A/N: Happy Tuesday, everybody. Welcome back to the next chapter of Puzzle of my Heart.

The reactions to the last chapter were overwhelming. Many of you were happy with the progress Bella made. But some were shocked that Bella and Edward had that kind of an active past. I'm glad you all got over it after I explained my reasoning in my answers to your reviews. I'm trying to answer all of them, and I hope I didn't forget anyone. Unfortunately, I can't answer the guest reviews. Thanks for all of you who take the time to let me know what you think of my work. It means a lot to me.

I have to thank my wonderful betas EdwardsMate4ever and evelyn-shaye for helping me with this story. I don't know what I'd do without your creative input. But because I tweak around until the last minute, all mistakes you may find are all mine. I also want to thank my friend and prereader Vampgirl79 for her continuing support. Without her, this story would probably still only exist in my head.

So, let's see what Bella and Edward are up to this week. See you at the end.

Disclaimer: Thank you, Stephenie Meyer for giving us what we all love so much. It's all hers.

******POMH******

Chapter 19 – Thanksgiving

Five-thirty came way too quickly. As soon as the alarm went off, I silenced it, careful not to wake my dad. Edward slipped out of my bed, put on his pajamas that were on the floor, and after kissing my lips tenderly once more, he went to spend the rest of the night on the couch.

I tried to fall asleep again, since I had the opportunity to sleep in this morning, but it wouldn't happen for me again. The bed was all of a sudden way too big and much too cold.

When the clock displayed that it was six, I decided to get up and take a shower.

Half an hour later, the house was still silent as a graveyard. It seemed that Charlie and Sue had decided to wake neither Edward nor me this morning. So, when I was done drying my hair with a towel, I put on my sweatpants and sweatshirt I kept here for days like today and went downstairs.

Edward was lying on the couch, looking asleep as I peeked into the living room. Although some kind of gravitational force was trying to pull me inside and watch his beautiful face as he dreamed, I summoned the strength to walk past the door and go to the kitchen to start breakfast.

As I was standing there cracking eggs to scramble them, gentle arms wrapped around my waist, pulling me against a warm, solidly-built body.

"Good morning, beautiful," Edward's melodic voice sang quietly. "I hope you slept well?"

I smiled at my eggs, answering, "I did. My bed was very warm and cozy. How was your night?"

"It didn't start very pleasantly. The couch is really uncomfortable. But, after some playtime, I was invited to stay in a very nice bed, and I slept like the dead." He nuzzled my ear with his nose for what felt like forever — a really nice forever — until Charlie's steps thundered from the top of the stairs. In a fraction of a second, Edward had taken a seat at the kitchen table while I resumed cracking eggs.

"Good morning, kids. You're both up early. I hope you had a good night?" Charlie greeted us when he entered the room.

I opened my mouth to answer him, then instantly bit my tongue when I realized, that I had been about to say "Yes, we slept very well." Edward seemed to notice my moment of distress and chimed in, "Good morning, Charlie. Thank you, I'd been sleeping soundly until Bella here came downstairs a few minutes ago."

By the time he'd finished, I'd snapped out of my daze. "Good morning, Dad. Yes, I slept very well, too. What about you?"

"Thanks. But, Bells, you really shouldn't get up early to cook breakfast. Relax. You're a guest. Let us serve you breakfast." He took two mugs out of the cupboard, filled them with coffee from the pot I'd just made and put one on the table in front of Edward before he sat down beside him.

"Dad, you're the one who always tells me that this is my home. Now you tell me that I'm a guest. You can't have it both ways. If this is my home, then I can cook breakfast for my family in my kitchen." I grinned from ear to ear, having beaten him with his own words.

"Okay, okay. You're right, as usual. But hurry. Sue won't be as easy to convince as I am."

The three of us laughed together, and as Sue came down, Edward excused himself and went upstairs to freshen up.

****POMH****

Usually, after Edward and I spent a night together, the following morning was kind of sweet. We touched a lot, cuddled a little, sometimes we even kissed. Today had to be different, though. Charlie's and especially Sue's observant eyes were on us almost the whole time during breakfast. Anyway, we managed to sneak in a little touch, every now and again, or a knowing look into each other's eyes.

After breakfast, Charlie announced that he needed to go to the police station to pick up some stuff, just like he did every year, and he insisted on taking Edward along, saying we women needed the house to ourselves to prepare dinner.

I couldn't help the frown that showed on my face at the prospect of my dad spending time alone with Edward, but I couldn't come up with a plausible reason why he shouldn't. So I watched Edward follow Charlie to the cruiser with a wary expression.

As soon as they had driven off, Sue started to ask questions again.

"How long did you say you and Edward have known each other?" She tried to sound indifferent, but I knew she was everything but.

"About four weeks," I answered shortly.

"Four weeks." She continued peeling potatoes for some time while she seemed to be deep in thought. "You seem very close for friends who have only met four weeks ago."

It was not a question, but I had the feeling that she was waiting for an answer anyway.

"I know. It was like that almost from the first sentence we spoke to each other. And we're spending a lot of time together. See, he's Jasper's friend. He spends a lot of time with Jasper, and I'm with Alice all the time, so we're necessarily together a lot." I hoped very much that she would leave it at that. But I knew Sue. She always meant well, but she never gave up.

"It's not only that you seem to know each other very well. You seem very comfortable around each other. And you seem to be physically close. It didn't seem to bother either of you that you were touching from your knees up to your shoulders the whole time last night. Normally, people try to avoid contact like that unless they're in a relationship."

Dammit. She was too observant. I hadn't even realized that we were in contact all the time. If she had noticed that, what else could she have seen?

She continued before I could come up with a witty reply. "And the way he looks at you. There's a tenderness in his eyes every time they focus on you."

Was there, really? I was sure he liked me, but tenderness? Well, of course, after having sex we were quite touchy and tender with each other. She must be over-interpreting that.

"Sue, no matter what you try to read into this or him, we're friends. Good friends, but friends. We're not in a relationship. Neither of us is after that right now." I wasn't so sure if that was still the truth. But the second it was out, I knew I had said too much. Neither Charlie nor Sue knew what had happened with Jacob eight years ago. I supposed they guessed that I'd had a crush on him, and they knew that we'd had some kind of quarrel which eventually led to cutting all contact, but I was sure they didn't even suspect how much what happened back then still affected my life today. Nor did I want them to know.

"That's a shame. Bella, I'd hoped that you might finally have found someone who's right for you. I would be so happy if you found someone to love, who respects you and loves you back. And you and Edward seem so right together." Her voice was soft, and her tone was holding nothing but motherly concern.

I didn't dare to think about how right she was, how much I felt the same way. I didn't want to admit it to myself, but being around Edward felt exactly right. Still, I was more than afraid to be rejected, to get hurt again. So I didn't let either me or anyone else believe that there was even the slightest chance of him and me being together in the future.

"Sue, can we please drop the matter? Things are as they are. I may someday meet someone or I may not. Until then, just accept things as they are."

She sighed heavily but didn't insist on continuing the uncomfortable conversation.

****POMH****

Dinner was very good, and after a long discussion, Edward had persuaded Sue to let him help me with the dishes while she and Charlie went to sit in the living room.

"Thank you, Bella, for inviting me to your home. It's really nice meeting your family," he said as he picked up a glass to dry.

I put a plate next to the sink that needed to drip off. "They like you, too, especially Sue."

"You know, your dad didn't take me to the police station today." Our conversation was very quiet so that our words couldn't be overheard.

I was surprised and curious. But before I answered, I glanced back to make sure that Sue and Charlie weren't listening. Still, I lowered my voice to be safe. "He didn't? Where did he take you then?"

"To a bar. We watched sports, and over a few beers, he told me to be good to his little girl and take care of you." His lips curled up into a smile, but instead of irony, which I had expected to find, it seemed to hold deep emotion.

"I hope he didn't bother you too much," I said apologetically, embarrassed by my father's words.

His tone was sincere, and there was no trace of mockery when he assured me, "No, he didn't. It was actually very sweet, and I promised him I would."

The heartiness in his expression made my heart swell. Was he just humoring Charlie or did he really mean what he said? I felt the need to assure him that he wasn't obligated to follow through.

"Well, after a long conversation with Sue today, I decided to let them think whatever they want. No matter what we say, they don't believe us anyway." I noticed a quick flash of sadness cross his face but it was gone again a second later.

We washed and dried in silence until the last plate and glass were back in their respective cupboards. Before we went to join Charlie and Sue, we took a moment to stand next to each other, leaning against the kitchen counter, taking another peaceful breath before the scrutiny would continue.

"Will you come to my room tonight?" I asked, although it was somehow hard to get the words out.

Edward looked down at me with a smile. "If you want me to," he said softly.

"Yes, please." I nodded before I took another deep breath and added, "Come on. Let's start the last round for today," and went off into the living room.

We spent the evening just like the one before: sports, beer and wine, before Sue prepared Edward's bed, although he insisted on doing it himself. Then we said another round of awkward good nights and all went to bed.

An hour after I had slipped under the covers, I heard my door open and close again, and a moment later, Edward joined me under the blankets, wrapping his arms around me.

"So, what did you have in mind? Another round of action that will cause you to blush?" His brow was raised in mischief.

"No. I just thought … I mean, you said the couch was uncomfortable whereas my bed was alright. So I thought I could share it with you." Oh my God, I was rambling.

"Thank you." I could hear a content smile in his voice as he pressed his lips to my forehead. Without another word, he pulled me closer. It felt so good that we were asleep only minutes later.

****POMH****

Like the morning before, the alarm went off at five-thirty. Again, Edward left me after kissing me goodbye. But unlike the day before, I didn't even try to sleep some more and instead took another hot shower. Then I took the time to pack my stuff. After all, we had planned to leave right after breakfast.

Since the whole house was still completely silent, I went straight to the kitchen to make coffee. It only took about five minutes to be done and, as soon as the water was through, I poured myself a cup and sneaked soundlessly into the living room.

Edward was on the sofa, lying on his side, his face turned to me, in what seemed like deep slumber. I thought about going back to the kitchen and letting him have his rest, but today, the force pulling me closer to him was stronger than my better judgment. I tiptoed toward the couch until I was standing right in front of it. I didn't want to wake the beautiful man sleeping in front of me, so I sat down on the coffee table without making any noise.

The mug filled with fresh coffee was still in my hands, but I didn't dare to take a sip, afraid the slightest noise could disturb this moment of peace.

Edward's chest was slowly heaving and falling again. His full sensual lips were in a slight smile as if he were having a pleasant dream. I felt my heart ache, wishing that he might be dreaming about me. His normally messy hair was a little bit more disheveled than usual, considering he hadn't had the chance to attend to it yet. One of his hands was under the pillow, while the other one seemed to rest right above his heart. My fingers were itching with the need to touch him, caress his angel face, trace his lips with the tip of my index finger, run my hands through his hair.

"Were you planning to offer me some of that coffee, or do you want to go on torturing me with its delicious scent?" Edward's voice startled me, and a gasp escaped my throat. I couldn't have been any more shocked if we had been in the climax of a horror movie.

I blushed, feeling caught watching him. "Sorry. I didn't know you were awake." It was a good thing the room was too dark for him to see the blood rushing to my cheeks.

"Obviously. Now, what about the coffee? Are you going to surrender it willingly, or do I have to lick the remaining caffeine off your tongue?" His eyes were wide open now, one brow raised with mischief.

I was actually going to offer him the cup but instead, after his inspiring suggestion, I lifted it to my lips and slowly and pleasurably drank several sips from it. Then I put the mug down and smiled smugly at him.

"Now don't you complain. You had it coming." Edward growled as he sat up and leaned over, roughly wrapped his arms around me and pulled me to him. Then he rolled on top of me, pinning me to the couch. With a wicked grin he crushed his lips to mine, forcing his tongue into my mouth, dramatically trying to lick the remains of the coffee off.

What started playfully very soon turned into a passionate, out-of-breath make-out-session. Edward's hands were gliding up my sides under my shirt, and I clearly felt his erection pressing into my thigh. My hands were combing through his hair, and moisture started to pour from my center when, suddenly, my father's voice came from the stairs. "Sue, I'll be downstairs."

It was nothing more than a loud whisper, and we were lucky to have heard it at all. Although my dad was effectively cock-blocking us, it was actually a good thing that he was coming down now because I wasn't sure what he would have found here five minutes later.

Edward rushed to get off me as I struggled to my feet, distancing myself from the couch, frantically looking for something inconspicuous to do.

"Hey, you're up?" Charlie asked into the room as I was pulling the curtains open.

"Morning, Dad. Yes. There's coffee in the kitchen, and I'll start cooking breakfast in a minute," I answered, and after quickly glancing at my father, I went to the kitchen.

****POMH****

"Do you need to go back to Seattle right away?" Edward asked as we were driving away from my father's house.

We'd shared a breakfast of omelet with bacon and cheese with Charlie and Sue before we said goodbye when Charlie had to leave for work.

"No. Actually, I don't have to be back before Monday." I didn't have any idea where he was going with his question.

"I didn't want to keep you that long. It's just that Jasper told me once how beautiful First Beach is. The weather is nice today, and if we have a little time, I thought, maybe you would show me the sights around here." He smiled at me warmly.

I felt my heartbeat accelerate and my hands getting clammy at the thought of First Beach. I hadn't been there in eight years. I had refused to go anywhere near La Push since that summer. But the panic subsided as quickly as it had risen when I realized that there was no reason to stay away. I was over Jacob — in fact, I had been for a while. I was still hurting from the injuries he caused me, but my refusal to go to there didn't have anything to do with my life and what it had turned into. It had only been about Jake as a person. And since that wasn't a problem anymore …

"Sure, just take a left turn at the traffic light over there."

In no time, Edward pulled into the parking lot at First Beach. Although I had secretly expected some kind of sad feeling to make an appearance, it didn't.

Edward walked around the car to open the door for me when he noticed that there was a mud puddle right where I'd have to put my feet to get out.

"Sorry about that. Here, take my hand," he offered as he helped me around the water.

When I was standing safely on my two feet, he threw the door shut, and instead of letting go of my hand, he entwined his fingers with mine as he led me to the beach. Although this was new and quite foreign to me, it felt nice. So I didn't pull away.

"This is really beautiful," Edward said as we stood just a few feet away from the water. We were the only people on the beach. A Friday morning in November wasn't really the time lots of tourists came here. The sun was shining from the sky, and the sounds of the breaking waves were very soothing.

Although the weather was nice, it was still November, and I started to shiver a little in the cold wind blowing from the sea.

"Are you cold? Should we leave?" Edward asked worriedly.

I lied, "No, I'm okay."

Of course, he saw right through it. He led me to a big piece of driftwood, sat down and made me sit on his lap before he wrapped his arms around me protectively.

"This is better," I said, smiling.

"Do you come here a lot?" he asked with his gaze fixed on James Island.

"Not since I moved to Seattle. I haven't been here in eight years. I'd completely forgotten how beautiful it is here."

I was sure Edward knew or at least suspected that my years of absence had something to do with my past, but he didn't comment on it.

We sat in silence, our arms around each other, for a long time, not really speaking until, eventually, the sky got overcast and rain started to drizzle. Then we drove back to Seattle.

****POMH****

It was almost midnight, and I was still lying awake in my cold and empty bed. After two nights with Edward's arms around me, I was feeling lonely and sad right now. I wasn't able to put a finger on it, but something had changed between us in Forks. Maybe it was that, for once, I had dropped all my defenses in telling him how I felt about myself.

The holding hands and sitting in his lap this morning had made me feel secure in a way I'd never known before. My usual instinct to push him away whenever he came close outside of the bedroom had vanished in favor of a need to have him around all the time.

Edward had seemed reluctant to leave after he had insisted on carrying my bag to my apartment. At the door, he had wrapped his arms around my waist, pulled me close and kissed my lips with unprecedented tenderness.

I looked at the clock on my nightstand again to see that it was 11:55, and I was still far from falling asleep when I heard my phone vibrate on the nightstand.

Are you still awake? Edward's text read.

Yes.I replied.

Ten seconds later, he called.

"Hey, handsome," I greeted him as I pressed the phone to my ear.

He sounded tired. "Hello, beautiful. How come you're still awake?"

"I just can't sleep. I'm not used to being in bed this early on a Friday night."

"That's a lie. You've been in bed with me at midnight on at least two Friday nights." I could picture the smug smile on this face.

"You're right. But, if I remember it correctly, we didn't sleep," I answered flirtatiously.

He chuckled lightly. "No, that we didn't."

"Did you just get home?" I asked to change the subject.

"Yes, about ten minutes ago. Dinner was long and boring. What I would have given for some home-made Italian food instead of fancy French cuisine. Now, I'm in my big, empty bed and somehow needed to hear your voice," he said before he yawned.

"My bed is quite cold, too. Maybe that's why I can't sleep." For the first time, I dared to admit the thought to myself and him.

"Do you have anything planned for tomorrow night?" he asked hopefully.

I didn't have to think twice. "No. Alice and Jasper won't be back before Sunday. So, no plans yet. If you like, I'll cook you some lasagna. Charlie and Sue love my special recipe." I hadn't really cooked dinner for anyone in quite some time.

"I'd love that. Shall I bring anything?" He sounded really excited.

"Just yourself … and you could bring a bottle of wine. You're more of an expert than I am." Maybe the Marsala?

"Okay, I will. What time do you want me to be there?"

"Seven-ish."

He yawned again. "Great."

"You should sleep now. I'm planning on keeping you awake for some time tomorrow night," I said in a hopefully seductive voice.

"I can't wait. Good night, beautiful. Sleep well."

"Good night, Edward. See you tomorrow."

********POMH********

A/N: So that was that. Do you think Bella made further progress? I think she did, although this is all new to her. What do you think will happen when they have dinner on Saturday? Here's a little teaser:

… "So, baby, now you're at my mercy. And I have a lot of ideas what I could do with you." Pleased with himself, he glared down at me, trying to force a menacing grin on his face. Although he worked hard to keep a strict front, not ruining the role play he had in mind, his eyes assured me that he wouldn't hurt me. …

What could that mean? There will be some longer teasers and a very telling picture in my Facebook group Payton79's Fanfiction. I'd be happy to meet you there. The link is in my profile.

This week you're all in for a little treat. I wrote an EPOV outtake of Edward and Charlie's trip to the bar that I'm planning to post on Friday. Hope to see you then.