A/N: It's looking like 4 or 5 more chapters, and 2 epilogues, so we'll see. :)

Betad by the lovely Michelle Renker Rhodes.

Most characters belong to S. Meyer.

Chapter 35 – Changing Roles

BPOV

Edward's fingertip traces the outline of my bare breast; round and round to the peak, then he fondles my nipple, pinching it lightly and watching it readily respond to his touch. I giggle and arch my back off of the mattress, and he slides his other hand under my back, tracing a smooth path down my spine.

"Stop tickling me!" I laugh.

But I don't really want him to stop, and he knows it. He gives me a lazy grin, perfectly shaped lips curved into a crooked smile before he dips his head, eyeing me through long, dark lashes. The giggles die away when he presses his warm lips to mine, and when he pulls away, I'm left gazing into those green eyes once again. My eyes trail across his strong shoulders, over his muscular arms, and then down his unyielding chest, but they always return to those eyes.

We've been this way all weekend: talking, making love, resting and getting the necessary things done in between. When Edward went to work yesterday morning, I ran errands since the studio is closed for the long, holiday weekend. Then he took me to dinner, and afterwards, we returned to the studio to get some work done. And we did work.

That is, until we ended up in my favorite room. While we made love, I gazed through the mirror at the taut muscles on his back and ass, hypnotized by the way they swelled and rippled as he moved, the chords of muscle flexing up and down his arms, his beautiful tattoo glistening with perspiration. And then I watched myself ride him deep, consumed by wonder at the sight of our love from so many different angles that I wanted to cry over how enchanting and erotic we looked. I'd never known lovemaking could be both.

Now it's early Sunday afternoon. Edward and I haven't even bothered getting out of bed for breakfast.

And he's got me locked in his gaze, skimming his rough hand down my thigh and over my calf. His touch makes my skin singe and tingle. His eyes take me in as if he knows; he feels this surge of love: wonder at the luck of having found each other in this world of billions - having found the one whose touch is pure magic.

He lifts my leg over his shoulder, grinning while I push a stray lock of hair off his forehead.

Mel will be home in a few hours, and as much as I love her, once she returns from her grandparents', Edward's and mine lovemaking becomes more inhibited by necessity.

So now we soar; we let loose. We learn and experiment during these few, precious hours.

When he pushes himself inside, I throw my head back and sigh, consumed by the hardness that fills and fulfills me, which surrounds me, which claims every hidden part of me.

Time is immeasurable when we're lost in each other, so I'm not sure how long we've been at it when something vibrates from the nightstand. Whatever it is, I ignore it because I'm in a world where weightless bodies rise and fall and crest and peak, and nothing else exists but the heights of pleasure Edward gives me.

It's not until much later, while Edward's head is draped over my breasts, and I'm lazily playing with his soft, copper hair, that I remember the vibration over the nightstand.

"I think someone was calling before," I whisper, my voice hoarse from groaning and pleading and thanking. But there's nothing on the nightstand, so I lean over the side of the bed.

I'm giggling again because Edward is smacking my bare ass while I balance upside down while naked, grabbing for the errant phone off the floor where it must've gotten knocked over during one of our more acrobatic moments. While I light up the screen, he massages my ass, kneads one cheek in each hand and makes all these appreciative sounds. I yelp and chortle when his teeth join the mix–

Four missed calls from Ben Cheney.

"Who are you calling?" Edward asks when he sees me calling back, still hanging upside down with my ass in the air, but Ben picks up before I can respond.

"Bella?"

"Ben, what's up? What happened? How are you?" I add as an impatient afterthought.

"I'm good, thanks. How was your Thanksgiving?"

I hear Edward shuffling around behind me. He quickly appears at my side with his boxers on and lifts me back up on the bed.

"It was great," I respond anxiously. "Hope yours was too. So what's up?"

Next to me, Edward tucks the blanket around my body.

"I didn't want to interrupt your weekend…you know…"

He trails off, and I exhale heavily, my shoulders sagging because if it would've been good news...

I drop my head over Edward's shoulder. "It's okay, Ben. I know. I understand."

"You do?" Ben asks.

"I mean, yeah, I get it."

"Who'd you get it from?"

"It was pretty obvious they went another way-"

"They went another way?" he screeches. "Who told you that? I just spoke to them again a short while ago! I thought things were settled! Damn it!"

I pick my head back up and look at Edward. He questions me with his eyes, but I can only shrug.

"Ben, what are you talking about?"

"What are you talking about?"

"Ben, you called me."

"You said you knew!"

"I know nothing," I grit through clenched teeth. "Care to fill me in?"

"But you said you knew," he repeats. "Oh never mind. So Friday morning, I finally got an answer, and I was going to call you, but I wasn't sure if you'd be spending the holiday with family and how that works with you. Me personally, I've got a small family, just my brother and my parents and me. We had lasagna instead of turkey because none of us really like turkey, and then we watched the original Star Wars trilogy on cable. I know, I know; untraditional, but hey, there was no turkey at the first Thanksgiving, so what's tradition, really? And did you know that-"

"Ben, please!" I yell.

"Another damn nut case," Edward shakes his head.

"Oh. Sorry. Where was I? Oh yeah. So you do know you got the part, right?"

My jaw drops.

I can feel Edward's intense gaze on me, but I'm in a myopic daze.

"Ben, I didn't know anything."

"You didn't? Well, yeah. Congratulations! I was on them to make a decision because I was worried that if I didn't stay on top of it, the power of the dark side would take hold."

"The…dark side…?"

"Felix," Edward mouths.

"There were four people on that panel, Bella," Ben continues, "One of them I know to be fair, the other I know to be an asshole, and the other two…well, I don't really know the other two. But anyway, this part was yours, and I just wanted to make sure they saw that. What you really should've gotten was the lead, but that's not what you tried out for, and the force can only go so far. Rehearsals begin next week, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday afternoons, and Sunday mornings. They're behind schedule so be ready for long hours. Curtain goes up April first. And before you start thinking that I don't know that this is a lot of information, I do. See, this is why I didn't want to overwhelm you during your Thanksgiving break; that's why I didn't call. But maybe I should've. Yeah, I guess I should've. Damn it!"

I'm still trying to process the congratulations. My brain is too overwhelmed by both the news and the torrential downpour of instruction.

"What is it, Bella?" Edward asks, but it's a half a minute before I can speak.

"Ben, may I call you back?"

"Yeah, sure, sure. Are you mad at me for not calling you right away? I'll call you right away from now on," he promises.

"I…no, I'm not mad, but yeah," I smile, "don't be afraid to call me right away next time."

"Okay, got it."

"Thanks, Ben," I say sincerely.

"Uh, yeah."

I sit there, wrapped up in the blanket, the phone gripped tightly in my hands.

"Bella, Baby, you've got to tell me what's going on before I go crazy here," Edward semi-chuckles, raking a hand through his tussled hair.

Before he came into my life, I'd be sharing this bit of news with Angie first and foremost, then Sue, and then…

Eli would've patted his own back, chucked it up to his superior choreography.

Felix would've had an answer for me before I left the audition.

"I got it," I say quietly.

A slow grin spreads across Edward's beautiful face. There's pride there, yes, and smugness, and triumph. He wraps me in his strong arms, the blanket falling off when I slide my arms tightly around his neck.

"You did it," he breathes in my ear. "I knew you would. I knew it."

With Edward, all that pride and smugness and triumph…it's for me.

"Rehearsals start next week," I say shakily. "It's going to be a crazy schedule, and now you'll be working long hours for a while, and Mel…I don't know how…"

"Shhh." He pulls away, and there's a bemused smile on his rugged face. And we're both laughing.

"We'll figure it all out. Don't worry about any of that." He pulls me close again and laughs. "My beautiful, perfect dancer."

I breathe in deeply against his bristly neck and close my eyes, feeling his love, his warmth, his belief in me.

OOOOOOOOOO

The next week passes by in a flurry of preparation. While the rest of the world prepares for the approaching holidays, I sit with my dance staff, and we coordinate schedules and potential conflicts. Rehearsals are in the evenings, but I will miss a few classes. Meanwhile, Jake is in heaven because he gets to shine; Jess is fine with it as long she gets to see more of Jake, and we've got class assistants in place to help out and Angie…

Well, what would I do without Angie?

And Mel…

In the past few months, Mel has learned the ropes around the studio. She's a huge help both behind the counter and running errands for the classes. Now she's so thrilled for me, she swears she'll do whatever it takes to make the next few months run smoothly.

As for Edward…

He's worked it all out for us. He works at the studio Tuesdays and Thursdays because he doesn't have his AA meetings those nights, so Mel will come to the studio after school and meet him here. She'll do her homework, help out, and when they're done they'll go back to their place, and I'm supposed to call him when I'm done, so he can pick me up and take me home.

It'll be fine, he says.

OOOOOOOOOO

On the first day of rehearsals, I arrive at the academy early and psyched. It's not my first part, but it's been a while, and this feels different somehow. Maybe it's because I feel like I really did this one on my own, since I (or rather Ben on my behalf) had to pretty much fight my way into this.

I meet the rest of the ensemble, which is basically divided into three tiers, or levels. The first tier, of course, are the leads: Alec, who moves with the grace and agility of a feline. His every move is a dance in and of itself. Then there's Renata. As soon as I see her, I see why she was cast as the female lead. She's as beautiful as Alec is handsome, matching golden locks and the same tall, thin feline frame. Where Alec is friendly though, this one holds her head high, smirking like she knows she's the shit.

That's fine, though. I get it. You carry the lead, you get to be the Diva bitch.

The second tier includes Alec and Chelsea's associate dancers: eight others; four guys, three girls and me.

Then there's the third tier – the background dancers.

It's a long first night. At ten o'clock, I text Edward during a five minute break to tell him we're going to be at least another hour or so, therefore he should just go home. I can make it back to my place on my own just fine.

Nevermind all that. Text me and let me know when you're almost done so we can be on our way.

Edward. It'll be late. Mel has school. I'll text you when I get home.

She can jump in the truck in her pjs. Homework's done.

Makes no sense.

"One minute!" the PA calls out.

Gotta go. Good night, Edward. I'll text you when I get home.

Isabella, I'll be waiting outside.

Stubborn man. I quietly groan and get back to practice.

OOOOOOOOOO

This goes on for the rest of the week. It's exhilarating and exhausting at the same time, and though I love it, by Friday night, I'm feeling extremely guilty for Mel's long nights, even though she's about excited as I am, full of questions and bright eyes when I describe it all to her.

We're back at my place, and it's late, but Emmett is over because he and Edward are finalizing the proposal for the office bid.

It's been a long week for Edward as well. He's working late into the evenings, missing the first half of his AA meetings, and then putting in a couple of hours at the studio on the other nights, all while taking care of Mel. And though I'm still around the other days of the week to care for Mel, all our schedules are extremely altered now.

By the second week of December, Angie is helping out with Mel on Friday nights, and even Sue has taken her a couple of times. Carlisle and Edward keep in contact every couple of days, and I thank God for the support group Edward and I seem to have accumulated over the past few months.

Things will calm down.

That's what I keep telling myself. I've got a few months of this ahead of me, but Edward's schedule should resume to normal by the end of the month when he finishes these lofts once and for all, and he and Emmett finally have that bid in.

In between it all, we do our best to find time for each other, but it's hard. We sneak a few quickies in the bathroom a couple of nights when he and Mel stay over on weekends, but I remember our long nights, our mirrored walls, and I ache for more of him.

OOOOOOOOOO

By the third week of December, rehearsals get really intense. We've gotten the gist of all our parts and dances, and now it's a matter of taking the next few months to perfect them.

Alec has turned out to be a cool, though really conceited sort of guy. He's got this English accent that's got three quarters of the panties here dripping by the end of practice every night. But he jokes and hangs out with the entire ensemble; flirts a bit while surreptitiously telling me I'm the best one here, even better than his counterpart. And yeah, I know how this works, and I'm not biting.

So I smile and pay him no mind, and he's fine with that; there are enough females here hanging on his every word to keep his ego nicely stoked.

Renata, on the other hand, has a clique consisting of her and three other female dancers who are in the ensemble and deemed worthy enough to associate with her. I think I've caught scowls in my direction a couple of times, but I can't be sure because like I said, she's got that diva bitch thing going on that keeps her chin perpetually in the air.

I watch her move though, the way she leaps and turns. I imagine myself doing her steps.

Sometimes, in between classes at the studio, I actually do.

Mel watches me and claps. Angie tells me I'd kick ass.

OOOOOOOOOO

It's the end of the week, and tonight, they're supposed to pick understudies for Alec and Renata's parts. It's semi inside audition, semi production director's whim. I didn't bother trying out for that because shit, I'm lucky I am where I am. Don't push your luck and all that, right?

So at the end of rehearsal, I'm on the floor stretching and waiting for Edward's text telling me that he's outside. When I hear my name called, I look up.

Everyone is staring at me.

"Yes?" I ask because I'd tuned out at some point.

"But she didn't even try out for it," Renata exclaims.

"Her agent is pitching her hard."

"Give her a go; she's good," Alec grins.

"Swan, you know the first part?" the director barks.

I nod quickly.

"Well hurry it up, let's see!"

The thing is, I know how to move like a dancer. I know how to manifest confidence and self-assurance – even when I may not fully feel them. But when I get to the actual dancing, I'm not faking it. It's just what I am. And that's what I give them.

When I'm done, the director stares at me, frowning as if he's lost in thought.

"Alright, call back her agent," he instructs his PA. "Draw up a new contract. See you all bright and early Sunday. Let's go!"

"Congratulations, Swan," Alec grins, winking at me.

And I'm left standing there, bewildered while the rest of the ensemble trails out.

Renata stands there watching me. Eventually she picks up her bag, not even glancing my way when she speaks.

"Yeah, it's easy to land the parts when you fuck your way into them," she snorts.

My head jerks back at the venom in her tone. "You don't know what you're talking about."

"I think I do," she smirks. "I think I know exactly what kind of whore you are."

"Then you're an even bigger bitch than I first thought you were."

And I pick up my bag and walk out.

OOOOOOOOOO

I tell Edward about the understudy gig. His joy and pride…they're beautiful.

I don't tell him about the comment Renata made, not because I don't want to share it with him, but because I know it'll upset him, and really, I don't care enough about Renata's comments to distress Edward, who already has enough on his plate.

The next morning, Edward is at work, and Mel is here with me at the studio. We're having our Saturday morning Comp class practices, and while she runs some errands around the studio, I take a quick minute to fill in Angie.

"Pero mira que cabrona," she seethes. "She's lucky I wasn't there. I would've knocked out her fucking teeth."

"That wouldn't have ended well for me, career-wise," I smirk.

Angie is furious. Her nostrils flare while her wild curls bounce around her head as she shakes it from side to side. "See, that's why I could never be a part of that world, cuz I would give everyone a fucking beat down. Don't mind her, Bellita; she's just jealous."

"But that's just the thing, Angie," I chuckle humorlessly, "she's not. She has nothing to be jealous of! She's beautiful, so damn talented, and she's got the lead! When we're out there, no one's going to be looking at me; they're going to be looking at her!"

"She's jealous. That's all it is," Angie reiterates.

Ben stops by a little while later for a quick business lunch. He's wearing a black hoodie with a picture of a little green guy with pointy ears on it. Under the image it says, "Do. Or Do Not. There Is No Try."

"I like Star Wars," Angie says after checking out Ben's hoodie.

His face lights up like a Christmas tree. "Do you?"

"Yeah. Yoda and Chewbacca and Jedi...I especially love Jedi and their lightsabers," she leers, leaning over the counter so that her boobs squish up against it.

I watch him swallow hard. "I...I have a lightsaber."

"I bet you do," she grins.

Ben blushes furiously. "I...can show it to you one of these days...if you'd like."

I roll my eyes. "I'll wait outside."

At the diner, I thank him over and over for everything he's apparently been doing for me behind the scenes. He blushes again, mumbles and shrugs, and I wonder what he does with this Ben when he's up against producers and directors and audition boards because he can't possibly be bringing this one along. They'd eat him alive and spit out his bones and dark-framed glasses.

Well, whatever he's doing, he's working it.

And I do tell him about Renata's comment because while Edward and Angie's love for me blinds them, no matter what Ben is, which version I'm with, I get the feeling each and every version of him is as direct as need be.

"It's not surprising," he says through a mouthful of hamburger and then stops chewing. "You know why she's saying that."

It's like a kick in the gut because yeah, I do know, but I guess I'd been hoping…lying to myself honestly. Regardless of how much I need my agent to be direct, part of me still wants to hide behind Edward and Angie's pure adoration.

Ben watches me carefully. This man that's shown me nothing but respect and commitment…but he knows more than he's let on. Yet he still fights for me. He still believes.

"So what do I do now?"

"Bella, in a quest for all consuming power disguised as a desire to save Padme from a horrible future, Anakin sold his very soul to the dark side. If he would've just believed in the force," he stresses vehemently, seemingly lost in thought for a few seconds before he shakes his head as if to clear it. "Anyway, you're not planning on sleeping with anyone in the production, are you?"

I choke on my sandwich. "No! Of course not! I…no, Ben! No!"

He resumes his chewing, nonplussed by my reaction. "Alright then, we have nothing to worry about. Just use the force and dance your ass off."

I bite my lip, knowing I'm missing something important here in translation.

"Ben, when you know what's happened…and how difficult it's going to be to get me out of it, why do you want me as a client?"

Ben gazes at me carefully through his dark glasses. He sets down his sandwich and pushes those glasses up his nose before taking a deep breath.

"Bella, you're in a tough position right now. You're going to meet those who are going to believe one way just because it's easier for them to do so, and others, who'll see your talent and give you the benefit of the doubt. I'd like to think that I'm mentally advanced enough to be in that second group."

I smile at him. "Thank you."

He blushes. "We're going to kick ass together, Bella."

"The force, right?" I grin. "It's with us?"

He beams from cheek to cheek. "Now you're catching on."

OOOOOOOOOO

That evening, we're hanging out at the studio while Emmett helps Edward with some of the work. I've convinced Rose to stop by for a while with the kids since we haven't had a chance to go see them with the extremely hectic schedules.

She did eventually tell Edward the situation with Royce, and though Edward was furious, we spoke about it, and he understands that there's really nothing he can do about it.

When she arrives, it's almost like Thanksgiving here again. So while Emmett and Edward work, the rest of us hang out in the lobby trying to ignore the loud blare of drills and saw and hammers at the end of the hall, and for me at least, one of the hot, sweaty men working those muscles.

And while Mel takes her three cousins into Studio One to play around, Rose and I sit by the counter and watch them through the TV screens. When little Leah starts twerking, Rose and I both burst out laughing.

"So…he's moved out," she says more soberly.

The laughter fades away. "Royce? How? When?"

"Last week," she murmurs.

"Did he leave, or did you throw him…"

"Oh, he fought me on it," she chuckles humorlessly, her eyes on her dancing children. "But not because of me or the kids. Do you know what he said? He told me that if we end up divorcing, I've got to move out because he wants his half of the house."

"What an asshole," I seethe, unable to hold back.

She nods in agreement.

"He really is. I don't…I don't even know if I ever really loved him. I thought it was good at first, but then…"

We're both quiet, lost in thought.

"I guess I've always understood why Jasper and Alice left Mel to Edward. I mean, in my head it didn't make sense. I had the house, the room, the marriage," she snorts. "What did he have over me? But in my heart, I knew."

I swallow thickly, waiting.

"It was all a lie, Bella, and Jasper…he saw through it. You never met Jasper."

Wistfully, I shake my head because I so wish I would've.

"He was…exactly like Edward, in so many ways; in even more ways than I think Edward even realizes."

"What do you mean?"

And then Emmett and Edward bound over and tell us that they're done for the afternoon. We've decided to go out for pizza afterwards, so we gather the kiddies together; a mess of arms and legs and voices and laughter.

And I'm left wondering in how many ways Edward and his brother were alike.

OOOOOOOOOO

Mel goes home with Rose that night because I've got rehearsals in the morning, and then Edward and I are going to run some errands – aka Christmas shopping. And since Mel pretty much knows her presents are getting bought the next day, she's eager to please. Emmett volunteers to escort them home again, for which Edward is grateful because I know he worries for his sister now that she officially has no man to look after her – not that it seems Royce did much looking after.

And that night, Edward and I take a long, hot shower to relieve some of the stress we're both under. We make love surrounded by hot steam, and afterwards he massages my feet and I massage his shoulders.

He's working hard, and I know my Dad is too. Edward tells me he's at the site every day now. Eli has shown up a couple of times too, he tells me, but it's Sue who tells me that Dad told her that Eli's always surrounded by his partners.

He and Sue haven't pressed me for an answer to their offer again, though I know it's on their minds, as well as Edward's, but right now...

OOOOOOOOOO

Edward and I end up in downtown Manhattan, going from store to store picking up things for Mel for both Christmas and her birthday. From H&M to Hollister to Abercrombie, I've shown Edward that if you go to the back of most stores, there's a sale section where you can pick up items for discounted prices. Sue taught me that as a kid. He's floored by how much more he can buy Mel than he'd anticipated.

One good thing about all the extra overtime is the pay Edward is getting. And with him doing so much work for me at the studio, I've barely managed to convince him that he doesn't have to pay for Mel's dance lessons over the next couple of months.

So now he's been able to pay off a few bills, put some towards that credit card that was maxed out, and save some as well. He was going to buy himself a pair of new work boots he's been needing, as well as a couple of pairs of flannel long johns. Yeah, from growing up a contractor's daughter, I know how important long johns are in the winter. But I've convinced him to wait until after the holidays, telling him they'll be cheaper then, but really, I've bought him all that and more for Christmas.

We crash back into my loft a couple of hours later, cold and weighed down by bags and bags of Christmas presents for our family, but laughing and…

He's pulled out a shirt that I helped him pick out for Mel, and he's staring at it all proudly. I swallow thickly and walk over to him, pulling the shirt out of his hands and throwing it over the couch.

I cup his cheek and look up into those green eyes, framed by cheeks tinged red from the cold, and I can barely believe he's only been in my life for four months. In my heart, he and Mel have been mine for a lifetime.

"Move in with me."

Edward jerks his head back, his eyes growing wide.

I keep my hand pressed to his jaw. "We can turn the upstairs loft into a room for Mel. You can build walls for her…and for us. You're next job is closer from here than it is from your place. Mel's school is the same distance from here as it is from your place."

He holds my gaze, but doesn't say anything.

"I miss you, Edward. I mean, I know we try to make time, but it's not enough for me."

Finally, with a deep breath, he slides his hands around my waist and pulls me close, and I wrap my arms around his neck.

"Is this because Heidi lives next door?" He grins wryly.

I smack his chest. "No. Well…maybe a tiny bit. No. No, it's not," I pout, locked in those beautiful eyes I wish I could look into every moment of my life.

He chuckles, pressing his lips lightly to my forehead. "Bella, Baby, we've been together two months. People might talk," he teases.

"I don't care what people say!" I reply. "I don't need more time. Besides, if you go by Angie's calculations, we've been together since the day we met."

"Hmm." He purses his lips and nods thoughtfully. "She makes sense for once. But what about your dad, Bella? I don't care how you slice the time for him; I don't think he'd like it."

"As much as I respect my dad, I pay my own bills. I don't need his approval for this, and I think that's something he finally understands. Anyway, ever since that Eli fiasco, I think you're Charlie Swan's new hero."

Edward smirks, rolling his eyes. "Well I sure as hell wouldn't be if I shacked up with his baby."

"Why are you coming up with so many excuses?" I ask. "If you don't want to, just say so."

I swear I try not to sound hurt, but God, I am. I so am. And disappointed, and heartbroken, and I think I may cry at any second. My eyes instinctively drop to the floor, trying to hide the moisture welling in them.

With his finger under my chin, Edward lifts my gaze back up. "I'm not trying to make excuses, Bella, but there's more involved here than just you and I. I don't want you kicking us out in a month when you realize you rushed through your decision."

"Do you really think I'm that flighty, Edward? Do you think I don't realize that this involves more than just the both of us? That Mel needs love and stability and safety and a sense of belonging more than anything! I've thought this through, and I want you both here with me, always. I miss you both when you're not around, and this feels right to me, but like I said, if you don't feel the same-" My throat constricts, and I can't finish.

He crashes his mouth to mine and kisses me with an intensity that takes all my breath away. I'm panting by the time he pulls away.

"You beautiful, silly girl. It's not that I don't feel the same; it's just that…"

"Just that what?" I prompt anxiously.

"Bella…" he grins, "it's that you didn't give me a chance to ask."

My heart thumps rapidly in my chest. I draw in a few uneven breaths, hope and happiness taking hold, threatening to burst inside me. I feel a tentative smile spreading over my face…

"Hold on, Bella. Hold on," he says, and the serious expression on his handsome face freezes all my budding hope along with the rest of me. He frames my face in his strong hands.

"Baby, I…" he breathes loudly, as if he's drawing in nervous breaths – "I don't come from much; you know that."

"Edward-"

"But…there are things…beliefs I guess I have. My parents…" He shakes his head. "No, never mind them. Jasper and Alice…first it was Mel, but they did it right. And they loved, and I always thought if it ever…if I ever…"

He swallows thickly and looks away, and I have no idea what he's trying to tell me.

"Edward…" I breathe, unable to say more. "Edward…"

His eyes find mine again, flaming with a determination that makes me gasp aloud.

"Marry me."

A/N: Hmm…:)

Thoughts?

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Have a great weekend y'all! See you Monday!