I got a lot done over the weekend so I thought I'd update with two chapters. This one has a lemon and gets a little dramatic


Chapter 12

Bella

I pulled into the hospital parking lot and parked next to Edward's Volvo. We were going to grab some dinner before shopping for the rest of the ingredients we would need for Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow.

Esme had faxed two recipes to Edward at the hospital. One was for her famous pumpkin turnovers; the other was a recipe for cornbread stuffing that Carlisle loved.

I couldn't even begin to describe how ridiculously nervous I was about meeting Edward's parents. My heart jumped in my chest and my palms went damp every time I thought about it.

Alice had taken some of the pressure off of me by ordering and setting up the decorations as well as getting the table ready before she left. But it was still up to me to make dinner and be a good hostess over the weekend. I had obsessed about it for the last two weeks. I'd never had to meet a boyfriend's parents before; except Billy, who I didn't count since when I'd met him Jacob and I were just friends. I had no idea what to do or say when the time came.

I walked into the ER and found Tanya--Edward's description was perfect. She was thin with lots of strawberry blond hair and had these pretty, light blue eyes.

Edward was supposed to have told her I was meeting him here, and she would page him when I arrived.

I walked over to the reception desk. "Hi, Tanya, right?"

She looked me over before answering. "Yeah. I take it you're Bella?" She didn't seem to happy to be talking to me.

Come to think of it, she acted the same when I got my stitches removed. And when I met Edward for lunch last week. I was getting the feeling she didn't like me. Or maybe she was just a bitch.

"Yeah. Edward said you would page him when I got here?"

She nodded and picked up the phone. "He said for you to wait out here, and he'd be out as soon as he could."

"Okay, thanks."

I started to go to the waiting area to sit down, but before I took two steps, I heard someone call my name. "Bella!"

Oh, no. Please be someone else.

I turned around to see Mike Newton rushing over to me. Damn it! "Hi, Mike. I didn't know you drove the ambulance for this hospital." I could see Tanya watching us closely out of the corner of my eye.

"Yeah. You're not hurt, are you?" My reputation precedes me.

The thought made me laugh. "No. I'm actually meeting my boyfriend here."

His brows shot up with surprise. "Boyfriend? I thought you didn't date."

Before I could answer him, Edward wrapped his arms around my waist and kissed the back of my neck. "Hello, love. I missed you."

I felt myself melt into him. I could see Mike watching us, his expression hostile. "I missed you, too," I whispered.

"You're dating Edward?" Mike asked, his voice laced with anger.

I felt Edward stiffen behind me. "Yeah? Is that a problem, Mike?" I saw Tanya practically drooling over Edward and had to hold back a laugh. No wonder she acted pissed off to see me.

"No." His face was set in a scowl. He looked back at me. "I thought you said you didn't date."

"I didn't, and then I met Edward." I did feel bad. Well, sort of. "I'm sorry, really, I am. I wasn't lying to you, I swear."

He looked me over and seemed to believe me. "Yeah, okay. I guess I'll see you sometime next week Bella. I'm supposed to pick my mom up for lunch."

"Okay." I felt extremely uncomfortable.

"See you, Cullen." He gave Edward a hard look before walking away.

I felt Edward's silent laughter. I spun around to face him. "What's so funny?"

"You had to get the best EMT we've got to fall in love with you."

"Mike Newton is not in love with me!" I could feel the heat rising to my cheeks.

"Oh, please, Bella. When are you going to see yourself clearly? I'm going to have to beat all the guys off with baseball bats for the rest of my days." He was still laughing quietly. "So, how do you know Newton?"

"His mom's a volunteer at the library."

"Oh, really? So, do I need to be concerned with this newfound development?" He was smirking.

I slapped him playfully on the shoulder. "Of course not!"

He pulled me closer to him. "Good, because you're mine," he growled in my ear.

I cocked my eyebrow and looked at him. This probably should have pissed me off, but in reality, it was a huge turn on. "Is that so?"

"Yes. And I don't like sharing," he said playfully. I could see the heat burning behind his eyes.

"Come on, before you get us arrested for having sex in a public place."

His eyebrows shot up, but he said nothing. He turned back to Tanya. "See you," he said smiling politely.

She quickly hid the scowl on her face. "Bye, Dr. Cullen," she said sweetly.

We walked through the doors, and I burst out laughing. Edward was looking at me like I'd lost my mind. "I'm sorry!" I said, still snickering. "I think Tanya was hoping you'd break up with me or something."

"Over Newton?" I nodded my head. "I don't know. I've wondered if she was interested in me, but she's never said anything. I think she's just a nice person."

"Oh, please. The few times I've been here to see you, she's been nothing but a bitch. And you should have seen her face in there. She practically had drool rolling down her chin when you walked up."

"Is that so?" We had reached his car.

"Yes. It is." I looked at him seductively. "Do I need to worry about Tanya?"

What was going on with us?

He leaned in to me. "No. I'm not interested in her." He paused for a beat. "I prefer brunettes." I could see the heat building in his eyes again. "Why? Are you worried, love?" he said, huskily.

"No. But you're mine. And I don't share," I purred as I looked up at him from behind my lashes.

"Get in the car, Bella." His eyes were hungry now.

"What?"

"Get. In. The. Car. Bella," he repeated as he crushed his mouth to mine. He opened the door and pushed me into the back seat, his mouth never leaving mine.

Thank God for tinted windows.


Breathe, Bella.

I took a deep breath and fiddled with the necklace that I'd put on. I followed Alice's handbook carefully, making sure I looked perfect. I had worn the midnight blue dress Alice had bought me. The neckline was a little too low for my taste, but the fabric felt wonderful on my skin. I'd worn it with the jewelry and ballet flats Alice had chosen to go with it. I must say, the girl knows what she's doing. I looked in the mirror and ran my fingers through my hair. I'd left it loose and wavy, figuring that I'd end up pulling it up into a knot while I finished cooking.

I saw Edward walk up behind me, looking great as usual, in a pair of dark, slightly distressed jeans and a cream sweater. "I thought you said you'd never wear that," he smirked as he wrapped his arms around me.

"Yeah, well, I wanted to look nice for your parents." My palms were sweating again just thinking about it.

"You must remind me to thank Alice when she and Jasper come back. You look incredible." He ran his nose across my neck, watching my reflection in the mirror. I blushed. "Ah, there it is. I love it when you blush," he murmured against my skin.

I smiled contentedly. "How much longer?"

"An hour or so." I exhaled loudly. "Bella, they'll love you. Emmett and Rose already adore you. They went back to Chicago saying nothing but great things about you to Carlisle and Esme. As far as my mother's concerned, you're already part of the family."

No one was more surprised than I was to hear Rose was saying great things about me. I still don't know what I did or said that convinced Rose I wasn't after Edward's money.

"I know. You've already told me this, but I'm still nervous." I pulled away from him and kissed his cheek. "I need to check the food before Charlie gets here." He watched me leave the room with worry in his eyes. "I love you!" I called back to him, hearing him chuckle in response.

I pulled the turkey out of the top oven and checked on the stuffing and au gratin potatoes that were baking in the bottom oven. I put the broccoli cheese casserole Edward had requested and the yams in the top oven, turning the temperature up a little. I had the green beans simmering on the stove and lifted the towel over the rolls to see how they were rising. I would bake them, make the gravy, and toss the salad right before we ate.

Edward had helped me the night before with the pumpkin turnovers, pies, and cakes, and they were now sitting on the island. The wine Edward had brought home was in the cooler. I looked around and mentally checked everything off my list. I was pleased at how things were turning out; I'd never hosted a Thanksgiving dinner myself before.

The plan was that Charlie, Rose, and Emmett were all staying the night and leaving sometime in the morning--Charlie to drive back to Forks, Emmett and Rose to catch a flight to LA for a game Emmett had scheduled on Saturday. Carlisle and Esme were planning to stay until Saturday afternoon before flying back to Chicago.

The doorbell rang, and I heard Edward answer it. "Charlie! It's good to see you!" He was trying so hard to get back into Charlie's good graces, I couldn't help but smile.

"Edward. Where's Bella?" It didn't sound like it would be any time soon.

"She's in the kitchen. Let me show you where it is." I heard their footsteps getting closer, and I could feel myself sweating. It was the first time I'd seen Charlie since I'd told him I was moving in with Edward.

"Hi, Dad!" I said brightly, as he and Edward walked through the doorway.

"Hey, Bells." He looked around. "You've got quite a house here, Edward." He was polite, but not friendly.

"Thank you, sir." I walked over to Edward and kissed him on the cheek. I knew he was concerned about my dad's reaction to us living together.

Charlie eyed us closely before answering. "You're welcome. So, Bella, how do you like living here?"

"It's great, Dad. The house is wonderful and Edward and I get along great." Get over it already.

"Hmph."

"So, Chief Swan, would you like to catch the game in the living room?" Edward was trying to make my father comfortable. God love him.

"Uh, sure."

Edward walked over to the fridge and pulled out a beer. "Would you like one?" he asked my dad.

"Sure, thanks," he said taking the beer from Edward's hand. They walked off together talking about football. I had to hand it to Edward, he was a fantastic host.

I cleaned up a little in the kitchen before going to join them in the living room. I stood at the doorway watching them. They were at ease with one another, but the hostility from Charlie was still there. I sighed.

Just then, the doorbell rang. Edward looked at me and flashed me a lopsided smirk. "Would you like me to answer that?"

"No, that's okay. I'll get it." I turned and took the few steps to the door before adjusting my dress and fluffing my hair. Jeez, I must be nervous. I never fluff my hair.

I opened the door to see Emmett and Rosalie standing there. "Little sis!" Emmett boomed, pulling me into another one of his bear hugs.

"Em!" I tried to wiggle away, but it was no use. "I can't breathe!" I said with the last bit of air I had left.

"Sorry, sorry. Just missed you kiddo."

It was funny to me that Emmett and I just seemed to click on a brother-sister level. Apparently, I was the little sister he never had.

"I missed you too, Em," I said giggling. "Come in, it's freezing outside!" I moved out of the way so that they could step in. They walked through the doorway and I saw Rose look at me out of the corner of her eye. "Hi, Rose. How are you?"

She seemed to be relieved that I was talking to her. "I'm great, Bella. It's nice to see you again," she said smiling as she leaned in to give me a hug.

It took all I had not to stand there with my mouth hanging open and hug her back. "It's nice to see you, too." I looked back to Emmett. "Where are your parents?"

"They had to make a stop on the way. They should be here in a minute." He grinned and waggled his eyebrows at me.

"What's going on, Emmett?" I asked hesitantly. There was no telling with Emmett.

"Nothing, it's nothing," Rose smacked Emmett on the back of the head and glared at him.

"Uh, okay. Well, Edward and my dad are in the living room watching some TV."

"Awesome." Emmett started to walk off. "Hey, Eddie!" he called as he walked in the living room.

I turned back to Rosalie and saw she had made no effort to follow him. "Uh, hi?" I don't know why it sounded like a question.

She laughed. "I just wanted to tell you that I'm sorry about the way I treated you the last time we were here."

"Oh, uh, okay. Um, thanks?" I was confused to say the least.

"I wanted you to know that the night before we left, when Alice and Edward surprised you with the closet debacle..." She waited for me, and I nodded my head. "Well, I didn't mean to watch you guys. I wasn't trying to eavesdrop or anything, I promise. I'd come back to see everything Alice bought you, but I stopped when I saw you guys talking by the dresser and...well, Bella, I knew then that you loved him." I was still confused. "I saw the look in your eyes when he welcomed you home, and I knew that I'd made a mistake by assuming you were after his money. So I want to apologize for that. I'm truly sorry."

I couldn't believe it. "Thank you. But there's nothing to apologize for, honestly. I understand your intentions were good. And I think it's great that you love Edward enough to want to look out for him. I hope my friends and family would do the same."

She grinned widely and opened her mouth to say something back, but was interrupted by a calm, male voice. "Rosie, I see you and Emmett have already arrived."

I looked outside to see a tall, muscular man with honey blond hair and cobalt blue eyes. I could see the traits that Carlisle had passed on to Edward and Emmett immediately. Edward's facial features and lean, muscular build resembled Carlisle's. His piercing blue eyes were exactly like Emmett's. And it was clear both men had gotten their good looks from their father. My eyes moved to the right to see a small, slender woman with caramel colored hair and pale green eyes. Now I knew where Edward's bronze hair and green eyes had come from, only his coloring was much more intense. Esme was beautiful, moving gracefully by Carlisle's side as they approached the door.

"And this must be Bella," Carlisle said smiling genuinely at me. "We've heard so much about you." He clasped my hands in his.

"Hi, it's nice to meet you, Dr. Cullen," I said smiling. I couldn't explain it, but I suddenly felt at ease with him.

"Call me Carlisle. Everyone else does."

I nodded and was approached by Esme. She gave me a long, strong hug before clasping my face between her hands. "You are just as beautiful as Edward said you were. It's so nice to finally meet you, dear." She was so warm, so friendly; I felt at home.

"Thank you. It's nice to finally meet you, as well. Edward has told me a lot about you." I looked at Carlisle. "Both of you."

"All good, I hope." Carlisle said smiling.

"Yes. Of course. Come in, come in!" I said, hurrying them past me. "Edward! Your parents are here!" I called out to the living room.

A few moments later Edward appeared. "Mom! Dad! How was your trip?" He gave them both hugs.

Rose put her hand on my shoulder. "I love that dress, Bella. It looks beautiful on you."

"Thanks," I said blushing. She led me into the living room to join Emmett and Charlie, talking about everything I was wearing. I had to concentrate to understand what she was saying.

Where's Alice when you need her?


Edward

"Mom! Dad! How was your trip?" I called to them as I walked over to them.

"It was fine, thank you," Esme said, hugging me.

I stepped out of her hug and gave Carlisle one with the intention of asking him about the bracelet. "Did you bring it?" I whispered in his ear. He nodded in reply.

"The house looks wonderful, Edward." Esme said, looking around.

"Well, it should. You helped decorate it." I said back, laughing.

I caught Rose's eye and she led Bella to the living room, complimenting her dress as they walked. I couldn't help but smile. It was the perfect distraction. Bella would be so flustered, she wouldn't pay any attention to me.

"Come with me, " I said to my parents, leading them up the stairs and to my office. I shut the door behind me. "I'm going to hide it in here."

My father nodded, pulling the long velvet box out of his coat pocket. "Are you sure about this?"

"Absolutely."

I opened the box to see the intricately woven white gold bracelet with the five carat heart shaped canary diamond charm on it. It was part of a set that had been my great-grandmother's and was passed down to Carlisle when she died. My father had given my mother the ring, Emmett the necklace, which he gave to Rose on their wedding day, and I was given the bracelet. I couldn't wait to give it to Bella.

I turned back to Esme. "You didn't wear the ring, did you?" She hardly ever took it off her finger.

"No, of course not. You told me not to!" She smiled at me before continuing. "When are you going to give it to her?"

"I was thinking Christmas, but I don't know if I can wait that long." I could feel myself beaming.

"You really love her, don't you?" Carlisle asked me, scrutinizing my face.

"Yeah. I do."

"Esme, dear, I have something I wanted to ask Edward. Could you keep Bella company for a few minutes for us?"

What could he possibly want to talk to me about?

She nodded her head and left the room. "Okay, Dad. What's going on?" I was getting nervous.

"Well, I have a favor to ask of you." He looked like he didn't want to say it.

"All right," I said slowly.

"I'm starting a new charity organization."

"Really? That's great." It really was. It was sad to me how many people couldn't afford medical attention.

He chuckled nervously. "You might not think so once you hear the favor." My brows knit in confusion. "I've put together a team of doctors and nurses to travel around the world to remote places and help the people that do not have access to medical help. I have everyone I need on the team, myself included, except a doctor with trauma experience." He looked at me tentatively.

"What's the favor?" I asked skeptically.

"I would like you to go with us."

"Sure. When do we go?" I didn't mind leaving for a few weeks to do some charity work. I was sure I could get the time off at the hospital.

"The team leaves the week before Christmas." He put his hands in his pockets. "Edward, if you agree to this, you need to know that we will be gone for approximately six months." My eyebrows shot up. "And when I said remote places, I meant just that. There will be no way for you to contact home outside of sending a letter as we make our way to our next destination. Where we plan to go there is no cell phone service, no electricity. Most places won't even have running water."

"Wait, what does Mom have to say about this?"

"She'll be going with us. She'll be in charge of patient care." Of course.

"So, if I go with you, I won't be able to see or talk to Bella for six months. Only to write her a letter to let her know I'm okay?" I wasn't sure I could do it. He nodded. We stood in silence for a while before I answered him. "Normally, I wouldn't hesitate. But I need to think about it before I give you my answer."

"I understand, son. I wouldn't expect it any other way."

I put the bracelet in the desk and let out my breath in a whoosh.

"We'd better get back out there." I ran my hand through my hair and started back downstairs, Carlisle following closely behind.


I spent the rest of the day trying to decide what to do. I couldn't imagine being anywhere without Bella. She was such a part of my life now, just the thought of being away from her tugged at my heart and left me feeling broken. But this was my family. I'd do anything for them. As I thought about it, I knew Bella would support me in whatever I decided to do. I didn't want to let my father down. He was counting on me to go.

Was that my decision? Was I going to join his group? Or would I stay in Seattle with Bella? If I left, I couldn't expect Bella to wait for me. The thought alone just about knocked me of my feet. Would she wait for me? Or would she move on? Surely she felt as strongly for me as I did for her. I knew I'd wait until the end of time for her. Dramatic, yes, but true. I had to believe she felt the same. But I needed to find a way to show her just how much I loved her before I left--if I left.

I tried to focus on dinner, but couldn't think of anything except Carlisle's proposal. I wanted to lock myself away in my office for the rest of the day so that I could figure out what exactly I was going to do.

All at once it hit me. I looked around the table and realized that I knew what I had to do. Bella was my future, but I had to believe we could stand a few months apart before our life truly began--I owed Carlisle at least that.

I just hoped that Bella would feel the same way.


Bella

Dinner went as well as I could have hoped for. Everyone got along well and enjoyed themselves. All with the exception of Edward. I noticed he was quiet and thoughtful , hardly speaking or laughing at Emmett's jokes. I couldn't help but worry about him more and more as the night wore on.

I changed into my pajamas while Edward showed everyone to their rooms for the night. I had washed my face and just finished brushing my teeth when Edward came into the bathroom. His face was still in that horrible blank mask.

"Edward, what is going on? Are you all right?" I was going to have an anxiety attack soon if I didn't find out what was wrong with him.

He turned and looked at me, the blank look on his face gone. His face was torn, full of conflicting emotions. I gasped as his mouth crushed against mine, his hands pulling me to him. He grabbed my ass and picked me up, taking me to the bed. He threw me on the bed before he laid his body on mine. His hands tore at my tank top, ripping it away before yanking my pants down. I could barely keep up.

"Edward," I breathed. "What...is...going...on?"

He pulled his shirt off and had his pants halfway down before answering me. "I need to be inside you, Bella." His mouth met mine again, moving furiously against my lips before he broke away and trailed kisses down my neck.

"But what if someone comes downstairs," I asked, hurriedly. I was losing all control.

"You'll just have to try to be quiet, love," he murmured against my breast.

His hands worked his way down my body, his clever fingers running down my slit before plunging inside me. He moved his fingers inside me, finding my spot while his thumb worked my clit. I bit my lip in order to keep from moaning. I felt my myself tighten around his fingers and with one quick flick of his wrist, I felt the waves of my orgasm rushing through my body. He quickly rolled the condom on his dick as he moved himself to my entrance. I couldn't wait for the day we wouldn't need one. He pulled my legs back and thrust into me, causing me to see stars.

"Oh, God, Edward," I breathed. I wasn't going to be able to stay quiet for much longer.

He kept pummeling me, and I was biting my lip so hard trying to keep quiet, I could taste blood in my mouth. My muscles tightened around his dick and he moved his hand down and flicked my clit with his thumb. His mouth moved back up to mine, swallowing the moan that came out of my mouth as I got close to release again.

"Fuck me, Bella," he mumbled against my mouth. Before I could reply, he flipped us over so that I was straddling him.

I lifted myself off of him, before slowly coming back down, grinding my hips into him as I did. His hands grabbed my breasts, before moving up around my neck and pulling me down to him. He kissed me as I came back down on him again, feeling my walls tighten up again.

"Edward, I'm going to come again, " I whispered in his mouth.

He moved his hands down and lifted my hips up and slammed me back onto him. I could feel his dick grow harder as he whispered, "Come with me, Bella," pulling me up and slamming me back down again. I felt the waves of his orgasm pulse through his dick as he slammed me down again, causing me to lose control.

We laid there naked in each other's arms for a while, letting our hearts slow and our breathing to return to normal.

When I was almost asleep, I heard him clear his throat. "Bella?" he whispered.

"Hmm?"

"I'm leaving." Surely I didn't hear him correctly.

"What?" I asked, leaning up so I could see his face.

He stared at the ceiling. "I'm leaving." He took a deep breath. "Carlisle and Esme have started a new foundation. They'll be traveling all over the world helping people in remote places who don't have access to medical attention. They've asked me to go along."

"That's great!" He still wouldn't look at me.

"Bella," his voice cracked. "I'll be gone for six months." My eyes widened, and I could feel the tears building in my eyes. "I won't have any way to talk to you."

Six months? He was going to be gone for six months? What did this mean? Did he not want to be with me anymore? I felt my heart split at the thought, sending a strange searing pain through me.

"What do you mean?" I could barely get the words out.

"Where we're going," he stopped to compose himself. "Where we're going won't have cell phone reception, e-mail, phones, electricity, or running water. I might get a chance to send you a letter every now and then to let you know I'm okay."

I couldn't breathe, couldn't think. He really was leaving me. "When?"

"We leave on the fifteenth," he said quietly.

My brain calculated the time before he would be gone. Just over two weeks. I felt the bile rise at the back of my throat and ran to the bathroom, slamming the door behind me, and heaved over the toilet.

"Oh, God. Oh, God," I whispered quietly as the tears blurred my vision, spilling down my cheeks. I couldn't understand it. He doesn't want to be with me? Then what was before all about? A goodbye fuck?

I cringed at the brusque thought.

I got up and brushed my teeth, my chest heaving uncontrollably with the sobs that were escaping my throat.

"Bella? Love, are you all right?" I could hear the tears in his voice. I tried to answer, but I couldn't get my voice to work.

I collapsed on the floor and sobbed, unable to do anything else. I heard the door open and felt his arms wrap around me. The thought of him not wanting to be with me was too much. I'd finally let Jacob go and fell in love, only to have it shoved back in my face--brutally.

"Oh, God. I'm so sorry," he cried.

We sat like that for what seemed like hours before my sobs died down. I looked at his tear stained face and asked the only question that would come to my mind. "Why?"

New tears fell down his cheeks as he shrugged his shoulders. Seeing Edward cry nearly broke my heart all over again. "I don't know. It's just something I need to do. I don't know how to explain it." He looked down at the floor. "I'll understand if you don't want to wait for me," he whispered quietly.

"You mean, you're not leaving me?"

"No! I could never leave you, Bella. But I'll be gone for such a long time. I can't expect you to put your life on hold while I'm halfway across the world somewhere." The fear in his eyes was so painful, it took my breath away.

The sobs threatened to erupt from my throat again, but this time it was a cry of relief. He didn't want to be without me any more than I wanted to be without him.

I took a deep breath, trying to control myself. "No, Edward. I'd wait for you forever, " I said, kissing him fiercely.

He broke away, looking at me with such joy, such relief in his eyes, I felt breathless. "I love you, Isabella. I'll miss you everyday."

"I'll miss you, too." I said, leaning my forehead against his.