Chapter 7

Edward took off his sweatshirt and spread it on the ground for me to sit on. I sat down cross-legged and rested my head in my hands. My thoughts? Where did I even begin? I shook my head.

Edward sat facing me, trying to give me some time to sort things through. "We don't have to talk anymore tonight, if you're too tired, Bella. You haven't had a lot of time to process all of this. You can have all the time you need."

I looked up at him. I was tired. In fact, I was outright exhausted, not just because of how late it was, but because of the barrage of emotions I had been through the past few hours. I really didn't feel like talking anymore, especially since it was apparently my turn to do the talking. I knew he loved me and that was all that really mattered. What I really wanted to do now was crawl into Edward's lap and just fall asleep in his arms. But a part of me worried, if I fell asleep, would he really still be here when I awoke?

"Edward," I spoke softly, "I'm not going to pretend to know what all of this means. All I can tell you is that I love you more than anything in this entire world…I've never stopped loving you. Is that enough for tonight?"

"It's enough for forever." He answered emotionally, gently kissing my forehead.

I lay my head down in his lap. His hand softly stroked my hair away from my face. For the first time in years, I felt perfectly and blissfully content. Edward was back and he wanted me. He still loved me…after all these years. I didn't know what our future would hold, or even what tomorrow would bring……..

I flinched. Something was tickling my face. I swiped my hand across my cheek and tried to convince my eyes to open. It was so bright.

"Good morning, sleeping beauty." A voice whispered.

I blinked in the sunlight, trying to gain focus as Edward's face came into view. I smiled. "You're here." I said and then softly gasped. " Oh, I forgot how beautiful you are in the sun." His skin shimmered and rainbows danced around him.

"Do I still dazzle you?" he laughed.

I smiled sitting up, "Completely."

I couldn't even begin to imagine what I looked like after sleeping on the ground all night. I was stiff, hungry and really needed a bathroom. "Edward, I need some human amenities. Do you think we could head home?"

"Sure. You ready for a morning run?" he asked tying his sweatshirt around his waist.

I nodded and without hesitation, he tossed me up on his back. I wasn't taking any chances, so I shut my eyes tightly once again. I held on strongly and he began to run. I loved the feel of my body pressed against him. I nuzzled my face into his cold, hard back and softly placed a kiss there. My heart sputtered in reaction to where my thoughts were leading.

I felt us slow up and finally opened my eyes. He was walking now and I could hear the sounds of the highway. I lightly rubbed my hands down the length his back, feeling the definition of his body. I retraced my movements then slowly ran my hands up and down the length of his arms. I felt him shudder. "Careful, Bella," he said grabbing me gently and standing me upright.

I didn't want to be careful. And I said so, "No!"

"No?" he questioned.

"No, Edward. I will not be careful. I've been careful for thirty -eight years. Where has being careful gotten me?" I said defiantly. "I finally have you back and let me tell you something, being careful is the last thing on my mind."

His jaw set in a line and without responding, he grabbed my hand and walked me towards the car. "I will not risk hurting you," he said seriously.

I laughed an angry laugh, "You're kidding me right?" I said. And then it was as if the walls all came tumbling down. "Edward, you risked that twenty years ago. You leaving me was the worst hurt I could ever possibly endure." I could see the pain in his eyes but I couldn't stop. "Nothing, nothing could ever hurt worse then that did. No physical pain could ever measure up to that."

"I'm so sorry, Bella. And I'll spend your entire lifetime trying to make it up to you. I only left because…"

"Stop, Edward." I interrupted. "I know why you left. And I'm not trying to make you feel guilty. I just know what I want." I said leaning in close to him.

"I still won't risk your life."he said with resolve..

"You're not risking my life. I am." I responded. And then I kissed him.

He started to pull back away, but I wasn't going to have that. I braided my fingers into his hair and held him closer. Pressing my lips more firmly against his. He made a soft growl into my mouth and for a moment kissed me back more deeply before I felt him go unresponsive. He pushed me back gently and took a deep breath.

"What am I going to do with you, Bella?" he asked shaking his head.

"I have some ideas, "I smiled devilishly.

He continued to shake his head as we walked to the car. We drove most of the way in silence, until my cell phone rang. I glanced at the incoming number, confirming my guess that it was Jake.

I flipped the phone open, "Hey." I said.

"Hey, yourself. I was just at your house. Where are you?" Jacob asked.

"I'm on my way home right now." I answered.

"Are you alone?" he asked.

"No."

Jacob groaned. "Bella, what are you doing?"

"Having fun." I said.

"Let me guess, he wants you back right?"

"Yes."

"And, you want him?"

"You know that answer, Jake."

"I don't like this, Bella."

"I don't remember asking you." I responded.

There was a pause. "You'll be careful?" he pleaded.

"Oh, for God's sake. I wish people would stop saying that to me today." I huffed.

Edward chuckled, obviously hearing both sides of the conversation.

"Let me talk to him." Jake said roughly.

I handed the phone to Edward.

"What can I do for you, Jake?" Edward asked businesslike.

"Just wanted to remind you that you are still under a treaty." Jake barked.

"I am well aware of that fact." Edward answered impatiently. "Anything else?"

"Nope-I think I made my point perfectly clear." Jake added.

"Crystal." Edward answered, handing the phone back to me.

"Goodbye, Jake. You know this is not your business, right? I said.

"You will always be my business, Bella," he answered back.

Then I flipped the phone closed as Edward pulled the car into my driveway.

"We are far from being finished with this 'being careful' discussion, Edward." I warned turning towards him.

He nodded. Gazing into my eyes he squeezed my hand. "Then I would say we have some very serious decisions to make, my love."

"I agree. But first, I really need a human moment. " I said rushing out of the car.