Chapter 20: Where's Yours?

Anything and everything belonging to Twilight is Meyer's. Not mine. No copyright infringement is intended.

Now....a little Boston fun as promised :) See you at the bottom lovelies!

"Oh my god Edward, you've got to be kidding." Bella chuckled as he walked out of the dressing room.

"What?"

"A man vest? Maybe on Ari Gold, but there's a reason why he's a fictional character." He rolled his eyes and shrugged the vest off.

"What would I do without you, woman?"

"When I figure it out, I'll let you know." Bella pulled Edward into her and closed the dressing room door behind them. "But for now, just follow my lead." She kissed him then, chastely as to let Edward make the next move.

She'd done enough in the past 24 hours as it was.

"Looks like I can take dressing room sex off the list," he joked. As things started to get heated, Bella's phone went off.

"I can't catch a break." Emmett's name lit up the screen and she sighed before answering the call.

"I love you, but you were always one to ruin a good thing."

"What?"

"You don't wanna know."

"Seeing as how you're in Boston with Cullen, I'm sure I don't. Just wanted to let you know Rose and I landed. Jake and Nessie caught the flight after us, and I'm not sure about Alice and Jazz."

"I talked to Alice earlier. They should be in the same time as Jake and Nessie. Edward made reservations downtown for all of us, some steakhouse I've never heard of," she flashed Edward a smile, "and we're going out for some drinks after."

"We're down. I could use a stiff one, shit."

"Where are you guys staying?"

"Good question. Downtown somewhere, I know that much. Rose booked the room, not me."

"Nice. Well give me a call once you guys get settled, maybe we can meet up a little earlier."

"Will do. Bye Bells." Bella pulled her phone from her ear and rested her forehead against Edward's.

"Come on Rico, the pants will work."

"Rico?" Edward raised an eyebrow.

"Rico Suave," Bella grinned widely. The two laughed their way up to the cashier as well as their way back home.

It took Emmett less than an hour to call her back.

"I guess we're at the Sheraton. Pretty nice considering you dragged me out to friggen Beantown."

"Oh shut up, it's not that bad. There's a damn sports bar on every corner. For as long as I've known you, that's right up your alley."

"Yeah, yeah. What do you say we hit one of those so-called bars and grab a beer?"

"Um, should work. Give us twenty and we'll meet you at Sully's, it's a block from your hotel, can't miss it." Bella scurried around looking for a pair of jeans.

"What the hell did we do last night? There isn't a single thing in either of my suitcases, everything's all over the floor."

"What are you looking for?"

"Jeans. We're meeting Emmett at Sully's on twenty."

"Uh, okay? A llittle heads up would've been nice." Bella rolled her eyes.

"Don't start, please. We've got time to kill before dinner tonight and I am seriously killing for a beer right now." She pouted her lips slightly and watched as Edward caved.

"Fine, but only because there's beer involved."

"Oh, Blue Moon on tap sounds amazing. Get dressed so we can go," she gave him a slight tap from behind and returned to the search for her jeans. After a few minutes, she pulled them from under the bed and stood up to see Edward dressed and waiting. Hand in hand they walked the four blocks to Sully's, Emmett and Rose having secured a high-top table by the bar. He waved them over and Bella went running.

"Em! Blue Moon on tap? Oh, I love you." He'd already taken the initiative of ordering her favorite brew. Not wanting to start off on the wrong foot with Rose, she turned her attention to her.

"Long time no see," she said with a smile, "that top looks amazing on you." Rose smiled in return.

"Oh thank you! Just something I had lying around." She scrunched her nose and Bella laughed as she and Edward climbed into their chairs. She gave his thigh a gentle squeeze and he returned the gesture.

"So, Edward, how are things looking this season?"

"Well, both offense and defense are up to par, especially since we threw a new runningback into the mix."

"Do we get box seat perks?" Bella laughed as she balled her knapkin up and chucked it at Emmett. "Hey, hey, you know I had to ask. God knows you wouldn't." Edward chuckled as the waiter brought his Heineken.

"Only if she wants them," he nodded his head in Bella's direction, and she nudged his bicep.

"Like you'd have to ask twice." Rose laughed before taking a pull of her beer.

"You know, I actually auditioned for their dance squad." Everyone's eyebrows raised, Emmett's especially.

"You're still full of surprises, aren't you? Goddamn." She shrugged.

"Dallas, too. I got calls back from both teams but never pursued it. I liked the whole Vegas thing better." Bella felt a twinge of jealousy at the fact that Rosalie seemed so sure of herself.

"I seriously never would have guessed."

"Me neither," Edward chimed in. Emmett stayed silent until Rosalie nudged him.

"Well, lately I've been having this dream about you in spandex..."

"Oh, okay, enough. This is my cue for a toast." Emmett laughed as she raised her glass, the three of them following suit.

"To Beantown! And one hell of a weekend." Light banter ensued the clinking of glasses, Bella and Emmett mostly reminiscing about their childhood, Edward and Rosalie chiming in whenever they could relate. The four of them had managed to kill a couple hours before Emmett's phone went off.

"Jake, hold on." Bella studied his face as he answered the call. After hanging up, he shrugged his shoulders.

"They landed. I guess Alice and Jazz are next?"

"Should be. Did he say where they were staying."

"Sheraton, with us. I think Alice and Jazz are, too."

"Well, what are they doing after they check in?"

"Jake didn't say."

"Well, call him back and see if they want to join us for a beer." Emmett looked at Rose.

"I think we're gonna check out the city before dinner."

"Oh, that's fine. I could use a nap now that I think of it."

"That's my girl. A beer or two and you're ready to hibernate. Christ." Emmett laughed as he shook his head. The four of them got up and parted ways, Emmett and Rose taking off to explore while Bella and Edward headed back to his place. She leaned into him as they walked down the street.

"I'm not kidding. I could definitely use a nap."

"Me, too. You wore me out last night." She gazed up at him and smacked her lips once.

"If you're already worn out, then there's really no hope for you. You're stuck with me for an entire weekend."

"Lucky me." She laughed and pecked him on the cheek as they entered his building. After practically tearing her jeans off, Bella dove into bed and pulled the covers over her head.

"You weren't kidding," Edward joked as he pulled the covers from her head and climbed into bed beside her.

"I told you." She flipped on her side to face him, and nuzzled into the crook of his neck.

"If this is how it's always going to be, then I am definitely down for nap time." Bella's laughter was muffled against his chest.

"Me, too, sailor. Me, too." It wasn't long before the two were fast asleep in each other's arms.

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"Oh my God my hair's ridiculous! Do I have time for a shower?" Edward rolled his eyes.

"No, dinner's in twenty and we have to book it if we want to be there on time as it is. Look, just tie it up or something." Bella frowned.

"Tie it up?! We're not going to a goddamn Wendy's Edward! I can't tie it up." Her arms flailed expressively. Faster than she could blink, Edward was standing in front of her, their faces inches apart. He smirked.

"Yes, tie it up." He raked his fingers along the sides of her scalp, gathering her hair into a pile on top of her head. He looked into her eyes and kissed the tip of her nose. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say I just found your tragic flaw Miss Swan." Bella snorted and swatted his hands away before securing her hair in an elastic, loosening it a bit with her fingers.

"The only thing tragic will be the way this night ends, with your ass on the couch." Bella turned with a swivel of her hips and slipped her feet into a pair of heels. "Are we ready?" Edward raised an eyebrow before opening the door and ushering her out into the hallway. Hand in hand, just as before, they stepped out into the busy streets of Boston.

Emmett, Rosalie, Jake, and Nessie were huddled in a corner by the hostess stand as Edward and Bella walked in, Emmett's attention being caught first.

"Guys! Over here!" His smile was slightly maddening and Bella stifled a giggle, tugging on Edward's arm and leaning to whisper in his ear.

"I'm gonna go to the bathroom real quick, I'll meet you at the table?" He smiled and nodded and she pecked him on the cheek before taking off towards the back of the restaurant. She made sure to wave in their general direction so as not to come off impolite. As she finally reached the bathroom, among prying eyes, her cell phone buzzed from inside her purse.

A text from Alice.

Sorry, our plane ran a few minutes behind. Already got the details from Em, we'll see you in a few.

Bella smiled. Despite the uncertainty of how tonight's events would unfold, she was happy to have everyone together again.

Even though it seemed that it took a trip out of state to get the job done.

Edward had reserved a table in the far corner of the restaurant, where the light was dimmed and the attention they attracted would be minimal. Jake and Nessie sat at one end of the table, Emmett and Rosalie at the other. It looked as thought they were flicking a paper football around. Bella rolled her eyes before settling her gaze on Edward, sitting contentedly and waiting for her arrival. He smiled as she came into view. Noting his shift in attention, everyone looked up to greet her with warm smiles. Bella walked around, squeezing Nessie's shoulder and slapping Jake on the back. She did the same for Emmett and Rosalie as Edward stood to meet her.

"There you are." He smiled into her ear before planting a chaste kiss on her neck and guiding her into her chair. Bella immediately turned her attention to Jake.

"Where have you been all my life, Mr. 'I get a girlfriend and go AWOL'." Nessie snickered.

"Yeah, man, What she said," Emmett added.

"Sheesh guys, nice to see you, too."

"Not as nice as it is to see us, though, right?" Alice and Jasper had managed to creep up and surprise everyone. Bella let out a small squeal as she rose quickly, banging her knee underneath the table.

"Shit! OUCH. Ali! I'm so happy you guys made it!" Alice scoffed.

"Developed a case of Tourette's since you landed?" Emmett guffawed as Bella shook her head before gathering her in a hug from across the table. Once everyone was situated, the drinks began to pour and the banter began to liven.

"I'm pretty sure the Pats are gonna kick ass this year. I'm hedging my bets." Emmett tipped his glass toward Edward before taking a drink. Jake snorted.

"Christ. For one night can we not discuss sports?" Everyone eyes widened at Rosalie's remark. She looked around and shrugged. "What?"

"Kudos, dollface. Didn't think anyone had the balls to say much to Joe Madden over here. Especially when it comes to his damn sports. And here I thought you were just another pretty face." Alice winked and sipped her wine. Emmett laughed and rubbed the back of Rosalie's neck.

"Admit it, Alice. I know how to pick 'em." Jake laughed.

"No comment." Rosalie turned to look at Emmett and sent a jab to his ribs.

"Oof. Don't listen to him. He used to feed me bullshit Native American campfire tales for chrissake." Bella laughed audibly at that one.

"Oh, this beautiful woman would creep into my great-grandfather's village at night and suck the life from every person she could find." Her fingers danced as if she were telling a spooky tale. Jake face-palmed as Nessie laughed and placed her arm on his bicep.

"And my great, ­great-grandfather took to the spirit of a wolf." Alice's eyes widened as her head swayed from side to side. At this point, everyone was doubled over in laughter at the table. Jake balled up his knapkin and threw it at Alice who batted it away with her hand.

"Whatever, you guys bought into it at the time so now who looks like an idiot?"

"Um, you do. That impression never leaves you, dude." Jasper improvised a cymbal clash with his fork and knife against the table and Edward jumped into the conversation.

"At least you guys didn't grow up with the inability to catch any sun. All the kids on the playground would ask what I was doing out. They thought I should be sleeping in a goddamn coffin." Bella looked at him with furrowed brows.

"Everyone thought you were a vampire?" Edward shook his head and stared into his lap. Bella rest her head in the crook of his neck and laughed, everyone joining in.

"Damn, that does beat me," Jake admitted, thankfully as it sounded. The waiter came around then, asking for everyone's orders and abruptly changing the subject. When it was Bella's turn, she smirked.

"I think I vant a steak. Bloody please." Her eyes snapped to Edward's and she winked. He laughed and slung his arm around her neck, tickling her side as Rosalie laughed, catching on to the joke.

"Clever, are we?" Bella's smile just grew as the waiter took Edward's order and stalked off to the kitchen.

"Alice, is that like, your fourth glass of wine?" Bella shook her head.

"What? You know I'm a sucker for a good white zinfandel. Don't s-patronize me," she slurred.

"Oh, yep. There's the Alice we know and love." She swatted at Jake and ended up knocking Jasper's water over into his lap, causing him to jump and hit his knee underneath the table. He winced as the water soaked into his pants and Nessie cupped her hand over her mouth, trying her best to hide her laughter.

"And this is why I chose the back corner of the restaurant. Although I was sure it would be you instead of Alice knocking everyone's drinks over. Smart guy, eh?" Edward winked at Bella and she scrunched her nose. Jake's shoulder vibrated with Nessie's laughter as she hid her face from the rest of the table. A snort resounded, grabbing everyone's attention at once.

"Ness, did you just snort?!" Jake pulled her away from his shoulder and she laughed harder, her face the shade of crimson. "You did! Oh my God do I love this girl!" Jake looked to everyone, boasting a ridiculously wide smile. Bella could do nothing but mirror his smile as she saw how great of a match they truly were.

"Alright, alright. Enough with the love fest. We've got drinks to finish and more waiting for us down the street." Emmett raised his glass and downed the last of his scotch, slamming it back down on the table. Shortly after, the food arrived, which eventually left everyone too stuffed to continue the hilarity. Once the waiter brought the bill, Jasper, Emmett, Edward, and Jake reached for their wallets.

"Guys, no. This one's on me. My thanks for joining Bella out here." They must have all caught a glimpse of the tab, because neither of them put up much of a fight. Bella laughed as everyone rose from their seats, still a little too full for proper balance.

"Alright, Rose found this place down the street. Gypsy Bar, right babe?" He turned to Rosalie and she nodded. "Bar looked impressively stocked, and we heard music. I don't know about you but I could definitely stand to dance some of this off." He grabbed at his nonexistent gut and Rosalie laughed.

"You mean you'll just stand behind me and lean from side to side?"

"Who knows, he might get a little crazy and throw some dice," Jake added. Emmett shot a look in his direction.

"Fine, I had that one coming. Don't insult the dice though, man. Don't do it." He gathered his hand in a fist and got into position.

"Okay, okay. Gypsy Bar it is." Bella pushed Emmett out the door before he made the dice-throwing a public display. Hand in hand she walked with Edward, lagging behind a bit to watch as Alice staggered everywhere and Jasper tried like hell to keep her in line. Emmett and Rosalie were skipping like children and Jake dragged Nessie along as he tried to trip Emmett. Edward chuckled beside her.

"Now this is exactly the way it should be. All the time. I hate that we always seem to work our asses off at picking fights with one another." She bit her bottom lip and shook her head. Edward raised a hand to her cheek, massaging along her jawline before pulling her lips to his.

"Then be one less to pick a fight," he said against her lips. Emmett cleared his throat.

"We've arrived. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the Gypsy Bar."

"Jesus Emmett, how much scotch did you drink?"

"You weren't paying attention? At one point the waiter just left the bottle at the table." Rosalie rolled her eyes and hooked an arm through Nessie's. "Bella, we're hitting the dance floor. You and Alice wanna join?" Bella snaked an arm through Alice's and dragged her away from Jasper.

"Get me a drink?" Edward's brow furrowed.

"What do you want?"

"I don't know, guess. And don't be wrong." She smirked before disappearing into the crowd with the girls. Ginuwine's "Get Involved" blared through the speakers, enveloping the dance floor, and Bella started to move as she felt the bass pulsing up her legs. Rose and Nessie laughed as they dance on each other, grinding and gaining some rather unwanted attention from the guys behind them. Bella rolled her eyes as they approached, Alice being all the more inviting. She stepped back slightly, turning and standing on her tiptoes to try and locate Edward.

"Dammit, where are you?" she mumbled to herself. An arm snaked around her waist and she knew in an instant it wasn't Edward's.

"A girl with an ass like yours should definitely be dancing. What's wrong, baby?" She felt the bile rise in her throat and she closed her eyes, turning to unresponsive stone. "Oh come on sugar, don't be like that. I just wanna have a little fun." In an instant, Bella picked her leg up and jammed the heel into the top of the guy's foot. She spun quickly, hoping to escape him but instead collided into a rock-solid chest.

"Bella, baby, it's me. You're good, you're fine." The panic that had risen in her chest subsided almost immediately as his arms encircled her. With a single glare, the creep slithered off. Bella guessed that Emmett, Jake, and Jasper's reactions had been nearly the same because they, too, were alone. She sighed into his chest and wrapped her arms around his back, hooking them onto the backside of his shoulders. The two of them formed the pace equivalent of a slow dance, rocking from side to side.

In perfect synchronicity.

Time could stop entirely when they shared moments like this, any fear, stress ceased to exist. He pressed his lips to her hair, and she moved to meet them with her own. Their lips moved languidly, taking what each other gave in a hunger that surpassed that of star-crossed lovers. But much to soon, it ended, the dance floor roaring in applause as Bella picked up the familiar beat. Her head snapped up.

"Cupid shuffle!" Edward gave her a confused look. Alice came from nowhere, squealing as she grabbed Bella's arm and tugged her forward. "It's a little old, but just watch. It's easy." The song began, and Rose and Nessie joined them girls at their sides.

To the right, to the right, to the right, to the right.

To the left, to the left, to the left, to the left.

Now, dip, dip, come on baby dip.

Now walk it by yourself, now walk it by yourself.

Bella did as the song instructed, walking it out at the end and earning a laugh from Edward.

"What? You don't know how to walk it out?" He joined her side and smiled.

"The guys get a little crazy in the locker room. They taught me a thing or two." She watched as he snapped his fingers in a familiar groove.

"Lean with it, rock with it? Aww sookie sookie now." She winked and joined him. Jake and Emmett sauntered over, standing behind their women and watching.

"Not bad, Cullen. But I got my drink and my two-step. Where's yours?" Jake danced around Nessie as Bella doubled over in laughter. Edward watched and picked up the dance soon after, mirroring his moves with his beer held high over his head. The night progressed with much of the same; the guys sharing their love for ridiculous dance moves and the girls forming a tight circle and dancing in between them. The drinks flowed and the music was continuous, everyone losing all track of time. Eventually the DJ announced last call, and Bella was off-balance as she turned to find Edward.

She fell into him instead.

"I think we've had enough, Miss Soul Train."

"Watch yourself, Vanilla Ice. It's these damn heels." She slipped them off and hooked them around her finger as he led her off the dance floor, Emmett and the rest in tow. It wasn't until they were outside that Bella felt the hair matted to her neck, her skin slick with sweat. "Oh, nice. I need a shower stat."

"Stat? Leave it to you to create a new vocabulary when you're intoxicated."

"No, genius." She shook her head.

"That's all you've got? Really? That's a first."

"Remember that tragic night we talked about earlier? Yeah, you're this close Cullen." Bella held an inch of space between her thumb and index finger. She stuck her tongue out at him as he moved to grab her by the waist.

"I can think of about ten things right now that would change your mind." His breath was scorching against her ear, leaving no secrecy to the heat in his words. She shivered deliciously. but was thankful for the distraction the cabs created as they pulled up. After making sure everyone got in where they belonged, they gave the drivers instructions and sent them on their way. "I figured we could walk. I'm only a couple blocks from here." Bella shrugged and snuggled into his side as he led her down the sidewalk. The comfortable silence he created gave her time to process the night's events.

Needless to say, everything had gone without a glitch. Dinner could not have gone any better than it had, everyone getting along famously and all. But one factor still remained.

Jacob.

It bothered Bella that he and Edward had exchanged very little throughout the course of the evening. And it was not lost on her how quick he had been to change the subject Emmett had introduced about the Patriots. But those thoughts cancelled themselves out as she remembered their little dance-off at the bar.

"Not bad, Cullen. But I've got my drink and my two-step. Where's yours?"

She smiled to herself and nuzzled further into Edward, his grip around her waist tightening in response. Little or no dialogue, it was process.

That much she could admit.

"We're here, you can come out of there now," Edward shifted his arm and smiled down at her as she let the cool air nip at her face. He kissed the tip of her nose and they walked into the lobby, climbing into the elevator and letting the comfortable silence overtake them once more.

With what little energy she had left, Bella slipped off her jeans and crawled into bed, with Edward after her. He settled onto his back before pulling her to him, her head resting atop his chest. She let out a sigh of contentment before sleep consumed her.

Yes, this indeed was exactly the way it should be.

A/N: Okay, okay. I'm hoping to avoid the throwing of the sharp objects and whatnot. I know it's been a couple months, but RL's been a bitch. I've got no apologies. I originally had Bella's first football game in here, too, but it's gonna have to be it's own chapter. The good news, though? You definitely won't have a long wait for the next one. I love you all, and have not forgotten about you. The reviews and PMs I have gotten seriously kept my ass in line. I 3 you all. Hard. REVIEW!!