Author's Note: Team Jacob people...here it is.

Be sure to read my explanation at the end of this chapter.

Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyer owns all of these characters.

Chapter Twenty-Five: "A Very Horrible Mistake" Bella's POV

"That was a really great dinner," I told Edward as he parked the Volvo in the little bed-and-breakfast's parking lot. "Thank you so much."

He smiled, taking my hand. "You're welcome, love. I'm glad you enjoyed it."

There was a tension hanging in the air that was deeply tangible. We were both obviously wondering about where tonight would lead us. His thumb traced little circles on the back of my hand as I stared into his emerald eyes. He gave me a dazzling smile before leaning in to kiss me.

Our lips slowly moved with each other, taking their time. I preferred this slow kissing over the fast, playful caresses we usually shared. His hands moved into my hair, combing through it and holding my head in place. My right hand cupped his neck. Fire shot through me as we mutually opened our mouths, deepening our chaste kiss into something so much more.

"Mmm," I moaned a minute later as I pulled away from air. If I had any doubts about what we were doing tonight, then they had vanished. "Let's go to our room. Please."

He looked surprised at my desperate tone. "I concur," he whispered before cutting the engine and sweeping out of the car. He was at my door quickly, opening it and helping me out. I tripped, and he caught me flush against his chest. We stared at each other for far too long.

Tonight was going to be slow and sweet.

He swallowed hard before taking my hand and leading me into the bed-and-breakfast. We had already dropped our luggage off, so we went straight up to the room. He fiddled with the key like he was nervous. What would he be nervous about?

We walked into the charming room. It had sunny yellow walls, beautiful hardwood floors, and elegant furniture. The quilt on the rather large bed was white with detailed pink roses. It was beautiful.

However, my eyes were only for Edward. He dropped his keys onto the bedside table and sat down to take his shoes off. I shed my sandals by the bathroom door and crawled on the bed next to him, trying to kiss his cheek. He, however, turned his head so he caught my lips in his.

I gently pushed him down on the bed. He kicked his last shoe off and adjusted himself so we were both lying on the bed. We stared at each other for an immeasurable moment before I gently rolled over on top of him. My hands took his jaw captive, and I pressed my lips to his again.

His arms wrapped around my waist, kissing me cautiously. I knew he was wondering where I was going with this.

"Lighten up," I whispered. "I know what I'm doing."

He gave me his crooked smile. "I know you do. I don't, though."

I giggled and continued to kiss him. He did loosen up, letting his fingers lightly trail down my spine. As soon as he got to the seat of my dress, his fingers started moving back up.

He was holding back. After two months of being teased, he had resigned himself to the fact that the teasing was probably going to last a lot longer. I loved him for holding back, for not rushing me into anything, but I was ready for more.

I broke our kiss and dotted my lips down his jaw, going straight to his neck. I lightly nuzzled my nose and lips to the skin there before grazing it gently with my teeth. His breath caught, and his hands continued to rub my back.

I licked at his earlobe for just a second before raising my head and looking into his eyes. "Do you trust me?" I asked him softly.

He nodded, a new anticipation gleaming in the endless pools of green.

I trapped his lips again, and our tongues began their beautiful dance. My fingers went to the buttons of his shirt, and I slowly started to unfasten them. As soon as the buttons were all free, my hands roamed on his chest and abs, feeling every beautiful muscle.

Edward tilted my jaw up so he could attack my neck, and he started to unbutton the front of my dress. For once, I didn't resist him. He rolled over so he was hovering above me, and his mouth continued its delicious trail down my torso as he uncovered more of me. He pulled apart the sash at my waist, and my dress fell open to reveal the midnight blue lingerie that I hadn't worn in over a year.

"I love that color with your skin," he whispered into my ear.

"I love you," I gasped, and he smiled before gently palming the planes of my torso and hips.

I twisted just a little so my hands could unfasten his pants. He raised his hips so he could kick them off.

Oh, god, I thought. Edward Cullen is in his boxers. Right in front of my eyes.

I felt like a silly teenager, but I didn't care. I liked feeling young again. My legs wrapped around his waist, and he softly placed a kiss in between my breasts. "Bella?" he murmured.

"Yes?" I was a little distracted by the way he kissed and licked along my collarbones.

"You're beautiful, love. Every little piece." He nuzzled his nose into my lacy bra. "I can't imagine why you've been hiding this."

I smiled, blushing in my cheeks and feeling a flush across my chest. "You're beautiful, too," I whispered.

My lips were suddenly very busy again, and his hands thoroughly distracted me from any conversation. He pulled my bra apart, and then we began one of the most pleasantly earth-shattering nights of my life.

My cell phone woke us up at ten AM the next morning. My back was resting against Edward's naked body, and his arms were wrapped around me tightly.

"Don't answer that," he begged, sliding down the bed so he could place a kiss between my shoulder blades.

"Let me see who it is," I replied, picking up the phone from the bedside table. Edward kept kissing my shoulders and back, his hands rediscovering my front. "God, baby," I giggled. "You're so good at distracting me."

"I'm not apologizing for that."

"Please don't," I replied with a smile, pulling the vibrating phone closer to my eyes. The caller ID read Unknown. No name, no number, nothing.

"That's weird," I said. "Probably just a telemarketer."

"Let it go to voicemail."

"I don't have a voicemail box set up," I replied, placing the ringing phone back on the table. "I hate listening to recorded messages. If it's important, they'll call back again."

I twisted so my body was facing his, and my hands tangled in his hair, rubbing his scalp just the way I knew he liked it. He flashed me that adorable crooked smile. "How do you know exactly how to drive me crazy?"

I shrugged, relieved that the annoying ringtone had ceased. "The way you practically purr whenever I do something is a pretty good indication of what you like."

He laughed before kissing me softly yet passionately. I thought we were headed toward another lovemaking session, but my phone interrupted me again. Edward froze.

"Ignoring it again," I murmured. "Keep kissing me, Rhett."

He laughed. "Yes ma'am, Scarlett."

Finally, when a third call interrupted us, I sighed and retrieved the phone. Still an unknown number. Edward snaked down the bed to take one of my feet. He started massaging it in a way that made me feel like I was floating in pure bliss.

I flipped my phone open. "Hello?"

"Is this Isabella Black?" a male voice asked me.

"Yes, it is," I replied. "Who's speaking?"

"This is Colonel Embry Call, ma'am. I'm the American commander of Campbell Barracks in Heidelburg, Germany."

"Okay," I said, a strange feeling of dread creeping up on me. Edward felt my body tense and started to kiss along my feet. "May I ask why you're calling?"

"Ma'am…" he sighed. "I'm calling to inform you of a very horrible mistake the US Army has made."

Oh, great, they've found Jacob's possessions and they're going to send them to me. Just after I've moved on to another man.

He hesitated in my silence, but kept speaking. "Ma'am, we misidentified the body that was sent to you."

Whaaaaat? I pulled my feet from Edward and sat up in bed, swinging my legs over the side. "That's impossible," I said. "Jacob has been buried for over a year."

Edward slid off of the bed, coming to kneel in front of me. He had his eyebrows raised in question, and a concerned sadness in his eyes. "What's going on?" he mouthed.

I shrugged, totally confused.

"The man we buried is not Sergeant Black," Colonel Call continued.

"How do you know that?" I gasped.

"Because…" Colonel Call paused. "Because we found Sergeant Black in an Iraqi POW camp. Mrs. Black, your husband is still alive."

And with those five words, everything I had trusted and found comfort in for the past months came crashing down. Edward instantly noticed the change in my face and started to rub my thighs.

For some reason, I didn't want him to touch me. I was still married. My husband was still alive. I stood up and ran to grab the complimentary terrycloth robe.

"Where is he?" I nearly shouted as I pulled it on.

"We flew him in to the hospital here at Campbell. Mrs. Black, he isn't in such great shape. He's very malnourished and has broken bones. We've had to rebreak a few of the bones that had already set incorrectly. He also was shot in the leg right before we found him. We have him on constant IV fluids and painkillers."

"Can I talk to him?" I shrieked. Jacob…my Jacob…was still alive. My husband, the father of my children, the man who was once the reason for my existence. He was a nine hour plane ride away from me.

"He's in surgery right now. As soon as he is able to speak, I will try to get him to a phone."

"Do I need to buy a calling card or anything?" I asked Colonel Call.

"No, ma'am. We'll take care of the expenses of everything, including his flight home. Ma'am, your husband has served his country extremely well. After seeing his current condition, I can say that I can't think of a finer soldier."

"Thank you," I murmured, my head spinning. "Can I fly to Germany to be with him while he heals?"

For the first time, I noticed Edward from across the room. He had pulled jeans and a t-shirt on, and he was collapsed on his knees. His green eyes were burning as he took in my side of the conversation. I knew from the tortured expression on his face that he understood.

"Yes," Colonel Call said. "We can find you housing."

"I'll be there ASAP," I said.

"We'll have transportation for you at the airport, Mrs. Black. I'll meet you myself. I'll be wearing my uniform with my last name on it, of course."

"Thank you, Colonel Call," I said.

"Stay strong, Mrs. Black. We'll see you soon. Keep your phone on in case Sergeant Black can call you."

"I will."

I hung up my phone, dropping it on the floor and running to my suitcase. "We have to leave," I said, panicking. "I have to go home and pack for a stay in Germany."

Edward was still frozen. Finally, as I dressed, he said, "How did this happen?"

"Jacob has been a prisoner of war. I don't know why they thought that body was his. He's in the Campbell hospital in Germany." I repeated his medical condition back to Edward.

"So…you're going after him?" Edward asked dully.

I nodded. "Of course. He's still my husband, Edward."

As soon as I saw his crestfallen expression, my tears started to flow. I threw my suitcase down on the floor and crumbled on the bed, sobbing.

Edward, of course, came and comforted me. But as I peeked through my eyelashes, I saw that he was crying, too.

I know that everyone wanted Bella to go home and find Jacob sitting in her living room. Or that Jacob would walk in on Bella and Edward having an intimate moment. Or that he would show up to the twins' first birthday party. I know-that would have been a great twist.

But that's not how it would work in real life. Jacob has been living in hell for a year, so he is obviously in need of intense medical care. And the Army would have to let Bella know that she had buried the wrong body, so they could dig the grave up and try to identify the remains.

Jacob's POV is next. Warning: there will be flashbacks from his POW (prisoner of war) days.