A/N Stephenie Meyer owns all things Twilight.

I own a laptop that I use to write Twilight FanFic.

No copyright infringement is intended.

Chapter 21

I stood before the full-length mirror in my bedroom, taking in my appearance. I was excited about getting back to work this morning…anxious even. A week away from the store during this time of year was unheard of. I knew that there would be a mountain of work waiting for me to accomplish when I got back. Angela had emailed me last night on my iPhone to let me know what to expect. She was taking the next two days off since she had worked so much last week during my absence. I knew that today would be a long day. I was going in early and would, most definitely, be working late. I had discussed this with Edward the night before. He seemed to be concerned that I was pushing myself too hard, but I explained to him that I was fine. I would never do anything that I wasn't capable of doing.

I twisted my hair up in the back, securing it with a few pins. I walked over to my closet and stepped inside, hanging my robe on the back of the door. I selected a black pin-striped suit and slipped on the pants, feeling the cool silk lining slide against my legs. As I put on the jacket and tied it in the front, I realized that I felt normal, for the first time in a week. It was a wonderful feeling. I walked over to the vanity and sprayed some perfume on my neck and wrists. The scent of Chanel swirled in the air around me and I breathed in deeply, reveling in the classic fragrance. I loved it. It was my favorite.

I padded out to the kitchen to pour myself a cup of coffee. I was just getting ready to make Edward a cup when I felt his arms snake around me. He had been in the shower and his body was still emanating heat from the water.

"Mmm…" he murmured in my ear, causing me to shiver. "I don't know what smells better…you or the coffee."

I laughed as I reached for his cup.

"Are you sure you don't want to think about that statement?" I replied, chiding him.

He rubbed his hands over my hips before sliding them underneath my jacket, playing with the waist of my pants.

"You, definitely you, love."

"Well, I should think so; otherwise I should just put some Starbucks in an atomizer and make Coco Chanel turn over in her grave." I giggled at my own little joke, and Edward laughed too, though, I'm not really sure he completely understood it.

"It's not the perfume, love," he said as he pressed his lips to my neck. "It's you wearing the perfume." He rubbed his nose along the length of my neck, breathing in deeply, for effect.

I turned around to face him and handed him his coffee. He thanked me by kissing me on the cheek. We walked over to the table and sat down for a moment. I picked up my phone and sent Alice a text. She started her new job this morning and I wanted to wish her luck. As I was typing, inspiration struck, and I decided to call the florist and have flowers delivered to her office. I figured I could send Esme flowers, too. I wanted to tell her thank you for everything she'd done for me while I was in the hospital last week. I set the alarm on my phone to remind me to call later that morning.

"I'm sorry that you have to drive me to work," I told Edward as I took a drink of my coffee.

"Really, Bella," he replied, his eyes warm. "It's no problem."

"I should really have the insurance company get me a rental car until my car is replaced," I mused, more to myself than to him.

"Are you alright?" he asked. "What's going on?"

"It's just that…well," I started, not really knowing how to explain to him what it was that I was feeling. "I just don't like feeling…" I paused, nervous about what I was going to say. "dependent on anyone."

He looked at me as if he had no conception of what I could be talking about.

"It makes me uncomfortable, Edward."

He looked at me thoughtfully for a moment before taking a drink of his coffee.

"Do you need me to take you to work, Bella?" he asked, but I got the feeling that his question meant something different.

"Yes."

He chuckled and I began to get slightly irritated with him. It felt as if he were making fun of me when I'd just explained to him that this situation made me uncomfortable. I scowled at him from across the table and made no attempts at hiding my displeasure at whatever it was that he found so humorous.

"Really, Edward?" I asked, fuming. "Is something funny about this?"

His eyes softened immediately and he reached across the table to take my hand. I pulled it out of his reach quickly. He looked hurt, which made me regret pulling away from him, but I was a little hurt myself that he was making light of a situation that clearly bothered me.

"You know what, don't worry about it," I snapped defensively. "I'll call a cab."

"I'm sorry, Bella," he said softly, but a hint of a smile still touched the corners of his mouth.

"Why are you smiling?" I asked, pissed that my perfect morning was suddenly anything but.

He reached across to me, not bothering to care when I pulled away again. He just pressed further and took my hand in his. His hand was so warm and soft. My lip was quivering and I refused to look at him. I just looked down at our hands and watched as his thumb caressed and soothed me.

"I'm smiling because there's no reason for you to be upset."

I looked up at him, shocked at his words. Incensed.

"Well, I'm certainly glad you think so."

"Let me get this straight," he said. "You're upset because you feel uncomfortable with feeling dependent on anyone, right?"

Yes. That and the fact that you just made fun of me.

"But," he continued, when he saw that I wasn't going to say anything. Out loud. "You just told me that you were going to call a cab. That alone makes it clear that you don't need me." He looked at me and smiled again. "You are more than capable of taking care of yourself."

My cheeks flushed as I realized where he was going with his train of thought. I bit my lower lip and looked at him as I finally saw what he was trying to say.

"Sweetheart," he said, pulling my hand to his lips and kissing softly. "You don't need me. You are far from dependent on me. It's me, Bella."

"You?" I asked. "What do you mean?"

"I need to take care of you, Bella…I want to." He kissed my hand once more. "I know that's probably not that you want to hear, but it's the truth."

"This is just new for me, Edward," I told him honestly. "I've never done this before." I motioned my hand back and forth through the space between us. "It scares me a little."

"I know you're scared, Bella and I get that. Really, I do."

He stood from the table, the chair made a scraping sound on the hardwood floor as he pushed it back. He pulled me along with him, taking me in his arms.

"Would it help you to know that I'm a little scared, too?"

"Maybe," I mumbled into his chest.

"I'm scared that I need you far more than you need me."

His words struck me and I wondered if his honesty had been as difficult as mine was. I wanted to comfort him.

"I do need you, Edward." I tightened my hold around his waist. "I do."

He kissed me on the top of me head and returned my hug, tightly, warmly.

"You need to get to work, love. I don't want you to be late."

He pulled back to look at me, his crooked smile lighting up his face.

"Do you want me to take you?" he asked as he winked at me.

"Yes, I want you," I said and I hoped he knew I was talking about more than the ride.

***************

By eleven that morning, I had barely made it into my office to sit down at my desk. I had walked the store with Tyler when I came in at six and then spent some time redoing a display that needed work in the Men's Store. I met with my executive team at eight-thirty and was greeted with "welcome backs" and numerous questions about what had happened. I spoke with them, giving them only the information that they needed. I didn't want to cause any member of my staff a reason to feel that they should have to be in fear of something like that happening to them. What happened to me was truly a fluke and we would take greater security precautions at store closing going forward.

I opened my email and was overwhelmed by the countless emails in my inbox that needed to be gone through and addressed. It was then that I noticed I had an email from Edward. I smiled to myself and opened it immediately.

To: bellamswan(at)finleys(dot)com

From: edwardcullen(at)tcf(dot)net

Subject: First Day Back

Bella,

I didn't want to call you at work on your first day back.

I'm sure that you have plenty to keep you occupied.

Just know that I am thinking of you and hoping that you are well.

Please let me know if you need anything.

My needs have not changed.

I still need you…will always need you.

Yours,

Edward

I re-read the email once more, a wave of emotion and love for him washing over me and warming me from the inside. I found myself touching the screen of my computer, dragging my finger across his name. When I realized that I was moments away from pulling out a notebook and doodling our names together, I decided to email him back.

To: edwardcullen(at)tcf(dot)net

From: bellamswan(at)finleys(dot)com

RE: Your needs

Edward,

Thank you for the email.

It made me smile in the middle of this very long day.

I am thinking of you, as well.

I find that I think of you altogether too often. :)

I just wanted you to know that your needs mirror my own.

Despite what I might do or say.

Always,

Bella

I couldn't help the smile that grew on my face as I pressed send.

I was just returning to the monumental task of going through my work emails when Lauren knocked on my door to let me know that I had a call. I had put my office phone on do-not-disturb so that I could actually get some work done without disruption. I asked if she could take a message and she informed me that it was Esme Cullen. I told her to put her through.

"Esme," I said. "How are you?"

"Bella, I'm fine." I could hear her warm smile through the phone. "Thank you for the flowers, dear. They are lovely."

The florist told me that pink roses meant 'thank you' so I had them send her an arrangement of pink roses. I was glad that she liked them.

"You're welcome, Esme. It was the least I could do."

I thought about the way she'd taken care of me for Edward while I was in the hospital and I got a little emotional and choked up.

"Edward told me that you were back at work today. I saw him this morning when I dropped by the office."

"Yes, well he emailed me already. I'm happy that he was able to get back to work too. I hated that his life was as disrupted as mine was last week."

"Oh, dear. Please don't feel bad about that. My son would have been useless at work anyway. Besides, he can work from home almost as easily as he can from the office."

"Well, he was wonderful, Esme. I don't know what I would have done without him."

"Bella?" she asked. Her voice sounded warm, but hesitant.

"Yes," I responded, almost as hesitantly.

"I just have to say this, and I hope that you don't think I'm being an intrusive mother. Because really, that is not my intention at all."

I held my breath as I prepared for what she was about to say. I was nervous and, for the life of me, I couldn't understand why.

"Bella, relationships can be…" she paused as if she were trying to find the right word. "difficult, but my son is love with you."

I knew Edward loved me, but there was something about hearing his mother say it to me.

"I know, Esme. I love him, too."

"I know you do, dear. It's written all over your face." She chuckled softly, but spoke again. "Just know that if there ever comes a time when you need someone to talk with…about Edward, you can talk with me."

I didn't really know what to make of her words and honestly, I wasn't sure how comfortable I would feel about talking to Esme about her son, but her words had been spoken with such sincerity. I could hear the genuineness in her voice.

"Thank you, Esme."

"Anytime, dear," she replied with a chuckle. "I should let you get back to work. Thank you again for the flowers….and for what you've done for Edward."

"He's done much more for me," I told her honestly. "I assure you."

***************

I skipped lunch that afternoon, finding myself completely consumed and overwhelmed with the sheer amount of work that needed to be accomplished. There was an HR problem with some of the new seasonal hires and I spend a good deal of time on the phone with our corporate office trying to undo the mistakes that had been made. I made a note to speak to Angela regarding this because as we headed into the holidays, we were going to be hiring more and more people. I couldn't risk having to spend as much time on this again.

By four, I felt fatigued and hungry. I silently cursed myself for not having something to eat. I sat down in my office and opened a pack of crackers and a Diet Coke. Healthy. I checked my phone and saw that I had a text from Alice. I opened it quickly and read it.

"Thanks for the flowers, Bella. I love the new job!

Jasper took me to lunch today, but maybe we can do lunch another day this week? Call me. -A."

I was just about to send her a reply, when a text from Edward came through.

"Emmett and Rosalie have invited us to dinner on Friday night with Alice and Jasper.

Are you up for it? Let me know. I love you."

I texted Alice immediately. I knew that she would be hyper-spastic if Jasper's sister had called to invite her to dinner. She had been nervous about meeting her for the first time. Hopefully, having me there would take the edge off a bit.

"Did Rosalie call you and invite you to dinner? –B"

"OMG! Yes, she did. Outfits will have to be chosen! You're coming, right? –A"

"Of course. I'll be there. Come by the store this week and we'll find you the perfect ensemble. -B"

"k…love you. You're the best! –A"

"No. You are. Love you too. –B"

Instead of texting Edward, I decided to call him. I needed to hear his voice in the most sad and pathetic way possible. I dialed the phone and he answered on the very first ring.

"I didn't think you would call. I know that you're busy."

Just the sound of his voice made me smile and my heart fluttered in my chest.

"Mmm…I am, but I wanted to hear you."

"Make that sound again, Bella," his voice grew deep and husky.

I giggled, but played along, loving the effect that we had on each other.

"Mmm…what sound?"

"That sound, baby. You know me so well."

"I can't talk long, but I just wanted to let you know that dinner with Emmett and Rose will be lovely. Alice already told me that she is going with Jasper."

"Rose wanted to call you herself, but I told her that you were going to be busy all day and probably wouldn't even have time to talk to me."

I laughed at how what he said was really true. I probably shouldn't have been talking to him then. Not when there was still so much for me to do. I needed to focus and just the sound of his voice caused me to lose all concentration on anything except him. I wondered, briefly, if it would always be this way…and then I realized that I truly hoped it would. I didn't want to ever think of a time when he wouldn't have the same effect on me.

"You were probably right in telling her that, but I wanted to talk to you," I told him. "I hope that's okay."

"That is always okay, Bella. What time do you think you're going to be done this evening?"

I thought about his question and I knew that I was nowhere near being done with everything I needed to do. I wasn't really sure what time I would be able to leave the store and a feeling of guilt crept up to the surface of my mind. I knew that this was going to inconvenience him and once again, that made me feel bad. It made me feel like a burden. I didn't want to be a burden to Edward. I wanted to be the object of his desires and dreams. I wanted to be the person he thought of before he went to sleep and when he woke up.

"Edward, I'm not really sure when I'll be finished here. I completely understand if you need to do something else. Really, I can grab a cab home."

"Absolutely not, Bella." His response was swift and direct. "I've already told you, I want to do this for you." He sighed loudly before lowering his voice and continuing. "Please don't feel bad. And please, just let me."

"Okay," I said, still feeling guilty, but not wanting to press the issue any further. "I'll call you when I'm ready."

"Good," he replied, relieved. "Now get back to work, so you can come home to me."

"Alright, I'm getting back to it. Bye Edward."

I was getting ready to hang up the phone when I heard him say my name.

"Bella?"

"Yeah?"

"I love you."

"I love you, too."

***************

I worked solid for the next three hours, but something Edward said on the phone remained in the back of my mind all evening.

"Now get back to work, so you can come home to me."

Home to Edward.

Home with Edward.

It stuck with me, but I couldn't even begin to process what that might mean. I didn't really know if I was ready for the emotions that those words invoked. I tried to push the thoughts from my mind as I focused on the tasks at hand.

It was eight-thirty before I finally called Edward to pick me up. Thirteen hours at the store was enough for one day. He told me that he was on his way and asked that I remain inside until he got to the store. While it irritated me slightly that he was trying to tell me what to do…I completely understood his reasoning and could not fault him for it. I was just tired and the weariness of the day was making me bitchy. At least I could recognize it and I tried to adjust my attitude before he arrived. He called when he reached the parking lot and he picked me up at the associate entrance. I crawled in the car, placing my briefcase on the floor beside me. He leaned over to kiss my lips and I felt the stress of the day melt away with just the touch of his lips.

I was asleep before we ever reached the apartment.

***************

The next three days passed much in the same way. I was overwhelmed with work and Edward was nothing but loving and supportive. He was very affectionate, but we hadn't made love since Sunday night. I had been too tired every night by the time that I got home. He never once complained and every night he pulled me close to him in the bed. He would hold and kiss me as I fell asleep in his arms. And every night, I was overwhelmed by this man that was absolute perfection in every way.

Alice came to the store on Wednesday and I helped her select an outfit for dinner on Friday night. She kept trying on dresses that were completely not her style. They were lovely, but more traditional and so completely not Alice. I knew why she was doing this, of course. She wanted to impress Rosalie. I told her that she needed to be herself and I assured her that Rosalie would love her for who she was. In the end she settled on a black, one-shoulder, draped Alexander Wang dress. It was gorgeous and completely her. I told her that Jasper was either going to die or come when he saw her in that dress. She laughed hysterically and told me that she hoped it was the latter.

The insurance company called me on Thursday afternoon to tell me that my new car was ready. I called the BMW dealership and asked if there was any way that they could have the car brought to me. I found it amusing what you could accomplish if you were willing to pay enough. They assured me that a representative would arrive at the store with my new car at four-thirty. I would be able to sign the paperwork then.

Edward was working late and I intended to surprise him. I needed some help in order to accomplish what I wanted to do. I called Rosalie and thanked her for inviting us to dinner and I asked her if she could help me out with my plan. She, of course, was more than willing to oblige once I told her what I had planned. I needed Edward to be alone at his office if I was going to pull this off. She assured me that the employees usually left by five and she would make sure that Emmett would be otherwise engaged and not at the office. I smiled to myself as I thought about my plan and tried to overcome the nerves that were raging inside me at the thought of what I was going to do. It was completely out of character for me.

***************

As I sat down in the driver's seat of my new car, everything felt normal for the first time in almost two weeks. I turned on the heat because I was cold and I pulled my trench-coat closer as the warm air began to fill the car. I shot Edward a text, just to make sure that everything went smoothly.

"I'll be working until about eight-thirty again tonight. I'll call you when I'm ready."

I giggled as I looked at the glowing clock in my new car. The time was five-thirty. I pulled out and headed toward Edward's office. I hadn't been there before, but Rosalie had given me the address and I programmed it into the navigation system to ensure that I wouldn't get lost. I pulled up to the building at just before six. I parked my car and walked quickly into the building. There was a doorman and Rosalie had already called and put my name on the list, so I was able to head up to the office with no problem. If everything went as smoothly as I hoped, I was going to owe Rosalie much more than a 'thank you'.

As I walked into the offices of The Carlisle Foundation, I saw that there was no one there. She had been right about everyone leaving at five. I wasn't sure exactly where Edward's office was, but I figured that it couldn't be that difficult to find. The first thing I noticed about the office was how tastefully it was decorated. It looked very similar to the Cullen's home and I assumed that Esme had designed this space, as well. It was all clean lines and impeccable artwork. The colors were soft and muted, but beautiful and complimentary.

I walked down the hall and looked at the names on the doors. I saw Emmett's office and then Esme's. I walked a little further down and at the end of the hall on the right a door was cracked slightly and I could hear Edward's voice coming from inside. He sounded irritated with whomever he was speaking with. Not wanting to interrupt, I waited outside the door.

"You think I haven't tried to do that?"

His voice was harsh and I wondered if I should step away. I felt like I was eavesdropping.

"I have done nothing but think about that for weeks!"

I was definitely uncomfortable at hearing his side of the conversation he was having.

"I fucking know what's going to happen!" he screamed.

There was a long pause and just as I was about to turn around and walk back into the reception area, I heard him speak again, this time much softer.

"I just don't think I could handle that, Dad."

Dad?

He was talking to Carlisle?

I couldn't imagine what Carlisle would have said to him that would upset him so much. I had already stood there too long and I was ashamed of myself for listening as long as I had to his private conversation. I knew I needed to make myself known. As I was lifting my hand to knock on his door, I heard him speak one more time.

"I know I couldn't…it would kill me."

His words shot though me and caused me to shudder. I didn't know what he was talking about, but at that point, I was certain that it had nothing to do with work. I reached up quickly, before I could change my mind and knocked on the door succinctly three times. I pushed open the door and I took in Edward. He was visibly frustrated, but still so, so beautiful. His eyes widened at the sight of me and for a moment, he was rendered speechless. I stepped inside and shut the door behind me, locking it as I did. I turned around to face him and he stood from his chair.

He didn't say a word, but instead, stalked toward me. The look in his eyes was feral and I was scared momentarily. That was until he reached me and grabbed both sides of my face with his hands. He whispered my name and pulled me to him in a kiss. The kiss was not gentle. Not in the least. His mouth found mine roughly and I parted my lips, opening myself up to his tongue. I didn't even try to fight it or change the way he was kissing me. There was passion in his kiss, but there was something else there as well. Something else was causing this reaction. Edward had never kissed me quite like this before. The closest he had ever come had been the night in my hallway, the night we made love for the first time after we fought.

His teeth pulled on my lips, causing them to sting, but his tongue would gently lick away the pain almost as soon as it began. And though I was confused by his response, I didn't stop him. I didn't have the desire to. His hands moved from my face and fisted in my hair and he whimpered quietly into my mouth. The sound stood in complete contrast to the animalistic way he was kissing me.

Soft and hard.

Gentle and fierce.

Just like Edward.

He pulled his mouth from mine, making a wet and slurping noise. When I looked into his eyes, I saw that they were dilated to the point of total blackness, just a hint of his green irises evident around his pupil. He was beautiful, but he was needy.

"What are you doing here?" he rasped, moving his mouth to my neck.

I gasped at the feel of his tongue and lips as they licked and sucked the sensitive skin underneath my ear.

"I wanted to surprise you," I managed to say.

His mouth worked its way to my throat and down to my chest. He was pulling at the lapel of my coat, exposing my collarbone. He proceeded to lick the length of the exposed skin as he reached down and untied my belt. My breath caught in my throat as I thought about what he was about to find. He pushed the trench-coat open and everything stopped. Edward pulled back and he looked at me…silent except for his heavy breathing.

I felt exposed and vulnerable as his hands dropped to his sides.

"Bella," his voice shook as he spoke. "What the fuck?"

I looked at him, his eyes raking across my form. I had never felt so timid, but as I watched the way he looked at me, I had never felt more powerful. I stood before him wearing nothing but a black corset, detailed with white ribbon stitching, matching panties, garter belt and thigh-high stockings. He looked back up at me and I held his eyes before I finally spoke.

"Surprise?"

"Bella," he whispered and with one word, my name, he conveyed to me exactly what he needed.

Before I knew what was happening, his hands were on me, tearing off my coat. I felt it as it fell to the floor around my feet and he stepped closer to me. I wrapped my arms around his neck and whispered in his ear.

"Edward." I pressed a kiss to his neck. "I've missed you so much this week."

I started loosening his tie and unbuttoning his shirt. My hands were trembling and I couldn't get them undone fast enough. He noticed my frustration and began to help me. Once his shirt was opened my hands ran along the length of his chest and stomach.

"I need you, Bella," he growled in my ear. "Fucking, Christ, I need you."

I couldn't speak. I could only nod my head and his hands grabbed and pulled at me.

He covered my mouth again and kissed me deeply as he pushed me back towards the couch in his office.

"I don't want to hurt you, Bella," he spoke directly in my ear. "I'm afraid I'll be too rough because I need you too much."

His voice was full of desperation that I didn't completely understand, but I knew in that moment, Edward had never needed me like that. And I wanted to be what he needed. I had to be what he needed because he had always been what I needed.

"What, Edward?" I asked him. "You don't think I can take what you have to give me?"

I pulled him to me and kissed him just as roughly as he's kissed me before and I tried to pour every ounce of the passion and desire that I had for him into the kiss.

"I'm here standing in your office and I need you!" I exclaimed. "I need you the same fucking way that you need me!"

He turned me around and pulled my body flush against his. I could feel the warm skin of his chest pressing against my back. His hand grabbed my breasts as he sucked and bit my neck. I was almost afraid that he would leave a mark, but I was too far gone to care. His hand reached down and slipped inside my panties, cupping my wet sex and just the feel of him touching me like that caused my body to shudder. It had only been days since we had been intimate, but I craved his touch. It was as if I didn't feel complete without it.

"Oh…oh, god…Edward," I cried.

"You need me like this?"

"Yes, Edward. I need you…just like this."

He pushed me over the arm of the leather couch and I gasped. Edward had never taken me from behind and I wanted him to. I heard as he unbuckled his belt and pushed his pants to the floor. His hands ghosted up the outside of my thighs and his touch was so soft…until he reached my panties. In one swift movement, he ripped them from my body, the thin fabric shredding easily under his hand. He rubbed along the length of my back and around the curve of my ass before dipping his finger inside my dripping pussy. He pumped it in and out before swirling it around my clit once and I cried out in pleasure.

"Does that feel good, Bella?" he asked. "Does my finger feel good inside you while you're bent over my couch?"

I could only moan in response, because my god, the way it felt when he was touching me, transcended everything else around me.

Nothing else mattered.

Nothing but him.

Without words or notice his finger was removed and was quickly replaced by his cock. I gasped at the sensation of him filling me like that. He slipped in and out of me as I completely gave myself over to the push and pull. One hand grabbed my hair and pulled lightly while the other hand reached around and touched and squeezed my breast. He was talking above me but I couldn't focus on his words…I was consumed by the way he felt inside if me. This was the most intense we had ever been and I didn't know what was driving his need. It felt primal.

The harder he pushed the louder I got. It was as if I was trying to show him with each and every thrust that he could have me like this. I could be whatever he needed…whenever he needed it. I knew I was approaching my climax. I was standing on the edge of it. I could feel it inching closer. He pressed his mouth to my ear and spoke to me.

"I fucking love you, Bella. Promise me…promise me you'll always love me."

And with that, my body clenched around him and I exploded in the most forceful orgasm I'd ever experienced.

"I love you, Edward!" I cried. "I will always love you."

I don't know if it was my words or the way I'd contracted around him as I came, but something set off Edward and he came in me in one final push before collapsing on top of me with ragged pants and muted cries.

A little while later, we lay on the couch together. Edward was underneath me, his arms wrapped around me as he held me close. We had yet to really speak about what happened. It was all just whispered words of love and murmurs of adoration and gratitude. I peppered his face with kisses and ran my fingers through his soft, chaotic hair, calming him, soothing him.

I was beginning to really see how much Edward actually needed me, and while that frightened me, it also centered me in a way. He was it for me. He was the one. I looked back down at him and drank in his perfection. All man and desire and love, but he was also like a little boy who seemed so afraid that I would run and not need him. That was the part I didn't understand. Now that I'd found him, I couldn't think of a time when I would ever not need him. But something was going on with him and I didn't know what it was.

"Are you hurt?" he asked.

"Do I look hurt?"

"No, you look perfect."

He kissed me softly.

"I know this has been a tough week, but I hope this is a little better."

"This," he chuckled, "is so much better."

He felt me shiver and rolled me to the side so that he could cover me with his body and keep me warm.

"Edward?" I asked, as his green eyes looked down into mine. "I know something is going on with you. I need you to tell me what it is."

***************

A/N

*Leave me some love and review. Or you can leave Darcyward some love. He needs a little affection.

*Thanks to Marvar, once again, for her wonderful and magical beta skills. I cannot tell you how much my words would suck without her. She has two kick-ass stories of her own. Please check her out and leave her some love.

*I am one of the authors participating in MsKathy's Haiti Relief Twi FanFic Author Compilation. I have written an outtake from Chapter 16 of the call that takes place between Edward and Michael. I will not be posting this outtake on FanFiction or Twilighted. It will only be available through this charitable effort. Please visit the link below to donate.

http://mskathyff(dot)blogspot(dot)com/search/label/charity

*EPOV is complete. Let's see how close we can get to my goal. I so want to share it with you guys!!!! Put me on author alert, so you'll know when I post it!

*Thanks to all of my readers. I love each and every one of you far more than I can tell you!

*Lastly, Happy Birthday to Brooke! I hope your day is wonderful and that you get a private session with the Professor.

xoxo