Hello, my (hopefully patient) readers,
At last, the last installment of this pitiful story is finally here. I know I have been absent for the longest time. I'm glad to say that I have finally got out of my writer's cowardness and found the gut to finish this story. I have spent long and hard nights thinking about how to end everything, and I hope that I can only fractionally do justice to the expectations that you have in my ability.
There are some important people in my life that I would like to dedicate this last chapter to:
First of all, to Peensicle aka Janet. You are one fuckawesome chick, and I hope you know that. Thank you for all the laughs and jokes that you bring to the table. I would also like that thank you for your encouragement of the story (even though you didn't know that at the time). You always know exactly what to say, and how to make light of an otherwise-seemingly-hopeless situation, and that is truly a gift. We have bonded over our mutual obsession for Twilight and fanfic, but I hope that even when that obsession fade someday, we will remain friends always. Here's to you and your awesomeness.
Secondly but just equally important, to Button aka Brenda. My father always says that he's afraid to have the two of us in the same car, because we would talk nonstop and give him incredible headaches :) Bee, friends like you take a lifetime to find, and I am eternal grateful that I have met you. You know, life is relatively ordinary. But every once in a while, somebody rises to the occasion, and they are praised for being strong. But what others call "strength", I call it "Friends like you". You are the first one to really know who Stormy Bella is (quite literally, actually) and that is because you see people. You can see people because you are not blinded by your own selfishness, and for that I am grateful to have known you. You bring bright light to the people who are fortunate enough to be your friends, and I hope that you are like this always. This chapter is dedicate to you. Here's to you, Bee.
And most important above all else, to E. It is known that I am not one to believe in God. But if there was no God, then how would I ever explain the miracle that is you? You are never a friend to me, because no friendship can be comparable to what you have offered me over the years. It is more than just that. You included me in your childhood games, you made me love reading, you encouraged my imagination in writing. You opened up a new world for me. But most of all, you offered me a place in your life and your soul, a place which I would never give up for as long as you'll have me there. You accept me for who I am, understand me without words. You never ask for more than I can give, but always give more than I deserve to receive. Here's to you, E. You are my Blue Star, always. Thank you for everything.
And most of all, I would like to thank my readers who have followed me until this day. I know I'm not the easiest author to follow, and I hope that this chapter can compensate somewhat for the wait I put you through. I am enternally grateful that I have you guys, and know what you guys are my inspiration and motivation for finishing this story.
As for the readers who have asked whether or not I will continue writing, I have to regretfully say that I am not positive that that would be the case. For the most part, I am now following the JasperXEdward persuasion, and therefore would be unlikely to continue writing EdwardXBella stories. But mostly, I must concentrate on getting into college first. This has been a wonderful journey, one that is irreplaceable by anyother. I thank you, from the bottom of my heart.
Sorry for the long AN. I hope you enjoy the chapter!
Love always,
xoxo
Stormy Bella
Chapter 34- Thank You
Chicago was windy this time of year. Five years here, and Edward Cullen was still not used to the bitter wind that so powerfully swept off the falling leaves. Back in Forks, the weather was wet and cold. But the wind was never this strong. There was something about winds like this that made him feel lonely.
He pulled his dark, long coat tighter, trying to hide from this chilling wind as he walked home.
Chicago was the birthplace of his father.
He stopped at a small newsstand on the sidewalk, and picked up some tabloids. Ever since he moved to Chicago, he formed the habit of reading cheesy tabloids.
He tried as hard as he could to keep tabs on a familiar face without her knowing it.
And just like he did for the past two years, he found nothing about her. He threw the magazine in the trash can near a small Chinese restaurant where he usually picked up his daily to-go meal.
Edward Cullen didn't cook anymore.
Holding the hot boxes of rice and food in a plastic bag, Edward slowly made his way to the apartment he now lived. He walked slowly up the stairs, pausing a moment to nod hello to his neighbor and landlady—a woman with an obsession for cats.
If anybody saw where Edward Cullen lived now, they would not believe it. In contrast with his modern white-picket-fenced house in Forks, he now lived in a tiny, one-bedroom apartment that served more as a dwelling than a home. It was neat, but it wasn't real.
However, he was startled when he reached his apartment.
Standing outside of his door was a woman. By the looks of it, she was a woman of moderate wealth. She wore an ivory suede trench coat with a cinched waist, a silk scarf around her neck, and black gloves on her hands, and accessorized with a pair of sunglasses and a white hat. She wore tight leggings and black boots, though not with high heels. Her skin was pale, though slightly flushed from the wind outside. Her light brown hair didn't reach past her shoulders, and was elegantly curled. Her lips were painted slightly red.
"Tanya?" Edward called out. The woman turned around and smiled. She took off her sunglasses.
"Edward." She smiled slowly, a white smile of grace.
"Bella?" Edward gasped.
"Well, are you going to invite into your home?" Bella nodded towards his locked door, her easy smile still remained.
How could she look so different? If it wasn't for that sweet, wind-chime voice, Edward would never have recognized that was Bella.
"Right. Sorry." Edward fumbled with his keys, suddenly all coordination lost. Bella chuckled lightly.
"You're clumsier than I remember, Edward." She mused.
Finally, after what seemed like a lifetime for Edward, the door clicked open. Inside was his quaint little abode. The living room only consisted of a set of gray sofa, a coffee table, and a modest TV. It opened up to the kitchen counter, and one could peer through to see the kitchen. To the left as the door to his room, and next to that was the bathroom.
"Even your tastes have changed, Edward. I never took you for a minimalist." Bella reflected, as if remembering his old house in Forks.
"I simply didn't see the need. Only I live here." He explained as he led her to the sofa.
"Water?"
"Yes, please." Bella nodded, still inspecting his tiny living space. "So, no girlfriend?"
She turned around and beamed.
He couldn't look at her face, only silently shaking his head. All this time, and she came here to talk about this?
She smiled tenderly at him as he sat on the sofa with respectful distant from her. "You've changed, Edward."
"So have you." He murmured softly, but loud enough for her to hear.
She laughed delightfully, and he was shocked to find how much he missed this laugh.
"Yes! Yes, Paris seems to do that to a person." She took off her glove and jacket, revealing a long, dark wrap dress underneath. "Time has changed us, hasn't it Edward?"
He nodded mutely, not knowing what to say.
"So," she sipped her glass of water and began, "How have you been?"
" I'm okay, I guess." Edward slowly relaxed. It seemed just like before. Her presence had a calming effect on anybody she encountered, stronger now even. "I'm teaching at a nearby university. It's just within walking distance. Occasionally I play piano for a fancy restaurant, or have a gig playing for some theater production. But it's inconsistent." He looked at her. "And you?"
She shook her head slightly, taking another sip of water. "I left for Paris five years ago, as you have known. Jacob and I, we studied at a school there, under the instructions of Director Galianni. He taught us many wonderful things." She smiled softly. "He truly is a very talented director. A little strict and stubborn, you know, but understandable. Not long after we arrived in Paris and studied, some famous agency heard that we were Galianni's students, and they contacted us. We signed with them, and not long after, they got me my first gig, a debut performance in one of the best theater productions in Paris. The play was Wuthering Heights, and I was casted as Catherine. That was the performance that boosted my career, you know."
He nodded, mesmerized in her story. No matter what he told himself, he still cared for her and wanted to know what happened with her.
"Well, they flew me to New York after that for another performance. It was the first time I've ever seen a Broadway stage. Oh, it was so beautiful Edward." She smiled happily. "The play got raving reviews, and I was booked in so many jobs after that." She paused for a moment, as if to catch her breaths, before continuing. "Jacob didn't go into the acting path. He studied diligently under Galianni, and a year later collaborated with Galianni in a film production. The film was a success, and his name was on the production. Producers everywhere, after hearing that he was Galianni's favorite student, offered him many movie scripts. He decided to direct a book made into movie. 'Twilight' was its name, if I remember correctly. It was like a pop culture phenomenon. He flew back to the States to direct the movie, and it was famous success. I remember attending the premiere. That must have been some book for people to be this crazy about the movie. Anyway, he was renown after that." Bella grins brightly.
Edward looked at her, really looking at her. She has changed so much. Not just her hair, not just her clothes, but her demeanor as well. She was much more confident with herself, much more mature. She was not longer that shy, blushing girl that he loved a lifetime ago. There was something in the world that she saw that changed her.
"We saw Tanya a while back when we were in Paris, Edward." Bella stated calmly.
Edward's head snapped up as he heard the name.
Tanya. He hadn't heard of that girl in a long time. Ever since he left her back at his house that night to run after Bella, he hadn't seen her. When he got back to the house, she was gone. She must have left Forks the next day, and he didn't attempt to call her. Five years without hearing from her, and he hadn't even noticed it. Yet, everyday without Bella was another day that he had to remind himself to get up and keep going.
Whoever said that time heals everything obviously didn't know what they were talking about. Edward didn't agree. The wound remained. In time, the mind, protecting its sanity, covered the wound with scar tissues, and the pain lessened. But it was never gone.*
"Yeah, she was filming there. We met for coffee sometimes. She told me what happened five years ago, Edward." Bella looked at him imploringly, as if asking a silent question to which he was sure he didn't know the answer.
He refused to answer. He refused to come back to this chapter his life. The day he left Forks, he vowed to leave the mess and the pain behind. It wasn't an easy feat, and he would never forget. But slowly, the pain has ebbed little by little. It was still there, the dull ache that sometimes woke him up at night and made him remember. But it was no longer that wrenching twist in his heart. The pain didn't make him crumble on the ground, clawing at his chest and wishing he could take his heart out so it wouldn't hurt anymore, like the first months he's been here.
"She and Jacob have grown pretty close." Bella chuckled lightly, understanding his reluctance.
"Really?" Edward looked up and smiled. Bella took noticed that it wasn't that crooked smile she used to love. The smile didn't reach his eyes. "I never would have guessed."
"Yeah, me neither." Bella agreed. "I've got to know her better. She's not half bad." At this she laughed. "She sure handles Jacob well. They fit perfectly together. She's posh and a perfectionist and he's just laid back and easy. They make a funny pair."
"They're together?" Edward asked, shocked evident on his brows. "But I thought that you…that you were with him."
Bella turned and raised her eyebrow. "Well, I guess I didn't tell you. We broke up five years ago," she explained. "We met Tanya shortly after that in Paris. I guess Tanya understood what Jacob was feeling. We became friends, but Jacob was more drawn to Tanya than I was. Then they met again for a production, and I guess that was when they started dating."
"Oh, I see." Edward muttered. "Well, I'm glad for them." He then looked away again.
Bella sighed exasperatedly. "Oh, for god's sake!" When Edward turned to face her, he saw that she was frustrated. "Edward, you and I both know that I'm not here to talk about Jacob and Tanya."
"Really?" Edward was getting angry too. Why did she just have to press him? Didn't he suffer enough? He spared her of the guilt, of the shame. She was able to go and find herself in Paris, find her fame and her passion while he was trapped here with the pain that ate away at him until he became only a shell of what he once was. Wasn't that enough punishment for his harsh words? Did she really have to come here and remind him? Did she come here to make sure he would never forget?
"Yes, really! Did you think I forgot, Edward? Did you think that the glory and beauty of Paris would let me forget? Because I certainly thought so!" Bella almost hissed. Then, composing herself, she breathed calmly.
"I saw many things in Paris, Edward, things that changed the way I think. When I first got there, I thought I was going to forget everything. Paris was beautiful in a way that brightens up a person, and the prospect of adventures pushed the pain to the back of my head. It was still there, but it wasn't as potent. I threw myself in work, and the exhaustion was the price I paid to occupy my mind, so that I no longer have to remember you." She looked at him then, and saw that he had closed his eyes. "You knew about my feelings for you, and you didn't reciprocate. I told myself that that was it. I needed to forget about you. And for a while, you seemed like a distant memories."
She took a shuddering breath.
"Paris opened me up to a lot of things. For the first time, I understood true acting. Acting means to forget who you truly are, and take on another identity. It means to disregard all your emotions and put on a mask of a different self. I didn't understand it before, because I didn't know there was a mask. Once I knew, however, I saw through them. And for the first time, I saw the mask that you were wearing that day."
Edward didn't open his eyes, but Bella could see what was behind those eyelids. She never forgot the way his face used to scrunch up, his mouth in a set line, as if the agony was too terrible to even be expressed.
"You slipped so many times, Edward. You were an incredible actor, but life isn't a stage. You couldn't act forever." Bella felt tears rolling down her cheeks. Damn it! She told herself she wasn't going to cry.
" But I didn't do anything. I told myself that so much time had passed. Whatever you felt about me that day might have already gone. I told myself that I truly had healed, and I needed not to poke into a healed wound. I should just let things be." She bit her lips to stop her crying, so hard that she might have drawn blood. "And then I got into a car accident."
Edward's head snapped up. "When?"
"The details aren't important." Bella sighed. "What's important is what happened after, Edward." She prodded for him to ask. For two years, she's kept this bottled up inside, all the things she wanted to tell him.
He didn't ask. Five years ago, innocent Bella would have let the matter drop, too embarrassed to continue. But she wasn't as she was five years ago. So she continued.
"I woke up in the hospital, all alone. Jacob was there, but I knew I was alone. And even if there were thousands of people in that white room, I would still be alone. The doctor said I was lucky. A little late and I would have died. And for weeks, all I could think about was that, if I did die, I would have died alone and unfulfilled. For years I thought I was happy. I thought I took all the chances that ever came to me, that I had lived life to its fullest without regrets." The tears surged again. "But I didn't take the one chance that matters most to me. And I knew then, that if I had died, my soul would be filled with so much regrets that I would never be able to leave this earth. And the memories came back to me, memories that I was forbidden to remember but terrified to forget."
Bella sniffed, reminiscing. "Every night, for months after that, I listened to the wind whistling outside my windowsill. I listened to the rained pounding on my roof in that cold apartment, and I remembered. I remembered that field with fireflies. I remembered that night with fireworks, and a kiss that burned brighter than the sun. I remembered that dance that fire couldn't compete with. I remembered the stage and Catherine and Heathcliff and the reason why I love acting. I remembered my lullaby and my portrait, and that cloudless night by the window in your study where you held me and let me cry. I remembered the first time ever I saw your face, and how I thought you were too beautiful to be related to me. I remembered broad shoulders and pale skin and messy bronze hair and crooked smile and sparkling green eyes. And I couldn't breathe because I remembered too much, yet too little." She couldn't stop the tears now. "I wondered where you were. It tore me apart, Edward, every time visions of you with dazzling smile and luminous radiance came to my mind, and just as I opened my eyes to reach for you, you disappeared. It killed me, but it made me realize that I have never told you what I always want to say."
She turned to him, and through her blurry vision she could see that tears were silently rolling down from his closed lids. "I got out of the hospital, and I was determined to find you. I quit my job and said good-bye to Jacob and went back to Forks. I saw Alice again. She married Jasper a year ago, and they were expecting a baby boy by the time I left. She told me that you transferred to another university, though she didn't know where. So I hired a P.I. to find out about you, and what I learned was that your birth parents were both born in Chicago. And I just knew; I knew I would be able to find you in Chicago."
She smiled tearfully, though he didn't see it. "I sound like a stalker, don't I? I went through all the universities in Chicago, and I couldn't find you. I was about to give up and move on to another city, when I saw you in a nearby coffee shop." She paused for a moment for her breaths had run out again. "I thought it was fate. All these years I've missed you by inches, and just when I was about to miss you again, fate gave me another chance. So I followed you to your apartment."
"I often asked myself what I could have done differently. When I was seventeen, I sometimes asked myself what would become of me if I had never met you. You would have been happy with Tanya, and I would have been happy somewhere else. Now I know that if I never knew you I'd live my whole life through, empty as the sky, and never knowing why**. I've lived a lifetime of regrets, Edward, but I have never regretted my feelings for you."
Her hand found his cheeks, soft and wet. He opened his eyes, revealing to her the green orbs she loved so much, swimming in tears. "I love you, Edward." She cried. "I never loved you once, Edward. Never just once."
He shook his head, closing his eyes once again, the look of resignation on his face. When he spoke, it was a tone of finality. "Five years is a long time, Bella. You haven't forgotten, but I have. I've moved on, and so should you." His hands shook.
Bella shook her head in disbelief. "No, you're lying. I know you're lying, Edward. I'm an actor too. I know that you loved me all those years ago."
Edward was gazing at her now, a hard look on his face. Oh, that familiar look. "I did. Years ago, I did love you, and I thought it was better for us to part. I don't love you anymore, Bella Swan. I loved you, but it was a lifetime ago."
"No. No!" Bella gasped desperately. "You're lying."
"Go, Bella. Go!"
And those words chased her out the door.
He's lying! She couldn't breathe as she ran down the steps, her jacket and gloves forgotten. He's lying. Why does he have to do this? I know he still loves me. I know he does. That bastard! That idiotic, cowardly bastard!
Anger coursed through her. Fury like she never knew fused in her, making her body tremble. He thought he could get rid of her? Not like this! The hell he would!
She would give that coward a piece of her mind. Old Bella might have run away, but never new Bella. New Bella would stand up and fight for herself. She had run away long enough, far enough. Never again.
She ran up the steps again, and barged through his door. Rage was eating at her.
"You know that Edward?" She hissed. "You're a cowa-"
"GOD! WHAT DO YOU WANT?" He cried out in pain, hands clutching at his hair. "Isn't this enough? Why do you have to torture me like this, Bella? Aren't I miserable enough?" He sobbed, tears falling like rain from the sky. "All day, all night I'm haunted by the harsh words I told you. I'm haunted by your tears and your face. What more do you want? Why do you have to tell me this? Do you know? Do you know that every word you said stabbed at me? Each word, each tear is like a knife slashing at me!"
She was stunned, her body raking with sobs, mirroring his. She stepped forward, and for each step, he stepped a step backwards. "Edward."
"I wanted to die! Death would have been much easier. Much easier, do you hear? Easier than this guilt, this shame, this fucking pain! You at least could find solace in your work and your Paris and your fame. I had nothing! Haven't I punished myself enough?" He screamed, his body quaking.
She couldn't take it anymore. She ran at him, punching him, hitting him anywhere she could, and weeping because he just said that he loved her. Not in so many words, but he did. "WHY THE FUCK DID YOU HAVE TO DO THIS!" She screamed in agony. "Why? Why? Why do you push me away? Why do you have to punish yourself, punish both of us? Do you think I forgot? Do you think that Paris could take my mind away from you? I left my heart here with you years ago, do you know? Why do you have to deny us?"
He restrained her wrists with his strong, large hands. The more she tried to hit him in her fit of fury, the more he restrained her. "Because this is wrong! Because the way I feel about you is wrong! You're my niece, Bella. You're Renee's daughter. I can't go against Renee, and you can't either. If Renee hates you, it would kill you, Bella. Whatever we are, we're sinful and immoral. I should go to hell for the way I feel about you. Maybe I already did."
"Do you ever think, Edward?" Bella hissed through her tears. "Do you ever think of me? Huh? Do you ever think about how much I love you? Or is all you think about what Renee wants? Do you ever think about what I want? Do you ever think about my heart? All the times I gave my heart to you, and you stomped on it and crushed it because it's what Renee wants! Do you ever think of me, Edward?"
"Of course I did!" Edward shouted. "And I think of how miserable you would be if Renee had hated you. I always thought about you, for you. And you just don't know it!"
"And look how happy I am!" Bella growled. "Shut up, Edward. Just shut up!"
And because she didn't know what else to do, she kissed him. That shut him up.
He responded vigorously, the emotions in him could no longer be contained. They clawed at each other. Bella pulled at his hair, yet at the same time pressing his lips harder to hers. His arms encircled her body, crushing her tighter. She bit his lip forcefully enough to draw blood as he tugged at her hair, grabbing whatever he could find. Fuel met with fire, and the passion that they had suppressed for all these years were finally released. And they exploded.
When they finally let go of each other, the first words he said to her made her cry again.
"I love you, Bella."
He sighed. "I'm sorry for being so stupid. You turned my world upside down, and I just—I didn't know what to do. You blinded me, and you stole all of my reasons. I truly thought it was for the best." He buried his head in her neck. And then he cried. Like a child, he cried. Heaving cries. It was too much for him, all these pain that he's bottled up inside. He was exhausted. But he was finally at home.
"Renee got to live her life, Edward, all because of you. It's time we get to live ours." Bella moaned. And just like that, their passion burned again.
Their arms and legs twisted around each other, never wanting to let go again. Their mouths crushed together, tongues dancing against one another. The rest of the world fell away, just like their clothes. Before he knew it, he had her in his bed, just like he's always wanted. Only this time it wasn't a dream. And he made love to her, for the first time. He was her first, and would always be her only. Hot skin on hot skin, blazing in the heat of hell fire. Long pianist fingers found their way between the hot valley of skin, wet and slick with desire. Tongue trailing towards forbidden territories. Blunt nails scratching his bare back as her pleas fueled him. Heaving moans and breathless sighs aroused in the deep night. Her flesh imprisoned him against her body, arms like ropes that tied him to her. Bare legs draped on his broad shoulders and eager lips sought naked breasts as he sheathed into her, embracing himself in her desire. In and out. In and out. Sucking and licking and kissing and moaning and taking and giving and pleading and urging. Faster and faster the bed pounded against the wall, rocking to the rhythm that they discovered together. Higher and higher he carried her, bringing her to the peak of pleasure. Gasping, he pushed over the edge. With a fevered cry, she felt spasms exploded inside her scorching body as she fell into earth-shattering bliss. Her spasms shook him, and he exploded with her, searing in eternal flames.
Blood, sweats and tears, and they were finally where they should be.
"Hey Edward?" Bella smiled, her fingers twirling around a bronze lock of his hair. So this is what a satisfied woman feels like. Oh, and she was very satisfied. If Tanya was right about anything, she was right about Edward. He was a very strong, vigorous man. And he was very insatiable.
"You do realize we have a lot of shit to work through, right? That sex and declarations of love don't solve anything, right?" She whispered, happily but seriously.
Edward nodded, his eyes faraway. For a moment, Bella was afraid. Was he changing his mind again?
Then he smiled. Bella sighed with relief. He hadn't changed his mind yet. Thank God for this peace, however long this may last.
"You have changed, Bella, so much. You're much braver and outspoken. Unafraid to speak up for yourself now." Edward murmured along the column of her creamy neck. "And much more crass too."
"Well, friendship with Tanya seems to do that to a person." Bella sighed contently. This man had a pair of lips like no other. Soft and insistent.
Edward chuckled lightly, his memory drifted to that other woman and that night when he rejected the love she so unconditional gave him.
"I have wronged her in so many ways." He whispered with regret that he had not even remembered to make amends to her.
"She explained to me, years ago, of my misunderstanding about what happened that night. I'm sorry. I acted without even thinking about your position or your side of the story." She stroked Edward's sunken cheeks affectionately.
"We have the tendency to do that to each other, don't you think? After all, I had decided what was better for you without even asking you. You were much more capable than I was." He leaned in toward her touch. Too long. Much too long.
"Yes, we have. All those misunderstanding and indecision and running away. We were children then, afraid and unsure." Bella sighed again. Strangely, it was not sadness that filled her heart, only gratitude.
"It seems that the world had a way of working against us. It seemed to me, at one point that fate was against this relationship. Anything that could have gone wrong, did. Our relationship had all the finer points of a tragic love story, don't you think? All those years wasted." He murmured regretfully.
"We were too young then, even you, to truly understand what love really was." Bella smiled, the beauty of her enlightenment graced the features of her heart-shaped face. "I was only seventeen, and you were my first love. A seventeen-year-old dreamed of beautiful things about love, and I would only have seen the glorious side of it. I think that given the odds, I wouldn't be able to deal with the reality that this relationship entangles with. I would have hated you, just like you predicted." She sighed softly. It all worked out in the end.
"I surely would have taken your love for granted. All this pain that we have endured for a love that I didn't think actually existed let me know that nothing…nothing in this world could have eased the pain of losing you. And I didn't even have you to begin with! Separated from each other, I saw who I was without this love, and the person that I became without you was not someone I could live with." A tear unknowingly slid down her pale cheek. "Thousands of miles apart and I still couldn't forget you. I knew then…"
Bella looked at Edward's glassy eyes. Ah, her only love. This man. This gorgeous, stubborn, righteous man, who was beautiful even in his own agony. This man who she would move heaven and earth for. Ah, how blissful it was to endure pain for this man!
"…I knew because the pain let me know that you are worth enduring all the pain in this world for. A thousand times worth it!"
Edward looked at her wordlessly. What had he done in his past lives to have deserved a love to pure and unconditional as hers?
When he finally could speak, only two words lingered on his lips.
"Thank you."
"Hey Edward." Bella giggled, awaken from her nap. The sun had set outside the windowsill. They had been in bed all day.
"Yeah, love?" He responded, though rather sleepily. An angelic smile on his face, that crooked smile she loved.
"Relation or relationship?" She giggled.
He opened one eye and raised an eyebrow questioningly. Then he laughed that tingling laugh.
He kissed her forehead, crushing her naked body against his. "With you? Relationship, my love. Always."
Ah, Relationship, at last.
* Partial quote from Rose Kenedy
**Partial Lyrics from "If I Never Knew You" in Pocahontas, belonging to Disney