AVitD- Chapter 20

Chapter 20~ Lollipop, Lollipop, Oh Lolli-lollipop

Carlisle had read the same page in his medical journal fifteen times unsuccessful in his attempt to make it to the next page as his eyes kept reverting to the clock.  He didn’t need to look as his vast mind had the ability to keep track of the seconds that went by.  So he knew that it was exactly seven hundred and twelve seconds since the last time he looked.  He also knew that it had been forty-five thousand, eight hundred and twenty-seven seconds since he had last kissed Bella; far too long for his comfort.  If this was all due to being her mate, he wasn’t sure how he could handle being away from her ever again.

He huffed impatiently as another two hundred seconds ticked by.  Then he heard the sound he had been waiting for.  His ears detected the tires of Rosalie’s Hummer crunching on the snow covered road a mile away from the house.  He had to quell the instinct to run to meet the truck before it pulled in the driveway.  He breathed deeply counting down the length that the Hummer still needed to travel by the increasing sound of the tire treads.  Mixed in with the constant crunch of snow was the beautiful sound of Bella’s heartbeat.  It too was increasing in volume as well as frequency causing Carlisle to smile; she had missed me as well.

The flight home had been quiet as Bella slept nearly the entire way.  Shopping with Alice was exhausting on a good day; add Rosalie into the mix and Bella felt like she needed a week to recover.  Though as they drove home from the airport; she felt her energy spike.  She felt silly to admit it, but she missed Carlisle like crazy.  Her heart began to race as she recognized the terrain telling her that they were nearly home.  Home.  She didn’t know when it happened, but this had truly become her home.  The Cullen’s were truly her family and Carlisle…he was her heart.

Bella’s door was flung open as soon as the vehicle was engaged into park.

“My Bella.” Carlisle whispered as he unhooked her buckle and pulled her into his granite arms.

She giggled, wrapping her arms around him. “Home.” Was all she said as he took deep breaths; filling his body with her scent.  It was different than normal.  It had a combination of different fabrics, people, places and traffic, but at the heart of it was still all Bella.

“Good grief Carlisle, it is not like she was gone a week!” Rosalie poked fun, “She wasn’t even gone a full day.”

“Thank God for that.” He said in barely a whisper as he caressed Bella’s cheek gazing into her chocolate eyes.  She smiled up at him; basking in the love that radiated off of him.  He needed to be closer, so he pulled her back to his chest.

He didn’t respond to Rosalie, which in the back of his mind he knew was rude, but at that very moment in time he could have cared less.  He made a mental note to apologize later.

“Did you have fun with the girls today?” he asked without releasing his iron clad hold on her.

Bella did not even try to move.  She held him with as much intensity as she could as she answered, “Yes, but I missed you terribly.  Is that pathetic?”

“If it is, then you are in good company.” He said with a breathy chuckle.

He kissed the top of her head, “Come.  Let’s get you inside.  I’ll take care of the bag later.”

“I’ve got you covered, Carlisle.” Emmett called from the back of the Hummer.

“Thank you Emmett.” Carlisle smiled as Emmett winked at him.

Emmett remembered those days where it felt like your heart would claw its way out of your chest to get to its other half.  He and Rosalie found after the first twenty years together that it seemed more controllable, but no less intense.  It was just that they knew what to expect when they were separated and found it easier to cope with.

He couldn’t help the grin that spread across his face deepening his dimples as he watched Bella and Carlisle make their way into the house.  When Esme died, he doubted that he would ever see Carlisle truly happy again.  The fact that he found his happiness in Bella and she found hers in him seemed like nothing short of a miracle.  Their family had suffered two great losses that could have been doubled if Bella had never awakened, but that was not the case.  Now, his family was stronger than ever.

“Hey monkey man.  Quit your daydreaming and get those bags inside.  I have been on my feet all day and would love a foot rub.” Rosalie said as she walked into the house; swinging her hips with each step.

Emmett licked his lips.  He knew that rubbing her perfect little feet would lead to other things rubbing.  The thought elicited a low growl from him.

“Your wish is my command.” He called out as he swept all the bags that Jasper had left into his massive arms and followed the love of his existence into the house.

Carlisle and Bella were nowhere to be seen, but the music playing from their room did little to cover the sounds of Bella’s moans.

Carlisle wasted no time escorting Bella to their bedroom.  The fireplace contained a roaring fire that he had started as he tried to patiently wait for them to arrive home.  It set the room a blaze with color and a warmth that touched them both.  He had barely allowed any space between their bodies with the exception of taking her coat off.  He kissed and licked her neck as her hands drifted over his defined arms.  Her skin tingled as his skilled hands found their way under the hem of her sweater.  She couldn’t contain the moan that left her lips unbidden.

Carlisle reached into his back pocket for the iHome remote; turning it on.  Billy Joel’s ‘She’s Got a Way’ flowed through the room as the remote fell to the floor freeing his hand to return to her bare skin.  His cool kisses set her skin on fire.  Her body reacted to his in such a visceral way; hardening her nipples and causing her to ache with need for him.

He pulled back to see the brown of her eyes darken; her lids were heavy with lust. “Isabella, may I make love to you?”

Her heart stuttered as she became overwhelmed with emotion.  His words reached deep within her wrapping around her soul.  She would not have stopped him if had merely continued and allowed their bodies to make their natural progression to an inevitable session of love making.  But he asked.  He did not just take.  He asked to make love to her.  If it was possible, her love for him grew ten-fold in that moment.

“Yes,” she nodded, “please make love to me, Carlisle.”

His golden eyes danced in the fire light as his lips caressed hers.  The kiss was soft; barely a whisper.  He was not rushing tonight.  He had ached for her all day, and if he had his way, he would make slow, passionate love to her all night.

He swept her up into his arms bridal style and carried her across the room; placing her gently upon the bed.  He straightened up and pulled his sweater over his head before unbuttoning his shirt at a steady human pace.  Bella felt her whole body heat up in anticipation.  She sat riveted as each button he opened exposed more and more of his muscular chest.  His body was perfection.  When the last button was undone, Carlisle dropped his shirt to the floor.  Bella leaned in and kissed his chest over his silent heart.  Carlisle tipped his head back, closing his eyes to allow his skin to feel every sensation that she placed upon his body.

Her hands traveled up his chest, over his shoulders and down his arms.  Her fingers caressed each muscle, leaving burning tracks where they had just been.  Her mouth dotted his abdomen with searing kisses that he swore would tattoo their impression into his unyielding flesh.

The things she did to him were indescribable.  It was like the purest heaven and the most sinful hell all wrapped up in one magnificent package.  She hummed against his navel as she laved his skin with her scorching tongue.  She leaned in and nibbled on his hip bone as it protruded from the waist of his pants.  Her teeth on him were their own tools of the devil that elicited a low growl from his chest.  He could feel her lips quirk in a smile; knowing that she could rouse such reactions from him.

She drug her tongue from his hip to the button of his Dockers.  She grabbed hold of the one side with her teeth pulling to release the button.  Carlisle sucked in a sudden breath as his head shot down to see the edge of his pants still held tightly between her teeth.  This was too much and his inner demon banged on the cage door demanding to be set free.  His eyes began to darken causing Bella’s heartbeat to accelerate.  Carlisle closed his eyes willing the monster inside of him to back down.  This is not how tonight is going to go.  I am in control.  He breathed deeply before opening his eyes once more.  They were still dark, but not black.

He reached his hand to her face dragging his fingers along her jaw until he reached her chin.  His thumb and forefinger grasped it tenderly making Bella release her hold on his waist band.  He let both hands glide down her arms to her sides till they found purchase on the hem of her sweater; lifting it slowly up over her head.  Her arms raised up to allow him to strip the cashmere from her alabaster skin, leaving her in the strapless white bra she had worn that day for dress shopping.  Her mahogany curls drifted down to rest over her voluptuous breasts.  The flush of her cheeks carried down to her chest creating a beautiful contrast against the white lace.

Carlisle leaned forward compelling Bella to lie back against the downy duvet.  He kneeled down on the bed between her legs as he lowered his face to hers.  “I love you,” he breathed out before pressing his lips to hers.  It was soft and sweet.  There was nothing hurried about the kiss, but there was a fire behind it.  His mouth possessed hers lovingly; reverently.  His tongue begged for entrance.  She acquiesced to his request allowing him to worship her further.  Their moans filled the air as he lowered his body against hers.  Bella’s nails grazed his back from his waist all the way up until they found their home buried deep in his flaxen locks.

He shifted his weight so that he could bring his right hand down to push the cup of her bra south releasing her left breast.  Her nipple stood at attention as his fingers gently kneaded the tender flesh.  Bella rocked her hips into Carlisle’s thigh to create some friction against her heated center.  Her arousal wafted up to him enticing Carlisle to move further south.  The problem was that he did not want to stop adoring her delectable lips.  His hand slid down her breast and over her taut stomach causing goose bumps to raise in its wake.  His fingers found what they were searching for when he unclasped the button of her jeans before sliding the zipper unhurriedly down to its end.

He gingerly moved his hands under the damp boy shorts until his icy digits came to rest between her slippery pussy lips.  The delicious burn encased his fingers and he slowly stroked her exactly where she wanted him most.

Bella moaned wantonly into his mouth as her head tipped back breaking their contact.  Her back arched as if a puppeteer were pulling strings attached to her chest.

“Mmmmmm Carlisle.  Ohhhh yes.  More.” She begged, “I need more.”

Carlisle dragged his cool lips over her chin to the pulsing vein in her neck.  He let his tongue dance along its pulsing length; leading him to her chest then immediately to her heaving breasts.  Her bra was still on, but was shifted below them accentuating her cleavage.  He circled his tongue around each areola leaving a sheen of venom upon them.  Bella moaned again from the slight tingling sensation the venom caused.

He continued his descent; peppering kisses on her skin along the way.  The entire time he deliberately massaged her labia with his fingers.  It was exquisite torture because as much as Bella wanted more, she did not want him to stop what he was doing either.  Her juices were oozing out and soaking her jeans.  Carlisle whimpered at the waste.  He wanted her nectar for himself; feeling that any loss was a tragic misuse of the delicious fluid.  Still, he did not rush.  Keeping his hand securely in her panties, he slid two fingers deep inside of Bella’s tight opening while his thumb drew circles around her tiny hardened nub.

“Oh God,” she groaned, “Carlisle, mmmm.  I need…oh…ahhhh.  I need yoooooooouuuuuuu.”

Bella writhed under Carlisle’s slow ministrations.  She was so worked up that she could not think of anything other than what he was doing to her body right here; right now.  She cried out when he removed his fingers from her sanctuary; quickly licking them clean before sliding her jeans and boy shorts off of her legs.  He slipped her socks off as well before kissing a path up her inner thigh until his mouth was positioned directly over her quivering lower lips.  He slipped his cold tongue inside of her while pressing his nose against her swollen clit.  Breathing not being an issue; he lapped at her sensuously until she came apart round his capable tongue.

“Carlissssllllleeee!!!” she screamed out as her juices poured into his waiting mouth.

Her orgasm felt like it went on for hours.  Bella panted as stars burst behind her eyelids.  She could feel her heart pounding in her chest.  The tingling in her toes receded away as she came down from her climax.  Carlisle gently licked her like a cat lapping milk while her pulse slowed back down.

Bella’s eyes were still closed when she felt him reach underneath her to unclasp her bra.  She breathed a sigh of contentment as she felt the most fabulous sensation.  Carlisle began to massage her shoulders working his way down her arms to her fingertips.  His touch was the perfect amount of pressure to feel deep within her muscles without ever causing a second’s discomfort.  He worked back up her arms then headed down her chest.  He gently kneaded each breast letting his thumbs ghost over her pert nipples.  His fingers worked their magic on her abdomen, then her hips until they made their trek to her thighs and calves.  He finished as each toe received individual attention.

Carlisle gently lifted Bella up to place her on the center of the bed before crawling in between her legs.  Bella’s eyes fluttered open slowly to connect with his.  Gold and brown.  Human and immortal.  As different as night and day, but mates none the less.

He positioned himself at her entrance and excruciatingly slowly he joined their bodies as one.  The sensations were overwhelming.  Bella shuddered as she felt him enter her inch by marvelous inch.  No words could describe this moment.  It was like they were connecting on a whole new level.  Carlisle began to pull back before he pushed back in; just as slowly as he did the first time.  Each thrust was measured perfectly and Bella’s body welcomed his each time he moved inside of her.

“My Bella.  My Bella.  My beautiful Bella.” Carlisle breathed out with each forward push.

He rained kisses across her face and chin.  He suckled on her ear lobes one at a time listening to the moans she gave in return.  His lips were everywhere.

Bella arched her back letting her eyes fall closed; exposing her delicate neck to her vampire.  He could have taken her life at that moment and she would not have complained.  She would give him anything…everything she had.  As long as he continued to love her- no ‘love’ was the wrong word.  As long as continued to worship her this way, she would willingly sacrifice all else to guarantee her of that. 

Carlisle listened to the blood course through the fragile vein in her elongated neck.  It truly did sing a lovely melody.  He let the rhythm fill him, and he set his pace to match the deep thumping of her heart. 

He pushed up on his arms to hover over Bella.  She opened her eyes to see her own personal god of love.  His perfection stole the breath from her lungs as his swollen manhood stole her orgasm from her body.  It seemed to have been building from the moment he entered her in that most intimate way, but it burned in her slowly as it built.  When she came her entire body seemed to clamp down on Carlisle’s penis.  He exploded inside her; pulsing deep within her soft folds.  He never took his eyes off of Bella’s as his cock spasmed.  His chest ached with his love for her.  It felt as if it was too much to contain in his body.

As if she could read his mind, Bella reached up to stroke his face.  He leaned into her touch.

“I love you beyond anything I could ever understand.” She said as her breath came back.

“Bella, you are nothing short of my entire existence.” He said in response as he lowered his face to hers.

They kissed sweetly for a few moments before he positioned himself behind Bella as she pulled his arm across her chest to rest under her head.  Her warm breath blew across the tiny hairs on the back of his hand; over and over till the sounds of her body slowed down to their nighttime tempo.  He pressed his lips to the back of her shoulder.

“Sweet dreams My Bella.”

Soon she was asleep and he swore he heard her purr in contentment.

The fire crackled as it burned into the night.  The flickering fire light danced on her skin and made her hair shine in every shade of brown imaginable.  Bella’s heart kept a steady cadence as she slept peacefully in Carlisle’s strong arms.  He would miss that divine intonation when it was gone, but he knew what he was gaining in return and couldn’t find it in him to be sad about the small sacrifice.  He held her close to his silent heart all throughout the night.

~*~

The next day was New Year’s Eve and Alice had insisted on running into town to get some last minute decorations.  The Christmas tree and all its trimmings had been disassembled and stored away for another year and now the living room was draped in silver and gold ornamentation.  It looked like a five star resort.  Bella had no idea what else could be missing, but she didn’t question because she did not want to get wrangled into going too.

As Alice and Jasper started down the driveway, Bella headed into the kitchen.  Carlisle was in the bedroom at his computer working on his stock portfolio since Alice had warned him to sell off a few things before noon.  Emmett and Rosalie were somewhere in the house or garage doing their own things which left the kitchen feeling empty and too quiet.  So Bella grabbed her iPod that Jasper had given her for Christmas and queued up one of the playlists that Alice had downloaded labeled ‘Love’.  She put her ear buds in and hit play.  ‘All You Need Is Love’ by the Beatles began to croon into her ears.  She smiled instantly thinking of Carlisle.  She knew the Beatles were one of his favorite bands so any time there music came on, she couldn’t help but be reminded of him. 

She busied herself putting a few dishes away and cleaning the counters off; even though it really didn’t need it.  She got lost in her own mind as she began to dance to music that continued to play.  She looked at the different names of the play lists and came across one labeled CFM.  She quirked an eyebrow and pressed her lips together in concentration.  What the heck does CFM mean?  She clicked on it and a very sultry man’s voice began to sing.

‘When you came in the air went out
And every shadow filled up with doubt
I don't know who you think you are
But before the night is through
I wanna do bad things with you’

The beat of the song was fantastically rhythmic causing Bella to sway her hips in a very seductive manner as she made her way to the sink to fill a pitcher of water.  The lyrics continued to play and she thought about her plans to ring in the New Year with Carlisle.  She was wearing her ‘lollipop’ bra and panties and couldn’t wait to unveil them to him.  She turned with the pitcher of water when she saw Emmett leaning across the counter with a shit-eating grin on his face.  She screamed in surprise as she lost her grip on the glass pitcher.  The contents spilled all down the front of her as she bobbled the Decatur from one slippery hand to the other.  It would have crashed to the floor had it not been for Emmett’s vampire reflexes.

Carlisle and Rosalie came running in from opposite sides of the house when they heard Bella’s scream.  Carlisle did not know what to say as he looked at Bella in her long sleeve white tee that was dripping with ice cold water which allowed him to see her hardening nipples pressing up against a purple design under the now see through shirt.  He growled and had her swept up in his arms and back in their room in seconds.

When he set her down on her feet in the bedroom, he quickly started a fire before grabbing a towel from the wash room.  Bella struggled to get the shirt up over her head as it clung to her body.  She hung it over a chair then went to change her jeans since they were also casualties of her butter fingers.  She had plans to kill Emmett later for scaring the crap out of her like that.

She bent at the waist to push them the rest of the way when she heard and felt him all at once.  His voice held a hint of menace but more than anything it was laden with lust.

“What. Are. You. Wearing?” he spoke lowly as he pressed his denim clad erection into her rear end that was clearly on display for him, while his fingers lithely wrapped around her hips.

Bella sucked in a surprised breath at his sudden appearance behind her, but it was arousal; not fear that had her heart racing.  She slowly stood back up pressing her back to his marble chest as she looked over her shoulder into his smoldering eyes.  This is not how she planned to show off this particular set, but she could improvise.

“I bought it for you.  Do you like?” she asked as she looked at him through her eyelashes.

A growl vibrated through his chest when the smell of her essence hit him full force.

“Like,” he swallowed back the venom pooling in his mouth, “would not be the word I would use at this moment, Isabella.”

She never cared for the use of her full name, but when Carlisle said it in that voice; the voice that told her just how very much he wanted her…well that was completely different.

Carlisle carefully wrapped his hands around her upper arms and turned her to face him.  He took in the full effect of the deliciously innocent design that was completely indecent all at the same time.

Bella watched his eyes as they hungrily took in the purple swirls as they seemed to point to three of his very favorite spots on her body.

“They reminded me of lollipops and I just thought you might like something…sweet.” Her voice was innocence and sex rolled into one.

Carlisle’s eyes snapped up to hers as they pulsed between gold and black; like a heartbeat.  Bella licked her lips and smiled coyly.  She had never tried her hand at seduction before, but she figured by his response, she was heading in the right direction.

Carlisle took a deep pull of air as Bella’s panties became moist with her need for him.  Without a word, his mouth was on hers as he lifted her feet off the ground.  Bella instinctually wrapped her legs around his waist while his hands cupped her delectable derriere.  She moaned as he kneaded her flesh and she rubbed up against his length.  Carlisle ground into her center.  The heat encapsulating him brought about another deep growl.  He tossed her to the bed as she squeaked in surprise.  The simply sinful bra and panties were all that remained on her body.  Carlisle had to admit that they really did look like lollipops.  He licked his lips as he shredded his shirt off of his own back.  Bella couldn’t help but groan at the unexpectedly animalistic act.  She propped herself up on her elbows as her legs dangled off the side of the bed as she looked up into his feral eyes.  If it was anyone else, she might be frightened, but seeing Carlisle’s slightly untamed side did nothing but increase her arousal.

His head shot down to the apex of her thighs as another hit of her scent slammed into him.  He grabbed her ankles and propped her feet up on the edge of the bed, effectively spreading her wide for his pleasure.

“Do not move.” His hushed voice sent a whole new wave of arousal down her spine to her dripping core.

He dropped to his knees directly in front of her.  He breathed in deeply; Bella’s salty sweet tang invaded his senses.  He licked her where the edge of the tempting material met her inner thigh causing Bella to wiggle at the tickling sensation.  Carlisle pinched her thigh with his lips in warning.

“I said do not move, Isabella.”

Oh God.  Oh God.  The Voice.  Bella gushed into her soaking wet panties and Carlisle growled louder this time.  He leaned in and attacked the material right over her sex and bit it.  The cloth tore away as if it was nothing.  Bella bit her lip and moaned when his cool breath hit her molten hot flesh.  She pushed her fists and head into the bed to try and keep from moving.  She had never seen Carlisle like this and she sure as hell did not want him to stop.

“Holy hell!” she screamed out as he licked her from her entrance to her clit.

He did it again and she moaned like a porn star.  She would never be able to stay still under this torture.  Her taste was divine and Carlisle decided he was very, very hungry.  He wrapped his arms around her hips swiftly and dove in.  His tongue licked her over and over before he began to piston it into her sex.  Bella’s hands first went to Carlisle’s hair but then quickly flew up to her own as she pulled at the roots to try and ground herself in the pain.  It was no use.

Her climax began to draw closer.  Bella started to pant short breaths; her skin flushed and covered in goose bumps.  Her walls quivered around his tongue and just when she felt the tight coil deep in her belly begin to snap, he was gone. 

It took Bella a second or two to realize that her release had been denied.  Her eyes shot open and she looked at the blond devil standing in front of her licking his glistening lips.  She was about to ask him what he was doing when he reached down effectively destroying his pants and boxers in one quick swipe of his hands.

His cock was long, hard and on full display standing straight like a proud soldier at attention.  Bella licked her lips as her eyes caught the bead of pre-cum on the swollen head.  Her eyes shot up as Carlisle’s face was now barely an inch away.  He kissed her hard allowing her to taste herself on his lips.  It was not something she expected to enjoy, but its saltiness mixed with Carlisle’s natural taste made it a little sweet as well.  It was his turn to moan in pleasure as his tongue delved into the depth of her mouth tangling with hers.  He pulled back leaving Bella breathless as he looked down at her breasts rising and falling with her abridged inhalations.

He leaned down to the valley between the two soft mounds and looked Bella directly in the eye as he clamped his razor sharp teeth on the last of her clothing.  An instant later the tattered remains of the bra that started it all lay scattered around Bella’s naked body on the bed.  He covered his teeth with his lips before attacking her breasts with a fervor she had yet to experience.  She bucked her hips up towards him, but he backed away; exacerbating his teasing.  She wanted him inside her.  The way he was working her body over was driving her to the brink of insanity.  Every sense was on edge.  She swore she could feel energy humming between their two bodies.  He nipped and sucked at each breast.  He alternated between them, giving each enough attention to make her crave more.

When Bella growled in frustration it was as if she had waved the green flag at the Indy 500 and Carlisle sheathed himself in her completely, ripping her orgasm from her body as her inner muscles clamped down and spasmed around his steel length.

“Ahhhhhhhhhh! Oh God Carlisle!!!!!” she screamed out as ecstasy coursed through her veins.

The second climax hit her before the first was over, and she continued to scream out his name along with other sounds that could not be discerned as actual words.  Her hands reached up to claw at his impenetrable shoulders as he continued to penetrate her unmercifully.  Her nails dragged down over his chiseled muscles till they reached his wrists.  Carlisle released his grasp on her hips and wrapped his fingers around her tiny wrists.  She did the same in return; linking their arms together.  Her calves rested over his elbows keeping her wide open to him while he continued his barrage on her body.  Cold marble slapped against warm flesh as their hips met repeatedly.  The sound echoed around them but only when Bella’s screams of rapture were not drowning them out.  Her nectar poured down his length; coating his sack as she came for the third time.

Her cries turned raspy bringing Carlisle out of his lust induced stupor.  He looked down at her; concern covering his face.  He immediately started chastising himself for taking her with such blatant disregard for not only her feelings, but her safety as well.

“Bella, are you alright?  Did I hurt you?” he asked hurriedly.

Bella opened her eyes and spoke; her voice worn from screaming, “Don’t stop.  Harder.  Please go harder Carlisle.” She pleaded.

He felt his control slip minutely at her words and he began to thrust into her once more.  Her moans of pleasure told him that she was enjoying this as much as he was.  He pushed into her harder and faster and soon they were both yelling out as their climaxes erupted.  The tip of his shaft pressed against the small opening of her cervix making her cry out in inconceivable ecstasy as his cold seed shot into her, prolonging her release.

He let go of her wrists and lowered her legs gently down to the bed before extracting himself from her center.  Bella whimpered at the loss of him.  Carlisle gingerly lifted her into his arms; cradling her to his chest as he pulled back the covers and laid her down with her head on the pillows.  He crawled in next to her and lay so that they were face to face.  Her eyes were closed making Carlisle worry that he had hurt her.

He noticed the slight discoloration on her wrists where he had gripped her as well as the large red area on her thighs and butt.  Those could have only been caused by the force in which he had taken her.  When a few minutes passed without her speaking he couldn’t take it anymore.

“Bella, my love, are you sore?  Was it too much?”

“Mmmmmmm,” she hummed, “yes and no.”

A lazy smile crept across her swollen lips, “I am sore in all the right places, and I don’t believe that it could ever be too much.” She drawled out in a slow, raspy voice.

“Oh Bella, I am so sorry I…” he began to say, but was stopped by Bella’s hard stare as her eyes widened and narrowed immediately.

“Carlisle…wait.  What is your middle name?” she asked, sidetracking herself for a moment.

“I don’t have one.  It wasn’t custom to give a middle name in the time of my birth unless you were royalty.” He explained.

“Oh.  Well then, the first and last will have to do,” she refocused, “Carlisle Cullen, if you try to apologize for what we just did, I swear by all that is holy and sacred in this world, that I will make you wait till our wedding night before you see the ‘girls’ again.” She said signaling down to her breasts that still held the flush from their mid-day delight.

Her words may have had a jesting tone, but her eyes were dead serious.  He did not want to upset her so he chose to accept her words as the honest truth and allowed himself to bask in the glow of his own bliss.

“Can I at least apologize for decimating those fantastic undergarments you were wearing?” he asked as a smile played on his lips.

She giggled, “Don’t worry.  I got two more sets just like them.  Alice and Rose thought they were a good investment.  I have to agree.” She said sleepily.

Carlisle chuckled and pulled her closer to his chest. “Such smart women.”

He pulled her closer to rest on his chest then kissed her forehead before she drifted off to sleep in the loving security of his arms.

~*~

Bella woke up right where she had fallen asleep.  Carlisle smiled at her drowsy grin.

“Hello there beautiful.” He greeted her as he brushed her hair back from her face.

“Mmmm, hey.” Was her response. “What time is it? She inquired noticing it was dark outside.

“It is eight o’clock.”

“Wow.  I slept the day away.”

Carlisle chuckled softly, “You sure did.  Are you hungry?  Emmett has been banging around in the kitchen for the last half hour.”

“I am.  Do you think I have time for a shower first?”

“Yes.  But no funny business.” Was Emmett’s answer from the kitchen.  It was loud enough that even Bella heard him.

Her eyes went wide before she ducked her head into the crook of Carlisle’s arm.

“Oh God!” she groaned.

“What is it?”

“They heard us.” She whispered to try and avoid further embarrassment, “Emmett and Rose were here…when we…oh God!”

She pulled the duvet over her head in an attempt to hide from the situation.  Carlisle tried to pull the blanket back, but Bella would not let go.  He could have easily gotten it away from her, but he opted for a different route.  He ducked his head under the blanket to see a red faced Bella.  Her blush literally radiated off her skin.

“Don’t worry sweetheart.  From my first growl, Rosalie and Emmett had left the house.  Something seemed to tell them that things were going to get a tad…boisterous and they chose that moment to go for a run.”

Bella released her lip that she had been worrying, “So they didn’t hear…us?”

He kissed her newly freed lip chastely, “No, My Bella.  They did not hear us.”

She sighed in relief and snuggled against him.  They stayed hidden for a few minutes longer before deciding to get up and head to the shower.  Bella found that she was a little unsteady on her feet and that she could still feel where Carlisle had…been.  She bit her lip and blushed as she thought back on earlier that day.  She would never admit it, but she loved the ache that he left within her.  It was as if he had marked her as his.

~*~

Bella pushed back from the table and rubbed her slightly bloated stomach.

“Emmett, you have really out done yourself this time.  That was absolutely amazing.  Now I just need someone to roll me into the living room for the ball drop.”

Everyone laughed at Bella’s remarks.  Normally they did not join her for meals as she always said it made her feel awkward being the only one eating, but they made exceptions for holidays.

“Ahh shucks Bells.  You are making me blush.” Emmett kidded in return as he cleared her plate and glass.

“No rolling for you Bella.” Alice jumped up from the table and bounced over to her side, “We need to get ready to ring in the New Year.”

Before Bella could ask what was going on, the girls had her up and across the house in Alice’s room.  In classic vampire fashion, Alice and Rosalie were dressed in sparkly party dresses in seconds.  Rosalie wore a strapless red and gold number that stopped mid-thigh.  Alice’s was all sequins on top and what could only be explained as a tutu on the bottom all in black.

“Stop catching flies Bella.  We only have a little bit of time to get you ready.” Alice huffed.

“Ready for what?” she asked confused.

“Our New Year’s Eve party silly.” The pixie chimed back.

Bella hadn’t noticed at dinner, but Rosalie had her hair swept up in a delicate looking twist with curls strategically hanging out.  Alice’s hair was done up in tight little pin curls rather than her usual spiky array.

“Earth to Bella.” Alice called out.

“You don’t want to disappoint Carlisle do you?” Rosalie quipped with a snarky little smile.

The sound of his name brought Bella back to the present.  She saw the beautiful deep purple dress that Alice was holding up which made her smile before she began to quickly strip out of her other clothes.

The girls walked into the living room linked arm in arm to find their men standing in wait; dressed to the nines in tuxedoes.  Bella’s breath caught when her eyes landed on Carlisle.  She had never seen him in a tux before.  He looked so sexy and debonair; her knees nearly gave out.  Carlisle had a similar reaction to Bella’s barely knee length dress.  It only had one sleeve leaving her other arm and entire neck bare.  Her hair was gathered in a low ponytail that hung over the same shoulder as her sleeve, allowing Carlisle to admire her beautiful exposed skin.

“You look ravishing My Bella.” He said as he took her hand; kissing just above her engagement ring.

Bella’s blush spread from her cheeks all the way to her thighs.

“You look amazing.” She said breathlessly.

He smiled at the way her blush intensified.

Music started blaring from the surround system and the lights turned down to show off the party light set up that reflected off the tiny disco ball in the center of the room.  Bella had not even noticed it amongst all the decorations earlier.  She had also failed to notice that the furniture had been pushed back to open up the center of the room.

Carlisle wrapped his arms around Bella and spun her around the floor as the other couples danced alongside them.  It was amazing.  The Cullen’s did nothing half asked; they always went over the top.  Why should New Year’s be any different?

Shortly before midnight Alice hurried to the kitchen to grab the chilled champagne she had purchased earlier in the day.  She popped the cork and filled six glasses then quickly handed them out to everyone.

Bella tilted her head in question, “Alice, why are you giving everyone champagne?  None of you can even digest it?”

Alice just smiled, “It is tradition to toast the New Year, is it not?  And since it is poor form to bring wild animals into the living room, we will just have to settle for the liquid that most others partake of.”

Bella was going to argue, but Rosalie had turned down the music and turned up the volume on the flat screen as the crowd on it began to cheer loudly at the dwindling seconds of the year.

Carlisle stood behind Bella; his free arm wrapped around her waist.  He kissed her naked shoulder in time with the digital clock as it ticked backwards.

“10…9…8…7…6…5…4…3…2…1…HAPPY NEW YEAR!” They all shouted before clinking their glasses and kissing their significant other.

Carlisle turned Bella to face him then dipped her back to kiss her long and hard.  Bella’s lips conformed to his as her free hand cupped his cheek in a loving caress.

Emmett set his glass down on the side table near Bella and Carlisle. “Here Bells.  You drink mine.  It is sad to say, but you can hold your liquor better than I can.” He joked as he headed outside.

“You can have mine too Bella.  Happy New Year darlin’.” Jasper added with a wink before he followed Emmett out the door.

“Yeah, mine too.” Rosalie said as she too exited out the front door.

“And mine.” Alice giggled before she followed suit.

“What the…where are they all going?” Bella asked Carlisle.

“They have one more surprise for the evening.  What do you say we get you bundled up and head out back?” he asked as he set his glass down with the others.

“Okay?” she answered as more of a question.

Carlisle walked her over to the closet and took out a long wool coat for her.  He then grabbed a large folded blanket from the shelf.  They made their way out back onto the deck.  One of the Adirondack chairs had been pulled from storage and sat clean and waiting for them.  Carlisle sat down and opened the blanket to wrap around Bella as she sat in his lap.  It was a cold clear night.  You could see stars forever, but their beauty held nothing in comparison to Carlisle’s face as it shimmered in the moonlight.

Bella turned towards him and leaned in to kiss his cold, flawless lips. “I love you.” She said softly as if to not disturb the quiet perfection of the night.

“I thank God every day for bringing you into my life.  I love you more than the stars in the sky.” He whispered against her lips.

Her attention was quickly diverted as the sky lit up with a bright purple blast.

“Oh my…is that them?” she asked in awe.

Another firework exploded above them; blue this time.

“It is.  They’ve gone out far enough to avoid drawing attention to our location, but close enough that we can see them clearly.” Carlisle explained as he smiled at her expression.

Bella leaned back to rest her head on his shoulder; snuggling into his loving embrace as she enjoyed the fantastic light show.  Carlisle spent the entire time watching her for there was nothing anyone could offer him that was more striking than the joy he saw in her eyes.