A/N: Let me start off by saying that my beta, Mesmerizeme, is totally freaking awesome! She is so fast getting these back to me, even when I take forever to write them. LOL

So, this is the last chapter before the prolouge. *bites nails*

Disclaimer - I don't own Twilight.

-Edward-

This week seems to fly past in the blink of an eye. Bella and I have lunch and dinner together every day; we even go out for dinner at a nice, quiet, hole in the wall with 'romantic lighting' and 'mood music.' I guess that's one way to describe low lighting used to hide the peeling paint and three cats in the back alleyway trying out for the opera. Bella and I don't stay long, but at least we ventured out.

Today is Sunday, the last day of the weekend, the day that Bella and I usually use to lie around, watch movies and sometimes engage in heated kissing debates. She claims that my lips are softer than hers are, and of course, I have to disagree. We haven't been intimate again since the other night, but we don't need to. That is not what our love is about.

This brings me to a little confession that I have to make. My mother would be so ashamed if she knew. This morning, in a moment of weakness while Bella still slept, I went into her overnight bag. I'd like to say that I don't know what I was thinking, but I do. I was looking for a clue as to what Bella does for work. She has assured me that it is on the level, but I still worry. I don't want to see her get in trouble, or even worse, hurt.

Of course, I find nothing, and maybe that is why I feel so guilty now, because there was nothing there to worry about in the first place. I hope she doesn't discover my trespass into her things. I am currently making a breakfast of waffles and yogurt to distract her when she gets out of the shower.

It is so nice, her spending more and more time here. She stays over almost every night now and is starting to leav several personal items in my bathroom. I even clear out a drawer for her in my dresser. And last night, as I moved the clean laundry from the washer to the dryer, I noticed one of her shirts and a pair of panties mixed in with my clothes.

I am pulled out of my reverie by the sound of Bella getting out of the shower. I quickly finish the last waffle and place it on her plate. I set both of our places and just finish pouring the orange juice when she emerges, toweling her hair dry. She lightly sniffs the air.

"Mmmmmm, Edward, this smells delicious," she tells me with a smile on her face.

"I hope you're hungry," I greet her as I give her a quick peck on the cheek and pass by to put the juice back into the fridge.

"Yes, I'm famished this morning." She sits down and begins shredding her waffle. She dips a piece in her yogurt and pops it in her mouth.

We both eat and joke around a little, having her here feels so easy. I like that we can have our own little bubble away from the world in each other. It makes everything else bearable.

We finish breakfast and she goes to get dressed while I get my shower. We've not talked about doing anything special today, but I thought that we might go to the Benzini Bros Circus, which just came into town. I always thought that those kinds of circuses didn't travel around on train and set up big tops anymore. I guess I am pleasantly mistaken.

I finish my shower and head in to the main room to see Bella all packed and ready to go. I give her a quizzical look before I approach.

"I'm so sorry, Edward. I have something that I need to pick up for work. I'll be back in just a few hours, but I can't wait any longer to pick the items up," she explains to me.

I just smile at her. "Of course, Bella. Just call me when you are on your way back." (comma before Bella)

She smiles back, places a kiss on my cheek, and then she is out the door.

I sit on my couch for less than two minutes before I decide that I can't wait any longer. I head down the stairs and see her walking down the sidewalk. Staying at a good distance, I follow her on her errand. Something in the back of my mind is telling me that I am better off not knowing, but I don't listen. Soon she steps into a Staples store and I wait patiently for her to come back out.

I am almost ready to step in after her when she emerges, carrying a large package, nearly six feet long and two feet wide. I am surprised that she is able to manage as well as she is. I would offer to help her, but then I would have to explain why I am here. So instead, I wait.

She heads back toward my apartment but stops in an office building first. I am barely conscience that it is the same building that Isa works in.

When she comes back out, she no longer has the package. Well, at least now I know what building she works in. I can look at what offices are there when I go for my last session with Isa on Tuesday. Knowing I don't have much time, I take a short cut back to my building and barely make it there before Bella does.

-Bella-

I use my time alone running my little errand to do some overdue thinking. I love Edward, but sometimes it is difficult to think when we are together. Somehow, he always seems to tune into what my mood is, and I'm just not ready to talk to him about it yet.

It is driving me crazy that Edward keeps asking about my job. I feel so bad that I can't tell him something, that for anyone else, would be so simple. His last appointment is in two days. I have to tell him then, I just cannot see another way. I figure that if I do it like ripping off a band-aid, it won't be so bad. Although, come to think about it, the last time I ripped off a band-aid it hurt like crazy.

I am both looking forward to, and dreading telling him. I want this out in the open, it needs to be out there, but I fear his reaction. Is it greedy to want to be with him one more time before this comes between us? Will he use that against me when he learns the truth?

I really hope not.

After I pick up the props for Tuesday, I take them back to my office and then head back to Edward's apartment. I knock on the door and Edward answers almost immediately. He pulls me into a tight embrace and we stand there in his doorway for a few moments before deciding to go inside.

"Do you want to watch a movie or something?" Edward asks me.

I take a moment to consider the options before I answer. "Actually I was thinking we could maybe play a game." His eyebrows raise in question. "How about chess?"

His smile turns to a smirk. "I have to warn you Bella, I'm a very good chess player."

"Hmmm. Well then, I guess I'll just have to level the playing field," I tell him as I move past him to get the chess set he keeps on his bookcase.

"And how exactly are you planning on doing that?" he asks, barely containing his laughter.

"Have you ever played strip chess Edward?" I ask over my shoulder.

When he doesn't answer I turn around to make sure everything is okay. Edward is just staring at me, as if he can't believe that I just said that.

"What?" I ask him.

"Strip chess?"

I nod my head in affirmation.

"Um, okay. How does it work?"

"It's very simple, if you lose a piece, you have to remove a piece of clothing."

"But Bella, there are more pieces than clothes. What happens when we run out of clothes?" he asks, generally confused.

I go up to him and place a kiss on his cheek. "Do you really think we'll still be playing chess by that time?"

He closes his eyes and smiles. If this is one of our last nights together, I want it to be something we will both remember.

Edward learns very quickly that when you are practically a shut in, you have lots of time to do things like perfect your chess game. I take him in less than 10 total moves and he is completely naked while I am only topless.

"Okay, Bella, you win," he tells me as he tips his king over, admitting checkmate.

"And to the winner, goes the spoils," I tell him as I lean over to kiss him. Our kiss deepens and soon I am just as naked as he is.

He is my home.

He is my hope.

He is my love.

He is my everything.

Suddenly I am even more nervous about Tuesday. If he leaves, he will take my everything with him.

With this thought, I hold on to him as tight as I can as we rock back and forth, chasing the feelings that continue to escape our lips in moans and whispers.

"Don't leave me," I beg as we are coming back down to reality.

"Never," he tells me as he gathers me in his arms and holds me closely.

I allow myself to believe it for tonight; at least I will have the memories.

A/N: Thank you all for sticking with me so far, it's about to get bumpy from here. Isa's last treatment for Edward is coming up!

Don't be too mad at Edward for following her. He is really having a hard time trying to understand why she is keeping a secret from him.

Leave me some love.

Review=treaser. (And yes, the teaser will be something other than the prolouge. ;) I'm not that crazy.)