Friday, April 22, 2011

Chapter 7

Hey all of loyal readers and favorited people!  I’m sorry this took soooo long!  This past weekend was crazzzzy with the nice weather and Easter of course!  It was my first year of trying to pull it off by myself so that left little room for writing let alone reading my favorited stories.  :( 
Anyways on with the show: 
Bella’s Birthday… in BPOV!
The day was here.  My birthday, I was officially twenty two.  I woke up to the biggest breakfast I had ever seen.  Don't get me wrong it was normal for Edward to make me breakfast on my birthday, but this was a feast.  He even served me in bed, his bed.  He woke me so gently it was really sweet.  As much as I wished he peppered my face with kisses this was still just as good.  He rubbed my back lightly and softly called my name until I finally came too. 
"Bella, sweetie it's your birthday baby."  He called, softly. 
"Yeah... so..."  I mumbled in to my pillow.  I was tired from the weekend still and I wanted to keep sleeping. 
"Bella, I made you breakfast..."  He tried, tempting me with food.
"Mhm... sure you did."  I said, ignoring him and keeping my eyes shut. 
"Silly girl, if you'd only roll over you'd see for yourself that I've been up for hours."
Then I smelt it.  Eggs... mixed with the distinctive smell of bacon.  I was in heaven.  And when I finally rolled over I got the surprise of my life.  Next to my plate of crispy bacon was a shirtless Edward... yum.  Just how I like my breakfast.  Then my eyes really took in all that he had made.  Eggs yes, bacon yes, toast duh, sausages... bonus, pancakes... wow, a pot full of warm syrup.  God this was perfect.  And a full glass of orange juice.  He knew me... so well.  
I murmured some form of agreement about how pleased my tummy was going to be when I finally woke up enough to feed myself.  "I hope you don't think I can eat all of this by myself."  I said, slowly rubbing the sleep from my eyes.  
"Well it's all for you."  He answered.  
"Eat with me... please."  I asked making the eyes I know he can't resist. 
"Oh fine."  He relented and went to the kitchen to grab another fork and a glass of orange juice for himself. 
"Thank you."  I said, softly once he returned. 
"For?"  He asked, genuinely confused.
"This..."  I said, gesturing to the plate.  "And you know... being my best friend."  I continued. 
"Well you're welcome for the breakfast, but you can't thank me for being your best friend."  He explained. 
"Still... Thank you Edward... Thank you for sticking by me.  Thank you for making me breakfast on birthday.  Thank you for waiting for me... all the time."  I said trying to get him to see how thankful I really was for him.  
"You're welcome... but I should be thanking you for all of the same."  He said, smiling. 
"Awe you know I couldn't go anywhere without you."  
"Bella eat your breakfast please."  He said directing my attention back to my plate.
We ate happily, he occasionally fed me and we playfully fought over the last piece of bacon.  When our plates were empty Edward reached around his back and with a sly grin plastered on his face he handed me my gift. 
"Edward..."  I chided.
"Listen, it's your birthday!  I, being your best friend, reserve the right to spoil you whenever I feel it's necessary."  He said, coaxing me to open the box.
I hesitated for a moment but eventually began fiddling with the edges of the paper.  Once it was open I pulled the top of the box off.  "Edward, this is too much..."  He scoffed of course.
"Bella your birth is something to be celebrated and this is really the only way to do that right."  He explained.
"Well thank you."  I answered hugging him tightly. 
"You're welcome." 
I stared at the box for a few minutes.  In it rested a certificate to the spa in town for a body massage, a facial treatment, and mani/pedi combo.  It was sweet and kinda perfect considering all of the built up stress I've had lately due to school and our boisterous family.      
Then he cleared the tray and plates.  He excused himself to the kitchen to clean everything up, while he insisted that I go back to sleep.  I couldn't though, I wanted to be around him.  
I helped him load the dishwasher much to his dismay.  He argued but I wouldn't give in.  Once we were finished we crashed on the couch.  Edward wrapped himself around me in a loving way… which of course sent my mind racing.  Maybe we could be…?  Maybe I needed to just move out so I could be away from these unreturned feeling?  I had no idea but I knew I would need answers soon. 
After watching movies for the rest of the morning Edward told me to go get dressed for lunch.  It was still warm… which was awesome since I had a beachy dress that I had yet to wear.  Alice had insisted I buy it a few months ago but I never really had the opportunity to wear it. 
“Baby, I wanna take you somewhere nice for lunch… what would you like?”  He asked from the couch still.
“I don’t know a salad is fine…”  I said, because it was.  If he was there, dog shit would have been perfect.
“Bella a salad will not be fine for your birthday lunch.”  He told me. 
“Fine then you pick and I’ll go get ready.” 
While I was getting ready my mom called.  Her usual happy birthday call. 
"Hi honey!"  My mom said excitedly from the other end.
"Hi Mom."  I returned, obviously much less enthusiastic.
"I know you're probably busy, but I just wanted to wish my baby girl a happy birthday!" 
"Thanks Mom."
"So where is that boy taking you tonight?"  She asked referring to Edward.
"Oh actually, I have no idea, he's insisting on keeping it a secret until we get there."
"Well put him on the phone... I'll get it out of him."  My Mom suggested. 
"No Mom it's okay, I think, I might like to be surprised tonight."
"So how are you two doing?  Your email hinted at a few things..."  She pressed.
"We're good.... What did you want to know?" 
"Well what's going on there...?"  She asked leadingly.
"What do you mean?" 
"I mean Bella are you boning him?"  I almost dropped the phone.
My mother and I didn't exactly have the most conventional relationship to say the least and honestly her comment really shouldn't have shocked me the way it did.  I think the real reason why I was now resembling a fish while talking to my mother on the phone was because the reality of the situation was that Edward and I for the first time were going to "bone".
"MOM!"  I screeched. 
"Don't 'Mom' me Isabella Marie!"  She fired back.
There was a pregnant pause and I wondered for a moment if she had gotten disconnected.
"Bella... Look I know you might think it's weird to think of Edward like that, but Esme and I see the way you look at him... and what's worse is that we see the way he looks back at you."  She said, softly.
"Mom, we are so not having this conversation right now.  It's not necessary.  Thank you for the card, I love you.  And Tell dad I said hi!"  I said, hurriedly in to the receiver wanting this conversation to be over with. 
"Alright honey, I love you too, and Happy Birthday... Again.  Have a good time tonight and I'll talk to you next week."    
A few minutes later I came out with my new dress slipped on.  I put on sandals and hoped that he was bringing us somewhere mildly informal. 
"Good god..."  He muttered when I met him in the kitchen. 
"What's the matter?"  I asked.
"Uh... nothing..."  He stuttered.
"Uh huh... come on Cullen spit it out."  I urged. 
"It's nothing... just that you look really great."  He said quietly, looking up at me only once the words had already left his lips.
I smiled; internally I was doing a fricken happy dance.  This was a good response considering I wasn't even sure if I should've worn that dress or not. 
"So where are we going?"  I asked. 
Edward tired to compose himself for a moment and then slowly closed his mouth.  "Umm... I was just thinking the Brick and Brew if that's alright with you."  He suggested.
"Sounds great!" 
Edward mentioned that a few gifts had been delivered from people back home and that I had some cards on the counter.  I took a minute before we left to open them and made notes in my phone to call and thank them.
Esme and Carlisle had sent a beautiful card to their 'Daughter' ... awe.. and of course Esme had sent me another pretty perfect gift.  A camera with instructions to capture her son and I's life together. 
Mike... yep creepy Mike had sent me flowers that came in a hideous vase.  I thought it was strange of him, but from the text he sent Edward I was not surprised.  The card in them read, "Only you are as beautiful and sexy as the flowers that are held here..." Bleh! 
Angela sent me a book which I intended to investigate at a later date.  I loved books but I knew if I got into now we would never be going to lunch.
When we finally agreed on the Brick and Brew he drove us there.  We had been there many times in the past.  Actually we usually spent our Fridays there.  A few great pints of beer and delicious pizza.  They have just about every kind of pizza that your stomach can imagine.
Another gift waited for me in the glove compartment and I was surprised to see his face when I found it.  Oh course it took a bit of prodding.  I knew he had hid one in the car somewhere.  He always took the excuse of my birthday to shower me with gifts.  This one was a beautiful set of earrings.  I chided him of course for how much they must have cost but he just shook his head and explained they were in fact his aunt’s.  His beloved aunt who we spent a week with every summer.  Apparently the last time we had seen her, last month, she had given them to him to give to me. 
I was so taken aback by the gift that I nearly tackled him with a hug.  Not only had he not embarrassed me with a ridiculously expensive gift but he had given me part of his family heritage.  It meant more to me than anything anyone else had given me. 
We sat and ate our pizza.  I had a beer but Edward didn’t drink explaining that we were still going out tonight and he wanted to be in good shape for then.  Once we were finished we drove back home and Edward explained that he had some paper work he needed to finish, so I decided to take a bath.  Relaxing myself and my nerves from the tight wire they had been on since I asked him to do me that favor. 
I ran the warm water until it just covered my nipples and then I relaxed back letting all of my stress melt away.  That’s when it hit me. He wasn’t going to sleep with me for a week… Saturday was our date and I remember him saying that we shouldn’t be sharing a bed or some shit like that.  Oh god what the hell was I going to do? 
I relented and let my hand slip beneath the water.  Just thinking about the fact that he won’t be touching me for at least another week made me yearn for his touch that much more. 
I found my slick folds and began to massage gently.  I cursed myself because I wasn’t really very good at this.  What girl didn’t know how to please herself?  Oh yeah a girl that had an Edward doing it for her since she was thirteen.
I imagined it was his fingers pinching my nipple while the other set was teasing my entrance.  I was slowly getting the hang of it. 
Eventually I swirled my finger against my clit just as Edward normally did, creating a burning sensation at the pit of my stomach.  I needed him in the worst of ways but I knew it was not an option. 
I got braver and pumped my fingers inside myself taking another cue from Edward and just like that I began shuddering, moments away from cumming.  I tried to suppress the moans escaping my lips but it was useless.  And in the back of my head I thought about how sexy it would be if he heard them.  What would he do?  I wondered.
With that thought I felt myself come undone.  I could hear his name echoing off of the tile walls and I knew he could probably hear me.  I moaned even louder then.  And I pumped myself down from the incredible orgasm I had just given myself. 
I showered quickly after that and washed my hair.  After drying and wrapping a fluffy white towel around myself I went back to my room.  I could tell that my face was easily the color of a lobster.  Thankfully Edward was no where in sight.  I scurried back to my room locking the door behind me. 
When I turned back to my bed my towel dropped because I jumped so high.  There on my bed was a devious looking Edward, just staring a hole through me.  He chuckled a bit as I scrambled trying to cover myself.  After I wrapped my towel back around me I tried to compose myself. 
“You scared me.”  I stated.
“Huh… weird.”  He said back to me.
“How is that weird?”  I asked.
“Why are you so jumpy Bella?”  He asked.
“I dunno… I guess I just wasn’t expecting you to be in here.”
“I bet you weren’t…” 
We were silent for a moment.  He was laying on my bed focused on his fingernails. 
“Bella, I just was waiting here because I wanted to tell you something…”  He began. 
He got off the bed and approached me slowly.  When he finally had me pinned up against the door he leaned down to my ear and whispered.  “I heard you… I heard you call out my name too.  I liked it… I don’t ever want to hear anyone else’s name.”  He breathed the last part against my neck and I began to shiver. 
“Alright get ready.  We need to leave soon.  I don’t want to be late for your birthday surprise.”  He informed me and then turned to leave the room. 
After I had finally calmed myself down enough to begin looking through the dresses that Alice had given me I noticed another gift on my bed.  A large box.  This one wrapped much like the others in Edward's signature green paper and silver hand tied bows.  I slipped the ribbon off and gently peeled back the paper.
In the huge box was new robe and slippers.  Nothing remotely sexy, but comfortable none the less.  Soft and terry cloth perfect for the impending doom and gloom of the winter to come.  I smiled at the thought that he had put in to the gift. 
After a few minutes of dumfoundedness I finally pulled myself together and went to my closet to decide on which Alice approved dress I thought she had chosen for tonight.  I looked through the four different ensembles.  All different in their own ways.  One was emerald green.  It was a silk halter dress that had a black jeweled brooch in the center.  That one was sexy and felt really wonderful against my skin.  It had a note pinned to the strap indicating that it was to be worn with that BCBGeneration T-strap sandals. 
The next dress in the box was red.  It was a V-neck with an empire waist.  All over pleats covered the entire dress.  It was definitely movie star glamorous.  I looked at the attached note to see which shoes were it said I was to wear the Linea Paolo "Glam" T-strap ones.  I found them by the name on the box. 
The next dress was small and sequined.  I did a double take looking at it.  It certainly didn't fit the normal characteristics if a dress that Alice would pick out.  Again I consulted the note for the shoes.  It stated to wear the Bourne 'Honor' Sandals.  I lifted the lid on the sandals and I was taken aback by them.  They were definitely more edgy than normal, but I liked them a lot. 
The last dress and shoes in the box was a Lauren by Ralph Lauren boat neck, sleeveless sheath dress.  It was stunning.  It was perfect, it fell directly at the knee and in my mind I kind of anticipated that the dress would give Edward a mild heart attack.  The shoes were Classiques Entier.  They were red extra strappy heels.  Basically the epitome of fuck me heels.  I was kind of surprised to see that Alice had labeled this outfit as my "Birthday Outfit". 
I dressed in the dress that Alice had suggested and even slipped on the very high heels that she had paired with it.  I prayed to God for some sort of miracle.  Hoping that I wouldn't fall flat on my face tonight.  I did my hair the way I knew he liked.  Leaving it down and curling the ends.  I applied a light amount of make up and called myself ready.
The earrings that he had given me earlier in the day was the only jewelery that I had chosen to wear. 
I walked out of my room once I was satisfied I didn't look completely hideous and there he sat on the couch waiting for me.  He was in a shirt and tie.  He looked scrumptious and something about that button up shirt made me want to tear it off him and drag him back to his bedroom by that damn tie. 
"Jesus Christ Bella... You look beyond amazing."  He said as he stood.
"Thanks...  You look pretty good yourself."  I answered him, smiling shyly. 
"Are you ready to go, love?"  He asked, sweetly.  He held out his arm so I could take it on the way out of our apartment.
"I am."  I answered.
We finally made it out to his car.  He insisted that he drive us to the restaurant.  We arrived at Little Italia after a about forty five minutes and just about ten seconds after he had put the car in park he was at my door opening it up.  I stepped out as delicately as I could hoping again for some sort of miracle that I didn't fall.
We went in where he had already arranged us reservations.  The tiny little table in the corner.  Not only was it private but it looked extremely romantic.  I thought about all of the other times Edward had taken me out for my birthday and none of them were ever really romantic.  Maybe he was doing it because of my favor?  Maybe he wanted to try something romantic? 
We were seated by the rudest hostess I had ever encountered.  Not only did she blatantly eye fuck him but she completely ignored me and it was my fucking birthday.  Edward stepped around her when we reached the table and pulled out my chair for me.  He was really being a gentleman which isn't far beyond how he normally acts.  Either way it was really nice. 
After he placed our drink order for us, a long island ice tea for me and a water for himself he grabbed my hands off the table and began playing with my fingers.  "So do you wanna talk about what I heard earlier?"  He asked, wiggling his eyebrows.
I gulped and felt the familiar flush cross my entire body.  After coughing and clearing my throat I replied.  "No... not really." 
"Why?"  He pressed.
"Umm... because I don't I guess..."  I tried.
He continued playing with my fingers.  Rubbing them and then fidgeting them.  He held up two fingers on my right hand and stared me right in the eye.  "So was it these two?"  He asked.
I nodded lightly.
"I can't believe I'm gonna say this... but I actually think I'm jealous of your fingers."  He said staring at them in disgust.
I giggled.  "Well if you ever feel the need to be down there feel free..."  I offered, completely meaning it. 
"Hmmm I might just have to take you up on that..."  He mused.
"Well you're the one that said the shit about sleeping apart from one another during our dates..."  I suggested hoping that he would change his mind.
"Bella..." 
"What?  Is it really that terrible?"  I asked.
"I think so.  I think spending some time apart will give you a chance to think... Maybe to even reconsider."  He continued. 
"Fine... if that's really the way you want it!"  I huffed.
"Bella..."  He chided.  Probably at my childish attitude.
I didn't intend on apologizing to him.     
"So when does that all start?"  I asked.
"When does what all start, Bella?" 
"When are you planning on kicking me out of your bed?"  I countered, with a pointed look. 
"I don't know... I guess we'll start Saturday?"  He answered, sounding like he wasn't quite sure himself.
"Kay."  I answered, thankfully the bitch had shown up with our drinks.  I quickly gulped the better portion of mine down.  Allowing myself to have more courage.
We sat in silence for a few minutes.  He drummed on the side of his glass and I looked out the window. 
"So..."  I began.
"So what?"  He asked.
"Sew buttons..."  I said, somehow attempting a joke.  I giggled and he smiled lightly at me.
"So how is it going to work?"  I asked, thoroughly curious.
"What do you mean?" 
"Are we like... gonna do 'IT' like the night of the third date... or are we going to  have to wait longer...?"  I asked using finger quotes around it.  I was trying to be discrete not immature. 
"Do we have to discuss this now?"
"Well, I just thought because it was my birthday that tonight would be the perfect time to discuss it."  I explained, sheepishly.
Great now he's pissed at me for bringing it up.
"Bella, we will take the time to go over the finer points of our arrangement Friday night.  Okay?  Can we just try to have a nice time tonight?"  He asked, seemingly pleading with me.    
I nodded. 
"Thank you.  Now tell me... How has your birthday been so far?"  He asked.
"It's been amazing... you, as always, have been simply incredible.  I don't think I've ever had such a great birthday."  I said honestly.  He surprised me by leaning in and kissing me lightly on the cheek.  I wasn't really prepared for it even though it wasn't out of the ordinary for us...
We sat there for a while, silent.  I must have been staring off in to the distance while I was daydreaming. 
We were off on a beach somewhere... I'm not even sure where but it wasn't anywhere near here.  He had been calling out to me to come sit with him on the towel he had laid out.  "Bella..." 
"Bella love..." 
"Bella!"  I finally turned to see him sprawled out on the striped fabric. 
"Hi"  I said softly as I approached him. 
"Hello beautiful."  He greeted me.
I stared down at him... and all I could see was my bulging belly... Oh dear god...
"Bella... "  He began calling again...
"Bella!"  His voice was much more annoyed than in my dream... Oh shit.
"Huh?  Oh god I'm sorry."  I said, offering him the best smile I could.  While I tried to shake the shiver that coursed down my spine at the thought of being pregnant with Edward's child... 
"What would like for dinner my dreamer girl?"  He asked, smirking at me. 
"Umm..."
"She'll have the mushroom ravioli... extra sauce and grated parmesan on top, please."  He said, ordering for me.  Exactly what I had wanted. 
"And for you sir?"  The bitch asked, glaring at him.
"I'll have the steak, medium rare with a side of rice pilaf."  He answered her, without ever looking at her the entire time. 
"Also, miss, could you get my date here another drink and water as well.  Thank you."  His voice was dripping with sneer. 
Once the bitch eventually skulked off Edward redirected the conversation back to my day dream.  "What was that about Bella?  Am I really that boring?"  He questioned.
"No... It's not you... I just keep finding myself zoning out." 
"Huh... you must have a lot on your mind... Is there something bothering you Bella?"  He asked, with more concern than I had ever seen before emulating from his piercing green eyes. 
"Na-Na... No... "  I stuttered.
"Hmm... You know you are a terrible liar?"  He asked. 
"Weird... I never knew... anyways..."  I tired redirecting him. 
"Anyways what?"
"Anyways... how’s work?  We haven't talked about your work in a while."  I explained.
"Works... work.  I'm looking forward to moving back home with you and starting my residency there.  I think I'll be able to appreciate it a lot more." 
"I'm looking forward to moving back too."  I agreed.
"I've been meaning to talk to you about that... I was thinking of buying a house in Seattle.  I'm kind of sick of the apartment life and I think it'll be a good step." 
Was he telling me this because he didn't want me in his house?  "Yeah... that sounds like a good idea."  I said uneasily.  
"So you think you will like a house?"  He asked.
I gulped and nodded. 
"I think it will be good for us."  He explained.
"Yeah... that way I guess you'll finally have your own room."  I commented.
He just shook his head.  "Friday Bella... Friday."  He muttered.
Our bitch ass waitress finally showed up with my new drink and our food. 
We ate happily sharing small smiles at one another occasionally.  Eventually his small smile turned in to a freaking grin when the giant clock in the corner struck seven and the light Italian music that had been wafting through the air became much more prominent and the gentleman in the front of the small bistro invited his patrons to dance on the newly cleared floor.
"Uh huh Cullen... It's my birthday and I don't have to any of that shit!"  I said before he could get any ideas. 
"Please..."  He begged.
"Why?"  I asked, forking another delicious pillow of mushroomy goodness in to my mouth.
"Because I really wanna be able to go out there tonight and dance with the most beautiful woman in all of New Hampshire."  He said, making me swoon. 
"Only New Hampshire?  You that's not really a compliment... Have you seen the man lady that works at the Hess by school?" 
"Bella, I would tell you that you are the most gorgeous woman that has ever walked Earth but I was just afraid of how you might react."  He offered, sincerely.
"Well... Jeeze... Thanks I guess." 
"You're sort of welcome."  He said, smiling around a bite of his steak.
“So will you?”  He pressed after we finished our dinners. 
“Uh I guess.  But I dance like ass and you know that.”  I warned him. 
“There is nothing to worry about when you have an expert like me leading you.” 
Our dishes were removed and after I had a chance to make sure my face was clean he stood and held out his hand for me. 
He led me to the center of the floor and held me ever so close to his body.  I shuddered in the proximity he was keeping.  His hands were kept in a very gentleman way but his told a different story.  He let them roam. 
He let his head dip down and I felt his forehead on my shoulder.  Then his breath as it ghosted over my neck.  My knees were like Jello... I didn't have any confidence in my ability to continue to dance.  Then he whispered, "Bella I want to keep dancing with you like this for the rest of my life."  What the fuck am I supposed to take from that?  First the house bit... It'll be good for us...  and now this... I just don't know what to think.  Hot and then cold...
We danced for another twenty minutes until my feet grew tired.  He chuckled because I was far from used to wearing heels.  After he paid our snotty bitch of a waitress we were out of there.  Hand in hand.
He promised I would like the next part best.  But I doubted him.  There was nothing more that I wanted from him than to be wrapped up mostly naked in his arms... in our bed.  Soon... in our house.  The ride was fairly casual.  I had taken my shoes after he promised that the drive was long enough to warrant it.  I stared out the window and prayed silently to the night sky that everything would change soon.  I was in far too deep and it was all beginning to hurt...  like a hurt deep in my chest knowing that I wasn't sure of how he felt.
When we arrived after the hour and half drive all I saw was a brightly colored building.  The pink and blue familiar hues belonged in my freezer more than on the planks that covered the barn like building.  I screamed when I finally realized where we were. 
"Ben and Jerry's?!  Seriously?"  I asked incredulously. 
"Seriously."  He answered back.
"I've been wanting to tour this place since my last break up."  I admitted.
"I kinda figured."  He answered with a grin that could put George Clooney to shame.
"So we're taking the tour, then?"  I asked, looking at the clock.  It was eight pm and even though most of the lights were on the place looked deserted. 
"Yep."  He answered.
"Did you make reservations?"  I asked, before he leapt out of the car gingerly. 
"Now why would I do that?"  He asked.
"Well not that I'm admitting to doing any sort of research on this place, but if I can recall correctly it closes at seven pm during this part of the year."  I said, beginning to frown.  It was the thought that counts.  I said harshly to myself.  Besides you get to spend the rest of the evening with him.  He opened my door and held out his hand to help me out of the car.  I politely accepted it.   
"Bella, I didn't make reservations... I rented out the mezzanine that they take you on the tour through."  He explained, while my mouth hung limply.
"Jesus christ!"  I chided him.
"What?"  He asked.
"Edward, you can't do stuff like this..." 
"Like what?  Spoil the best woman in my life, right now?"  He asked.
Right now... There it was... He had spelt it out clear as day for me.  That no matter what I was only the best woman in his life right now.  Those two words killed me so much that I honestly considered making him get back in the car and take me home. 
"Edward, you really don't have to feel obligated to do these things."  I said defensively. 
He grabbed a hold of my hips and pulled me so that I was now facing him.  "Isabella Swan!  I do not feel obligated.  I lo-... Yo-You are my best friend and so help me god I am spoiling you on your birthday.  Now please just shut up and enjoy it!"  He said, stammering a bit.  Edward didn't stammer.  Stammering was so beyond Edward's constant composure.
He grabbed my hand in his and led me in the colorful entryway.  There was a tiny old woman waiting for us.  "Hello, Marion, right?."  Edward said, flashing her the same panty-dropping grin he always used to get his way. 
"Hi there!  And yep it's Marion, or at least it has been for the last seventy some odd years."  She said, as I watched her glass covered eyes roam about over his body.  I couldn't blame her though.  He was stunning and it was easy to get carried away eye-fucking him. 
"We're the Cullen’s."  He said, and that made my head whip up to stare at him. 
I mouthed 'What?' to him but he just patted my arm, basically silently telling me to shut the hell up.
"Ah yes, we've been expecting you.  I'll give you the papers you requested and everything is set up for you, just as you asked."  She said, adding a wink at the end.  I gulped wondering what the hell he had planned.
"And here is where your tour will start."  She indicated, pointing to a glass set of doors.
"What are we doing?"  I asked after Edward led us through the massive doors.  "Shouldn't we be waiting for our guide?" 
"I am your guide."  He smiled widely.  "I arranged that I we could take the tour ourselves after hours... I mean the line is still running, but there aren't anymore tourists here."  He divulged.
"Oh..."  I breathed, taking in all of the sights.  To my right as I looked down I saw the milk machines. 
Edward took a moment to point at the pages the little woman had given him and he began reading off of them.  Explaining to me how they pick the farms that they buy their milk from.
"Edward!"  I shouted, louder than I had anticipated.
"What?"  He asked, looking down at me with sad eyes.  Ah god, those killed me.  "Is this not okay, for your birthday?"  He asked.  How could he ever think that this was not okay?  This was perfect, but his version of this and my version of this seemed to be two totally different things. 
I decided right then and there that I was going to enjoy my birthday, but from here on out I was going to try to wean myself off of sleeping in the same bed with him.  And then after that I would slowly be able to stop loving him like I do... right?  I could do this. 
"Edward, this is all great.  Thank you.  Just don't act like such dork!"  I said trying to make light of the situation.
After a while we walked together down the long corridor where his hand rested on my right hip as it crossed behind my back.  He pulled me in to his side when we would stop periodically to discuss what that particular part of the factory did. 
At the end of our tour we came to a black curtain strung across the hallway.  There was a sign pinned to the curtain.  It read Mr. & Mrs. Cullen.  God that was beautiful.  So beautiful I wanted to cry.  Edward looked down at me as if he was gauging my reaction. 
"I'm sorry, I guess she just assumed..."  
"It's fine."  I said, quickly. 
Edward pulled back the curtain.  I had forgotten that there was probably something back there.  I was to enthralled with the sign.  I had every intention of bringing that sign home with me.  Behind the curtain was a small table that was set for two.  It was really sweet with it's candles and long stem roses resting in the center.  
"Oh good, it all seems to be set up."  He muttered as he guided me to my seat.  He pulled out the chair and I sat.  I stared at my placemat where a gift now rested. 
Edward took his seat and I raised a cautious eyebrow at him as I looked between him and the box in front of me. 
"Don't. Even. Start."  He said, lowly before smiling widely.  
I shook my head before reaching for it.  "I know you want to spoil me but honestly, you didn't need to get me so many gifts." 
"Just open the damn box." 
I opened it and in it was the reason why I loved Edward so much.  He always got me the perfect gift.  No matter how few hints I dropped or the fact that I repeatedly told him to not buy me anything, he would somehow find a way to read my mind to know exactly what would bring a smile to my face. 
No it wasn't him, wrapped in only a bow.  Even though I would have loved that.  No it was simple and perfect. 
The tears started rolling down my cheeks and they threatened to ruin the makeup that I had painstakingly worked on.  I sniffled in attempt to compose myself. 
"Do you hate it?"  He asked.
I shook my head furiously.
"Then don't cry, baby."
"I can't accept this."
"Oh yes you can and you will do it with a smile."  He told me.
What was in the box you ask.  Oh well my best friend who I intended on losing my virginity to had just given me my mother's charm bracelet... but had the charms replaced.  Oh yea... nothing big.  Just you know probably the most meaningful gift I would receive for my birthday.
"Can you help me put it on?"  I asked and then his fingers quickly got it from the box and laced it over my small wrist.  Not even one fumble and he had that clasped closed. 
"So you think you might learn to like it?"  He asked, grinning from ear to ear and I knew he was being a cocky bastard but he deserved it at the moment.
"Duh Cullen."  I mumbled.
"What would you like for dessert?"  He asked after I finally started to get it together. 
"Well let's see... how about some ice cream?"  I suggested.
"Ha ha Bella, no really they have a chef that is more than willing to get you anything you could ever dream of."  He explained.
"Oh well in that case... Maybe some..."
"Chocolate cake?"  He asked.  He knew though... he always knew. 
I smiled at him and then he snapped his fingers loudly.
And appearing from just outside the curtain was the little woman.  "Marion dear, I was right about her order.  Could you also bring us two bowls of your finest chocolate chip cookie dough?"  He asked.
"You guessed my order?"  I asked incredulously. 
"Of course I did!  Chocolate cake is your favorite."  He answered.
"What if I wanted something different since it's my birthday?"  I asked, pushing him a bit.
"Well I had anticipated that possibility so I ordered cheesecake and even some brownies ahead of time, of course though you could have had anything you would have liked.  We would have just had to wait while it was made." 
"Always an answer for everything huh?"  I commented flashing him a grin. 
"I just wanted to make sure you had all of your heart's desires."  He said back.  And my heart melted.  How did he not know that my only heart's desire was him?
The tears rolled down my cheek again and he brushed them gently away with the pad of his thumb. 
"Don't cry pretty girl."  He whispered.
I had trouble not just spilling everything right then and there.  I wanted to tell him how I had felt for while now.  How I didn't think I could ever live with out him, but I didn't I kept my mouth shut and just mumbled thank you to him. 
The sweet little woman named Marion came back in with the cake ablaze with candles.  She set it down in front of me and of course instructed me to make a wish before her and Edward serenaded me.  At the end I blew out the candles with the only wish I had silently screaming in my head. 
Please... Just let him realize... or make me forget
We drove back to our apartment and settled in for the night.  He stripped down to his boxers and crawled under the covers and I did almost the same... leaving my bra and underwear intact.  We didn't touch but he did kiss me sweetly before rolling over and drifting off to sleep. 
"Goodnight, beautiful, I hope you had a happy birthday."
"Goodnight, I did... all because of you..."  I whispered back.
After I heard him drift off to sleep I stared at my charm bracelet and fingered through them.  A heart made of crystal, a journal, a book, and an inscribed square that said EC and BS est 1993.  Perfect like always... I laid my head down finally preparing myself to sleep and I felt something under my pillow... Cullen... I cursed.  He couldn't just spoil the shit out of me all day but he had to continue even after he had drifted off to sleep.
I lifted to down filled head rest and under it sure enough was my last and final birthday gift and a card.  The card always came with the last gift... always.  I opened the flat box and pulled out what was inside.  A signed Kings of Leon CD and a band t-shirt was in it.   I held them close realizing just how well he knew me.  I set them on the floor beside my bed and began peeling open the envelope of the card.  The card was sweet... definitely not a Hallmark walk out. 
Dear Isabella,
I must tell you how much it means to me that I and I alone get to spend your birthday with you.  I can't begin to explain it... but I think I might be able too. 
I hope you enjoyed your gifts and dinner.  It took me a while to put everything together.  I know that you prefer much simpler acts, but I felt it was necessary to spoil you.  Please just let me have my way just this once.  I know for a fact that I enjoyed myself... dancing with you was the best part.  You looked beautiful tonight.  I hope your wish was something memorable... And I can't wait to spend another amazing year by your side...
Love... always, 
Your Edward.
In the card were tickets to a KOL concert.  I kissed his cheek as tears dampened my cheeks. 
I love him... I don't think that's even possible...
The darkness took over and eventually I succumbed to the sleep that I needed after all of the love that he gave me.       

All Presents:
Leather journal and favorite pens
Spa certificate
Earrings
Terry cloth robe and slippers
Mother's charm bracelet. 
KOL Tickets

So what did you guys think?  Too sappy?  Maybe just a little?  Well I hope not.  He’s trying… Anywho Friday and their Saturday date are up next.  I hope to get that posted by the end of this weekend… but if I don’t please try to find it in your heart to forgive me.  Well like always I want to take a moment and thank everyone who regularly reads my stories and to everyone who reviews!  It really makes my life worth living!  Thanks!  Love you all!

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