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A/N: This story is rated M for "March right down to the theater and see Remember Me!" If you're under 18, please read the great T-rated fics on this site and not this one.

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After this chapter, there's only four chapters to go...

Chapter 21: Loving You Forever Is What I Need

Wrapped in Edward's arms, Bella felt safe and complete for the first time since Adam found her in the meadow and took her life. Edward's touch, his embrace, and his lips on hers were all things she never thought she'd feel outside of her tender memories. Having his arms surround her, even after the horrible things she'd shown him, was surely a dream, some twisted fantasy she'd created since he found her to preserve her sanity. His gentle kisses over her face were real, though, and she slowly allowed herself to believe he loved her.

Still, there were things that needed to be said, things he needed to understand. Otherwise, they would never be happy.

Pulling back, Bella gazed into the golden eyes she'd feared for almost two centuries. "I need to tell you about your change."

Edward's eyes clouded over briefly then were bright and clear again. "We don't have to do this now."

"Yes, we do. We finally do."

Edward nodded slowly then lifted Bella onto his lap until she faced him, straddling his hips, her back against the keys of the piano.

Never taking her eyes from his face, she began. "When I first caught your scent, it was the most delicious thing I'd ever encountered. Your blood sang to me, and I wanted it, all of it. But you looked at me with those deep emerald eyes, and the sparks I saw in them made me stop in my tracks. I instantly knew I wanted you. You. Not your blood."

"I wanted you, too, Isabella," he whispered, his fingers ghosting along her jaw. "You were all I could think about."

"Edward, I didn't leave you, not once, after I saw you. I followed you...watched you. The chances I took to be near you were insane. That day...in the park...I just couldn't stay away from you anymore. I was selfish. I still am. But you were my beautiful boy, and I loved you so much."

Edward inhaled sharply, his fingers digging into her hips. Looking away, he swallowed hard. "Go on."

"I'd always meant to tell you what I am. I had to be sure that you would not reject me. As a Volturi, if I reveal our secret to a human, I am bound to turn them or drink them. I did not want to have to kill you, Edward. So I waited.

"Even though I believed you were my mate, I wasn't positive you felt the same. Not until the night in the meadow...not until you asked me to be your wife. I wanted that more than anything. More than your blood. More than my place with the Volturi. When we made love, it was the first time I didn't feel completely alone." Bella thought back to that one perfect moment she shared with him, and new sparks flew around them.

Edward smirked. "What was that, Isabella?"

Burying her face in the crook of his neck, she filled her lungs with the scent she'd missed for so long. "Just remembering the best night of my existence. Those memories got me through some very dark times when I thought you were...d-dead." A shudder raced through her body. "The irony is that I changed you because I couldn't imagine being without you, and I lost you anyway.

"The day after your proposal, your mother and father fell ill, and you were hospitalized two days later. There was never any time to explain. Within a week, your parents were dead, and the doctor told me you were going to follow them. I never intended to change you without your consent, but I couldn't let you go.

"Having done everything without a plan, I didn't feed before I stole you away. Your blood was so sweet, so indescribably luscious, but I didn't drink enough to sate me. Before you woke, I left to quickly hunt, but the rogue and Alec caught me, taking me to Caius. They promised me; they swore to take care of you. If I'd known they would desert you, allowing you to wake alone, I'd never have left you."

Cradling his face in her hands, she tilted his head and gazed at him intently. "I'm sorry I never told you what I am. I'm sorry I changed you against your will. And, most of all, I'm sorry you woke up in that horrible basement alone and scared."

"Thank you...for helping me understand." Capturing her face between his hands, he stared into her eyes. "You are forgiven a thousand times over." Edward's voice was timid and sad. "But Isabella, you've said you loved me, but not that you love me now. Is it too late? Is Emmett..."

Stopping his words with a brush of her lips against his, she whispered. "I love you, Edward. Only you. Always you."

A growl rumbled deep inside Edward's chest, and he grabbed Bella roughly, knocking over the piano stool as he flew to his feet. Taking a step back and hesitating, he fell to the floor, taking her with him. Landing on her back, Bella watched as Edward hovered over her, his eyes black as a starless sky.

"I can't wait. Not another second. I'm sorry."

Pulling her shirt free from her jeans, he grabbed the tails and ripped it open, the buttons raining down on the tile floor. Exposed to him, she arched her back and closed her eyes at the touch of his hands travelling over her ribs. She never thought she'd feel his hands on her again, and it was so much more intense than her memories. When his hands disappeared, her eyes snapped open just in time to watch him remove his own shirt and settle on top of her.

His head fell to her neck, and he nipped at the skin along her shoulder. When she tried to pull his hair and guide him, Bella found her hands pinned above her head, Edward's long fingers wrapped around both wrists.

"No, no, no." As he chided her, he slowly traced her lips with his index finger. "Last time, I needed you to lead me. This time I need you to follow."

His words sent pleasurable chills down her spine. He was no longer the shy, reserved boy who made hesitant love to her, worried he was going too far. Instead, he was going to fiercely claim her, show her his unceasing need for her, and she relaxed into his touch, ready to surrender to him. As she ceased her struggle against his tight clasp, he smiled down at her.

"That's it, Isabella. Let me show you how much I've wanted you."

Releasing her wrists, Edward wrapped his arm around her waist, lifting her slightly. Pushing the shirt off her shoulders, he unclasped her bra, letting it slip down her arms to the floor. Laying her back down on the cold tile, he kissed her softly, his lips parting and his tongue teasing her. Bella sighed softly, allowing his tongue to dip into her mouth. She mirrored his movements, savoring his taste and the intensity of his attention.

His hands again moved over her sides, finally resting on the fullness of her breasts. As his thumb brushed one tight nipple, his mouth surrounded the other, licking and sucking with determination. Again arching toward him, she gave up the pretense of remaining quiet, knowing a house full of vampires would hear her no matter what. His mouth moved to her other breast, and, when she finally let go, his lips curved into a smile around her.

Rising to kneel between her feet, he slowly unzipped each boot, pulling them off and tossing them aside. Bella made no move to further undress herself, watching as Edward eased her jeans and panties over her hips and down her legs. She was finally naked before him, and he licked his lips hungrily.

He lay down prone between her legs, spreading her lips with his fingers and blowing gently across her clit. As she shivered, she heard a husky laugh and felt his tongue ease inside her. His tongue was soon replaced with his thrusting fingers.

Moving his mouth over her clit, he whispered against her flesh. "I've waited so long to taste you, and you are more delectable than I ever imagined."

Her sigh became a loud moan as his tongue assaulted her clit and his fingers pounded into her with ever increasing speed. Her fingers itched to feel the coppery hair between her thighs, and she surrendered, threading her fingers through his soft, wild locks. He groaned at the contact, which sent vibrations through her entire body. She was so close; she could feel the tightness in her abdomen begin to spread over her body. Just as she reached the edge, all his attentions stopped.

Kneeling again between her knees, Edward began to slowly unbutton the fly of his jeans. He pulled his jeans over his hips only slightly, enough to release his hard cock.

She'd stayed silent, but, at the sight of him so ready for her, Bella softly spoke. "May I please touch you?"

Edward's uneven and slightly devious smile lit up his face. "You know I can never deny you when you ask so nicely."

Sitting up, Bella took him into her hand. She began with slow, easy strokes, passing her fingers over his sensitive, weeping head. His eyes were locked on her movements, his groans becoming louder each time she increased her tight grip on him. Emboldened, she leaned toward him, flicking her wet tongue across his nipple.

Grabbing a fistful of her long hair, Edward pulled her away, pushing her back down on the floor. Coming to rest between her legs, he found her entrance, ramming inside her in a single hard thrust.

Their moans filled the room, echoing off the glass and tile. His hand still clenching her hair, Edward tugged her head back, forcing her to look at him as he made demands with each hard thrust.

"Say you'll never leave me again."

"Never again."

"No one else touches you but me...swear it."

"I swear."

"Give up the hunt."

Bella paused, understanding what he was asking of her. Could she succeed? She wasn't sure, but she knew she'd do anything for the exquisite man inside her.

Scowling at her silence, Edward pounded into her faster, only words able to escape between his movements.

"Give...up...the...hunt!"

"Yes, Edward, yes!"

His answering growl rattled the window glass and piano strings, creating a symphony of vibrations. His free hand moved between them, stroking her clit until she was sure she'd go mad. His next demand was whispered in her ear.

"Come for me, my sweet Isabella."

Clawing his back and screaming, she free-fell into oblivion. Her body, writhing in pleasure, throbbed and clenched around him, begging him silently to fall with her. With one last thrust, he filled her and exploded, her name leaving his lips in a thunderous cry. Sparks, crystal blue like the hottest flame, lit the room around them.

Collapsing next to her, he pulled her until she lay on his heaving chest. His fingers massaged her scalp where he'd grasped her hair, and his hand stroked her lower back and the swell of her cheeks.

"I love you, Isabella," he said, kissing her forehead. "I thought I'd never be able to say that to you again. I'm very glad I was wrong."

Bella ran her hand around his waist, clinging tightly to him. "I love you, too, Edward. No matter what happened, I never stopped."

"Can I ask you a question, love?"

"Of course."

Edward chuckled. "Do you smell like Angela, or is that my imagination?"

Bella looked up at him bashfully, knowing if she were still human she'd have blushed wildly. "Um, yeah. She's still alive, though, if you're worried about that."

"While smelling her on you is unsettlingly sexy, I meant what I said." His eyes, having returned to their amber color, blackened again. "No one else, Isabella. Only me."

Moving to straddle him, she lifted and slowly lowered herself until he was inside her again. "Only you."

~*~

Sitting on the righted bench, Bella ran her fingertips along the piano. She could almost feel the residual electricity from Edward's hands on the keys and on her body. Never did she think he would be by her side again, and her head was reeling from all that she'd learned since he came to her window.

She felt his fingers trace the outline of her shoulder, and she relaxed into his touch. "You were gone so long, I thought you'd forgotten me."

Edward bent down and kissed her neck. "Never. Just had to ask Esme for a shirt. Rose was...um...indisposed."

"Let me guess. Emmett."

"Yes, and, trust me, those were thoughts I really didn't need to hear."

Turning, Bella took the dark silk blouse Edward offered her. As she slipped it on, the cool rustle of the silk did nothing to quell the blazing charge running over her skin. Edward knelt and slowly buttoned the blouse, kissing each inch of skin before it was hidden.

"Edward?" she asked meekly.

Pulling her hair out of the shirt collar, Edward grinned. "Yes, Isabella?"

"Remember the day we met, when you said I need protecting?" She sighed, feeling his fingers comb through her hair.

"If I remember correctly, you didn't appreciate that much."

Dropping her gaze to her bare feet, she began to whisper. "I do need it, though. I've been lucky to find Aro and Emmett, who love me and would do anything for me. But all I've ever needed was you."

Gently pinching her chin between his thumb and forefinger, he tilted her head until their eyes met. "I know. I've always known, even when I tried to deny it. And I need you just as badly."

Straddling the bench to face each other, they joined hands, neither willing to take their eyes off the other. A sad smile crossed Edward's face, and Bella leaned forward to kiss it away.

Edward leaned back, pulling Bella until her legs wrapped around his waist. "Carlisle and Esme are worried we won't be able to coexist. That neither of us will be able to change our habits. I know I cannot return to killing humans, Isabella. Are you sure you can stop?"

Bella gave his hands a squeeze. "I can only tell you that I will do anything to be with you. Can I guarantee I won't slip? No. But if you can understand...be patient with me, I will do my best not to disappoint you."

"My decision to follow Carlisle's way was not easy, and I won't lie and say I didn't have relapses. But you are already able to be around humans without giving into the bloodlust. You are stronger than you think." He lightly kissed her nose. "I love you, and we will work this out, no matter how many slips you have."

"What is your favorite animal to drink?"

Edward licked his lips. "Mountain lion. Definitely."

"I think mine is copper-haired American boy." She bit down on his shoulder, laughing when he groaned.

"There's something you should know," he said, leaning toward her mouth as it continued to lick and nibble his skin. "Rosalie is going to hunt...humans...with Emmett."

Bella's head snapped up, a deep frown on her face. "Fuck! Carlisle and Esme are going to hate me."

"They will be unhappy with her decision, but they'll understand it's one she's made herself." Smirking, he took her earlobe into his mouth and bit down hard. "Can I just tell you that hearing you curse is doing evil things to my body."

Bella reached down between them, pressing the heel of her hand against the bulge in his jeans. "You're insatiable, do you know that?"

"I've got unlimited stamina and 91 years of pent up fantasies about you. Of course I'm insatiable."

Moving to her knees on the floor between Edward's legs, Bella looked up to see Edward gazing intently at her, his black eyes sparkling with love and excitement, making her gasp.

"What is it?" she barely squeaked.

Unbuttoning the fly of his jeans, he ran his fingers through her hair. "I can't wait until your eyes are the color of butterscotch."