Buying Love

Chapter Seventy-Six

Okay, so we're going to embark on a journey. A darker journey, one that will be around a different kind of Edward, a snarky, bossy Bella and a new Esme. It will be a drabble-ish type fic. The chapters will be between 1000 to 2000 words. Updates will come on Mondays and Fridays with teasers on Tuesdays and Saturdays on my blog. The link for the blog will be on my profile. The story is planned, but not pre-written.

Anyhow, we're going to have the rest of the date, some snuggly, PG-version kumquats (did you know that they are classified as citrus fruit? I didn't. You learn something new every day). Also, we'll hear from Alice, Jasper, and Jared, finding out about the indictment. And don't think I forgot about the tattoo. We'll get to that.

Chapter Seventy-Six

BPOV

I kissed him tenderly, caressing his smooth cheek. He turned me around and gently pushed me to our room. Inside, I found a pair of pajamas with Olaf from Frozen all over them. I giggled, picking them up and quickly changing into them. They were soft and comfortable. I added hoodie since the shirt was short-sleeved, padding back out to the living room. Edward was sitting on the ground in front of the seven-foot tall Christmas tree with pale blue, silver and white decorations, wearing similar pants with a dark grey Henley. Spread in front of him was picnic. Beaming at him, I grabbed pillow and sat down next to him. "This is the best date ever!"

EPOV

With the help of my mom, Uncle Peter and some very helpful employees of Swan Towers, Jessica being the most enthusiastic, I had managed to set up a winter wonderland in Bella's foyer and suite. Rose had mentioned that Bella hadn't had a proper Christmas since her mother died. Charlie was always too busy with work and Riley, her ex-husband, didn't believe in any of this. Christmas was one of the few pleasant memories I had and I wanted to recreate that. Granted, Christmas was a few days away, I needed to set up her home for the holidays. I had yet to get her a Christmas present, but I wanted to do this.

In addition to the decorations, I also made some food for us. It wasn't gourmet, but healthy and filled with protein, which we both needed. Plus, I called down to room service for a dessert tray, filled with tasty morsels of their best desserts. That was in the fridge.

When Bella came back out of her ... our bedroom, she looked so innocent and sweet. Her sleek hair had been pulled back into a messy ponytail and her alabaster skin was scrubbed free of the makeup she wore. Her gait was still uneven and her legs still didn't cooperate at times, but she was getting stronger. Giggling, she sat down and proclaimed that this was the best date ever.

"I beg to differ, Bella. It's not much," I blushed.

"Seriously, you don't know what it's like. If you're single, you have to go through all of this bullshit to get a man. Tight skirts, skin-baring tops, makeup and coy flirtation. Being able to enjoy a date at home, in pajamas? That's fucking awesome," she smiled. She plucked an olive from the antipasto tray.

"I just wanted to make you smile, bellissima," I whispered. "I know that the past few months have been beyond difficult."

"For you, too," she countered. "Edward, you've been through hell and back. If anything, I should be catering to you."

"You have been, with Dr. Banner, Dr. Benson and getting me out of that hell," I said, taking her hands in mine. "And I don't want you to cater to me. Bella, I need to stand on my own. I love you for wanting to protect me, but I can't truly heal from this if you're coddling me."

"You're right," she sighed. "I've given you the tools to help your healing. You need to take it the rest of the way."

"Exactly. That's what Michele says," I smiled, kissing her soft, pink lips. "Are you mad?"