Hey guys, sorry for the wait again. But no more wait after this one. I will post the last chapter tomorrow(Thursday) and the Epilogue on Friday. I do hope you guys enjoy, and I can't thank you guys enough for sticking with me and reading.

Now, awhile ago I got a review in the form of a cheer, and it made me laugh so much and pretty much made my day. I wish it wasn't under guest, because I really wanna know who wrote that. So, to whoever wrote that, you wanted a lemon. I can't promise one happens in this chapter, but you should be happy with the last chapter.

As always thank you to Darcysmom, Nikki and Heather. Your comments on these last few chapters really helped.

Enjoy!

~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~

I spent my time waiting for Charlie to go to work by planning a much needed, impromptu date for Bella. I planned to properly court her this time. Maybe not how I would have done it back in 1918, but I had plans for many dates to make up for lost time.

I hoped by bringing her back to the house, she would feel welcome again. I wanted her to feel loved and special, but most of all cherished. I really wanted the house to be a place she could come back to and make new memories in, and not have to worry about the disaster that was her birthday.

I just wanted to make up for everything and make our second chance so much better than the first one we had.

With all the voices in my head, I knew our family wanted time with her as well, and I couldn't stop the smile that spread across my face at the mention of it being our family. She has become everything to us, even more so this time around. And I know that she has already adopted the family as her own completely and wholeheartedly.

As I made my way up to my room, leaving my family to their own plans, I made a list in my head of how I wanted tonight to go and what I hoped would happen. Once I entered my room, I took notice of the boxed up bed frame and mattress waiting to be put together, the bedspread waiting alongside it with a note from Alice.

Brother,

I saw you thinking about this, of course. I know you and Bella may not be ready, but I figured it couldn't hurt to be prepared. I've also started ahead of you on getting some things prepared for you tonight.

Alice

I shook my head and took inventory of all that had to be put together and quickly went about taking it out of the box. As I worked, I was struck with the thought that tonight would be our first real date. That night in Port Angeles didn't count in my book. I realized that I had spent all of those months with her and not once did I really court her how she should have been. Well, that was all going to change.

Once the bed was put together and made, I stood there by it, wondered how she would react when she walked into my room for the first time since September. I hoped that she would like the new additions to my room. I wanted her to have a bigger part in this house, so on the bedside table next to her side, I placed copies of her favorite books. My closet was a different matter, I noticed that Alice had taken it upon herself to add clothes for Bella, which took up half of my closet. I couldn't help but let a huge smile spread across my face at the sight of that.

I sighed as I tugged at my hair, nervously hoping she would love everything. Before I went downstairs to set up for tonight, I made a last pass through the bathroom, taking notice of a new robe for Bella, her favorite soaps and shampoos lining the bathtub. Again, I was struck with how real it all felt to have her things here. How the tiniest things made me feel complete. I truly felt like I was giving this a one hundred percent chance, unlike I had before. I was now giving her everything, and all of me.

Downstairs, the rooms and kitchen were devoid of family. I noticed that Alice had placed the candles throughout the front room and across my piano. The coffee table was lined with movies that would interest Bella, should she want to watch one with me. In front of the fireplace was a mound of pillows, a soft blanket laid across the floor.

In the kitchen were freshly picked flowers from Esme's garden in a crystal vase. Along side those was a note from Esme, on how to make the dinner I wanted to prepare for Bella, and that all of the ingredients were in the fridge. I had planned to try to recreate the mushroom ravioli that she had in Port Angeles, but I was sure I was going to fail. I wanted Bella to realize that she was always on my mind, that I never forgot a moment I spent with her. Every moment before I left, and every moment now means everything to me.

I hoped that tonight would convey to her just how special and wanted she was. That she would know she is my future and my forever, no matter what.

As I set the table, my phone dinged with a text from Alice: Charlie got called into work early to cover a sick deputy. I called to ask if Bella could stay the weekend with me. You can thank me later.

A few minutes later, my phone rang with Bella's name popping up on my screen.

"Hello, love."

She sighed into the phone. "Edward."

"Yes?" I asked, trying to sound convincing that I didn't know what the phone call could be about.

"Charlie left a few minutes ago, and Alice just called, so it looks like I am all yours for the weekend, if you want me."

"Of course I want you, you beautiful, silly girl. I will be over in just a few. Don't worry about packing anything, I have everything for you here. See you in a few minutes, love."

"Okay, Edward. I'll be waiting." She said, giggling towards the end before hanging up.

I quickly went through all of the rooms and made sure everything was as it should be. It was later in the afternoon, a bit too early for dinner, but I could improvise and there were movies to watch.

Bella was waiting on her front steps as soon as I pulled up, a bright smile adorned her face. Her hair was free and blowing in the light wind. She was perfect, just as always.

As she walked up to the car, I got out to open the door for her and kissed her cheek softly, breathing her in before making my way back to the drivers side. The car ride was quiet back to the house, but her hand met mine as I changed the gears, and not once did she let go.

It felt amazing.

We pulled up to the house, and I noticed Bella's breathing had picked up once the car came to stop. "You okay?" I asked her, my hand lightly brushed her cheek as she nodded yes. I knew she was keeping something from me, but I won't push her just yet. I got out and walked around, opening her car door before I pulled her up into my arms, hugging her tightly to me. I could hear her inhale deeply as she dragged my scent deep inside of her; it made me oddly happy.

As we walked closer to the house, her breaths had become more ragged, her steps began to falter. I decided to step in front of her and demand to know what was wrong. Her face held a sadness, her eyes glassy with un-shed tears.

Of course! I am so selfish! This is the first time she's been back since I left.

I crushed her to me, murmuring my love to her as I kissed the top of her head softly. "I am so sorry, Bella. I should have thought about this."

She shook her head no against my chest. "It's not exactly the first time I have been here since you all left me." She said softly as she pushed away from me, her eyes stayed glued to the ground. " I came here once before, just to see if it was all real, that you had in fact left. It hurt to look into the windows and see no life, no home."

I hung my head low in defeat. It seemed it was always one step forward, two steps back ever since I returned to her. I didn't want to be the reason why she cried anymore.

She walked around me and made her way up to the front doors, her right hand clasped around the handle to go in. Instead of stepping into the house, she just stood there as she let the front door swing open, her shoulders lifted with each deep breath she took.

I wasn't sure if I should make her go in, or let her go in on her own, so I stood back and watched, all the while I yearned to touch her, hold her and wipe the sadness she felt from her.

She tentatively put her left foot over the threshold, and then her right. She stood there, quiet and a bit unsure. I finally caught up to her, my hand placed softly at her back as she jerked at my touch slightly.

"I can honestly say it is nice to see the furniture with no white sheets covering it, like some ghost. It's nice to see that it was real, that this wasn't all in my head." Her voice was soft as she turned around to face me and grabbed my hands, lacing our fingers together.

"The last time I was here, I was searching for truth. The truth that you all were not just in my head, my dreams, taking over every waking moment as I went through my days like some zombie. I needed to know that I didn't make you up, or your love." She spoke as she tugged me with her as she walked backwards, further into the house, her eyes never leaving mine. "I think even then I knew you all were real, and forever in my heart no matter what. I think deep down, eventually I would get my happily ever after and that you loved me, still loved me after everything."

She eventually let go of my hands and walked around the room on her own, my eyes followed her every movement. She stopped at the place where the glass table once stood as she let out a sob, her arms came around her midsection, as if she were holding herself together.

"It feels so weird to be back here, Edward. I never thought I would ever step foot in this house again. And now, being here, remembering what happened then and seeing the now, with all of these candles placed around the room... it's better than I imagined. You've replaced the bad, made it somehow so much better." Unlike before, her eyes seemed wider and brighter with happiness shining through, instead of a deep, dark sadness that was rooted in them before.

Bella walked toward me and wrapped her arms around me as she placed a soft kiss on my chest. "Now, instead of me remembering that day, I will remember this day instead. It's perfect, Edward."

I couldn't help but smile down at her and wonder just what stars aligned right to allow fate to hand me this beautiful creature; this girl who gives so much without asking much in return. This... this woman who can love me with her whole heart, despite the hurt I've caused. The longer I stared into her eyes, the more she wrapped me up in beautiful wonder and amazement that she is my forever.

Why I never allowed myself to think or feel this way before, I will never understand and forever regret it.

I kissed her softly and listened to hear breath hitch and a heart skip a bit as I held her closer. Even then, it still wasn't close enough.

"So," I sighed, "How about you sit down while I prepare your dinner. And maybe while you're waiting, you could pick out a movie for us to watch." My whole being swells when she flashes me the sweetest of smiles before I walk away and into the kitchen.

God, I love her.

As I plated up her food, emotions that I never let myself truly give into crashed into me. It was like being bathed in the purest of love and acceptance, truth and honesty. Why I ran from it before, hurts me, because I don't think I could ever ignore these feelings ever again. I had gave in and allowed her love to fully take over my heart, my being.

It felt wonderful. It was my heaven on earth.

I noticed her soft smile as she looked down at the movies available to watch as I walked in, and I was suddenly hit with the urge that I just wanted to kiss her senseless and steal her breath away and somehow make it mine.

"Love, what will we be watching?"

She placed her selection down as she looked at me, her eyes following my movements as I came closer and sat down next to her. I set her plate down, before turning around to face her. My hand had a mind of its own when it came up to brush a stray hair that had fallen in her face, and I couldn't help it, or stop myself. Right before my lips met hers, she exhaled the slightest of breaths, like a sweet, soft sigh.

The instant her lips touched mine, I needed more. One kiss wasn't going to be enough. Her lips softly moved across mine, her tongue slightly tracing my bottom lip hesitantly.

The urge to pull her closer hit me harder as my hands gripped her waist, pulling her to me as I sucked on her bottom lip, wanting nothing more than to nibble on it, but instead did something I had never allowed myself to do before. I ran my tongue along her lips, hoping to lure hers out so I could get the sweetest taste. Eventually, her tongue met mine and I swear it seemed like small, bright fireworks flashed behind my closed eyes.

I pulled her up on my lap, swallowing venom as I desperately deepened the kiss, allowing for the first time, my tongue to explore her mouth. Pure ecstasy.

Her innocent sighs and soft moans filled the room as I tried to swallow each sweet breath as she began to move against me as she nipped at my lips after each kiss.

Our kisses began to become more frenzied and I tried not to let my monster take over. I was determined to give her so much more than I ever had. I swallowed back more venom as I kissed down her neck, my hands began to slide under her shirt and up past the clasp of her bra. We were so close that now I could feel her breasts pushed against my chest.

I pulled back and looked at my beautiful girl and noticed her eyes were hooded in desire. She wanted this, she wanted me, and having that knowledge gave me more confidence to go on.

"Take it off, Edward." She whispered, her voice quivered with need.

I gulped back another mouthful of venom harshly as I pulled her shirt off, and unhooked her bra, my breath hitched as my eyes feasted on the beauty that were her breasts.

I wanted to lick, suck and devour all of her.

Bella continued to move against me, the heat that had seeped through her pants was beginning to become noticeable as my member grew harder. As she pressed down harder, my breaths came out shorter and quicker as she pulled off my shirt, breaking us apart mid kiss.

Once her breast touched my naked chest, her nipples scrapped across my chest as she moved faster and harder above me, I lost myself and gave in to impending crash of my orgasm. I moaned her name softly, just as her breaths came out in shortened spurts as her eyes clenched shut, her body locked up as she fell over with me.

I never thought we'd get to this point, but some of the best things are worth waiting and fighting for.

We kissed softly as we came down from our highs. Eventually, Bella removed herself from my lap, kissed my neck softly before she laid her head upon my shoulder.

"Edward... that was..." She sighed. "Amazing."

I knew what she was thinking. She was glad I didn't pull away like all those times before, that I actually gave her everything in my kisses, because I was thinking the same things, too.

We had come so far.

"I agree, love. And I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world." I was rewarded with another beautiful smile and soft, sweet kiss.

I watched as she ate the dinner I prepared for her before I set up the movie for us to watch. She seemed so much more happy than she had since I came back. That alone made me feel that I was finally doing something right, that we would make it out of this okay and completely together.

We cuddled, and stole many kisses as the movie played. I couldn't even tell you what she chose for us to watch, what lines were said or what happened. I was too wrapped up in her to care about anything but her and her kisses and sighs.

Her yawns brought me out of my bubble, causing me to turn off the television and nudge her upstairs to my room. I noticed her eyes wander my bed again as she let out a slow exhale before moving to the bathroom to change for the night.

I pulled down the covers for her before I went and grabbed some pajamas for myself. Such a human thing to do. She flashed me a smile as she left the bathroom and made her way over to the bed and climbed in, burrowing down into the many pillows.

As I looked at her in my bed, I was struck with the sense that this is how I wanted it all the time. Her in my room with me, my bed. She belonged nowhere else.

The more I looked at her laying there waiting for me, I realized that I owed her so many more nights like this perfect one we had just shared.

~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~

I hope you guys enjoyed this. One more chapter, which I will post tomorrow, and then the Epilogue on Friday.