A/N- Thank you all so much for your awesome reviews and your patience. This week was chaotic so I will try to get one or two chapters out this week before Clarisa goes on vacation on Friday. I hope you all enjoy a few chapters of fluff and E&B time. Enjoy!

A hug amount of love to Clarisa in Canada... Thank you for all that you do for this story and thanks so much for helping me with the words to end this chapter.

Disclaimer- I do not own any part of Twilight, well that is not true, I own two copies of twilight, 1 copy of new moon, 1 copy of Eclipse and two copies of Breaking Dawn.

Reality bites or does it?

I stared out of the window on the way to the helicopter pad, feeling the warmth from Edward's body close to mine. I smiled thinking about the last few days at the Cullen house. I felt like I was leaving family behind. I would definitely miss Sydney the most. We had so much fun together and she really had taken to me. The hug she gave me before I left the house still warmed my insides despite the crisp breeze off of the water. Now it was back to reality, and even worse, it was back to a mostly Edward-free reality. We had agreed that it would be better to split up here on the island and take two different shuttles back to Manhattan to avoid the press, but a feeling of dread came over me as I inched closer to Edward, and he lifted our intertwined hands to his lips for a tender kiss. A shiver ran through my body at the simple act of endearment, and my heart raced as I looked into his eyes. Damn… he melted me into nothing.

"These last few days with you have been incredible," I whispered, laying my head on the back of the leather seats. He stared down into my eyes that were starting to moisten.

"You are incredible, Isabella Marie Swan; my whole family is in love with you. I actually think that some of them like you better than they like me," he teased.

"So, are you going to miss me?" I asked, feeling so sad. I didn't want to leave him, not even for a few days. Edward had convinced me that it would be better if we were not seen together for awhile until the newspapers grabbed on to another story.

"I miss you right now, thinking about not being with you tonight. I hate this," he stated sadly.

"Edward, I don't care about the media. I don't care about what they say. Why do we care?" I asked, not understanding what the big deal would be if everyone knew about us.

"Bella, you have no idea how ruthless these people are. They just want a story, no matter what the cost. These people have put me through hell the last two years, and I just can't knowingly drag you into that." His face was clearly worried and disturbed by the images of the press hurting me.

"Edward, as long as I am with you, it doesn't matter. I am pretty tough," I said, pleading with him.

Edward swept a chaste kiss across my lips as he smiled widely. "Bella, I know you are tough, but if we just let things die down, we will have fewer problems with them later. Trust me love, I just want to keep you safe."

"I do trust you, Edward. You saved my life in that elevator, in more ways then I can tell you." Edward tilted my head back as he brought his lips back to mine with such passion. My lips burned with desire. How can I give this up for even a minute? After a few more kisses and a tight hug we separated again.

Once I was settled into the helicopter, Edward smiled from below and blew me a kiss. As the helicopter started to move upwards towards the sky, my phone vibrated in my pocket and I pulled it out.

I miss you already!

-E

Who is this?

-B

I smiled as I imagined his face tense up and then the smile that would fall across his face at my teasing.

Very funny! You better not forget me!

-E

I could never forget you. Your eyes and your body are blazed into my memory. Edward Cullen is seared into my heart, so I guess you are stuck with me.

-B

Promise?

-E

That is the easiest promise I will ever have to keep. Call me later.

-B

I will. Be safe, love, since I won't be there to save you!

-E

I laughed at how the words that floated across my screen could make my body shiver, but I was learning that almost every feeling I had about Edward Cullen could never be explained, especially as normal.

I caught a cab to my apartment, and when I arrived I saw the different news vans parked along the curb. I saw three people standing close to the entrance of my apartment building and a fourth near the parking garage. I wasn't positive that all of them were press, but I was really worried about getting bombarded the second I got out. Once the cab pulled over, I made my way quickly to the entrance. Several people around noticed me and ran over, microphones sticking in my face, and cameraman running to get a picture…

"Ms. Swan, are you and Mr. Cullen together?"

"Are you and Mr. Cullen dating?"

"What happened in the elevator?"

I looked straight ahead and said nothing, and the elevator door closed. My stomach lurched as I had a brief flashback once the elevator started moving. I was shaken up by the evasive questions that I was asked. I was not used to being the center of attention; as a matter of fact, I was not used to anyone being interested in my life. As I unlocked my door, I set down my bags. I took a deep breath as I glanced at my answering machine. There were 42 messages. I sat down and went through the messages one by one, erasing those that were from the press. There were a few from Jared and another one from my mother. The last one I listened to was Edwards's voice.

"Call me when you get in. We just got swarmed at my apartment. I am hoping that you are ok." He paused though I could still hear his breathing. "I miss you," he whispered before hanging up.

I sighed deeply and then smiled widely, thinking of Edward. I wanted to relax, so I got into a hot bath to soak. I sent a text to Edward and told him that I was home and fine and would call him after my bath.

I thought about work and how crazy things would be when I got there in the morning. I knew I wouldn't be able to walk my usual route to work tomorrow, but I hated to call a cab to give me a ride for six blocks.

I made some pasta, and then relaxed on the couch and called Edward.

"Hello, may I speak to Mr. Perfect?" I asked after hearing the sexy velvety voice.

"I don't think that he is here; would you settle for me? How are you, sweetie?" Edward asked.

"I am good, just a little lonely. You see, I have gotten used to being with my Mr. Perfect, as a matter of fact; I was wishing he were here right now," I teased.

"Bella, you are killing me! I wish I was there too. So was it crazy when you got home?"

"It was OK. I mean, there was press here. I just ran into the building as fast as I could. You are right, they are ruthless, and the things they insinuate are just downright rude. Anyway, I am fine."

"I am so sorry about this. It is my fault entirely," Edward confessed.

"Let's talk about something else… like what you are wearing," I teased in a very sexy voice.

"I am wearing a smile… and my jeans!" he teased in reply

"You are playing dirty, Mr. Cullen; I might just have to sneak over to your apartment… except I don't know where you live. I mean, I know that we agreed that we shouldn't see each but is it really fair that you get me all worked up and then leave me hanging?" I asked sincerely.

"You are right, Bella; I have been unfair and unkind … and I will make it up to you somehow! Hey Bella, can I call you back in a few minutes?" he asked.

"Sure, are you ok?" I asked, concerned at his sudden change intone from playfulness to seriousness.

"I will be… I will call you soon," he replied hurriedly.

The line went dead, and I sat there for a minute and wondered what he was going to do. I went to the bathroom and then I went back to the couch, grabbed my favorite book and waited for Edward to call.

Twenty five minutes later, there was a knock at the door. None of the press had actually knocked on the door, so my heart worried that they had made their way into the building. I was about to look out the security view hole when a voice called out,

"Pizza delivery!" It was a voice I recognized, but an accent I didn't; my eyes continued towards the viewer when I started laughing hysterically.

I unlocked the door and pulled Edward into my apartment, and then locked the door behind him. He looked hilarious. He was wearing a baggy blue sweat suit pulled up a little too high, with nerdy-looking eyeglasses, a dark shaggy wig and some grotesque teeth that shot out of his mouth and onto the floor the second his eyes met mine. He dropped the pizza box and pulled me into his arms, both of us laughing as his lips crushed mine in a kiss.

"I couldn't stay away. My brother is going to kill me if he finds out about this…" Edward whispered in between kisses.

"I'll protect you," I whispered back as I molded my body to his. We stumbled backwards and ended up on the couch, where Edward hovered over me as he lips moved with mine, causing the most incredible sensations all over my body.

We must have kissed each other for an hour, and when we finally came up for air, my body was asking for so much more. When his eyes met mine the intensity of his stare bore into mine, and I almost stopped breathing. I didn't think it was possible to feel all that I was feeling. Wrapped into Edward's arms, I realized that I was hopelessly in love. Should I tell him, did he feel it too? Was it too soon? The questions continued to fill my brain, but Edward answered all of them with his next few kisses.

"Bella, you are so beautiful… I can never get enough of you. Everyday I pray that you feel the same way I do… I know it is not normal to say these things so soon, but, Bella, I am so deeply in love with you…" His eyes searched mine, seeking permission, just asking me to let him love me. Tears glistened in my eyes as he looked concerned.

"Am I going too fast, Bella?" He sought urgently.

"No, Edward… I am just relieved. I didn't know if it was just me feeling these things. I have never…"

His lips found mine again with urgency, letting me know that words were not necessary. He rested his hands on my face, and his eyes held mine in his. We didn't speak, but as Edward held me in his arms, my body under his, I felt whole and safe and completely happy. My eyes closed and I feel asleep with a contentment that I had never known before.

As I woke up the next morning, I felt a chill through my body, realizing that I was alone. I looked around sleepily. I searched the apartment but Edward was not there. He must have snuck back to his apartment sometime to avoid being seen. I started the coffee and noticed a note by the coffee pot written in the most beautiful script I'd ever seen.

My Dear Bella,

You are still sleeping and I didn't have the heart to wake you, though you may have felt the kiss I left with you. I had to get back to my apartment, but I wanted you to know how wonderful last night was. I can't wait until this is all over so I can let the world know that I love you. I am sending a company car, so you won't have to take a cab to work. I was hoping to see you some time today. We will be separated by only three floors. Maybe you can meet me halfway in the south stairwell or I will figure something out. Watch for my text. Have a terrific day!

Love,

Edward

I read and reread the words that were on the paper, and I couldn't believe that he loved me, it wasn't just a dream. I was so excited, but I realized that I didn't tell him. I hadn't told him of my feelings, though I tried. Words seem to come so easily to Edward, and I wanted him to feel as special as I felt last night. I had to think of a way to profess my love without sounding awkward. While my body automatically got ready to leave for work, my mind raced in a dozen directions at once, wondering how best to tell Edward I loved him.

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