A/N: Chapter 13... hope you all enjoy! I need to get this story 100% published before my baby is born around Thanskgiving time so next chapter is just 4 days away (Thursday)! Please review!

Chapter 13:

BPOV

What was I thinking accepting Edward's invite to Alice's launch party? With his parents? Me and my big mouth also assured him it would be no trouble to meet his mother beforehand and shoot the breeze in Rose's salon for God knows how long while we all get primped for the party. I hope his mother's a witch. This man has to have a flaw somewhere, because if he doesn't I am in serious trouble of losing my battle of not falling for him.

I can't think about this now because it's Tuesday afternoon and something fishy is going on in Forks. I just called Jake and his father told me he was down at the B&B that's owned by Angela's parents. Then he said, "Whoops, no he isn't. I meant to say he's at the beach." I've known Billy my whole life and I can tell when he's lying. He's as bad at it as I am.

I've decided to call Angela who tends the front desk at her parent's Bed and Breakfast in downtown Forks to find out if my best friend is lurking around there for some unknown reason. The only thing I can think of is whoever his mystery woman is; she's either married or underage. I can't imagine Jacob would get involved with either one but why else would he have a reason to go to a hotel in the middle of the afternoon?

"Good Afternoon, Weber B&B, this is Angela speaking."

"Hey, Ang, it's Bella," I say casually.

"Oh, hey, Bella… um, what can I do for you?" she asks sounding surprised to hear it's me. I don't often call her on the B&B's line but I do occasionally. It shouldn't catch her so off guard.

"I'm trying to get a hold of Jake and he's not answering his phone," I explain omitting the part about his dad fucking up the cover story. "Do you have any idea where he is?"

"No, Bells. I haven't seen him. I mean, he isn't with me," she says defensively. I wouldn't expect Jacob to be with Angela. They've both been close friends of mine since forever but were never really friends with each other growing up.

"Please just tell me he hasn't been renting a room there to have sex with one of the girls from Forks High. Or one of their mothers?" I plead.

"Bella, how could you think something like that about your best friend?" Angela asks with condemnation in her voice. I can't be sure but I think I can hear a husky male voice behind her. Something weird is going on.

"I know he's been seeing someone and he won't tell me who it is. What else am I supposed to think?" I reply defensively.

I hear muffled voices and it sounds like Angela's hand might be over the receiver. Suddenly it all clicks into place. Jake's evasiveness all week, Angela's nervousness with me now.

"Ang? Angela!" I shout to get her attention.

"Yeah, I'm still here, Bella."

"Put him on the phone," I say calmly.

"Who?"

"Jake. You guys are busted. Put him on the phone, please." The irritation in my voice is leaking through.

"Hey, Bells," Jake answers a moment later sounding defeated.

"Jacob Black, is your new secret girlfriend… the one who had you grinning like an idiot last weekend… my friend, Angela?"

He sighs deeply into the phone. "Yes. I'm sorry you found out like this. We've been trying to figure out how to tell you, Bella."

"How long has it been?" I demand.

"About a month, officially," he admits.

"You're on my shit list, Black. I can't believe you lied to me about this. Put Angela back on the phone please."

More muffled voices. "Bella?" she answers nervously.

"Hey Ang. Be honest," I say and pause momentarily. "Does that dipshit really make you happy?"

I can hear her chuckle in relief. She knows me well enough to sense my anger has passed. "Yes. He's made me very happy. I'm so sorry we didn't tell you, Bella. We just knew you were going through a rough time breaking up with Banner and I understand how it's got to be weird for you, you know? We're your closest friends, and you two used to date…"

"Ang, it's okay, really. That was so long ago and doesn't even matter now. I'm more surprised than anything else. And you don't have to worry about me. Banner wasn't really a boyfriend, remember? We just ended our arrangement. Yeah, it was his decision but I'm actually much happier now," I say hoping to convey the sincerity of my words.

"You are? Because of Emmett?" she asks. Emmett? Oh right, I used his name when telling Jake about my new Dom.

"Yes, because of Emmett. In fact, to show you how okay I am with this why don't you two come out here tomorrow night. I just made plans with Alice and her fiancé to have dinner at a local restaurant. I'd love for you to meet them."

"Okay, that would be fun. You've been talking about this Alice girl so much I feel like I know her already," she says giggling.

"Great. Meet us at Clancy's at 7, okay? Oh, and Ang?"

"Yeah?" she replies.

"I'm really happy for you. But don't tell Jake that I'm cool for at least an hour okay? I want him to stew a while."

She laughs and agrees though I know she's going to tell him what I said immediately after we hang up. I shake my head in disbelief after our conversation ends. I've thought of Angela and Jake as my sister and brother for so long that a relationship between them feels somewhat incestuous to me. It will take a little time to get used to the idea of my two best friends being together. I shudder at the thought.

The next night I meet Alice and Jasper at Clancy's for dinner. Alice was excited to hear my friends from home would be joining us and at the last minute Rose decided to come as well. Fortunately, Edward is working. I'm definitely not ready for Jake and Angela to know I've been fucking the object of my infatuation for the past two weeks.

We've already ordered drinks and appetizers when Jake and Ang show up. I stand to hug them both and then playfully mock punch Jake in the gut for lying to me for so long. I still can't believe they were afraid to tell me they were dating. After a day to get used to the idea I'm actually eager to hear the story of how this all came about. Honestly, it does feel weird to see them holding hands, but they do look cute together. I know my reason for feeling a little uncomfortable is childish. Growing up I was always the link between them. Jacob and Angela only ever hung out together if I was also there. And now seeing them enter the restaurant together makes me suddenly feel like the odd man out. It always used to be the three of us, and now it's them plus me. It makes me feel lonely.

I introduce everyone and the waitress comes back for Jake and Angela's drink orders. Alice asks for stories about High School Bella and Jake immediately launches into the highly unfunny time when I passed out during blood typing in Biology.

"You weren't even there, Jacob! He went to school on the reservation," I say in my own defense.

Jake calms his chortling long enough to respond, "Oh, but I felt like I was. It was all over town."

"Seriously," Angela agrees. "I had to walk her to the nurse and she almost vomited on her shoes."

I'm blushing and shaking my head in embarrassment when I hear Emmett's booming voice behind me. Craaaap! What is he doing here?

"You're telling vomit stories without me? Not cool, guys!" Emmett says as he pulls up a chair next to me and sits in it backwards. "Sup, Swan?"

"Hey there… buddy. How's it going?" I say nervously, knowing my cover is about to be so blown.

"Hi, I'm Emmett," he says holding his hand out in Jake and Angela's direction.

"You're Emmett?" Jake asks rudely.

"The one and only. And you would be?" Emmett responds still carefree and playful.

"Jacob," he answers standing up so quickly the chair almost falls over behind him. Everyone's heads turn upwards to see what's going on. "So you're the guy who's been having sex with Bella in front of strangers? Hitting her and treating her like one of your kinky little sex toys?"

"Excuse me?" Rose interjects. "What the fuck?"

Emmett puts his hand up to silence her and stands to address Jake. Jacob is taller at 6'5" but Emmett clearly has him beat in body mass. I pray Emmett has a better grasp on his temper than Jake.

"Look, kid, I don't know where you got the idea that Bella and I are together-" he begins coolly.

"From me," I groan hiding my face in my hands. "Please just sit down guys and I'll explain."

They both glare at me with confused expressions. Rose still looks mad as hell but now her anger is directed at me instead of her boyfriend.

"You said the sick-o's name was Emmett, Bells. Have you really been fucking this steroid junkie?" Jacob demands while sticking his thumb out at Emmett's chest.

I look at Rose and then Jake. "No. I haven't. Will you please just sit down?" They finally listen to me and I let out a long breath before attempting to explain the extremely embarrassing situation that I've found myself in.

"I am subbing for someone new, Jacob. And I know that upsets you but please don't embarrass me in front of my friends. I didn't want to give you his real name because I didn't know how you'd react and members of the club are supposed to keep things confidential."

"Jesus, Bella. I don't need his address and social. You couldn't at least give me his real first name? What harm would that do?" Jake protests.

"Trust me, all you'd need is a first name and it would give it away," I say blushing again.

Jake groans. "Is it someone I know then? I can't handle any more of my friends getting involved in this shit. Oh my God, it's not Embry is it?"

"What? No!"

"Quil!" he shrieks.

"No! It's no one you know. Ugh! This is why I gave you a fake name in the first place!"

I turn to Emmett, unable to look into Jacob's disapproving eyes any longer. "I am so sorry I used your name, but it's just the first one that came to mind."

Emmett pats my shoulder in a friendly way and tells me not to worry about it. He's laughing under his breath trying to downplay how entertained he is by all this.

Rose audibly sighs and I glance across the table to see her scowl has turned into amusement. She is enjoying my predicament too, now that she's sure her boyfriend isn't cheating on her. I briefly wonder how she is going to react to his training session on Thursday. That should be interesting.

"Back me up, Alice. I can't tell Jake my new Dom's real name, right?" I ask with pleading eyes.

"I agree with you that your new Dom needs to give you permission to tell Jacob his name, but honestly, Bella? You're going to have to tell your friends about him sometime. I'm sure he'll be okay with it."

"Alice?" Jake calls out catching me off guard. "Does this guy treat her okay? For real?"

Alice smiles warmly and replies, "Yes, Jacob. I've known him for years. He's one of the best people, and Dom's, I know."

"I've seen them together. Trust me, he's respectful of her. They're actually kind of amazing together. Everyone at the club thinks so," Rose says. I smile, grateful to hear Rose speak up for Edward too.

"Wait, you've been there to see them? Like watch them?" Jake asks horrified. Angela hasn't said a word since Emmett walked into the restaurant and now slides her hand over Jacob's in an attempt to calm him.

Rose, unafraid of speaking the truth, nods her head. "Of course. So has Emmett. I manage the club so I see almost every performance."

Jake stands again, though less abruptly than last time. "So you all… do this stuff?"

Everyone at the table except Jasper nods their heads in unison. "Jazz dabbles," Alice clarifies with a smirk.

"Bella, now you're making friends with the people who watch you have…? I'm sorry, I can't do this. Really, Bella I'm sorry. I know this is important to you, but all this," he gestures to the table full of D/S enthusiasts, "is too much for me. I'm gonna go pull the car around, Ang."

Jake walks away from the table and straight out the front door of the restaurant. Again every pair of eyes is staring at me. Angela gets up to follow him but first addresses my new friends.

"I'm sorry about him. Please don't take offense. It was really nice meeting you all," she says sincerely. "Bella, he just needs more time. I promise you he'll get over this. I think coming here was just a little too real for him."

I nod my head. "I'm sorry too. I shouldn't have asked you here so soon. I just wish it didn't have to be this hard."

Angela hugs me goodbye and waves to everyone again before going to meet Jake outside. The rest of the evening is a little tense, at least for me. I apologize to everyone for my friend's behavior. Jasper takes the opportunity to assure me some people have a harder time understanding our lifestyle than others and to be patient with Jake. Alice pecks him on the cheek and then gracefully changes the subject. She explains in detail what exactly to expect from a launch party and Emmett and I exchange nervous glances. At least I'm not the only one dreading this just a little bit.

I'm still really bothered by Jake's reaction tonight and the more I think about it the more upset I become. By the time I'm walking home it's close to 11pm and I can't keep my fingers from dialing Edward's number. I need someone who understands what I'm going through and even though I was just with Rosalie who technically fits that category, the person I really want to pour my heart out to is Edward. I'm daring to test the theory that he and I are truly becoming friends as my thumb presses send and the call connects.

"Good evening, Bella. This is a surprise," Edward greets sounding happy to hear from me unexpectedly.

"Hey. I'm sorry to bother you but I was wondering if you wanted to hang out if you're not too busy? I had a really bad night and need to talk to someone."

"Come over. Wait, weren't you with Alice tonight?" he asks confused.

"Yes, it's a long story. Are you sure I'm not imposing?"

"I'm never too busy for you," he says sweetly. "Come over whenever you want."

"Shoot, I'm so agitated I just walked back to my place. Let me change my clothes and I'll get in my truck-"

"No, don't. I'll come to you. If that's okay…" he offers cautiously.

"Oh, yeah that would be great actually. Thank you, Edward," I say emphatically.

"Don't mention it. I'll be there soon," he says and the connection is lost.

I open the door twenty minutes later to find Edward leaning against the door frame with a brown paper bag in hand. He offers it to me with a wide grin on his face.

"Chocolate ice cream? What a cliché," I tease peaking into the bag.

"It's not just chocolate, Bella. It's chocolate fudge brownie," he corrects.

"Thank you," I say moving aside to let him enter my apartment.

He's wearing light blue jeans and a t-shirt for some band I've never heard of. He looks so sexy I wish I'd thought to make myself a little more presentable. As soon as I got home I changed into pajama pants and a matching t-shirt. My hair is pulled back into a low ponytail. Edward eyes are roaming over the living and dining rooms as I lock the deadbolt on the apartment door.

"Um, have a seat anywhere. I'll go get us some spoons," I say gesturing towards the TV area.

Thankfully, my apartment isn't messy so I'm not embarrassed to leave him alone while I get a few things from the kitchen. I grab bowls, spoons, a banana, whipped cream from the fridge, and sundae sprinkles from the cabinet; loading everything on a tray and quickly rejoining Edward in the living room. He's bent over my bookshelf reading the titles. When I place the tray on the coffee table he turns around.

"You like the classics," he comments settling down on the sofa about a foot from where I sit.

"Yes, I do. What about you?" I ask curiously.

"We have a lot of the same books," he replies with an approving smile.

I want to ask him which of my books he also owns but his eyes are now focused on the tray of goodies I brought out.

"Must have been some bad night," he muses in a teasing tone. "I'll scoop out the ice cream. You start talking."

"Okay, well… First, yesterday I find out my two best friends have been dating each other behind my back for over a month," I begin. "I was really hurt that they didn't think I could handle the truth that they're together. It really doesn't bother me, not the way they thought it would anyway. These friends, Jacob and Angela, are the only two people who know I'm a submissive."

"Jacob is the one who doesn't approve, right?" Edward asks dishing out the ice cream into the two bowls.

"Right. And Angela doesn't really understand why I do it either, but she's at least supportive. Now that they're an item I'm worried Jake's gonna influence Angela to reject who I am the way he does."

"Why would you think that?" he asks.

I sigh and slump back against the sofa cushions. Edward hands me a bowl of ice cream with a slice of banana on one side topped with so much whipped cream I can't even see the chocolate ice cream underneath.

"You forgot the sprinkles," I joke.

"My apologies," he says chuckling and reaches for the sprinkles shaking a generous amount on top of my sundae.

I proceed to give him the whole story of what happened at Clancy's that evening. I tell him everything from using Emmett's name to Jake humiliating me in front of our friends and fleeing the restaurant. I explain that my own selfish concern of Jake and Angela being together is the fear of them becoming a united front against my lifestyle choice.

"I don't think he's ever going to accept this as part of who I am. I feel like it's coming between us and ruining our friendship," I say sullenly. "Sometimes I wish I'd never told him."

"Bella, do you feel shame in what we do together?" Edward's forehead crinkles under the weight of his question.

"Of course not," I respond without hesitation.

His face relaxes slightly. "Then you have nothing to feel bad about. Your friends will learn to accept this if they want you in their lives. Jasper was freaked out at first too. And now he's marrying a submissive."

"Jasper tried to reassure me tonight after Jake stormed out that he'll come around in time. It just hurts so much because Jake and his dad, and Angela too, are the closest thing to family I have besides my dad. I want them to understand me," I say.

"Maybe it would help your friends to meet me?" he suggests.

"Are you sure you know what you're offering, Edward? They'll recognize you from TV," I remind him. The last thing I want is to cause him needless worry.

"Your friends love you and are concerned for your safety, right? They aren't malicious…"

"No, I don't think they would tell anyone. I'm more afraid of what they'll say when they find out it's you," I explain. A light blush colors my cheeks. Edward cocks his head in confusion.

"Jake and Ang sort of know I have a teensy little crush on a certain anchorman…" I hint. "They'll either be more worried about me or tease me to death."

Edward laughs loudly as if this is the funniest thing he's heard all week. Once he is able to control himself again he says, "Wouldn't the preferred reaction be they find it humorous and make jokes?"

I shrug my shoulders. "Yes, I suppose the best reaction would be for them to laugh their asses off instead of a repeat of what happened at the bar."

Edward smiles and takes another spoonful of his sundae. "So tell them you'd like for them to meet the real me. Maybe a quiet dinner here; less witnesses," he grins. "I can be pretty charming when I want to be."

I shovel the last of my ice cream into my mouth and push the empty bowl onto the coffee table as I ponder the idea of giving Jacob an even bigger glimpse into my D/S life.

"I'll give them a call in a few days," I finally say. "I think Jacob needs a little time to cool off."

"Whatever you think is best. But I want you to be happy, Bella. I'll do whatever it takes," he promises sliding a little closer on the couch and taking one side of my face in his hand. I lean into his warmth and close my eyes as the pad of his thumb brushes across my cheekbone.

"Thank you so much for coming over tonight, Edward," I say staring into his mesmerizing green eyes. He smiles in response before leaning forward and kissing my forehead tenderly.

"Would you like to stay and watch a movie with me?" I ask unsure of his response. He probably has much better things to do than lounge around with his part-time sub and not have sex. My blush returns as I consider the possibility that Edward might have fully expected that my invitation to come over would include sex. My body is yearning for him as always but my heart just isn't in sub mode right now.

"You pick something to watch and I'll take these bowls into the kitchen," he says gathering up the mess of dishes.

I browse through the On Demand choices and settle on a comedy. When Edward returns he lies down on the opposite end of the couch and our legs tangle together in the middle. I decide to throw a light blanket over myself to keep warm and he tugs on the other end to cover himself too. We yank the blanket back and forth trying to achieve maximum coverage until we're both laughing at our childish antics. Finally he concedes and lets me have the majority of it.

About twenty minutes into the movie Edward surprises me by reaching his hands under the blanket and pulling my ankles into his lap. He takes one of my socked feet and starts massaging it casually under the covers. His eyes remain focused on the movie and I smile at his seemingly unconscious gesture. This is the first time we've really hung out together as friends, just the two of us. I feel so comfortable with him after just these past two weeks and it makes my heart swell. A few minutes later I risk a look at his face to find he's watching me. His gaze is so intense I can't fathom what he's thinking. He's clearly not watching the movie any longer.

"What did you do today? Hopefully your day was better than mine," I say feeling the need for small talk.

He gives me a crooked smile and continues working on my foot. "Today's Wednesday, so I woke up around ten and had lunch with my family. Then I went to work. When I got home I made some dinner that I was guilt into sharing with Beanie. Then you called."

"That sounds like a nice day. I wish I had a tradition like that with my family," I reply.

"Wednesdays are usually my least favorite day of the week. Seeing you has made it much better."

I don't ask why but my silent question must be evident on my face.

"Bella, I don't tell a lot of people this story," he says tentatively.

"You don't have to. I'm sorry for wondering. It's none of my business," I choke out in hurried words. In my haste I pull my feet away from his lap. Edward smiles cautiously and reaches for my foot again.

"I was trying to say that I don't usually want to tell people about my family but with you for some reason I do."

His voice is soft and I can't help smiling at him. Edward clears his throat and focuses his eyes on his hands that are massaging my foot.

"I told you about a family tragedy that happened when I was thirteen. My aunt and uncle, Jasper and Rose's parents, were driving home to Seattle one night after going down to Tacoma for a date. Even after eighteen years of marriage they were still very much in love. It was late at night when they were driving home and a drunk driver swerved across highway 5, hitting them head on. They were both killed instantly. The drunk driver walked away with minor injuries. He had been driving an SUV."

Edward pauses to gauge my response. I don't say anything but nod my head encouraging him to continue.

"The worst part for me was that I was staying with them the night of the accident. It was summer and I was there in Seattle to visit for a week. Rose was old enough that we didn't need a babysitter so it was just the three of us when the phone call came. I had to talk to the police officer on the phone because Rosalie wouldn't stop screaming. She just cried and screamed for hours until my mom and dad got there. Jasper had his fingers in his ears, just watching her in horror. I didn't know how to comfort them and I was in shock and crying too. We were three young teenagers alone in the house with no idea what to do."

"Edward, that's so horrible." He grimaces at my words. I sit up and place my hand over his, stilling his idle movements on my foot, and interlocking his fingers with mine.

"My mother was appointed guardian of Jasper and Rose who were just twelve and fourteen and the time. So they came to live with us in Port Angeles. They lived with us until we all went to college. We all chose different schools and after we graduated and moved back home my parents initiated the Wednesday lunch in John and Katherine's memory. My mother pledged to keep the family together, never forgetting how lucky we are to still have each other. It was hard on my parents to move to Seattle last year but it was a once in a lifetime opportunity for my father's career. Wednesday lunches became sacred after they left us three here. No one's ever dared to skip a week."

"It sounds like it's made you all very close," I say.

"Rose looks at their death more as a reason to never hold back in this life. Seeing how short life is and how quickly everything can be taken away from you. I think it's why she doesn't give a damn who knows about her submissive lifestyle and why she smokes and drinks in excess. Since the accident my mother has tried very hard to be a mother to Rosalie whenever she's needed one. She more so than Jasper still thinks of my parents as her aunt and uncle, and not her parents."

"I'm sure it's been hard for her to move on, Edward. She might feel like embracing your mom and dad would be like replacing her own parents," I suggest.

"Sometimes I think she keeps them at arm's length because of who she is. Rose won't admit it but she knows as well as I do how much knowing our secret would hurt them."

Boldly I reach forward and stroke my hand up and down his forearm feeling the soft copper colored hairs under my fingertips. "I've told you so much about me. It makes me feel good to know something personal about you too," I say softly.

I want so badly to snuggle into the crook of his arm and wrap my hands around his waist but that feels like a very girlfriend-y kind of gesture. I'm grateful Edward's finally opened up to me about his family and I don't want to make him uncomfortable by pushing the boundaries of our very new friendship.

"I don't know what it is about you, Bella, but you make me say things I don't ever talk about," he muses.

"I like that you do. I like feeling closer to you," I admit.

So far I'm failing miserably at not developing romantic feelings for him. It really is an impossible feat. Edward picks up the end of the blanket and starts fiddling with the hem. "You don't know how much I wish I could be the man you need, Bella," he whispers with his eyes fixed on the blanket.

"You're exactly what I need, Edward," I try to assure him; though I know deep down it's only half true. I want to feel his presence in my life always. I love spending time with him like this, curled up on the couch watching movies, and I love our nights together in the theater, but I also want to call him my master and submit to him every day. I've only just recently become comfortable with my submissive side. I don't want to have to back off from it in order to have a boyfriend. I want to explore it.

"Aren't you worried about the brick wall up ahead? Don't you think about how ultimately you'll tire of this arrangement and seek out something more satisfying?" he asks.

I've never met a commitment phobic Dom before but that's exactly what Edward seems to be. Suddenly I understand his fears. He thinks I'm going to do the same thing Jessica did. Leave him when Friday nights aren't enough for me any longer. I don't understand why he couldn't just give Jessica what she needed?

"Edward… I thought hanging out like this was already bending your rules of our arrangement? I feel like we've got something more, something indefinable, isn't that the word you used?" I ask terrified of his response.

He smiles but his brows crinkle together as if his mind is deep in thought. "Yes. It's true I've been seeing you more often than I did Jessica or the subs I had before her because everything is different with you. Still, I know how this will inevitably end and I'll gladly endure whatever pain this causes me when it does. I'm selfish enough to want to be with you for as long as you want me."

I consider responding that I'll want him forever but think it better to hold my tongue. I shouldn't make any promises. The truth is I'm becoming more and more attached to Edward as each day passes and that inevitable pain he speaks of is going to be mine to bear as well. We're like a couple who discover on their first date that one wants kids and the other doesn't yet they continue to see each other regardless. We're choosing to ignore the relationship deal breaker looming over our heads. Only I don't know what has made Edward so sure he isn't "Dom material" and I feel determined to change that. We just admitted that we mean more to one another than just enjoying a business arrangement. That has to count for something. This is the closest I've ever felt to being with someone who might actually be able to be my boyfriend and my Dom. I just need to make him see how good it can be having both.

I feel diabolical and giddy at the same time as the wheels in my head shift into overdrive. I'm drawing my motivation from Alice and Jasper, hoping to harness whatever it is that makes their differences compatible. I'll definitely need some time to construct a plan to bring out the real Dom in Edward. Tonight I'll work the boyfriend angle; remind him how nice it was sleeping next to one another last week.

"It's after 2am. Will you stay over? Just sleep," I offer giving him my sweetest smile and batting my eyelashes shamelessly.

I can see his hesitation but just as I was hoping, he caves to my offer and nods his head slowly. I stand up abruptly before he can change his mind and reach for his hand. He takes it easily enough and I tow him through my apartment into the bedroom. Luckily, I have a spare toothbrush for my impromptu overnight guest and after taking turns in the bathroom we both strip down to our underwear and slip under the covers. Edward's arm circles my torso and I stretch my face up to his for a goodnight kiss. He responds eagerly and it's a number of chaste kisses later that we both sigh and settle our heads into the pillows.

"Good night, Bella," he says sounding quite content.

"Good night, Sir," I whisper planting the first little seedling of my plan in his brain.