AN- Here is my one and only lemon, folks. It was really hard for me considering I don't like to get too graphic with my writing. But because of certain issues betweem BxE I had describe the actual act. I'm sure some with think it too mild, while some will not. It's a pretty subjective topic. 8P I only hope you enjoy the meaning behind it.

Relax

He chuckled and shook his head at me. He walked me into the bathroom where there was an enormous cast iron tub filling with steaming hot water. I lifted an eyebrow at him.

He smiled, "I thought maybe a bath would help you relax."

"I must say, Mr. Cullen, you do have some mighty fine ideas now and then," I teased him. I started to take off my jacket, but he stopped me.

Then he took my jacket off himself. He slowly pulled my shirt over my head and kissed my shoulders and the back of my neck. I was amazed by the tenderness he used as her removed the rest of my clothing. Every touch was so heartfelt I couldn't even feel shy. I didn't even blush. He helped me step into the tub and washed away the stress and worry I'd had that day. I didn't know it was possible for something to be so sensual and relaxing at the same time.

Every few minutes I would lay my head back against the side of the tub, but inevitably one of the hundred hair pins Alice had stuck me with would poke into the side of my head. After the fourth such attempt was also unsuccessful, I heard Edward chuckle quietly. "How many hair pins did Alice hide in there?"

"A hundred," I answered. Edward chuckled again. He probably thought I was kidding.

Kneeling by the tub he began to gently pull the pins from my hair. Five minutes later he began to laugh. "You weren't kidding. I think there really are a hundred in here!"

"Your sister is a master in the art of torture by beauty product," I informed him. "Sacrifices must be made to be beautiful." He pulled one more pin and the last of my hair fell around my shoulders.

"You're beautiful now," he whispered, his breath tickling my ear. Then he proceeded to wash my hair with my strawberry scented shampoo. He gently massaged my scalp soothing the hair pin wounds with his cool fingers. Rinsing my hair, he combed it out, letting it fall outside the tub. I sighed and leaned my head back. Once again I was just Bella, free of Alice's beautiful prison.

"Feeling better?" Edward asked.

"Mmmm, yes," I answered hazily.

"Would you like me to get your pajamas?"

I cracked an eye open. He was still mostly dressed. He had only taken off his shoes and socks and rolled up his sleeves. Damn he was hot.

"Aren't you getting in?" I questioned.

He laughed softly. "Bella, a bath isn't like the hot springs. If I get in, it would be like throwing in a bag of ice."

"I like ice," I insisted.

Edward laughed again. "Bella," he began, I cut him off.

"Edward Cullen as your wife it is my duty to boss you around. Get yourself naked and in this tub pronto," I gave him a stern look. He smirked at me. "Please," I added softly. He couldn't argue with that.

"Yes ma'am," he acquiesced and began to remove his shirt. I couldn't help but stare. It was quite the show. I realized I had been staring for a while when I heard him laughing. I forced my eyes back to his. He winked at me and I blushed furiously.

He climbed in the tub facing me. He began to rub my tired feet, his eyes gazing into mine. "Aren't you even tempted to look anywhere besides my eyes?" I asked, incredulous.

"Your eyes have been closed for most of the last forty-five minutes, love," he smirked. I blushed, again. He kissed my toes then released my feet. He closed his eyes and leaned his head back, stretching his arms along the sides of the tub. He was so beautiful it hurt to look. "We really should get out soon," he sighed, sounding as if he didn't like the idea anymore than I did. "I don't want you to get cold before I tuck you in."

"I'm not tired yet," my insistence was ruined by a yawn. Traitor human body.

Edward chuckled, "You've probably been up for twenty hours by now Bella. You should get some sleep." He lifted his head and looked at me. "You're going to need it." My heart jumped in my chest. He laughed softly and laid his head back again.

Did he seriously think I could wait until I'd had a nap? I had been waiting far too long already. I laughed silently to myself. My waiting had been nothing. Edward had been waiting for eighty years, enough was enough.

"Edward, this has truly been the most perfect day," I sighed.

He looked at me. "Even with having to say goodbye to your parents and leave everything you've ever known?" he asked, his voice thick with concern.

I smiled at him. "Edward, I needed to do those things to be with you," I nudged his hip with my toes, "Life isn't worth living without you. But having you by my side, knowing my parents could see how happy you make me." I paused to collect myself. I was not going to break down again when I had other plans. "Yes, even that was perfect."

"I'm so glad you're happy, Bella," he said, closing his eyes and leaning his head back against the tub again. "That's all that matters."

I sat up and leaned forward. Lying on his chest, I put my arms around his neck and rested my head on his shoulder, nuzzling him with my nose to take in his sweet scent. After sitting in the hot bath, he did indeed feel cold as ice. I smiled at how much I didn't care if I froze.

Edward sighed deeply, "Now this day is perfect," he said. He put his arms around me and held me tenderly, breathing in the smell of my damp hair. He truly seemed content to just hold me. I wasn't going to have that. We had tortured each other long enough.

"Edward," I whispered, "There is one thing that would make this day even more perfect."

"What's, that my love?" Edward asked sweetly, "Anything you want is yours."

I put my hands on his chest and pulled myself up to his ear, "This," I whispered bringing us together.

Edward arched back, the tendons in his neck straining, his jaw clenched. His hands flew to the sides of the tub and with a screeching sound made finger shaped groves in the iron. I cursed myself. I had broken the most basic rule of our being together. I had just given him one hell of a surprise. What now? The smartest thing would be to back away, or even get out of the tub and leave him alone. I never said I was smart. I had promised I would help him be with me. I couldn't just give up.

"Edward?" I called to him. He was frozen. He wasn't even breathing. This was not good. "Edward, look at me," I insisted. He didn't move. I reached up to stroke his face. As my wrist came to his face, he breathed deeply of the scent of my blood. His eyes flew open. They were black as pitch. The look on his face was one I had not seen since that first day in Biology.

Oh shit, I thought as I slowly lowered my wrist back to his chest and away from his nose. In my thoughtlessness I had brought to life Edward's worst nightmare. I had made him dangerous. I fought to keep my breathing even, but my heart began to race. His eyes flicked to my chest and back up to my face again. I needed to calm down. I needed to calm him down. I had to make this right.

"Edward," I called his name clearly. "I love you." Something flashed across his eyes. I planted a smile on my face and forced it to my eyes. He couldn't know I was afraid. He would remember this later and never forgive himself. I needed more of a distraction. My blood was singing to him. Perhaps another scent could help him focus.

Keeping the smile firmly on my face I leaned forward, careful not to move my hips. I tilted my head down and drew my hair across his face. "I love you." I whispered. Edward took a deep breath of my strawberry scented hair. I could now see the war being waged behind his eyes. I drew my hair the other way, he took another deep breath. "I love you, Husband." His body relaxed the tiniest bit. A smile touched the edge of his lips.

I gathered every ounce of bravery I had. Then I leaned forward and rested my forehead on his, surrounding us with a curtain of my hair. "I love you more than life itself, Edward Masen Cullen," I said, breathing into his face. He took my breath in and a small smile came to his face, his body relaxing a little more.

I gently kissed the corner of his mouth, "I love you," I kissed the other side, "I love you," I kissed the tip of his nose, "I love you." He gazed into my eyes and I could see the slightest hint of amber coming back to them. I sighed and he took another deep breath. "Tell me you love me," I whispered. His lips parted and I could see the struggle in his eyes. It was still too much. I softly kissed his lips, breathing into his mouth. Pulling back I locked his eyes back onto mine. "Do you love me, Mr. Cullen?" I asked.

His head fell back in relief as he sighed, "Yes." I leaned forward to surround us with my hair again.

"Tell me you love me," I insisted. If he could talk, he would be in control.

He looked at me and smiled. "I love you, Mrs. Cullen."

Beaming at him, I said, "Welcome back." I took his hands from the edge of the tub and placed them on my hips. He looked at me with panic in his dark eyes. "Trust me," I whispered. He looked unconvinced. "It will help you concentrate if you're trying not to crush my hips," I explained, "You obviously have no respect for the poor tub." I finished, nodding at the dents. He smiled a little. I needed to get him talking again, but I knew he was past much coherent thought. An idea came to me.

"Edward," I whispered. "Say your vows."

Edward's smile widened. "Bella, you are my guiding light," his breath caught as I began to slowly move my hips. I smiled at him encouragingly. We can do this! I cried in my heart. He smiled in return. Taking a deep breath, he closed his eyes.

"My saving grace," he opened his eyes to gaze into mine again. "My angel," he caressed my cheek with one hand, "And my life," he continued, returning his hand to my hip. "Before you, I was nothing, with you I become something I never dreamed of." His breath was coming faster. My heart was speeding up again. "Isabella Marie Swan, I pledge to you my strength, my love, and my devotion. I will honor and cherish you for the rest of time." I leaned down and kissed his mouth, savoring the taste of him for a moment before pulling away again.

"Edward, you are my North Star," he smiled as I began. "The bright shining light that guides me home in the darkness and banishes my nightmares." We began to match the rhythm of my heart. "You are my guardian angel. Before you there was nothing. With you, I have everything." Edward's eyes closed, the tendons in his neck straining again. This time I was unafraid. "Edward Anthony Masen Cullen, I pledge to you my heart, mind, body, and soul." His entire body arched back, his hands grasping my hips a little too tightly. It was more than I had anticipated, but it was worth any discomfort to see the look on his face. It was an enthralling mix of joy, release, and triumph. "I am yours forever," I finished.

He fell back against the tub, looking exhausted. I laughed softly at that thought. Edward could do battle with psychopathic vampires and not even get winded. But me, I knock him out.

I curled into a ball and snuggled into his chest. I was already a little sore and figured it might be worse tomorrow. It had most certainly still been worth it.

Edward put his arms around me, kissing the top of my head. "Are you alright?" he asked, his voice laced with concern. "Did I hurt you?"

I smiled up at him. "No more than I expected from my first time." I kissed him softly on the lips. "Are you alright?" I hoped he wasn't mad that I had pushed him so close to the point of no return.

"Bella," he began, but I put a finger to his lips. I could already hear the apology in his voice. I couldn't let him feel bad about our first time together; especially when the complications to it were my fault.

"Edward Cullen," I said in my most severe voice, "This day has been perfect from beginning to end." I locked my eyes on his, "If you ruin it by apologizing to me for any part of it, so help me, I'll throw you out into the cold." I raised an eyebrow, daring him to speak.

He shook his head and laughed. "Only you would threaten a vampire with cold," he chuckled kissing me on the nose.

"The cold wasn't the threat," I clarified, "It was you being outside while I'm inside; in our nice warm bed."

Edward raised his eyebrows, then laughed again and pulled me even closer to his chest. I laid my head down and he kissed my hair. "Thank you," he said, meaning so much with those two words.

"I love you," I responded.

He chuckled again, "Oh believe me, I know." I laughed softly with him. Then in an embarrassing human moment, I yawned. "Let's get you into that nice warm bed, Mrs. Cullen," Edward whispered.

I was truly exhausted myself, and I finally noticed the water wasn't very warm anymore. Still, I wasn't ready to move. "Just hold me a little longer," I pleaded.

"Your wish, my command," he whispered. I heard him say something else, but it never registered in my brain. I was already drifting in a cloud, falling into the sweet oblivion of sleep.

AN- And there you go. Not much left to this story. A few wrap ups and we'll be on to my next story, Dream A Little Dream, about Bella's change. (Another story I thought I would never write.) This brain of mine just can't seem to slow down. 8P