Thanks for everything, guys. Love you all.

Took me forever to write this chapter, but I really love it. I hope you do, too. I'm bad with replying but I read and cherish every single review, so please drop one!

…

270 Days

"I want to take you on a date."

That got my attention, and I turned the television off. "Oh, really?", I asked, turning my body to face him.

Edward rolled his eyes, pulling me onto his lap in one sure motion. It seemed to be a habit of his, and I loved it. His arms were strong and safe, and I craved closeness. "Yes, really. I've been in California for what, five weeks? And we have yet to go on a date."

"We go out all the time," I argued, playing with the collar of his tee shirt.

"Yeah, but I've never actually gotten to plan a date for you. You whip out your Zagat every time we eat out, even if it's takeout. I want a date. You know, pick you up at the door, whisk you off to some surprise location…Why don't you want to go on date?" Edward pouted, but I just rolled my eyes and pinched his cheek.

"It's not that I don't want to go on a date. I just think it's unnecessary."

Then it was Edward's turn to roll his eyes. "I won't take no for an answer, Bella. You're my girl, and I'm going to take my girl on a date. Besides, if we never get to that alluring third date…"

"Oh my god, stop!" I exclaimed, feeling my cheeks redden, partially because of his swoon-worthy use of "my girl" and partially because of the reference to sex. It wasn't that I didn't want to have sex with Edward again, because I really did, but I was having a hard time forgetting about my sex life with Ben. And it wasn't a good thing, because it has taken weeks of therapy to realize that sex with Ben had not been healthy. He had exploited me, not only with the pictures, but by making me believe that sex was always up to him.

"I'm kidding, Bell," Edward whispered, kissing my cheek softly. "I'll never pressure you, I promise. I love you too much."

"I know, and I love you, too." I kissed him back, on the lips this time. "You're not pressuring me. And you're not going to have to wait until the third date." With a wink, I got up off his lap and scooched back over to my side of the couch.

I flipped the television back on, a triumphant smile on my face as my words sunk in.

"Wait, are you-"

"I guess you'll have to plan that date and then you'll see."

...

281 Days

"Come on, at least give me a hint!"

"Absolutely not," Edward shook his head.

I watched him as the mirror as he shaved, transfixed by the way his hands moved.

"Do you need the mirror?" He asked, gesturing to the tube of mascara I held in my hand. "I'll be done in a minute."

He finished up quickly, pressing a kiss to the corner of my mouth before vacating the bathroom and leaving me to continue prepping. I took my time applying my makeup and getting dressed, letting my mind wander as I tried to think about what Edward might have planned for this date. It seems so silly, especially because he's been in California for over a month, but the physical side of our relationship has hardly progressed. Of course, the fact that we were occupying such a small shared space also made it a little odd. But we were still savoring every moment of it, even though the sexual tension was off the charts.

…

"Dinner was delicious," I murmured, kissing Edward for what seemed like the fiftieth time in the last fifteen minutes. "Having drinks at the winery was amazing. And the dancing…I haven't been dancing in years. I can't believe you planned such an amazing first date."

"Well thank you. You deserve it, Bella. I'd do this and more for you every night, if you wanted," Edward said, stopping in the middle of the sidewalk and kissing me deeply. I giggled through it, making Edward stop. "What?" He asked, reaching up and rubbing his thumb along my bottom lip. I loved all this physical contact, because it felt like we always had to have a connection between us. It might seem clingy, but to me it's just romantic.

I shook my head, and it didn't escape my notice for a minute that I haven't been this happy in years. "We're never going to make it home if we keep stopping to tangle tongues. And while I absolutely, completely loved every minute of our date…you sure did come up with a lot of things to postpone sex."

Edward laughed boisterously, sweeping me off my feet and up into his arms suddenly. I yelped, but he silenced me with one more kiss before carrying me the rest of the way home.

…

"Are you sure?"

"For the millionth time, yes, I'm sure," I whispered, standing with him in the doorway of the bedroom we've been sharing. But tonight, it'll become different.

"Because last time-" Edward began, but I shook my head.

I pulled him towards the bed, looking deep into his beautiful eyes. They were the same as Ben's, but they held so much more compassion and love. I wasn't afraid anymore. "Last time was different. I love you, Edward. I'm not afraid anymore, and nothing is going to come between us."

"I love you so much." Edward gave up resisting, lying down on the bed and pulling me on top of him. I fumbled with his belt, suddenly drunk with desire. He finally took over, and I pulled my dress off over my head as he stripped. Before I could disrobe entirely, Edward's lips were on my skin, and his hands toyed with the hem of my lacey panties before slipped beneath them. I gasped, tossing my head back towards the ceiling. The firefly lights I had hung around the room were the only source of light, bathing the entire room in a beautiful haze that made it seem that much more sensual.

Unlike the last time, Edward pulled me on top of him. It took him no effort at all to manhandle me and get me where we wanted me. Knowing that Edward was big and strong, in every way, made him that much more irresistible. And while he was able to manhandle me in a way that I loved, him putting me on top also made me in charge. He reached for a condom, but I shook my head. "I trust you," I whispered, wanting to experience sex without barriers with the man I knew to be the love of my life.

Edward kissed me again, but slow and sweet this time.

But enough was enough, and I reached down between us and let him slip inside as his hands reached up and grabbed my hips tightly. He reached so deep inside me that it almost hurt, but the ache was delicious.

He groaned beneath me, his eyes screwed shut. I moved slowly at first, savoring every stroke and allowing my desire to build up steadily. After a few minutes, I pulled back, and Edward's eyes flew open again. "Come here," he whispered, rolling us over so that he was on top. He entered me again, still moving slowly and taking in every sweet moment. We were really making love this time, and the sensual closeness filled my heart in ways I didn't know were possible.

We kissed without wavering, our hips moved in tandem as we did. And when it was over, we held each other tightly. It was everything that we missed last time.

"I love you," Edward said again, brushing my hair back before placing a tender kiss on my forehead. "Everything before you was nothing. You're my whole world."

…

Bonus points if you noticed the "Friends" reference- I couldn't resist.