Disclaimer: All characters, settings and original plots are the property of Stephanie Meyer. The author is in no way associated with this story. No copyright infringement in intended.

Summary: This story begins after the conclusion of Eclipse. Newly engaged, Bella and Edward explore the physical and romantic boundaries of their relationship.

A/N: Thank you to everyone who reviewed my first chapter – you were all too kind. I will try my best to update as quickly and as often as I can. I am a student and I also work so you may have to be patient from time to time. Enjoy the chapter.

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La Lune: Chapter 2

Here I am, hand in hand with my fiancé, standing at my soon to be father-in-law's door. And why are we here? To talk about sex of all things. My face is flush with embarrassment, my heart pounds in my chest threatening to break free.

I can feel Edward squeeze my hand in reassurance. He looks over at me just as I look to him.

"Don't be scared love. I know he's wanted to talk to me about this for a while now. "

Okay. That makes things a little easier. He's been expecting this conversation, although, probably not with me in the room.

Before Edward could knock Carlisle's musical voice fills the air.

"Edward, Bella, please come in."

Carlisle's office is magical. There is no other way to describe it really. A feeling of warmth and comfort spills into me as I walk through the door. If I didn't know better I'd say Jasper was hiding behind one of the curtains. I instantly feel better. The steady thump of my heart has reduced to a slight flutter. This is another one of those conversations that needs to happen. Although I'm not thrilled about the subject matter, I am grateful that the Cullen house is vacant save for us three. I'm not sure if I'm ready to deal with the inevitable torture that will soon follow once the rest of the Cullen family are made aware of this particular afternoon. I know well enough by now that there are no secrets in this house. Especially where Alice is concerned.

Carlisle is sitting behind his desk, in a large leather chair; the kind you see big wig executives sitting in. He places his book down on the desk. Le Comte de Monte-Cristo. The title is in French but enough of the words are familiar to me to know what it is – The Count of Monte Cristo. I forgot that it was originally a French book and of course Carlisle would want to read in its intended language. The book is bound in leather, probably a first edition and it looks worn from many years of reading. I have to remember to ask Edward if he's read it before.

"What can I do for you both?" He gestures us to sit down in the two chairs that are in front of his desk. Have they always been there? I can't remember. I wonder if he was expecting us?

I sit in the chair to the left but I keep my hand firmly in Edward's not willing to give up my lifeline of comfort. He gives my hand another gentle squeeze telling me he doesn't want to let go either.

"Well Carlisle, Bella and I have been talking." Edward inhales deeply. An attempt to calm his nerves I imagine. This can't be easy for him. I try to picture myself talking to Charlie about this. Nothing short of disaster.

The deep breathes sufficiently calm him and I can see a look of pure nerve gathering on his face. Here goes nothing... again.

"As you know Bella and I plan to be intimate on our honeymoon." The word intimate sends a flush to my face that I know I can't hide from either of them. Darn my human frailties. As much as Edward loves my blushing, it is not something I will miss once I'm immortal.

Carlisle nods at Edwards's bold statement of our intimacy; a gesture for him to continue.

"Although that plan has not changed, we both have some... reservations. We were hoping for your guidance on the issue."

Finally mustering the courage to look at Carlisle I can see a genuine warm smile spread across his face. He was expecting this.

"Of course, I will help in any way I can. What exactly are you concerned about?" His eyes lock onto mine and I realise; the question was clearly meant for me – to include me in the conversation.

My hands fidget, my throat clears and heat rushes to my face. Why does this have to be so difficult? I swallow hard realising I can't simply be an observer to this conversation.

"Well... I think Edward and I are afraid of the same thing." I steal a look at Edward just for a moment and I receive the encouragement I need to continue. "Neither of us really knows what we're doing and well... we have no idea what to expect. Maybe if we had a better idea..."

I don't need to finish my sentence. I can see a thought, an idea, perhaps even a plan forming in Carlisle's mind. He was definitely expecting this conversation. He's armed and ready.

"Well I'm sure you understand the... mechanics of the act itself."

"Bella and I have both had to suffer through sexual education at school. I've had to endure it more times than I care to recollect." I could almost see the countless memories of condom and STD lectures whirl through his mind as he quietly groans to himself. In my mind, repeating high school over and over again is nothing less than torture.

I decide to jump in, feeling slightly braver than before. "It's not mechanics we need Carlisle... it's more the feelings and emotions we should be expecting. "

Carlisle rises from his chair, his hand placed pensively on his chin. He starts a slow pace back and forth, like the motions of an old pendulum clock. I could feel the seconds ticking by as I watch him. My palms grow sweaty and my breathing anxious. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea.

Finally Carlisle's melodic voice fills the room yet again.

"To be honest with you both, I doubt very much that this is anything that can really be explained in words. Of course I could describe the emotions to you, but they would have no context. Could I have explained what love felt like adequately enough to describe the true feeling of the emotion?" His eyes shine with nothing but concern and caring.

My eyes meet Edward's and I know that no words could describe this feeling; the love I felt for this man beside me.

"So is there nothing that we can do?" Edward speaks to his father but holds my gaze with his eyes. There is a hint of desperation in them – something I hadn't seen before. It seems like he would be willing to do almost anything. A feeling nags at me. Deep down I know we wouldn't be in this situation if it weren't for me; for the bargain we made.

"There is always hope and there is always something that can be done. That being said, you must both, of course, be willing."

He must see the confusion on my face and continues with nothing more than a moment's pause. "I know you both have certain boundaries when it comes to your physical relationship, but you may want to consider... a less strict set of rules."

"Carlisle, those rules are in place for a reason - for Bella's protection. If anything ever happened to her I would never be able to forgive myself." The sincerity of Edward's tone was undeniable. I was an idiot to think that he denied me for any other reason than out of love.

"Believe me Edward, I understand your fear and your hesitancy, but you are putting too much pressure on yourself... you both are. The tension between the two of you is palpable. If you want your wedding night to be a successful one, you both must be willing to work at it."

Edward and I sit in silence, both contemplating the words we just heard. I am the first to speak.

"Maybe he's right Edward..." he tries to stop me, but I lift my hand before he can "hear me out." He simply nods allowing me to continue. "What was it like for you, being around me, when we first met?"

"Bella you know the answer to this. It took every ounce of my will power not to kill you in Biology in front of a classroom full of students. I spent the entire hour plotting your death. You remember how quickly I left the room, how badly I wanted to be in any class but yours..."

A feeling of guilt washes over me. I know he is ashamed of how he felt in those early days of our relationship.

"And yet, here you sit with your hand in mine, wanting to marry me, to be with me for the rest of our lives. What's changed?"

He smiles at me and again I'm dazzled. "I realised that nothing on this Earth could make me hurt you. I love you with everything that I am. And... I got used to being around you. It actually brings me comfort now. It pains me to be away from you."

I blush for what feels like the hundredth time today. I hate and love that he has this effect on me; the ability to turn me into a gibbering mess in mere seconds.

Carlisle is beaming at us both now. I've just made the exact point that he was trying to make.

"Don't you see Edward? You and Bella had to work at reaching the level of intimacy you share now. Why couldn't the same principal be applied again? To go from nothing but chaste kisses to making love in one night is too much to ask of anyone, let alone a vampire and a human."

I can see Edward's resolve crack slightly as a smile spreads across his beautiful face.

"You may be right Carlisle. We could be setting ourselves up for disaster... and disappointment."

I can't help but smile. The idea of sharing more with Edward sends warmth radiating through my body. He turns to me smouldering me with his gaze. The warmth pools tightly in my stomach and my breath hitches in my throat slightly. I know my face is red again, but I don't care.

"Bella, this is something that we would have to take slowly. If I lost control I would never be able to forgive myself. "

"I know Edward and I completely agree. You know what they say, slow and steady..."

We both laugh for the first time since we set foot in Carlisle's office. Edward turns to face his father again. They're talking, not out loud, but I know something is being said.

"Um... I'm still here," I say pointing out the obvious. I don't mean to be rude, but I really don't like being left out of conversations; especially when they are about me.

Carlisle turns his head to face mine and smiles gently. "Of course Bella, I apologize. I did not mean to be impolite. I didn't want to embarrass you with this particular piece of advice."

I laugh out loud but quickly realise they don't understand my response. "Carlisle, I'm sitting with my future father-in-law talking about having sex with his son. In your world that might be considered a normal day at the office, but in mine... well let's just say that Edward would be dead and buried by now."

I rarely hear Carlisle laugh and I'm enjoying the feel of it now. Not a chuckle or even a giggle, but a full bellied roar. The laughter is infectious as both Edward and I join in.

"I often forget that this openness that our family shares is new to you Bella. Well, as I was saying..."

I glance briefly over at the love of life. He looks nervous... no not nervous... embarrassed. I quickly look back at Carlisle wondering what could make Edward so uncomfortable.

"... I believe that feeling the pleasure of release would be tremendously beneficial... to you both. It is the most intense, yet unpredictable of all the feelings you will experience. Although you could each experience it alone, it would be more useful if you were together. Knowing what to expect in that regard will help to better prepare for your wedding night."

Release? I can feel the word clunking through my mind like a combination lock waiting to open. He couldn't mean... wait he does mean...

"Oh." It was all I could say. My response enlists a quiet chuckle from Edward. I can fully understand his look of unease before. Please, please let the floor open up and swallow me whole. At least he didn't say orgasm. I would have died in this chair, right here, right now if he had.

Before I realise its happening I'm being ushered out of Carlisle's office with Edward right behind me.

"Well I'm sure you two have a lot to talk about and I believe I've sufficiently mortified you both enough for a century. Please know that if I can help any further that my door is always open."

I can hear Edward thanking his father, but my focus is elsewhere. I'm too embarrassed to look Carlisle in the eye again, but I'm sure he understands.

I still can't bring myself to speak as I stare at my hands, both of which are enclosed in Edward's. We are both quiet now just outside Carlisle's door. Finally Edward breaks the silence.

"Well that was...interesting."