They lay together in the meadow, not saying anything, just smiling rather goofily at each other. Bella wasn't thinking about anything aside from his hand on her waist. Edward wasn't thinking about anything but the warmth of her throat under his lips.
She shook her head slowly as if to clear it, looking slightly punch drunk and opened her mouth. "You wanted to tell me something?" Bella asked breathlessly. Edward was trailing his lips across her collarbone, so of course she was gasping with embarrassing volume.
"I did." He murmured against her skin. She playfully smacked him away and then yelped quietly. Edward quickly sat up with a concerned expression. "What did you do Bella?"
She glared ruefully. "I hit you with the hand that has the broken knuckle." She muttered. He grabbed the hand and brought it to his lips, caressing the offending knuckle.
"Your heart is beating like crazy." He commented, raising an amused eyebrow. Bella blushed. "It always is when you're around." She said slightly acidly, though she trailed off at the end with a dazed look.
Edward smirked at the slightly dazzled expression, which contrasted with the tone of her voice, then resumed kissing her. Bella pulled away.
"Honestly, what did you want to tell me?" She insisted, still sounding utterly drunk.
"Stop talking, goose. You're ruining the moment." Edward laughed. Bella smiled at him and settled herself in his arms. He moved his lips against her hair and she closed her eyes. "It is a rather nice moment." She agreed softly.
So they were quiet while the sun bounced in rainbows from Edward's bare arms. As she had done that day so long ago, Bella reached for one of the arms encircling her waist and traced the veins, marveling at the diamond-like appearance.
"Have I told you how beautiful you are, Edward?" She asked, craning her neck to look at his face. He smiled wryly. "If I were vain, I'd remember how many times. Good thing Rosalie isn't here, she'd get jealous." He joked.
Bella was quiet for a few more moments, then she turned to look at him again. "Why won't you tell me what you said you had to tell me? It's not bad news is it?"
Edward was quiet.
"It is! Alice is okay? Victoria doesn't have someone coming to avenge her? The Volturi!" Bella started talking very fast. Then a cool finger was over her lips. She kissed it and then tugged it away. "You—you're not backing out of your deal, are you?" She asked quietly.
Edward laughed. "Oh Bella. You're overreacting. It's nothing like that all."
"Then what is it? If it's not bad, stop stalling." She said sternly.
His grip around her waist tightened and he leaned down so that his cheek was beside hers.
"I love you, Bella." He whispered, lips moving against her ear. She closed her eyes. "Just tell me."
"That was it." Edward chuckled. "That's what I wanted to say."
Bella opened her eyes with a startled expression. "Oh."
"Is that it, that's all you wanted to tell me, Edward? I know that."
Edward smiled. "I know you know. I just wanted to tell you again."
Then for the first time that afternoon he kissed her lips. Bella fainted.
Edward sighed and picked up. "I suppose it's time to go home then." He remarked to the empty meadow.
Bella's eyes fluttered open and she took in her limp position. "Not again." She groaned.