Thank you once again to my beta, Chandra, your work with your red pen inspires me to do better! And also to my friend and pre-reader Pien. You know that this story wouldn't be what and where it is without you.

SM owns Twilight and it's characters, we just wanted to help make it last a lot longer.

Thank you and here is...

~HS~

Chapter 06 – Shopping

Bella was quiet once we got in the car. I could sense sadness coming from her mind but no particular thoughts. I left her alone while I organized a place for us to stay. Instead of staying at a hotel where we would be surrounded by humans, I'd thought it best if we stayed somewhere that provided cabins. As it turned out, the Blackforest Bed and Breakfast had such accommodations. It was fortunate that one set of visitors had just cancelled and I was able to book the Homestead Cabin for a month, with a promise that I could extend if necessary.

I knew that when Bella walked into the classroom this afternoon she hadn't had a bag. That meant we had to make a pit stop to pick it up first before I drove to the B&B. It's a good thing I always had a go bag in my car.

"Bella, sweetheart?" I asked in a gentle tone.

"Hmm?"

"You said you had some clothes and things when we were back at the house. I was just wondering where they were so we could get them before going to where we are staying," I enquired.

"Oh, I stashed it in a locker at the bus terminal. Will they still be open at this time?" she answered.

"Yes, baby. We'll go there now and pick it up, okay? Are you all right?"

She sighed and switched to her thoughts. 'Yes, no, I don't know, Edward. I hate that I am the center of this controversy with your family. Family is important, and now yours seems to be falling apart. All because you've met me.'

"Let me stop you right there, sweetheart. This is not your fault. Yes, you are different, and that means we can't tell them straight away, but they should accept you as you are because of what you mean to me. I never questioned any of them when they joined the family or brought mates into the fold. I love you, Bella, and they are going to have to deal with that. Okay?"

She looked at me then, and there was so much love and trust in her eyes that I couldn't help reaching over and running my thumb across her cheek. Bella grabbed my hand and nuzzled into it, reminding herself that she was here with me.

'I'm sorry, Edward. I know in my head that this isn't my fault; my heart is a little harder to convince. I just don't like to see you at odds with them.'

"I know, love. This isn't the first time, and I'm sure it won't be the last. We're here at the bus terminal; let's get your things and go to our temporary home."

She nodded as I got out of the car to help her out. Holding hands, we walked into the terminal and over to the lockers. Bella led me to the one with her bag stashed in it. Pulling the key out of a hidden pocket on her dress, she opened the door, and I grabbed her bag that was no larger than a gym bag.

"Is this all, baby?" I asked.

She nodded. 'Yup, that's it. Like I told Alice, I haven't needed a whole lot the last couple of years. I just need to hand the key in.'

I nodded and led the way to the desk. After handing in the key we made our way back to the car. Loading up we drove out to the B&B to check in.

"What are we going to do for food, Edward?" Bella asked.

"Well, it's too late to get anything now. Since we're going out shopping, we'll go out, have breakfast, then shop for some clothes and get some food too. Plus we can order room service too."

"Sounds like a plan. Now can we go in, I need to get some sleep please? This day has been awfully long," she pleaded.

"Sure, baby."

~HS~

The following morning, Bella and I left the cabin to head out for breakfast. We found a little, out of the way café that wasn't too far from a small set of shops. Bella needed some new clothes; she also wanted to look nice for me. She was happy to have clothes that looked pretty and felt nice, while not costing an arm and a leg. She didn't understand why people spent so much money on clothes that didn't do any more than the cheaper option. The rest of the money she could use far better to help others.

I decided that I needed all new clothes as well, so while we shopped for her we did the same for me. By lunch time we had made a pretty significant dent in what we thought we needed; all Bella wanted to do at that time was have some lunch. After that, all that was left was: get some new shoes and buy groceries to take back to the cabin.

"Did it feel good to buy your own clothes, Edward?" Bella asked while she sat down at our table.

I looked over at her before I replied, "Yeah, baby, it did. I haven't been able to decide on my own look for nearly 50 years. It's great to be getting things that I'll actually like to wear; add in that I'll be able to wear comfortable clothes when lounging around at home and I'll be golden."

She giggled. "I'll bet. Why anyone would want to be dressed the way they do for work when around the house is beyond me. I can see why you want lounge pants, sweats, and sleep pants for that. Plus, seeing you shirtless will just be a bonus!"

I laughed at that. "I'm sure it will be. Do you think you can return the favor?"

"You'll just have to wait and see," she replied coyly with a wink and a bite to her bottom lip.

The waitress came and took our order while we continued to banter. It was fun being free with her; she opened up a piece of my personality that I'd forgotten existed. After the waitress returned with our order, we ate while continuing with our conversation.

"What kind of shops do you have up there, Bella?"

"Oh, shopping is so much easier. It's true that we have a lot of clothes stores, but they're set up differently. Each store sells one particular item. For example, there are shops just with tops but they carry all the different types of tops. The next store will have pants, but again they carry all the different styles. The stores are set up for males or females. It's supposed to make for quicker shopping," she explained. "Although I can see the advantages for the types of shops down here too, because you can shop together rather than splitting apart. But then boys and girls shop together up there too."

"Well, that would make things easier, I suppose. But why are they set up like that?" I wondered; it certainly was different.

"That's because the tops are specially made for my kind. They have to be made with a certain addition in the back that needs to be hidden to the naked eye. Tops could be made with buttons or zippers in those sections, but if you need to make a quick getaway that just adds in another layer of hassle."

I nodded as I considered her words. It was true that there could be accessories added but they would be a problem in the event of an emergency.

"I see what you're saying. It could be the difference between being captured and getting away. I'm looking forward to seeing what you have there, and how you buy it. Seeing where you grew up in person will also be exciting for me; I'll have to take you to Chicago so you can see where I grew up too."

Bella got an excited smile on her face and gave a little cheer. I laughed at her excitement, she was absolutely adorable when she was excited.

We finished our food in silence, just being. When we were done we took the check to the counter to pay; leaving a sizeable tip, we left to go and get some shoes. Once again we went to the little known stores. Bella liked these stores better because by shopping there you helped the little guy and not some fat cat at the top of a corporation.

The little old lady who was working in the store was lovely. She had introduced herself as Laurice; she really enjoyed doing her job and took an instant shine to my Bella, and my Bella to her. She made all sorts of enquiries about where we were from and what we were doing here in Colorado Springs

Bella answered her with flair. "I just flew in from Seattle a couple of days ago," she said with a smirk in my direction, "But my Edward has been here for a few years now. He's a teacher over at the prep school. I'm currently studying to be a teacher and I was able to transfer here to be a student teacher in his class."

"Oh that is so sweet, you'll be learning from your sweetheart." And she was so genuine in her thoughts. Laurice was a romantic at heart. "I know you both will do wonderfully. I can also tell that you two have a long and happy life ahead of you."

Bella smiled a sweet little smile at her. "Thank you, Laurice, for the help and for thinking that about us. I think we will have a long and happy life as well."

Once we'd finished shopping, I paid for our shoes, thanked Laurice with a big tip, and left the store to head to the grocery store.

"Edward, can we just go over behind that store for a minute? There's something I need to do," Bella asked.

I looked at her, confused, because she'd somehow hidden what she was thinking about. "Of course, baby. What is it that you need to do?"

She smirked at me. "You'll see."

We walked around the store to an empty alley. Bella stood near the end of it, let out a sharp whistle, and waited. I looked around to see what she was doing when I saw a snow white dove come flying toward us. Bella held out her arm, waiting for the dove to land on it; while it did so, she reached into her pocket to grab a strip of paper.

"Merril, why don't you go and say hello to Edward as I write out this message?" I looked at Bella as if she were going mad, talking to the dove. But I watched in fascination as the dove took flight from her arm, flew toward me, and landed on my shoulder.

Animals are more often than not afraid of us, because we're alpha predators, but this little guy had no shame whatsoever. He rubbed up against my face, loving on me.

Bella giggled, looking at my face. "What's up with the face, Edward?"

I just gaped at her. Didn't she know? "You know that animals are afraid of us, right? I've never had one just come up to me and start loving on me. Esme is the only one I've seen that happen to, and only in her memories."

"Ah, but you have to remember, Edward, that he's been specially trained by the only creature that is higher on the food chain than you. He's not going to be afraid of you. Plus, he's been my communication bird all my life; if I trust you he can feel it and he'll trust you too," she explained.

Bella finished doing what she was doing, walked over to me, and tied the note into a special tube on Merril's foot that I never noticed. She held out her arm, calling Merril to her. "Off you go now, Merril. Take that note up to Seth and Mother please."

I watched with confusion as the dove flew straight up into the sky, heading to places unknown. "What's going on, Bella? What did you do?"

She shrugged, shy now. "I just sent a message to Seth and Momma to grant Laurice and her husband a wish. Something that could make them happy for some time, something that they've been hoping for. Sometimes helping people isn't about money or time, it's about trying to grant them a wish, and I'm in the perfect position to be able to do that."

I couldn't help what I did next; she was just so damn charitable and she made me want to be just like her. I grabbed her up in my arms, almost roughly, and kissed her hard. It went on for quite some time before I could pull myself back from her mouth. I placed my forehead on hers, panting with the desire I felt. I could see that she felt it as well.

She surprised me at every turn. "Bella, I want you to help me be more like you. I donate a large amount of money every year, but I want to be able to grant wishes and help behind the scenes."

When she had finished panting and cooled her desire a little, she answered me. "I can do that, Edward, but it doesn't take much. All you need to do is pay attention to those around you. With your mind reading, all you need to do is ask the right questions and you'll find what you need."

I thought about what she said as I linked fingers with her and walked out of the alley. She was right; I could have been helping people like that all along. Why it never occurred to me before, I don't know. I think I've been so separated from the world for such a long time that it never occurred to me that I could be helping them, even as an anonymous donor.

Wanting to get the shopping finished and go home, I led Bella down to the local grocery store. We grabbed a cart and started to walk through the fresh produce aisle. I'd never gone grocery shopping before, like we were about to, even though I ate food. I had to hide for so long that I bought all my food from the school cafeteria, or longer lasting food that I could keep in my desk or car.

Watching Bella grocery shop was interesting. She'd test the fruit and vegetables, and when I'd ask why, she explained that she was testing them for freshness or bruises. When we walked into the meat section, Bella asked me to use my advanced sense of smell to find the freshest cuts. I learned a lot just watching Bella do the shopping. It made me wonder how she learned this. When I asked, she explained that it was a lesson in patience; she watched people do it like I was watching her.

"I was also extremely lucky. I'd been standing there for some time, feeling a little lost while watching the other shoppers. I was surprised when an older lady came up to me and placed her frail hand on my arm; she asked me if I needed any help. When I looked at her, she smiled slightly and asked again if I needed her help; when I nodded in the affirmative, she introduced herself as Mrs. Fitzpatrick. She took me around the shop, explaining how to pick fresh fruit and vegetables and which meat to look for. I applied those lessons as I came here to you.

"Mrs. Fitzpatrick was the first letter I sent home about. My parents were so grateful to her that they told me they'd granted two of her wishes. It also prompted them to go to the schools up in Eden, to explain to them what had happened. They're hoping that they can implement grocery shopping into the curriculum up there."

We continued on while she was talking, picking up dry goods and cereals, making our way to the registers when Bella abruptly spun, telling me to wait, and then ran toward one of the aisles. When she came running back I noticed that she had some chocolate, of all things. I laughed at her because it was such a human thing to do, but I realized that it was one of the things that I had not thought to try. In all of my 60 odd years of eating, not once had it crossed my mind to try it, so I told her to go and get some more. She giggled at me but turned around and went to get some more.

When she was back, we made it to the registers and started placing all the food onto the conveyor belt. I was scanning the thoughts of the people around us, making sure that none of my family were out looking for us, when the thoughts of the girl at the register came through loud and clear. 'Oh my God, he is so hot… I have to get his attention… I hope they aren't together… he has to be mine.'

My head shot up because I couldn't believe the audacity of the thoughts coming from this person, like she was entitled to have me for some reason. Bella was busy looking at something on the display at the end. I just hoped she was listening, because this girl was about to make her move.

"Hi, my name is Jessica. I think it's fabulous that you're helping your sister with her shopping. I know that you're free to take me out after my shift is over at five," she demanded.

I was a little speechless. Sure, there had been girls that had been forceful over the years, and even those who had been downright crude with their attempts but this one was off the charts. She just assumed that I would jump just because she told me too.

I felt the tug as I had before when Lauren made her attempt in the classroom the other day, but this one was tugging me toward Bella. At the same time Bella's thoughts exploded in anger. 'How dare this little human try to MAKE my Edward do as she tells him like a little lap dog!? Well, I'm going to have to put her in her place.'

I could feel Bella coming toward me, although I was unsure what she was going to do. I have seen some pretty disturbing things when girls felt their love was threatened by an outside force. They were almost worse than men. But my Bella is one of the classiest ladies I have ever known, ranking right up there with my mother and Esme.

"Edward, my love," she said, placing a chaste kiss on my lips. "I was wondering if we could head home after this and just spend the day together. Do we need to go to your mother's tonight for dinner?"

I smirked at her because Jessica's thoughts had been rendered silent while she watched us. "No, sweetheart. I'll call my mother on the way home and let her know that we can't make it. That way we can… hmmm… spend some quality time together."

She smiled at me with a sparkle of mischief in her eyes. I watched her turn toward Jessica. "As you can see, Jessica, we have things to do this afternoon, so can you please bag up our groceries?"

Jessica jolted after looking Bella in the eye. She didn't get a good look at her before, but now after seeing her she realized that there was no way she could compete. She nodded and then got back to work without another word until she finished. She told us the total, to which I pulled out my credit card to pay. We loaded them back into the cart, left the store, and went out to the car. Bella helped me load them into the trunk before climbing into the car while I returned the cart to the bay.

I climbed into the car, started it, and linked our fingers together. I raised her hand to my lips, putting a soft kiss on her knuckles. I then turned to back out of the parking space to head home. We were quiet on the way, not needing to fill the silence. I listened to Bella's mind and just reveled in how happy she was to be with me, glad that she had found me, glad that her searching was over and now she could fully help the earth and just truly live.

~HS~

While we were unloading the groceries back at the cabin I was thinking about all of the things that Bella had told me over the last couple of days; because there was a lot of information shared. One thing that hadn't struck me to ask about before, because it seemed impossible, was the fact that angels were able to have children. Not that they were able to have children but whether that translated to Bella and I being able to have them…

Wow… I might be able to get the one thing that I had been hoping for my entire life. Well, before I was turned anyway. I'd always just assumed that when I became a vampire I'd lost that chance just like any of the women in our family.

Sobering thought.

I wasn't sure if I was game enough to ask Bella that question though. I didn't know if I could handle the rejection if she was to tell me that we couldn't. I could feel my hope beginning to build already; to find out that we couldn't would be devastating.

But once again Bella knew that there was something wrong with me. She could sense it; the fact that I had stopped unloading the groceries probably helped her with that point too.

"Edward, baby? What is it? What's wrong?" she asked, all worried.

"I have something… something that I want, but don't want to know…" I stuttered out. "Is it… can we… are we possibly… maybe able to have…" I didn't know if I could finish the question and get my hopes up even more.

Bella sensed I needed some help; she pulled herself up onto the kitchen counter, grabbed my belt loops, and pulled me in between her legs. She wrapped them around my waist, putting her hands on my face to help her look at me in the eyes, and started rubbing small circles on my cheeks with her thumbs. After a couple of minutes I started to relax and melted into her, placing my forehead into the crook of her neck. She ran her fingers through my hair, hoping that it would help me get my thoughts in order.

When she thought I was ready she said, "Okay, Edward. Let's try again. Ask the question slowly to get it out and I will answer to the best of my ability, okay?"

I nodded in her neck and steeled myself for the possible letdown. "Are we going to be able to have… children, Bella? I know the angels can have them, but can you and I, being that we're different?"

'Oh, Edward,' she thought. Then continued out loud, "How long has this question been bothering you?"

"It hasn't," I vowed. "I was just thinking about all the information you shared with me. I remembered that you have a little brother born to two angels. There have been many, many children born up there in Eden. And the question just popped into my brain. I mean, your kind has them, you're as strong as we are…"

I trailed off because the thought of a little brown eyed, bronze haired girl as beautiful as her mother just ran through my mind followed by an almost exact replica of me in toddler version. Holy heaven I wanted it, more than I could articulate.

"It's the one thing I always wanted in my human life, a family that I could love and support. I thought that had died the day I became a vampire. But now with you, is that…" I stopped fast as Bella placed her finger over my lips to quiet my rambling.

She smiled at me, a soft, sweet radiant smile. "Yes, Edward. I promise you that when the time is right, when we are deemed ready, we will be able to have two children. Angels have only ever had two, but you'll be able to have the family you crave for so desperately."

I had to kiss her then. Not a harsh one like when we were out shopping earlier, this one was soft and reverent to the future mother of my children. It was almost chaste compared to the ones that came before, but I was so overwhelmed with emotions that I had to do something to get them out.

I worshipped her mouth before plunging my hands into her hair and kissing her thoroughly. Once I was done with that my hands slid down her back and grasped onto her very fine ass. I picked her up and made my way down the hall to the master bedroom. I placed her feet on the ground, still kissing her, then leaned back to pull her shirts over her head before reaching back and tugging mine over my head.

Bella had pulled off her bra while I was taking off my shirt and we came back together skin to skin. We both moaned at the feeling; it was another overwhelming sensation. Climbing onto the bed, we lay down and continued kissing with hands roaming. Over our torsos, grabbing ass cheeks and playing with her nipples. I kissed my way down her neck, over her collarbone, and finally took one of her nipples into my mouth. The sounds she was letting out were magnificent.

She arched her back when I started playing with the other one while my spare hand wandered further down to undo her jeans. Once they were undone, I used both my hands to pull them and her panties off. I sat back to look at her then; my god, she was a vision. I could tell by her flush that she was a little embarrassed by my staring, but she lay there and let me look at her.

"My goodness, Bella, you have to be the most beautiful thing I have ever seen," I praised her. "Thank you for being mine."

Before she could answer, my lips were back on hers, kissing her harder than before, before following the same path down to her delicious breasts. Her hands were roaming over my back and tugging on my hair as I continued to kiss down her gorgeous body. When I reached where our children would reside, I placed reverent kisses all over her stomach, saying thank you after each one. I heard a sniffle and looked back up at her just as she wiped away a tear.

"Are you okay, Bella?" I asked, afraid that she didn't want this.

'I'm more than okay,' she answered. 'Just overwhelmed with my love for you as you worship the place that will house our children. I love you, Edward, with all my heart and soul.'

"I love you too, Bella. But I'm not done with you yet." I received a sniffly giggle for that.

I started kissing along her bikini line, and down over her mound. Now I've seen plenty of pussies in the minds of others, but Bella's has theirs beat hands down. Her pussy is like a flower getting ready to bloom.

I looked up once again to get her permission for what I was about to do; she nodded at me to continue. I placed my fingers on her lips, spread them wide, and then worshipped my love with my mouth and fingers.

"Mmm, you are so delicious, love. I'll never get enough," I told her.

"Oh gods," she moaned out loud.

I licked, sucked, and devoured like it was my last meal, she was that delicious. When I felt her tighten around my tongue that first time, I felt like a god. I got three more from her before she was begging me to stop because she'd become too sensitive.

"Gosh, Edward…" She had to stop because she was panting too hard. 'I thought what we did the other day was excellent, but that, that was fantastic.' By the time she'd finished her thought, her breathing was coming under control. 'But now, baby, it's my turn.'

She managed to flip us, so I was on my back before I could get a word out. "But, Bella, you don't have…" That was as far as I got before she raised her brow at me.

Once she'd stopped me talking it was her turn to kiss me senseless before making her way down my body. She'd started kissing her way down my happy trail when she started unbuttoning my jeans, pulling them and my boxer briefs off. Bella did the same thing I did, when I was completely naked in front of her, sat back and had a look.

'Edward, you are just the most handsome man I have ever seen,' she thought as she started kissing back down toward my shaft. 'I can't wait to wrap my lips around you.'

With that thought she had me in her hands, learning me with them before she licked the bead of pre-cum from the tip.

'Mmm, yummy!'

That was all it took before I was in her warm, wet mouth.

"Oh god, Bella!" I exclaimed. "That feels so good."

I was then lost in a haze of feelings. I could tell what she was doing, and by god I wasn't going to miss watching her do it, but I couldn't get much more than groans and moans out, it felt that good.

When I felt the end coming I tried to warn Bella; she was looking up at me with a brow raised as I opened my mouth to tell her to move.

'Don't even say it, baby. I want to taste you too.'

It was that thought that made me come undone. Knowing she was going to smell like me on her breath was such a turn on. I released down her throat, watching and feeling her swallow around me. I gave one last moan then fell like a limp noodle onto the bed.

Bella crawled up and curled in my arms as we both came down from our highs.

One minute she was looking up at me with those gorgeous eyes of hers and the next minute I was watching them close as sleep pulled her under. She went to sleep with a beautiful little smile on her face, one that I vowed to keep there whenever possible.

"I love you, Bella, you mean just everything to me," I told her sleeping form.

"Love you, Edward," she whispered back.

~HS~

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