Chapter 10: Force-fed

A/N: I own nothing. Characters are all Stephenie Meyers' creations. This is unbeta'd so apologies for any & all mistakes. Please take the time to leave some words if you really loved it or really hated it!

Bella gazed sleepily at me as I held her in my arms. Our breathing had returned to normal and some of the flush had left her skin.

"Edward?" She asked tentatively, the blush returning.

"Yes, love?"

She shook her head.

"What is it, love?"

"Nothing."

I laughed, "It can't have been nothing - you're blushing."

She shook her head a little more.

"Tell me...please?"

She sighed, "It was actually a question."

"Okay, so ask me...please?" I laughed.

"You know... how you... umm," She stopped and blushed again.

"Bella, that's very frustrating."

She laughed, "I just wanted to know whether there was a specific reason you wouldn't, well... you know."

I furrowed my eyebrows, unsure what she was talking about. She raised her eyebrows and lowered her eyes – indicating down her body.

I laughed again, I was surprised that she could be so brave and forthcoming in the moment and yet sit here now unable to ask a simple question, "You want to know why I wouldn't, how did you put it – 'repay the favour'?"

"Yeah," she flushed again, and then looked at me worriedly, "I mean, I don't mind if it's just that you don't want to. I just wondered if there was a reason."

"You're very perceptive," I whispered. I took a deep breath, I wasn't sure how to word this without frightening her off – then again, did anything ever frighten Bella off. "I'm just worried about my ability to control myself. Between my teeth, the scent and the proximity it might be too much."

She nodded and seemed relieved. I laughed at the look on her face.

"Did you think that it was something to do with you?"

She nodded again and then buried her head in her hands, mortified. I wrapped my fingers around hers and slowly prised them away. "I've lived without that view long enough. Please don't make me miss it for one second."

She looked up at me again, her cheeks burning bright red.

"Bella, there isn't an inch of you that I don't wish to explore, multiple times in fact, but I want to keep you safe first and foremost."

"You want to explore me?" She giggled.

"Multiple times," I repeated.

"Tonight?"

I would have jumped at the opportunity but Bella yawned right then.

"Are you sure you're up for it, it has been a long day."

She pulled a face, "Thanks for reminding me."

I hugged her tighter to my chest, "Sleep now my Bella. We've got every night to explore each other."

I started to hum Bella her lullaby, the tune so much more precious to me having lived without it for so long. Bella succumbed to sleep soon after.

I lay with her wrapped tightly in my arms for hours, listening to her murmuring in her sleep. Eventually the night was at its darkest and I knew I had to leave Bella. She was deep in slumber so she wouldn't realise I was gone until morning but I was still reluctant to let her go. And I didn't want her to wake up anxious so I scouted around for a piece of paper and a pen and wrote her a note.

I've left my heart with you. See you at 4.

I left it on the pillow on my side of the bed. Then I smiled at the fact that I was already claiming a side of the bed. After leaving the note I kissed her forehead and ran out the front door, pulling it locked behind me. I ran home, feeling more elated than I had in a long time.

*****

Alice was waiting at the front door for me, "Interesting night?"

"Beyond interesting."

She laughed and then turned serious, "I'm really happy for the two of you, you know."

"I owe you big time for it, Alice. For everything."

"Just remember that next time you leave her."

I shivered, "That's never going to happen."

"Good, that's what I wanted to hear."

Everyone was gathered in the living room when I arrived, deep in a planning session for what we were going to do. Alice showed me a vision she had of the meeting between Carlisle, the principal and I, it looked like it was going to go fairly smoothly.

"Why don't we take her out for dinner?" Esme suggested, "As a family. We can show the town that we support her completely."

"Interesting idea," I mused, "but we'd have to eat. With that many of us gathered, and as many eyes as are bound to be on us, it would be impossible for us not to."

Emmett and Rosalie made a face at each other and both their thoughts ran through the smell of the various meals Esme and I had cooked for Bella. But ultimately everyone decided they would be willing to do it. For Bella. Everyone's thoughts turned to how much we owed her for ripping ourselves out of her life so suddenly. My guilt spiked and I dropped my head again. I knew there would never be a day that I didn't regret that decision. Even when she was in my arms for good and all the traces of pain had left her eyes I would still regret that I had cost us seven years of happiness. I felt and heard Jasper send me a wave of calm, I smiled at him in thanks although I still felt I deserved the pain of the guilt.

"If we're going to do it we may as well do it in style," Alice quipped. I read her thoughts - Copper Beech Inn. It was the closest thing to five star dining Fairfield had, I was trying to decide whether or not that would be acceptable. I knew Bella would be uncomfortable but it was a good place to put on a show of support. Alice's visions twisted as I vacillated. While I was in thinking about the pro side Alice had a vision and I couldn't refuse to go anymore. She saw Bella dressed in a deep purple silken dress which clung to Bella's hips and breasts. It made her look even more beautiful than usual, if that was even possible. Bella was sitting comfortably at the table with all of us laughing and talking. It would be a perfect evening.

"That is a great idea, Alice. The Copper Beech Inn it is – Esme can you please book it today?"

Esme nodded, "What time?"

"7:30," Alice said, "That gives me time to make her look fabulous."

I growled at her, Bella always looked fabulous. Alice rolled her eyes, "More fabulous than." She was thinking about visiting each of the different stores in the local shopping mall to get the dress she saw. Finally she had a vision of her walking into one of the shops and finding it. Now she just needed to duck out at lunchtime.

"We'll take two cars down to school today, so that we'll have room to pick Bella up on the way home. I'll drive down with Edward."

"I'll take my BMW," Rosalie said, "it's been a while since I've had the chance to stretch her legs."

"Okay, sounds like a plan," I said, "Now I've got to get changed for school."

I've already laid out your outfit, Edward, Alice thought after me.

As I walked away I heard Emmett and Jasper agreeing to a wager. Who could down the most human food – the loser had to wear women's underwear to school for a week. I didn't ruin Emmett's fun by telling him that Jasper had done that as a kink thing for Alice about six months ago anyway so it wasn't going to be that much of a punishment for him.

*****

I endured Mr Grossman in English. He had nothing on the teaching prowess of Bella. And I knew it wasn't just me being biased. The entire class tittered and murmured throughout his lesson whereas they were always near silent and attentive for Bella. It only made me miss her more.

By the beginning of the second period my worst fears were confirmed, somehow almost every student seemed to know about the accusations and those that did were quickly filling in anyone who didn't. Although none of them knew exactly who the student was.

I was called out of my third period class early to go to my meeting with Carlisle and the principal. Carlisle was already in the office and had been appraised of the 'situation' before I was called in. Carlisle quickly told me with his thoughts what had been discussed.

"Edward," Mr Anders said softly. He was obviously trying to play 'good cop' at the moment, "Can you please tell me about your relationship with Ms Swan."

"What would you like to know?" I asked innocently. This was exactly how the conversation had gone in Alice's vision.

"How do you know her?"

"Her mother was best friends with my mother."

He looked at his notes, "Esme?"

I shook my head sadly, "No, my birth mother, Elizabeth. When she," I made my voice sad and dropped my head, "when she died Renee and Bella, sorry Ms Swan and her mother, helped me to settle in with Carlisle and Esme. If it hadn't been for her my life might have turned out very differently."

"And how do you feel about her?"

I pretending to be surprised about the question, "I love her. She's been a part of my life since I was a baby. She's always looked out for me."

"Mr Cullen," I suppressed my smile, here came 'bad cop', "I'm going to ask you a question and I need you to give me an honest answer. If you lie you might make things worse for everyone."

I nodded and leant forward, pretending to be both confused and intrigued.

"Are you involved with Ms Swan? I mean as more than just friends?"

I was going to make him suffer just a little, "I'm sorry, Mr Anders, I don't understand what you are asking."

He sighed, "Are you and Ms Swan involved in an affair?"

I tried to look amused - it wasn't difficult as I heard the signs of his discomfort, "Are you asking if I'm having sex with Ms Swan?" I laughed a little, trying to make it look like it was a ridiculous notion, even as images of her mouth wrapped around me came into my mind.

His face fell as the bluntness of my words hit him. He squirmed a little and as he did I pretended to allow the words to sink over me. I pretended to be shocked, "Wait, are you being serious? Why would you even ask that?"

Carlisle put his hand on my shoulder as any supportive parent would, "Apparently someone sent in a photo of you and Bella, sorry Ms Swan, together."

"But why, Carlisle? Why would anyone even try to insinuate that? She's like my big sister." I infused my voice with as much confusion and sadness as I could. Mr Anders was buying everything I did. It made me sick even pretending to think of Bella as a sister figure to me, there was nothing even remotely sisterly about the way I loved her or the things I wanted to do to her.

"I don't know son, perhaps someone is jealous of your friendship with Ms Swan." Carlisle patted my back Is it working?

I nodded sadly, pretending to be comforted. But Carlisle knew I was responding to his thoughts.

"Has Ms Swan said anything to you about a relationship with any other students?" Mr Anders broached and my head shot up. I hadn't seen this in Alice's vision.

"No, why?"

He debated how to answer but I had to work to keep my anger in check while I read his thoughts. Two students had come forward claiming to be the student she'd had a relationship with, Cain Markson and Andrew Blackmore. I took a deep breath to stop myself from tearing from the room and hunting the two of them down. I was surprised by Cain, I'd never heard anything in his thoughts but an acknowledgement of her beauty and kindness. Andrew however I recognised as the boy I had the almost killed in front of Bella's classroom, the one who was going to tell me about her fine ass. The only thing that saved either of them at the moment was the fact that Mr Anders didn't believe either of them and Carlisle and I had instilled enough doubt about Bella and I too.

"No reason. You'll let me know if you do hear anything, won't you?"

I managed to keep my eyebrow in check, it was in danger of shooting up my forehead. Even if there was nothing happening between Bella and I - did he think I would betray a friend that way? I nodded though, unable to do anything more than that without letting my anger show. I needed to leave now.

"If that's all Mr Anders?" Carlisle asked, "I have to be getting to the hospital shortly."

"Of course, thank you both for your time and honesty."

Carlisle and I left the office.

Did it work as per Alice's vision? Carlisle asked with his thoughts.

I nodded. Now I just had to get through a few more hours of school and I would be back with Bella again.

*****

I could barely contain my excitement when I got back to my Volvo at the end of the day. I was so anxious to get going I debated leaving Alice and Emmett at the school if they didn't arrive within seconds. But of course as soon as I started that debate Alice's thoughts screamed at me that if I dared even think about leaving the school without her she would make sure I paid somehow.

I sat in the car, taking a few deep breaths as I waited. Finally I heard both Alice and Emmett headed towards me. I was glad Emmett couldn't read my mind about exactly how anxious I was because I think he would have slowed down even further. As soon as their feet were in the car I reversed backwards. I heard their doors pop shut as I accelerated out of the parking lot.

I raced towards Bella's house. I was determined to be there on the dot of four, if not earlier. When I pulled up in front of her house my clock read 3:59 so I decided to be precisely punctual. I really wanted to go and get her from her front door, but that would make it seem too much like a date. The instant the clock read 4:00, I beeped the horn. As I saw the front gate swing open I leant over and pushed the passenger door open for her. It was all I could do – and it went against all my instincts. I wanted to get out and open the door for her.

Bella looked at me as soon as she climbed in the seat, her face beaming. She'd obviously only just showered recently, I could smell the slight residue of soap and lotion that resided on her skin.

"How'd it go?" She asked me.

I wasn't sure whether she meant the meeting or my day in general, "It's all over the school. Sorry."

She didn't look surprised or mortified like I thought she might be. "I meant your meeting."

"He doesn't want to believe it. He's actually trying not to find any more evidence. But two boys have come forward and each of them have claimed that it is them you are having an affair with."

She laughed.

Wait, she laughed?

"What's funny about that?" I asked, perplexed.

She looked nonplussed as she answered, "There's always one. They jump on the bandwagon for whatever reason, usually it's revenge or jealousy or to score points with their mates for nailing the hot teacher."

Her words hit far too close to home for me, I'd been dealing with the thoughts of the boys who wanted to 'nail the hot teacher' for too long. A growl built instinctively in my throat. Alice giggled from behind me and I shot her a quick look to silence her.

Bella continued, "But they'll be found out as liars eventually."

"Oh, Mr Ander's doesn't believe them." I wanted to put her mind at ease.

"See."

"And Carlisle did a very good job convincing him that we were old family friends who had grown up together despite the age gap. You see, you're mother was my mother's best friend. You guys were there for me when my parents died and helped me to settle in with Carlisle and Esme." I put on a look of mock solemnity. And Bella chuckled. I was glad she seemed so happy, despite everything that she was at risk of losing.

"So in short the defence is that you love each other but you're not in love with each other," Alice said from the back seat.

"And we're going out as a family tonight to show the town our support for you," Emmett added, patting Bella gently on the back.

"Where?" Bella sounded apprehensive.

"The Copper Beech Inn," I grinned at her, I knew that I was confirming her worst fears.

She glanced down at her jeans, "I wish you'd warned me. I'm not really dressed for it."

Alice made a face and I had to resist laughing, "You didn't think I'd let you choose your own outfit for tonight did you? I found the perfect thing at the shops at lunchtime." She'd borrowed the Volvo and because she knew the shop she needed to go to the longest part was driving it home so it wouldn't be crushed in the car.

I saw Bella roll her eyes. I would be interested in seeing her reaction to Alice's selection but I wanted to calm her down. "It's alright love," I said, grabbing her hand. "I've seen it, it won't be too bad."

She grunted at me.

I decided to steer things back to a better topic, "So how was your day? Do anything interesting?"

"I rang Jake."

"How'd that go?" Alice asked.

"Good. I actually think we'll be all right. Friends."

I wasn't sure how I felt about that news. I felt my jaw tighten. On the one hand I was glad Bella had someone else to talk to if she felt she needed it and I could see how much talking with him again had removed the last traces of pain in her eyes. But Jacob could become an issue if she insisted on being changed – and a big part of me was hoping she would insist. But there was the treaty we had with the wolves. If Jacob was friends with Bella he would know exactly when it was broken because he would immediately know the reason behind a sudden disappearance or a change in her voice.

I pulled up in front our house, leaving the car out because we would be taking it and Carlisle's car to the restaurant tonight. I jumped straight out and was at Bella's door before she had her seatbelt off. Alice and Emmett disappeared immediately. They understood my need to be with Bella right now. I grabbed her hand as I helped her out of the car. I pulled her into the entrance of the house and then immediately turned on her, sliding my tongue straight into her mouth and my hand into her hair. She reciprocated immediately brushing her tongue along mine before moving it onto my lips. My hands moved on their own accord slipping down onto the small of her back and working their way under her shirt.

Don't get carried away Alice said, her thoughts showing me where my current decisions were leading – how was I supposed to not get carried away after seeing that? Everyone else wants some Bella time before we have to go out.

I reluctantly pulled away from the kiss, a true smile on my face for the first time today, "Everyone else is anxious to say hello."

"Do I get the same greeting from everyone?" She teased.

"I hope not." I whispered in her ear.

"I hope I do." She said to me.

She caught my eye and held it. The quiver in her voice was only minor and I could only detect it because of my pitch perfect hearing. Even her blush was remarkably controlled. As I watched her I mused, "You're getting better all the time. I'm starting to wonder if it's such a good idea teaching you to lie."

"Why?"

"Cause I don't want you to lie to me."

She smiled at me, "When this has all blown over, we'll leave and then we can be together forever."

I couldn't say anything. My thoughts turned again to the wolf and the complications her friendship with him might cause. Would she be willing to give that up for me?

She traced her finger along my jaw, "What is it?"

"It's just that will make some things so much easier, but it will complicate just as much."

"We'll work it out."

"It will mean the end of your friendship with the wolf."

"I'll have you. I'll have your family. That will be enough."

"Enough for forever?" I asked. That was the big question. Did she really want me forever? Could she?

She kissed me softly on the cheek. "Yes."

I couldn't help but smile. I lead her into the living room where she was pounced upon by everyone else. She'd barely had time to say hello when Alice came and claimed her. I paced anxiously outside the door watching Bella through Alice's thoughts as Alice did her hair and make-up. Alice left the room while Bella got dressed. She shook her head at me and thought about how lost I was without Bella but didn't say anything when she saw me out here.

She went back in again. Finally after what seemed like an extraordinarily long time Alice told me I was alright to come in if I wanted to. I knocked anyway so Bella would know I respected her privacy.

"She's decent, Edward," Alice said.

I could see how stunning she was through Alice's thoughts but after putting my head around the corner and seeing it for myself I was floored. Most of her hair was loose in big soft curls, but the very top of it was drawn back and pinned to the back of her head out of her eyes. Her brown eyes were framed with artificially thickened and lengthened lashes with a hint of smoky black in the corner, giving the effect of slightly more almond-shaped eyes. Soft pink covered her eyelids and her lips had a cinnamon coloured sheen on them, making her pout even fuller. And the dress was even more sexy in person that it had been second hand in Alice's vision this morning.

I took a deep breath to find my voice again, "I disagree. How am I supposed to be around that all night and not be able to touch her?"

Alice laughed, "You'll just have to exercise that century of practice in self-restraint when you are in public."

"Mmm-hmm," I walked over to her, "But for the moment we are not in public."

My fingers slipped into her hair and I pulled her face into mine. Her lips didn't taste anywhere near as nice with the lipstick on but I wasn't going to complain about any time I could spend kissing Bella. Soon she was curving her body around mine and our hands were locked around each other's hips.

Alice coughed to remind Bella of her presence, she was shouting abuse at me in her mind, complaining I was messing Bella's hair and make-up. "Not that I'm not ecstatic that you two are back together but we do need to be going. And now I'm going to have to fix Bella's lipstick."

Bella laughed when we broke apart. I could still feel the lipstick on my lips. I couldn't help myself, I shot her a grin and winked at her before going to get changed myself.

*****

Bella drove down to the restaurant in Carlisle's car with Carlisle, Alice and Esme. I drove Jasper, Emmet and Rosalie down in my car. Every second I was out of Bella's presence felt like a lifetime. I knew I was fast becoming too obsessed with her but I didn't care. I'd been without her in my life for long enough. Now that I knew for a fact she wanted me just as badly and was willing to do whatever was necessary to be together it was hard to stay aloof.

As we walked into the restaurant every eye in the house turned towards us. Most of the men were just thinking about every one of the girls with us, including Bella. It was hard to listen to the thoughts of the supposed happily married men who started to fantasise about Bella. Rosalie put her arm around mine and held me in place, obviously my strain was that clear on my face. A few people recognised her from the school and started telling their neighbours the story. By the time we were seated almost everyone in the restaurant knew who she was and the rumour about her. I started to wonder if this was the best idea after all.

Once we were seated the waiter bought out the wine menu and we all turned to Bella. She was the only one who would taste the drink – for all of us it would be like liquid dirt. ,She ordered two bottles of chardonnay and a jug of soft-drinks. The soft drink was divvied up amongst glasses for those of us too 'young' to drink. Carlisle and Esme were each poured a small glass of chardonnay.

The waiter presented us with menus. Each of my family chose the meal they thought would be the least repugnant, although in truth any choice would be just as bad as any other. I tuned out Emmett's and Jasper's thoughts and discussions about their little wager.

There was only one thing I could focus on at the moment. One thing that looked far too tempting. I wanted to remind that one thing, Bella, exactly how I felt, "What looks good do you think? I know what I want but it's not on the menu."

Carlisle kicked me under the table Edward!

I couldn't tear my eyes away from Bella.

She almost controlled her blush, "Um, I was thinking the fish."

"The fish it is," I said folding down my menu and ordering two of the fish before turning to Carlisle, pretending to hold a conversation, although he knew quite clearly that I was watching Bella out of my peripheral vision and not paying real attention to what we were discussing.

Once the food had arrived everyone's thoughts turned to just how hideous it was. It didn't take long for Jasper and Emmett to mutually agree to drop their wager. I couldn't help but shudder every time I took a mouthful of fish. It slithered down my throat thickly. I kept thinking if it was anyone other than Bella there is no way I would be here forcing this down my throat. Bella seemed to be enjoying her meal and her night and that made everything else worthwhile for me.

Once we'd finished and we were leaving I realised that both bottles of wine were empty. I knew Carlisle and Esme hadn't drank any, they poured two small glasses out at the beginning of the night and that was all. Which meant Bella had almost two bottles on her own. How had no-one caught that – how had I not caught that? As she stood she stumbled a little but Alice was right there and caught her easily.

Rosalie and I have this Edward, we'll get her in your car and you can take her home.

I climbed into my car, by the time Alice helped Bella into the backseat Bella was in near hysterics over nothing and she kept toppling over in her seat and Alice kept pushing her back upright. I shot Alice a glare, "Who kept topping her glass up?"

"I only filled it once," she replied defensively.

"Me too," said Jasper from the passenger seat next to me.

"I did," Bella laughed, "Once."

I growled. As upset with myself as with anyone else. I could imagine the hangover she was going to have in the morning and she would have to deal with it alone.

"She'll be fine, Edward," Alice said.

"I'll be fine, Edward," Bella laughed.

"I'm going to take her straight back to her house. No arguments."

Alice pouted but didn't argue.

As we hit Bella's street Jasper sank low in his seat so that he wasn't visible. I pulled the car straight around to the back of the house and had Bella out and in my arm in a second. Jasper slid into the driver's seat. Alice quickly checked the future and her visions showed we would get away with the illusion that I wasn't here. They drove off quickly down the road both thinking almost identical thoughts, Have fun! I rolled my eyes, did they really think I was going to take advantage of Bella in this state, especially while my stomach was twisting in knots around the chunks of fish resting heavily there.

As soon as the car was pulling out Bella turned her unfocused gaze on me, "You're staying?"

"I'm not leaving you alone like this. You're accident prone enough without being drunk."

"I'm not drunk!" She said, loudly and stubbornly.

"If you say so."

I guided her around through the side gate and into the house. I had barely closed the front door when I felt Bella's lips against mine. Her mouth was moving against me roughly. I gently prised her away from me and said words I didn't even know existed in my vocabulary anymore, "No, Bella. Not tonight."

I moved her over to the couch so she could get comfortable. I noticed her living room was in a bit of a state. There were two boxes packed up and everything else that I assumed was from Charlie's house was scattered around. I ignored the mess for the moment and bent down in front of her to remove her shoes. As soon as the second one was off she wrapped her legs around my hips and tried to pull herself against me. I gently wrapped my hands around her legs and pushed her off. She pouted and I couldn't help laughing at her.

"You need water and bed."

She grabbed roughly onto my shirt and pulled her torso off the couch. She put her lips to my ear, "I need you."

I untangled myself for her again, it was becoming more difficult with each attempt she made. I ran into the kitchen and brought her a large glass of water and some Tylenol. "Drink up and take these."

She complied immediately.

I walked over to the mantle to leave the glass there. I noticed the photo I couldn't look at when I was at Charlie's house. The photo of her wedding to Jacob. I picked it up and took it over to the couch, sitting next to her. She climbed onto my lap and curled up into my chest.

"You were so beautiful," I murmured, tracing my finger over the lines of her dress in the picture. I still couldn't help but wonder what it would have been like if I was at the end of the aisle waiting for her.

"Mmmm." She purred into my neck. I wrapped my arm around her should, pulling her more tightly into me.

"Will you tell me about you two?"

She looked up at me with a surprised expression, "Are you sure you can handle it?"

"He's part of who you are now. I want to know."

"Hasn't Alice told you most of this?" She didn't seem to want to tell me anything more.

I chuckled at her hesitation, although I could understand it. I answered her question the best I could, "Only what you told her that first day. She can't see the wolves. When we were gone I thought she didn't get visions of you because I asked her not to look out for them. But now I realise she was looking but the wolves were blocking her somehow."

She told me about how Jacob healed her after we left, which I knew from what she told Alice. Then she told me about Laurent in the meadow, and the motorbikes and cliff-diving. She spoke for about an hour telling me so many little details of their life, how they'd discussed having children in the beginning but she'd steadfastly refused after his imprinting, how Sam was one of the werewolves and it was his daughter that Jacob had imprinted on – how she should have suspected it was going to happen as far back as her wedding day. And how both of them had stubbornly refused to give up the marriage until it was too late. I grabbed her another glass of water halfway through her story, trying to rehydrate her before she fell asleep. She was leaning into my chest with her eyes half closed when I looked around her living room. I wanted to do something for her.

"Bella, love?"

"Mmmm."

"What's in these boxes?"

"Stuff from Charlie's house. That one's all the rubbish, that one's going to Billy – Jacob's dad, Charlie's best friend."

"And the other stuff?"

She shrugged her shoulders and yawned widely, "Up on the mantle I guess."

I stroked her hair and before long she was breathing rhythmically against me. I put her in the bed and pulled the door shut behind me as I went back to her living room. I quickly finished sealing the two boxes, I put the one with the rubbish in it by the front door, I'd take it with me when I left – one less thing for Bella to worry about. Then I put the box for Billy in Bella's car. I put all the photos and knick-knacks left in places which seemed reasonable around the living room. Finally I found her vacuum and dragged it across the floor. I left her a note telling her where the boxes were, then left a note on the bench with a glass and some Tylenol – instructing her to drink water and take the tablets first.

Finally I climbed into bed beside her to enjoy my few stolen hours with her. I would leave again before the sun lit the sky too much. I listened to Bella mumble and groan and call my name. I smiled, wondering exactly what she was dreaming about that could give her so much pleasure.

Finally it was time for me to leave, I tore myself away from her, kissing her forehead and breathing deeply of her scent. I left a final note on her pillow. Love you. Have water and a coffee.

A/N – Oooh I am so looking forward to the next chapter. It's going to get messy! :)

Don't forget I'm on twitter mpg82 & it's no longer protected so add me freely :)

Also I have another new story – AH/AU set in Australia called "Chasing Victory" – Edward Masen is a driver for Cullen Racing, but his career is racing down the toilet. Bella has overcome a challenge to secure a placement in the graduate program in one of UK's most prestigious law firms. Fate has plans for these former sweethearts. M for language & lemons