Thanks so much for your support. This chapters a bit of a warm fuzzy to help 'fill your tanks.' Enjoy!

xx Elise

~GV~

Chapter 20

After getting off the phone with Alice, I grabbed a quick shower and changed into dressier jeans and a more flattering sweater. Now that I was feeling more human—and hopeful—I didn't want to appear too slob-like in front of Edward. He offered a grateful-sounding thank you when I asked if he'd like to take a shower. After our earlier kiss, a part of me was hoping he'd ask me to join him. I couldn't help feeling a little disappointed when he didn't. It was silly of me, as I knew we didn't have time. The kiss he gave me when he came out into the living room, dressed comfortably and looking much fresher, made up for the missed opportunity and assured me we were still on the same page.

Earlier in the day, I'd wondered how he'd feel about having sex after having to dredge up such horrific memories. I wouldn't have blamed him if he'd needed time to separate himself mentally and emotionally from the traumatized teenage boy who had lived through the awful experiences he'd recounted. But the way he pressed me up against the wall, his whole body letting me know exactly how much he still wanted me, pushed those concerns aside. We had so much on our plates, but at heart, we were still a couple of twenty-somethings who'd fallen hard and fast and were crazily attracted to one another.

"Hold that thought," Edward murmured close to my ear when he finally drew away, both of us panting.

I may have whined.

Edward chuckled and pressed one last, quick kiss to my waiting lips. At least, it would have been quick if my hands hadn't locked together at the back of his neck, and my tongue didn't tease his to come play for just a little bit longer.

"Okay, okay," I whispered against his mouth when he drew back a second time. "I'll be good."

"Just for a little while," he murmured before nuzzling the deliciously sensitive spot below my ear. Lifting his head to meet my gaze, I was pleased to see his eyes were as slumberous as mine felt. "We can be bad later, I promise. But I really should make some calls, and then we're due to have dinner with Jasper and Alice."

"We can always cancel," I said, and his smirk came out in full force. "Not because I'm unable to resist you—though I admit, it will be a challenge," I conceded. "But because I'm sure they'll understand if you don't feel like socializing."

Edward sighed and took a small step back, but he kept his hands resting lightly on my hips. "I think we should go. They're your friends, and they're also the only other people, besides the partners at Jasper's firm, who know about Katie. I'm hoping between the four of us, we might come up with some ideas for what to do next."

"Are you going to call your folks before we leave? I'm guessing they'll have an opinion."

Edward shook his head. "I can't imagine telling them something so major over the phone. But if I ask them to fly here on short notice without explaining why, they'll worry . . . a lot."

I could understand that, as Charlie would be the same. "You could always say you want them to meet me, though that's a little odd after we've only been together for so short a time. I'm just concerned if this gets out before you have a chance to tell them—"

"No, I can't let that happen." Edward's shoulders slumped. "I don't like lying to them—well, other than the 'big' lie I've kept all these years. And I don't like using you, but if you wouldn't mind, I think I could make it believable that I'm eager for them to meet you—which I am. I just would've preferred keeping you to myself for a little bit first. They're going to adore you as much as they will Katie."

My breath stuttered at the thought, and I was tempted to ask Edward if he was sure his family would approve of me. I managed to resist, as he had to do enough reassuring of Katie, and he didn't need to be worrying about my insecurities. His mother sounded wonderful, though potentially overwhelming, especially to someone who wasn't used to maternal attention. My conscience stung a little when I realized I was relieved that news of Katie would draw the focus away from me. Wanting to make things easier, I suggested, "With all the stuff going on with the media, you could say we'd appreciate their support, which is true . . . just for things they don't know about yet."

"That will work. Thank you, Bella," Edward said, pressing another kiss to my lips and then going to pick up his phone from where he'd left it charging on my kitchen bench. His call to his parents seemed to go well, with them agreeing to fly out on Friday morning, the first day of his mother's, summer break from teaching art at her local high school. I vaguely recalled that Katie liked to draw, smiling at the thought she had inherited more than her smile from her paternal grandmother. Edward's father worked shift work as a paramedic, but Esme said the short notice wouldn't be a problem, as his boss was always telling him he needed to take more vacation days.

"How long should we plan to stay?" Esme asked. "Just a few days, I'm guessing, as we wouldn't want to cramp your romantic style. You are being romantic, aren't you? As that girl deserves to be properly wooed after everything she's been through."

"Mom," Edward said with a groan. "I've got you on speaker . . . like I always do, and 'that girl' can hear you."

"Edward! You should have mentioned Bella was in the same room with you. How was I to know?"

"Sorry, Mom. I'll try and remember in future. It's been a while since I've had a girlfriend, so it hasn't been an issue," he added, giving me a rueful smile.

"You're forgiven," his mother said. "Bella, dear, please forgive my earlier comment. I hope it didn't come across as insensitive. I want you to know that Edward's father and I can't wait to meet you, and we'll do anything we can to help. In the meantime, don't let those media bullies and internet trollops get you down. Promise?"

"I promise, Mrs. Cullen. I'm looking forward to meeting you and Mr. Cullen also."

"Please, call us Esme and Carlisle, or Mom and Dad if you'd prefer—"

Edward took the phone off speaker and lifted the cell to his ear. "Okay, that's enough, Mom, and they're Internet trolls not 'trollops.'" He rolled his eyes, and I muffled a chuckle behind my hand while he explained to his parents that they should plan to stay for an entire week, not just a weekend. From Edward's side of the conversation, I was pretty sure his mother took that to mean we were planning a hasty wedding, and she wanted to know if his brother, sister-in-law, and their children shouldn't fly out also.

"Just you guys for now," he said firmly. "Charlotte's still little, and I don't want to disrupt her routine— No, of course, I wouldn't do that without Emmett— Mom, listen, I'm not asking you guys to come out here because we're getting . . . you know. I just want you to meet Bella, and I meant it when I said we could do with your support."

By this time, I'd moved away, in part to give Edward some privacy and because I couldn't stifle my laughter any longer. After he assured his mother he loved her and would send the flight details as soon as they were arranged, he ended the call. Then, moving like a big, sleek panther, he pounced on me, picked me up, and threw me over his shoulder. I shrieked, never having been put in a fireman's lift before—it was surprisingly uncomfortable—and continued laughing after he carefully threw me down on my bed and then lay, full length, on top of me.

"So, you thought that was funny, Miss Swan? If I do recall, it was your idea to invite my parents up here on the pretense of meeting you. Are you sure you weren't just wrangling for a proposal? Because one could be arranged if you're open to the possibility . . ."

My laughter faded but not the smile from my face. "Not yet, but I could see myself being receptive to the idea at a later date."

"That is very good to know," Edward murmured just before his lips met mine. Kissing him was so wonderful, it drove all serious thoughts from my mind, like the fact we were joking about proposals when we'd only been together for two days. It felt longer, and despite the mountain of obstacles in our way, contemplating a combined future felt . . . right. Not that I was foolish enough to rush into anything permanent just yet. I'd be keeping my apartment, and my head, come what may. Or so I kept telling myself. I had a feeling my heart had a different agenda.

Edward broke the kiss long enough to look into my eyes and whisper against my lips, "I could do this forever."

I hummed my agreement, my own lids fluttering closed when his soft, warm lips molded themselves back to mine. I'd never considered myself to have a particularly addictive personality, but I was beginning to second-guess that assumption. I was also beginning to understand how an addict could ignore their responsibilities and lose all track of time chasing after their fix. Edward was fast becoming mine, and I had zero desire to face the real world outside the cocoon of his all-encompassing embrace. His size and strength dwarfed my comparatively petite frame, but rather than feeling overwhelmed, I felt safe and protected in a way I never had before.

After several long, delicious moments, Edward groaned and broke the kiss before things got too out of hand.

"We should stop," he murmured.

"We should."

"Or we could stay here indefinitely?"

"I wish, but it's almost time for us to go to Alice and Jasper's," I murmured. "Unless you're reconsidering canceling?"

"No, we should go," Edward said with a sigh.

We reluctantly rose from the bed, still clinging to one another and seemingly unable to separate.

"Do I have time to call Chelsea before we leave?" he asked, effectively breaking the spell woven intimately around us.

With everything that was going on, I'd forgotten I was supposed to speak with his publisher that afternoon, and I asked him to let Chelsea know I'd call her in a day or two. Edward had admitted she'd need to be brought up to date sooner rather than later, and it made sense to me that she should have all the facts before we made any plans for moving forward.

I'd also forgotten about the check for ten thousand dollars, but Edward hadn't. After finishing the call, which included getting the name of a local, reputable publicist who was expecting Edward's call, he collected the check from his luggage and handed it to me.

"Do you think the offer will still stand once she knows everything?" I asked, worrying at my lower lip. The money would make a huge difference in the short term, and the prospect of working with Edward and a professional publishing company was akin to winning the lottery. But I had new doubts to add to the existing ones I'd already considered. I was fairly certain the media was going to enjoy apportioning 'Bad Day Bella' or 'Bad Luck Bella,' as some of them preferred, part of the blame for Edward's past misfortune. It wouldn't matter that I'd only been a kid of twelve at the time and we'd never even met. The events coming to light so soon after we got together would be too juicy a coincidence for them to ignore.

I'd been determined not to make this about me, but I couldn't completely silence the niggling voice of doubt whispering in my ear. It taunted me, saying I'd been foolish to think something so wonderful as the opportunity to collaborate on a psychology-based writing project—my secret dream—could happen for me.

Edward's brows rose. "Why wouldn't the offer stand?"

I shrugged. "Once it gets out about Katie being your daughter, I imagine that will swamp everything else. I just thought the publishers might put the 'resilience' series on hold."

Edward looked taken aback, and I wished I'd kept my mouth shut. He didn't need my worries adding to his.

"I don't see why," he said sounding less-than-confidant. "I mean, if anything, what happened with Alec and Tanya makes my recovery and eventual success even more . . ." His words trailed away.

"Impressive?" I answered for him, and he gave a one-shoulder shrug. That Edward wasn't the sort of athlete to be constantly blowing his own horn was one more thing to admire about him. Wanting to distract him from the fears I knew were based in my old insecurities, I asked in a teasing tone, "So, tell me, Mr. Cullen, to what do you attribute your astonishing accomplishments?" My smile faded, as the gravity of the subject overwhelmed me. Most people would have been crushed by what he went through, and I found I couldn't joke about it. "I'm sorry, Edward. I didn't mean to be flippant. I'm just so impressed by how much you achieved considering everything you had to overcome. I heard what you said to Katie, about channeling your pain into training coaches and educating athletes about the dangers of hazing. Plus, I can see how having a physical outlet would have helped a lot. Still, it's incredible you turned out so well adjusted."

A shadow seemed to darken his eyes from grassy green to the color of a stormy sea. But then he smirked and drew me against him. "I'd tell you my secret, but it might discourage you from wanting to be in a relationship with me." I frowned, and he added, "Sheer stubbornness. It's my superpower. I am very determined when I set my mind to something."

I matched his smirk with one of my own. "I'd already received that impression. But since your determination has, so far, been to my advantage, I'm not complaining."

"Good," he said, wrapping his arms around me and sexily pressing his hips against mine. "Would you like to know what your superpower is?"

I blinked. "I was unaware I possessed one." I had a feeling the media would say I was Edward's kryptonite, but I kept that to myself.

"You have several," he said, his smile softening. "Beauty . . ." he murmured, lowering his head to brush his lips to mine. "Brains . . ." he whispered before kissing me tenderly. "And compassion," he added, cradling my head beneath his chin and encircling me in his arms. "Believe me, Bella, when I say it's a devastating trifecta."

If he hadn't been holding me, I might have swooned like a heroine in one of the historical romance stories I loved. Despite the shocks and difficulties we'd experienced that day, I was fairly certain my 'emotional tank' had never before been so full. In fact, I was pretty sure it was overflowing, which gave me confidence we would survive whatever else was thrown our way.

~GV~

Aww . . . Despite all the angsty drama, I like remembering they're still a young couple enjoying new love, more than a little lust, (not necessarily a bad thing) and a dose of 'OMG! I can't believe this is happening!' from finally getting to be with the people they'd been crushing on from afar.

Thank you so much to everyone who takes the time to share your thoughts or opinions. The reviews have dropped right off for this story. I'm not sure why. If you're still with me, I'd love to hear from you, even if it's just to say 'Hi.'

xxx Elise