Sleeping Arrangements

[Louise_2983]

Sneak peek:

"I knew you would get back together!" Annie exclaimed amidst a splutter of coughs and a violent sneeze.

"Yeah" Aden smirked wrapping his arm around Belle's shoulder and pulling her closer.

"You can start wearing your Adelle 4 Eva t-shirt again now Annie"

"Ooh!" Annie clapped excitedly.

"I am so getting some of those made up for your hens night!"

"Woah! Why is everyone so determined to marry us off?"

"Belle" Annie rolled her eyes dramatically.

"You can't fight the inevitable!"

[amz89]

that was a good sneek peak cant wait for more.

[EmmaJane123]

Love the sneek peak

Cant wait 4 the chapter

Xxxxxx

[KaiyaBlake]

Finally, I've caught up

I really love this story.. and I like how you twisted the date with Belle and her job and everything in!

Loved how everyone thought Aden was gay !

Can't wait for more

[Jody]

Great chapter.

Effie is so cute. And downright funny as well. I couldn't get enough of her. She definitely provided us with a lot of entertaining moments in this chapter. I must add though that she managed to be more awesome with all her blunt and forward comments and questions (which I loved) then Nicole as ever managed during her time on the show. So if you ask me Nicole could learn a thing or two from her .

The serious parts were great too. I love the way you managed to add those in throughout the chapter. Poor Leah. I feel sorry for her. Looks like she is really struggling to cope right now but trying to put on a brave face. Feel sorry for Roman and Effie as well.

The talk between Roman and Belle was really good. I loved the way she reassurred him about ring. I'm glad that you added that line about her loving it more because he chose it, someone really should have filled Aden in on that fact when it came to choosing jewellery for Belle on the show.

[gillyh]

I've just managed to catch up the rest of the chapters and I've got to say I love this story. I had to laugh at Effie asking Aden and Belle if they were going to have a baby. A think a baby Adelle would be so cute

Will Belle's workmate Jenny who has a crush on Aden find out that Belle is dating him. I'd love to see the look on her face when Belle tells her.

[shortie_689]

I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE this, I have just finished reading the entire thing and it is sooooooo good!!!

[amz89]

AWW I thought there was an update, cant wait for more.

[Louise_2983]

Chapter 17

“Well Irene that was great thanks” Aden sighed his knife and fork clanking against the china plate before he sat back a little in his chair and pushed his plate away from him, the remains of his dinner still on it.

“But I’m stuffed”

“Yeah he forgot to pack the jeans with the elasticated waist!” Belle teased as she reached across to pat his stomach.

“Do not say that in front of Nicole” he chuckled softly.

“Unless you want an hour long lecture on fashion faux pas!”

“Well as long as you enjoyed it Darl” Irene smiled sincerely as she stacked up the plates so they were easier to carry into the kitchen.

“I thought I’d take the opportunity to sneak something that didn’t involve pasta into your diet whilst I had the chance!”

“Ha ha!” Belle exclaimed triumphantly as Aden contorted his face into an annoyed expression and glared at her.

“I told you that was all you could cook, even Irene noticed!”

“Hard not to when he served lasagne, ravioli and spaghetti over one weekend!” Irene chuckled thinking back to the weekend she had visited the couple when they had been living in Sydney.

“Well it wouldn’t have been so noticeable if Belle had done some cooking now would it?” he hit back feeling slightly ganged up on.

“Yeah, yeah ok. I admit I’m not the most domesticated of people either” she held her hands up in mock surrender, a tiny hint of laughter slipping out with the words.

“It’s why we make such a good couple” she crept around him, her hand resting over his knee under the table and giving a gentle squeeze.

His resolve to be mad at her instantly cracked, his lips kicking up into a smile that made her stomach flip.

“So you are a...achoo!..couple...achoo! then?” Annie questioned excitedly, stood at the bottom of the stairs wrapped up in a thick woollen dressing gown with a mound of tissues scrunched up in a ball in

her hand.

Aden looked at Belle waiting for her to respond. Belle in turn looked at Irene, the only person she’d confided in about her and Aden right from her return to country.

“Don’t look at me girly!” Irene exclaimed with an amused chuckle.

“I was under strict orders not to say anything to anyone!”

“I knew you’d told Irene!” Aden hissed but the hand he wrapped around hers under the table told her he wasn’t angry about it.

“Well that’s a good thing isn’t it? At least I told someone!” she whispered as though it would prevent their audience from hearing her. It didn’t.

“Yeah it’s a good thing” he grinned as she lifted their entwined hands up, over the table so Annie could see them.

“Yes, we’re a couple” she smiled happily.

“Very much so”

"I knew you would get back together!" Annie exclaimed amidst a splutter of coughs and a violent sneeze.

"Yeah" Aden smirked wrapping his arm around Belle's shoulder and pulling her close.

"You can start wearing your Adelle 4 Eva t-shirt again now Annie"

"Ooh!" Annie clapped excitedly.

"I am so getting some of those made up for your hens night!"

"Woah! Why is everyone so determined to marry us off?"

"Belle" Annie rolled her eyes dramatically.

"You can't fight the inevitable!”

“Yeah Belle” Aden smirked, moving his full lips so close to her ear his warm breath tickled her smooth skin.

“You and me, we’re inevitable” he whispered so low that only she could hear.

“One step at a time!” she laughed playfully poking him in the rib before pressing a quick kiss to his cheek to make up for it.

“And haven’t you got somewhere to be? Roman’s expecting you”

“You just want me out of the way so you can make wedding plans don’t you?” he teased, nuzzling his nose into the soft spot just below her ear and brushing his lips across it.

“Oh please” Irene chuckled as she hoisted the pile of plates off the table and carted them into the kitchen.

“It’s a good job I’m not diabetic!”

“What?” Belle asked confused, pushing Aden away with a wide grin.

“Why?”

“Because you two are just so sweet!” Annie gushed, gazing at them so intently Belle felt a little freaked out.

“She’s our biggest fan” Aden chuckled as Belle squirmed in her seat under Annie’s watchful gaze.

“President of the..achoo!... fan club” Annie quipped and they all laughed, even Belle as she became slightly more at ease.

“Sounds like the President is still too sick to be out of bed to me”

“Oh please Irene!” Annie begged, her eyes wide and pleading, as though she were still 15 rather than the 19 she now was.

“I’m feel-achoo!-ing so much bet-achoo! Achoo!-ter now”

“You sound it” Irene laughed from the kitchen.

“Oh let her stay down here Irene” Belle sided with the younger girl.

“It’s been way too long since I’ve seen her”

“Well just don’t blame me when you’re still sick when uni starts up again!” Irene warned Annie as she almost danced excitedly at the bottom of the stairs.

“She can blame me” Belle grinned cheekily.

“Because I won’t be here”

“Actually about uni” Annie murmured hesitantly.

“I’ve got an achoo! announcement to make”

“Oooh sounds exciting!” Belle looked at the younger girl expectantly.

“Well” Annie smiled.

“I’ve been talking to Jai on the internet”

“Annie, you can’t get pregnant that way!” Aden quipped earning a slap on the arm from Belle.

“Oh ha! Ha! Aden!” Annie exclaimed in annoyance.

“Just because that’s what you and Belle got up to when she was in London!”

“I think someone’s jealous” Aden smirked at Belle as Annie scoffed.

“Hey! Less of the trash talk you two please!”

“Sorry Irene” Aden chuckled.

“But when did little Annie Campbell learn to give as good as she got?”

“Well” Annie smirked, clearly pleased with herself as she let out another huge sneeze.

“When Nicole’s practically your sister in law you learn a thing or two!”

“Should have known that Princess Motormouth would have something to do with it!”

“Not only has she corrupted your little sister” Belle laughed glancing across at Aden.

“Now she’s corrupted mine too!”

A beaming smile spread across Annie’s face, delighted at hearing Belle refer to her as her sister.

“Let me guess” Irene called out from the kitchen with a chuckle.

“Effie asked what you two get up to in the bedroom?”

“Does she ask everyone?” Belle laughed in disbelief before a disturbing thought struck her and she pulled an uncomfortable face.

“Please don’t tell me she asked if you and Mr Stewart are going to have a baby?!”

“You’re not are you Irene?” Aden asked, smirking cheekily as the red headed woman returned to the room, clipping him sharply around the head as she did so.

“Less of the cheek boyo!”

“I think that’s your cue to leave” Belle laughed as Aden vigorously rubbed his head where Irene had hit him.

“But we haven’t even got to the interesting bit of this conversation yet” Aden grinned mischievously.

“Like whether the kid’s first words will be strewth! or Good Gawd Girly!”

“Aden!” Irene scolded him as Belle and Annie both giggled but she couldn’t stop her lips from twitching slightly in amusement.

“You know I’m just teasing Irene” he smiled as he got to his feet and gave her shoulders an affectionate squeeze. She softened instantly, nudging him away as she rolled her eyes at his creeping.

“Just go!” she told him sternly but a tiny laugh escaped as she did so.

“I’m going” he sighed in defeat.

“Wouldn’t want to get in between you three and Edward Cullen now would I?” he laughed with a nod towards the Twilight series DVDs already lined up next to the TV.

“Actually” Annie told him, a huge sneeze interrupting her sentence.

“I prefer Jacob Black and Irene pretends not to be interested but really she likes Carlisle”

“Looks like Edward is all mine then” Belle announced with a grin before smirking at her boyfriend.

“Don’t bother coming back tonight”

“Hmmmph” he sulked.

“Well never mind, I’m sure if I get Roman drunk enough Leah will entertain me...”

“I don’t think she’s that desperate” Belle sniped, his attempt to make her jealous not working at all.

“Ouch” he chuckled as he bent down beside her and his lips found her ear.

“But what does that say about you?” his warm breath fluttered over her soft skin, tickling her.

“Clinically insane?” she suggested with a giggle before stroking his cheek with her fingertips and kissing him softly.

“Don’t drink too much, be careful and don’t stay out too late”

“Aww will you miss me?” he teased softly, kissing her ear.

“That and we’ve got a flight to catch tomorrow” she laughed before kissing him back.

“Oh please, will you just go before Annie and I have to fight over the sick bucket?”

“Sorry Irene” Aden laughed as he straightened himself up.

“Well I think it’s –achoo!- sweet” Annie grinned.

“And they do have a whole year apart to make up for”

“Well there you go Irene” Aden grinned.

“The sick bucket is all yours” he announced before bowing his head to kiss Belle once more.

She giggled against his lips, letting him kiss her for a few seconds before pushing him away.

“Go!” she ordered and he obeyed saying a quick goodbye to Irene and Annie before blowing her a kiss and disappearing out of the back door.

“So” Annie smiled as she popped the DVD into the player and she and Belle got comfy on the sofa whilst Irene made the popcorn.

“When’s the wedding?”

“Woah!” Belle laughed giving Annie’s arm a playful shove.

“We’re not even engaged”

“Yet!” Annie smirked as she pulled a clean tissue from the box on the coffee table and wiped her nose before leaning back and resting her head on Belle’s shoulder.

“And I’m going to be a bridesmaid right? Being your sister and everything?”

“If we ever get married then I’m not sure we’d want a big wedding, there might not even be bridesmaids”

“But you have to have bridesmaids!” Annie objected in horror.

“And a big wedding and then Geoff could give you away and Irene could wear a big hat and you could have a gorgeous dress and Aden would look really dashing in his suit an-“

“Annie!” Belle interrupted the younger girl’s rambling with a stern glare.

“Yeah?” she asked in disappointment as Belle squeezed her shoulders softly.

“You know what?” Belle smiled genuinely as she realised she truly meant what she was about to say.

“All that doesn’t sound so bad”

***

“What are you doing?” she asked with a giggle as she flicked on the lamp and found him climbing through her window.

“I am doing” he announced as he swayed slightly, a result of that evening’s alcohol intake.

“Something I think you once described as breaking and entering half naked”

“Hmmph” he announced loudly as he looked down at his attire before whipping off his black t-shirt to reveal his taut chest.

“Sorry, now I’m half naked!”

“Well I’m glad you rectified that mistake” she grinned, a cheeky glint in her deep brown eyes as her gaze wandered over his ripped chest and she slowly licked her lips in appreciation.

“You know” he smiled as he climbed onto the bed and hovered above her.

“Climbing through your window drunk that night was the best mistake I ever made”

“Mistake?” she asked, her eyebrows arched, clearly unimpressed with his choice of words.

“Well yeah” he let out a low chuckle and winked mischievously.

“Things could have been so different if I’d ended up in Irene’s room like I’d intended”

“Well it’s nice to know that yet another one of my boyfriends had designs on my mother” she laughed quietly.

“Irene isn’t your mother”

“She’s as good as” Belle paused wistfully as she reflected on the roles the two women had played in her life.

“ In fact she’s better just don’t ever tell Amanda I said that”

“Babe, Amanda barely speaks to me” he told her referring to the few times they’d met when Amanda had almost gone out of her way to avoid him.

“I think you scare her” Belle laughed running a hand over his bare chest.

“I scare her?”

“Yeah” she nodded in confirmation.

“She nearly screwed things up between us with the whole Drew thing and you’re so gorgeous that I think she’s worried that if she so much as looks as you I might take it the wrong way and never speak

to her again”

“You think I’m gorgeous huh?” he smirked, nudging her gently.

“You know I do” she giggled seeing no point in protesting, even though his head was big enough.

Tenderly he took her face in his hands and kissed her gently.

“You’re not so bad yourself you know?” he grinned before pressing another kiss delicately over her lips.

“But you might want to talk to Amanda about that because it’s going to get kind of awkward if she just avoids me for the rest of our lives”

“Planning on being around for the rest of my life hey?” she smiled happily.

“Yep, you’re so stuck with me” he laughed before standing up and stripping down to his dark red boxers.

“Well I guess that’s a cross I’ll just have to bear” she laughed, flicking back the doona so he could climb in. He wrapped the quilt back around them before snuggling closer to her.

“Did you mean what you said today?” he whispered hesitantly as he snaked an arm around her waist.

“Which bit? I said a lot of things today Aden you’re going to need to be more specific than that!”

“What you said when Effie asked if we were going to have a baby”

“What did I say again?” she feigned ignorance not sure she wanted to repeat her earlier words.

“One day” he murmured quietly.

“You said one day...did you mean that?”

“Well of course I’m going to get broody when I’m cuddling an adorable baby and have a gorgeous little girl in the same room as me aren’t I?” she told him all in one breath as she panicked a little.

“It doesn’t really mean anyth-“

“Belle!” he interrupted her ramble sternly and looked down to find that he was holding her hand, just as he had promised he always would be.

She felt her panic subside instantly and she smiled sincerely at him.

“Yes” she nodded honestly, squeezing his hand as she spoke.

“Yes I meant it. I want children with you Aden, I want everything with you”

“I want that too” he whispered with a huge smile spreading across his attractive face.

“What?” she giggled teasingly.

“Everything with yourself?”

“Ha ha!” he pretended to be amused as he kissed her softly.

“Given that’s not possible I’ll just have to make do with you”

“Oh and I’m very grateful for the sacrifice!” she laughed , her arms looping around his neck as she pulled him closer and kissed him ardently.

“So you should be” he smirked as he broke away and gestured to his toned body.

“There are women out there who would kill for this”

“Well then I better be careful” she laughed softly.

“Or it might be me they kill to get to you!”

“Nah” he whispered lying back down flat on the bed and pulling her to him.

“I’ll protect you, I’ll always protect you”

“I know” she whispered pressing her lips gently to his side.

“How was tonight?” she asked a little more sombre.

“Roman ok?”

“Yeah, yeah it was nice” he told her non commitally as she sighed loudly.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing” she told him before resting her chin on his chest and looking up at him.

“It’s just...the pain in Leah’s eyes today” she whispered sadly.

“Don’t ever leave me Aden”

“Hey!” he hushed her, pulling her higher up the bed and holding her close against him.

“I’m not going anywhere. Not without you... I promise”

“Good” he felt her lips curve into a tiny smile against his chest as he brushed his over her forehead.

“I called him Dad” he blurted out in embarrassment.

“What?” she asked confused as she looked up at him.

“Roman” he clarified, brushing a stray tendril of dark hair from her eyes.

“I accidentally called him Dad tonight”

“Oh” she murmured not really sure what to say.

“I was telling him that he had to do everything he could to make sure he came home safe because this time isn’t like last time when he was single and the only person he had to think about was himself.

This time Nicole’s back in his life and he’s got Leah and Effie and Zoey to think about”

“And you” Belle smiled softly but Aden didn’t acknowledge her words.

“It just slipped out. I called him Dad, Belle”

“Aden, I’m sure he didn’t mind” she tried to reassure him as she ran her fingertips tenderly over his smooth cheek.

“What did he say?”

Aden smiled, tears welling up in his bright blue eyes.

“I told him he had to come home safe and he said I will son”

“Aden” she sighed pulling him closer and pressing a kiss to his temple before wiping away his tears with her thumb.

“What if something happens to him out there Belle?” he whispered finally letting his fear out.

“I wish I could promise that he’ll be ok but I can’t” she sighed wiping away the tears which had replaced the ones she had wiped from his cheeks seconds earlier.

“But what I can promise is that whatever happens, I will be here with you. You don’t have to deal with any of this alone”

“I love you so much Belle Taylor”

“I love you too” she smiled, kissing the shiny patches on his cheek where his tears had been tenderly.

“And talking of Dads I did something while you were out that you might not like”

“What?”

“I called the prison and I asked them to arrange for a visiting order for tomorrow so that if you want to go and see him whilst we’re here then you can”

“Belle” he sighed loudly.

“Aden, he’s still your Dad and I bet you haven’t been to see him since the last time I went with you have you?”

“No but...”

“If you don’t want to go that’s fine but I just wanted you to have the option”

“I don’t want to go” he whispered regretfully.

“I will go soon but not tomorrow. Not when Roman’s going out there to fight and my Dad’s never fought for anything in his life, not even his family. I’ll just get angry with him Belle and then I’ll get angry

at you when it’s not your fault and I don’t want that”

“Ok” she nodded snuggling closer to him.

“Whatever you feel comfortable with babe”

“You’re amazing” he whispered as he kissed her.

“Well it’s good that you think that” she laughed.

“Because you’re going to marry me someday, Annie’s planning the big day already!”

“Just Annie?” he arched his eyebrows at her.

“Well” she grinned in defeat.

“I would be lying if I said I’d never thought about it”

“And not just in your nightmares?”

“No” she shook her head before grinning cheekily.

“Mostly in my nightmares obviously...”

“Oiy!” he laughed poking her in the side and tickling her until she squealed, begging him to stop.

“What was Annie’s big announcement anyway?” he asked suddenly remembering that Annie never got to finish her sentence.

“Oh, Jai’s decided to transfer his uni course back home. Annie’s so excited, it’s really sweet”

“Seems like everyone’s getting what they want lately” he sighed happily as he held her close.

“Except Roman and Leah”

“He’s going to propose to her tomorrow” she mumbled tightening her hold on him.

“Before he leaves”

“Well he kept that one quiet, how do you know?”

“That’s what he wanted my help with, he wanted my opinion on the ring”

“That’s really great” he smiled genuinely.

“I just hope there’s a wedding”

“Me too” she smiled softly.

“Then you can be best man and I’ll get to buy a new dress...oh my god I sound like Annie” she laughed to herself.

“Annie’s not so bad”

“No of course she’s not” Belle smiled.

“She’s the little sister I never had and now I do. And I love her. But maybe we should just get married tomorrow and shut her up once and for all?”

“Great, I’ll phone the registry office first thing” he laughed.

“That still wouldn’t please her” Belle giggled.

“She’d complain that we hadn’t given her enough time to plan!”

“You know babe?” he whispered with a smile.

“If we get married it’s not going to be about Annie or anyone else for that matter. It’s going to be about us. Me and You”

“Nu-uh” she shook her head and he looked back at her confused.

“Not if we get married, when we get married” she told him, grabbing his hand and holding on tight as she did so.

“I love you” he grinned pressing his lips to hers.

“I love you too even if I was second best to Irene” she laughed as he pressed his body up against hers and kissed her passionately, his hands wandering hungrily over her slender body.

“Belle” he whispered, tenderly gazing into her eyes.

“You never have been and never will be second best. You’ll always be my number one girl”

[littlemiss]

! I love it Louise!

Sooo sweet! I really hope Roman comes back ok, for Leah, and Aden adn Effie and Zoey. Excited that Belle clearly wants to marry Aden one day too plus Aden and the window, yay!

Looking forward to the next part already.

Edit: I forgot Nicole Roman has to come back for her too!