Hello lovelies! Here's the next installment of our favorite couple.

You guys are a funny bunch, so suspicious of Riley. =)

Huge thanks to the awesomesauce that is my beta, Jessica1971. Love ya bunches, sweetie!

Disclaimer: No copyright infringement is intended. SM owns all things Twilight, I'm just playing with her characters.

Enjoy ...


Someone Like You

Bella's face split in a wide smile. She crossed the small distance between them and wrapped her arms around Edward's neck, hugging him tightly.

"You were so beautiful," he murmured in her ear, pulling her close.

"Thank you," she said, her voice little more than a whisper.

Bella rested her head in the curve of his shoulder, enjoying the solid feel of his chest, the strong thump of his heart beneath her cheek. Remi's cold nose bumped her leg, and she stroked his large rounded head. "That goes for you, too, big guy."

"Oh, Isabella," Renee's voice filled the air just before Bella was pulled from Edward's arms and wrapped in her mother's. "Honey, you were absolutely incredible. Wasn't she incredible, Phil?" Renee pulled back just enough to look at Phil, who stood behind her.

"Yes, she was," Phil said, beaming.

Renee released her then and Phil bent to kiss her cheek. "You really were beautiful, but then it always was something otherworldly to see you on the stage. Congratulations, sweetheart."

"Thank you," Bella said. Her voice was thick with emotions that she wasn't sure how to express.

"Was that Riley Biers I saw as we came around?" Renee asked, frowning in the direction that Riley had gone. "I wonder how Randall's doing. He's home, I think."

"Yeah, it was," Bella said. "He was here with some friends. He said that Mr. Biers is doing better and he is home." Bella looked at her mother with a wry twist of her lips. "Riley's accompanying his mom next weekend."

"Oh, goodness," Renee said, laughing. "I'm sure he's overjoyed about that."

"Not even a little bit." Bella's laughter bubbled up and she leaned into Edward's side. "Riley isn't exactly Fred Astaire."

Edward hummed a response and the corner of his mouth twitched. He slid his arm around her shoulders. The feel of warm breath filtering through her hair and the press of his soft lips to the side of her head caused Bella's eyes to flutter closed. A gentle smile graced her mouth.

"So," Edward said. "Are you free? I know your mother and Phil wanted to grab some dinner and I ran into Emmett earlier. He and Rosalie wanted to meet us as well—if that's okay with you?" He added hastily, looking back to Renee and Phil.

"Oh, well of course it's okay," Renee said. "That would be wonderful. Why don't you see if Alice and her husband can join us, Isabella? Their little Molly is such a little darling."

"Sure, I'll ask," Bella said and then looked up at Edward with a shy smile. "I have to make sure everything is settled, but it shouldn't take more than a half-hour or so."

"All right," he murmured and kissed her forehead. "Remi and I will wait for you right here."

"Okay," she said and pushed up on tiptoe to kiss him gently. She said her goodbyes and slipped back through the curtains leading backstage.

~O~

Emmett slid a massive arm around Bella's shoulders and pulled her tight into his side as they made their way into the restaurant. "So, little Bell," he said. "My girl's ready for the big time, don't ya think?"

Bella laughed at his wide goofy smile. "She has a lot of talent and she was spot on tonight. I've told you that I think she's awesome. In a couple more years, with more training, she'll be ready. If that's what she wants."

Bella shot a meaningful look at Adeline who stood a few feet away beside Rosalie. Adeline rolled her eyes and turned away. Bella smiled. That very subject had been an ongoing discussion between she and Adeline for weeks now. A typical pre-teen, Adeline wasn't exactly keen on putting forth the effort that Bella knew was required to carry her where Rosalie and Emmett thought she was bound. Oh, the potential for greatness was there, but if it wasn't truly what Adeline wanted, none of that would matter.

To want it enough meant to feel it in the very marrow of your bones. Bella still had that and though she was happy with the path her life had taken, there were times she ached for the loss of that dream. She had held it for so much of her life, to have it taken away so suddenly was still a bitter pill to swallow.

Although they had a rather large group, the restaurant was able to seat them quickly. Bella smiled at the feel of Edward's hand at the small of her back as they followed the others to their table.

"God, I'm glad we didn't have to wait long," Emmett said, his voice reverberating off the rafters. "I'm starving!"

"And how is that a new revelation?" Alice asked. "You're always starving. I really don't know how Rosalie keeps you fed."

Emmett snorted and winked at Rosalie. "She keeps my appetite more than satisfied, thank you."

"Ew, Emmett… just eww!" Alice scrunched her nose as the rest of the table erupted in laughter.

"You okay?" Bella asked under the cacophony of voices surrounding them.

He turned a smile on her and nodded, "Yeah, I'm fine. Why?"

She shrugged, dropping her gaze to her lap. "I don't know. You just seem … off."

"No, baby," he assured her, covering her hand with his and giving it a gentle squeeze. "I'm just tired, I guess. I'm sure you are, too. It's been a long day."

Bella flipped her hand over to lace their fingers together and nodded.

The rest of dinner flew by and before she knew it, they had said their goodbyes to everyone and Edward was walking her to her car.

"You're coming back to my house, right?" she asked, suddenly unsure.

There was a heartbeat's hesitation, but it was enough. Bella frowned. Edward saw it and bent to kiss her, quick, but deep.

"Yes, of course," he murmured. "I'll see you there in just a little bit."

Edward waited until she had started the engine and locked the doors before making his way to his truck a few spaces away. The frown on Bella's face deepened as she watched him climb inside the cab. Something was up with him. She knew it, she just couldn't figure out what.

A heavy sigh escaped her as she navigated the streets through downtown. Once outside the city limits, tiny stars twinkled in the ink black sky. Late summer though it might be, the night air was crisp. This had always been one of her favorite times of year. She loved the years spent in New York—for the most part. The city was an amazing place to live. There was never a lack for entertainment or for somewhere to be. Though she had enjoyed all of that for a time, Bella couldn't quite quell the longing for the cool fresh air of Denver. Or even to stop the desire to see the great swells in the deep waters of the Pacific. There were nights when she ached for the high-pitched screech of the gulls and terns hovering overhead, to walk on the coarse sand of the beach at La Push.

It was good to be home. And safe. Her mind threw out cynically. No, safety was not something she had felt while away and on her own. Not even in the many months before meeting Demetri, she hadn't felt truly safe. Then afterward …

Bella shook her head. She wasn't sure why her thoughts had turned down that road. Maybe it was returning to the stage causing her mind to conjure less than pleasant memories. Or maybe it was the fact that she couldn't shake the sensation that something was going on with Edward. He hadn't said anything. To the contrary, he had been more than accommodating and affectionate throughout dinner.

Sighing, she reached out and rested a hand on Remi's broad back. The cooler weather of the last few days was the only reason she hadn't taken him home before meeting everyone for dinner. "I'm just being silly … right?"

He huffed and had it been possible would have rolled his eyes before he turned to stare out the side window in complete indifference to her dilemma. She shook her head and gripped the steering wheel tighter, making the turn into her drive. Feeling ridiculous for reading something into nothing, she tamped down the niggling thought that something wasn't exactly right. It was nothing more than the after effects of adrenaline. Edward was right; it had been a very long day.

With another heavy sigh, Bella climbed out and rounded the car to open the door for Remi. Lights flashed across the back wall of the garage and she looked up to see Edward's truck coming to a stop behind her Jeep.

Edward stepped inside the garage and her heart gave a little lurch at the sight of him. Regardless of the numerous times over the last few months she had laid eyes on him, it happened every single time. He would have made an amazing dancer, she thought with a wry smile. Despite his size, there was a sensual grace in the way he moved. So much leashed power. A tingle of electricity skittered down Bella's spine.

Never had she known such strength of emotions toward another person was possible. Without a doubt in her mind, Bella knew that there was no one other than Edward for her. She wanted to spend the rest of her life with him.

Unable to wait another moment to be in his arms, Bella crossed the concrete floor and flung herself into him.

"Whoa," Edward said with a deep chuckle, holding her as he stumbled back a step. "Not that I'm complaining, at all, but what brought that on?"

Bella pulled back only enough to look him in the eye. A slow smile curled at one corner of his mouth.

"I love you, Edward," she whispered. "I know we've talked about this before, but you have to know that I've never felt like this for anyone else—there's only you. There will always only be you."

Too many emotions to name swam in the deep green of Edward's eyes. A few tendrils had slid from her chignon and floated around her face in soft curls. He reached up to smooth a wide palm over the curve of her head and he tucked a loose strand behind her ear. The tips of his fingers caressed the soft skin along her jaw.

Bella's eyes fluttered closed at the gentleness in his touch and she turned, pressing a kiss to the center of his palm. Covering it with her much smaller hand, she pressed his to her cheek and opened her eyes. Her chest tightened with the intensity of all she felt at that moment. Her breath came in short gasps of air as she could see the same feelings reflected in his eyes.

Without speaking a word, Edward stooped and swept her up into his arms. The click of Remi's nails on the hardwood sounded, alerting Bella to the fact that he had followed them inside. Nestled against Edward's chest, she had little attention for anything more as he made his way to her bedroom.

Once inside with the door shut firmly behind, Edward released her legs and allowed her body to slide down until her feet touched the floor. There were no words as they made quick work of removing the other's clothes.

Edward lifted her once more and crossed the room in three quick strides. He laid her on the bed gently. In the dim light of the room, his eyes appeared completely black.

"God, you are so beautiful," he whispered, climbing on the bed and covering her body with his own.

Settling between her legs, he rested most of his weight on his forearms. Rough thumbs stroked in gentle circles over the fall of her cheeks. Bella curled her hands around the powerful ribs, slid them over the muscles of his naked back. His eyes sparked as he looked down at her, a slight frown of concentration creased his brow. She was suddenly shy, overwhelmed by the strength of emotions flowing between them.

"Do you have any idea how much I love you?" His voice thick with emotion, he continued, not allowing her to answer. "You can't, because I can't explain it to you. It's not possible to put into words what you mean to me."

He moved slowly, bringing his mouth to hover mere millimeters away. His eyes burned into hers, their lips brushed against one another as he spoke. "You are my heart, Bella, my soul, my very life."

A whimper escaped her as he pressed his mouth fully to hers. The tips of his fingers curled around the curve of her skull, held her tight to him as he deepened the kiss.

Bella slid her hands down his arms and then back to the corded muscles of his shoulders. The coarse hair of his chest was rough against the sensitive skin of her pebbled nipples.

Edward broke the kiss to move his mouth along the curve of her chin. Her head fell back, allowing him full access to leave a trail of hot, wet kisses.

"This spot right here," he murmured against the hollow at the base of her throat, "it's one of my favorite places on your body. Do you know why?"

"No," she said on a breath. Her hands made their way into the thick hair at the back of his head, desperate to keep him close.

The vibration of the deep rumble of Edward's chuckle sent shocks of desire through her body. Bella moved against him as the need flamed white-hot low in her belly.

"I love this spot because when I kiss you here, I can feel your heart beat." In demonstration, he kissed the soft flesh just there. At the same time, his hand slid along the slim taper of her waist and over her hip. He shifted so that his tip pressed, gentle but insistent, at her opening.

"And when I'm inside you." Bella gasped when he entered her with a slow smooth stroke. "I know it trips like that for me."