It's Not That Easy

Chapter 25 - In My Dreams

I close my eyes, then I drift away, into the magic night I softly say. A silent prayer, like dreamers do, then I fall asleep to dream my dreams of you. - Roy Orbison

Chapter 25 - In My Dreams

Addy's POV:

I look between my two inebriated best friends and wonder what they were thinking. I'm floored. It didn't even see this coming. "You were wrong Helen. You're a damn fine kisser." Joel pats her on her back. "I might be drunk, but I know a good set of lips when I feel them."

I watch her face light up with his words. "That's what I thought, but every time...after a kiss or two...nothing. I'm thrown by the waste side." Edward slides up beside me to listen to what's going on.

Joel points his drunk finger at Helen. "Well, whoever it is, they're a damn fool." His motions are exaggerated, and he's hilarious to watch. Jillian and Holden make it back to our table.

"What's going on?" Edward asks Joel with a possessive big brother look.

"She just wanted my opinion on her kissing ability, and I think she does a good job. Very, very nice."

I can't keep the laughter in any longer, and Edward glares at me when I let loose. I see Jillian trying to hold back a snicker beside a really pissed off Holden. "Lighten up, we're just having fun." Helen tells him.

"I think my problem is I just need more practice." Helen leans over and gives Joel a quick kiss. "Do you want to help me, or do I need to find someone else?" She asks, and then begins to look around at the other tables. Holden tenses beside Jillian, and I see her take his hand to calm him down.

"Helen, what is your problem?" Edward pulls are her arm to get her to focus on him.

"I think she's hit a dry spell, and for some reason she thinks it's about the way she kisses." Joel tells us.

"You got that right. Now, you didn't answer my question. Are you going to help me, or do I need to get a another practice partner?"

"No, baby. I'm in." I could feel the glares from both Edward and Holden, while Jillian and I both laugh. Joel gives Helen a quick kiss, before he leans over to Edward. "Don't worry, I'm not going to do anything. Tomorrow, she'll regret this, and I would rather it be me than someone we can't control." Joel isn't drunk after all.

Edward gives him a more approving smile, but still tries to control his baby sister. "It's her birthday, let her blow off some steam." I tell him before appraising the group of us, and then say, "She's safe here. Let Joel take care of her."

On my tiptoes I pull Edward close enough to whisper, "I want to get lost in you for a while, dance with me?" He agrees just as the song becomes slow and romantic. With his hand on my lower back and his other holding mine, our eyes lock, and for three and a half minutes we are the only ones in the room.
--

I woke up early this morning in a full on panic attack, and this wonderful man in my arms understands. He is patiently waiting for me to heal, for the monster in the shadow to be subdued, and I love him for it. How different four years makes. The Edward of my teens would not have been this understanding, even if he did love me.

"How is it that you are so patient with me?" I ask, and I can see I caught him off guard. He tells me he doesn't understand. "How can you sit back and act like it's not a big deal to get called at 2:00 am to come save your girlfriend from a nightmare?"

"Because it's not."

"Yes, it is."

"It's not, because you're getting my 100%. I want you to come to me first, so there is no way I will let you down when you need me. I'm still trying to prove myself to..." I cut him off from finishing his thought.