Less than a month from my last post - as promised! I hope you like it. :) xx

Chapter 13 - Perfect

BPOV

"Hello?" He says, his voice sounding raspy.

"Hi, Edward. It's Bella..."

"Bella! Hi," He clears his throat, "I, um, you called..."

"Yeah, I promised I would, remember?" I try to lighten the tone of the conversation.

"Of course, I remember. I thought maybe, but no, never mind, you wouldn't..."

I giggle because he sounds so flustered.

"What's so funny?" He asks half defensively, half joking.

"You sound nervous. I never thought I'd see the day when Edward Cullen got nervous talking to a girl." I laugh. I can't help it, just talking to him makes me smile.

"Well, I have been waiting for thirty seven days for this call, Ms. Swan." He says, sounding more collected.

"Well, here I am."

"Here you are..." He says, waiting for me to initiate the important conversation, trying not to push anything.

"Hearing your voice, it makes me feel better." I admit, quickly.

"I'm glad, love. What's the matter?"

"Please don't call me that, Edward."

I don't know where the edginess came from, but I rebuked him before I could stop myself.

"Sorry."

"No, no, it's okay, don't worry." I assure him, trying to lighten the mood once again.

"So what's been bothering you?" He presses.

"Just everything and all the stress lately with the Academy Awards, plus my personal life... And then there's you."

"I hope I haven't been causing too much stress..." I can practically hear his smirk.

I laugh, "Well, to be honest, you're mostly the problem."

"Bella, I understand." He starts, getting serious all of a sudden, "I get that you need your space and that you have a lot on your mind right now, and I apologize if I've been a distraction. I put you on the spot making you promise to call back, but take all the time that you need. I can wait, I will wait, I promise."

"But I can't, Edward. I can't wait. Because I miss you. And the reason I finally called today, is because I thought of me arriving at the Oscars alone and walking down that red carpet without you, and it made me realize how much I wanted you to be there with me."

He doesn't say anything, so I continue.

"Edward? I know it's a lot all at once. But I want you to say yes. At least to the being together again part. I can handle everything else, as long as I know I can count on you."

"Sorry, yes, yes, of course you can. Bella, I'm here for you. Let's start fresh, I want to make things right."

"Are you sure? Cause if you're sure, then I'm sure about you."

"I'm sure."

I'm beaming through the phone.

"So what about the Oscars? Would you do me the honour of being my date?"

"Can I come over?" He deflects the question.

"Sure, and we'll talk it over?"

"I'll stop on the way to get some food, Alice told me you lost weight. I've been so worried about you, Bella. What flavour ice cream?"

"Cookies and cream, and stop worrying, I'm fine. And you're avoiding the question, Edward."

"I'll be there in half an hour."

"You're impossible."

"See you soon."

EPOV

I arrive at Bella's house forty minutes later with a huge shopping bag filled with ice cream and cookies.

"I can't believe you actually brought all of this." She laughs at me.

I place it on the floor in the front hall and scoop her up into my arms. Her hair smells just as I remember. As I let go, I place a chaste kiss on her cheek, not knowing where we stand.

"Ten pounds, Bella?" I look at her disapprovingly.

"Can I not trust Alice with anything anymore? And just because you're my boyfriend again, doesn't mean you have to worry so much."

"Boyfriend, huh? So does that mean I can call you 'love' again, or are you going to get mad at me?" I laugh, moving closer to Bella and grabbing her hips.

"You're totally missing the point." She pushes me away playfully.

"What? I can't buy my girlfriend Oreos and ice cream?"

"Ooh! Oreos? Please tell me they're double stuffed!" She says, not faking one bit of the enthusiasm.

"Nothing but the best for my lady."

"Okay fine, I'll eat those." She pretends to act defeated, but now she's excited.

She grabs my hand as I lean down to pick up the bag, and leads me to the kitchen.

Ten minutes later, we're sitting on Bella's couch, each with a bowl of ice cream in hand, and the box of Oreos already half consumed.

"I missed this." She says, leaning onto me, placing her now empty bowl on the coffee table.

I do the same, and reach to play with a strand of her hair.

We sit there in a comfortable silence for a few minutes.

"Were you serious about the Oscars, Bella?"

"A hundred percent. It would mean so much to me, Edward."

"That's a big step. Just two months ago we didn't even want to be seen in public together."

"No, you didn't, because things would change for you. I was trying to protect you. But this is the only way that things are going to work. Just let the world know that we're together and that we're not afraid to show it. The Oscars are a perfect opportunity for that."

"But I thought we agreed..." I say reluctant to her idea.

"I know, and I'm sorry, but I changed my mind. I know this will be hard for you. But I need you to do it for me. I need you to be there with me." She explains, "Remember what happened last time? With Jake? He's going to be there, Edward. And I can't be alone again. I know it won't happen a second time because Jake's not stupid, but I'd feel better if you were there."

"It should never have happened in the first place. Jasper and Emmett should have both been there." I grit my teeth.

"But I want you to be there this time."

She has a point.

"I want to say yes so badly."

"So say it." She urges.

"How different will things be after? Be honest."

"Just some paps, but they already follow me around and have photographed you and I together before. But after next week it won't be speculation, it will be confirmed. So no more rumours and no more hiding."

"Alright." I say briefly.

"You'll come?" She sits up immediately and grins at me.

"Yes, yes, I'll come. If it means that much to you, it's important to me too."

Suddenly, I feel Bella's lips against mine for the first time in over a month. She puts all the passion into her kiss that we have missed out on for those thirty seven days, and I return it.

She pulls away, breathless.

"I love you." She says, looking straight into my eyes.

"Do you mean that? Or are you just saying that because I agreed to come?" I half joke.

"No really, I do, Edward," She sits up taller, "I LOVE EDWARD CULLEN!" She yells.

We hear Emmett's booming laughter from upstairs and she starts to giggle.

When Bella is quiet again, I take her hands in mine.

"Well, it just so happens, that I love you too Isabella Swan."

We fall easily into a comfortable position, cuddling on the couch, talking about nothing in particular.

"I'm sorry we lost that month." She says quietly.

"That was not your fault, love."

"Yes it is. I spent a good thirty six days either denying my feelings for you or making excuses to myself why they were irrelevant. I knew in my heart that day in the restaurant that I was making a mistake."

"I was the one who screwed up in the first place."

"Can we share the blame?"

"Sure, love, whatever makes you happy." I agree momentarily, "But it was my fault," I cough.

She hits my shoulder with probably most of her strength.

"Ow, that hurt!" I lie.

"So, did you pick a dress?" I inquire a moment later.

"Yes," She smiles, "It's soooo pretty."

"I want to see it. Can we stop by Alice's tomorrow and you'll show me?"

She knows I'm trying to make up for everything by taking an interest in what started this entire thing a month ago, but she still smiles and agrees without making any snide remarks about me showing up this time.

"I'll call her." I tell her.

"Okay," She beams and takes the bowls off the coffee table, "I'll go get more ice cream."

I take out my phone and dial Alice.

"Hey, Eddie!" She answers very cheerfully, using the nickname only she and my mother are allowed to call me.

I laugh, "Hi, Al."

"So...?" She pushes.

"I'm at Bella - "

"I know! She texted me!" She cuts me off, exclaiming excitedly.

"Wow, you guys are fast."

I hear Bella giggle from the kitchen.

"So you guys want to stop by tomorrow?" She asks getting right to the point.

"Yeah, would that be okay? What time works for you?"

"I'm only available in the morning, I have appointments booked solid starting at 1. Does 10am work?"

"One second, I'll ask her."

"Bella?" I call to the kitchen, "Is 10am tomorrow okay for you?"

"Mhmm," She tries to communicate loudly, clear that there is food in her mouth, "That was a yes!"

"It's perfect, Alice. Thanks so much."

"Anything for you, Eddie. I'm so happy for you."

"Thanks, me too." I say.

"Alrighty then, see you tomorrow big bro!"

"Alright, Alice, bye."

I hang up the phone just as Bella is walking back into the room, holding only one bowl.

"What happened to the other one?" I ask her.

"I finished it already." She smirks, handing me the other bowl, "So, I was thinking..."

"Yes, love?"

"Well, since we're going so early tomorrow morning..."

"Is it too early? Alice is really busy but we can try for later." I interrupt her.

"No, no," She brushes away my concern, "That's not where this was going at all. I thought it'd be a good idea if you just slept over."

I smile, "Oh, but only if its just a convenience, not because you really want me to." I joke sarcastically.

She laughs, but I tell her that I didn't bring anything and I can't go to Alice's wearing the same clothes two days in a row because she'll yell at me.

"So lets drive down to your place and get you a change of clothes! I still haven't seen it." She points out.

"I have an even better idea. Sleepover a my house?"

"Perfect." She beams.

A/N: Tell me what you think and I'll send you a sneak peak of the next chapter! xx