The knife is not just for salad (Edward)

[edward]

I understand. You don't have to. And what if I say we don't need to pretend? Look if we're not meant to be boyfriend and girlfriend anymore, its fine with me but its not like I'm gonna shut you out of my life. You came into my life, you will remain in my life. Bella stated, at which Edward shook his head softly, havign had Bella's lips brush his own hand "I didn't say I didn't want to Bella, I just don't think it's the right thing to do, least of all now." He added before he the continued having iven her hand a gentle squeeze "I too,never said I did not want to get back with you, Bella beleive me when I say this, I will always want you..always love you that I promise, I sware on my very exsistance." Edward murrmered softly. After her comment he gave a small woeful smile. "Hm..Yes, Stupid little lamb." he mused lightly as he recalled all thouse years back. Letting Bella's hand go he watched as she moved to clean up the mess, moving after her swiftly he helped pick up the few scatted pieces of broken items.

Hearing further small complaints Edward merely listend and smiled softly, the old Bella was only faintly peaing through, it was good to know not all of the Bella had been lost, and he would forever call her Bella. His Bella. Stay, that is all I ask. Not of for sex but for company. Look you weren't nearby before so here's your chance. Want to at least help me finish with the dinner? I have to do roast beef next and so on and so forth and it would be nice for some help. Hey, there could be some animal blood in for you. I know there's some blood left in the meat in the fridge. Bella stated and Edward softly rolled his eyes, however he nodded slowly "I shall stop as long as you want me to." he added and smiled softly, the corners of his lips pulled up into the recently surfaced crooked smile. I'm kidding. But seriously would you like to help? She added and Edward nodded once agian "I'd love to." He stated brightly.

[isabella marie easton]

All she could do was to nod her head since she was busy cleaning up the mess and now walked over to the bowl. He had helped out which was good that he did. That meant less time for her to do that too. However she only smiled at his comments and gave him a kiss on his cheek. "Thank you. But you know, I think you meant stay but I know what you had meant. As for the mess in the kitchen, not the first time cups fell, unlike the last time when the kids back in Jacksonville had a party I didn't know about and completely trash the kitchen and the dining room." Isabella sighed before she continued, "I am very thankful you didn't make any kids before you were turned. Just do me a favor, don't. Having two girls and one boy is a lot of work. I don't know how Esme can do it! However, those three are the best ever. Anyway. Okay while I get the roast out I think what you can do is to first place the salad in the fridge and get out some potatoes. I was thinking the kids and I would have potato salad. Don't worry I'll help you're not doing all of them. And then we can handle the roast." She walked over to the fridge got out some mainyoise and some potatoes and set them on the counter first then placed the salad in the fridge. "Alrighty, Mr. Cullen, here is your own potato peeler," Isabella announced while she pulled out one and tossed it towards him while she held one of her own. "If only Nic didn't go with his sisters, he usually help me with these. Hope he won't be pissed off if someone else helped out." Isabella shrugged her shoulders afterwards then started to peel. "Oh and be sure to toss the peels in the garbage can. I don't want the kitchen to be a huge mess."

[edward]

Thank you. But you know, I think you meant stay but I know what you had meant. As for the mess in the kitchen, not the first time cups fell. I am very thankful you didn't make any kids before you were turned. Just do me a favor, don't. Having two girls and one boy is a lot of work. I don't know how Esme can do it! Bella begun to talk, smiling softly he listend, her confidence had grown hugely over the past years, and he had to admit it was a nice change. "Esme has had years of practice, besides we are not exactly the most terrible teenagers." Edward mused softly, as he fllowed what orders Bella gave him. However, those three are the best ever. Believe me that was nothing compared to Nic's mess. Talk about a mess. Anyway. Okay while I get the roast out I think what you can do is to first place the salad in the fridge and get out some potatoes. I was thinking the kids and I would have potato salad. Don't worry I'll help you're not doing all of them. And then we can handle the roast.

Edward at this laughed lowly to himself and shook his head slowly. It was slightly odd to see such a side to Bella and one he did not regularly see, nor one he had in fact ever seen. Doing as he was told he put the salad in the fridge and pulled out the potatoes, the fridge smelt of food, sickly rich human food, but at the same time extreamly unappealing, scrunching his nose up he put the potatoes on the counter, he had cooked many times in his human life but in his vampire life it all seemed suddenly so new. Alrighty, Mr. Cullen, here is your own potato peeler, Bella said revealing a small cutting tool, catching it swiftly he took out a potatoe and begun to peel it, just ike that, as if a switched had been turned on he knew exactly what to do. If only Nic didn't go with his sisters, he usually help me with these. Hope he won't be pissed off if someone else helped out. He smiled softly with a smal chuckle [b"It'll..be intresting whenI meet them I have to say.."[/b] He admitted it would be extreamly awkward, presuming Bella had in fact said anything about thier past, although he doubted Bella had mentioned anything, perhaps that would be better?

Oh and be sure to toss the peels in the garbage can. I don't want the ktichen to be a huge mess Bella scolded him and he rolled his eyes softly an teased lightly "Yes mother, I'm curious to see how they have managed with a mother such as you." he stated, his tone joking, and teasing, as he glanced over his shoulder to wards her and flashed her a wicked smile and a playful wink, doing as he was told he tossed the peeling into the bin and was within moments done.

[isabella marie easton]

Isabella rolled her eyes at the first comment, while the sound of the peeling of the potatoes came. She finished one potato, tossed the skin into the trash can and grabbed another. "Sure, you guys aren't the most terrible teenagers," she retorted but in a jokely manner. "I mean face it I bet Emmett still the crazy big bear he was before, right? However, teens can be teens. I know I was one. Though I was far from the delicate little Bella in college. Especially the first two years. Oh yeah I was definately wild! I don't think I should go there. You'd be very shocked." Even her father was shocked when she had called him up one day and told him about it. Her mother was too she remembered her having a big talk but yet, she had realized she was far from a little girl she was almost 21.

"Yeah but don't worry about that. I think they probably might bump into you in school...er if you guys are-wait actually, answer me this. And be truthful. Are you guys gonna still be in that school?" she had to wonder about that. How can they go on pretending they are teens in there? Even poor Alice had to be there and she wasn't 17 anymore. Its not a bad thing, but she had to be curious. But if only they were in college pretending it'd be better. There's some kids as young as Edward's physical age in college. At the last comment, she smiled and playfully punched him in the arm but lightly since well his skin is marble. "Hah hah, very funny." Isabella joked back, giving him a wicked smile as well, and a wink soon after, "and since you had to say that, you're doing the dishes and that's final young man." She finished it off to wave her finger like a mother would do. After all she is still one! Before she was to say something else, the phone rang. Isabella raised her finger up as if saying "hold on" and reached over to grab the kitchen's phone. She turned it on, placed it on her shoulder, and continued peeling one of the last two potatos.

"Easton Residence, Isabella speaking may I help you?" she started while peeling the left side of the pototato. A smile came on her lips. "Oh hi! How are you? That's good. Actually, unfortunately Gilly's out with her brother and sister. She'll be back later on, so could you call around 9? We'll be having dinner at eight. Alright that sounds good and when she comes home I'll let her know that you called and will call her back. Okay? Alright you too. Bye." Before she was to hang up a sound of someone else trying to break through, came through the phone. She clicked on the button going to the next line. "Hello?" a pause came since she had to turn the potato then she resumed back to peeling the potato. "Jonathan, hi. Listen, I'm glad that you called." She placed down the potato, walked over to the dresser, pulled out two knives, handed one to Edward gesturing for him to chop up the potatoes he had peeled, and walked over to her set of three potatoes and started chopping up one of them. "Yeah about that. Listen, can I pull the double shift on Tuesday? I can't attend it this Saturday because I have my schedule filled out for that day....you would? That'd be great. Thank you so much....Yeah of course! I also had wanted to pick that day because Carl is still sick so I wouldn't mind much of filling in for him. He had done that for me last month so I figured I would do him a favor. If that's okay...it is? Thanks so much. Okay so I'll call you later on then? Alright. Have a good night. See you then. Bye." She hung up the phone and set it up back on the hook and turned towards Edward. "Sorry, that was my boss."

[edward]

Sure, you guys aren't the most terrible teenagers, I mean face it I bet Emmett still the crazy big bear he was before, right? However, teens can be teens. I know I was one. Though I was far from the delicate little Bella in college. Especially the first two years. Oh yeah I was definately wild! I don't think I should go there. You'd be very shocked. at that, Edward had to agree, Emmett wasof course his usual self, smiling soflty he shrugged his shoulders. "Not alot changes for us Bella." he admited as he took the knife and let Bella go answer the phone, once again doing as he was told he begun to cut the potatoes up into small sizes He then searched the cupboards for a cooking pan and put the potatoes in it, filling it up with water. Once done he waited for Bella.

After sh returned Edward smiled then continued "Well someones popular..and in answer to your question, I think were going to skip high school again, It won't..quite be the same and I hav quite frankly had enough of it. Yes Carlisle doesn't approve but I offered to help him instead, and say we are home schooled." He added he then leant back on the kitchen top casually, his muscls faintly rippiled under the movement. "At any rate, is there anything else I can do?" he offered lightly, he had cut up the rest of the potatoes of Bella's and put them to in the boiling pan.

[isabella marie easton]

As soon as Edward had put the potatoes into the pan, it was time to get the onions as well. She tossed her potatoes into the pan soon after then got out the onions, chopped them up and tossed them into the pan soon after. "Ugh I wouldn't want to repeat if I was a vampire. That's a good idea, I mean seriously it would've been boring to repeat that every single year. I think he should understand that if his children doesn't feel like wanting to repeat year after year of the same thing, then he should just listen to them and understand despite that he wouldn't approve. I know I had faced the same situations in my family though it was slightly different considering my two girls wanted their bodies pierced and I was totally against it. In the end I felt why not just allow them one piercing of their choice weither it'd be their ears or belly buttons. I was totally against the nose piercing. They didn't like it but its something I feel they shouldn't have. Anyway I'm not that popular. I think that's Gillian. She's like her dad so she got the most friends. I am only friends with those from my days of school and you guys. You know that. But I have a few more just only at where I work at, nothing special. Okay since we're waiting for the potatoes to be done, maybe we can place the roast into the oven? I was thinking to cook also some peas and corn. I'll handle the peas and you can handle the corn." It was indeed a good thing she had some help. "Edward I can't still help to thank you enough for helping me out. I really appreciate it," Isabella told him before giving him another kiss on his cheek, then went to get the corn and peas from the cabinet near his head and set them down on the counter.

[edward]

Ugh I wouldn't want to repeat if I was a vampire. That's a good idea, I mean seriously it would've been boring to repeat that every single year. I think he should understand that if his children doesn't feel like wanting to repeat year after year of the same thing, then he should just listen to them and understand despite that he wouldn't approve. I know I had faced the same situations in my family though it was slightly different considering my two girls wanted their bodies pierced and I was totally against it. In the end I felt why not just allow them one piercing of their choice weither it'd be their ears or belly buttons. I was totally against the nose piercing. They didn't like it but its something I feel they shouldn't have. Anyway I'm not that popular. I think that's Gillian. She's like her dad so she got the most friends. I am only friends with those from my days of school and you guys. You know that. But I have a few more just only at where I work at, nothing special. Okay since we're waiting for the potatoes to be done, maybe we can place the roast into the oven? I was thinking to cook also some peas and corn. I'll handle the peas and you can handle the corn.

Bella continued to rant, He chuckled softly, never had he known her to be so talkative. Since now. "It's good to seeyour confidence has improved, it's a pleasent suprise." He stated, with the sweetcorn placed before him he opened the bag "Do you want the peas and corn seperate? or in the same pan?" He questioned tying the contents of the packet in the pan, leaving half left over. In the next moment he felt Bella's lips brush his cheek and he smiled softly and nodded, it was no bigger deal he had little else to do. In fact he had nothing else to do, and Edward would soon rather spend his day with and helping Bella then at home and moping.

[isabella marie easton]

"Thanks I think it was the first change that had to be made. I'm pretty okay with having confidence and strength, you know? I didn't want to be the defenseless helpless Bella who depends on men, no offense, than of herself, anymore. That Bella is dead, in my eyes." She paused for a moment to think and yet that seemed like a good idea. Usually she would cook the corn and peas separately and if there is mashed potatoes, she'd have them side by side and then have the mashed potatoes next to it. "You know I think together would be perfect. Okay while you do that I'll get the roast." While she waited for Edward to do that, she walked over to the freezer and got out the roast beef from the left side. With the meat held in her two hands, she closed the fridge using her foot, set it on the counter, got out a pan and placed the meat into the pan itself. Next she placed it in the oven, closed the door to it, and turned the knob to the right temparature. "Okay its in." She walked over to check on the potatoes and nodded. "Looks like the potatoes are almost there!" she exclaimed. She turned towards Edward next giving him a smile.

[edward]

Thanks I think it was the first change that had to be made. I'm pretty okay with having confidence and strength, you know? I didn't want to be the defenseless helpless Bella who depends on men, no offense, than of herself, anymore. That Bella is dead, in my eyes. Bella commented and truthfully Edward ddn't like it "I don't think the old Bella has gone completely, I think she's still there, your justunwilling to show an sign of weakness..I can imagine tht you have not cried fora ve long time." He stated casually ashe poured thesweet corn in with the peas. The roast will probably tak a while yet, just so you known." he commented turning downthe flames on the pan with the potatoes in. He didn't light the one with the peas and sweetcorn yet. Instead he decided to add hs own touch, on his biological moter had taught him, he was acutely suprised he eve still remembered it Moving Edward went through the cupboards an pulled out a few herbs. ad spices, turnig to Bella he asked permission first. "Do you mind if I try something?" He questioned and faintly remembered the last time he had asked Bella such a qestion that had bee the time when he had in fact kissed her forthe first time.

[isabella marie easton]

"No, the old Bella is gone. I'm not like how I was, it happened just after Tristen died. I haven't cried in a long time, yes, but it happened over years. I don't wish to be like the girl I was. After all, if you remembered, I was a hell of a danger magnet. I'm not saying I have completely changed, I just felt its time to be stronger than before. And I think Tristen's death was the last blow. And hey I still have the one thing you hated." With that she grinned. "My truck. Remember her? Oh yeah she's still around. Still purrs like a kitten. I think I might give her to one of my kids but they probably would scrunch their nose at it. She's not exactly a Mercedes."

While Bella took the pan with the potatoes in it and place it on the counter, Edward had poured the sweet corn in with the peas. Then he asked her a question, the same question when they had first kissed. She thought about that now but with him standing over the stove it had to mean regarding the food. If it was about a kiss, well...hm. Anyway she nodded. "Sure, go ahead. I trust you." She noticed he had opened the cubboard with the spices and herbs and placed them on the counter next to the stove. Now, Isabella wondered what her ex boyfriend is up to. What does he have up his immortal sleeve? She's now going to figure it out. But first she couldn't help to wonder...mostly about what they had spoke about and the fact she is changed and different. "I have something to ask you." She reached over and placed her hand on his shoulder hoping he would be truthful about it. "Edward, would you still continue to love me even though I'm not exactly like the old Bella you knew?"

[edward]

No, the old Bella is gone. I'm not like how I was, it happened just after Tristen died. I haven't cried in a long time, yes, but it happened over years. I don't wish to be like the girl I was. After all, if you remembered, I was a hell of a danger magnet. I'm not saying I have completely changed, I just felt its time to be stronger than before. And I think Tristen's death was the last blow. And hey I still have the one thing you hated. Bella added determined to prove him wrong. He shoo his head, just as stubborn he refused to see that. "I don't think she has..Not completely you just don't want to lower your defenses, which I understand, but it too is sometimes good to take a break from the strong being, I may appear strong for example. But I'm not Bella, on the inside I am like every other human. Some things don't change." he stated his tone low and soft.

When Bella mentioned her truck he frowned and groaned "Ugh, that thing is a death trap, I'm surprised it's still running, It barely goes over 50." He stated he had always hated that truck yet the old Bella had loved it, which on some level proved his point. Asking her if he could try something Bella nodded, Sure, go ahead. I trust you. she whispered words which he ad heard many times. Popping the lids of the herbs and spices, he sprinkled some into his hand and then sprinkled then over the potatoes, as well as the spices. With the water heated to a certain temperature it would work perfectly, the potatoes would absorb the water and in turn the tastes of the herbs, the spices were to simply add that little bit more flavor. Once done he brushed the remaining contents back into the pot before he put them back in he cupboard. Now all that was left was to later wait for the verdict. Bella's movements indicate to him she wished to speak, so he waited and turned to look at her a she came closer Bella's hand rested on his shoulder.

I have something to ask you. Edward, would you still continue to love me even though I'm not exactly like the old Bella you knew? At that question Edward thought for a moment as he lookd to her, meeting her gaze he held it. Before finally he spoke his words low an honest "I Think I would, you haven't changed all that much in reality on the outside. But somehow, I still see the old Bella there, My Bella." He whispered softly as he raised his hand and touchehs cold finger tips to Bella's cheek, his hand briefly brushed away a strand of hair that lined her face.

[isabella marie easton]

"You never know, Edward. I had regretted not being strong before but now I had to. For my kids. Even after Tristen's death. It sort of...well...woke me up. But there are some bits of the old Bella as you said. I just don't like being called Bella that much anymore save for you, save for your family, and save for my old high school kids. Other than you all, other people known me as Isabella. But you know I DO have other nicknames," she added while grinning thinking back to the ones her husband used to call her and some of her friends in Jacksonville. But she wasn't sure if he would call her those and you know honestly she wouldn't care. Despite she does sort of love him. She also isn't sure herself if it would be the right thing. Despite that her husband had died just years ago, she hasn't really been dating at all ever since but she knew Tristen would have wanted her to be happy. Isabella groaned and rolled her eyes again. "Dude, she works. If she breaks down in the middle of the fucking road, I would be prepared. I have always carried tools with me. She goes over that limit now. Death trap? Hah oh no. My high school friend Carlene's car was a death trap. That thing is so small you could barely stick your head in it. My truck, as old as it is, is nothing compared to that. You haven't seen anything yet." Its a good thing also she didn't stick around, Carlene used to drive around the neighborhood in it. Though she did miss Carlene, however not the car. Anything but that ragged old thing and they thought her truck was a piece of junk. "But hey like you said the old Bella is still there. She's like my own kid now. I see you still hate the thing." Pretty funny to think about it. Even after all those years he still hates the thing.

She watched him sprinkling the herbs and spices over the potatoes with his hand and set the herbs and spices back up into the cabinet, with a very amazed look on her face. Wow, she has never thought he knew how to cook! She turned towards him next with a pretty amazed look on her face. Yep pretty amazing. Not bad at all, she had to admit that.

And now with her hand on his shoulder, she waited for him to speak and so he did. He still didn't get that she indeed had changed. She isn't very emotional now not like how she was at Tristen's funeral or when Edward knew her and isn't a klutz either or a clingy needy person. In fact she hasn't even kissed a man ever since her husband. The kiss that happened minutes ago was indeed the first time ever since. But the way he spoke was really heartfelt. She had to admit that. A smile came on her face even when he spoke and briefly brushed away a strand of hair from her face. With no words, she leaned forward and gently kissed his lips.

[edward]

So the conversation about such matters flickered back and forth for a good while, that was of course after Edward had spoke to answer the question which would perhaps determine their future together. No matter, After he had said what he wished to, Bella had lent forward, her lips pressed softly to his own. Yes it had been a while and he had missed so much, he didn't know whether he was to regret leaving Bella or not, in his Opinion yes he did, he had let go something so precious, on the other hand, he had Given Bella something she above all others deserved, he had allowed her to have a family to move on with her life, yet here he was once again, no doubt disrupting it. None the less, Edward returned the kiss softly, his lips slowly moved against Bella's own in what he would call intimate kiss. Moments later he pulled back and gazed to her softly. , noticing the look she had given him. Edward chuckled then his laugh a low breathy sort and he shook his head "Don't give me that look Bella, come now, I have always been able to read you, not mentally I admit but physically, whether you wish to believe it or see it, I see the old Bella there still, the one who was stubborn, and who loved her truck..not to mention the kisses." He added.

[isabella marie easton]

Moments afterwards and that Edward had returned the kiss, she gave him a look though he had chuckled at it. She rolled her eyes. "Whatever. I'm not the same. Okay mr. Smarty Pants, if I was the same," it is a good time to tell him as she now pulled away from him further, "then I would have not caused a lot of shit in college. Name it, I've done it. Coke? Tried it. Beer? Drank it. Sex?" she now grinned and winked with the wicked grin on her face still, "I had done that certainly." The grin now disappeared with a serious look. "But I didn't sleep around with EVERY man I saw. Only like...two I believe. Tristen, and this guy I can't remember who it was but I was drunk so I lost my virginity. Don't worry I had told my then future husband Tristen about it. Even he was surprised. And lastly I've got three tattoos. One covers the crescent scar James had left me, another on my right shoulder, and another on my left shoulderblade." She thought about the other part he had said and lent out another laugh since there's not one Bella he would know there's two. "Well be in for another surprise. One of my children is Bella part two-Charlie. She's got my stubborness, she's got a truck and she also has a special power of her own which I had no clue she would have. Like I said I still have some but I don't regret of everything else. I love my tattoos. But, you can't see them." She gave him a playful wink, which has a bit of sexual as well, "unless if you had xray vision." Now she turned towards the stove and turned it off since everything was ready. "Okay I think everything is ready! Okay you handle the corn and peas and I'll handle of making the potato salad." Next, she turned to her chef helper, "unless if you want to make the potato salad. If you do I don't mind."

[edward]

Whatever. I'm not the same. Okay mr. Smarty Pants, if I was the same, Bella begun, and Edward of course listend silently
then I would have not caused a lot of shit in college. Name it, I've done it. Coke? tried it Beer? drank it. Sex? at her comments he forwned softly perhaps he was wrong perhaps the old Bella he had loved had gone completely? he could but hope what he saw before him was a female much older them himself the alter ego of The Bella he had once loved, did he still love her? perhaps he didn't know. I had done that certainly. She added lastly of course that was no real suprise.

But I didn't sleep around with EVERY man I saw. Only like...two I believe. Tristen, and this guy I can't remember who it was but I was drunk so I lost my virginity. Don't worry I had told my then future husband Tristen about it. Even he was surprised. Okay let's see...lastly I've got three tattoos. One covers the crescent scar James had left me, another on my right shoulder, and another on my left shoulderblade. Bella continued. Edward listened and nodded softly, every sentence that was said felt like the old Bella was indeed completely lost, he didn't know then if he would like the new Bella, perhaps he was being selfish, how he had hoped the old Bella remained, maybe he just needed to give this Bella a chance?

"I didn't say you had, I'm not one to judge." He said, softly as he went about sorting the potatoes then he put them into a bowl after draining the water, the herbs he hoped had played there part then taking the maoynaise, and onions he begun to mix it together. Idly. Well be in for another surprise. One of my children is Bella part two-Charlie. She's got my stubborness, she's got a truck and she also has a special power of her own which I had no clue she would have. Like I said I still have some but I don't regret of everything else. I love my tattoos. But, you can't see them. Once again he nodded, he of course was aware of her tone, although in truth he had no actual idea how to respond to the suggestive talk.