Hey! I'm writing this again on the same day because I'm bored, and I can't go upstairs because I don't want to risk fainting and melting into a puddle of goop. (Can you tell I just hate the heat?) So I'm continuing it on—it won't be posted on the same day, though, so sorry!

Disclaimer: I most unfortunately don't own any of the characters of this story. That credit goes to the phenomenal Stephenie Meyer.

Authors note: This is my very first fanfic 

This story is set between the end of Twilight and the start of New Moon, in Bella's POV.

Chapter 7

Edward laughed, running a hand through his tousled bronze hair.

"I'm glad you approve."

"Approve?" I mocked. "It's perfect."

"Well, you shouldn't make a statement like that until you've at least seen the inside."

"So what are you waiting for, then?" I challenged.

He rolled his eyes and tugged on my hand.

Through the clearing of the trees there was a little stone cottage, set upon the hillside. It was like one of those abandoned huts in the middle of nowhere. A narrow chimney rose just above the wooden roof, billowing clouds of soft smoke. I couldn't believe how perfectly it suited everything in this moment; the setting, the mood, the needs. It was like it had just appeared out of nowhere, our little sanctuary, surrounded by clusters of tall, dark trees in the silent night.

Edward pulled me up the front steps of the small wooden porch. The front door—the only door—was wooden, too, mahogany with an old, encrusted brass knocker.

"How did you find this place?" I asked in wonder as Edward opened the door; it was unlocked. He held it open for me, and I ducked inside.

"We were just circling the area, hunting, when we came across some unknown smells, and Emmett decided to investigate."

I gasped quietly when the interior was revealed for me.

"Are you sure this is alright?" Edward checked uncertainly. "I thought it was a better place to take you than a five star hotel, seeing as you'd probably disagree with the price of things there. This way we can just get away from everything without the bother . . ." He trailed off, waiting for my reaction.

I turned and beamed at him.

"No, no, this is great," I assured him earnestly.

The inside was all one small, open room, with two doors leading off it. The walls were stone, the same as the outside, the floors panelled timber. A huge, open fireplace was present on the centre wall, already lit; I basked in the warm heat that flooded through my stiff, frozen limbs. The light from the fire danced along the walls, flickering every now and then. There was a huge, inviting couch that took up most of the space, and a small set of matching wooden counters that were built into the wall was the kitchen; it opened up right into the supposed "lounge", even though I didn't really think there were any set rooms to this place.

I loved it dearly already.

Edward pulled away, arms on my shoulders to get a good look at me.

"Would you like a bath? There's no showers in this place, but—"

I interrupted him.

"Don't worry about it. A bath's fine, but not really now . . . I just like being next to the fire." I smiled up at him in encouragement.

He smiled back, and moved so he could place the backpack on the floor in the corner.

"Let's sit," he suggested, steering me towards the couch. I sank gratefully into the cushions; Edward was behind me, so I sat partially on his lap, his arms cradling me against his hard chest.

It was very distracting, because Edward's chest was still bare; a fact I was definitely aware of.

We just sat quietly for the moment, at ease with one another. I was revelling in the heat of the cabin, so warmly pleasant that the chill of Edward barely raised goose bumps on my arms.

It had been such a good idea to get away—I was still trying to come to terms with it. I wondered if Charlie knew yesterday that I was going. Not that he had any idea that Edward and I were by ourselves, away from the huge white mansion. Actually, he'd probably have a minor stroke if he found out anything about it. I felt less guilty because Carlisle and Esme knew and approved—and that were some sort of parental authority, right?

Oh, dang it. Who really cared, anyway? I was a teenager, and I supposed that allowed me the right to do things behind my father's back just once and awhile. We weren't doing anything he'd object to, when it came right down to it . . .

I stiffened when I felt Edward's nose tracing the skin just behind my ear.

"You smell so good right now," he murmured into my ear. I smiled calmly, although my heart was beginning to race. Edward lightly brushed a thick strand of my wet hair from my face, inhaling, and his lips touched my damp cheek—which turned bright red as the blood began to pool into it. I heard him chuckle quietly.

His mouth lingered on my skin, trailing down with carefully placed kisses until he reached my neck. My breath hitched when his strong, bare arms lowered around me slightly, tightening around my hips. He gently pulled me back into him more.

While his lips focused on my neck, I floundered around in my head to find the strength to form actual words.

"Edward . . . ," I began, my voice almost breathless. His lips continued on their journey, kissing every inch of my exposed neck. My arm was trembling as I reached it behind me so my hand could snake into his hair on the back of his head, which was right next to me. I tugged on it a bit.

"Yes?" he whispered against my tender skin.

"What . . . When did you . . ." I swallowed. This was almost embarrassing. "When did you decide to take me here?"

He paused for a moment, his breath icy on my skin. I certainly did have goose bumps now.

"Hmmmm . . ." he murmured, the vibrations making me shake. "I'm not at all too sure." He placed one more kiss on the corner of my jaw before he answered my question more specifically. "The intention had been there for awhile, the need just hadn't arisen."

"Oh," I breathed.

He chuckled lightly again, and rested his chin on my shoulder. "I think we're going to have to do this more often, if I'm guaranteed a good laugh every time. Perhaps you should think about falling into a river more regularly; it's very entertaining."

I scowled.

"Thanks," I muttered. The sarcasm was marred a bit because I hadn't quite caught my breath yet. "I still haven't forgiven you for that, you know."

His lips brushed my ear, and he spoke quietly into it. "I thought we were even, now that I went in after you."

I shook my head stubbornly, a feat that was hard to do because I could hardly concentrate enough to remember to breath.

I froze when his cool hands at my hips skimmed under the fabric of his shirt I was still wearing—I blushed even harder.

As light as a gentle breeze through a summer's night, Edward's hands carefully moved across the skin there, tracing along it.

"And what about now?" he whispered into my shoulder.

It took a moment of scattered concentration to answer.

"N—no," I managed to say. I could see from the corner of my eye that my crooked smile was slowly spreading across his face.

And then he did something I didn't expect; Edward's hands gently moved up my back, ever so slowly, pulling up the back of the shirt as he did.

My heart stopped for a fraction of a second, and then set off in a wild sprint. I tried to swallow but my throat was suddenly dry.

Smooth and silken, he stopped half way up my back; the air clung to my moist skin, but that was not the only reason why I shivered.

I felt his hands rub the lower half of my back gently. I wanted to throw myself at him, but I kept exceptionally still, knowing this would just stop him. Still, I couldn't believe it.

Edward pushed me forward more, so I wasn't propped up against him so much. The light from the fire's flame danced along the ceiling, across the wooden beams, the flickering patches of brightness the only source of light. I felt so safe and reclusive, away from the real world.

His lips pressed into my back then; my breath stopped in surprise, but quickly picked up pace. It was cold, but certainly not uncomfortable. My breathing was so loud as he—slowly enough to drive me insane—kissed tenderly up my back, and then continued his path back down. His breath was icy on my bare skin, and I clasped my hands together to keep them from shaking because they were tingling so much.

"Bella." He whispered my name against my back as his mouth continued its circuit. His lips brushed down, and then he moved, ducking his head, so they were touching my hip.

I gasped because he moves so quickly I didn't see it coming. He moved away from me suddenly, leant away so, because I was so distracted and not paying attention, I fell back and hit the couch—I was now laying down on it. My eyes widened in surprise and bewilderment. I went to sit up again, the beginnings of a frown forming on my brow, but Edward then placed each of his arms carefully on either side of my shoulders, holding me down. I was alarmed, but he was calm, grinning hugely.

"Do you forgive me now, Bella?" he asked, leaning in further so the sweet scent of his breath washed over my face.

I nodded furiously, giving in because I couldn't think straight enough to fight back. "Yes, yes, okay," I gasped.

He smirked, and leaned down so he could kiss the hollow of my throat. Then he straightened, and I was left disorientated because we were suddenly in an upright position, sitting next to each other.

He took one of my hands in his.

"Good," he answered simply. I stuck my tongue out at him, a childish gesture.

He laughed.

"Time for your bath," he decided. He stood up, pulling me off the sofa with him. I sighed, resigned and breathless.

The hot water from the bath was a welcoming thing; I bathed while Edward hunted around for something to eat. The tiny bathroom hardly had enough room to move around in. The walls were a pale panelled timber, the floor blue tiles that were cracked and had a worn out varnish to them. The tub seemed to be new, a replaced object that still suited the room with everything but its size—I could lay down completely in it. A large, antique mirror hung above the sink on the far wall. The room was lit by candlelight from the small chandelier above.

A cosy, sweet and refreshing place, all in all.

The warm, fragrant steam that rose from the water and filled the room was a nice remedy to my stiff and frozen limbs. I gradually relaxed.

All too soon though, the water cooled and I knew it was time to get out—I rose, and wrapped myself up in a soft lavender towel that Edward had placed on the edge of the sink. I paused for a second, wondering about clothing.

My worry was unnecessary though, because I found a set of my pyjamas folded neatly in the corner of the room—I smiled to myself and put them on.

When I was refreshed and ready, I came out to find Edward lounging on the couch again, smiling up at me. I smiled in return and sat down next to him.

"Are you ready to eat?" he asked me.

"No, honestly, I'm not hungry at all," I assured him, shrugging my shoulders. I hoped he would believe me and not be persistent.

Edward smirked. "I knew you would say that, so I didn't make anything—this time. But here—" and he got up suddenly, returning a second later with a hot, frothy mug of hot chocolate.

I laughed as he set the cup down on the table.

"Why thankyou," I told him. I settled back comfortably, ready to play out the rest of the evening.

It was an hour later that I was tucked up into bed, with Edward's arms around me, smiling calmly. He'd carried me off to bed, ignoring my objections and then I couldn't resist because I was just so damn tired.

I snuggled closer to him, absolutely content.

The bedroom fit the rest of the house in style and furnishings; the big bed that we were currently occupying had a lavender duvet, wooden posts and a high headboard that had an intricate, ancient design etched into it. The door was cracked open an inch, allowing the soft, dim light to filter through a bit and penetrate the serenity of the darkness.

A large vanity was to the side, an old, beautiful thing that had a chipped china vase on it, wild daisies overflowing from it.

The paintings in this room matched the time and era nicely.

I smiled and opened my eyes, looking straight into Edward's, who was looking at me, too.

"Thanks for all this," I murmured, half asleep. He looked back at me with an expression that was unfathomable to me, but was definitely a strong and deep emotion.

"Anytime," he whispered, so quiet I barely heard him.

"Mmmm."

I heard him hum the beginnings of a very familiar song, my lullaby he had composed for me a while ago. The sound made my eyelids droop close again, and I stoped fighting the unbearable urge to sleep.

There was a pause in the melody.

"Sleep, Bella," the voice told me, and I obeyed, dropping off into a serene oblivion.

I dropped off and floated away, his voice still singing sweetly in my ear.

Comments, comments, comments! I need comments so that I know it's alright—I'll cut it short if it doesn't suite anyone. If it does, the next day it will be longer and not so rushed. Hahaha thanks heaps :)

xxxx