Thanks to lambie, my ficwife, twilightmomoftwo, my beta, and snshyne my prereading doll.

BPOV

"Edward?"

I entered the bedroom, but it was empty. Tapping my fingers against the door, the sound on the wood broke the silence in the room. I jumped when I heard a rustling and then a thump from the closet.

"Edward? Are you in there?" I walked over to the door of the small walk-in room and found it shut.

His voice came from the other side of the door. "Uh. Yeah. I'm just getting…something."

"Do you need some help?" He had all this stuff stacked on one side, above the racks of clothes. It was all haphazardly heaped and I had been dying to attack it since I moved in but I didn't want to invade his things and his space.

"Uh…No! No, I'm fine. I'll be out in a sec."

"OK. I'll be waiting downstairs."

Smoothing my hands down my blouse, I tugged at my skirt and glanced at myself as I passed by the mirror. We were supposed to have a movie night in the house, just him and me. It had been my idea, and now I wondered if maybe he would rather do something else.

"You don't have to watch the movie with me if you don't want to."

There was another loud thump, and I heard Edward swear under his breath.

It was a stupid idea. Why would he want to watch some silly movie with me? He had been kinda off lately, as if something was on his mind. I had noticed it mostly at dinner; he would drift away, his mind elsewhere.

The door opened and Edward came out. "Hold your horses, darlin'. I didn't say anything about canceling. I was just looking at some stuff." He closed the door behind him, and came towards me.

His arms wrapped around me from behind, and he kissed my neck. "C'mon. I know you've been lookin' forward to this."

I felt the smile spread across my face, and I looked over my shoulder at him. His eyes lit with pleasure as I grinned at him.

"You know me far too well." I slipped out of his arms and took his hand, heading for the stairs.

"You're an open book, Miss Swan." His voice dipped in pitch, the tone sending shivers through me.

His mouth lifted in that one-sided grin that was unbelievably sexy. "Miss Swan, if you're wantin' to watch that movie tonight, you better stop givin' me those 'come hither' eyes."

"Or what?"

He rushed forward, and before I could stop him, he had me thrown over his shoulder. He smacked my backside which was now facing the ceiling. I shrieked as he started for the stairs and grabbed for his belt for leverage.

"Oh my God, Edward Cullen I am going to get you for this. Please don't drop me."

He chuckled as he descended the stairs slowly. At the bottom, he righted me so I was in his arms, and slowly slid down his body.

"I could never drop you, sweetheart."

I melted inside, and he leaned down to kiss me softly before taking my hand and leading me into the candle lit living room.

The movie started; it was this horror movie that Leah had raved about the last time I spoke to her. I wasn't usually a horror film fan, but I gave in when Edward had mentioned it.

Thus I found myself trying to burrow into Edward's side about forty-five minutes later. His arms were around me, and I think the fists I was making in his shirt were close to shredding the fabric.

I felt his body shift, and he turned towards me. There was a scream from the TV and I jumped.

"Hey…are you OK?"

I didn't look up as I squeaked out my answer into his chest. "Yes. Just fine."

He made a sound and I felt his hand try to dislodge my hands from his shirt. "Bella. Look at me."

I tried to, I really did, but my eyes strayed to the screen and the flashing images were too much. Just before I tucked my face back down, his lips found mine. His hand cupped my chin, his thumb stroking over my cheek. I closed my eyes at the same moment, and tried to shut out the noises from the movie.

Edward reached for the remote with his free hand, and the snap of the TV shutting off abruptly filled the air. I relaxed almost instantly, and Edward's mouth smiled as he broke the kiss to look at me.

"Were you that scared?"

"Yeah. A little."

"You shoulda said somethin'."

"I didn't want to ruin it for you."

His nose caressed mine, and he placed a kiss at the corner of my mouth. "Why would I want to make you watch something that is scaring the bejesus out of you? Besides, you are far more entertaining."

Edward placed the remote down and I felt his hand run up my leg. Our bodies moved, our mouths connected, and every nerve ending I had seemed to come to life wherever we touched. His lips moved to my ear, and then my throat, and I let out a pent-up breath as his stubbled chin scratched gently over my sensitive skin.

I sighed his name as his rough hand continued up my thigh. The scary images of the movie were all but forgotten as his fingers continued raising my skirt. My hands were in his hair, tugging, as his mouth worked down my neck to my chest. My bra felt too tight, and I wanted it off; my shirt seemed too heavy on my skin. It didn't matter to Edward as his nose nuzzled my erect nipple through layers of cotton.

His eyes met mine for a moment, his teeth flashed in an evil grin and I watched in anticipation as his mouth descended on my breast. He bit me over the fabric, and the sensation sent my pulse racing through my body, settling into a dull throb between my thighs. He continued the motions with his mouth as he settled his hips between my legs.

I grabbed for his shirt, and pulled it up, exposing the warm skin of his back. My palms smoothed over the muscles there as his lips moved back up to my mouth. His fingers deftly unbuttoned my shirt. We sat up together, and pulled at each others' clothing, our mouths connecting and disconnecting roughly as we sought each other after each separation.

When we were both topless, Edward's hands reached for my hips, pulling at my panties and I lifted my legs as he slid the material down them. I watched with my lip between my teeth as he reached for his belt buckle.

I knelt up and kissed him, his mouth, his throat, and bit his earlobe. He groaned, and the sound made me tremble. I was more than ready for him, my thighs slick, and I wanted nothing more in that moment than to feel him moving inside me.

When Edward was free of the confines of his clothing, we lay back down beside each other on the couch, the leather, although covered by the fleecy blankets I had brought out earlier, made a delicious groaning friction sound, and I parted my legs again as Edward settled between them. He kissed me again before entering slowly.

"Bella, look at me."

I opened my eyes, and tried to focus on his face, half hidden in the flickering shadows of the candle flames.

"I want you to be mine. Forever."

"I am yours, Edward."

I swallowed, his face strained, and he accepted my words. It seemed like he had more to say, but his hips moved slightly, and we were both lost to the tidal wave of pleasure crashing over us.

My soft cries mingled with his deep groans as our bodies moved in unison. His hand slipped between us, his fingers stroking over me until I clenched my thighs around his hips, trying to squeeze him closer. My body was no longer my own and I gave over control to him as he whispered words into my ear that I couldn't comprehend.

Edward found his own release, and collapsed on top of me. I welcomed the weight of his body, wrapping myself around him. I felt so completely loved, so full I was ready to burst from it.

His arms came around me, and he repositioned us so we were lying on our sides, facing each other. He kissed my nose, my temple, and we lay together in quiet. I stared up at the ceiling, and wondered if it actually got anymore perfect than this.

+AtWH+

My cell rang as I walked out to the mail box. It was a small hike, considering the drive was so long, but the weather was sunny enough that I didn't mind.

I looked at the screen, and saw Alice's number.

"Hi, Alice. To what do I owe the pleasure of this call?"

She laughed. "More like to who."

I smiled as I neared the mail box. "Oh, really? And what does that mean?"

Alice paused, and I could almost see her fidgeting. "I think I need to come see you."

"The plot thickens. Do tell, Miss Brandon. This doesn't have anything to do with a certain neighbor of my boyfriend, does it?"

"It might."

I squealed into the phone. "Oh my God, I knew it!"

She snorted, and I heard the telltale inhale on a cigarette from her end. "Calm the fuck down, Bella. God."

"So how did this happen? You peeled out of here and went back to the city nearly eight weeks ago, unless you've been creepin' around my hometown without my notice."

"Actually, Jas has been creeping around my neck of the woods."

"Shut up."

"Swear to fuck. He has been bringing that sexy ass of his up here every other weekend since we met. But I think he wants me to meet his parents. I don't meet parents, Bella. You know this. Parents don't like me."

"Oh Als, I'm sure you'll be fine. You met my parents and they love you." I reached the mail box and pulled out a small stack of envelopes.

"Yeah, but they're your parents. It's not like I'm trying to date you. Boyfriend parents and friend parents are two totally different categories. You have to help me. Can I come stay with you for the weekend? I think his mom and dad may not be cool with me staying with him."

"But you guys are adults." Rifling through the envelopes, I sorted them in my arms from personal mail to business mail.

"Yeah, I know. But I fear the small town folk with their pitchforks and their torches and their judging. I like him, Bella. Like, really like him."

"You're always welcome to stay with me. I'm sure Edward won't mind. And you will be fine with Jasper's parents."

"If you say so. I'll be over by Thursday night, if that's OK."

"I can't wait to see you."

I juggled my phone back into my pocket and continued picking through the mail. As I entered the yard in front of the house, I saw Edward sitting on the fence while he watched one of the new hires work with a white horse named Winter.

Walking up to the fence, Edward looked down at me and smiled.

"Howdy, beautiful. What's got you grinning so wide?"

"Alice is gonna visit next weekend. Is that OK?"

"Sure is. How long is she stayin' for?"

"Just over the weekend. I believe our Alice is smitten with Jasper Whitlock."

Edward whistled between his teeth softly. "Well, ain't that something'. Never thought that would be a match in a million years."

My brows knit together. "Why's that?"

"Sweetheart, don't take this the wrong way…but Alice is even more citified than you. And Jasper…he's more country boy than me. But I guess sometimes you just know what you want when you see it."

His apple green eyes took on a heated but pointed look as they traveled over my form, and I felt myself blushing as he met my eyes again.

"I…um…Better go in and um…check the mail."

He cocked an eyebrow at me as I started to back away, totally flustered. I started to trip over my own two feet, but righted myself before my face fell on the ground. The mail went flying, like birds suddenly released from a cage into the air. They fluttered around me as Edward hopped down from the fence.

I should have been picking the mail up. I should have been grabbing hold of it before a breeze scatters it across the yard. But my eyes could not move away from his easy, loose-hipped stride as he walked over to me in chaps and jeans.

Lord have mercy, this man looked like an angel but was pure lusty sin to look at.

He was grinning at me now, grinning because he knew exactly what was on my mind. That confidence, that quiet way he just knew…it was such a turn on.

He bent down to pick up some of the envelopes I had dropped, and I finally moved into action. I grabbed for the mail near my feet, and as I stood up, Edward tucked the few he had into my arms.

I made a face at him. "You should be illegal, Edward Cullen."

"You think so?" He still had that knowing look in his eyes but his mouth was mockingly serious.

"I know so." I turned my back on him to head back towards the house, but yelped when I felt his fingers pinch my bottom.

When I looked back at him, he cocked that half grin at me. "I'm sure that ass of yours breaks a few laws, darlin'."

I felt myself turn scarlet as I walked forward towards the house, knowing his eyes were on me the entire way.

+AtWH+

My phone went off and I saw a waiting text from Alice. Be there in 5 min. x A

"What in tarnation is that noise comin' up the driveway?" I heard Eli shout from the barn as I stepped outside.

Sure enough, the growl of Alice's Firebird was making its presence known as it prowled up the drive. As she pulled up, she waved. Parking behind my truck, Alice cut the engine and got out of the car. I was not prepared for what I saw though.

Alice had always been…Alice. I could count on her to be herself, and she dressed her own sort of punk-goth-just got out of bed kind of way.

The Alice that greeted me now…was almost…normal.

Gone was the dark make-up and plum lipstick. In its stead were softer dark cat eyes and a red color on her lips that brought out the porcelain of her skin. She had her hair pulled back in a conservative ponytail.

But it was her dress that floored me. An actual dress, reminiscent of some 1950s housewife. And it was pink, with a feminine flower design. She was wearing this dainty little sweater with it as well.

"Alice, are you wearing a floral pattern?"

She looked down at her dress and back at me. "Is it too much? I'm trying not to look so…me."

I realized I was staring at her bug-eyed and reined myself in. "No! No, it's not too much at all. It's just very different. You look lovely…but I just…I've never seen you like this before."

"Fuck off, Swan and quit looking at me like I've grown another head." She wrinkled her nose at me and I started laughing.

"There you are. I was wondering where my friend had gone."

She walked forward, her small feet in tiny flip flops. I smiled at her as she got closer, and I couldn't help but hug her. It was so good to see her, and her face reminded me of crazier times when we were younger.

When I released her, I heard the front door open, and the familiar sound of Edward's boots on the porch.

"Do you have anything you need bringin' in, Short Stuff?"

Alice snorted. "It's in the trunk." She started back to the Firebird, but Edward stopped her.

I watched as he came down the steps on the porch. "Uh uh. Toss me the keys and I'll carry it in. You gals catch up."

Alice handed the keys off to Edward, who accepted them as I led Alice to the house. "C'mon, Edward has fired up the barbecue for you."

Her face registered confusion as I led her indoors, a grin on my face. Alice didn't know it, but we had Jasper hiding in the backyard for her. I had told her to look nice when she arrived because Edward and I wanted to take her out. Little did she know she had herself one excited beau in our backyard.

"I hope you're hungry. There's a whole lot of meat out there." I opened the door that led to the back, and Alice answered me.

"Oh you know me, I love being stuffed with a whole lot of meat."

I let out the most unladylike sound as I shut the door behind us. Jasper was leaning against a tree, his hands in his pockets, smoking a cigarette. The moment we entered the backyard he stubbed the cigarette out on his boot and flung the butt away.

Alice squealed a very un-Alice-like squeal and launched herself at Jasper. His hat was knocked to the ground, and his hair fell forward as he wrapped his arms around her.

I watched them, and felt Edward behind me. He settled his arms around me, and pulled me close up against him.

I marveled at Alice, who had never really been one for flights of giddiness or overly affectionate gestures. But here she was, dressed in pink, and looking at Jasper Whitlock with stars in her eyes.

I guess people really could change.

Thanks for reading.

And for being so patient.

Probably about 4 more chapters to go.