We have reached the end! *sobs* Please visit my blog for a long ass, sappy author's note: wp. me/p1993O-cL

A super special thanks to my beta IngenueFic. She did amazing work on the train wreck chapters I wrote. This story wouldn't be half as good without her very constructive criticism. She has taught me a lot and I am a better writer because of it. I luff her even though she probably wants to tear my unnecessary commas from the page and beat me over the head with them. You should read her stories if you aren't already. They are creative and she writes beautifully.

Thank you for reading!

Running for Home
Epilogue

*.*.*

Edward

I sign my name on the digital signature pad and thank the UPS driver as he hoists the large package marked "Next Day Air" on all sides into my arms.

"Last name?" he asks.

"Masen."

"Thanks. Have a Merry Christmas."

"You, too."

I carry the large cardboard box into the living room and take a seat on the couch, smiling when I notice it was sent from Florida. The packing tape tears off easily, and I pull open the top of the box.

Eddie peeks up at me.

"What the hell?" I mumble.

I pull Eddie out of the box, wondering why Bella shipped him to me when she's arriving today. Underneath is a layer of books. Wuthering Heights, Pride and Prejudice, Mansfield Park, and many more—all Bella's favorites. She can't possibly be planning on reading all of these while she's here for the next three weeks. If she does, she has another thing coming.

Literally.

She's not leaving my—our—bedroom.

Collecting all of her books, I bring them into the room that I call "Bella's." I don't like to think of it as an office or a study; it's more of a sanctuary. I want to surprise her with a little space to call her own. Hopefully it will help her to realize that I consider this house as ours.

Since the day I moved in, I have been perfecting this room for her. I purchased a small desk and a computer so she'd have something to use for homework once she arrives. A papasan chair is in the corner of the room in front of a special light that's supposed to be good for reading. I also bought a small stereo and a 32" flat panel television that I hung on the wall across from the chair. The thing I'm most excited for her to see, though, is the custom-made floor-to-ceiling bookshelf that covers the narrowest wall.

I stack her books next to mine on the shelves and smile when I think of what she'll fill the remaining space with. More books? Music? Movies? Photos of us?

Bella has a lot of decisions to make when she finally moves in. Other than the contents of this room, I haven't purchased anything else for the house. It didn't feel right picking out furniture or dishes or anything else without her. The place looks empty, just like in Chicago, just like my heart feels without her here.

I can't wait to see her tonight. The next three weeks are going to fly by, especially with the holidays and my new job at UW Medical Center chewing up so much of our time. It's hard not to think about the fact that, all too soon, we'll be back at the airport for a replay of last August. My only hope is that saying goodbye will be easier the second time around.

There's one last thing in the box. It looks like a Christmas present, but it's not decorated in the classic seasonal colors. It's a deep, indigo blue and looks professionally wrapped. I flip open the tag and read the message.

Open me is scrawled in Bella's messy handwriting.

She doesn't need to tell me twice.

I tear off the paper and rip open the top of the small box. Inside are small pieces of fabric. I pull one out, recognizing it immediately as lingerie. It's black and lacey and see-through and my dick immediately begins to harden thinking of Bella wearing it. And the panties—the matching panties—are nothing more than a scrap of lace, and so help me God, they are crotchless!

As if on cue, my cell phone rings. I pull it out of my pocket and glance at the picture of Bella flashing on the screen along with the name "Kiddo." She programmed herself into it and I couldn't bring myself to change the name.

"Hey, lover," I answer and smile as her soft laughter filters through the line.

"Hey," she says quietly. "I just boarded the plane and wanted to say hi before they make me turn off my phone."

"Well, hello." My voice sounds heavy. I try to breathe normally as I rub the silky material of the nighty between my fingers, imagining what it will feel like when it's between my hands and her warm body.

"So… get any interesting packages lately?" she asks suggestively.

"Nope," I lie.

"Mm-hmm. I'll bet." I chuckle at her suspicious tone. "Oh, I have to go. You'll be there to pick me up when my flight lands, right?"

"Of course. I wouldn't miss it for the world."

"You won't forget?"

"Bella, how could I forget? I've been looking forward to this day since August."

"I just want to make sure. It is, like, eight hours from now. Maybe you should set an alarm in case you fall asleep or Alzheimer's sets in."

"Oh, yeah? Careful or you'll be hailing a cab," I tease.

Bella laughs loudly. "Okay, I really have to go now. I love you."

"Love you. See you soon," I tell her before hanging up the phone.

After being without Bella for four months, I would think a mere eight hours would fly by.

It's the longest eight hours of my life.

I pace through the house, making sure everything is perfect, until it's time to leave for the airport. I'm jittery for the entire drive. There is not enough caffeine in an entire pot of coffee to make me this wound up. I feel the familiar urge to light up a cigarette, but I've been trying to quit ever since I moved to Seattle. Bella doesn't know yet; I want it to be a surprise. She has never said anything negative about my bad habit, but because she doesn't smoke, it's extra motivation for me to stop. The first month was the most difficult, especially because I was dealing with Bella's absence, but it's slowly getting easier. I've had a few slip-ups here and there, but for the most part, I've done well.

Traffic seems to crawl the entire way, and I don't think I could find a parking spot farther away if I tried. The first thing I do once I finally get inside is check to make sure Bella's flight is on time. It is.

I watch the arrival board as her flight slowly makes its way to the top. My heart pounds heavily in my chest when the display changes from "On Time" to "Arrived." Time seems to slow once again. I wait as patiently as I can only because I have no other choice.

Finally, finally, I see her.

I notice her long, brown hair first and smile as I watch her eyes scan the crowd. When she sees me, she walks faster, struggling under the weight of a backpack that practically dwarfs her. My feet start travelling toward her, and we quickly close the distance between us. I don't know if I want to kiss or hug her first. She makes the decision for me by dropping the bag at our feet and throwing herself into my arms.

Holding Bella feels like heaven, like love, like home. We stand embracing each other without any consideration of time. Finally, when I can't wait any longer, I firmly grab her cheeks and press our lips together. She sighs and twists her hands into my hair.

"I missed this," I whisper against the corner of her mouth.

"Me too." She starts playing with the hair at my temples and frowns.

"What?" I ask.

"Hmm…," she says pensively. "I thought for sure there would be some gray—"

I shut her up with another kiss before she can continue. "You haven't seen me in months and that's your opening line?" I grumble.

Bella giggles and kisses me again.

After I pick the backpack off the floor, we work our way to the baggage claim. "Jesus, what do you have in this thing—lead?" She shrugs, and when she points out her suitcase, I give her a sideways glance. It's huge and I pull it off the belt with a grunt. "Okay, let's get out of here."

"Um—" She hesitates. "That one, too."

"You've got to be kidding me!" I say as she motions to another piece of luggage. "What's in this one—the kitchen sink?" It's not as heavy as the first but it's equally as big. "Honestly, Bella, you're only going to be here for three weeks. How much stuff can you possibly need?"

She smiles brightly, and I watch as the apples of her cheeks turn a rosy pink. "Well, I couldn't leave anything behind," she says shyly.

My brain feels foggy as details start clicking into place—two full sized suitcases, a backpack that weighs almost as much as she does, and an overnight delivery of Bella's book collection. I look at her in a silent question.

"One-way ticket," she explains.

Both suitcases drop to the floor as I wrap my arms around Bella and hold her against me tightly. "You're staying?" I ask in disbelief.

"Yes, I'm staying!"

I'm overwhelmed with joy. It's too good to be true. Maybe I misunderstood. "What about school? You wanted to finish."

"I have to take three more classes this spring but they're all offered online."

"I can't believe it. You're really staying?" I ask again.

"I wanted it to be a surprise."

Any trace of anxiety I felt over Bella's visit is entirely alleviated. She's staying. For good. We don't have to say goodbye after the holidays. From now on, we'll always be together. Lazy weekend afternoons, evenings after stressful days at work or school, taking pleasure in each other night after night. It will all be ours to share.

I throw her backpack over my shoulder and grab the heavier of the two suitcases. My heart swells as I speak the words I've been dying to say since moving here.

"Come on. Let's go home."

Nodding eagerly, Bella grabs the other suitcase before linking our free hands together.

"Home."

The End