A/N: I don't own this, we all know who does. What I do own is a crazy imagination and a lack of lemon writing skills. :D Oh joy... :D

Thanks to my girlies – MaggieMay14, EdwardsBloodType, UnchangedAffections, Twilight44, Luxure, and my wifey Mrs. Robward. I don't know what I'd do without these amazing girls. They're all pretty wonderful, and so helpful, too. :D

There's a banner for this, linked on my profile. It's pretty, and it has pictures. It's good. :)

Lyricalkris, I hope you like this. Thanks for the prompt, it was fun to work with. I hope you like lemony stuff... :D

~o~O~o~

She is everything to me
The unrequited dream
A song that no one sings
The unattainable
She's a myth that I have to believe in
All I need to make it real is one more reason

"Vermillion, Pt. 2" by Slipknot

~o~O~o~

Chapter 6 – Shotgun

That night, after the cake had been eaten and everyone had returned home, Bella and I took the album over to her house. Her parents were already asleep for the night, so we quietly went into her bedroom and sat on her bed, the book laying across our laps.

As we looked at each picture, I told her stories about the places I'd gone and the things that Emmett and I had done. I told her how each place had reminded me of her in some way, and I saw her reverently touching the charm bracelet that I'd given her. She always wore it, and it made me smile that she was finally hearing all the stories from our trips, and not just the ones that were represented on her bracelet.

"See, when I said you did go with me, I meant it. Each of these places, there was something there that reminded me of you. Even when I was trying to get as far from your memory as I could, something always brought me back. Always."

"Edward, I don't know what to say. I feel like I've seen all these places with you, and now I want to see them again."

"Come with us. Just quit the diner and come with us tomorrow. Please. I'll help you find another job somewhere else, I promise."

She let out a deep breath. "You know I can't. I want to, so much. It just isn't meant to be, I guess."

I closed the book and sat it down on the floor. "We're meant to be," I said, looking at her and tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. I watched her, how beautiful she was. Not just on the outside, but on the inside, too. She still reminded me of that cute little girl from second grade. She still looked like the beautiful girl from high school. She still acted like the shy, sweet girl from grade school. All of those were her, my Bella. They were all real, and together they made up her. They made up the real Bella. There was no question in my mind anymore as to who she was, or what she was. She was real, she was mine, and I was never going to let her go.

"I love you, Bella," I said tenderly, before leaning closer and brushing her lips with mine. It was something I'd felt for her all my life, but I'd never said it out loud before. Maybe it was just the fear of not hearing it back that kept me from telling her. However, in that moment, completely consumed by her, I couldn't hide my feelings anymore. She sucked in a quick breath as she stiffened for a moment, then she relaxed and began to kiss me back.

I'd kissed her dozens of times, but there was something different about this one. The room was silent, nothing but the sound of our breathing. I kissed her again and again, my hand ghosting along her cheek and pushing into her hair. Our lips moved together, mine sucking her lower lip between them and tugging a bit. She always made a little whimper when I did that, and this time was no different. That sound, barely loud enough for me to hear, awakened parts of my soul and my body, each and every time.

I kissed along her jaw, nuzzling her neck and leaving a trail of wet kisses on her heated skin. The way her body arched toward mine told me she was just as into the moment as I was, and I bit down on her earlobe, listening as she moaned softly. Her hands went to the hair at the nape of my neck, and her fingers tugged it lightly as her breathing picked up speed.

"I love you," I murmured again, my mouth next to her ear. There was no way she hadn't heard me.

"Edward," she sighed, pulling on my hair harder and then leaning away from me. For a split second I wondered if this was it. If this was when she would finally tell me that she didn't feel that way for me. Rationally, I knew that probably wouldn't happen, but she'd never said she was in love with me, and she'd never really mentioned forever for the two of us. At least not like I had. Maybe she wasn't in as deep as I was, maybe she had changed her mind, or maybe she just couldn't ever see me in that way. As my mind raced with a million different thoughts, our eyes met.

"Edward, I love you so much. I always have, but I was just too afraid to tell you."

She loved me. She had always loved me, but more importantly...she loved me now!

"Yeah?" I said, wanting to smack myself for letting the word slip out.

"Oh yeah," she said, nodding her head as a smile turned up the corners of her mouth. "So much, it scares me sometimes. I just always thought there was no way you could ever feel the same way I do."

"Bella, I love you. I have since we were seven. It's just grown over the years, and even during all that time when we didn't talk, I loved you still. I always will. Forever."

Her eyes searched mine for a moment, the smile gone from her face. "Kiss me, Edward," she whispered, and I did as she asked.

Kissing her was becoming second nature for me, and as I continued to place loving kisses on her lips, her face, her neck, I felt her lean away from me. Her hands were still moving through my hair, and she pulled me down onto her as she laid back on the bed.

Our hands were everywhere and soon enough we were both shirtless and I was undoing the clasps on her bra. Once I peeled it from her body, I took a moment to look at her—the way she looked all spread out underneath me. I just wanted to remember how beautiful she was, and what I'd waited my whole life for. I couldn't stop myself from kissing her chest and her breasts, my tongue wrapping around each of her hardened nipples as she writhed in my hands.

We'd been making out for what felt like hours, though was probably only twenty minutes or so. Suddenly, her hand—which was gliding back and forth along the waistband of my jeans—dipped a little lower, and she was cupping me. Her fingers felt amazing against my balls, only the denim fabric separating them.

"Baby," I gasped as her hand slid up and down, rubbing against me, causing my cock to grow harder than it already was. My hand moved to one of the cheeks of her bottom, squeezing it as I pressed my hips against her. Our mouths were still hungrily attacking each other as our tongues darted out, licking and stroking. Kissing her was like nothing else I'd ever experienced before in my life, and I thought in that moment, if I could do it every day, for the rest of my days, I'd never complain about anything again.

Her fingers soon started to struggle with the button on my jeans, trying to get it undone. Once it was, I felt her lower the zipper and push the pieces of fabric away from each other, and down a bit. I followed her lead, and soon had her shorts unbuttoned, my fingers hesitantly lingering on the waistband of her panties.

We'd only been this far once before, and that got stopped when Emmett came barging into the room. Luckily, we where under a blanket, otherwise I may have had to gouge out his eyes for seeing my girl. This time we were totally alone. Bella's parents were sleeping in the other end of the house, the bedroom door was locked, and there was nothing to stop us. Except our own hesitation. I wanted to be sure this was what Bella wanted, and as hard as it was to stop, I did, lifting up and taking my weight off of her.

I looked into her eyes, seeing questions there. My voice sounded almost foreign to me as I spoke quietly. "Are you sure? You really want to do this?"

She nodded. "Yeah, I want this. I want you."

"Bella, I'm not going anywhere. We don't have to do this tonight. I mean, I won't be mad if you wanna stop."

Her teeth dug into her lower lip as her eyes moved to look at my chest. She was thinking, that much I could tell, but then she looked back up at me. There was a determination in her face that I hadn't seen before.

"Edward, I want you. I want you always, and I want to be with you. Please, make love to me."

With that, I pressed my body against hers and kissed her with all the love I possessed.

The rest of our clothes were quickly gone, and when I felt her shiver a bit, I grabbed at the quilt underneath us. I pulled it down, causing her to shift and shimmy, which made her laugh. Once we were covered and still again, I looked at her, loving the smile on her face. This was how it was supposed to be. I'd had sex before, experienced lust and want plenty of times, but none of those moments had ever been like this. I'd never felt all the things I felt with Bella, and I knew in that moment, we were right. We were special and sacred and perfect. There would never be anything else as good as what we had, and I couldn't wait to have all of her.

My hand trailed down her side, skimming the edge of her breast, her waist, her hip, before moving between us and feeling the soft skin of her stomach. Her hands were raking up and down my back, and I moved my leg so that it was between hers, parting them. I continued to kiss her neck as my hand traveled down her abdomen, finally pausing at the apex of her thighs. I knew there should have been hair there, but there was none. She was bare, and as my fingers pressed lower, meeting her wetness, I let out a groan. She was so hot, and she just continued to get better and better.

"Ugh, Edward," she moaned as my fingers pushed against her folds, parting them and sliding back and forth. Her body arched, her breasts tight against my chest. Her nipples were so hard, I could feel them digging into me. I slowly slid one finger into her, the rough texture of her center rubbing against my skin. She continued to moan and mew, little sounds falling from her lips over and over again. I was so hard, heavy against her hip. I knew she could feel me, and as I pumped one finger, and then two into her, one of her hands slithered down my arm and between us. She tried desperately to take hold of my cock, but we were too close together, there was no room between us.

My fingers continued to move in her, all around her, until finally I couldn't wait anymore.

"Condom?" I said in her ear, breathless.

"No, I'm on birth control, it's okay. I trust you."

I trusted her too, though I wondered for a moment why she was on birth control if she wasn't having sex regularly. It was something I'd have to ask her later, but for the moment, I was busy shifting and moving my body, settling between her open legs.

Her hand moved to my hip, sliding between us and grasping at the head of my dick. I was seeping for her, and I felt her thumb begin to spread the precum around, her fingers sliding up and down my length. I continued to kiss her, wanting this to be something more than just sex. In my mind, it was, and I just wanted to make sure she felt the same way. I knew she'd been with Riley many times, and I didn't want to pale in comparison to him. Nor did I want to remind her of him. I just had to hope that my efforts would prove to her how much I loved and cherished her. How much I wanted her.

Her legs rose up, her knees on either side of my hips, and I felt her pulling me toward her, the tip of my cock finding her wetness and warmth. As I thrust my hips back and forth, she started to move with me. Soon enough, I was pushing into her. Her head fell back against the pillow and her mouth hung open, her eyes closed tight. Her breath was coming out in pants and groans, and I wondered if I was hurting her. I was average size in the penis department, totally within the normal length and girth limits, but it had been a while since she'd done this. She was squeezing down on me so tight, I had to hold back the urge to pound into her over and over again. All kinds of naughty images began to float through my head, and I wanted nothing more than to flip her over, pull up her hips, and push into her from behind, hard and fast. But not this time, this time was special, perfect. I wanted our first time to be something neither of us would ever forget.

"Bella?" I whispered, my mouth hot on her neck.

"Oh, yes, Edward. You feel so good, Baby. Please, more."

With her encouragement, I began to move, my hips rocking in time with hers. It was like our bodies were made to have sex with one another, because from the very first thrust, we moved in synchronicity. I pushed into her over and over again, my hands caressing her breasts, my lips wet on her neck, our tongues tangling together. The feelings shooting through me were like nothing I'd ever felt before, and I continued to move in her like my life depended on it.

"Edward, I'm close, Edward, oh please, Baby..." Her words excited me, and I moved faster, pushing harder, kissing with more passion and love. I tried to lift off of her, but she pulled me back, fusing our lips together in a long, heated kiss. I squeezed my hand between us, letting my thumb find her clit, and I began to rub tiny circles against it. She screamed, her mouth against my neck to muffle the sound. I could see goosebumps forming across her chest, and I felt familiar stirrings in my stomach. My toes began to tingle and I pumped faster, harder.

As I watched her come undone in my hands, I lost it. With several long, deep strokes into her, I came hard, buried inside of her. My breath was coming at a rapid pace, her's matching mine. We were both completely overwhelmed and caught up in the moment, and I dropped my forehead to her shoulder, unable to speak.

After several seconds, I felt her hand in my hair, scraping my scalp and fingering my hair. It felt incredible, and I closed my eyes, trying to pull out of her and move to her side.

"No, stay on me, please."

"Bella, I don't want to hurt you," I said, thinking of how much larger I was than her.

She just giggled. "You're not that big, Edward. I mean, I know you work out, and believe me when I say I like it, but you won't crush me. I wanna feel you on me, in me. I like that."

I lowered myself back down, enjoying the way her body was pressed against mine. Every inch of her skin was accessible to me, and I loved it. The same could be said about her soul and her spirit. In that moment, I knew that I owned her, just like she owned me. And I never wanted to leave her side.

An hour later, as I lay next to her, my fingers winding her hair around them, I sighed.

"I should go, it's late. I've gotta finish packing my bag for tomorrow."

Bella was quiet, but I knew she was awake. "I'm gonna miss you so much," she whispered. "I don't want to even think about being here all summer without you."

She sniffled and turned her head, pressing her face against my neck. Her body shook in my arms as she cried, and I did my best to soothe her. There was nothing I could do. If we wanted any chance of her being able to move to Seattle with me in the fall, she had to stay home and work. I'd offered to give her my trip money, but she wouldn't take it. Besides, it was only about a fourth of what she'd earn working over the next two months, so it wouldn't have been much help anyway.

"Stay with me, just for tonight. Don't go, please."

I could hear the heartbreak in her words, the desperation in her voice. This was the last night we'd have together for several weeks, and I didn't want it to end, either.

"I might have to fly home a few times this summer," I said jokingly, but knowing how serious I was. I didn't want to be away from her any longer than I had to. Plus, I half way figured Emmett would be ready to get rid of me by the middle of July. Between what was sure to be my moping attitude, and his physical needs for Rosalie, I half way thought he'd drop me off at the nearest airport, put a one way ticket in my hand, and wish me well.

"I'm not ready to let you go yet," she said, wrapping her arms around me a little tighter.

"I'll stay," I said, placing a kiss on her forehead before we both fell into a deep, relaxing sleep.

The next morning, sunlight streamed through the curtains on her window. I knew it was early, and that I needed to get moving if we were going to leave on time. Emmett and Rosalie would be waiting on me, and Emmett wasn't always patient when it came to waiting. I looked at Bella, her eyes closed and her hair wild around her face. She was the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen, and I wanted nothing more than to close my eyes and fall back asleep with her. I breathed in deeply, trying to memorize her scent, as my hands felt her skin, how soft and smooth it was. This was something I didn't want to forget, not ever, and I did my best to savor every second of our time together.

"Why are you awake so early? Don't you know I'm staying in bed all day today?" she asked, her voice groggy and thick with sleep.

"I can't help it. I want to enjoy you as much as I can."

"Oh yeah?" she questioned, looking up at me as she moved her leg over my thighs.

"What are you-"

"Shhh, my parent's are already awake. I don't think you want the Chief to catch you in the act of defiling his only daughter."

With that, she was up and on top of me, trailing kisses along my jaw as her hips moved over mine. My morning woods usually weren't too much of a problem, but this morning was different. Within minutes, I was buried in her as she sat on top of me, leaning back and letting me stare at her breasts as she rocked back and forth. She had a wild look on her face, accompanied by a smirk and giggle. She knew she was killing me, and she loved it.

She leaned farther back, her hands on my thighs, as she came. She let out gasps and moans, but controlled her voice, for the most part. I didn't know how she'd done it, because a few minutes later when I was exploding inside of her, she had to cover my mouth with her own and swallow my cries of pleasure.

"Just think, starting in September, we can wake up like this every day, if you want to. And if you don't schedule any classes before noon." She smiled and giggled, lying on my chest.

"I love you, so much, Bella," I said, kissing the top of her head and holding her tight.

Not much later, we were both dressed and ready. Of course, that was after she'd pulled me into her shower with her, telling me that her parents would be able to smell the sex on us. I knew her dad and had never been afraid of him, but now that I'd spent the night with his daughter, in his house, I didn't want to risk meeting his department issued weapon. Plus, I was aware that he knew all the good body hiding places. And no one would miss me for at least two months...

The Chief and Mrs. Swan didn't seem phased in the least to see Bella and I emerge from her bedroom, holding hands and talking quietly to ourselves. They both wished me luck on my trip, and then Bella walked me outside.

"Be careful, and come back to me," she said, wrapping her arms around my neck.

"Always," I whispered, before kissing her long, and slow, and deep. She was it for me, and I would never fight it again.

A few hours later, I finished putting the last of my bags into the car. Emmett and Rosalie had already packed everything and were ready to go. I had watched them sneak off toward my backyard, and really didn't want to go looking for them. Especially since this was their last few moments alone for the next couple of days. We wouldn't be stopping at a hotel until we reach Colorado, which meant we were camping out for a few nights until then. At least I had my own tent this year. That was something I made sure to buy, after waking up during the middle of the night the previous summer and having to hear them moaning and groaning in the sleeping bag just a few feet away from me.

I kissed my mom goodbye and was just going to yell for Emmett over the fence when I heard Bella screaming my name.

"Edward! EDWARD!" she yelled, her voice high and shrieking. It worried me, maybe something was wrong.

She was running across her yard, her eyes fixed on me, and I ran toward her.

"Bella, what? What's wrong?"

When she reached me, her smile was blinding. "It came! I got it!" Tears were running down her face. What came? I couldn't figure out what she'd gotten, what could make her react this way. She had several pieces of paper in her hand and she was waving them around.

"What are you talking about?" I asked.

"The scholarship, I got it. Full tuition to U Dub, Edward. I got it. It just came in the mail. I can't believe this, I got it. I can go to school with you!"

As her words sank in, realization hit me. We were really going to be together. "Yeah?" I asked, grabbing her and swinging her around in the air. Her laughter was loud, and soon both of our sets of parents were outside watching us, as well as Emmett, Rosalie, and Alice.

"What in the world is going on?" my mother asked.

"I got it! I got the scholarship for school. It pays all of my tuition, so I just have to take care of books and meals and housing. And if I live with you," she said, looking back at me, "then I can afford to go. With the money I already have saved, I can afford the whole year there."

"Holy crap, really?" I yelled, making her laugh as our mother's both clapped and giggled at us. I noticed that even the Chief was smiling, which made me feel better. I guess in comparison to her last boyfriend, I wasn't so bad. Maybe I didn't really have to worry about his pistol after all.

"Alright, so Bella can go on the road trip with us!" Emmett yelled, high fiving Rosalie.

I stopped, looking at my girl. "Can you? Can you go with us?"

She looked at me for a few moments, nervously biting into her bottom lip. "Well, I think so. I mean, if I'm careful with my money, and I don't buy any-"

"Screw the money, I'll take from mine for you. You're coming with us. Yes? Please?" I asked, willing to beg if that's what it took.

"I'll have to quit my job first..." She smiled. She knew how badly I wanted her away from the scuzzy sex addict boss of hers.

"Go pack, we're leaving. We'll stop by on the way, you can tell him yourself."

"Okay," Bella said, hugging me one more time before she kissed me, then ran back to her house.

My mother smiled at me, tears in her eyes. I couldn't help but smile back.

"Oh hey, Emmett?" I yelled to him.

"Yeah?"

"You're in the back. My girl's got shotgun."

"Wha- Oh, man. I had all my stuff up there, too. Dang it," he whined.

"Oh, Emmett," Rosalie sang, strutting over to him and whispering in his ear. I didn't hear another word out of his mouth as he happily moved all of this travel necessities to the back seat.

A few hours later we were on the road, my girl sitting next to me, our hands laced together as we smiled at each other. My Polaroid camera sat on the floor next to Bella's feet, and as we flew down the highway, I started to imagine all the pictures of us I could take with it. Finally, it would be me and my Bella, seeing all the places we'd dreamed of. Together, just the way I'd always hoped.

~o~O~o~