m wonderful.” Then he pulled me into his arms “Have I told you how happy you make me. I still can’t believe you’re here.”
As we continued our tour, more than once I caught him looking at me rather than at the exhibits.
Edward needed to report to the set by noon, and would be filming well into the evening. Since Yves was also shooting that afternoon, Crystal and I decided that, instead of hanging around the set, we would go sightseeing.
Edward wanted Sidney to drive us, but I was able to talk him out of that. As it turned out, traveling by London Underground was much faster, and having a driver would have slowed us down.
“Why is it that every time I’m with you, we end up shopping?” I asked Crystal with a grin.
“Look, Yves is happiest when I’m out spending his money.”
I laughed because Edward had tried to force me to take one of his credit cards. It must have been my lucky day because I won that argument also.
“Besides, you can’t come to London and not go to Harrod’s. That would be unconscionable.” Crystal smiled.
“You sound like Edward’s sister.”
“Edward has a sister?”
Rats. I forgot Alice’s relationship with Edward wasn’t public knowledge yet.
“Oh, yes. They don’t publicize it a lot.”
Crystal still looked curious, but I didn’t say anything more.
Everyone will know as soon as the Vanity Fair issue comes out.
We were sitting at a little outdoor café having a late lunch after spending a couple of hours shopping in Harrod’s. While enjoying my food, I was very involved in one of my favorite pastimes: ’people-watching’, suddenly I heard Crystal gasp.
“Holy shit. Now that’s something you don’t see every day.” She said as she started to fan herself. “My, my, my, X marks the spot alright.” She giggled.
I looked over to see what had drawn her attention, and couldn’t believe my eyes. “Oh my hell”. I whispered.
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