AN: So, many of you enjoyed, much to my liking, Chapter 13. Many of you are also mad at my long waits between updates. I am really sorry about that, I'll try to update faster. This chapter was co-written with uemialice. She basically helped me with the whole plot and wrote a lot of this for me. So, credits go to her too! Also, thanks to OrangeBlossom626 for being my 200th reviewer! So, enjoy chapter 14!

Scrubs

Bella's POV

I couldn't believe my eyes, when the door had opened wide enough for me and Edward to look through.

The chairs were toppled over, the table broken, the glass in my cupboards shattered, the couch cut open, spilling filling feathers all across the room. The curtain was flapping wildly, since the glass in the window was busted, too. My beautiful condo that I took so long to decorate with my mother was ruined.

"Oh. My. God," I whispered. My condo looked like a battle field. Quickly, I ran into the kitchen, seeing that the cupboards where the silver cutlery and plates used to be, empty. In total shock, I flung every drawer, box or closet open I could reach… all empty.

This can't be! Oh God, and my money? My papers? Did they steal those, too? I pushed myself past Edward who was beside me all the time – squeezing comforting my shoulder – and hurried into my bedroom where my safe was. I sighed a breath of relief when I discovered that the thieves weren't able to steal it's content.

Edward was at the door frame while I sat down on my destroyed bed, burying my face in my hands. I could see him from the corner of my eyes shrugging away from the wall and placing himself beside me, wrapping an arm around my shoulders.

"At least I've still got my papers and money and all that," I mumbled into my hands.

There was a silence between us. Edward – probably not finding the right words – and I – too shocked to form any words.

Finally, Edward spoke, "Bella, you can't stay here. What you need is a safe place to stay. I've been planning on asking you this, anyhow – and excuse me for taking this moment as the perfect opportunity, but…" He grabbed my shoulders, and then taking one finger to tilt my chin up so he could see into my eyes. "Bella, would you move in with me?"

I deliberated for a second. Edward was perfect. He would never hurt me, and I really needed a place to stay. We weren't moving in the relationship too fast – not at all! It was perfect pace. So why not? Why not take the next step?

"Yes, I'd love to."

Edward smiled a kind, gentle and sweet smile. "Good."

I rested my head against his beautifully muscled chest, closing my eyes so I wouldn't have to see the debris of my bedroom anymore.

--

After Edward and I filed a police report, we went back to my condo, and Edward helped me gather my belongings. My clothes, shoes, and purses were still there, so I wouldn't be hearing a lot from Alice.

"That was the last one," Edward said, kicking the entrance door behind him shut and dropping the box at my feet. "You've really got a lot of books, love." He smiled and shook his head.

I wrapped my arms around his middle, smiling into his chest. "Yeah, I'm glad the thieves haven't been interested in those… must be really stupid low-IQ thieves then, huh?"

Edward laughed and kissed my hair. We stood there for a while, Edward rocking us gently in silence back and forth. I sighed, content. "Bella?"

"Hmmm?" I answered.

He was squirming a little, so I raised my head – chin resting on his chest – looking curiously at him. Edward seemed to struggle for words.

"Uh… do you want to, um… sleep in the guest room or with me in my bed? God, no, I don't mean you have to sleep with me, I meant, you could sleep in my bed while I sleep there, too. Or you could sleep there alone, and I would sleep on the couch or in the guest–"

I placed my hand over his mouth. A smile playing at the sides of my mouth. "I'd love to sleep with you in your bed."

Edward removed my hand, placing a kiss into the palm and the pressing his lips to mine.

"I love you, Edward," I said after we broke apart.

"I love you too," he replied.

After I had called my parents and informed them that I now lived with Edward because my condo was broken into, I had a hard time reassuring my mother that I was fine and that everything was okay. After I was able to calm her down, she was ecstatic when she heard that I from now on lived with Edward. She sounded really smug.

It was 10pm when I finally put down the phone – I had to call a lot of people and agencies to let them know of my new address – and I could go to bed.

Edward was coming out of the bathroom that was attached to his bedroom when I came into the room, his hair wet and tousled, wearing dark blue sweat pants, and no shirt. Oh God…

He smiled at me, pulling back the covers to slip under them, and I headed for the shower myself.

Fifteen minutes later, I exited the bathroom, using a towel to rub my hair dry – a little at least. I was wearing a tight fitting tank top and a pair of shorts. Edward was leaning against the headboard, one of his muscular arms draped behind his head.

When I got into bed on my side, he groaned. "Really, Bella. Are you trying to kill me? It's going to be hard enough with just the idea of you sleeping next to, and now you are wearing this? Do you expect me to close my eyes at all when I have such an extraordinary sight?"

I blushed but giggled. "Says the gorgeous man without a shirt."

Turning my face to him, he scooted down and wrapped his arms around me, pulling me closer. His breath was fanning over my face…he smelled so good…

"Hm… I wouldn't mind you shirtless, either." he grinned wickedly at me.

I slapped his shoulder playfully. "Edward Cullen, behave!"

Edward kissed my lips passionately before leaning back and flipping of the lights.

"Fine," he murmured, "goodnight, beautiful," but I could feel his hands on my back snaking lower and lower until they rested very low on my hips. My breathing hitched. He is such a tease…

Hmmm… two can play a game. I moved my hands around his neck lower and pushed them down his chest, painfully slowly, touching every inch, caressing every muscle, running my fingers across every dent and bump. My hands rested at the waistband of his sweat pants, one finger gliding along the rubber.

Again, Edward let out a groan. Quickly, he removed his hands from my "waist" and captured my hands in his. Then, he said, "Yeah, I get your point."

I smiled innocently at him, pretending not to have a clue. "What, honey?"

His eyes narrowed, realizing that I was playing with him. I giggled, letting my guard down, and pressed my lips firmly to his. He was eager to deepen the kiss, his tongue tracing the contours of my lower lip, but I pulled away and gave him one…two…pecks and then turned around, my back facing him.

I heard his sighing contently and felt his arms snake around my waist, pulling me very close to his chest. I could feel Edward lips on my damp hair.

"Edward, I thought I made my point clear?" I tried to keep my voice stern, but the feeling of his hands on me was too good.

"Yes, believe me, you've made it very clear. I'll let you sleep now." Despite his words, his hands glided lower again, until they were far under my bellybutton.

"Edward," I warned. But he interrupted me.

"What, so I can't even touch you anymore?" he said, feigning hurt.

I smiled, and patted his hands that were low on my hips. "You can, Edward, you can."

And the we fell asleep, in each other's arms.

When I awoke I realized that I hadn't slept this amazing in weeks. I opened my eyes and saw that my head was resting on Edward's chest. No wonder I slept so well!

"Ah, good morning, sleeping beauty," Edward said softly, taking one hand from my waist, only to stroke my hair gently. "Did you sleep well?" I felt him pressing his lips on my hair. I looked up and smiled.

"No, I didn't sleep well. I slept amazingly. Must be my pillow." I winked at him and then gave him a peck on the lips and hopped out of bed.

Edward stretched his arms out, begging me to come back into bed. I shook my head no.

"Nuh-uh, Edward. I couldn't promise for anything if I would come back into there with you. You are shirtless, after all." I winked again and jumped into the bathroom to take a long, hot shower. I knew I had just showered in the evening, but my hair was a mess since I didn't blow-dry it. After the shower I got dressed in a coral colored top and beige pants, and quickly did my make-up and hair.

Thirty minutes after I entered the bathroom, I got out, only to find no one in bed. Edward?" I called out and walked down the stairs. "Where are you?"

"Over here, love," I heard him say from the kitchen. He handed me a cup of coffee and we ate breakfast together, before Edward got ready for work. Our drive to the hospital was pretty uneventful, except that it was extremely difficult for Edward to maneuver through the freshly fallen snow.

When we got to the hospital, we went out separate ways to make rounds on our patients. Edward and I were assigned to be in charge of an adult case, which we don't normally do, but there were simply not enough doctors at the time. So, I became Luke Rowan, the patient's, primary care doctor, while Edward was his surgeon. He had a brain tumor, and Edward had never really done adult surgeries, so he was going to learn on this patient with one of the senior doctors.

It was very interesting to work with Mr. Rowan. Because of his tumor, the part of the brain that controls speech was damaged. So, he said whatever was on his mind. No matter what it was.

Edward and I were in Mr. Rowan's room while Edward was taking his blood pressure and I was writing some things down in his chart. Many other nurses and doctors were in the room, finishing their rounds and seeing other patients across the hall. Once in a while, Edward would look at me and we would share our little private moment.

Mr. Rowan seemed to catch that, he said loudly, "Hey, doc. From the look in your eyes I would say, you would really love to jump Swan over there, huh? If you don't, I would." Edward laughed and I immediately blushed. Everyone stopped what they were doing and gave us a knowing look.

We continued what we were doing except when Mr. Rowan and Edward made little jokes once in a while. Suddenly, Edward's phone rang. He pulled it out of his pocket, looking at the caller ID, saying, "I'd love to continue to talk with you, Mr. Rowan, but I really have to take this." And he was out of the room, but before that he leant to me, whispering into my ear, "He is so right, Bella."

When Edward was gone, Mr. Rowan said, "Huh, what did he say? Something like 'meet you in the on-call room in ten' or what?"

I rolled my eyes at him jokingly, though I had a grin on my face.

He said, "Ha, told ya."

We proceeded with the surgery-preparations. I handed the chart to the nurse Maggie, saying, "He is allergic to Isopropyl, so give him 10mg Milbarbitur, that ought to do it. And do not give him Sauresphenyl, because that doesn't go well with the 10mg. Try Dementyl and he'll be fine. When he's got any further questions, page me. I'm off to lunch."

I was sitting with Alice and Angela and a few other doctors at our lunch table. Alice came over from the boutique to meet Jasper. We were chatting and eating, having a light conversation. My head spun to the side – a smile still on my face from a funny story Angela just told me – when someone pulled the chair back beside me.

"Hey Edward," I smiled, throwing my arms around him when he sat down. He looked very distracted. He seemed to be staring in mid-air. I waved a hand in front of his face.

Edward looked at me. Apparently I had pulled him out of his reverie because he shook his head quickly and wrapped his arms around my waist. "Sorry, love." Edward kissed me on the lips with force, and I forgot the crowded lunch area around us. He was eager now, asking silently for entrance, which I allowed him immediately and his tongue slipped into my mouth. It was a heavenly kiss.

"Ahem," I heard someone clear their throat. It was Alice. We pulled apart, my face was flushed, but Edward looked casually at her.

"Guys… we are eating here."

I blushed even more, realizing that everyone had been looking at us. Oops. I buried my face in Edward's chest.

He laughed and said to Alice, "Fine." And he whispered convincingly into my ear, "Don't you think I will forget this. We will continue later where we just left off." I smiled broadly. I really liked this new turn in our relationship, we were starting to get closer and it made us both happy.

"Oh, guys, did you know that there's another intern coming to Mercy? Apparently he is a real trouble maker! He didn't pass the internship test four times, and the one time where he finally passed, it was so close." Alice held her hand up, motioning with her index finger and thumb a tiny space. "His name is Jacob Black, he'll start tomorrow."

"Alice, how do you know all this?" I asked her, incredulously. "You don't even work here."

Tiny Alice tapped her forehead. "Oh, well, what can I say? I'm psychic." We all laughed at that.

Edward was squirming uncomfortably in his seat when conversation continued. I looked up at him, my eyebrows raised. "What is wrong, Edward? Are you okay?"

He met my gaze. "Bella, I have to talk to you." He got up and took my hand, guiding me away from the others.

We were around the corner, when Edward came to a halt, took a deep breath and said, "Bella, my father called." I was anxious how he would continue. His father Carlisle was a wonderful man. He was compassionate, smart, and incredibly handsome. I hoped he was okay. "He's got friends in England… London, to be exact. And," the next words flowed very quickly out of his mouth and I had to concentrate on catching them all.

I had a feeling that those words would hurt me deep. "He wants me to visit them. They offered me a practical training at their hospital, I could gather loads of experiences like working at top hospitals, getting to use advanced technology, and it will look good on my CV. Dad said rejecting is out of the question."

"But that's great, Edward! It would be wonderful and really good in your curriculum vitae!" I said, trying to encourage him. A week or two without him… I could live, couldn't I? He deserved this practical training, he was an amazing doctor.

Edward sighed. "The thing is… it's for two and a half months."

AN: Ah. So what do you think? I don't think this cliff-hanger was as bad as last time. Well, I hope you liked this chapter! Please review! They motivate me, and me being motivated makes the chapters come quicker!

P.S. I forgot to add, I have a new poll on my profile, so please go vote.