I've had a bit of writer's block recently, but never fear....I'm not one to easily give up. I WILL be finishing this story. I promise. Don't write me off just yet :) Hope this chapter isn't a disappointment.

BPOV

I don't think I have ever slept so peacefully in my entire life. I felt my brain hum to life as my senses began to focus but I couldn't open my eyes yet. I didn't want to move from this moment. It was a small moment. But it was significant nonetheless.

I smiled to myself as I thought about my life at this very second.

I wasn't sleeping on a lumpy pile of life jackets. My stomach wasn't growling ferociously at me. I had clean clothes on. The ceiling wasn't leaking. There wasn't cold seeping through my bones. There was a window to my left where I could see the dark, early morning sky.

And the pale blue light streaming from it was trickling over the broad, bare shoulders of the most handsome man I had ever laid eyes on.

The man who loved me. The man with his arms wrapped around me like an unshakable fortress of protection and love. The man who was teaching me how to trust again.

I opened my eyes as my thoughts came to rest on Edward. I wanted to see him.

Jesus he is beautiful.

I wiped the sleep from my eyes and let them roam over his sleeping form. He was holding on to me like I might disappear. Gently, yet firmly. He was holding me with reverence.

I carefully ran my hands through his disheveled hair, a perfect, sexy mess on the top of his head. I had to bite my lip to contain my grin as he moaned in his sleep, leaning into my hand.

Hearing that sound resonate from deep in his throat made my body tingle. I immediately felt overwhelmed with this need to touch him. The need has always been there, since the day I had met him.

But now, there was no containing it. Edward Cullen was reminding me what it was to feel....lust.

I swallowed the lump in my throat as I came to that realization. I could feel the heat rise to my cheeks and I closed my eyes, trying to contain my stupid blush.

"What are you dreaming about that has your cheeks so perfectly pink?" I heard Edward say softly next to me, his fingers tracing my cheeks, his voice low and rough with sleep.

I became even more red as I his eyes found mine. His emerald orbs were sleepy and curious, accompanied by a smirk on his face.

Now, had it been just a few days ago, I would have brushed off his questions with shy laughter and resorted to my usual silence. But this man had told me he loved me. He loved me. I could keep nothing from him now.

"You." I answered boldly, feeling uncharacteristically confident as his brow raised and his grin grew wider. I heard his soft laughter and I wanted to live inside the sound. This was a happiness I had never known.

I felt his hand cup my face and his forehead rest against mine.

"I have dreamt of you all night, Isabella..." he whispered in a low voice before placing his lips on mine. I blushed again at the sound of my full name falling from his lips, thick with desire.

I turned my body, bringing it flush against his, earning me another groan from deep in his chest. My leg lifted on its own accord, hitched up over his hip, and I became acutely aware of the hardness now pressed against me. It was like I couldn't get close enough.

He deepened the kiss, his tongue moving slow and sensual inside my mouth. I was drinking him in, dizzy with joy.

When he finally broke away, we were both left panting and even more entangled in each other.

"You...you don't know what you do to me Bella..." he breathed, gently tucking a strand of my hair behind my ear.

I was rendered speechless by this tiny confession. God, I love him.

I wasn't anxious to get out of bed, but I knew that soon enough, Jasper and Alice would be in to check on Edward's condition. And if I didn't leave soon, I was highly likely to jump Edward's bones. Which wouldn't be a bad thing....but I wanted to do this right. I wanted to do this on his terms too. Slowly and carefully. I had forgotten what it was to date.

And I knew Alice was well aware of my escape to Edward's room last night... I wasn't exactly stealthy.

If I managed to slip back into her cabin while she was still sleeping, I might be able to delay the slew of questions she surely had waiting for me.

Edward questioned me with tired, concerned eyes as I slowly sat up and placed both feet on the floor. His grip tightly for a moment, unwilling to let me go.

"Alice." I whispered. Understanding lit his features and he rolled his eyes and groaned at the mention of his high strung sister, dropping his head in defeat against my arm.

I leaned over him carefully, turning his head and placing another sound kiss on his perfect mouth before tip toeing to the door.

"Bella?" I heard him whisper behind me. I turned to see him smiling widely at me.

"Yes?"

"I love you."

My heart burst.

"I love you too." I replied, hardly able to contain my smile. The toothy grin and scarlet blush never left my face even as I snuck back under my covers in Alice's cabin. I touched my lips, feeling the soft flesh there that Edward had just worshipped with his mouth.

Kissing him was something I knew I would never tire of. I marveled for a moment at what it was to love this much.

I had loved James once. But never had a felt such a deeply rooted connection. When I tried to picture my life without Edward in it, my heart stuttered. There was no going back now.

Everything in me was telling me that he was it.

I'd be his for as long as he wanted me. I closed my eyes and prayed that it maybe it would be forever.

~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/

I let hot water work its magic on me again when I finally woke up hours later. I was careful this time to hop out of the spray before it became freezing cold. I didn't think I could ever take cold water like that again. I wondered how Edward would feel if that icy blast of water hit him this morning. The thought worried me.

I prayed he was quick and got out in time.

When I returned from the shower I found Alice wide awake and looking at me expectantly. I couldn't help but giggle at the grin she was sporting. It was an..."I-know-what-you-did-last-night" kind of grin.

But thankfully, she didn't pry too much. She just insisted that she had seen this coming. I shrugged. When it came to Edward and I, Alice's intuition was spot on.

I dressed hurriedly, but took the time to tame my hair and make sure I looked alive before heading to the galley for breakfast. I was anxious to see Edward, hoping he was up and about and moving around all right.

As the galley doors swung open, I was overcome with the sweet sent of maple syrup. Rose was working her magic in the kitchen.

I searched the room for Edward, but didn't find him. Hoping to keep myself occupied before he arrived, I joined Rose in the kitchen to see if I could help.

I turned the corner into the kitchen to find Rose bopping her hips to a scratching radio while flipping fluffy banana pancakes over a griddle.

"Morning, Rose." I said with a smile. She turned to me with a wide grin and gave me a warm hug.

"Morning, Bella." she hummed. "Glad to have you up and about, baby girl. Now let me feed you!" she sang.

I laughed and helped her stack pancakes before helping myself to a warm plate. I spotted Alice and she waved me over to her table. Jasper was seated there as well, but there was still no sign of Edward.

"Miss me?" came a velvet voice behind me. My entire body immediately relaxed at the sound of his voice. I felt the distance between us close as he placed a searing kiss on my neck.

I bit my lip as I turned and smiled at him. He was dressed in a pair of dark denim jeans and a soft, dark blue pull over. He looked so cozy, I lost interest in my food and simply ached to wrap myself around him and fall asleep.

He placed one hand gently on the small of my back, guiding me to the table where his siblings waited with knowing grins.

As we all ate together, conversation flowed easily and laughter was a second language. I couldn't help but notice a sense of belonging I felt when I was with them. All of them. I felt right here.

I saw the same feelings reflected in Edward's eyes as he looked at me. His face a canvas of adoration and joy.

Carlisle and Esme came to join us, holding close cups of tea as steam rose from their mugs and swirled through the air.

The pair of them seemed at peace by each other's side, but one look in their eyes told a different story. There was worry there. Concern.

Something had happened.

"Dad?" Edward spoke up, he too noticing the expression etched on his father's face. "What's going on?"

Carlisle sighed. "We've hit a small bump in the road." he said. "One of our engines is down. I had Emmett take a look at it, but we need to make port to really assess the damage."

I heard the collective sigh in the room at these words.

"It's not something I had expected. I had the entire ship inspected before we left...everything was running perfectly...." he continued. "But it seems we have been put on temporary hiatus. We'll be docking in Pradhoe Bay sometime in the next three days. Alice, I'll need you to make a list of any needed supplies before we get there. And please ask Bella what kind of supplies to purchase for the butyric acid bottles or whatever else she needs...."

"Emmett...you will accompany me to the harbor master when we arrive and see if we can figure out this issue quickly...although I'm certain we may have to stay the night while repairs are being made..."

"Dad?" Edward spoke up. "What can I do?"

"You can rest, son. You and Bella both need to just rest." he answered with a sigh and tired smile.

The plan sounded simple enough, but I worry was nagging at the back of my mind. If we docked, James would know. He would find us. Or worse, Aro would find us. Or both.

And it did not escape me, that Pradhoe Bay was my home town. Only Edward knew this. Which meant pulling up to the docks not far from my father's boat. This was also a huge risk. If James were here, he had total leverage over me. All the people I loved in one place.

"Carlisle?" I said, needing to voice my concerns. If any one of the Cullens were to leave the ship, they could be in danger. "It's not safe. Pradhoe Bay is...."

"I know, Bella." he said apologetically, reading my thoughts. "But at this moment, we don't have much of a choice. Pradhoe is the closest available port that has the parts we need to fix the engine. We will take care of it all quickly and quietly. I'm not sure what Aro or James has planned, but it will be highly likely that they carry out their intentions on a vessel this size in the middle of a public port. I have to rely on that. It doesn't make me happy in the least, but it is what must be done."

The finality in his words was irrefutable. There was nothing I could say. He was right, we were out of options.

The happiness and care free feeling I had felt this morning was shattered into a million pieces with the heavy weight of worry. Anything could happen. I swallowed the lump in my throat and did not allow myself to cry in front of these beautiful people. Carlisle and Esme left and headed for the radio room. Carlisle had been keeping in touch with the Denali family.

His last message to them received no response.

I felt Edward's hand on my knee, squeezing gently. I turned to look at him, his features laced with concern. He nodded quickly towards the door and I rose with him to leave, giving strained smiles to his brother and sister and hurrying the hell out of there.

Edward walked us quickly and silently to his room, closing the door softly behind him. I was choking on my words, unable to speak when suddenly he turned towards me and wrapped me in his arms. His hold on me was perfect pressure, perfect protection, perfect love. He knew without my voice that I just needed him to hold on to me before my knees gave out with worry.

I was terrified.

Edward was kissing my forehead and cheeks, brushing loose hair from my eyes and he looked me over. My breathing had steadied quite a bit but my voice was shaking. I reached up to reverently touch his face as words finally came to me.

"Just a month or so ago, I had nothing to lose." I said, tears collecting in my eyes. "And-and...n-now...."

"Bella, it's alright...it's okay..." he tried to sooth me.

"No, it's not okay. I can't help but feel like this is a big trap. All the people I love in one place...in my hometown...." my mind was racing. "My dad..." my voice broke in pain. "He'll be there...and I can't...I can't even...."

"We'll find a way, Bella...everything is going to be okay." he said softly in my ear as he continued to hold me, rocking us gently back and forth. "I won't leave your side. I promise."

I didn't know what to feel at this. More worry or ecstatic joy. The fact we were only three days away from port only made me want to hold onto him tighter now, while we had time.

It scared me that this could quite possibly be all we had.

I could sense his surprise as I kissed him hard, trying to tell him with my lips how fiercely I loved him. He was healing me from the inside out. For that I could never thank him enough.

He yielded to my kiss, giving in return equal passion as our mouths moved together. My arms fell around his neck, my hands in his soft hair. I felt his hands running up and down my back, sweet pressure behind their touch as he gripped my sides.

A moan escaped my mouth as his kisses moved to my neck. I shivered at the sensation of his soft lips on my sensitive neck. I could not help but moan aloud again as those kisses became open mouthed, the delicious wetness of his hot tongue dancing over my skin.

I pressed my body closer to his, grinding my hips against his, earning a hiss and moan from him.

"Bella..." he breathed, his gaze dark with want.

I silenced him with another searing kiss and moved my hips against his again, feeling the hardness there. I let my lips find his throat and left a trail of hot, wet kisses down his neck, provoking more mind boggling moans from this man. The sound alone was enough to undo me. I felt warmth pool between my legs.

I used the soft rocking of the ship to usher us in the direction of his bed. We fell in a heap together onto his pillows, our lips never parting.

I had landed on top of him and was now straddling his hips, taking a moment to look down at him, both of our gazes filled with this beautiful composition of lust and love.

I became afraid again. If tomorrow went badly, if anything happened...I would never see this, feel this...have him.

Frantically I pulled off my shirt and scrambled to take his off as well. I was left exposed before him in only a skimpy bra and my jeans. I watched his eyes widen with adoration and he sat up to meet me, my legs now around his waist.

He looked hesitant for a moment and for that moment I couldn't read him. I sucked in a breath as he bowed his head forward and I felt his lips meet my rib cage. He was adorning my bruised middle with his kisses.

I felt the tip of his nose trace up my ribs and higher as he nuzzled the space between my breasts, placing more sweet kisses there.

I wanted to cry. I never expected that anyone could love me like this. He was reverent and caring, unlike James had ever been. He truly loved me...and now it was all on the brink of disappearing.

I reached behind me, scrambling to unhook my bra when suddenly Edward had flipped us over and was now on top of me. He took both of my hands and kissed them, stopping them from unclasping my bra. He shook his head at me, ceasing my advances and crushing me with rejection.

I couldn't look him in his eyes. Maybe he really didn't want me. Maybe I had been an idiot and thrown myself at him and now he's changed his mind...

I was blinking back tears when I felt his lips on my neck and his hands in my hair. His kisses were slow, there was no panic or hurry, there was only him. He stopped, hovering over me, our noses mere centimeters apart. He could read me like an open book. And his next words had me melting in his arms.

"Oh Bella...do you have any idea how badly I want you right now?" he whispered, placing a hot, slow kiss on my lips. "How badly I want to take you? To make love to you?"

His kisses went lower and lower, trailing my collar bone and making me gulp.

"You are everything I have ever wanted," he said, his green eyed gaze burning through me. "I would give you the world if I could..." His lips traveled over the tops of each of my breasts.

He stopped his ministrations to return to my face, stroking my cheek and looking me in the eyes.

"And thats I want to make love to you when it's right. I want it to be everything you deserve." he said softly, the hum of his voice vibrating through his chest which was pressed against mine. "I don't want it to be frantic, or rushed, or out of fear of tomorrow."

"Don't be afraid, love." he said. "I'm not going anywhere. I love you."

I nodded through my tears, pulling him to me and wrapping my arms around him. I was so thankful that he understood me so well, that he knew what I needed even before I did.

Without bothering to put our shirts back on, we pulled up the covers over both of us. Our chests were pressed together and Edward's fingers were splayed perfectly across my bare back. Gingerly, he tucked us in and enfolded me in his arms.

I let myself become lost in him, his scent, his touch, the feel of his chest rising and falling beside me.

"I'm not going anywhere. I love you."

I sank into a restless sleep, my eyes heavy from tears shed. I felt Edward's fingers running through my hair.

Tomorrow could wait. The fear and the worry and the panic, could wait.

Here, in these arms, nothing could ever hurt me. As long as this was my home, nothing could ever hurt me.

So, big drama next chapter obviously. Let me know your thoughts! Next chapter will probably have both Bella and Edward's POV. I hope you enjoyed. :)