Monday, December 13, 2010

WYWG Ch 9 Teaser

Short and um... Yeah, blame the Beta Dude.

--


My hands automatically came to rest on my stomach as I thought about just how lucky this baby was to have him.

Rosalie followed my movements, watching my hands still over the baby. Her face crumpled into the most heartbroken look I’d ever witnessed, and she snatched her arms away from Edward and took a step to the side.

“Show me,” she said, taking a deep breath.

I took a chance and looked over at Edward, who was still focused solely on Rosalie. He dragged his hands through his hair, taming it slightly, and then nodded.

I lifted my shirt up just enough to expose my stomach. She stared at it blankly for a moment before starting toward me again.

Esme and Edward were crouched in front of me in an instant, but I didn’t need their protection. My body shook with the need to phase, to keep both the baby and myself safe. A snarl burst from my chest as the room vibrated. Everything went hazy…

TMWCBM Epilogue Teaser

*tear*

This pic tease is for the outtake that'll post on Weds with the epi:




--

Epi Teaser:

Once Carlisle and Esme arrived, we all headed inside and took a seat. I kept the girls occupied with a snack until the ceremony began, and then quieted them down and turned their attention to the front of the room, where the professors were taking their seats in front of a wide aisle.

It was incredibly formal, and the girls, surprisingly, managed to be quiet until they spotted Bella down on the floor. It was all I could do to keep Ellie from screaming “Mummy!” down at her. She grinned and waved up at them, which of course, caused Audrey to cry for her.

“Shit,” I murmured, scooping her up so I could take her outside. My God, she was absurdly loud. People were going to start glaring at me if I didn’t get her out of here soon.

“I can take her,” Alice offered. “You stay here and watch Bella.”

“You’re sure?”

She nodded. “Give her here, Edward. You shouldn’t miss this.”

I handed her over to Alice and sat back down, letting Ellie crawl into my lap and watch the rest of the ceremony.

“Daddy?” Ellie asked curiously in the midst of what seemed like the thousandth time we’d clapped that afternoon. “Is Mummy going to be able to fix my boo-boos like Papa?”

My brows furrowed. “How do you mean?” I whispered back.

“Mummy said she was going to be a doctor. Like Papa. Does that mean she can fix people at the hospital like he can too?”
I chuckled and kissed her long, blonde hair. “No, baby. It just means she went to school for a very long time. Your mum learned about books, not medicine.”

“Oh.”

Monday, November 29, 2010

The Man Who Can't Be Moved Chapter 45 Teaser

Last full-length chapter, guys. *cries* Epi will probably post on 12/15 with the coinciding Fandom for Preemies outtake, unless I get antsy and can't wait. I have done that before...

--

The moment our lips collided, she moaned softly and brought me closer to her. Her back hit the cupboards, and I lifted her up so that she was sitting on the counter and situated myself between her legs. We had just enough time to fool around before dinner was ready.

“Fuck it,” she said, breaking away from me and reaching out for the envelope. “You should know now.”

“What?” I murmured against her skin, working my mouth over her jaw and to her neck. My hand found its way under her shirt and slowly traveled upward, causing her to gasp as soon as I cupped her breast.

“Yep. Fuck it. I don’t want to stop, and I’m pretty sure that when you see what’s inside, you won’t be able to, either.”

I groaned and stepped away from her, pushing my hair back and closing my eyes so I could compose myself. “Really? You’re stopping me? Didn’t you have some ridiculous scheme worked up?”

She nodded and took a steadying breath as she handed me the envelope. “It doesn’t matter. You should know now," she repeated.

I pulled out the adoption applications that were inside and stared at them in disbelief. I laughed, “Are you-? I…” I could barely speak with how bloody elated I was. It was what I’d wanted with her, been denied for so long, and now…

“I don’t need to call an ambulance, do I?” she joked. “The ticker’s still okay?”

“No, no ambulance.” Christ, I loved this woman. “How long have you been thinking about this?”

She shrugged. “A month, maybe? So I asked Esme to give me an idea of what we needed to do and looked up adoptions lawyers. That’s what I’ve been doing all week.”

“This is where you’ve been every night after class? What you’ve been hiding?”

“Yeah. I was either talking to Esme or meeting with a lawyer. We can get a different one if you don’t like him. That’s not a big deal,” she said awkwardly. “I just want a baby with you. I don’t care how it happens anymore.”

I let the papers fall to the floor and jerked her to me. “It is a big deal,” I said, kissing her feverishly. “Jesus, Bella, I didn’t know if you’d ever want this after…”

She met my gaze and smiled. “I’ve been thinking of our options lately,” she answered as she fumbled with the buttons on my shirt. “And I can’t explain it. I just feel like this is what we’re supposed to do first.”

--

Monday, November 22, 2010

The Man Who Can't Be Moved Ch 44 Teaser




Le sigh... Ahem. Moving on now.

--

“Wait, where do you want to put this one?” Bella asked, giggling as she held up the massive white platter she’d just unwrapped. Thank God we were nearly done with unpacking. Two weeks of living out of boxes had nearly driven me mad.

“I don’t bloody know,” I replied, scanning the kitchen and trying to think of where an empty spot was in the cupboards. “We brought entirely too much shit with us.”

Her giggles turned into full-blown laughter, and before I knew it, she was doubled over herself, laughing hysterically.

“Give me that glass,” I chuckled, snatching the rest of her wine away from her and gulping it down. “Mixing alcohol with your medication was obviously a terrible idea.”

“Edward,” she whined. “It’s good wine. Your mom buys some awesome shit.”

“What’s the proof on this?” I mumbled, holding the bottle up to my face so I could read it. “I can’t focus without my glasses.”

“You’re drunk too,” she said, laughing more.

“I’m not,” I argued. “I’m old, remember?”

She snorted and fell back onto the couch. “Oh, yeah,” she snickered. “I forgot.”

I put everything down on the counter and walked over to where she sat. She looked amazing in her tiny plaid shorts and her
hair piled high on her head. Her cheeks were flushed with the alcohol coursing through her veins, and her eyes were heavy with sleep. Jet lag was affecting the both of us.

I sat down and ran the pad of my thumb over one of the shadows forming under her eyes. “You need rest,” I murmured.

“We need to unpack,” she countered.

“We’ve time.”

She scooted closer to me and threw her leg over my hip. Her body was warm against mine, inviting. Her nipples peeked out of the thin, white fabric of her tank top, and I couldn’t help but let my hand skim over it. It pebbled with the movement, and Bella’s eyes instantly closed as she pushed herself even closer to me.

“Baby,” she breathed, rolling her hips against me. “I miss you.”

Monday, November 15, 2010

The Man Who Can't Be Moved Chapter 43 Teaser

Chapter should post Weds, as usual :)

--


I crawled up on the bed and fumbled for the remote, hoping to resemble some form of normal by the time Edward came back with Riley. I couldn’t let him leave thinking I was anything less than okay, even if I felt like I was suffocating… like a heavy weight was resting on my chest…

The sudden blare of the TV had me jumping in place. I hurriedly tapped on the volume button to turn it down, only to freeze at the segment currently being shown on that God-awful celebrity channel.

Talk about Edward, Jacob, Tanya, and the upcoming DVD release of Rogue filled the room. They panned to pictures of everyone at the premiere, talked about why the “film’s star” had been absent. They then skipped to pictures of Edward and me coming out of our psychiatrists’ office, speculating all the reasons we were there—anything from depression (which was the truth) to marriage issues were spouted off as if they were nothing.

“Masen is set to attend the DVD release party this upcoming weekend in Manhattan. His wife was originally joining him; however, it’s been recently announced that she will be unable to attend. One starlet that won’t be missing the party?” Stupid, dramatic pause. “Tanya Denali. This will be her first appearance since having her son in August…”

I stopped listening, too focused on the clip that was now playing. My mouth dropped as I saw Edward and Tanya walking out together, smiling and waving at the crowd that awaited them in Japan. She was… beautiful, radiant. Edward murmured something in her ear, and she nodded in return. He glanced down at the slight swell of her stomach, and then right back up to her face, silently asking if she was okay. She beamed back up at him, nudging him with her elbow and rolling her eyes at his concern…

My stomach churned at the sight. It was everything I fucking wanted and could no longer have, everything I wanted to give him, but couldn’t.

He deserved so much more than this.

--

Monday, November 8, 2010

The Man Who Can't Be Moved Chapter 42 Teaser

Anyone else ready to get back into the smut with these two? Lord, help me...

--


“I was supposed to be at Oxford now,” she said flatly.

“You start in January. It’s only four months away.”

She said nothing in return. As usual.

“Bella, you’ll take a couple of summer courses for a couple of years and be caught up in no time. It’s not a problem.”

She shrugged and reached down to turn the laptop on. “Sure, baby.”

I wanted to strangle her for being so indifferent to it all. This was something she had been so excited for at one time, and now… now she didn’t care?

Bollocks.

“So I just got off the phone with Zafrina,” I began, changing the subject... frantically trying to get some sort of reaction out of her.

“What’d she want?”

“I’ve been told I need to go to New York to promote Rogue’s DVD release,” I explained. “And that if I don’t, the studio will take legal action against me.”

“So go.”

I growled under my breath. “I don’t want to go. Not without you…”

“I’m not going anywhere, so I guess you have to go alone. It’s fine.”

“No, I’d imagine you wouldn’t,” I said dryly. She never went anywhere, except to her therapy classes. “When was the last time you left the bedroom?”

She opened her mouth to answer, but I cut her off before she could make a sound.

“I don’t mean trips to the loo or kitchen, Bella. When was the last time you went outside? Went into the study or got in the car to drive? You’re allowed to do that now, and yet, you’ve not gone anywhere,” I said exasperatedly.

“Uh… Last week’s PT session,” she said, almost robotically.

“Last weeks PT session.” I paused, making sure I kept control over my anger. “And when was the last time you did your exercises?”

“Last night, I think?”

Oh, a question… How nice. There was actual intonation in her voice.

“But you don’t know.”

“I don’t remember,” she answered, glancing over at me.

“Ah.” I couldn’t fault her for that. “So, New York. Are you coming? Yes or no?”

“I don’t care.”

“You don’t care.” I laughed bitterly. “Do you care about anything?”

She blinked a few times, clearly taken aback.

“Oh, you think I’ve not noticed?” I snarled, finally releasing all my pent up frustration. Her eyes widened fractionally as I stood to pace the room. “I notice everything, Bella. You can’t hide it from me. I’ve watched you distance yourself from everyone for months, me included.”

“I… I’m sorry. It’s not a big deal that you go to New York. I’m sure you could use a couple of days away from me. You’re around me constantly…”

“Stop. Just stop.” I shook my head in disgust. “If you think for one second that I would rather be across the country than with you, you’ve gone mad. I’ve had it with all of this. You’re getting help. We’re getting help. Now.”

--



Chapter should (as long as sick Stratan can manage beta'ing it) post Wednesday!

While You Were Gone Chapter 7 Teaser

Stratan and I were finally able to get some time set aside to brainstorm WYWG, so I was able to write a little bit this last week. Chapter's currently about 3/4 of the way done, and will hopefully post by Saturday (that's the goal, anyway).

--


The heater turned on; the air in the vents caused the scent to stir, and my head whipped to the stairs. “He was in her room,” I growled.

“What?” Charlie shouted. He was focusing on the implication of that statement, rather than how… inhuman it sounded. “Who was in her room?”

I didn’t bother answering, just launched myself up the stairs and to Bella’s room. I opened the door and recoiled at how strong the scent was here, and how many of Bella’s belongings had been touched by him.

Her pillow was missing, and clothes were scattered all over the floor. I wasn’t entirely sure what that meant, so I pulled out my phone and called Carlisle. I recounted everything and listed off what had been tampered with or taken from her room, all while Charlie waited impatiently beside me.

I slipped the phone back in my pocket and turned to him. “There was another vampire here while you were at Sue’s. The house is going to need to be watched at all times now.”

He blanched. “What did they want?”

“I’m not sure. They could have picked up my scent here, wondered why I found this place so fascinating. It’s strongest in Bella’s room…”

“That’s probable.”

“It is. But… why take her pillow?” I ran my hands through my hair. “I need to speak more with my family about this. Jasper, specifically. They’re on their way now.”

I brushed past him and bounded down the stairs. I opened the door and found Bella waiting nervously outside.

The wolf howled in the distance, signaling that he’d caught up to the vampire and needed backup from the pack.

“Go,” I said to Jared urgently. “Go now. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”

“What is it?”

“I need you to go through your room. I need to know how many things of yours are missing.”

Her eyes widened. “Missing?” She squeezed her eyes and shook her head violently. “Wait, you said ‘how many’. What’s missing?’

“At first glance, your pillow. But your room has been thoroughly searched. Maybe it was for something specific, but it just… It’s ransacked.”

--

Monday, November 1, 2010

The Man Who Can't Be Moved Chapter 41 Teaser

There wasn't much by way of options for this chapter to tease for, so it's a little boring this week... which is why I'm going to post the prompt pic for the outtake I'm working on - it's ridiculously hot. It's for the Squeeze My Lemon series that the Dirty Cheeky Monkey's blog is doing. I've got the majority of it written; I just need to decide if I want to leave it short and err, not so sweet, or make it a little longer.

Chapter's scheduled to post on Weds; the DCM outtake is scheduled to be posted on Dec 1 (tentative date of final epi posting).

--


“Are you okay?”

I shook my head. “Not really. If I have to see her go through one more thing because of me… I’ll-“ I broke off, not really knowing how to finish the sentence. “How’s Emmett?” I asked instead.

“Still beating himself up. I can’t convince him that he’s not to blame. No one is.” She opened her eyes to give me a sharp look, causing me to chuckle a little.

“Point taken, Rosalie.”

Her eyes narrowed. “Is it? Is it really? Every time I come in here, you’re brooding in the corner or some shit. It’s hard… God damn it, it’s hard to sit here and watch her have to go through all of this, but you have to stop blaming yourself. It was an accident.”

I nodded once. “I know. I’m trying.”

She glowered at me. “Try harder.”

I held up my hands in defeat. “Work some of that Hale magic on Emmett, will you?”

A small smile played at her lips. “You got off easy. You’re not my husband.”

“Well, thank heavens for that, then,” I joked.

She went to push me, but I dodged her hands and laughed. If there was one thing positive in the midst of all this sadness, it was that Rosalie Hale and I had finally gotten past the awkward best-friend-keeps-a-wary-eye-out-on-new-boyfriend-slash-husband phase and accepted me as one of the few people that Bella would always be able to rely on.

“Get out of here. Alice says you have things to take care of.”

I hesitated, glancing back at where Bella slept. “Should I wake her before I...?”

“Let her sleep. We’ll tell her where you’re going.”

I never moved my eyes from Bella. “Right.”

“You’re going to wake her up, aren’t you?” she sighed.

I didn’t bother trying to deny it. Of course I was.

I walked over to the bed and ran my hand over Bella’s face. It took her a little while to stir, but she finally opened her eyes and smiled groggily at me.

“I have a few things to take care of. Alice and Rosalie will sit with you while I’m away.”

“S’okay,” she slurred. “I can sleep by myself.”

“I’d much rather you didn’t. Not yet.”

She went to roll her eyes, but they ended up closing again. “Fine. So overprotective.”

“Can you blame me?” I chuckled.

“No. S’pose not.”

I made sure to tell her that I loved her—because I could never seem to say it enough now—before I started toward the door.

“Edward?” Alice called after me, stopping me just as I reached the door.

I turned to face her.

“Don’t do anything. Let them handle it.”

I clenched my jaw furiously and glanced away.

“Let. Them. Handle it,” she repeated sternly. “Believe me, they’ll do a much better job than you could ever think of.”

--

This week's pic tease:



--

DCM pic prompt (ahem, rawr):

Monday, October 25, 2010

The Man Who Can't Be Moved Chapter 40 Teaser

Two teasers again today; first, the text teaser that will be on Fictionators later too, and then another pictease. Both teasers are from EPOV.

If you're reading WYWG, I'm trying... honestly. Stratan and I have been really busy (mostly me... ), so we've not had any time to talk about it. I'll force the issue when I submit this chapter for beta'ing. ;)

--


Her eyes widened, and she quickly ended her call as soon as she saw me. “My God, Edward. Are you all right? You look… so…”

I laughed bitterly, reaching up and running my hand over the stubble on my jaw. The last time I’d looked in a mirror was in Japan. I had no idea how awful I looked, nor did I care.

“No, I’m not ‘all right’, Z. Not at all.” I threw the magazines at her. “I want this gone. Now.”

“Edward, they had a-“

I opened one of them, revealing the pictures of Bella being carried on a stretcher—“packaged” and on route to the hospital—before turning the page and showing her the pictures of the interior of the car. I hardened myself to what was on the page, blocking out any thoughts of what Bella must’ve gone through, and pointed out the close-up of the blood spatters on the broken window where Bella’s head had been thrown against it. The airbags were deflated and hanging limply from the steering wheel and along the right side of the SUV, but they did nothing to save Bella from any damage. The dash still crushed her. The fender still collapsed on her.

“I don’t want to hear that they were on public property and had the right to take photos of my wife lying unconscious in a demolished vehicle, bleeding out, while they gawked and got their money shots,” I said fiercely. “I want it gone. I don’t want anything affecting Bella when she wakes up. Call in the few favors we’re owed… whatever. I won’t be in the public eye anymore, so it won’t make a difference if you have to cash all of them in. Just make it disappear… for a little while, at least,” I amended when she went to speak again. “I need her to get well, Zafrina. I need her home.”

She took a deep breath and nodded. “I’ll see what I can do.”

“That’s all I ask.” I straightened up and ran my hands through my hair. “Shred those?” I asked, feeling my stomach roll as the images played through my mind again. “I don’t think I can look at them again.”

She hurriedly gathered them up and threw them next to her feet sothey were out of my sight. “Consider it done.”

--

Monday, October 18, 2010

The Man Who Can't Be Moved Chapter 39 Teaser(s)

Yeah, there's two ;)

Here's the link to the pic tease, which is the first one I've ever done (and I loved it, hehe):

http://www.pictease.blogspot.com/

I'm near the bottom... you know, alphabetical order and all *sigh*

---

“I don’t want to go,” I slurred, throwing myself back up to an upright position. It was kind of a Tawny Kitaen move, and yes, thanks to one of many of Renée’s phases, I was well aware of that awful eighty’s reference. Just give me an old, white Trans Am and a dude with way too much hair, and I was golden. “Oh, that was a mistake,” I said as my stomach rolled.

He threw a trashcan at me. “Puke in that.”

I threw it back at him; my aim was horrific, and it ended up knocking the lamp that sat on the end table over.

“Oops,” I said, blushing. Or, at least, I think I was blushing. I couldn’t really feel my face.

“Jesus, Bella. Get the fuck up before you make an ass out of yourself and have it make front page news.”

I wished I could say that statement sobered me up, but it didn’t. “Let ‘em,” I said with an awkward wave of dismissal. “I’m so tired of pretending to be perfect.”

Emmett’s face softened as he stood me up. “I know. Where’d you leave the other two drunkards at?”

“At the karaoke machine,” I giggled.

“Oh, fuck,” he groaned.

I giggled harder. “Rosalie can’t sing,” I said in what was supposed to have been a whisper. It just wound up sounding like a deranged hiss.

“Dear God, BDB. Get some fucking gum. Your breath is rank.”

I ignored him, focusing on more important things that I’d just now noticed—my cell phone was no longer in his hand. “Hey!” I cried indignantly. “You hung up with Edward!”

“Uh, yeah,” he said, staring at me like I’d grown a second head. “A while ago.”

A sob burst free from my chest. “Why? I could have talked to him some more!”

“Yeah, that’s not happening. You’re barely lucid.”

“Bull-fucking-shit,” I snapped, and then proceeded to try to give myself a sobriety test, missing the tip of my nose with my index fingers by a long shot. “Damn it.”

He chuckled. “I’ll record you talking. Let you listen to it tomorrow. Maybe I’ll leak it to the press.”

Monday, October 11, 2010

The Man Who Can't Be Moved Ch 38 Teaser

The chapter should be up in a couple of days... Sorry for the wait. Things have been insane lately, if you didn't catch that statment last week ;)

--

Halfway through washing my hair, I heard Rosalie’s muffled voice. I strained to listen to her, because I was going to kick Emmett’s ass if he was in my bathroom while I was naked, and nearly threw myself out the shower door when I heard her utter “Edward” quietly. The only thing stopping me was the fact that, as previously stated, I was naked.

“Gimme the phone,” I demanded, popping my head out from behind the heavy glass door.

“Bella, you’re going to get shampoo in your eyes.”

“I don’t care. Give. Me. The. Phone.”

She laughed. “You can’t rinse your hair first?”

I shook my head obstinately.

“Suit yourself.”

I snatched the phone out of her hand and pushed my soapy hair back so that I didn’t ruin it. “Hi, baby.”

“Anxious to talk to me, are we?” he chuckled. “I’d have waited, love.”

“I wanted to hear your voice,” I admitted sheepishly, earning another chuckle.

“I understand you’re naked.”

I flushed and snuck a glance at Rose. “Yeah.”

“And wet.”

“Holy shit,” I breathed. The sound of his voice had me aching in a completely different way. “Stop doing that.”

“I don’t know what you’re referring to,” he replied thickly. “The fact that you’re naked and wet has me wanting to catch the next flight home so I can feel you writhing against me when I fuck you?”

I stuttered something incoherent back; Rosalie snickered, so I flipped her off.

“God, I miss you,” he moaned. “I miss your taste, your sounds; your scent. I miss the way your body wraps around mine…”

“Wh-“ I swallowed hard. “What time is it there?”

“Can’t handle it this morning?” he teased.

“Rose is here,” I murmured.

“Yes, I know.”

“That’s not fair,” I pouted.

Monday, October 4, 2010

While You Were Gone Ch 6 Teaser

Um... Hi. Sorry it's been a while since I've posted/written anything. I actually have been super busy with a friend's wedding (in three weeks), and I wrote one of the SN FGB2 outtake chapters last week instead of one of my WiPs.

So explanation over... here's the tease :)

--

Lauren came over and batted her eyelashes, trying to appear sexy. At least, that’s what I gathered from her thoughts. To me, she simply looked like she had something in her eye.

“When did you get back?” Jessica asked.

“My family and I came back last week,” I answered, glancing around quickly for Bella and staying as detached as possible during this conversation.

Lauren snorted. “Why would you ever want to come back to this hillbilly town?”

I dragged a hand through my hair. “Carlisle was needed here,” I replied. It wasn’t a complete lie.

“So do you have plans for college?” Jessica interjected.

“They’re changing,” I said vaguely, “but yes. Alice, Jasper, and I all do.”

“I can’t wait to get out of this town,” Lauren said snidely. “I bet you can’t wait either, Edward.”

“Well, I-“

“Because Bella Swan looks like shit,” she continued. “You’re lucky you got out when you did.”

“Excuse me?” I asked, dumbfounded.

Jessica giggled. “She really went downhill. I think she’s even gone a little crazy. God, I went to the movies with her a few months back, and I just about died from embarrassment. Avoid that freak at all costs.”

“You could do so much better,” Lauren said with a smirk.

I tensed with anger and had to keep focus on not snarling threateningly at the two of them as they continued obliviously bashing my mate. I went to defend her, unconcerned with scaring any of the other patrons in the diner by my monstrous demeanor, only to stop as I felt that hum in the air that signified Bella’s presence.

“I’ve got it,” she said low enough that only I could catch it.

Her scent wrapped itself around me, immediately calming me down. I took a hesitant step back and waited for Bella to make her move.

“Hey, baby. Sorry it took me so long.” Bella slid her hands over my chest and to my neck. She stood on her toes, bringing me down for a soft kiss. “I was watching the show,” she whispered with a glint in her eye.

I chuckled under my breath. “I just bet you were.”

Monday, September 13, 2010

The Man Who Can't Be Moved Ch 37 Teaser

I really have nothing to say... other than again, don't come hunting me down and killing me.

--

Unable to stand it any longer, I fit my mouth over hers again and positioned myself in between her legs. She jerked as I pressed myself against her and broke away from the kiss so that she could speak.

“God, Edward. Hurry the fuck up,” she moaned.

I grinned crookedly. “Don’t rush me.”

I trailed open-mouthed kisses down to her chest, palming her breasts in my hands while my tongue toyed with one of her nipples. I was vaguely aware of the buzzing sound of the gate at the end of the drive and Bella’s groan of disapproval, but I was too far gone to care.

“Sod it,” I snarled against her skin. “He can wait.”

And with that, I thrust into her roughly, raptly watching as her body arched away from the dark wood and she screamed out my name. I lost myself in the moment, finding that I was suddenly and completely wrapped up in her as I worked to make her come. Every part of me unraveled as her eyes met mine, and a tear streaked down her cheek. This was the last time I’d hold her, the last time I’d take her until she met back up with me in New York. Missing her didn’t describe what I’d feel without her by my side, impishly teasing me and creating such light in my life.

I grabbed her and brought her against me, wanting to be as close to her as I could when I came. Her body tensed around me, and her cries of pleasure spurred me on. I drove into her forcefully and slipped my hand in her hair, tipping her head back with a growl as she climaxed around me.

Just a few thrusts later I followed, clinging to her as I grunted through my orgasm. She dropped her head against my shoulder as she gasped for air and then took my face in her hands as soon as she could manage.

“I love you,” she whispered. “Jesus, I love you.”

I kissed her hard, unwilling to release her just yet. “I love you. Please be safe. Please,” I begged.

“Edward.”

“If you do anything stupid, I will hire a fleet of bodyguards to follow you,” I swore.

“I’m not going to do anything stupid. Don’t have a heart attack.”

“I can’t be halfway across the world and know that something could happen to you. I’ll go mad.”

She took my face in her hands and smiled, even as her eyes filled with tears. “I’ll go crazy without you here with me, so we’ll be even.”

I chuckled and hugged her to me. “What will I do without you?”

“I’ll be here, baby. I’m just a phone call away.”

“I’ll miss you. So bloody much.”

She swept a piece of hair off my forehead and blinked, finally causing her tears to fall freely.

“I’ll miss you.”

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

While You Were Gone Ch 5 Teaser

So here's this week's teaser... and now I will go back to writing the rest of the chapter.

--


“Oh, God. I’m so sorry, Dad,” I breathed, even though I knew those words meant nothing right now. But I had to say something, anything, to make try to make it better, which was the dumbest thing I could have ever considered. Nothing I did or said would help.

“That son of a bitch!” he boomed, surprising us all.

He abruptly snatched the gun from Sue’s hands and stood up. He stomped toward the front door with a murderous expression on his face.

Edward gasped as he read Charlie’s mind, immediately racing across the room at vampire speed and disarming the gun before we mere humans could realize what he was doing.

The bullets fell to the ground; the plinking sound as they bounced across the room pulled my father out of his angered haze.

“It’s not worth it, Chief Swan,” Edward said calmly. “My family just established peace with them. The situation’s tense, at best. Anything could cause them to change their mind, which in turn, will affect Bella.”

Charlie gaped down at the gun, now in pieces in Edward’s hands, and stumbled back to the recliner. He fell back and put his head in his hands.

“You weren’t lying. You’re a… a…” he choked on the word “vampire”.

“Vampire, yes,” Edward said smoothly. “I was born in Chicago, 1901.”

“I think I’m going to be sick.”

Edward’s lips twitched. “It’s understandable.”

“That means she’s…” Charlie’s air came out in a rush. “My daughter shifts into a wolf.”

Monday, August 30, 2010

The Man Who Can't Be Moved Ch 36 Teaser

The full chapter should be out in the next couple of days, as long as RL doesn't give me a swift kick in the ass or something....

FYI: In case you miss the reference, this chapter takes place in London.

--

He showed me around, pointing out all four bedrooms and the garden in the back, and then he showed me where the bathrooms were. I stared up at him as he opened the door to the bathroom in the hallway and said the words “the loo” and felt an odd sense of nostalgia pass through me. The scene, albeit in London instead of Malibu, was identical to the day of my interview, only there were no awkward pauses or incessant thoughts of wanting to fuck him senseless.

Well, that wasn’t entirely true. I always had incessant thoughts of having sex with him, and I didn’t think that would change any time soon — if ever. But there wasn’t any of the guilt associated with it now.

He caught my shift and furrowed his brow. “Bella?”

“Sorry. I was just thinking about the day of my interview.”

“Ah. The day that changed my life.”

I rolled my eyes. “Edward.”

“You can’t deny it so don’t bother. I fell in love and got married. Those are two events that most people would consider life changing.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

He cupped the back of my neck and brought my lips to his, kissing me with a passion that had my head spinning in no time. My hands wound in his hair, and I moaned unabashedly into his mouth, making him grin and pull back.

“You’ve no idea how much I wanted you that day, baby. I thought I might go mad with it, with not being able to touch you.”

“I think I have a pretty good idea. I distinctly remember wanting to shove you down to the ground and have my way with you,” I said wickedly.

“How I wish you would’ve. You’d have saved me from weeks of trying to resist you. Obviously, my resistance was futile as here I am, utterly consumed by you.”

I was at a loss for words again, but it didn’t matter since Edward’s mouth was back on mine. His hand moved into my shirt, holding me to him, while his other hand left a trail of fire across my skin. His leg slid in between mine, rubbing me just right. I moaned and pushed against him, only to abruptly stop as a strange buzzing sound went through the apartment.

“That would be Alice.”

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

While You Were Gone Ch 4 Teaser

Hey, all. I submitted this to Fictionators for Teaser Monday but waited a day to post it here so that I wasn't completely spamming with updates yesterday.

So here it is... as soon as Stratan and I finish the chapter, it'll be posted!

--

The rain started to fall harder, so I rushed up the stoop and into the house before I could get any wetter. Charlie rushed through the kitchen doorway and into the living room with a can of Vitamin R in one hand and his gun, pointing toward me, in the other.

“You scared me,” he said sternly. “I didn’t know who was stupid enough to break into the Chief of Police’s house, but they weren’t going to get away with it.”

“Sorry,” I mumbled.

He sat the can of beer down and reached over to mute the cheers of the crowd in the baseball stadium so that he could talk to me.

“What are you doing here? You’re not supposed to be home until tomorrow.”

“I know.” I shrugged, hoping to play it off until Edward came inside. “But I’m here.”

He stared at me for a moment before walking toward me. The intensity of his gaze had me fidgeting nervously and wondering if this was what made him such a good cop. I felt like squealing like a stuck pig and spilling all the secrets I was holding on my tongue without him so much as uttering a single sound.

The gun in his hand didn’t help matters any, even though rationally, I knew he would never consider using it on me.

“You look different, Bells. Good, but different. Did you do something to your hair?”

A relieved laugh burst out of my chest, causing him to cock his head to the side questioningly. Leave it to Charlie to think that the reason for me looking so different could be explained by a change of my hair.

“Yeah. Angela and I got bored one night and played around with it.”

“Oh.” He glanced back at the floor behind me. “Where are your bags? Did you leave them in the car?”

“Um, no, not exactly…”

“Then where are they?”

“They’re… Well…”

I heard Edward turning the knob and moved aside so that he had room to come in. He was hunched over from the rain, pretending to act as if it bothered him — like a human would. He started through the door just as I heard the loud boom from Charlie’s gun and felt a streak of wind rush past my cheek.

The bullet pierced Edward’s coat and ricocheted off his stone shoulder, immediately lodging itself in the wall across from him and sending a trail of drywall dust down to the floor.

“Hmm. I was actually pretty fond of this coat,” he said casually, examining the hole in the fabric with an annoyed expression.

Monday, August 16, 2010

The Man Who Can't Be Moved Ch 35 Teaser

Ok, guys... Sorry updates on this fic have been slow recently; reality is truly kicking my ass right now. School, work, you name it - it all seems to get in the way. That being said, this chapter is already with Stratan, so once he has a chance to run through it, I'll have it posted!

This teaser, as always, is posted over at The Fictionators, too.

--

I reached out and took her hand with mine, bringing it to my mouth so that I could nibble on her fingers. “I’m glad you’re enjoying it.”

“What’s not to enjoy? We have this huge, private villa sitting on a private beach with a pool and a hot tub…” She looked around. “A hammock, a gym, and even a little tiki hut built over the grill by the pool. I think you outdid yourself, baby.”

“I know it’s quite large-“
“And expensive,” she added.

I rolled my eyes. She still had no concept of how much money I actually had. “All right, and expensive, but I wanted to make sure we wouldn’t be interrupted. This is the most secluded property in the vicinity. You could prance around naked and no one would ever know. In fact, you should do that now,” I said wickedly.

She snorted a laugh. “Someone’s horny.”

“How in God’s name do you expect me not to feel anything when you’ve been walking around all day in,” I gestured wildly to her bikini, “this?”

Her eyes flashed as she smiled down at me. “You like it, huh?”

“I’d like it better off,” I admitted.

“So take it off,” she challenged.

I snaked my arm around her waist and pulled her down on me, thankful that I weighed so much more than she did so that the hammock didn’t spill us out onto the ground beneath us. I slowly worked my hands up from her hips to the tie at the back of her neck and tugged on the string, eyeing her chest and waiting for the moment that her top fell away so that I could see her fully. I pulled in a sharp breath and smiled as soon as she was exposed to me, bringing my hands back around her body so that I could cup her breasts.

She lowered her body to mine and moaned as my fingers brushed over her nipples. As soon as she was within reach, I dragged my mouth over her shoulder and down to where my hands were still toying with her. Her natural taste was tinged with salt from the air, and her skin was pink and warmed from the sun. She rolled her hips on top of me, causing me to moan as she grazed her body over mine.

I dropped my hands to her hips and pushed her further down on me as I took her mouth with mine. She gasped once and then kissed me back aggressively, silently letting me know just how much she wanted me.

Our hands roamed each other’s bodies as we lost ourselves in the demand we had to come together. I took her face in my hands and pushed her back just enough so that I could see her flushed face.

“Edward, take me inside,” she breathed.

“No. I want to fuck you out here,” I responded.

--

So I'm trying to make this blog a little better, but am so completely techno-stupid it's ridiculous. If you have any suggestions about layouts, links, little segments that don't involve teasers - whatever you'd like to see on the blog - let me know. I'm pretty much down for anything!

And don't forget about the forum over at Twilighted. It's been idle for a while now... Hint, hint!

xx
Jen

Monday, July 26, 2010

While You Were Gone Ch 3 Teaser

Here's a piece of the conversation it seems everyone is dying for in this fic...

TMWCBM readers: You'll have ch 33 out to you in a couple of days. I actually opted to work on its FGB outtake last week instead of finishing the chapter. I still have two more FGB obligations left, but once they've been fulfilled, the schedule should go back as it was.

--

His golden eyes weighed heavily with regret as he stared back at me. “I have so much to make up for,” he whispered.

I steeled myself. Now was as good of a time as any to talk about this. “Why’d you go?”

“I thought I was protecting you.” He looked away from me and frowned. “I thought I wasn’t any good for you.”

“What?” I exclaimed. “How could you ever think that?”

He sighed. “Bella, look at what I brought into your life. James. Jasper. And now Victoria. I’ve brought you nothing but danger.”

“You didn’t bring that to me,” I argued. “I’m a danger magnet, remember?”

His lips quirked. “I remember.”

“I…” I took a deep breath so that I didn’t cry. “I thought you didn’t love me anymore. You said-”

“I lied,” he said emphatically. “I have never stopped loving you.”

My brow furrowed. “But… I don’t understand.”

“A piece of me died that day, Bella.” He grabbed my hands. “You didn’t put up a fight. You just believed me. How could you ever think that I didn’t love you?”

“Because it didn’t make sense. You’re you… And I’m me. You always kept your distance, like maybe there was a part of you that didn’t want to be with me-”

His lips abruptly cut off anything else I was going to say. His mouth moved avidly with mine as passion erupted between us. I moaned and clung to him as his hands touched everywhere. The chill, the speed, made me dizzy with desire. In one swift move, he’d laid us on our sides and had my leg hitched around his hip, grinding me against him.

He broke the kiss and made an icy trail over my jaw to my ear as his fingers found my nipple underneath my shirt. “I always wanted to be with you,” he whispered. “But I wanted something more for you. I wanted you to be normal. Human. I wanted you to grow old and have babies. I can give you none of that, Bella, and you deserve so much more.”

I focused on answering him instead of the way he was making me feel. “I only want you. None of it would mean anything without you.”

“I’m sorry,” he murmured against my skin. “All my reasons for leaving - no matter how good I thought they were - were wrong. I wanted to keep you out of my supernatural world, to keep you safe, and you found your way into it anyway.” He pressed a kiss to neck. “So stubborn. Going to such great lengths to get me back here.”

I let myself smile a little. “You can’t get rid of me.”

“I’m glad.” He slowly lifted my shirt over my head and flashed a wickedly crooked grin as he stared down at my chest. “And in the spirit of full disclosure, I’m also glad to have access to these now.”

Monday, July 19, 2010

WYWG Ch 2 Teaser

“I need to contact the elders,” Sam interjected. “Find out where they want to go from here.”

In a move so fast I almost didn’t see it, Edward bent down to where his pants lay pooled on the ground and then held out his cell phone to Sam. “Would this help?”

“It would,” Sam acknowledged. “Thank you.”

Edward’s lips twitched with a smile at some unspoken thought of Sam’s. “Of course,” he replied.

He bent down to retrieve the rest of his clothes, handing me his boxers so that I had something other than his half-destroyed shirt covering me up.

I smirked down at the huge, gaping hole at the side of the button up after I’d slipped on his boxers. I’d obviously gotten a little carried away.

Edward saw the look on my face and chuckled. “What are you over there thinking about?”

I immediately blushed. “Nothing.”

“It’s something.”

The blush on my cheeks deepened. “I was just noticing how… carried away I got.”

He shook his head and flashed a crooked grin as he pulled me to him. “I can’t wait to do that again,” he whispered in my ear.

My eyes darted up from the blade of grass that had become so interesting in all of this. “Yeah?”

“My God, yes.”

I giggled and watched Sam come back over to hand Edward his phone. “The elders want to meet. You’ve been invited.”

“You’re fucking joking!” Paul shouted from behind us. “They invited the bloodsucker? What about the treaty?”

Sam laughed once. “I think the treaty’s dead, Paul. We’re currently standing in Cullen territory, and Edward’s not made an attempt to remove us-”

Paul rolled his eyes as he cut him off. “Whatever, we’ll take ourselves back to Quileute land and not come back. The leech can stay here. All are happy. The end.”

Sam exhaled sharply. “He’s her imprint, you idiot. Nothing you say or do is going to change that. You don’t have to like it, but you do have to accept it.” Sam turned his attention to everyone else. “Council meeting in thirty minutes. Let’s move.”

The Man Who Can't Be Moved Ch 34 Teaser

As Sam slid the creamy yellow file folder toward me, my heart jumped into my throat. It seemed so harmless, yet so lethal at the same time. The papers were stacked thickly inside, showing me how much research and investigation Sam had done for me. Everything about James Eliot was inside; his place of birth, college transcripts, where he frequently hung out. It all was sitting there, waiting for me to lay it all out and solve the riddle. The answers I wanted were all right in front of me, and now, I couldn’t bring myself to look at them.

Because it would change everything.

I swallowed hard and let my hand creep out to open the folder, only to snatch it back into my lap. I wrung my hands together and tried to remember to breathe, but even though I was concentrating on the deep, even breaths of air moving in and out of my body, I still felt like I was suffocating.

“I can’t.”

Edward wrapped his arm around me comfortingly. “Yes, you can.”

I shook my head obstinately. “No. I can’t. I mean, my God, what if-“

Sam interrupted me. “Bella, no one says you have to look at this. I can just take the file back to the office and destroy it if you want.”

My eyes narrowed suspiciously. “You wouldn’t tell Edward what it was over the phone because it was that important to tell me in person and now you’re… just willing to take it back with you without me ever looking at it?”

Sam smiled. “Well…”

“I’m confused. It’s either so bad I need the two of you around to call the ambulance when I have a heart attack, or it’s no big deal at all and you have some kind of flare for the dramatic. Which is it? Because frankly, both of those options piss me off.”

Edward coughed a laugh next to me.

Sam’s smile widened. “I see why Jasper and Alice like you so much.” He took a sip of his coffee before continuing. “All right, here it is. It’s important information. Information that could, if you choose to let it, change your life. But there’s no danger if you never know. James is, for the most part, a very balanced individual.”

“How is that possible?” Edward asked in shock.

“Well, it seems that until he started digging into Bella’s background, James Eliot’s only offenses were minor traffic infractions,” Sam replied. “No more than your average citizen.”

--

No cliffie this chapter. Promise.

Monday, July 5, 2010

The Man Who Can't Be Moved Ch 32 Teaser

I'm so mean... apologies all around.

--

The lights dimmed and so did my nerves as the ceremony began. Actors and actresses took the stage in their general splendor, and until the moment that Jacob walked to the podium, it had all honestly flown right by me. I didn’t know who half of these people were here, so I was just content to sit and spend time with Edward.

Edward got up during a commercial break and disappeared through the door that led backstage. I fidgeted in my seat, my nerves suddenly finding root in the pit of my stomach again, until I saw the lights shine down on Edward. He seemed so at ease up there, reading from the teleprompter. I’d never seen him in action, not even on set in Vancouver. He was enamoring. Spectacular in his talent. His eyes flicked to me, and his smile widened as he took in the idiotic grin that was coupled with my pride.

It wasn’t long after Edward’s return that the champagne got the best of me, and I had to excuse myself from the table and find the bathroom.

I washed my hands and checked my makeup, because even though I was far from the conceited actors and actresses surrounding me, I didn’t want to look like a complete jerk on camera.

The door closing echoed throughout the cavernous bathroom, and I heard the click of shoes move toward me. I went to dry my hands and waited for the moment that the woman would appear and I’d have to dive into super-polite flattery to inflate the ego that was already near bursting point, when James turned the corner and stopped, appraising my reaction carefully.

I nearly slammed myself against the sink but caught myself. I threw my used napkins in the trash and, struggling for nonchalance, swallowed hard so that I could speak.

“What the hell is it with you? First a fitting room, now a bathroom?” I shouted. My voice was shrill with fear.

“It’s not what you think. I…” He scrubbed his face with his hands. “I can’t get anywhere near you to explain. I had to try something. I couldn’t even come near you on the red carpet.”

With everything going on outside, I hadn’t given his presence a thought. Which was incredibly stupid on my part. James was part of the press; he could get into these kinds of events with just a flash of his badge.

“Just let me explain,” he continued.

“Explain what? That you’re a creepy little perv?”

--

I'll post tomorrow. Promise :)

Monday, June 28, 2010

The Man Who Can't Be Moved Ch 31 Teaser

I have nothing witty to say today... just a reminder that you still can sign up for Team Jenny0719 if you want one of the outtakes... or all of them! Links are over to the right...

--

“I don’t believe it,” I muttered as we slid past security and into the dark club. “No paparazzi.”
“Told ya,” Jacob said smugly.
I shook my head and led Bella to the bar, unwilling to answer him over the thumping music. I ordered Bella the pomegranate martini she wanted and took a sip, scrunching my nose as the sweet, strong liquor hit my tongue.
“You’d better watch those things. They’ll come back and bite you in the arse,” I shouted at her.
She grinned. “I know. That’s what makes them so good!”
I rolled my eyes. “But you’re being so much fun. Why spoil it?”
“I’m not that bad!”
I simply grinned back at her.
“Not funny.”
“Neither are you when you’re pissed. Now, give me that.” I took a large gulp and then handed back to her with a shudder. “Let’s go dance.”
“But what about Jacob and Bree?”
I gave her a look. “I could care less about Jacob and Bree. I want to feel you against me.”
Wisely, she threw her drink back and sat the empty glass on the bar. “Let’s go.”
I knew a crowd had formed around us; I could feel their gazes crawling over my skin, but I refused to look away from Bella. I’d never make it to the dance floor because of the mob that was bound to confront me if I did. I kept my arm around her as we pushed our way through them all and saw flashes of various cameras around me, along with the irritated face Bella made up at me that nearly mirrored my own.
But none of it mattered the second I spun her around and felt her body move with mine. For someone so inherently clumsy, she was an incredible dancer. Her skin was dewy with sweat; her body flushed with exertion. Her hips rolled with an unknowing seduction that had me clinging to her, wanting to strip her down and watch her move sexy, bared body in front of me. For me.
I threaded my hands through her hair and tipped her head back so that I could taste her alluring mouth. Tinged with alcohol, her lips were sweet and wet, soft and pliant against my own. Her kiss was effortless, but it did nothing to hinder the desire I was racked with as our tongues tangled heedlessly together. Home, alone, I would press on until we were joined together. Here, I had no choice but to stop.
I trailed my mouth over her jaw and nipped at her ear. “We should go home now,” I said roughly.

Monday, June 14, 2010

The Man Who Can't Be Moved Ch 30 Teaser

Back to reality...

--

“Wrap the chain around your ring one last time so that it doesn’t bring so much attention to itself by rolling around your wrist over and over again,” I instructed quietly.
“Oh.”
“It’ll look like part of the clasp this way to anyone not up close,” I continued.
She nodded and let her thumb trace over the diamonds for a second before stealing a glance at me.
I was watching her closely with a scowl. “We don’t have to do this,” I stated lowly. “You can tell everyone to ‘fuck off’ if you want. You’re good at that sort of thing.”
She grinned, but it was gone in an instant. “I want to.”
I looked at her strangely, and she shook her head.
“I don’t want to, but I know it’s necessary if we want to have a minute alone outside of the house. It just feels like we’re right back where we started.
I stared at her as my frustration consumed me. She was absolutely right. We were no closer to that happy ending than we were four months ago when we first met.
Her eyes darted to the lights lining the dark runway. “Forget I said it,” she mumbled.
“No, it’s true. We’re right back at the beginning again, hiding from the fucking press,” I said sharply.
“At least we don’t have to hide how we feel, just the fact that we got married,” she whispered. “There’s no way I could pretend to not have feelings for you. Not again.”
A smile ghosted across my face. “How so?” I asked, glancing around cautiously to make sure no one was eavesdropping.
“That distant, cold look that came over your face when we talked to each other in public would honest to God kill me now. I love how the way you look at me makes me feel.”
“I look at you like that because you are the only thing I live for anymore,” I said honestly. “You make me feel alive, Bella, in the world of jaded and blackened souls I’ve been a part of for so long.”
She put her forehead on my shoulder and squeezed my arm as she struggled not to cry.
“What just happened?” I asked, pulling her face up to see her eyes blur with tears.
“You and your damn eloquence is what happened,” she replied with a soft laugh. “Oh, God, I need another vacation.”
You need another form of birth control, I thought wryly.
“That was meant to put a smile on your face, not make you cry.”
“I know. That’s what sucks so bad.”

Monday, June 7, 2010

The Man Who Can't Be Moved Ch 29 Teaser

Chapter 29 Teaser! It mixes a bit of fun with the Cullen's (along with Emmett, Rosalie, and Charlie) and has the expected honeymoon action in it as well.

--

I finally managed to lift my head, and I gave her a satisfied, crooked grin. “Not exactly how I’d planned to consummate our marriage.”
Her nose scrunched up with her laugh. “What were you planning? Romantic seduction?”
“Something like that.”
“No seduction necessary. I’m easy.”
I laughed once and slowly stood up. “You’d better not be.”
She frowned. “Edward, come on.”
I pulled her up off the floor and onto her feet. “You cheat on me, I’ll murder you,” I said jokingly. Well, for the most part I was joking.
Her eyes flashed, and she fought with the grin that threatened to break across her face. “Same goes for you, big shot Hollywood actor.”
I grinned wickedly. “As long as we’re in agreement.”
She turned away from me to start gathering her clothes. “We probably shouldn’t have done that,” she stated absently. “Really shouldn’t have done that. What if that woman out there needed something and walked in? Or your family? My father? Emmett?” She shuddered on Emmett’s name.
“They’d have heard your noises and turned away before ever walking through the door,” I said unapologetically.
My noises?”
I nodded and threw her a quick grin. “Your noises. You’d be very successful as a voice over for porn-style moans.”
“You’re so full of shit.”
I reached out and slid my hand over her body, cupping her when I reached my destination. Her eyes fluttered and she groaned breathlessly.
“That wasn’t me.”
“Fine,” she pouted, a slight blush coloring her cheeks. “Good to know I have something to fall back on if… whatever the hell I decide to do after grad school doesn’t work out.”
“You’ve not decided anything yet?” I asked, buttoning my trousers back up.
“No,” she sighed. “Pathetic, huh?”
“You’ve still time. There’s no rush,” I said comfortingly. “Or you could choose to do nothing at all. Stay at home with me.”
She rolled her eyes. “Be serious. I can’t sit and be idle all day. You know that.”
I moved to help her take the rest of her hair down. “I know. You’ll figure it out eventually, love.”

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Fics 4 Nash--The Man Who Can't Be Moved Samson Outtake

Teaser time!

This is an outtake I did for Fics For Nashville. I put both of my other stories aside this week to get this out, and I have to say, even though I'm crazy nervous about being spotlighted with all these amazing authors, I'm excited about it!

A little info for those who haven't donated yet. $5 gets you outtakes from over 150 authors on 6/5 and proceeds will go to help relieve the flood victims in Nashville. I hold this dear to my heart because I live so close to Nashville and have friends who live there who suffered damage from the flash floods.

http://community.livejournal.com/ficsfornash/474.html

So the outtake... It takes place in the future, but will NOT effect the storyline of TMWCBM. It's set just before Bella and Edward move. There are a few things that you might notice when you read it and everything that I skirted around in the outtake will be answered in the actual story. Eventually.

--

Samson's POV

“Good morning,” Edward said pleasantly, handing Bella a mug of coffee.

“Morning. You have a busy day today,” she replied, grinning back. “A photo shoot, two magazine interviews, a meeting over at King Pictures, and a date with Ellen.”

He smiled persuasively at her. “Can’t you cancel everything so I can stay here with you?”

“No,” she laughed.

“No?” He nuzzled her neck. “I don’t particularly care for that answer, love. Anything I can do to convince you otherwise?”

“As your wife? Yes. As your agent? No.” She weaseled out of his arms. “Now, go get ready so that you’re not late. I don’t want to get a phone call from some disgruntled photographer demanding to know where you are.”

He rolled his eyes. “All right, but you need to take Samson to the groomer’s for me.”

My ears perked up. I got to spend the day with Bella?

“What?” Her eyes darted over to me, and I stood up, panting expectantly. “Why?”

“He has an appointment, that’s why,” Edward responded on a chuckle. “He’s shedding everywhere.”

I huffed indignantly. Like I could help that shit.

“Oh, but… the dog… in my car? Really?” she pouted.

“Take the Range Rover,” he said simply.

“Why can’t you just take him in the shower with you?”

If I could have scrunched my nose up any more than it already was I would’ve. Edward’s nakedness all up in my face. No fucking thanks.

I was starting to reconsider my stance on Bella’s intelligence a little. Two male beings, trapped in a shower naked together does not a good time make.

Not to me, anyway.

“I don’t have time. Nor do I want to leave a mess on the housekeeper.” He slid his arms around her waist again. “Come on, baby, I’ll make it up to you tonight,” he wheedled.

She seemed to seriously be weighing her options here.

Oh, come on! I’m not that bad!

“Promise?” she finally asked with a sly smile.

He nodded and bent to kiss her. This was my cue to turn away.

I trotted out of the kitchen and into the living room, jumping up on the couch and making myself comfortable, even though I knew if Edward caught me, he’d have my ass. But with the sounds of Bella’s laughter turning into moans, I really didn’t give a shit. The man was cutting into my Bella time with his insatiable libido. I mean, I loved him fiercely, but damn, he was so… old. Shouldn’t he be slowing down by now?

It was kind of creepy, if you asked me. Like Bella was slipping Viagra into his food or something.

Hmm. Some investigation may be in order.

Monday, May 24, 2010

The Man Who Can't Be Moved Ch 28 Teaser

Here it is, what I'm sure a lot of us have been waiting for. The fic is far from over though...

--

“We’re getting married today,” she whispered in amazement.

I pulled her up to stand with me on the pedestal and motioned for the tailor to give me a moment. “We are. Still don’t believe it?” Those were the first words she’d uttered upon waking this morning, and she was obviously still having problems wrapping her mind around the concept, though I really didn’t see why.

She shook her head.

I chuckled as I took her face in my hands. “Why not? I’m standing here with you in a black tuxedo, and you have my ring in your pocket. Doesn’t get any realer than that, love.”

“I don’t have a dress.”

“We’ll find your dress,” I responded confidently, kissing her softly before continuing. “We’ve not even begun to look yet.”

“What if we don’t?” She bit down on her lip nervously.

“Then we’ll get married in what we wore here. I personally don’t care,” I told her.

She laughed. “Yeah, getting married in jeans and a sweater is exactly how I saw us doing this.”

“I happen to like that jumper,” I said, looking down at where her nipples were visible through the deep green fabric.

My face must’ve given it away, because she didn’t even bother to look down before she quickly covered herself and blushed. “How long have they been like that?” she hissed.

“A while,” I said with a satisfied grin.

“Oh, my God,” she mumbled in humiliation. “I look like I don’t own a bra.”

“No one’s looking at you. Not with me around. They wouldn’t dare,” I said lowly.

Her brow winged up challengingly. “You really think that kind of possessiveness is going to work for me?”

“I’ve no doubt. You’re mine; as soon as we’re home, you’ll be Bella Masen.”

“I think I’m keeping my maiden name.” She shrugged and turned to walk away, but I yanked her back so that her body was flush with mine.

“Like hell you are,” I growled.

She moaned quietly. “We should get married every day. You, like this, is such a turn on.”

“Oh?”

She slid her hand between us and cupped me, causing me to jerk with her touch. “Hurry up. We still have to pick out a tie color.”

“Black,” I choked out. I was working very hard to not embarrass myself when she moved away from me.

“Black?”

“Yes.”

“You in solid black? Me in solid white?”

“Since we decided to get married at the Black and White Ball, it seems rather fitting. Don’t you think?”

She shook her head. “I shouldn’t even be looking at white dresses. You’ve made it so that I’m so far from being virginal… Pretending to be virtuous would be all sorts of wrong.”

“Oh, come on, Isabella. I know you’re well aware that chaste is not the only definition of virtuous. You’re good. Honest.”

“You have a stupidly high opinion of me, baby.”

I tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. “Of course I do. I love you.”

Monday, May 17, 2010

The Man Who Can't Be Moved Ch 27 Teaser

We're getting close to the elopement. One chapter away before they jet off to Paris!

So... here it is. Should be finished and posted within a couple of days (as long as RL stays good to me) so that I can get the elopement chapter out next Monday to coincide with the Twitter readalong.

--

“I’m going to look into Tyler’s story,” Edward said causally, as if there was nothing serious about his statement at all.

I opened one eye and peered over at him. “Why?”

“Just a precaution. You believe him and I trust your judgment, however, it would be nice to have some sort of confirmation that his story about his mother is in fact true,” he explained.

I opened my other eye and just stared at him, wondering where this sudden mistrust of everyone came from.

He continued, knowing exactly what was circling my mind. “I’ve become cynical in my old age. I’ve seen too many people in this industry use others for their own benefit and lie, cheat, and steal—not to mention perform the odd sexual favors—to get ahead. I want verification that his mother is ill. That’s all.”

“Fine. You having that private investigator guy dig into it?”

“Sam Uley, love,” he corrected with a smile. “And yes, I am. How did you know about him?”

“I saw his card sitting on your desk. Why do you need it?” I leaned back again and stared into the blank, dark purple sky. “I want to see stars wherever we move to. It’s too fucking hazy in this town to see any stars,” I blurted.

“All right,” he chuckled. “You want stars, you’ll get stars.”

“The Uley guy?” I prompted.

“He’s a friend of Jasper’s.”

I knew that wasn’t it. “And? Do I have to pry it out of you, Edward?”

He huffed. “No, of course not. I just don’t want you to be alarmed, that’s all.”

“Why would I be alarmed?”

“I hired him to look into James Eliot. I want to know how long he’s been watching us and what his motivations were for going into that fitting room and spying on my half naked fiancée,” he said tersely.

I digested that for a minute. “What are you going to do with the information you get?” I asked, sitting back up and wringing the water from my hair. “I need to get my hair cut.”

Edward laughed. “You’re incredibly random when you drink, love.”

My bottom lip jutted out. “Oh. Is it annoying?”

“Not at all. Quite entertaining, actually.”

I grinned widely. “Kay.”

“But don’t cut your hair. I like the way it falls over your shoulders more now.”

“You like it long?”

“Not necessarily long. I like it as it is. But it’s your hair, do what you want with it.”

“Well, I would say the same thing about your hair, but I don’t want you to cut it. Ever.”

He chuckled again. Apparently I was very amusing to sober Edward. “You’ll have no say this November.”

“What?” I shouted, a little louder than I’d intended.

“They’ll buzz it off in the middle of filming. You know this,” he replied.

But I’d completely forgotten. “Oh, all that hair,” I pouted. “All that shiny, coppery colored hair.”

“It grows back,” he said simply.

Monday, May 10, 2010

The Man Who Can't Be Moved Ch 26 Teaser

BtSatM readers... I'm working on a teaser for you all tonight. With the holiday yesterday, I didn't have time to do both.
Enjoy the lemony goodness...

--

When we had ourselves and the floor both clean, we slipped into bed together, listening to the gentle flow of the classical music I had programmed to shuffle silently. As I held her in my arms, it occurred to me that today had been a turning point in our relationship. Bella stood by my side, mixing politeness and cautiousness with her own sense of humor, and was a natural in front of the camera. The change in her was astounding, and I found myself falling even more in love with the woman lying beside me.

She was my rib, my missing piece.

Her breathing was slow and easy--soothing--as she shifted in my arms. Her warmth filled the room, and her scent made my head spin. A sharp streak of desire went through me; I turned her and groaned as a wave of that incredible scent washed over me, enveloping me in her unintentional sensuality.

I wanted her—now—and so I shifted our bodies so that I was hovering over her and kissed her passionately.

I squeezed her arse with my hand just before I hitched her leg over my hip, becoming more and more needful with the way her hands traveled over my skin and gripped at my hair. Her nails dug into the skin of my neck, just under the collar of my shirt, and the little bit of control that I’d managed to keep hold of finally snapped.

Clothes flew and grunts and groans echoed around us as we worked our way to satisfaction. The remaining article of my clothing—my shirt—was now in her hands. I heard the sharp rip of the fabric tearing in her hands but was too far gone to care.

"I’ve wanted to do that all fucking day," she breathed against my mouth.

"Mmm," was all I could manage.

My lips moved down the graceful line of her neck, over her collarbone, longing to taste the sweet skin of her breasts and feel her nipples pebble against my mouth while my hands skimmed over her body, eliciting small gasps and arches of her back with every touch.

She moaned my name in an effort to speed my movements, but I was savoring her and the moment as a sort of celebration of the day. She’d done so much for me, to be with me, going out of her comfort zone and learning to adapt to the world I drug her into the day I said "I love you".

She gasped as my hand moved between her thighs, pushing her hips up against my movements. Each pass made her body writhe with anticipation, in a silent plea for me to push her over that illusive edge and into blissful oblivion.

Monday, May 3, 2010

The Man Who Can't Be Moved Ch 25 Teaser

This is part of the photo shoot :)

--

"I hate you."

He gave me a devastating smile that would normally have me dragging him into a dark corner so that I could sate the ache it caused inside me and pulled at the cuffs of his suit. "No, you don't."

"Yes, I do." I pulled up the poufy white fabric of my dress so that I could walk and stomped toward him. "I look like a fucking fuzzy marshmallow." I glanced down and decided "marshmallow" was not the right word. "I look like a Yeti. A God damned snow beast."

He laughed. "You look like a bride. My bride."

"You can guarantee I won't be caught dead in something this... hideous on our wedding day."

He adjusted his tie and walked a circle around me as his eyes raked over the dress; he laughed again. "It's..." He shook his head. "I've no words."

"I hate you," I repeated with a snarl.

"Hate is such a strong word."

"I'm staying at my place tonight. And you're not allowed."

He cupped the back of my neck and bent to nuzzle my neck before trailing open-mouthed kisses over my exposed collar bone. I nearly purred through my anger. "You're delusional. And quite stunning as a fuzzy marshmallow. I could devour you right here in front of all these people." He sighed and pulled away. "The sooner we start the shoot, the sooner you can go home and pout."

I almost pouted, but I caught myself. "Good." I grabbed the dress and somehow made my way to the photographer without stumbling over the monstrosity I was wearing.

I walked over to the rail and stared out at the city below. Edward came over and leaned against the railing, glancing over at me and chuckling to himself. Click.

"Am I that ugly?" I asked, arching my brow and trying not to smile back.

He rolled his eyes. "I know this isn't something you'd normally choose for yourself, but you look extremely glamorous and very Hollywood. It simply reinforces the feeling that you belong with me." He stared out into the distance and let me ponder that.

"I do belong with you," I whispered suddenly.

"And yet you hate me," he teased.

I simply laughed.

He held his hand out to me. "Come, let’s get this over with so that you can change out of that God-awful dress. I might just go blind having to look at it for the next hour."

"Asshole," I replied, taking his hand.

Between the Sun and the Moon Ch 31 Teaser

Here it is... *snickers cause I know I'll get some shit for this*

--

"No!" A tenor voice shouted from behind us. "Get away from her! You've done enough, Cullen!"

I tensed, expecting the worst, but was shocked to feel Bella's fingers curl into my stomach as she stood in front of me protectively.

"Mike," she said calmly. "Don't make a scene. Jessica wouldn't want that."

His eyes darted between the casket and me indecisively. "Get out. You're not welcome," he said lowly.

I nodded and urged Bella forward, but she wouldn't budge. "Bella," I whispered. "It's not worth it."

Almost as if she had ignored me entirely, she kept her eyes locked on Mike's. "Newton, I know you're upset and angry, but this is no more our fault than it is yours. We were targeted just like Jessica," she said softly. "And I'm so sorry that she wasn't as fortunate as we were."

His bright blue eyes stared at Bella blankly before blurring with tears. "God, Bella, I just don't understand," he said with such agony, I winced. "She was minding her own business. Didn't even have a chance to defend herself."

"I'm sorry," she whispered. "I didn't know her very well, but I can't imagine why anyone would want to hurt her voluntarily. Those people..." She swallowed hard. "They're insane. Brainwashed. I'm sure once that man comes to his senses he'll regret what he did that night for the rest of his life."

I didn't necessarily believe that, but I knew why Bella had said it. It held a comfort to it, just like the tone of her voice.

Mike sagged forward and outstretched his hand. Bella took a step forward and almost seemed to catch him. "Sorry, I shouldn't have taken it out on you two. You were the only other people involved that weren't held hostage so..."

"No need to explain," I said gently.

"I was going to ask her to marry me," he said quietly.

I thought the guilt might swallow my soul with those words. "I’m sorry," I responded uneasily, not knowing how to comfort someone who was seemingly dying from the inside out right before my eyes.

"Thanks," he croaked. "Are you coming to the… um, the…" He couldn’t seem to get the rest out.

"Burial?" Bella prompted.

He nodded.

"Of course we are," she responded with such reassurance, it astounded me.

"I’ll go get you the flag for your car."

He started to walk away, but I clasped my hand on his shoulder, stopping him in his tracks. "No, we can handle it ourselves. Just point us in the direction we should go, and we’ll let you get back to your family and friends."

Without another word, he pointed to a dark haired man in the back and then walked off.

Monday, April 19, 2010

The Man Who Can't Be Moved Ch 24 Teaser

Posted on Fictionators as well... BtSatM teaser will come after I've finished this chapter. I swear, I'm trying to get back into the alternating-updates-cycle I was doing before I got blocked... *sigh*

--

"Was that a Bella ass pop I heard?" Emmett asked as I walked into the kitchen.

"It was."

He snickered.

I rummaged through the cupboards and refrigerator, finding nothing suitable to fix for breakfast other than sugary cereal and expired milk. I turned and faced Emmett and ran my hand through my hair before speaking.

"What are we supposed to eat if neither of our women have gone to the store lately?"

"BEC's, dude."

"What's a BEC?" I questioned.

"Bacon, egg, and cheese." He stared at me like I was some sort of strange, mythological creature he'd just caught sight of.

I made a face with the thought of eating all that greasy food from McDonald's. "That's disgusting."

"It's fucking awesome," he argued. "Don't you like McYuck's?"

"No. That's quite an apt description of it, though, Emmett."

He shrugged. "Suit yourself. There might be something in the freezer if you're lucky."

I opened the freezer to find ice cream, ice, and something I couldn't identify. Sighing, I pulled out my mobile and dialed the bakery Bella had mentioned she loved so many times and ordered for delivery.

"You gotten any of those tabloids lately?" Emmett asked, not looking up from the magazine in front of him.

"Zafrina usually has them delivered to my house, but I've not had a chance to look at them. Why?"

"Bella's face is on every single one Rosalie got in the mail last night."

Fuck.

"Let me see those." I hastily pulled them out of Emmett's hands and started rifling through them.

Pictures of Bella at USC, walking down the sidewalk, and into her apartment as well as pictures of the two of us together were splashed on every cover along with Tanya's face and captions like "Edward Masen's secret affair. Our exclusive with heartbroken Tanya Denali." and things that scandalized our relationship and Bella's age. There was even an article that claimed an exclusive interview with some random bloke at USC and stated that Bella frequently participated in threesomes and that was how we'd eventually met, because I obviously liked them young and felt it necessary to troll for girls on campus.

If I wasn't so worried about Bella's reaction, I might've laughed at the last bit. Bella was the first significantly younger girl I'd ever dated, yet this person writing the article implied that it almost compulsive for me.

It wasn't like being on the cover was unexpected, but somehow actually holding proof that people were going to take advantage of Bella and me for their own gain made it so much worse.

Bella's laughter filtered throughout the flat, and I quickly shoved the magazines toward Emmett in panic.

"Hide them," I hissed.

Monday, April 12, 2010

The Man Who Can't Be Moved Ch 23 Teaser

"What's this shit you're supposedly not giving me?"

"Oh. Are you really okay? I mean, you seem fine, but honestly, the closet thing was a little weird."

"I'm all right," he said soothingly. "It's a coping mechanism, I suppose."

I nodded. "I figured. What were you worried about?"

He sighed. "Everything."

I waited for him to elaborate.

"From your safety to whether you'd panic again and I'd find you curled up into yourself like I did Monday. Fear. Plain and simple and no more rational than your fears."

I stared at him in stunned silence. "Edward Masen is afraid?" I asked incredulously.

"Of Isabella Swan," he responded bleakly.

"But why?"

"I've never been so..." He stared at the display as he searched for the right word. "Consumed by someone before. I've never been so invested in a relationship. I've never really even been my total self with a woman in over twenty years. Not since that first film."

"I don't understand," I said slowly.

He leaned forward with an intensity in his eyes I'd never seen before. "Don't you see? You're the only one I've ever let see the real me, therefore, you're the only one who could ever truly hurt me. You could choose to leave me. You could be physically harmed or worse." He swallowed convulsively.

"Edward," I whispered. "Why is it bothering you so much now?"

"Because before it was speculation. Now, it's reality. I see all the possible ways this could go wrong for us and it frightens me." He locked his serious gaze with mine. "Tell me how to get past the fear, baby. I don't know how."

This was almost too much to handle. My Edward; my smart, reasonable, sometimes extremely funny Edward was behaving like me, the inexperienced college student who didn't have anything in her life to serve as a base point for this relationship and guide her through the world of love and lust and everything that came between it.

It was sobering to be on the other end and feel the worry that went with wondering if that other person's fear would someday cause you pain, and I was suddenly so sorry for all the times I'd done it to him.

"You want to go through that display over there, don't you?" I inclined my head to the disarrayed shirts to our right.

"My fingers are itching to sort through the stock," he responded jokingly.

I giggled. "I don't have any good advice to tell you, because I'm still learning myself. I just keep pushing past it. I keep my feet firmly planted on the ground when I feel that urge to run and remind myself of everything I'd be missing out on if I left. But please remember, I love you. Even if you are half nuts."

"And I love you," he responded on a chuckle.

Between the Sun and the Moon Ch 30 Teaser

Yes, I know how much I suck with this story. I got blocked and then real life got so busy I didn't have a chance to write. Add to that, Stratan's computer dying, and you get a fucking long ass wait. So sorry!

--

Edward's arms wrapped themselves around my waist and his lips pressed against my temple. "You look lost, love," he said softly. "'What are you out here thinking about?"

"All sorts of naughty things," I replied jokingly.

His chuckle vibrated against my skin, sending chills through me. "All involving me, I hope."

"Nope. No such luck." I laid my head back against his chest. "I thought of an idea for a story."

"That's great." He kissed me again. "Care to tell me what it's about?"

"Suspense mixed with some romance. I'm thinking of using a scarier version of our house for the main event. Someone wants the heroine's new lover dead. With a twist."

"Twist?"

I nodded. "It's a secret."

"I'm sure you'll shock the hell out of your readers." He paused. "Speaking of readers, have you been on the internet recently?"

"Yes. Between three kids and the madness surrounding us, I've had so much time to surf," I said dryly.

"Ah, not funny. I'd like to pretend things have been boringly normal around here."

So would I.

But that was never going to happen. We'd been forever altered by this one summer. The memories would continue to lie in wait, resurfacing when we least expected it and pulling us back into the darkness that we'd managed to escape from. Though I wished we could say we came out emotionally untouched, I knew we were stronger, better people because we hadn't.

"Well, come inside, and I'll show you what I found."

He took my hand and led me inside. We went straight to our bedroom, and he shut the door behind us.

"What are you doing?"

"Just a second." He took his laptop off the small desk and pulled up the web browser. A few clicks and he was spinning the computer around so that I could see the screen.

"It's a book."

"It is. Read on."

I skimmed through the chapter and noticed it was based on my book. My characters were doing things I'd never dreamed of.

"Holy shit, it's porn!" I exclaimed in shock.

"I believe the correct term is smut. Lemons." I gave him an incredulous look. "I've learned a lot recently. Some of it's really hot."

"You perv!" I laughed. "When have you been reading all this?"

"I'm not around you every second of the day, Bella," he said in amusement. "I sometimes do a search on you to see how your books are doing and what your fans and the critics are saying about your work."

"You do?"

He smiled warmly. "Of course I do. I will always want to know about everything you do." He pointed back to the screen. "Anyway, this site popped up one day. Curiosity got the best of me. There are some really talented people out there in fandom."

"My husband reads fan fiction," I giggled.

Monday, March 29, 2010

The Man Who Can't Be Moved Ch 22 Teaser

Here it is... It's up on Fictionator.com, too.

--

"Come to bed," he instructed. "You need your rest."

"Yes, father," I said with a roll of my eyes.

He curled his lip back. "No father jokes. That's rather horrifying, don't you think?"

"Nope. You can be my daddy anytime." I ran my hand down his stomach suggestively.

His brow arched, and his eyes darkened. "Now, love?"

I grinned playfully at him. "Now's good for me."

He changed spots with me and had me straddling his lap in a move so fast, I was dazed. I leaned down and kissed him gently, savoring the way he tasted and felt his strong muscles ripple and strain under my fingers as I explored his perfect form.

He cupped my breast through my t-shirt, and my entire body exploded with heat. I moaned into his mouth and everything between us shifted. I ground my hips into his as his kiss became needy and desperate and his teasing touch verged on the point of pain.

I arched my back and threw my head back as white-hot bolts of pleasure raced through my veins and electricity sparked between us, nearly taking my breath away with its intensity. His hands came to rest on my hips, kneading into the soft flesh and directing my movements on top of him while his mouth raked over my skin, leaving a burning, tender wake behind his skilled tongue.

He ripped my shirt off, and I gasped as he bit down and toyed with my nipple. I wrapped my fingers in his hair and pulled in an effort to ground myself against the needful, driving ache that I had for him.

He broke free, staring up at me with wild eyes and grinned the sexiest smile I'd ever seen. My breath hitched and my cheeks burned with the knowledge that it was meant solely for me.

He stroked me through my panties and the smile grew even more pronounced. "Fuck, Isabella. I need you," he murmured, lifting his hips off the cushion and pushing himself against me.

I smothered an embarrassingly loud groan at the sound of the word "fuck" rolling off his tongue like that. It was erotic and heady, unexpected and hotter than hell.

Friday, March 26, 2010

The Man Who Can't Be Moved Ch 21 Teaser

Teaser time again ;)

Hopefully with this and the 500 words I've written for Ch 22, I can focus on something other than Hollywood-Britward and Flight-prone Bella... like starting to wrap up BtSatM... sigh.

--

"Eric," I greeted. "How're you this morning?"
"Good. You ever going to tell us what's going on with you and your assistant? Your publicist gave us some bullshit statement over the weekend that didn't confirm or deny anything."
I laughed. "That's her job, is it not?"
"It is. So what's the deal?"
"Simply put, the deal is that I'm in a relationship with Bella," I answered.
"Behind Tanya's back?" he inquired.
"I'm not going to answer that again. I will tell you that I'm happy now, Eric. Happier than I've ever been."
He grinned widely. "She's going to shit when she reads that."
I smiled wickedly in return. "Make sure you have your camera ready for that. I'd love to see it."
He laughed. "Well, I'm officially 'Team Edward'."
My brow furrowed. "'Team Edward'? What is that?"
"Dude, check the internet. There are people selling t-shirts that say 'Team Edward' and 'Team Tanya' on them. I think there might even be some with your girl's face on them."
I groaned. "Oh, she's going to love that."
"Why?"
"She's not interested in being a celebrity. But I suppose it can't be helped so long as she's with me."
"No. So where are you off to?"
"The beach. Venice, perhaps. I'm not sure."
He nodded.
"Keep your distance, please," I requested of them all. "She's not used to all of this and is still trying to adjust."
They didn't answer but then again, I hadn't expected them to.
I climbed into the car and started it, backing out carefully before I said anything to Bella.
"Do a Google search on the Blackberry," I instructed, "for 'Team Edward'."

--

Short and sweet. Hopefully the chapter will be up soon...

Sunday, March 21, 2010

The Man Who Can't Be Moved Ch 20 Teaser

Teaser time again!

Here's a bit from the latest Man chapter. I have one more scene to write in BPOV and then it's going straight to Stratan for beta'ing.

I've also submitted a version of this teaser to Fictionators.com. Be sure to check 'em out. There's a ton of awesome recs over there.

-

"Reneé?" Bella asked nervously.

"What?" She cleared her throat once. "Did you tell your father?"

Bella smiled with the thought of Charlie's reaction. "I did. He said that he thought I was too young, but that he'd never really seen me happy until Edward came along. And I even got a congratulations out of him."

Her sharp intake of breath alerted me to her change in demeanor.

"Well, you are too young. Did you learn nothing from your father and me?" she snapped.

"I learned what not to do in a marriage, if that's what you mean," Bella shot back.

"You have your entire life ahead of you! Why rush this? It'll only wind up in divorce!" Reneé cried in frustration.

"I have no intention of ever divorcing your daughter, Reneé," I said tersely. The
woman was mad.

"You may not have the intention, but when my daughter realizes that she's rushed into something she wasn't prepared for, you'll have no choice in the matter."

"I'm not you!" Bella screamed. "I'm nothing like you. I love this man and I want to have a family with him. You never wanted me; I was always a burden to your hippie, free-spirited lifestyle. The fact that you're actually wanting to be a parent to my brother is almost incomprehensible to me. Why can't you just be happy for me?"

"You're only twenty-one! Why can't you wait until you're thirty to marry Edward, if he's still around?" Reneé argued. It didn't escape me that she didn't refute Bella's claim of not wanting her, which was absurd. How could anyone not want her?

"Because, I will not make him wait until he's fifty to get married just because you want me to. I'm tired of living my life to appease everyone else. I'm ready for this," she said emphatically. "I'm ready to stop being plain, frightened, uncertain Bella Swan and be what Edward sees in me; the bright, funny, confident, and beautiful girl that stubbornly accomplishes whatever she puts her mind to."

"Well said," I whispered.

"It's what you're always trying to tell me, right?" she asked nervously.

"Exactly."

"Well," Reneé said, sounding a little defeated. "I still think you're making a huge mistake. As much as I like Edward, I don't like that he has made you become dependent on him like you are."

"I'm not dependent on him. Jesus, do you know how long it took me to realize that loving him doesn't make me dependent? He makes me stronger because he's always--no matter how stupid he thinks I'm being--there for me. Having someone besides Dad, who lives twelve hundred miles away, support me is the most incredible feeling I've ever known."

"So what are you going to do?" Reneé asked. "Drop out of school and pop out little half-British babies because you got involved with a man who's pushing forty?"

Both our jaws dropped in shock at the venom in her voice. "Who are you?" Bella gasped.

"I'm sorry. That didn't come out right," Reneé said quickly. "Hormones have made me a bitch. I-I don't want to see you make my mistakes all over again."

A tear slid down Bella's mottled cheek. "Just forget it. I'll send you a save the date card and you can sit at home twiddling your fucking thumbs while I walk down the aisle."

"Bella-"

"Hang up, Edward." I was frozen and couldn't get my hands to cooperate. "Hang up!" she screeched.

-

So there ya go...