Chapter One: The Good Life

"Under Pressure" by Queen

~Agent Cullen~

**"Do you know where they're headed?" Liam shouted as the wind whipped around us.

"No. Do you?" I shook my head to reiterate my statement. The sound of the approaching helicopter overhead was deafening.

"Who knows, probably South America. But it doesn't matter now. We have to get you out. We'll make it look like you bled to death. Leave a trail..."

I nodded as I grabbed my side. Volturi's man got me good, but not before I escaped the warehouse and set it ablaze. Liam looked at me as I winced and I could tell he knew my pain.

I was no longer alive to this mission. I was officially off this case, especially now that the Don would be coming down. He couldn't run much longer. Regardless of which direction the rest of his men went, the train to D.C. he escaped on had been stopped in Delaware and agents were boarding it to apprehend him as we spoke.

"Don't worry about it. His sons will come down soon enough too. You did your job. Let them take care of the rest." Liam reassured me. I knew I fucked up by letting Volturi's man see me and possibly show my face to any cameras in the warehouse, which was part of the reason we torched it. But now my part was over, my mission ended. I drove Volturi out so they could apprehend him and fulfilled my duties.

I groaned and felt the blood trickle down my side as the helicopter descended on the run-down part of Philadelphia where Liam and I waited. We would both be off to our next missions. Once I healed, I knew I would be called up again soon. My first mission was behind me and for all intents and purposes we had helped take down one of the biggest criminals of the century.

The pilot motioned for us to board now that we had the all-clear and Liam and I didn't say another word on the way back. I just thought about my brother and fingered the pendant in my pocket while I waited for the descent to take me back to Quantico, back to my life in the FBI and one step farther away from my family.

"Just move on to the next one Edward. Let it all go, okay…" Liam gave me a penetrating gaze…

"Edward?"

I shook my head at the sound to my right. Someone was pulling me from my dream as I blinked at the light flooding the room.

"Edward. Baby it's time to get up."

I groaned, willing away the vodkas that I drank with my Dad last night. I heard a giggle and threw my arm over my eyes as I tried to wash away my hangover and my memory, not having a clue what it meant.

"Edward. We have to get up so we can get back to the City. I have an appointment today." Bella prodded me as she ran her hand over my chest.

"I know." I said raspily. "Fucking Ketel One." I grumbled and Bella laughed again.

"Well that's one thing I actually don't miss while being pregnant. I would kill for a martini, but not the hangover." She said as I felt her crawl up next to me and nuzzle my chin. "What were you up so late talking about anyway?"

"Nothing." I shrugged, still trying to make some sense of it.

I thought back to the day before and the strange man on the beach. It was the end of the Fourth of July weekend and of course my father and I saddled up to the pool table in the basement with a bottle of Ketel One between us. I kept coming back to what the man said and instead tried to focus on spending time with my Dad before he and my mother left for an extended vacation.

On some level I also knew I was pumping him for information. It wasn't that he knew anything—consciously anyhow. But I thought, just maybe something from our past, Eric's past, his past, or Jan's would be triggered to make some sense of the man.

But the words just didn't fit and kept bugging me for some reason…

"Yeah. Sorry about that jailbreak. Sometimes he listens great and others…"

"Yeah. Dogs are like rookies—hard to train in…they just don't do it like some of the old guys do."

"Oh you know…in certain organizations that is."

"Thanks for stopping the runaway train."

His words kept looping on repeat in my head. And for some reason they triggered my dream last night. I couldn't fit it together. Nothing my father said helped at all either.

I rolled over and rubbed my eyes as I sat up with just the sheet over my lap. I heard Bella laugh again and I grumbled at her.

"C'mon tough guy. I'll help you into the shower and get you some coffee." She was standing in front of me and I looked up and squinted.

I had to contain the growl that began low in my chest. Sometimes she just took my breath away. She was wearing a white sundress, her hair freshly wet from her shower and spilling over her shoulders down her back. The scent of her shampoo was wrapping around me like a blanket and an entirely new desire took over as I looked at her.

I pulled her into my arms between my legs as she wrapped her hands around my neck.

"I might need you to help me shower." I said gruffly, my voice still thick from my late night. I could feel the stirring below the sheet and she chuckled at me.

"As much as I would love to help you clean up, we have to get going. And you better…take care of that problem there." She eyed the noticeable straining against the sheet and kissed me on my forehead.

I pulled her tighter as she tried to slip away and fell back on the bed forcing her to straddle my waist.

"Edward!" She screeched.

"C'mon Liefje, Eric can't be awake yet." I began to rub my hands up her thighs under her dress and I both felt and heard her intake of breath. She reflexively moved back against me and I hissed at the contact. I could see her face flushing with known arousal as I swept my hands higher and she bent down to kiss me.

Just as her lips met mine she stopped my hands and placed a quick kiss on my lips.

"Later. We have to get to my appointment." And with that she was off of me, even seven months pregnant, she was faster than me in my dizzied state.

"Tease." I grumbled as I plopped my head back on the bed.

"Never." She taunted as she laughed and slipped out of the room.

I scrubbed my face again willing both my body and my brain to calm down until I finally climbed out of bed for the shower. The hot water felt glorious against my skin as I washed away my hangover and the confusion of the previous day.

It's nothing. He didn't mean anything by it.

I just kept repeating that over and over in my head. My life had been damn near perfect in the last three years. I had everything I ever wanted and more—my beautiful wife, our son, and our daughter soon on the way. My family was back together and closer than ever and I truly enjoyed my job. I had nothing to complain about, nothing to worry about.

Which was why I kept trying to convince myself not to get consumed in the ramblings of a random man or in the musings of my own mind.

My father helped to convince me of that the night before as we put away the bottle of vodka and reveled in old memories in rare form.

It was nothing.

Eventually, I scrubbed down, exited and got dressed for the day. As I descended the stairs I could hear the kids playing and my parents, Bella, Jasper and Alice laughing in the kitchen.

"Do you have to be so loud? It's only seven-thirty in the morning." I heard my father grumble and I stepped into the kitchen to see that he hadn't faired any better than me. My mother was shaking his head at him as everyone else chuckled, until they saw me.

"Edward! Good lord you too? What were you two doing all night you both look terrible?" My mother chided me while she tried to contain her laughter.

"Playing pool." I muttered and my Dad shot me a glance. I had mentioned the strange encounter to him and he promised to keep it quiet. We didn't need everyone else worrying about nothing.

"Must have been some pool game." Alice teased as she raised her eyebrow. Bella took pity on me and handed me a cup of coffee and a bagel. While the rest of our family continued their fun banter, my father and I sat at the table and exchanged wearied glances.

"So you're back to work tomorrow?" He asked.

"Yeah. The long weekend was nice, but we don't want to take too much time off so we can save it for when Lucy gets here."

"Lucy?"

"Luciana Esme." I smiled and looked down. "We decided to name her after Bella's grandmother..." I glanced across the kitchen and the two most important women in my life—well for now. "And Mom." I said as I glanced back.

"She'll love that Edward." My Dad gave me a thoughtful smile and we went back to our coffee and the newspaper.

As the coffee cleared my head and I made my way through the business section of the Times I noticed a strange heading on the top.

Where are they now? Moguls and Mobsters of the Twentieth Century

Well…fuck.

I quickly skimmed the article wondering if my father had already seen it. It detailed the top ten most notorious criminals of the past fifty years. And of course who was listed on the top, none other than Jan Cullen as number one and Aro Volturi as number two.

I looked at my father who sighed again and closed his eyes. He had obviously seen the article earlier and his weariness wasn't just from his drinking last night. We all thought this had been laid to rest years ago. It was in the past, under the rug and we had moved on. I had moved on.

And now it was all being drudged up again.

*&^%$#

"Mr. Cullen. Do you have a comment on the recent article about your grandfather?"

"Mr. Cullen, is there any merit to the claims that your family still has ties with organized crime?"

"Mr. Cullen has your family's tie with Aro Volturi jeopardized your status with the FBI?"

"Mr. Cullen, Mr. Cullen, Mr. Cullen…"

I took the steps up to the FBI building and walked with my briefcase in one hand and coffee in the other. My pace picked up as I closed in on the door to headquarters but the pack of reporters still chased behind me. I learned long ago to ignore their inquisitions, but it still burned me that they could think my family or I had anything to do with my grandfather's transgressions or Aro Volturi's.

I was almost to the door when a slight young reporter with bright red hair stepped in front of me.

"Agent Cullen is it true your wife is related to Aro Volturi?" Her bright blue eyes pierced into me as her curly hair swept like fire around her face.

I stopped short. I was instantly speechless. My mind was swimming with questions as my pulse raced through my body in nervousness.

How the fuck does she know that?

My eyes set on hers and I realized that the entire group fell silent. I finally shook my head to clear the air as I gathered my breath.

"No comment." I muttered and then pushed past her to get inside.

Once I made it to the lobby, I leaned against the wall. It had been like this since we returned from our long weekend away on Tuesday. The reporters were outside our condo building, outside the FBI and they even tried to catch Bella at the Met. Luckily our sitter was a woman who lived in our building so Eric wasn't exposed to it. But I didn't like the idea of my pregnant wife fending off the vultures.

Especially now that one of them had a tip about Volturi.

Fuck.

I shook my head and tried to slow my breath as I walked down the hallway toward the elevators. I sipped my coffee and tried to calm my nerves. I wasn't sure how to proceed. Working like a "normal" person changed the way that I could live my daily life—for the better of course—but I didn't have the freedom to come and go as I pleased or watch out for potential threats.

And it made me really fucking uneasy. Especially after this weekend.

My thoughts had been a mess since the man on the beach and the article, and now this. A tip about Volturi.

Fuck, that's not common knowledge.

Damnit. It wasn't supposed to get out, but we always knew it would. We couldn't keep it under wraps forever. I took a deep breath and pushed off the wall as the elevator finally arrived.

As I boarded, I noticed a young man standing next to me. I hadn't seen him before, I really was off my game lately as I didn't watch things out of the corner of my eyes like I used to.

I was hoping that wouldn't have to change.

He nodded and I stepped forward into the elevator and pressed the button for my floor.

"Which floor?" I asked him.

"Twenty-three please." I nodded and realized he was going to the same floor I was.

My gaze moved to the man, curious who he could be if he was going to the New York FBI headquarters.

"Are you an agent?" I asked nonchalantly.

"Yeah." He grinned widely. "First assignment, I'm a bit nervous. Riley Biers." He offered his hand.

"Edward Cullen."

"Cullen…really?" He blew out a breath.

"Yeah." I asked with a raised eyebrow.

How did he know me?

"You're kind of a legend." He was still wide-eyed as he swallowed and finally stopped shaking my hand.

"How so?" I asked, perplexed.

"Well, you know, you're sort of…one of a kind." He shrugged.

"What do you mean?"

"Hadn't you heard? They started a new program at Quantico. It's for advanced training and agents with exceptional skills. It's practically named after you."

"What?" I was in shock. How had I not heard about this?

"Yeah. Just completed it." He smiled proudly. "It takes about three months longer, but you get almost double the training in the short amount of time. It's pretty hard to get into."

"When did they start it?"

"My class was the first. There were only five of us."

"Five." I said aloud.

Five assassins. Five naturally bred killers. Five others…like me.

My stomach rolled at the thought. Just what I fucking needed to hear after the way this week was going. I didn't revel in what I did in my first years in the FBI, especially during the last mission involving my grandfather and the Draconis.

"So you've been placed here?" I asked, attempting to change the subject because I was going to have to look into this new program a bit more.

"Yeah. Actually I was hoping to work with you." He said as he cast a downward gaze.

"With me?" I was shocked.

The elevator rang and as we arrived at our floor. I shook my head trying to make something of this new information. Riley and I checked in through security and he followed me through. I felt a bit like I had a shadow for some reason.

Did this kid really think he was going to be paired with me? Did he not know I worked behind a desk? I only trained agents twice a month. What did he expect to learn from me?

"Agent Cullen. Sorry if I…I mean…do you think we could have lunch sometime?" He asked nervously.

I pulled myself from my thoughts and looked back at his expectant expression.

Shit. What could I say?

"Sure." I noticed he had his orders in his hand and was likely supposed to meet with Garrett. "But you better not keep SA Morgan waiting. He doesn't like people to be late." I nodded.

He all but saluted me and walked off. I sighed. I wasn't sure what to make of this. Between the strange man on the beach, the article, the reporter and now this new protégé, or young man who wanted to be my protégé, telling me of a program named after me at Quantico. It had been one hell of a week.

It appeared I had some phone calls to make.

*&^%$#

"Bella?"

I walked in and could hear music playing lightly over the speakers as I set my briefcase by the door and loosened my tie.

"Zoonie?"

I walked down the hallway to Eric's bedroom to find Mijn Vrouw and Mijn Zoon giggling on the floor. My heart skipped as I watched them together. No matter how weird my week was or how long my day, I loved coming home to them at night, knowing they would always be here for me and knowing that I would always be here for them.

I leaned against the door frame as Bella made choo-choo noises and pushed Eric's train around the floor.

"Momma. Like dis." He grabbed the engine and pushed it while making the sounds louder, squealing out the noises. I covered my mouth and held my chuckle, but it must have slipped out. Bella looked up at me and smiled and I met her gaze.

I crawled down next to her and gave her a slow kiss as Eric continued to play.

"Mmmm. Hi."

"Hi." I gave her another quick kiss and ran my fingers through her hair as she hummed into my touch. "You're home early. I thought you would stay late to prepare for the fundraiser tonight. I stopped down at June's to get Eric, but she said you already picked him up."

"They didn't need me." She shrugged. "You look tired. Is everything okay?"

"Eh. Back to work after vacation. It's going to be a long week, even though it's only four days." I sighed as I ran my hand over her cheek. I didn't need to worry her with my crazy imagination.

"I know what you mean." She smiled and we quietly watched as Eric played and basked in our three year old son. It was a miracle he was here, after everything Bella went through when he barely existed.

My mind wandered back to the night she told me about him. I was such a different man then—hardly a shell of a person really. But she was everything to me and she gave me the greatest gift I could possibly imagine. Only to have her nearly swept away from me in the blink of an eye.

A cold chill ran up my spine as flashes of that night raced through my head.

The chase.

The helicopter.

The heartless eyes of my grandfather.

The blood seeping down her…

"I made lasagna. It's in the oven and should be done soon." She murmured, pulling me from my dark memory, and I snapped my head up.

"Mmmm. Lasagna. My favorite." I leaned in to kiss her and pushed the dark thoughts away. She was here, with me, safe. And we had Zoonie and Lucy on the way. My life was perfect.

"I thought cheesecake was your favorite." She teased.

"Favorite dessert…after you." I said lowly as I pulled her into my side. She blushed profusely and looked away. Feeling her next to me helped pull me from my thoughts. I was once again amazed at how I still desired her, every second of every day and even more than in the beginning. I didn't think it was possible, but coming home to her was the one sure thing to brighten my day.

We played with Eric a little longer. I tossed off my tie and jacket and eventually he had me chasing him around the condo acting as a pirate while Bella finished dinner.

It was Thursday night and we stayed in. The coming weekend was the fundraiser at the Met. I had attended the previous three with Bella rather than in disguise. I had to admit it was strange to attend with her when I previously went with my family or four years ago undercover. But it was also great. I got to see Bella in her element.

Not to mention we snuck away and repeated our office tryst each year.

I smiled at the thought and looked up at Bella moving around in the kitchen. I had Eric in his high chair and ready to eat, but my mind was now on other things.

Bella was humming and swaying her hips to the Beatles on the I-Pod.

"What do you want to drink Zoonie?" I asked as I ruffled his hair and he settled in his seat.

"Milk!" He exclaimed.

I stepped into the kitchen just in time to catch Bella opening the oven. I groaned as she bent over to pull out the lasagna. Like always my body raced with a delicious fire and my mind went to much more inappropriate thoughts considering we were getting ready to sit down to dinner with our three year old son.

"Edward. What are you thinking about?" She smirked at me as she set the lasagna on top of the stove and turned around.

I knew she could tell by the dark look in my eyes and the way I set my jaw when I looked at her.

God she's beautiful.

Without another thought I stepped over and pressed her back against the counter.

"What do you think I'm thinking about?" I asked lowly.

"Hmmm. I think I can guess." She ran her hand down my side and my hip and brushed it against the front of my pants and I hissed.

"Liefje don't start something you can't finish right now." I warned her.

"Maybe I like it when I get you a little worked up." She gave me a devilish grin and I pulled her to me.

"You are a very dangerous creature." I murmured as I gripped her ass in my hands and bent down to taste her perfect lips.

My lips tingled from the contact and she wrapped her arms around my neck pulling me as close as possible with Lucy between us. I could feel my body warming from hers and swept my tongue across her lip until she opened and mine met hers. I was lost in her. I wanted nothing more than to taste my sweet Bella and forget about everything of the past week.

Our kiss deepened and soon enough we were both pressed tightly together moaning lightly as I snaked my hands now up to her hair and up and down her back.

"Daddy!"

I pulled away and sighed as I could see the dark look returned in Bella's eyes.

I kissed her again before stepping back.

"Later." I whispered.

"Mmmm." She hummed in agreement as her cheeks and her chest were flushed from our encounter. But I had to kiss her swollen lips one more time before leaving the kitchen.

I took a deep breath as I walked out to sit down by Eric and hand him his milk. Once Bella joined us, we chatted happily about our day and laughed as Eric had lasagna all over his face. He giggled as I made silly faces at him. Having dinner with my family just made the week wash away.

This was the life. This was what I always wanted, longed for, dreamed of before I met Bella.

The good life. As good as it gets.

After we finished dinner and I read a story to Eric to put him to sleep. As soon as I was done, I snuck into the bedroom to change out of my own work clothes and into something more comfortable—like nothing.

I sat down on the bed and removed my socks and rubbed my sore feet. It was still early, but I was hoping to coax Bella into bed and spend the rest of the night continuing what we started earlier.

I quickly finished undressing as I could hear Bella going through her nightly routine in the bathroom. As I tossed my clothes on the chair I sat back down on the bed in only my boxer briefs and tried to will away the tension of the last three days.

The water turned off and I heard the door click as I sat with my eyes closed on the side of the bed.

I could feel her in the room, as I always could. My body warmed and my muscles relaxed as the familiar hum of electricity surrounded me. Suddenly I felt her climb on the bed and I turned toward her.

"Don't turn around yet. I'm going to give you a back rub." She said lowly and kissed my neck.

"How did you know I needed one?" I sighed as my ever intuitive wife kneaded her fingers into my neck and shoulders.

"I always know Edward."

"God that feels good." I groaned as she pressed her hands up and down my shoulders, working the muscles and the stress from my body. My skin immediately erupted in warmth as her hands swept across me.

She pressed her lips over my lion tattoo and I shuddered a bit from the sensation. My head dipped forward as she worked me over, pushing, pressing, relieving my aching.

Well one kind of aching.

Because as the ache subsided from my neck and back, the fire in my stomach grew.

"What are you so stressed about Apollo? I can tell something's been bothering you all week." She finally asked quietly as she continued her ministrations.

I let out a breath, thinking about what I should tell her. I knew I should tell her everything, but I didn't want to worry her. She had enough to worry about with the upcoming fundraiser, keeping her own stress level down for the baby and I was probably just being paranoid anyway.

So I went with the obvious.

"Just the article and all the publicity. Have they been bothering you anymore?" I switched the focus to her.

"Not too bad. There were only a couple there today. I think after Jasper gave them the evil eye yesterday that made several of them back off."

"Jasper?"

"He met me at my car and walked me in and had a few…words with the reporters on the way." I caught her inflection and couldn't help but be glad about it.

"Good."

"You didn't set that up did you?" She said accusingly as she pressed on a particularly tough knot in my shoulder blade and I arched my back a bit.

"No. But I'm glad he thought of it."

She hummed and continued working her way down my back as I thought about it. Actually having Jasper escort her in to and out of work wasn't a bad idea. Maybe I would have to talk to him about that.

But of course Bella beat me to the punch.

"I know what you're thinking Apollo. I don't need Jasper and I told him as much yesterday. I can handle a few reporters." She huffed.

"I know you can Liefje but I worry about you." I started to turn around and she stopped me.

"Stay there." She commanded and turned me back. "And I'm fine. They aren't going to do anything and you know if they did they would be in the sights of one very pissed off agent." She was stern, but I could hear the smirk in her voice.

"You know it." I all but growled.

"Okay enough talking. I know what you need to relieve the rest of that tension." She whispered in my ear as she swept her hands down from my shoulder and across my chest. The backrub had instantly shifted into something else and I could feel it by the way her fingers were now sensually caressing me.

"Do you now?"

"Mmmhmm. You need…to let go." She nibbled at my ear and I clutched at her hands on my chest. I was already at full attention. Nothing would make me feel better than to lose myself in my wife tonight.

Her lips trailed along my neck and I moaned lightly as she sucked at the juncture of my shoulder. "To relax." She kissed and sucked. "To forget."

Before I knew it she pulled her hands from mine and I felt something that felt like silk on my cheek.

"What are you doing to me Mijn Vrouw?" I turned as she wrapped one of my ties around my head. Darkness enclosed me until I felt her sit on top of me and straddle my legs and push me back on the bed.

"Surprising you." She whispered in my ear. I instantly shuddered and a deep growl hummed in my chest.

"Hmmm. You always surprise me." My skin grew hot from her breath and I had to fight off the urge to pull away the blindfold already.

"Remember when you did this to me?" She asked lowly as she pressed her lips to my chest.

"Which time?" I smirked at her from behind my covered eyes.

She chuckled and I felt her shift over me. I groaned as I felt smooth leg brush against mine along with a bit of what felt like silk.

Fuck, I wonder what she's wearing.

My fingers instantly fisted into the silk at her hips. I slid them further down, hoping to get a mental picture of my sexy wife in my head, but as I reached for her thighs I felt her lift them from her body.

"Ah, ah, ah. No touching. At least not yet."

"Liefje." I grumbled. I hated the idea of not touching her beautiful body.

She wrapped her fingers around my hands and raised them above my head.

"Here, you can touch this for now."

I furrowed my brow. "The headboard?"

"Mmmm. You better hold on tight Agent Cullen."

Fuck.

I wrapped my fingers around the headboard as she trailed her lips down my chest. Her silky hair was following the pattern and my heart was hammering at the feel of it.

God the things this woman did to me.

In a second, in a moment, I was locked in her powers never wanting to leave.

She continued to kiss me as she massaged at the front side of my shoulders and down my chest. The feel of her hands on me without my vision made my body erupt in fire. Everything was more intense. Cutting off one of my vital senses—the one I relied on the most—was making me squirm in desperation. I could now smell something burning and the slightest hint of vanilla in the air. My skin was more sensitive to the touch and I twitched with each pass of her lips.

"Anxious Agent Cullen." She murmured into my chest and then flicked her tongue and grazed her teeth over my nipple. Goosebumps flew across my flesh.

"God Liefje. You're killing me." I groaned.

"Relax baby." She whispered and I tried to ease my muscles and simply enjoy her touch.

I felt her kiss her way down my stomach, my muscles flexing under the moist perfection. Every inch of me wanted to be inside her already, but at the same time I wanted to just stay lost in the feeling of her lips, her hands, her hair, her body against mine.

She slipped her fingers under my boxers and I lifted my hips as she pulled them down my body. I was now fully exposed to her and blindfolded. I could have everything off in a second, but I was also dying to know what she had planned for me.

"It looks like someone really needs to relieve some tension." She teased. Before I could respond her hand was on my cock stroking me with a firm grip.

"Jesus…" I thrust into her and gripped the headboard tighter as she pumped me.

"I think it's time we do something about that." Her voice was low and husky and without another word I felt myself engulfed in the heat of her mouth.

"Oh fuck, Bella!" It was ten times more intense without my sight. I could feel every bit of her tongue licking and sucking me as it made its way up and down my shaft. She moved to the tip and swirled it over my head before taking me all the way back in again. Her hair grazed my thighs and the feel of it rocketed to my nerve endings.

I was bursting with desire and I could already feel the slow coiling in my stomach. As much as I tried not to I thrust up into her and reflexively lifted as she took me deeper.

"God damn. I want to touch you Liefje." I groaned. But she only responded by working me harder.

It took everything I had not to rip off the blindfold and put my hands in her hair. But I was in sensory overload and I couldn't focus on anything except the wet heat and unbelievable feel of her mouth on me.

"Relax baby. We have hours. Let go." She whispered before licking me from the base to the tip and taking me back in again. Then she cupped my balls and grazed her finger across the soft patch of skin as she swallowed and I was instantly launched from a slow burning to a canon of fire.

"Shit Bella! Oh God, I'm coming…" I grunted and thrust up as she swallowed deeper, taking all of me in. I exploded into her mouth as my hands tightened on the headboard and it whined in protest.

Every muscle in my body tensed and then fell into a delicious settling. My breathing was labored and I could feel her kissing her way back up my body now that I was thoroughly relaxed.

"God I love you." I practically whimpered and she chuckled against my chest.

She pressed her body against me and leaned up to kiss me as I pulled her lower lip into my teeth. I could now feel the silk and lace against my entire body, and her full breasts pushing on my chest. Her hips flexed into me and I could already feel myself coming to life again. We stayed locked with her against me, her tongue caressing mine and my imagination running wild with what she was wearing and what was going to happen next.

At that moment I decided I had to see her.

In a flash I ripped off the tie and sat up, pulling her flush against me.

"Hey!" She shrieked and I gripped her hips.

"You are a naughty little devil." I murmured as I pushed her hair away from her shoulder and attacked her neck.

"Mmmm. But you love it." She ground against me, making me harder yet and I felt her breath hitch. I continued to grip her hips and started to rock her against me, trying to gain some friction.

"Damn right I do." I nipped at her and she laughed.

Then I realized I still hadn't seen what she was wearing yet and sat back as my eyes adjusted to the semi-lit room. I could now see three candles lit on the dresser and the room was clouded except for the light from the window and the candles.

It perfectly illuminated the sight before me. Bella was wearing a nighty made of sheer blue lace on the top. It pushed her delectable breasts up and made them all the more tantalizing.

My mouth watered at the sight of them.

Black silk flowed out from the top and swept over her growing midsection, but making my pregnant wife all the sexier. I wanted her all the time anyway, but when she was pregnant, it intensified the desire by a thousand percent.

I swept my hand over her voluptuous breasts, watching as her nipples puckered through the lace as I took her in. I continued up her collarbone to her neck until my hand was in her hair.

"Liefje you are so fucking sexy." The words were gravelly and deep from my chest.

"I'm glad you like it." She moaned and bit her lip as I rocked into her again.

"Like it?" I said incredulously. "Fuck. Come here." I pulled her to me and leaned down to brush my lips to hers and then trail them down her collarbone and over her nipple through the lace.

"Edward…" She let out a breathy gasp and I squeezed her ass with one hand as the other attended to her unoccupied breast.

Her hips instinctively flexed and grated against me and soon enough we were moving in rhythm, moaning and kissing and caressing every inch of one another.

"You have no idea what you do to me Liefje. I'm so hard it's maddening."

She smirked at me and I flipped her over and propped her up on the pillows as I gave her a devilish smile in return.

"I think it's time for someone else to grip the headboard." I whispered darkly as I traced my tongue up her neck and my hands up her arms until she had them wrapped around the wood slats.

Teasingly, I ran my fingers back down her arms, over her breasts, lightly circling her nipples and she shuddered and moaned as her head fell back against the pillows. I continued my trail until I met her wet center and I realized she wasn't wearing anything under the nighty.

"You really are a little devil tonight aren't you?" I said as I continued to kiss her and caress her with my one hand as I slowly stroked her with the other.

"Oh…yes. Just for you baby." She cried out as I plunged two fingers into her. She thrust up and met me as I slowly but tauntingly worked her to the edge.

"Please baby. Don't tease me." She finally begged and I was rock hard and so ready to be inside her.

"What was it you said before?" I asked as I slowly pulled my fingers out of her and lifted her legs to wrap around my waist. "You better hold on tight..." I repeated.

In a movement, I thrust into her and had to still for a second as I felt her shaking around me already. It was always like this with her, so hot, so tight, so fucking perfect.

"Ah. Oh God!" She cried out and I pulled back and thrust into her again. I could see her hands tense on the headboard and her head thrown back. I leaned down and sucked one of her nipples through the lace again as I pulled all the way out and thrust into her again.

"Oh…Edward!" She screamed as she erupted and shook beneath me.

But I didn't stop. Instead I set a pounding pace and reached up to wrap my fingers around hers as she lifted her legs and squeezed them against my rib cage. I could tell she was worked up and it wouldn't take much to get her to come again. The angle was so deep from the pillows it allowed me to reach that spot inside of her that had her coming undone in minutes, but without putting any pressure on the baby.

"Fuck Bella." I gritted my teeth, reveling in the feeling of having her wrapped around me entirely. She released her hands and clawed at my back as I grabbed the headboard for more leverage and thrust harder and faster.

"Yes. Baby, just like that." Her head was lolled back and her eyes shut tight as I felt her body tense, on the brink again.

"Bella look at me." Her eyes shot open and I was met with boiling espresso brown orbs as her mouth opened in silent exclamation.

"You feel fucking amazing Liefje. You always feel amazing to me."

"Edward." She whimpered and I could do nothing but crash my lips to hers and taste and feel every inch of her against me. She moaned into my mouth, her tongue twisting with mine until I released it.

I was so close and I knew I could get her there again, so I dropped one arm down and wrapped it around her back under the pillow arching her breasts up towards me as I pulled the lace down roughly. This time I pulled her nipple into my mouth and lightly bit down, and at once she squeezed impossible tight around me and screamed out my name as she came again.

The feeling of her gripping me caused me to unravel and I brought my lips back to her mouth as I grunted and spilled inside of her.

I kept one arm wrapped underneath of her as I brought the other to her hair, keeping her as close to me as possible. I just continued to kiss her until we were no longer moving but we lay against the pillows completely connected and sated.

At last I rolled to my side and pulled out of her, missing the warmth and the closeness, but keeping her in my arms to keep as much of the connection as possible.

"Feel better." She finally asked as she nuzzled at my neck and kissed below my ear.

I chuckled and brought my hand to her face, turning her so I could look into her beautiful eyes.

"Yeah. I must say I love your surprises." She laughed as I smiled and bent down to brush my lips against hers. In no time, she hummed sleepily into me and pressed her head into my chest.

Once again I was amazed by just how good I had it. I couldn't get over how perfect she was for me and how she always knew exactly what I needed. Even after four years together she still amazed me.

I reached down to pull the covers over us and blew out the candles. Then I settled in and wrapped my arms around her securely.

"I love you Liefje. Goodnight."

"Mmmm. I love you too Apollo. Goodnight." I chuckled and kissed her head as I finally fell into a somewhat restful sleep.

*&^%$#

I woke up to find Bella fluttering around the room trying to get ready for work.

"Ugh. Stupid thing won't…zip." She huffed and I finally realized she was standing in front of the mirror struggling to get into her dress.

I glanced at the clock and realized it was only 7:00, but she must have been going in early to help get ready for the fundraiser.

I rubbed my eyes and threw the sheet off of me as I strode up behind her.

She huffed again and bit her lip as she pulled on the zipper and I had to hold back a laugh.

"Need some help?" My voice was still thick and heavy with sleep as I brushed her hair out of the way and slowly pulled the zipper up her back. I glanced at her in the mirror and as usual she looked sensational. The dress was dark pink and wrapped around her middle and then twisted under her breasts.

I kissed the back of her neck and put her hair back in place before pulling her into my arms. I wrapped one arm around her as I settled my other hand over Lucy and was rewarded with a kick. She hummed and closed her eyes and leaned back against me as she settled her hand over mine.

"You're going in early today?"

"Yeah. I will probably have to stay late too."

"Don't overdo it." I kissed her head and smelled her sweet strawberry scent before her eyes met mine in the mirror and she rolled them at me exaggeratedly.

"It's one day Edward. I'll be fine."

"I know. I just like to take care of you." I caressed her stomach and pulled her closer as I added, "both of you."

She gave me a smile and her eyes softened.

Suddenly I heard jabbering from across the hall and we both sighed realizing Eric was awake. Bella turned to go get him and I pulled her back and gave her a kiss on the lips before I stroked her cheek.

"I'll get him. You go ahead and get to work and I'll take care of it."

"Okay. I'll see you tonight." She kissed me back. "Love you."

"Love you too."

I watched her walk out and quickly threw on some shorts and went to Eric's room to get him ready for the day. Within the hour we were both showered and changed with breakfast in our stomachs and stepping on the elevator.

"Daddy. I go to the zoo today." He said excitedly as he clutched his little bag and bounced on my hip.

"You do? What are you going to see at the zoo?" I questioned as we descended the ten floors down to our daycare lady's place.

"Wions, and Zebwas and Bewrs and…" He continued on as I just smiled at his excitement. He was quite smart for a three year old…well at least what I knew of three year olds. But his intuitiveness and knowledge continued to amaze me. I was sure he got it from Bella.

We stopped at the tenth floor and I knocked on the door to June's place. We found June shortly after we moved into our new condo. By a stroke of luck one day we were coming back from an appointment and June was on the elevator with us. She had two other little kids in tow and we began talking only to find out that she was an in-home daycare provider and had an opening for the following summer.

After checking out her references and certifications, and receiving nothing but glowing responses, we decided it would be a great fit. In the end it worked out perfectly because we didn't have to drive anywhere and it allowed us more time at home with Eric in the morning and evenings. Not to mention June was like a third grandmother to the kids she watched. She was a retired elementary teacher whose deceased husband was an investment banker. She had been widowed for two years and lived all alone in her condo when she decided she wanted to be around kids but didn't want to go back to teaching. So she started watching a few kids from other couples in the building. It was great because she actually taught the kids learning games and did arts and crafts and took them out on nice days. We loved her, Eric loved her and it made going back to work much easier on Bella.

"Edward. Good morning, come on in." She smiled brightly as I stepped into her condo and Eric immediately squirmed out of my arms.

"Brett!" He squealed as he ran off to find his playmate.

"It doesn't take long for them to form their own friendships and move on does it." She smiled as the two boys played in the living room.

"No it doesn't, unfortunately." I laughed. She just nodded, knowing how I felt.

"Oh by the way, I was going to tell you yesterday that we were at the park on Wednesday and a friend of your father's stopped me."

"A friend of my father's?"

"Yes, he said he worked with him at Reycon and he knew you and recognized Eric."

Who worked with my father that would know me and my son?

Suddenly, the hairs on the back of my neck began to stand at attention and a cold chill ran down my spine. I shook a dark thought from my head. But I kept my composure, always the cool agent, never showing weakness or concern.

"Did you catch his name?" I asked nonchalantly as my eyes traveled back to my son.

"He didn't say. He just said he knew you. Anyhow, I thought you might know who it was." She smiled.

"Sorry I don't. I'll have to ask my father though. Thanks for mentioning it."

I gave Eric a kiss on the head good-bye as he smiled his radiant Bella-like smile at me and my breath caught for a moment.

I tried to stay as calm as possible as I left June's for work.

But as soon as I hit the elevator, my mind was racing with what June said.

Is someone watching our son?

Who could know that June was our daycare provider?

Who would know my father, Eric and I that wouldn't give their name?

The questions spun through my head and my pulse picked up as I stepped out of our building and began walking to the train. I couldn't help but glance around me, my senses heightened in an all too familiar awareness to me yet again.

The events of the last week again came flooding back to me and I was no longer thinking I was only being paranoid. Now I was suspicious, damn suspicious.

I needed to talk to someone else about this, and I knew the perfect person to help me put things in perspective.

*&^%$#

"E! Good to see you man. Well, even though I just saw you last weekend." McCarty gripped my hand tightly as he slapped my back and I winced.

"Fuck Em, go easy on a man. I'm not in the field anymore or as young as I used to be."

He rolled his eyes. "Whatever man. Like you couldn't still take me in three seconds flat."

I chuckled because he was probably right. In fact, going to work out is exactly what I needed right now. I called McCarty as soon as I got on the train to see if he could meet me to box over lunch. I knew he would help me sort through everything.

We changed into our sweats and put on our boxing gloves and sparring helmets.

"So what's going on? Cause I know you, you don't want to call me to box unless something's bothering you." He gave me a knowing look.

I started warming up on the punching bag as I mulled over his comment.

"Something weird happened last weekend."

"When?"

"On the beach, the day after the 4th, you guys were over at Rose's parents. A guy approached me."

"Okay." McCarty raised his eyebrow at me and started his series on his bag.

"Anyway, he said some things…some weird things."

I relayed to him the conversation I had with the man on the beach as well as the article and the comment the reporter made.

"Yeah, I saw that. I don't know why they're bringing it up again." He shook his head.

"I know. Oomph." I began to kick the bag, feeling the adrenaline pulse through my veins and letting the contact take out some of my frustration. Sweat was pouring down my face and I could feel the burn in my muscles. It was electric. It was just what I needed.

"So you think this guy on the beach was talking about Volturi or who?"

"I don't know. But then our daycare person said someone approached her at the park…with Eric. And he said he knew me and my Dad."

"Did he give his name?"

"No."

I stopped and gave McCarty a steely look as I grabbed a drink of water.

"You're not thinking what I am, are you?" He blew out a breath as he finished his series.

Kebi

"I don't know. I can't imagine why he would come back." I said as I moved on to my next series.

"He'd be stupid to. I wouldn't worry about it too much right now. But keep your ears and eyes open and I will as well."

"Yeah I will. But that's the thing, you're not with the Bureau anymore. And I'm not as tapped in as I used to be."

"So maybe you need to get tapped in." He said as he hit his bag.

I pondered his suggestion. McCarty had a point. I wasn't going to find anything out unless I worked some of my sources and did some digging.

We finished our work out and hit the showers since I had training and target practice for the rest of the afternoon. I let the water pour over me and wash away the grime of not only our boxing session but also my week. I had never been in this position. I was always in control. I always had the upper hand, even in the worst situations, even when Bella was taken.

For the first time in my life I didn't have a plan. I had been enjoying my life for so long that what…I got lazy? Complacent?

As the water warmed my sore muscles and I scrubbed the soap over my chest, I looked down at the sun on my left pec and the words on my right.

Mijn Zon, Mijn Zoon. They were everything to me. Everything.

Fear that I hadn't felt in over three years began to set in and I had to fight to pushy it away. I wouldn't let anything happen to them. I couldn't. It wasn't and option.

In that moment, I immediately resolved to take back control. I had to. Because if there was one thing I was certain of more than anything in my life, I knew I couldn't live without them, couldn't breathe without them. I knew I had to be their protector and do anything possible to keep them safe.

With my resolution, my thoughts took me back to my conversation with Fortnight yesterday…

"Director Fortnight please." I said as I closed my door and put on my "Do Not Disturb" sign.

"Who's calling please?"

"Tell him it's Special Agent Cullen in New York."

"Of course SA Cullen, one moment."

I sat down in the chair and ran my fingers through my hair as I waited for him to pick up.

"Cullen. It's been a long time. What can I do for you?"

Of course he was chipper and pleasing. After I had it out with him at the end of the last mission, he had been more than…amenable to my demands when I needed something.

"Peter. It appears you've been keeping something from me."

"Now what might that be…Edward?"

I laughed humorlessly and made him sweat for a minute. He might be the Director, but I no longer worked under him.

"I heard recently that you've started a new program down there. Something you want to tell me about?"

"Ah…yes. Cullverten. We've been very pleased with the results so far."

"So I hear." I muttered. "Anyhow, what are your plans for this program?"

"Well we just finished with our first set of graduates. They're impressive…nothing like you of course. But we need agents like this. Ones who are highly trained and have advanced skills, ones who who will do anything…you know what I mean."

I caught his intonation and sighed internally. He was still pissed I decided not stay on as an undercover, as their most coveted assassin. So what? Now they were just going to make a fleet of them?

"I see. Well, I was actually calling because I wanted to know what types of assignments you have them on."

He chuckled dryly before he responded. "Don't tell me you met Agent Biers already? Of course he emulates you from what the trainers told him and requested to be in New York. He's a damn fine agent. He could learn a lot from you if you would give it a chance."

This time I sighed outwardly. "Peter. I don't want to be anyone's mentor. And I don't want to go back out in the field. But I am concerned about multiple men like me out there. They need to be monitored and they need more time between missions."

"Edward. You were in a very precarious situation, a very unique one. Yet, you handled everything exceptionally well. There's no reason to believe these agents won't do the same."

"No. But that depends on the types of assignments you have them on as well." I finally got to my point—what I really wanted to know was whether there was some big mission going down that these agents were specially trained for and that was the reason for this new "Cullverten" program.

"Are you fishing for something Agent Cullen?" Peter asked smoothly.

"Just trying to make you aware of some of the dangers they could be facing."

"It's not something in particular if that's what you're getting at." He sighed. "But if it is, you know I won't hesitate to include you in it…" He trailed off. The suggestion hung out there like a loose sail in the wind. It was just waiting to be taken a hold of.

"I'm not going back Peter."

"We'll see about that."

I shut of the now lukewarm water and changed into jeans and a plain black tee. As I slipped the shirt over my head I caught a glimpse of my tattoos once again. Soon Lucy's would join Eric's and Bella's on my chest and I would have another reason to stay focused, to stay committed to my family and to protecting them. For that reason, I couldn't relent on finding out just what the strange happenings of the last week meant and whether Fortnight was really inkling at something or simply trying to lay the groundwork to get me back in the field…someday.

*&^%$#

BANG! BANG! BANG!

BANG! BANG! BANG!

I dropped the gun and pressed the lever to bring my target all the way back to me. I was still lost in thought from earlier. My training session with the field agents went as expected and now we were each doing target practice. I didn't need it; I just mostly wanted to blow off steam.

Just as the target was approaching I could feel someone behind me and I turned to look at them.

"Agent Cullen. That's some impressive shooting."

Biers eyed my target which had three shots right between the eyes and then three directly into the heart.

I simply nodded at him as I pulled the paper from the catch and marked my scores down on the sheet.

"You all finished Agent Biers?" I looked up at him as he fidgeted next to me.

What was it with this kid?

"Yes. I was hoping you could show me some technique."

"On?"

"Breath control. I mean. You're the best shot I've ever seen."

Again with the flattery.

"Look ki…Agent Biers. I don't know if you requested to be here or if Fortnight put some kind of idea in your head, but I don't want to be anyone's mentor. Just practice. That's all I can tell you. And don't get so caught up in this job. It's not as glamorous as they paint it to be."

His eyes were wide as I put my Glock in my holster and bent over to grab my duffle. I knew I was being an ass, but I really didn't care. I had a life, a life I adored and wanted to protect. I had the most wonderful wife and child a man could imagine and another one on the way. I didn't need this. I didn't need a protégé or someone trying to talk me into going back in the field. And I certainly didn't need praise for what I had been…for the dark, skeleton of a man that I used to be.

"Have a good weekend Biers."

Biers simply nodded at me with a stunned expression and I threw my duffle over my shoulder and put on my aviators as I left the building. My vow to protect the things important to me was going into action right now. I was going to find out just what the shit was that was spinning around me for the last week and exactly what or who might be laying in the weeds.

As I headed for home, back to my Bella, my Zoonie and the new life I created and wanted nothing more than to keep, I dialed up a number and put my plan into action.

"SA Morgan. It's Cullen. I need to you to look into something for me."

XXXX