A/N: Dudes, I totally forgot I wrote an epilogue!

So we have a little more of this story left.

Yay!

Chapter Twenty-Four

"Okay, how did you know?" Edward asked the moment they reached the car.
"How did I know what?" his mate asked as she all but skipped beside him. Since her conversation with Jacob, she hadn't been able to wipe the smile off her face.
After walking away from the kicking and screaming wolf, the couple thanked Arthur again for all his help and collected the list that Sam made.
Edward hadn't shown her the list yet. She was so happy, so proud of herself since confronting Jacob and he didn't want to ruin that by showing her the countless towns and cities. The pair had been busy over the last decade and he knew that one glance at the list would wipe that beautiful smile off her face.
He would show her another day, he swore as she smiled up at him. She was radiant, he thought, and nothing would spoil her joy. Not today.
Now, despite the rain, the pair stood in front of his truck grinning at each other. Thank God he'd covered the truck bed with tarp or her things would have been destroyed.
"How did you know about Leah? She never mentioned a thing to Mike, or to any of us, about Jacob loving her. How did you know?"
Her dark eyes twinkled with joy. "I guessed," she laughed.
"You guessed?"
"Yeah. I had no idea, but the more I thought about it, and the more he reacted. I knew I was on the right track and I ran with it. I still can't believe it's finally over," she added as she resisted the urge to fist pump the air. "We got the information from Sam and I finally got the answers I needed. I finally know why he went through so much trouble just to get my sorry ass back," she chuckled.
"And now that you have your answers, how do you feel?" he asked as he tucked a tendril of hair behind her ear. Her cheeks were flushed despite the frigid wind and rain and she'd never looked so beautiful to him. She was lit up like a Christmas tree and he never wanted this moment to end.
"I feel… free," she finished softly. "I feel as if it's finally over."
"I'm glad. I'm glad you've found closure and now you can move on with your life. Our life."
She grinned. "I like the sound of that."
"Good," he said as he opened the door for her and waited for her to get safely inside before joining her in the warm and dry vehicle.
"I still can't believe it was over a woman," he added as he turned the key in the ignition and put the car into drive.
Resting her back against the window so she could face him. God he looked good wet. She replied, "Don't forget about power. It had a lot to do with power, also. I think he just snapped," she said as she turned up the heater. "He was raised with everyone telling him he was the weakest of his pack, right? The fact that his mother was human making it even worse. And when the girl he wanted, an insignificant human at that, rejected him it was the final straw. He wanted to be big and strong and fearsome, and what better way to do that than by hurting someone even weaker than you are? Who better to start with than the girl who broke your heart?"
He rolled his eyes. "Still? A girl?"
She raised an eyebrow. "How would you react if I rejected you?"
His green eyes widened, little droplets of rain running from his temple to his jaw. He looked sexy as hell.
"You did!" he pointed out. "Countless times."
She blew out an impatient breath. "I had my reasons. But seriously, how would you react if I told you I didn't want you? I was going off with a better, more ripped, hot alpha?"
He shrugged and he responded calmly, "I would slaughter him. Bury him in a shallow, unmarked grave and handcuff you, naked, to my bed until you realized the error or your ways."
Bella rolled her eyes.
"I'm serious."
"Let's not ruin the moment by bringing up your creepy, stalker tendencies."
He smiled at her. "I am proud of you. It killed me to stand there quietly while you sat in the same room as them, but I'm glad you did it. You were amazing."
"I was, wasn't I?"
"I would normally call you on your lack of modesty, but we have a long drive ahead of us and I need to reserve my energy."
"Fine, it's no fun if you refuse to fight back. When are we stopping for the night?"
"Not until we reach New Mexico."
"Cool. You drive half way and then we'll switch."
"That's fine by me. I can get some shut eye in the back seat."
"Cool," she repeated. "You do that, but until then, let's crank the tunes!"

#

As he listened to the sound of the water running in the bathroom, Edward crashed onto the large, soft bed and sighed in relief. After a long day in the car, the thick mattress felt like heaven to his aching back.
He was getting old, he concluded as he settled against the pillows. He was an old man at thirty-four. At one point in his life he could have slept in a car seat for days, had on many occasion, and now, after one day, his back was stiff and aching and he'd had to pop a couple of Tylenol.
What had happened to his youth? he wondered.
Bella hadn't complained. She'd been jovial as they travelled to the hotel in New Mexico where they would spend the night before getting back on the road bright and early tomorrow morning. As he winced and groaned over back troubles and pulled in at one of the many exits they visited, she jumped into the driver's seat with a carefree laugh and got them back on the road.
Edward decided to get some rest and crammed himself in the backseat and was out like a light within seconds.
Hours later, he woke to find Bella singing sweetly along to Thomas Rhett and sipping on green tea. While he'd been dozing, she'd pulled in and stocked up on refreshments. And wasn't it sweet, he thought as he crawled into the seat beside her, that she'd picked him up a cup of coffee.
It was cold now, she informed him apologetically, but it was the thought that counted.
He'd agreed and smirked when he noted the amount of empty Coke bottles stuffed in the plastic bag they were using as a trash can.
Bella couldn't stand coffee, but she sure found a way to get her caffeine fix somewhere else.
As he rubbed his gritty eyes, she flashed him one of those beautiful smiles and he couldn't resist leaning in to nuzzle her neck. She giggled, batting him away and informing him that they were close to the hotel.
He'd called ahead this time. He refused to stay in another shitty, run down motel after a long day of driving. As much as he loved spending time with Bella, as much as he wanted her to enjoy herself, he was tired. He was also eager to get her home. His wolf was anxious to get her into his lair, get her settled and make sure she was safe and happy.
The incredibly long drive only served to piss off both man and wolf.
Soon, he promised as he reached for the remote and began flipping through the many channels.
They hadn't arrived until just after ten and Bella, completely exhausted, had crawled onto the bed and passed out.
Their body clocks were going to be a mess, but he refused to wake her. He got some rest in the backseat so he was good to go, but his mate needed sleep.
It was after midnight when she eventually woke and decided to jump in the shower before going to get some food. Something had to be open, she'd shrugged as she closed the bathroom door.
This hotel room was a step up from the one in Kansas and in Salem. The walls were creams with colorful drapes and two framed photographs of tree's hanging on the wall above the headboard. The floors were carpeted and a warm brown, and despite the cheap lamp shades and bed side tables, it was nice.
The only thing Edward cared about was that it was clean, warm and had a bed and television.
Upon entering the room, while Bella slept, he made a couple of calls. One was to Emmett to fill him in on their afternoon and how much his sister rocked, and the second was to his beta. He'd made both calls in the bathroom so he wouldn't disturb Bella, but he turned the shower on when he'd spoken to his beta. He hadn't wanted her to overhear the long list he'd rattled off to James.
One night, he'd decided. She deserved one night of happiness before reality came crashing down around her once again.
He was slightly surprised she hadn't asked to see it but maybe, just maybe, she was thinking that same thing, too.
Just one night.
As he continued to flick through the channels, he glanced at the time on his watch. They would be heading out for dinner soon and if she didn't move her ass they'd miss the reservation's he made at a restaurant in town.
"Baby!" he called, making no effort to move. If it were up to him they'd order in a pizza and veg out on the bed, but he didn't think she'd be on board with the idea. "How long are you going to be? I'm hungry," he whined.
She'd been in there for an hour. What could she possibly be doing that takes so long?
He heard the lock click and the door opened. "I was thinking that maybe we could just get order some take-out, if you don't mind."
Edward rolled his eyes. Why hadn't she said something earlier? He'd gotten dressed for no reason.
He glanced at her, preparing to say just that, when he saw her and his jaw dropped.
She stood there, her hair glossy and tousled as it fell around her shoulders, a small seductive smile playing on her lips, she wore a sexy black teddy and 'come fuck me' heels.
His eyes all but bulged out of his head as they ran over her body. The lace cupping her full breasts lovingly, the soft material covering her proudly revealing every dip and curve of her mouth-watering figure and was sheer enough that he could cute little freckle above her belly button.
"Um, where, where did you get that?" he stuttered as he scrambled to the edge of the bed.
Standing with a hand propped sassily on her hip, she smirked. "I remember promising you to show you what this looks like on," she said as she sauntered to the edge of the bed. Her hips rolling with every step, her breast's swayed and Edward thought he'd have a heart attack, his heart was beating so hard.
When she stood in front of him, when all he could see was the gentle swell of her belly and the thatch of curls that covered his favourite place on Earth, his breath hitched.
He was so close. He could see every detail. He could smell her desire in the air, feel her heat against his skin and wanted to devour her. He needed to. Thoughts of food and sleep fell away until all he could think of was her.
"And now that I have," she continued. "I was hoping you wouldn't mind help me to get it off. Unless you'd rather get something to eat," she drawled.
He lifted his hand, his fingers grazing along her inner thigh. Her sharp intake of breath had him chuckling. If it sounded a little shaky, who could blame him? The sexiest woman in the world was standing in front of him and he was hard and aching.
He grinned up at her, saw the heat in her dark eyes, and said, "The only thing I'm interesting in eating tonight, is you."
She gasped when his hand shot out, grabbing her ass and yanking her to him as he pressed his face into her lower abdomen. His large hands massaged the shapely globes of her ass and had her sighing as she gripped onto his shoulders.
"Do you want that?" he whispered against sheer lace. He began to place hot, wet kisses on her quivering stomach through the soft fabric.
"More than anything," she breathed as her fingers drifted into his thick hair.
"Good." He grinned against her and using his superior speed, he yanked her down on the bed, enjoying her squeal of surprise.
Bella laid there, the wind knocked out of her, giggling as he tore at his own clothes until, finally, he was bare before her.
And what a sight he was, she thought as he pounced on her. His hands were hot as they teased, his mouth at her neck, his teeth scraping and nibbling as he left his mark.
Edward sent up a silent 'thank you' when he saw the little buttons at the crotch. He didn't think he'd be able to get her out of the thing without destroying it and he couldn't have that. He saw this little number being used a lot in their future. One look at her and he was harder than he'd ever been. No way in hell would he damage a single stitch.
As he slipped inside of her, Bella moaned her legs lifting to wrap around his waist. When one her heels scraped his skin, she grimaced and attempted to kick them off.
Edward stopped her with a palm on her thigh. "No. Leave them on."
She let out a breathless chuckle. "Whatever my man wants."
"Yes," he agreed. "Whatever I want, for as long as I want," he added as he thrust sharply inside her.
She gasped as pleasure rocketed through her. "Yes."
Whatever he wanted, she would do. Whatever he needed, she would give.
As began to move forcefully inside of her, as their combined pleasure began to build, Bella made a mental note to find the nearest lingerie store when they arrived home. After tonight's results, she sensed she would be purchasing a lot more items in her future.

#

Edward was worried about her, Bella thought as she stared out the window.
That morning, they'd climbed into the cab of the truck and set off on their final journey.
And she asked to see the list.
As she watched the rain pound against the windshield, she wished she hadn't. She wished she didn't know the truth.
Earlier that morning she believed she could handle the truth. She thought she should know. That's why she'd demanded to see it, despite Edward's resistance. Yesterday had been wonderful, the sex later that night out of this world, but now it was time to face reality.
She regretted that decision. She couldn't get the amount of towns out of her head.
Jacob Black and Sam Uley were responsible for the abduction and the murders of over a hundred women.
Bella's heart felt heavy, her stomach queasy and her eyes burning with unshed tears.
There were so many, she thought. So many women had been in that cage. None of them made it home.
"Baby, are you okay?" Edward asked from beside her. She'd been quiet, lost in her own thoughts and grief and he'd wanted to give her as much space as he could in the small confines of the car. But he was worried. He could scent her anguish, her anger and his wolf whined at his mate's pain.
"I don't know," she replied quietly, honestly. "I knew it would be bad, I did, but I never imagined there were so many."
He reached and pulled her hand onto his thigh. She gave him a small smile as he laced their fingers together. "I'm sorry, baby. I wish I could have spared you from finding out the truth."
She shook her head. "I wanted to know. And now I do and, I don't know, I just feel useless. I thought I'd done a good thing, that I'd beaten them."
"You have," he insisted.
"No. I haven't. Over a hundred women, Edward, and they are all rotting in the woods somewhere. Their families still have no idea what happened to them. They can never know what really happened."
"You're right," he said. "But we'll them find, Bella. I'll have people go into those woods and scour every inch. I'll have them dig it up. I promise you we will find them and we'll send them home. At this point, that's all we can do."
"It doesn't feel like it's enough."
"I know, but it has to be. You brought them down, Bella. You risked your life, your peace of mind, to bring them to justice and you succeeded. It will have to be enough because there's nothing else you can do more than you already have. You defeated them. They are now paying for their crimes because of you, and together we will do everything in our power to send each and every one of them home. To finally give them the peace they deserve. It will have to be enough," he repeated.
She leaned forward to press a sweet kiss against his cheek. "You're right."
"Of course I am," he replied cockily.
Rolling her eyes she sat back in her seat and went back to watching the rain hammer against the glass pane. After a moment, she asked, "How's Jenna doing?"
His scowl was sudden and fierce. "Oh, that bitch? She's just peachy. I received a text from Darius. She is safe and sound with her family and has reluctantly agreed to keep quiet about us and sadistic werewolves."
She felt like truly smiling for the first time since she'd read Sam's list. "Be nice."
He scoffed. "No way in fucking hell, baby. This is one thing we're always going to disagree on."
"She was just trying to survive."
He growled the sound filling the truck. "She was willing to sell you out to save her own ass. I don't care what she was trying to do, you don't do that after some risked their lives for you," he fumed.
"Let's talk about something else," she suggested. She regretted she'd brought her up.
"Fine. What should we talk about? Are you excited about meeting the pack?"
She could see the residual anger in his eyes, but he was trying for her.
"I'm a little nervous," she admitted.
"Why?"
"What if they don't like me? They're your pack, your family, and I'm an outsider. A human, to make it even worse. What if they don't like the idea of a human being mated to their alpha?"
He laughed. "Bella, I couldn't give a shit what they want, or what they think. You are my mate. The woman neither my wolf, nor myself, would ever want to live without. As long as we are together, as long as you're happy, that's all I care about."
"All I want is that too. But for you," she added with a grin.
"I know," he assured her. "Believe me when I say that it doesn't matter what they think. They'll love you, though," he promised. With a wink, he added, "Who wouldn't love someone as adorable as you?"
She raised an eyebrow. "I'm adorable, huh?"
"Oh yeah. I remember the day I met Rosalie. Long legs, great face and a body that fantasies are made of."
She scowled. "There better be a point in here somewhere."
He chuckled. "There is. As I was saying, here she is, this stunning woman and then she shoved an iPad on my desk and told me to watch. And there she was," he said softly, his green eyes gentle. "Wearing nothing but a towel and singing her heart out. She was the cutest thing I'd ever seen, and I couldn't get her out of my head after that. I still can't."
She nodded, somewhat mollified. "Nice save."
Edward tossed his head back and laughed. He couldn't love her more. "It's true. You've been in my head, in my heart, since that day and I didn't even realize it. We're going to be happy, Bella. No matter what happens, or the amount of petty fights we have along the way, we are going to be happy."
"I know," she replied simply. Confidently.
For a long time they sat in silence, listening to the sound of the rain. Content in each other's company.
The sun was starting to set when she exclaimed, "Stop the car!"
Edward jumped in his seat. "What the fuck, Bella?"
"Stop the car," she snapped.
Grumbling about annoying females, he did as she ordered and pulled over onto the shoulder.
Throwing open the door, she shot out of the car and began running up the deserted road.
"What are you doing?" he shouted as he hurried out after her.
"Come here!" She waved her hand frantically for him to join her.
Sighing, he jogged over to his mate, who was crouched over a soggy cardboard box. "What's in it?"
"What's in the box?" she chuckled as she reached inside. Her face, wet and flushed from the rain, broke out into the sweetest smile as she crooned at the small bundle in her hands. "Edward, look," she ordered.
"No," he refused. "Put them down, Bella."
She gave him a look. One that spoke volumes. He didn't tell her what to do. "Edward, why are acting as if I have severed head in my hands? Don't be such a baby," she scolded. "They're not dangerous. They are the cutest kitten's I've ever seen in my entire life."
Edward scowled as she held three the little fluffy creatures to her chest. They were tiny and boisterous and he didn't like it one bit. He knew where this was leading.
"Who left you here, huh?" she murmured as she used her body to protect them from the elements. "What horrible son of a bitch left you out here all alone to die?" She looked up at him. "I don't think they've been out here long. They were lucky. They wouldn't have lasted the night. Poor things."
"Yeah, poor things," he agreed impatiently. "Now put them back and let's get on the road. We're not going to arrive home until late as it is. Come on." He snapped his fingers.
She glared at him. "We are not just leave them here to die, Edward Mason."
"Well, they're not coming home with us."
Pouting, she straightened. With the kittens still in her arms, she strolled over to him. Three ginger and black kittens looked up at him with watchful eyes. As she stood there, one of the little monster's hissed and took a swipe at him.
His mate thought that was just adorable as cooed them. "Isn't that the cutest thing you've ever seen?"
"No."
Bella stomped her foot. "Edward, please, we can't leave them out here all alone. They'll die. And they are so cute. Aren't you cute?" She smiled down at them. "You're the prettiest thing's in the world aren't you girls?"
He frowned. "How do you know they're girls?"
She dragged her gaze away from the three cats to inform him. "I think from looking at their coats they could be Tortoiseshell and males are incredibly rare and most likely infertile. Did you know that?"
He gave her a droll look. "Oh, yes. I know all about the different types of cats. Put them down, they are probably flea ridden."
She smirked at him. "Edward, do you not like cats? Is this a cat and dog, kind of thing?"
He scowled. "I am not a dog. I am a shape shifter. I'm a wolf."
"A wolf who's afraid of three little kitty cats," she sneered.
He blanched. "Oh God. You're a cat person, aren't you?"
"Loud and proud," she confirmed. "Are you starting to re-think the whole 'mate' thing, baby?" she asked sweetly.
He hesitated. "We're not keeping them."
She unleashed her big puppy dog eyes on him. "Please," she begged. "I'll look after them, I promise."
He sighed. "Bella, I'm a wolf. A predator. They'll never accept me. And you have to remember I live, we live, on Meute De Loups land. They are all sorts of shifters on the property at all times."
She nodded thoughtfully and then through down the gauntlet. "Yes. I understand. But didn't you say that you'd do anything to make me happy? Wouldn't the big, bad alpha of an elite pack be able to protect three vulnerable kittens if his mate loved them?"
"That's not fair. You're twisting my words, using my emotions, to get your own way."
She grinned. "I know. I just don't care." They stood, in the rain, staring each other down, and she tried again. "Edward, please, I always wanted a cat, but my mom was allergic. And I wasn't allowed one in the foster homes and Emmett was working all the time after that. Please."
He sighed heavily. How could he say no to that? "Fine," he relented with little grace. "You can keep them, but you're taking care of them."
"I will," she promised.
"I mean it, Bella. I'm not feeding them. I'm not cleaning up after them. The only time I will ever interfere with your cats is if one of my men wants to snack on them. And even then, I won't rush to their aid. You got it?"
She nodded eagerly. "We do. Did you hear that, girls? Daddy says you can come home with us. Isn't he the bestest?" she added as she hurried past him.
He gaped when he saw her begin to climb into the cab of the truck with the kittens. "Where do you think you're taking them?"
She rolled her eyes. "Edward, it's raining. They could have already caught a cold as it is. They need warmth and cuddles."
"I don't care. Put them in the bed of the truck."
Her expression was one of horror before she slammed the door shut behind her.
"I was kidding," he muttered as he made his way to the truck.
Once they were back on the road and the cats were bundled up in the blanket Bella had used while she'd napped in the back seat, she turned to him. "I'm going to name them Mila, Taylor and Margot. I always said if I ever got a cat, and it was a girl, I would call her Mila. Mila from Sweet Alien Savage, of course.
"Of course," he agreed.
"Or Taylor, after Taylor Swift. Duh. Or maybe Margot from Cursed. A story I read on Fiction Press."
His face scrunched into a baffled frown. "Fiction what?"
She continued as if he hadn't spoke. "I was planning to get a kitten before everything happened, but I could never decide between the three. Now I don't have to."
"Mila, Taylor and Margot," he said. He hadn't thought it could get any worse.
He'd been wrong.
"We should make them an appointment with a vet in the morning. And, of course, we'll have to get them a bed and bowls and food. Oh, you can put the little chips in them, so if they ever wander off we can find them. I knew you'd come in handy one day."
He stared out the window in a state of shock. "This time last year, I was a carefree bachelor. I could do whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted. I had the respect of my pack, I had their fear. I was known as a cold, ruthless killer throughout the supernatural world. Life was good. Now, I have a mate and three kittens and you're telling them I'm their daddy. How did my life go so wrong?"
Bella tossed him a grin as she continued to pet the sleeping kittens. "You wouldn't change a thing," she stated confidently.
That was just it, he thought. That's what was crazy about the entire thing.
He wouldn't change a thing.

#

It was late when they finally arrived home. Cats curled up in her lap, Bella had spent the rest of the drive promising Edward multiple sexual favours for being such a good sport.
Now, they were here and she was nervous again.
Despite what Edward said, she wanted them to like her. She wanted to fit in with his life and prove she could be a good mate. What if his people didn't think she had it in her?
Due to the late hour, she couldn't see anything as Edward made the long drive to the land his people owned in the middle of nowhere. It made worse, somehow. She didn't know what to expect. All Emmett and Rosalie had told her about the property was that it was situated behind a big ass gate and armed security guards.
In the middle of nowhere behind a huge gate with security, stood her new home.
Finally they came to a stop in front of the iron gate that Emmett had once described. It was bigger than she'd imagined.
"It's okay," Edward assured her as he wound down the window.
Reaching out, he pressed a button and a voice sounded over one of the speakers. "Alpha. Welcome back. Congratulations are in order, I hear. You found your mate. Please pass on my best wishes."
Edward gave her a pointed look as he mouthed 'I told you so'. "Thanks, Ash. She can't wait to meet you all, but she's pretty tired. Can you let us in, please?"
"Yes, Alpha. Do you need anything?"
Edward released a put upon sigh. "Can you have someone run out and get us some kitten milk and food and have them drop it off at my place?"
There was a long pause. Finally, he replied, "Yes, Alpha."
"Thank you."
The gates opened with a groan and Edward sped through. Feeling eyes on him, he glanced to see his mate smiling dreamily at him. "What?"
"You're amazing," she replied.
He shifted uncomfortably. "It's not a big deal. I'm still not looking after them."
"You're amazing," she repeated and there was nothing he could do to make her believe otherwise. He hated her kittens, would have gladly left them in the rain, but he still had his men go out and get them food and milk because it was important to her.
Clearing his throat, he said, "The building we use is down that road." He pointed to building where he'd first met Rosalie and her brother, but it was too dark and she had no hope of seeing anything. "In the morning I'll give you the grand tour and introduce you to everyone."
"Okay."
"And you have no reason to be nervous. Everyone will love you." He scowled suddenly. "But if anyone upsets you, you come to me, understand? Anyone at all. Promise me," he ordered sternly.
"I promise."
"Good." He nodded. Coming to a stop, he announced, "We're here."
Edward's house reminded her of a log cabin. It was one story with a wraparound porch. It wasn't much to look at, but she liked it. It had potential, she thought as she joined Edward outside, the kittens continued to sleep peacefully in her arms.
She could picture two rocking chairs, or maybe a swing, on the porch. Watching their children play on sunny days. Sitting under the protection of the overhang, wrapped up in her nana's blanket when it was raining.
Yes, she liked it. She could picture living her life here. She could see the two of them cooking meals together and arguing over who should turn out the light. She pictured romantic dinners and night's lying on the couch watching old movies. Hectic mornings and lazy summer days. And she couldn't wait for Christmas. She planned to light it up like, well, like a Christmas tree.
Yes, she could see her future here. Their future.
"So, what do you think?" he asked as he led her down the dirt path and up the two wooden steps leading to the porch. "It's not much, but it's home," he added as he unlocked the door, tapped in the alarm code and entered the dark house.
Following him in, she placed the kittens on the leather recliner and went with him on a tour of the house.
It was definitely a boy's house, she thought in amusement. The furniture was simple, but well made. The sofa was over stuffed and the flat screen television was gigantic. DVD's were crammed into a wooden cabinet and an expensive CD player sat in the corner.
"You can change anything you want," he told her.
"Oh, I will," she giggled as she pointed at the pool table.
His bedroom, their bedroom, was sparse, but clean and the bed was big and looked comfortable. The small bathroom was clean, which was a bonus. At least he wasn't a slob.
Leading her back to the living room, he switched on a lamp and pulled her down onto the sofa with him.
"So, what do you think? Can you see yourself living here?"
"Oh, yes. I can't wait to start unpacking and blending my things with yours. I know it sound's silly, but I'm really looking forward to that. I think there's nothing more intimate than sharing a bathroom sink in the morning."
He laughed deeply. "Oh, you say that now. You just wait until I leave the cap off the toothpaste or I forget to put the toilet seat down."
She shrugged. "I can handle you."
"Seriously, you can change whatever you like." He let out a long and suffering sigh. "Even the pool table."
"No, it can stay. We can use it to decide who does the dishes."
He smirked. "How did I get so lucky?"
"You are lucky. I'm a catch, you know? Besides, I like your house."
"Our house," he corrected immediately.
"I like our house. It reminds me of you."
He pulled her close. "What? Simple?"
"No," she laughed. "Warm, safe and filled with possibilities."
He kissed her long. Sweet and lingering, he didn't rush. He didn't care that they were both tired or they would have to unload the truck before they got any rest tonight.
Or that three flea ridden cats were currently dozing on his favourite chair.
He was sitting on the couch with the woman of his dreams and he'd never been happier. He never would have believed he could feel this way. That he could be filled with such joy, such love.
"Can you believe you're sitting here, saying things that no one else ever has, to the man you once held at knife point?"
She rolled her eyes dramatically as groaned. "For the final time, you offered."
"Yeah, yeah," he drawled. "You keep telling yourself that."
"Oh, shut up," she said as she dragged his face to hers for another kiss.
After a while Edward eased back so they could catch their breath. Resting his forehead against hers, he smiled down at her. It was sweet and held so much love and she swore that the Earth stopped moving.
"Welcome home, Bella. I've waited a long time for you."
Smiling, she brought his lips back to hers.
There was no place she'd rather be.