Author's note- This was originally a one-shot, but thanks to all your encouraging reviews, not to mention a few helpful ideas, he we go. On with the story!

Ch2 Bella

BPOV

As I lay cradled in Edward's arms, he quietly hummed my lullaby. Softly stroking my hair, he gently kissed my cheek. I decided I wasn't quite ready for sleep yet.

I turned my face to his and found his lips in the darkness. He tasted so sweet. His arms around me felt so right. Looking past the actual wedding, I was very much looking forward to being Mrs. Edward Cullen, and all the benefits that would go along with it.

Thinking of future events, I pressed my body against his, moving my lips with more enthusiasm. I expected him to pull away. Instead, he pulled me even closer. I parted my lips to take in his delicious scent, the speed of his breath was beginning to match my own. Before I could get any further carried away, however he did pull away.

"Bella," he whispered into my ear, "we need to talk about something."

"Sure, sure," I whispered back. I wasn't ready to admit defeat, just yet. "I'm listening," I lied. I continued to kiss his marble neck. Upon reaching his ear, I began to nibble on it, hoping to distract him from whatever it was he thought more important.

"Bella," he chided gently, pulling my face from him and holding it firmly in his cool hands. "We really need to talk."

"You only need your lips to talk, Edward," I pouted, trying to pull my face from his iron grip to reach his skin once more.

He laughed melodiously, "Not if I'm expected to frame a coherent thought." He smiled, holding my face gently, but firmly.

I finally gave in, "Fine," I didn't say I gave in graciously, "What is so important that we need to talk about?"

"Our being together, before you're changed." He watched my face intently, "We need to have a plan."

"Won't that take the fun out of it?" I asked without thinking. I immediately blushed.

He chuckled softly, "I'm not saying we need to write out step by step instructions," he clarified, "but we'll need to, as Carlisle put it, communicate."

I was momentarily distracted, "You talked to Carlisle about this?"

"Yes," he looked away momentarily, in embarrassment, "And I assure you, it was worse than your 'talk' with Charlie."

Remembering the horrific conversation I'd had with my own father, I couldn't imagine Edward being more embarrassed than I had been. And I recalled Edward had thought the occasion fairly humorous at the time. "How so?" I demanded.

Edward flopped backwards onto his back. I followed him, leaning on his chest so I could still see his face.

"Well, Bella, my love," he began, "Charlie was simply doing his duty as the father of a teenager. It was unavoidable, really." He looked me square in the eye. "I'm an eighty year-old man who had to ask his father for sex advice. It took us both a bit by surprise."

I could see his point. "Yikes," I agreed.

"Oh, it gets better," he said putting his arms around me again, "When I told him we planned on 'being together' before I changed you," he rolled his eyes in dismay, "He suggested I talk to the rest of my family as well."

"No!" I cried in horror.

"Yes," he replied locking my eyes to his once more, "I, of course, declined the offer, but you can see how much worse you could have had it than just talking to Charlie."

"You poor thing," I soothed, seizing the opportunity to kiss his sweet lips again. He appreciated it, but wasn't about to let me change the subject.

"The point being," he began again, "I had to promise him I'd at least talk to you about it."

"Right," I said as he rolled us over to lay on our sides again. I reminded myself once again of Rene's advice that if I couldn't talk to my partner about it, I wasn't ready to do it. I was definitely ready. "You were saying something about 'communication'." I cued him.

He looked surprised that I had been paying attention. "Well, yes. I think it's important that you remember to, well," I could see I wasn't the only a little embarrassed by the conversation, "to be vocal."

"Excuse me?" I asked, Vocal? I thought.

"What I mean is, you need to tell me the instant I get too rough, or start to hurt you." He quickly explained.

"Oh," I said, "But Edward, I really don't think that you'll get all that rough. It isn't like you."

"Bella," he said softly, "You still forget how much restraint I use when I'm with you. Letting myself go in order to be with you. . .I don't know if I can control myself so accurately." He paused searching for words. "You need to be aware of me as much as I am you. For lack of a better metaphor, it will be like and elephant trying to make love to a butterfly."

I couldn't help it, I laughed at his comparing himself to an elephant. "I like the lion and the lamb metaphor myself," I responded.

He chuckled, thankfully able to see the humor in the situation. "And that metaphor also applies, as the lion wants the lamb for dinner, my thirst for you will also complicate things." He smiled, "But the elephant and the butterfly better illustrates how easily I could crush you on accident."

"Right," I said still smiling at the ridiculous image in my head.

"So," he continued, "You need to tell me, the minute, the second you're ever uncomfortable. I'll need your help to keep my presence of mind."

"Right," I said again, still a little bit doubtful of all his 'complications', "like you could ever make me uncomfortable."

"Promise me, Bella," he demanded, suddenly serious.

"Sure, sure," I agreed, "I promise."

"Thank you," he breathed, kissing my forehead softly.

Glad we were finally done with the distractions, I tilted my head so he could reach my lips instead. He gladly obliged me, but only with a small, soft kiss. Then he tucked my head under his chin, stroking my hair and humming my lullaby.

I sighed in defeat. As I began to relax and drift into sleep, I wondered if I would ever get used to a family with no secrets, like Edward's.

Please review, and look forward to the next chapter! Which will be titled, "The family". If Edward thinks he's sidestepped everyone but Charlisle, he's sadly mistaken.