An Angel At My Table

by cinnamon twist101

There are two sides to every story His and Her's. When Edward and Bella make the mistake of blurring the lines between Employer and Employee at the Annual office Christmas party both of their lives change dramatically. Told by both Bella and Edwards POV

36. Planes, Pets & Passionfruit sundaes

A/N: First off sorry for the latest of the update there was major editing to be done in this chapter but we persevered and finally got it done. We would like to thamk you to those of you who take the time to review our work it makes the meltdowns worth it :) ...Also thank you to those of you who have added this story to your subscriptions.

Just to let you know we are still going to be doing weekly updates it just may not be on our regular day. Most of the edits for the rest of the story are done and as a result we have more chapters than we did originally so you're getting more Angel free of Charge. LOL...

Greenaway and I would also like to say Kia Ora and thank you so much to Sassy who has agreed to Beta the rest of the chapters of Angel...Anyone who knows her skills form IP know she is my one hour wonder Beta and she is the perfect person to keep Greenaway and I on track...She's seen how easily distracted we get when we are chatting and working and she cracks a mean enough whip to keep us bratty kids in line...LMAO

Disclaimer: S. Meyer own Twilight, Greenaway & Cinnamon own An Angel...All music is property of the respective owners...

CHAPTER 36: Planes, Pets & Passionfruit Sundaes.

We were on the plane home and I was excited to be seeing Apple and Louis, I wanted nothing more than to make up the time I lost with them and to show them that their Mum was better. Edward was sitting next to me absent mindedly playing with my hair, he was silent and I wondered where his thoughts were. I was about to ask when he beat me to it.

"Baby, we need to spend some time with the kids. Also, I was thinking we should get them a pet each."

So Edward's thoughts were in the same place as mine. "I know Edward I feel even worse. I feel sick when I think how I've neglected them. Pets?" I looked at him quizzically, "Like a cat or a dog or birds?"

"Bella, we have both let them down, but now we fix it. But first, I was thinking a pony for Apple. You know that vacant section behind us is for sale, I was thinking of buying it and building some stables. Plus, its better we own it than someone else who wants to build there. Louis, I was thinking along the lines of a dog too. I know! A Saint Bernard! He would have so much fun with one!"

I looked at Edward as if he had taken leave of his senses, "Are you insane? A pony, stables and a St Bernard, Jesus Edward you never do things by halves do you?"

"That kinda was my half way love. So... Whatcha think?"

"Is there any point trying to argue?" I knew there wasn't but I thought I'd ask anyway.

"Well, I do always enjoy make-up sex, so feel free to argue if you so choose." He chortled as he flipped his phone open.

The muscles in my stomach clenched in fury when Edward started his phone conversation, he had rung a horse breeder and was discussing fucking ponies like it was a given that Apple would be getting a pony. And I was absolutely seething when he never acknowledged me when he ended that conversation he just made another call. This one was to Kate to organize land for the pony and a Saint Bernard puppy for Louis.

The air rush from my lungs in a rush, a sound I knew would catch Edward's attention and alert him to my displeasure. And of course he noticed immediately.

Bella "Are you ok? Should I get you some water?"

"Edward," I hissed, "You fucking are insane aren't you? Who the fuck does that, why do you have to do that, couldn't you at least wait until we got home? And how much is all this going to cost..."

Edward looked at me as if I was being extremely bad mannered which raised my hackles further. "Bella, honey, I'm on the phone, you don't want me to be rude to Kate do you?" Before I had a chance to answer he turned his attention back to his phone call, "Yeah, I'm still here Kate."

I couldn't believe Edward's form the guy was a law unto himself and if Carlisle and Esme hadn't been on the plane I would have turned violent. "Edward by doing this you are throwing the karmic balance out of sync. And I want you to know as soon as the twins are old enough I am signing them up to Unicef and we are going to do a mission to help improvished kids in some remote uncivilised region. I don't want them to grow up spoilt."

Edward never acknowledged what I had said but he heard me and what he did next made me even angrier.

"Kate, put through another donation to from the company and one from my personal accounts." He looked at me patronizingly, "Happy? Can the kids get their pets now?"

I couldn't believe that he was acting like such an asshole. But for once I wasn't going to let him get away with it. "Don't you dare donate money Edward, the point is not the money! The point is Apple and Louis need to see how less fortunate children grow up, you know kids who have to scavenge through rubbish dumps to survive. It's one thing tell them about the problem Edward and it's another to put a face to it and make it real." Fucking arrogant prick I seethed, "And I didn't say they couldn't get pets." I spat.

He ignored the death glare I gave him and instructed Kate to make the donations anyway. I stayed silent while he finished his conversation and while he explained to me the many ways he gave back both personally and through Cullen Industries.

Self righteous wanker was completely missing my point and when he asked if I could wait until the kids were old enough to make up their own minds over whether they wanted to help improvished children my already stretched nerves snapped.

"Whatever Edward, I know what you do and I'm proud of you for doing it, but this isn't about you it's about the twins! And no I'm not going to wait until they're old enough; I'm planning to show them before they can become indifferent." I pulled my hand from his and sighed when I heard Carlisle chuckle. I was so angry I didn't even care if his parents heard us arguing.

If I thought Edward was actually going to take me seriously I was wrong. He made some smart ass remark about how he was a jerk and did I want a puppy before he broke into gales of laughter. He was laughing so hard he had tears literally running down his cheeks.

"You know what Edward you can be a fucking arrogant prick at times! And no I don't want a fucking puppy and I don't want a stupid Island any more either or a dumb jag. Fucking ass hole." I hissed as I stood up from my seat and strode to the bathroom.

I made sure I avoided Carlisle and Esme concerned stares as I passed. I hadn't even made it through the door when I burst into tears. I couldn't believe Edward had belittled what I stood for and dismissed me as if what I said didn't matter. I put the lid down on the toilet and took a seat, hundreds of thoughts swirled around my head, each more painful than the last. I had agreed to marry someone not only who thought what I stood for was a joke, but was quite happy to dismiss me and impose his will on me regardless of how I felt. I was beginning to realise that while we were the same in many ways our fundamental differences were huge.

It was important to me that Apple and Louis grew up realizing they were luckier than some children. I didn't want them to get everything they wanted given to them on a silver platter with no concept of what it cost. I wanted them to realise that they were extremely fortunate to have what they had and to appreciate it. And most of all I wanted them to feel a sense of humility and humanity toward others. I wanted them to want to help those who are less fortunate not just throwing money at them but to understand exactly the hardships they face and doing something to really make a difference.

The more I thought about it the more determined I was to do something, something without Edward's help or use of his name. I knew what I wanted to do; I just wasn't sure how to go about it. I would need to start with researching the best way to help before I went about getting funding for my project.

My mind was racing with possibilities and problems I could foresee for my project and I was startled back into my surroundings when I heard a soft knock on the door followed by Edward's muffled voice,

"Bella?" I didn't want to talk to him or see him or even acknowledge his existence at this point. "Bella? I want to apologise. I can cancel the donations if you want..."

I took a deep steadying breath and closed my eyes, "Go away Edward, I'm not interested in your apologies." There was no way I was going to open the door and have him manipulate me into thinking he was truly sorry. I was prepared to stay in the bathroom for the whole flight if that's what I had to do to keep him away from me.

"Bella...I am sorry. Really. If you don't want to talk then will you listen?"

"I'm not planning to do either so you might as well go back to your seat, make yourself comfortable and talk with your parents."

I had no idea if Edward was still talking outside the door the second he had started I had stuffed my fingers in my ears and started humming loud enough to drown out his voice. Without removing my fingers from my ears I yelled out, "I hope you're not out there wasting your breath because I haven't heard a word you've said and I'm not planning on doing so anytime soon." I hummed loudly again not wanting to hear what he had to say if indeed he was still out there.

It had been at least an hour since I entered the bathroom and I hoped that Edward had finally given up and gone back to his seat. I decided to take a shower hoping the hot water would soothe not only my aching muscles but my shattered nerves as well. I would have been happy to just stay in the shower for the rest of the flight but the captain's voice issued over the intercom informing we would be landing in thirty five minutes.

I took my time drying and dressing myself and took a deep calming breath before I opened the bathroom door and tentatively checked to see if Edward was there. I breathed a sigh of relief that he had gone back to his seat. I fought back my embarrassment at Esme and Carlisle seeing us fight and made my way back to the cabin.

Esme looked at me with concern as I approached and I gave her a small smile. "I'm so sorry Esme, Carlisle, I feel embarrassed that you had to witness that."

"Please Bella don't apologise to us, its fine dear." Carlisle nodded in agreement and gave me a warm smile, "I'm on your side, on this one Bella," He whispered while shooting a nervous glance toward the back of Edward's chair.

"Thank you Carlisle," I whispered back before I made my way back to my seat.

I ignored Edward for the rest of the flight and I still hadn't acknowledged him when he slid into bed next to me. I rolled over so my back was facing him and closed my eyes, willing myself to try and go to sleep.

His hand reached out to touch my shoulder and I shrugged it off, he sighed deeply in frustration but it didn't soften me.

"You know, it's not going to be much of a marriage if you don't talk to me." The bitterness in his voice was blatantly clear and it goaded me into speech.

"Yeah well it's not going to be much of marriage if you belittle what I stand for." I didn't want to fight with him but I was incredibly hurt by the way he had acted and he needed to know it.

"Fuck, I apologised Bella! How many times, I said I was sorry. What else can I do?"

"Actually Edward there's nothing you can do, so don't worry about it doesn't matter anyway. It was silly of me to expect you to understand something that was completely foreign to you. We'll just agree to disagree to save arguments."

"No, I don't fucking agree! You gave me the cold shoulder for how long and now you just want to drop it? I don't understand you sometimes Bella, but I try to. I know you aren't used to the kind of money we have and I get that now. I just want to see things from your perspective but I can't do that on my own. I know you think it's just a car or just an island, but I thought of you when I saw them, I could see you behind that wheel or on those beaches. I love you and I want you to have the very best, just help me to understand what is best for you not what I think that is."

"I realise you buy me things because you love me Edward, but the thing is I've tried to tell you how I view the world and the way I feel guilty for having more than others. I need to do something to help balance that out. I don't think you purposely try to be ignorant it's just you've never had to go without. Please don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with that it's just not something I'm used to, or sure I will get used to."

He gave me a withering look as he got out of bed, "I don't purposely try to be ignorant. Nice, Bella thanks for that!" he spat "I am fucking sick of feeling like I should apologise to you for being wealthy! What you fail to realise, is that I have worked hard my whole fucking life for what I have! Do you really think Carlisle Cullen just handed me and my brothers everything on a silver platter? I never had a spare moment growing up! School, sports then Cullen Industries: that was my life! This house, the bank accounts? It's all fucking mine or now ours and I worked my ass off for it! So don't sit there and patronise me, I may be ignorant as you so delicately put it, but I'm not the fucking social leech you make me out to be!" His voice was seething in anger and I could see the strands of hair parting company with his scalp as he tugged his hands through it violently.

"You don't have to apologise to me for being wealthy Edward. I know how hard you've worked and what you've sacrificed to get what you have and I admire you for that. But don't you dare stand there and accuse me of being patronising when you're a master at it yourself. You dismissed me and what I believe in without a second thought so don't try to turn this around on me." There was no way I was going to let him stand there and accuse me of being patronising after the way he belittled me on the plane.

"I. Fucking. Apologised," He hissed, and glared at me with narrowed eyes, "I have said time and time again that I AM SORRY!" He yelled before adding, "I am sorry Bella, I was teasing, but I accept that it was in poor taste. I have always admired you for values, even though I don't fully understand them; I still embrace them because they are part of you. But you shun this part of me constantly and you can't deny it! You think I don't notice that you have never once touched any of the many credit cards I had issued to you: Do you know how that makes me feel? Call me old fashioned, but I want to provide for my family, it's the one fucking thing I don't feel like I am constantly failing you and the kids on!"

I flinched a little when he suddenly yelled; it was only a response to the fright I got at his sudden change in volume. But I knew Edward, there was no way he was going to see it like that. I quickly spoke hoping to distract him, "I'm sorry I made you feel like you were failing us, you know it was never my intention, and I know you said you're sorry..." I whispered. I could see the colour draining from his face and I was pretty sure what was coming next.

"Fuck!" His hands automatically went through his hair and the look on his face told me he was going to walk out again. "I'm just going to make you a coffee." He said refusing to look at me as he walked toward the door.

He thought because I flinched I was afraid of him.

The sight of him leaving had me trembling in fear. "Edward...please don't walk out that door...I'm not afraid of you, I'm only afraid of losing you..." He stopped mid stride and turned.

"I couldn't imagine why you would be afraid of that. I'm a possessive control freak. I don't want to hurt you Bella, but it's all I seem to do. I never know if I'm doing the right thing or not, hell you finally come back to me and I push you away again...But I can't live without you and I feel so selfish, because if I'm not good for you, then I should walk shouldn't I?"

"Edward...you may hurt me unintentionally at times, but when you consciously walk away you hurt me deliberately and that's when you destroy my soul., you've see the results of what happens when you go...But I'm not going to try and stop you, I couldn't if I tried. I remember." I said the last bit to myself as much as to him. "But Edward you have to know that if you choose to walk away from me this time, there's no going back...I love you and I want you but I'm not going to beg you to stay... and I'm not going to take you back if you go and thenchange your mind."

He looked at me pensively for a minute before he made his way over to the bed and laid his head in my lap, my fingers automatically twined in his hair and I felt comforted. His voice sounded defeated when he spoke again and the tortured sound of it made me feel sick.

"I just want to be good enough for you." I want to be a good husband to you, a good father to the twins and a good son to my parents... And I want to go to alcohol counselling. It's too much for me to do alone and with everything else; I just can't manage without having a meltdown like this."

My breath hitched in my throat and my heart broke when Edward announced he wanted to go to alcohol counselling because he couldn't do it alone.

Here he was once again the one calling himself the failure when once again it was me who failed him. And even though it killed me inside that I wasn't the one who could help him, I was going to encourage him anyway I could,

"I'm proud of you Edward, for staying committed and recognising you need better support, I think you should do whatever you think is necessary to help you. I know you can do sweetheart, I believe in you."

"What am I going to do if it doesn't work?" he asked quietly, and it was at the moment I realized how vulnerable he was.

"It's going to work Edward, you have so much going for you, you've just lost sight of it. Remember what's important to you and you can't fail...You're Edward Cullen you never fail. Honey you are a born leader, people look up to you look to you for guidance, they do that because they recognise the good in you. You just need to as well."

"You are the only person I trust Bella, the only one I really, really trust. I can't lose you; I'll do whatever it takes to stop that from happening."

I ran my fingers through his hair, "You won't lose me if you don't walk away from me...Just promise you'll stay, no matter what happens Edward, promise me you won't leave me."

"I promise you Bella, I won't leave."

"Thank you Edward that's all I ask."

He pulled me against his chest and I relaxed a little as his fingers trailed up my arm, "You know it annoys me that we didn't get our mile high make up sex baby...It's really the only good part about fighting with you, you know..." He trailed off.

" Edward there's more to life than sex you know... But you're right it's the only good thing about fighting with you."

"There well may be, but I challenge any man to think of anything different in your presence." I purred as I began to nibble at her ear.

"God Edward did you take a course in things to say to get in to your pissed off girlfriends pants, or is it one hundred percent all yours?"

His hand disappeared under the covers and came to rest on my panties. "Oh honey, you should know by now your pants and I have a very friendly arrangement. And it's always one hundred percent Edward Cullen."

"Very smooth Edward, now are you going to talk all night or find a better use for that talented tongue of yours?"

"Hmmm, it is very smooth." He cooed.

I sighed when I heard his cell phone go off again and I had a fair idea who it was. "Answer it Edward, you know how Kate gets."

He rushed through the conversation and then snapped the phone shut, he looked up wearily and made mention of the land and how he didn't want to make the decision without my approval, he never made any comment about the pets, though I could tell he wanted to.

"Keep the land Edward, and I think pets would be nice for the kids. I'm sure Apple would love a pony as much as Louis would like a St Bernard. And Honey it's not about getting my approval, it's about valuing my opinion enough to take it into consideration before you make decisions that may affect me or the twins."

"I understand where you're coming from Bella and I promise I will try...I'll give you anything right now if you give me a drink." He muttered.

I sighed in relief when Edward said he finally understood my point of view, this was a major breakthrough for us and a victory for our relationship. It could finally move forward in a positive way, if we could keep respecting each other's values and opinions.

My first impulse was to tell him he could have a drink if that's what he wanted, but I stopped the words forming on my lips and tried a different approach.

"You've given me all I ever wanted already... and no I'm not going to let you drink. Is there nothing else you can think of doing to divert your attention? I mean we do have so many distractions in this house, we could play pool or darts or board games, watch DVD's or... I know we haven't even begun on those many weighty tomes in your bookcase."

I tried to keep the smile off my face but it was getting harder by the second when I took in the look of horror on Edwards face at my suggestion of books and games as diversions.

"I've got a game we can play and I know the perfect place to start."He said suddenly before giving me a quick smile that was bordering on a leer and scrambled out of bed.

I was about to the same when his hands slid around my waist; he pulled me toward him and hoisted me over his shoulder.

I protested half heartedly for him to put me down, but in truth I was happy with the view I had of Edward's toned ass, even if I was looking at it upside down. I let my hand caress over it for a moment before I gave it a pinch. If I could have reached it I would have bitten it instead. I couldn't help but squeal when my warm skin hit the cool bench top of the kitchen counter.

Edward carefully laid me on the granite island before rummaging through the fridge.

"Are you hungry sweetie?" I asked in confusion.

"Yes, I am. I'm thinking of fixing myself something to eat." I took a quick peek and what he had grabbed.

"Um...Edward, dessert toppings aren't going to fill you up if you're hungry, something with more sustenance would be better."

"Jeez, aren't you impatient! I only have two hands you know." He joked as he went back to the fridge and began removing even more things before going to grab things from the freezer. "Now you need to stay very still ok? If you start twitching around, you are going to ruin my Bella Buffet."

"Your Bella Buffet? Oh god you're not...are you?" I eyed all the frozen food and Goosebumps erupted on my skin and I shivered in anticipation of how cold the ice-cream was going to be against my skin.

"Oh god I am. So stay still." I tried to do what he said but I squirmed every time the freezing cold ice cream made contact with my skin, the dessert toppings weren't quite as cold but they still made twitch uncomfortably. Edward looked up at me with a smile, "Have a look."

I lifted my head as far as my neck would allow and saw that Edward had spelt his name in an assortment of foods including boysenberries. The ice-cream was melting rapidly on my warm skin and I could feel it starting to trickle down my sides.

"Well that's very artistic of you baby, though I don't think my body was the right canvas choice, when melty things are the medium. And its firkin cold!"

"Only if I don't intend to clean you up... Which I do, Mrs Cullen..." I shivered in pleasure as he began to lick the ice-cream from my body, his tongue felt warm against my ice cold skin.

"Mmm...Edward your tongue it...it feels so good, so warm."

"Best ice-cream sundae I have ever had baby, you want to try?" He scooped his finger into the ice-cream and berries and brought it to my lips.

My tongue snaked out to lick off the contents before I took his finger between my lips and sucked it clean

"Mmm... it tastes good baby...but not as good as good as you taste." I tried to keep still while Edward finished his meal but his tongue's feather light touch was nearly too much to bear.

I raised my head at the same time as he did, and desire surged through me as Edward brought his mouth to mine and I sucked the berry from between his teeth.

"You have no fucking clue what you do to me, do you?" I watched him with a smile as he reached again for the chocolate sauce bottle and started drizzling it over my body, I laughed when he discarded that and grabbed the passionfuit pulp next, adding it to the chocolate.

"No I don't, but I know what you do to me...Every cell of my being craves your touch...only your touch. My need for you scorches my insides, my desire for you Edward is insatiable, and no matter how many times you fuck me it's never enough and it's never going to be enough. I still want more of you."

"Jesus, fuck Bella,"

Before I realised what was happening he was on top of me. The chocolate sauce and passionfruit pulp smeared itself over every inch of our skin. Edward's lips were attacking every part of me they could reach as he sheathed himself inside me in one quick delicious motion. I groaned when he finally brought his lips to mine, the taste of the chocolate, passionfruit and Edward was too much. I sucked on his lips ferociously, his pace was becoming frantic and his moans were echoing my own.

We were both getting overwhelmed by the sensation of our bodies sliding together in a mass of sticky sweet desire.

"Fuck...shit...oh god fuck Edward...It's too good baby..." My lips moved to his sauce smeared neck and I couldn't stop myself from sinking my teeth into his warm taut skin, "Only for you baby...only ever for you..." I whispered as I licked over the mark my teeth had left.

"Bella...you're fucking exquisite baby...want to be inside you forever, can't get enough..." Edward crushed his lips to mine, moaning into my mouth as he let his orgasm wash over him...

~~~~XXXXX~~~~

The first thing I was consciously aware of was the unmistakable beautiful smell that was Louis. I would know it anywhere and I inhaled deeply as I forced my eyelids open. His soft curly hair was right under my nose and it tickled as I inhaled again. My eyes shifted to Edward, Apple was sitting on his lap and she was covering his face with kisses.

A huge smile spread over my face when I heard her sweet sing song voice, "My Daddy's pretty...I love my daddy, I'm his little princess..."

I decided to let her know I was awake, "You are his little princess..." Apple's head whipped around at the sound of my voice and her smile was beatific.

"My mummy's beautiful...Are you happy now mummy?"

Apple turned to look at Edward, "My Mummy not sad now?"

I fought back my guilt and my tears. I couldn't allow myself to wallow in the misery of how much I had hurt them. I needed to stay positive and keep looking to the future, and not let the past drag me back down.

Edward reached out and squeezed my hand, and I not only felt comforted but I was so happy he recognised how Apple's words had affected me without my having to say.

"Apple's happy, my mummy's happy, my daddy's happy my Louis is happy...I love you my mummy."

She slid of Edward's lap, carefully stepping over Louis she climbed into my arms.

"I love you my Apple and Mummy is always happy when she's sees you. Did you have a nice time with Grandma Renee and Granddad Charlie? Bet they gave you Ice-cream."

"I love ice-ream; granddad Arlie gives me ice- ream."

"I bet he did." I kissed her forehead and looked up at Edward, "Good morning. I want to wake up like this every morning. I don't want to be apart from the kids or you ever. And thank you for reassuring me, it's just what I needed."

"It's always my pleasure love. How about breakfast, Should we eat in or out?"

"Eat in, let's just stay home with the kids all day. You can show them where they can keep their pets, though you'll probably need a custom k.e.n.n.e.l built for the St Bernard. He could sleep in the stables with the P.O.N.Y. I guess he's going to grow to roughly the same size. So when are you going to tell them?"

"How about today? My phone is drowning in messages, so you and I have to come to a few decisions about all of this. I'm not taking anything for granted this time."

"Well how about we discuss it over breakfast, do you want to feed Apple? and once Louis is awake I will get up and clean up the mess from last night."

"Apple how about you go with Daddy and have some breakfast and mummy will wait for Louis to wake up." I wanted to have some time to just lay here and cuddle up with Louis.

Edward and Apple had only been gone a few minutes when Louis began to stir, I ran my fingers through his soft curls and his eyelids fluttered open, "I love you Mummy."

I pulled him into my embrace; he buried his face into my hair as his arms clasped around my neck. "I love you too Louis and I missed you." I held him close smiling when he wound my hair around his fingers.

He may look like me but he was like Edward in so many ways, they both sought comfort against my neck, and they were both soothed by my touch. "Are you hungry Louis? Daddy's making breakfast for Apple, would you like breakfast to?"

He pulled his face from neck, "Mummy have breakfast to?" His wide chocolate eyes looked at me quizzically.

"Yip, Mummy's going to have breakfast to." I went to get up but Louis tightened his grip on me.

"Louis hug Mummy some more?" I pulled him tighter against me.

"You can have many hugs as you like sweetheart. Mummy loves giving you hugs."

We stayed in bed for another half an hour just cuddling before Louis once again pulled his face from my neck, "Louis; see Daddy?"

"Sure we can go and see Daddy." I reached for his hand as I made my way across the bed and swept him into my arms as soon as my feet hit the floor.

We arrived in the kitchen to find Apple covered in strawberry jam, but the rest of the kitchen was clean, Edward was just returning the dishcloth to the sink when we arrived at his side,

"Thank you honey, you didn't need to clean up I would have done it."

Louis reached out for Edward who took him in his arms, "You're welcome, it didn't take long." He turned his attention to Louis, "Hi my boy, I missed you." Edward smiled at me as he hugged Louis close to his chest, "Are you hungry?"

"Hmm...not for food...but since that's not a possibility right now, I'll settle for a coffee." Edward slid Louis into his chair beside Apple who immediately passed him her spare piece of toast. Edward and I smiled at her small but kind gesture, even though she was possessive by nature she was also kind and caring, I saw it as the perfect combination and I hoped she never lost it.

Edward placed the assortment of food he'd prepared for Louis' breakfast before him and passed me mug of coffee before taking a seat by my side. I leaned over and gave him a soft kiss, I had intended it to be a quick one, but once my lips touched his I didn't want to pull away. My fingers threaded into his hair and the softest whisper of a moan escaped me when his tongue sought mine.

We both laughed and pulled away when Apple's sweet voice rent the air, "Look Louis, mummy's kissing Daddy...Mummy's kissing Daddy..."

"Hmm...I think that maybe we should discuss pets, I need a distraction from wanting to take you back to bed and do depraved things with and to you." My voice was a mere whisper but from Edward's responding growl I knew he had heard me.

"Pet's, Bella, pets..." Edward's eyes clouded over with his lust and I was sure he was trying to distract himself from the thoughts my words had provoked, more than he was talking to me.

"Yes Baby Pets, we probably should talk about that; there's no point in getting all psyched over something we can't do anything about with two such young and impressionable children in the room." I was hoping the mention of the kids would tame his x-rated thoughts and my own.

"For the love of God woman, why would you? He looked over at Apple and Louis and sighed, "Let's talk pets then."

"So you must have a plan? I mean you're not just going to get a pony and put it in a field are you? I'm taking it you'll be researching, or Kate will, all the things you need to know about looking after it. And then there will be riding lessons, and equestrian shows, god Edward are you really sure about this?"

"Well, I was thinking we could get Mum to come over and teach Apple. You would be surprised but Mum is quite the horsewoman. I'm sure she'd love an excuse to spend more time with the kids. As for its health needs, the vet and Ferrier will come around. I was thinking we could build a stable on the land and until then we can house it at the local equestrian club." I realised I was taking over again and looked at Bella in horror "Only if you agree of course Baby. I wouldn't just go ahead..."

"Oh god please not the pony club!" I shuddered as I thought about the clicky group of toff nose mothers I would have to endure on a weekly basis. " I like the idea of Esme teaching Apple to ride; it will be a nice thing for them to share. But Edward I completely loathe the idea of having to try and fit in the clicky group at the pony club."

Edward looked at me and chuckled, he was silent for a moment before he came up with a suitable compromise, to which I was happy to agree to. It felt good that we had discussed and compromised on the issues that were important.

Since our newly appointed system of compromise was working so well I decided to see if I could get a couple more from him.

"Edward, I was wondering if you'd be adverse to the idea of holding off telling the kids until their Birthdays? It's only a month away and it will give us more time to get things organised, and it would be great presents for them." I didn't elaborate that it was a good time to give them presents, on their birthdays instead of having to give them even more things they didn't really need.

the look on Edward's face told me that he was adverse to the idea, but I was pleased when he spoke his mind and asked if I was planning on making the pets their only presents but he was happy to hold off on telling the kids. The comment about the pets being the kids only presents bugged me.

"What else would they need sweetheart?" I kept my tone light; I was determined not to let this turn into anything that caused us to argue.

He immediately retorted about it not being a proper birthday without there being lot's of gifts, but he seemed to realise what he was saying and quickly reigned himself in.

I was happy that he was determined to make the effort that I was prepared to meet him half way.

"How about we go shopping together for them, I'm sure we can agree on something each for them. But remember we won't be the only ones getting them presents."

"You have a deal Mrs Cullen. So, now we have that sorted love, what do you want to do now?"

"I thought we could take the kids for a walk to the park before lunch then while they're having their afternoon sleep I thought you might like to finish reading the Tale of Two Cities, if I remember rightly you never made it past the third page."

We spent the morning at the park with Apple and Louis, it was wonderful to spend quality time together as a family, and I was glad I had brought my camera to capture the memories, Edward seemed more relaxed than he had been in a while and he laughed freely at Apple and Louis' antics as they ran across the playground making him go on every apparatus there.

Apple and Louis' sweet laughter floated on the breeze and I looked up to see them trying to help Edward out of the climbing frame where he'd got himself wedged between the bars. The walk home was just as much fun as in the park, and I found myself singing an old sesame street classic when Louis pointed out the post man to Edward.

Who are the people in your neighbourhood

In your neighbourhood,

The people that you meet, when you're walking down the street

Apple sung the words with me and Edward laughed when she tried to keep in time with me even though half the words she sung were a garbled mess.

The postman is a person in your neighbourhood

A person that you meet

When you're walking down the street.

"You're funny Mummy," Louis giggled as he looked up at me, "Mummy's funny Daddy."

We ate lunch on the balcony, then put the kids in our bed for their afternoon sleep, we slid in beside their sleeping forms, planning on having a nap as well but of course the minute Edward touch me it was obvious that we wouldn't be napping anytime soon.

I crushed my lips to his as his hand ghosted down my side and under the hem of my dress, when he met my exposed sex he growled into my mouth.

"Jesus Bella,"he slid his fingers into my warmth as his lips attacked mine, "Gotta fuck you...now baby, come on."He slid out of me and then out of bed, reached for my hand and pulled me to his side.

I checked the kids were still sleeping soundly as I let Edward pull me from the room, I had no idea where he was taking me but my interest was piqued when he pulled me through the laundry and into the garage, he brought us to stop in front of the Aston Spinning me around so I was sitting on its hallowed bonnet.

"You're not seriously contemplating doing this are you?" This certainly was a new Edward I was seeing, "this is your pride and joy baby, what happens if something goes wrong?"

"Bella you are exquisite as is this car, I've decided it's time I enjoyed the sight of you lying naked against it as I fuck you. And I'm not going to stop until my name is repeatedly falling from those angelic lips of yours." He pulled my dress up over my head, smirking as he threw it over his shoulder, "Besides baby, why should you and Kate get to have all the fun on my car?"

"Oh shit...I forgot about that...God alcohol is neither of our friends is it?"

"Hmm...it certainly brings out your even wilder side. I have to admit I miss your crazy drunken antics sometimes, but I'm sure 'Christine' doesn't...Yes with you and alcohol there was never a dull moment. But then again there's never a dull moment with you in the world."

He crushed his lips to mine as he fumbled with his jeans, he yanked them roughly from his hips, laying me back against the cool metal as he slid into me, his soft moan reverberated in my mouth.

I held him close to me not allowing his lips to leave my skin as he thrust into me, it wasn't until his pace had become frenetic did I finally let him go. he lifted his body from mine but never lost his rhythm staring down at me with eyes that showed the endless love he felt for me and I couldn't hold back and his name spilled from lips, "I love you Edward...only you...only ever for you."

"So fucking beautiful Bella...so warm, and wet...I can't...baby...need you..."He collapsed on top of me and I wrapped my arms and legs around him, crushing his body to mine.

He buried his face against my neck and I could feel every ragged breath he took, he never moved until his breathing returned to normal and when he did he brought his lips straight to mine, "I love you Isabella Marie Cullen."

I spent the rest of the afternoon designing and printing wedding invites, while Edward rung Aro with news that he would finally get his wish to officiate at Edward's wedding ceremony.

The rest of the week was spent with Apple and Louis as a family and they were some of the happiest days of my life. The only time we were apart was when I had to go to the hospital to have a check up, in which the doctor declared I was one hundred percent fit and healthy, Edward had started alcohol counselling and he seemed to be coping better. His hands still trembled but not nearly as bad as they had been.

If it wasn't for the fact we were leaving home tomorrow to prepare to get married at the end of the week I think I would have just refused to leave home. My happiness at having my family to myself at home was increasing daily and I didn't want to have to share this time with others...

Chapter 36:

Edward's POV...

I was sitting next to Bella on the plane, twirling a lock of her hair around my fingers. I thought of our family, Apple and Louis and was overcome with guilt. Bella and I had been so focused on the problems in our relationship that they had slipped to the side a little.

It was unacceptable and I decided to make it right. We needed family time, just the four of us. "Baby, we need to spend some time with the kids." I said still playing with her hair. "Also, I was thinking we should get them a pet each." I mused.

"I know Edward, I feel even worse; I feel sick when I think how I neglected them... Pets? Like a cat or a dog or birds?"

I snorted. A cat? A bird? Was she mad?

"Bella, we have both let them down, but now we fix it. But first, I was thinking a pony for Apple. You know that vacant section behind us is for sale, I was thinking of buying it and building some stables. Plus, its better we own it than someone else who wants to build there." I added hoping that would help sell the idea. I knew Bella valued privacy."Louis, I was thinking along the lines of a dog too. I know! A Saint Bernard! He would have so much fun with one!" I looked at Bella hopefully.

"Are you insane? A pony, stables and a St Bernard, Jesus Edward you never do things by halves do you?"

I stared at her in confusion? Halves? I had kinda thought I was compromising. My ultimate idea would be a pony and a larger horse she could grow with and also another dog for Louis. A Dalmatian as well. Two puppies were much more fun than one. "That kinda was my half way love." I said sheepishly. "So... Whatcha think?"

"Is there any point trying to argue?"

"Well, I do always enjoy make-up sex, so feel free to argue if you so choose." I said with a smirk snapping open my phone and calling a horse dealer friend of mine. I told him what I wanted and when asked about price, I responded it was not an issue. I then called the real estate company and told them I wanted the land behind us and to push through for a quick settlement. Again, I told him money was not the issue only the time it would take. When I called Kate at work and asked her to find the best Saint Bernard breeder in the country, I was interrupted by a strange hissing noise.

I looked down at a very agitated Bella "Are you ok? Should I get you some water?" I asked quietly, covering the mouthpiece of the phone. She was not looking very well at all.

"Edward, you fucking are insane aren't you? Who the fuck does that, why do you have to do that, couldn't you at least wait until we got home? And how much is all this going to cost..."

"Bella, honey. I'm on the phone, you don't want me to be rude to Kate do you?" I asked with fake innocence and put the phone back to my ear. "Yeah, I'm still here Kate. You know what? Why limit the breeders to New Zealand? If you find a better one somewhere else we can always do vet checks and what not to get it over anyway." I chanced a look at Bella's face and regretted it instantly.

Well, regretted and rejoiced, her little mistress games had been exquisite, and with a little gentle persuasion I could perhaps move her anger into more beneficial channels.

Or maybe not. I thought as I gave her another quick glance.

"Edward by doing this you are throwing the karmic balance out of sync. And I want you to know as soon as the twins are old enough I am signing them up to Unicef and we are going to do a mission to help improvised kids in some remote uncivilised region. I don't want them to grow up spoilt."

I rolled my eyes at her "Kate, put through another donation to unicef. One from the company and one from my personal accounts." I looked at Bella "Happy? Can the kids get their pets now?" I knew I was only making her angrier, but I really couldn't help myself.

I thought I heard my father chuckle from somewhere behind us.

"Don't you dare donate money Edward, the point is not the money the point is Apple and Louis need to see how less fortunate children grow up, you know kids who have to scavenge through rubbish dumps to survive. It's one thing tell them about the problem Edward and it's another to put a face to it and make it real...And I didn't say they couldn't get pets." I seethed.

"No, Kate its fine; make the donations." I said closing the phone and turning in my seat to look at Bella. I took her hands in mine "I make regular donations to many charities. I also personally fund many trusts around the globe that are set up to help poorer nations without the added clause of religion, so they end up with more. Cullen Industries also leads the way internationally with its corporate responsibility, I pride myself on giving more back to this world than I take from it baby. But if you want to go and do some hands on kind of help, then I'll be there with you. Just please, not the kids. At least not until they can make up their own minds about it," I tried placating her.

"Whatever Edward, I know what you do and I'm proud of you for doing it, but this isn't about you it's about the twins, and no I'm not going to wait until they're old enough, I'm planning to show them before they can become indifferent."

"Ok, baby, ok. I hear you loud and clear, I'm a jerk. Did you want a puppy too?" I said unable to hold my laughter in any longer. I was clutching my sides and there were tears streaming from my eyes. I really hoped she had been seriously angry with me, her wrath would be fearsome if I had miscalculated.

"You know what Edward? You can be a fucking arrogant prick at times, and no I don't want a fucking puppy and I don't want a stupid Island any more either or a dumb jag. Fucking ass hole." I realized I had miscalculated when she got from her chair and stormed from the cabin.

I waited until all traces of my humour had vanished before I stood up and made my way to the bathroom. When I passed my mother she reached out and grabbed my hand, halting me.

"Edward, you need to listen to the words she isn't saying. You have never known what it is like to want for something without the means to obtain it. Bella has, and that has made her strong in a different kind of way. She's met you halfway, accepting all your gifts; try to meet her halfway on her ground." Her eyes never looked away from my father and I was sure that this was a topic that must have hit close to home with them as well.

I had never thought about my situation in that way before. Had I grown complacent? Sure, I threw money around but hell, I worked for it. And Bella doesn't? If you want to share in everything, shouldn't she get a say in how it is 'thrown around'? Yes, she should. I was an overbearing idiot, I had pretty much laughed at her whole work ethic.

Bella wanted to help people, but she didn't have unlimited funds at her disposal to do so, so she wanted to donate her time. And I had laughed at that. I felt like a spoilt little rich kid, and when I reached the bathroom, I tentatively knocked on the door.

"Bella? I want to apologise. I can cancel the donations if you want..." I said grasping at straws. My mother's words rang out in my head but I didn't know how to actually implement them.

"Go away Edward, I'm not interested in your apologies."

I sighed and sunk down to the floor, knocking on the door again. "Bella, I am sorry. Really. I pretty much trashed everything you stand for and I am sorry for that. Look, I'll be honest, I really don't know how to meet you halfway on your ground, but if you help me, I can try." I leaned back against the wall and made myself more comfortable. "And I'm not leaving from outside this door, so you can either talk to me or just listen to me."

"I'm not planning to do either so you might as well go back to your seat, make yourself comfortable and talk with your parents."

"Well, ok then, I guess you just want to listen." I tried to stretch my legs out, but found I had to bend them uncomfortably at the knees. It was fucking uncomfortable, but I was determined to prove my sincerity. "You seem to hate expensive gifts and I don't think I could sleep at night if I bought you anything cheap, so I'm kinda leaning towards making you something, even though it does seem terribly high school to me." I pinched the bridge of my nose while I thought "I can't really build for a tin of shit, so that's out and the last arty thing I did was Apple and Louis's rooms with the artists but I don't think fish or fairies will win you over."

I was starting to feel pretty pathetic actually; I seemed to be fairly talentless. I was almost in despair, when I remembered my piano. It had been awhile since I had played but once I had been very good, even composing my own music. I could do that, write Bella a song. I made my mind up then and there. "I'm going to write you a song for our wedding." I said proudly. "It won't cost me a damn cent, but it will still show you how I feel about you." I couldn't stop the pride from leaking into my voice.

"I hope you're not out there wasting your breath because I haven't heard a word you've said and I'm not planning on doing so anytime soon."

Bella's muffled voice came through the door and I sighed in sheer fucking frustration. I made my way back to my seat knowing she would have to come back to her seat eventually. She never did that until the captains voice issued over the intercom but she never fucking acknowledged me, her silent treatment lasted the whole ride home from the airport and she was not fucking even looking at me when she climbed into bed.

I reached out to touch her shoulder but she shrugged off my hand and I sighed in frustration.

"You know, it's not going to be much of a marriage if you don't talk to me." I said, my tone a little bitter. She had refused to talk to me at all, my apologies falling on deaf ears. It was my last ditch attempt, if she didn't talk to me after this, I didn't know what I would do.

"Yeah well it's not going to be much of marriage if you belittle what I stand for."

I jumped when I heard her finally speak, I hadn't actually been expecting her to answer me. "Fuck, I apologised Bella! How many times, I said I was sorry. What else can I do?" I asked sitting up and looking at her.

"Actually Edward there's nothing you can do, so don't worry about it doesn't matter anyway, it was silly of me to expect you to understand something that was completely foreign to you. We'll just agree to disagree to save arguments."

"No, I don't fucking agree! You gave me the cold shoulder for how long and now you just want to drop it? I don't understand you sometimes Bella, but I try to. I know you aren't used to the kind of money we have and I get that now. I just want to see things from your perspective but I can't do that on my own. I know you think it's just a car or just an island, but I thought of you when I saw them, I could see you behind that wheel or on those beaches. I love you and I want you to have the very best, just help me to understand what is best for you not what I think that is." I ran my hand through my hair.

I had had too long to wallow in my own misery and turn things over in my head. Usually this kind of behaviour didn't bode well for me; it inevitably resulted in my overreacting.

"I realise you buy me things because you love me Edward, but the thing is I've tried to tell you how I view the world and the way I feel guilty for having more than others. I need to do something to help balance that out. I don't think you purposely try to be ignorant it's just you've never had to go without. Please don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with that it's just not something I'm used to, or sure I will get used to."

"I don't purposely try to be ignorant. Nice, Bella thanks for that!" I spat "I am fucking sick of feeling like I should apologise to you for being wealthy! What you fail to realise, is that I have worked hard my whole fucking life for what I have! Do you really think Carlisle Cullen just handed me and my brothers everything on a silver platter? I never had a spare moment growing up! School, sports then Cullen Industries: that was my life! This house, the bank accounts? It's all fucking mine or now ours and I worked my ass off for it! So don't sit there and patronise me, I may be ignorant as you so delicately put it, but I'm not the fucking social leech you make me out to be!"

"You don't have to apologise to me for being wealthy Edward. I know how hard you've worked and what you've sacrificed to get what you have and I admire you for that. But don't you dare stand there and accuse me of being patronising when you're a master at it yourself. You dismissed me and what I believe in without a second thought so don't try to turn this around on me."

"I. Fucking. Apologised. I have said time and time again that I AM SORRY!" I roared before adding in a softer tone, "I am sorry Bella, I was teasing, but I accept that it was in poor taste. I have always admired you for values, even though I don't fully understand them; I still embrace them because they are part of you. But you shun this part of me constantly and you can't deny it! You think I don't notice that you have never once touched any of the many credit cards I had issued to you: Do you know how that makes me feel? Call me old fashioned, but I want to provide for my family, it's the one fucking thing I don't feel like I am constantly failing you and the kids on! Fuck!...I'm just going to make you a coffee." I couldn't look at her I felt like a hole had been punched through my stomach. I had scared her. She was fucking afraid of me.

"Edward...please don't walk out that door...I'm not afraid of you, I'm only afraid of losing you..." Her words made me stop but the anger was still coursing through me.

"I couldn't imagine why you would be afraid of that. I'm a possessive control freak. I don't want to hurt you Bella, but it's all I seem to do. I never know if I'm doing the right thing or not, hell you finally come back to me and I push you away again...But I can't live without you and I feel so selfish, because if I'm not good for you, then I should walk shouldn't I?"

"Edward...you may hurt me unintentionally at times, but when you consciously walk away you hurt me deliberately and that's when you destroy my soul., you've see the results of what happens when you go...But I'm not going to try and stop you, I couldn't if I tried. I remember. But Edward you have to know that if you choose to walk away from me this time, there's no going back...I love you and I want you but I'm not going to beg you to stay... and I'm not going to take you back if you go and thenchange your mind."

I made my way back to the bed and laid my head in her lap sighing when she wound her fingers through my hair.

"I just want to be good enough for you." I want to be a good husband to you, a good father to the twins and a good son to my parents... And I want to go to alcohol counselling. It's too much for me to do alone and with everything else; I just can't manage without having a meltdown like this."

"I'm proud of you Edward, for staying committed and recognising you need better support, I think you should do whatever you think is necessary to help you. I know you can do sweetheart, I believe in you."

"What am I going to do if it doesn't work?"

"It's going to work Edward, you have so much going for you, you've just lost sight of it. Remember what's important to you and you can't fail...You're Edward Cullen you never fail. Honey you are a born leader, people look up to you look to you for guidance, they do that because they recognise the good in you. You just need to as well."

"You are the only person I trust Bella, the only one I really, really trust. I can't lose you; I'll do whatever it takes to stop that from happening."

"You won't lose me if you don't walk away from me...Just promise you'll stay, no matter what happens Edward, promise me you won't leave me."

"I promise you Bella, I won't leave."

"Thank you Edward that's all I ask."

I pulled her to me, half of me expected her to pull away but I was pleased when she didn't. "You know it annoys me that we didn't get our mile high make up sex baby..." I began stroking her arm with my fingers "It's really the only good part about fighting with you, you know..." I trailed off. I wasn't sure if we really were past it all, or if I was just being hopeful.

"Edward there's more to life than sex you know... But you're right it's the only good thing about fighting with you."

"There well may be, but I challenge any man to think of anything different in your presence." I purred as I began to nibble at her ear.

"God Edward did you take a course in things to say to get in to your pissed off girlfriends pants, or is it one hundred percent all yours?"

I slid one hand down under the covers towards her centre. "Oh honey, you should know by now your pants and I have a very friendly arrangement." I began teasing her through the top of her panties,

"And it's always one hundred percent Edward Cullen." I said with a smirk, my eyes holding hers as I played.

"Very smooth Edward, now are you going to talk all night or find a better use for that talented tongue of yours?"

"Hmmm, It is very smooth." I said as I slid my hand underneath the fabric and began to slide my fingers inside her.

"Not as smooth as you,"

My cell phone went off and it was Kate's ringtone which meant she was calling about the pets. I didn't want to answer it Bella and I hadn't resolved that issue yet and I didn't want anything to fuck up the peace we had just found.

Bella sighed in resignation, "Answer it Edward, you know how Kate gets."

I hurried through my conversation with Kate she was asking for final approval on the purchase of the land I managed to deflect, telling her I'd call her first thing with my final decision. My eyes met Bella's and I sighed.

"Kate needs my final Ok on the land but I don't want to make a decision until we've talked about it." I wanted to say something about the pets for the kids but it was an issue we hadn't resolved yet.

It didn't matter that I didn't mention the pets Bella knew where my thoughts lay.

"Keep the land Edward, and I think pets would be nice for the kids. I'm sure Apple would love a pony as much as Louis would like a St Bernard. And Honey it's not about getting my approval, it's about valuing my opinion enough to take it into consideration before you make decisions that may affect me or the twins."

"I understand where you're coming from Bella and I promise I will try...I'll give you anything right now if you give me a drink." I muttered.

"You've given me all I ever wanted already... and no I'm not going to let you drink. Is there nothing else you can think of doing to divert your attention? I mean we do have so many distractions in this house, we could play pool or darts or board games, watch DVD's or... I know we haven't even begun on those many weighty tomes in your bookcase."

"I've got a game we can play and I know the perfect place to start." A smirk spread over my face as I jumped from the bed and pulled Bella into my arms. I threw her over my shoulder and bolted down the hallway ignoring her feeble protests to let her go.

I laid her on the counter, savouring the squeal that burst from her lips as her back hit the cold granite and started rummaging through the fridge.

"Are you hungry sweetie?"

"Yes, I am. I'm thinking of fixing myself something to eat." I piled the dessert toppings on the counter and returned to the fridge.

"Um...Edward, dessert toppings aren't going to fill you up if you're hungry, something with more sustenance would be better."

"Jeez, aren't you impatient! I only have two hands you know...Now you need to stay very still ok? If you start twitching around, you are going to ruin my Bella Buffet."

"Your Bella Buffet? Oh god you're not...are you?"

"Oh god I am. So stay still." I looked down at my name spelt out across Bella's stomach with a grin, the deep crimson of the boysenberries looked exquisite against her skin milk white skin, "Have a look." I said while watching the rapidly melting ice cream slide down her body in rivulets.

"Well that's very artistic of you baby, though I don't think my body was the right canvas choice, when melty things are the medium. And its frikin cold!" Bella said through almost chattering teeth

"Only if I don't intend to clean you up... Which I do, Mrs Cullen..." The sight of her laid out like a fucking feast was too much for me I bent over her and started to lick the sticky sweet mess from her skin.

"Mmm...Edward your tongue it...it feels so good, so warm."

"Best ice-cream sundae I have ever had baby, you want to try?" I brought my finger through the ice cream and berries scooping up as much as I could before bringing it to Bella's succulent lips.

Thoughts of abandoning my plans to clean my plate were close to overpowering me when Bella sucked my finger into her hot little mouth my cock twitched in anticipation of just climbing on the bench and fucking her senseless.

"Mmm... it tastes good baby...but not as good as good as you taste." Bella purred. I went back to my Bella Sunday smiling at Bella's squeal when I buried my face in the gooey mess and smearing further over her skin.

"You have no fucking clue what you do to me, do you?" I groaned against her skin. Another delicious squeal filled the room when the chocolate sauce and passionfruit pulp hit her skin, the sight of her quivering body sent my want for her into fucking overdrive.

"No I don't, but I know what you do to me...Every cell of my being craves your touch...only your touch. My need for you scorches my insides, my desire for you Edward is insatiable and no matter how many times you fuck me it's never enough and it's never going to be enough. I still want more of you."

Her words came out in a breathless whisper and I was fucking lost to my desire for her.

"Jesus, fuck Bella," I growled as I scrambled on top of her. My cock slid into her warm wet pussy in one fluid motion and my mouth attacked every bit of her flesh it could reach. The sensation of our sticky skin sliding together drove me into a fucking frenzy and I pounded into Bella mercilessly.

I brought my chocolate smeared lips from her throat to her sweet mouth; my moans joined hers when she sucked the chocolate from them with wanton ferocity. Bella relinquished my mouth and I snarled my displeasure causing a low moan to fall from her lips. I drove myself deeper inside her desperate for more but knowing no matter how much she gave me it would never be enough. The sensation of her teeth sinking into my throat sent me into a fuckin crazed frenzy.

Bella's walls clenched around my cock and the words I was desperate to hear fell from her lips in a ragged whisper.

"Fuck...shit...oh god fuck Edward...It's too good baby..." "Only for you baby...only ever for you..."

"Bella...you're fucking exquisite baby...want to be inside you forever, can't get enough..." I ground out between my teeth, my mouth captured hers, the taste of passionfruit hit tongue and I groaned against her mouth as my body shuddered violently above hers...

If I hadn't known it was Renee and Charlie knocking on the door I would have fucking ignored it, Bella was draped across me like a blanket and the feeling of her silky skin against mine had given me a raging hard on I wanted to relive by fucking her silly before I even contemplated starting my day.

Bella was still soundly asleep and I didn't want to wake her. She was getting better, it was true, but she was still like a ghost of her former self. Sleep was the best way for her to heal. I was careful not to jostle her as I detangled myself from her warm body.

"Bloody soon to be in laws. I would ignore you if you weren't returning our children." I grumbled, pulling my trackpants up and hissing as they grazed my over-sensitive cock.

I checked Bella was still sleeping deeply before heading for the front door.

Apple's delighted squeal when she saw me was ear shattering. I was pretty sure she had broken the sound barrier all on her own. It echoed around the courtyard bouncing off the side of the house and scaring the birds from the surrounding trees.

"My Daddy...Apple, my daddy," She launched herself from Charlie's arms and into mine. Her little arms wrapped around my neck as she covered my face with kisses,

"Miss my Daddy, love you...Where's my mummy?" She chirruped. Her hands grabbed my cheeks holding my face so she could look into my eyes. "I missed you Daddy."

The depth of emotion in my daughter's eyes overwhelmed me and I swallowed the lump that had formed in my throat as I hugged her tightly .

"Daddy missed you too. So much princess," I whispered in her hair, "Mummy missed you too."

"Where's my Mummy?" Apple pulled her face from my cheek, "Apple want mummy now."

"Mummy's asleep sweetheart. We'll go and see her in a minute ok? Daddy needs to say hi to Louis and talked to Grandma Renee."

"My Louis, my Grandma Nae and Grandpa Arlie."

"Daddy?" Louis said from Charlie's arms.

Happiness bubbled in the pit of my stomach at the sound of my son's quiet voice; I shifted Apple onto my hip and took Louis from Charlie.

"Hey my little Man! God, daddy missed you so much." I kissed his mass of curls breathing in the smell of him.

He kissed my cheek and brought his eyes, so remarkably like his mother's, to mine. He watched me pensively for a moment a tiny frown marring his forehead, "Need my Mummy," he whispered. His look turned imploring.

"Ok my son. Mummy's asleep but I'll take you to her." I looked up at Renee and Charlie and gave them a small smile, "Thank you for having the twins."

"No need to thank us Edward it was our absolute pleasure. How's Bella? Did the island help?" Renee gave me a one armed hug causing Apple to giggle in my arms.

"It was pretty rough at the start. Once she broke down and finally admitted how she felt things got better, she's still pretty fragile but she's definitely on the mend. We've set a date for the wedding so that's something. It gives us both something to look forward to,"

"Edward that's wonderful news. I'm so happy for the both of you," Renee gushed.

"Thanks Renee," I said sincerely. I appreciated their support.

"So when's the big day?" Charlie asked suddenly. He wore an approving smile for which I was grateful.

"Um...Four weeks time it will be on Waiheke Island." Apple and Louis were begging to squirm in my arms both impatient to see Bella I was sure. I couldn't blame them I was impatient to get back to her and I'd only been out of her presence for five minutes.

"See my Mummy now?" Louis asked.

"Look sorry Renee, Charlie, you're welcome to stay I just need to get these two inside to see Bella they've been without her for far too long now."

"We totally understand Edward. We won't stay we have plans with Alice and Rosalie today. Can you please tell Bella I will phone her later." Renee leaned in to kiss Apple and Louis on the cheek before gently squeezing my arm, "I'm so pleased that everything is getting back on track for you two."

"Me too Renee and thank you again and you to Charlie."

"You're more than welcome Edward and I couldn't be happier that you are going to make an honest woman of my Bella." He said with a chuckle...

...Louis scrambled onto the bed and curled up next to Bella who was still sleeping; he closed his eyes a smile played on his lips.

While Louis wanted his mother, Apple was not of the same mind. She was clinging to me as though her life depended on it. She wrapped her arms around my neck refusing to let me go so we could climb into bed. I propped her up on my knee and pulled the blankets around her, she gave me a glittering smile.

Her hands moved to my face and she held my gaze, "My Daddy's pretty...I love my daddy, I'm his little princess..."

"You are his little princess..." Bella said quietly from beside us. Apple turned at the sound of Bella's voice her smile lit up her whole face,

"My mummy's beautiful...Are you happy now mummy?" She asked before turning back to me, "My Mummy not sad now?"

Bella's gasp was barely a whisper but I heard it and I reached over and gently squeezed her arm, she would be feeling guilty and it was imperative she didn't slip back into that way of thinking.

Apple slipped off my lap and into Bella's out stretched arms and I sighed in contentment. This was how it was supposed to be our family under one roof and happy. It gave me hope that finally we could get things back on an even keel.

"Good morning. I want to wake up like this every morning. I don't want to be apart from the kids or you ever. And thank you for reassuring me, it's just what I needed." Bella said echoing my sentiments exactly.

"It's always my pleasure love. How about breakfast, Should we eat in or out?" The thought of having to leave the house didn't appeal much but Bella might want to get out.

"Eat in; let's just stay home with the kids all day. You can show them where they can keep their pets, though you'll probably need a custom k.e.n.n.e.l built for the St Bernard. He could sleep in the stables with the P.O.N.Y. I guess he's going to grow to roughly the same size. So when are you going to tell them?"

I covered up my surprise when Bella brought up the St Bernard and the pony and what was more she never hissed or looked angry about it.

"How about today? My phone is drowning in messages, so you and I have to come to a few decisions about all of this. I'm not taking anything for granted this time." I wanted her to know that I was committed to trying to include her and valuing her input and opinions.

"Well how about we discuss it over breakfast? Do you want to feed Apple?And once Louis is awake I will get upand clean up the mess from last night..." I grinned at her as images of my Bella sundae filled my mind; they were quickly followed by the hot shower sex and the hours after that I spent ravishing my beautiful Bella.

I groaned as my cock twitched and my earlier sentiments of how I should have fucked Bella again before Renee and Charlie turned up rang in my ears.

Bella knew were my thoughts were and she smirked as she bent to kiss Apple's forehead and passed her to me...

Apple chatted incessantly while I got breakfast for her it was something I would never tire of, she was her own little bubble of happiness.

She gave me one of her glittering smiles when I put her toast in front of her, she reached out for me and I leaned in so she could cover my face in kisses.

"Thank you my Daddy. You have some Apple's toast," She thrust the jam covered bread into my mouth,

"My toast, my daddy...Daddy like Apple toast?"

"Hmm...Daddy does like Apple's toast. But you need to eat your breakfast and Daddy needs to clean up the aftermath of his mummy buffet."

Bella and Louis arrived in the kitchen just as I had finished wiping the last of the chocolate sauce from the backs of the chairs; I was amaze at how far the fucking sauce had travelled. Bella looked around the clean kitchen with a slightly awed expression. I was stoked she was impressed with my cleaning skills.

"Thank you honey, you didn't need to clean up I would have done it."

I scooped Louis out of Bella's arms and kissed his fore head, "You're welcome; it didn't take long... Hi my boy, I missed you." I looked up at Bella, "Are you hungry?"

"Hmm...not for food...but since that's not a possibility right now, I'll settle for a coffee."

A low growl rumbled from my throat; trust Bella to have to drag my thoughts back down the path of temptation. The woman had a cruel streak when it came to taunting me about sex. I handed her, her coffee and took a seat next to her my eyes drifted to the tantalizing exposed skin of her throat and lower roaming hungrily down the crevice between the part in her robe.

Unhelpfully, my enchantress leaned in and brushed her sweet lips over mine and I quickly captured her mouth and forced my tongue between her lips. Bella's mouth became more urgent against mine as her fingers weaved their way into my hair holding my face to hers.

My cock gave a painful throb and I was about to lose the last of my tenuous hold on my self control when Apple's little voice proved to be my saviour.

"Look Louis, mummy's kissing Daddy...Mummy's kissing Daddy..."

"Hmm...I think that maybe we should discuss pets, I need a distraction from wanting to take you back to bed and do depraved things with and to you." Bella's voice was barely a whisper.

"Pet's, Bella, pets..." I stammered.

"Yes Baby Pets, we probably should talk about that; there's no point in getting all psyched over something we can't do anything about with two such young and impressionable children in the room."

"For the love of God woman, why would you..." I smiled and trailed off as Apple looked over at us, her tiny ears no doubt hearing every single word spoken "Let's talk pets then." I said forcing a smile.

"So you must have a plan, I mean you're not just going to get a pony and put it in a field are you? I'm taking you'll be researching, or Kate will, all the things you need to know about looking after it. And then there will be riding lessons, and equestrian shows, god Edward are you really sure about this?"

I looked at Bella sheepishly "Well, I was thinking we could get Mum to come over and teach Apple. You may be surprised, but Mum is quite the horsewoman. I'm sure she'd love an excuse to spend more time with the kids. As for its health needs, the vet and Farrier will come around. I was thinking we could build a stable on the land and until then we can house it at the local equestrian club." I realised I was taking over again and looked at Bella in horror "Only if you agree of course Baby. I wouldn't just go ahead..."

"Oh god please not the pony club! I like the idea of Esme teaching Apple to ride; it will be a nice thing for them to share. Edward I completely loathe the idea of having to try and fit in the clicky mothers at the pony club."

I chuckled at the thought of Bella among Wellington's Social Elite. She certainly would make an impression. "I would love to see that baby." I said with a grin "But I can make you a deal. Until the stables are built, Esme or I will go with Apple. I'll just stress to the builders that we need it done asap." I frowned "You do know that will cost more though right? I kinda feel like I'm walking through a forest full of bear traps I can't see." I said honestly

"Edward, how about we make a deal? Let's not make money an issue in our relationship; it's such a waste of time and energy worrying about not having to worry about it, if that makes sense?"

I eyed her warily "So... You are saying we shouldn't worry about how much things cost? I'm confused, I thought that philosophy was what got me into trouble... along with the general disregard for your input, but still... wasn't the money an issue?" I couldn't deny the excitement that was bubbling within me. "Are you just taking the piss love?" I asked crassly.

"No I'm not saying that, I'm just saying first of all that I don't want to have to think about the money. that if we make a decision about something and then something else crops up that goes over the budget then we just do what needs to be done to get the job completed. I don't want to stress thinking about money it's so dumb. I will always feel guilty about what I have, I can't help it, but I want our relationship to be about us and our family not about materialistic things."

I nodded slowly "I think I understand, but just to clarify as long as I keep you informed it's all good?" I said hopefully. "I agree, money isn't important to what makes us, us." I kissed her nose "As long as I still get to spoil you all, I'm happy with the arrangement. But you really shouldn't feel guilty, you deserve the best baby and that's all I want to give you."

"Keep me informed but don't bog me down. And I was wondering if you'd be adverse to the idea of holding off telling the kids until their Birthdays it's only a month away and it will give us more time to get things organised, and it would be great presents for them." I didn't elaborate that it was a good time to give them presents, on their birthdays.

"It's not going to be their only presents, is it?" I frowned. Surely she wouldn't be suggesting that would she? "But I am happy to hold off; it will give Mum time to prepare anyway, not to mention the dog breeders.

"What else would they need sweetheart?"

"I don't know? It just doesn't seem like a birthday without lots of presents." I pulled myself in before things could escalate. "I'd just like to get them something else as well." I said with a shrug.

"How about we go shopping together for them, I'm sure we can agree on something each for them, but remember we won't be the only ones getting them presents."

"You have a deal Mrs Cullen." I was still unsure of my footing with this compromise thing, but hoped it would only get easier over time. "So, now we have that sorted love, what do you want to do now?" I asked giving her my most seductive smile. I knew nothing could happen, but it was still fun to play.

"I thought we could take the kids for a walk to the park before lunch then while they're having their afternoon sleep I thought you might like to finish reading the Tale of Two Cities, if I remember rightly you never made it past the third page."

I growled at her suggestion "If you keep that up, I'll burn every book in the house." I teased. Or at least I hoped I was teasing, some of those books were first editions. "A walk sounds good though..."

...Spending the morning with Bella and the twins in the park was fucking awesome. The sounds of their combined laughter was music to my soul. Apple insisted I spend the whole time pushing her on the swing while Bella and Louis played on the wide variety of other things in the park. She flatly refused to get off the swing when I tried to entice her onto the jungle gym with Louis.

"No Daddy push Apple higher...Not jungle gym...Apple swing, my daddy push,"

"Ok princess Daddy push you on the swing," I continued to push her until Louis called out to me to come and play with him. It took a good five minutes to negotiate with Apple to leave the swings and join her brother. She was turning out to be as adorably stubborn as her mother and just like her mother I needed to use my persuasive skills to get her to see it my way.

I wished I had kept with the swings when I got myself stuck between the bars of the bloody jungle gym I didn't mind too much when I heard Bella, Apple and Louis' peals of sweet laughter, the sound was a perfect symphony one I committed to memory and would never tire of hearing.

The walk home from the park was just as entertaining; Bella was singing some silly song about a postman and other people who stalked the neighbourhood causing Louis to break into fits of delicious giggles.

"You're funny Mummy," Louis giggled as he looked up at me, "Mummy's funny Daddy."

The second Apple's eyelids fluttered closed I pulled Bella into my arms with a satisfied moan, she smashed her mouth to mine her kiss full of a feral need that matched my own. My cock gave a painful throb when hand slid between Bella's thighs and a low growl rumbled from my chest when my fingers came in contact with her bare sex.

Panty less Bella was too fucking much for my lust addled brain, "Jesus Bella," I hissed as I pushed my fingers into her warm wet pussy, "Gotta fuck you...now baby, come on." I scrambled off the bed and grabbed Bella's hand I knew exactly where I wanted to fuck her and my throbbing cock agreed when the image filled my mind.

Bella's small gasp brought a smile to my lips when I pulled her into the garage and onto the bonnet of my Aston Martin.

Bella's eyes widened in surprise, "You're not seriously contemplating doing this are you? This is your pride and joy baby, what happens if something goes wrong?"

I chuckled at her trepidation, "Bella you are exquisite as is this car, I've decided it's time I enjoyed the sight of you lying naked against it as I fuck you. And I'm not going to stop until my name is repeatedly falling from those angelic lips of yours." My fingers hooked into the flimsy material of her dress and I pulled it over her head exposing her fucking perfection, "Besides baby, why should you and Kate get to have all the fun on my car?"

"Oh shit...I forgot about that...God alcohol is neither of our friends is it?" Bella's skin flushed a beautiful crimson in her embarrassment my fingers reached out to trace the trail of blood under her skin.

"Hmm...It certainly brings out your even wilder side. I have to admit I miss your crazy drunken antics sometimes, but I'm sure 'Christine' doesn't...Yes with you and alcohol there was never a dull moment. But then again there's never a dull moment with you in the world." I murmured as I brought my mouth to hers.

Bella's lips were the most addictive drug on the planet I just couldn't fucking get enough of them I assaulted them with a fucking vengeance as I ripped open my jeans, groaning in relief as my aching cock sprang free from its restraints, and slid into Bella's dripping pussy. The raw fucking desire that had been building up all morning ignited in the pit of my stomach like flash fire, I tried to convey the depth of my love for her as I looked down into her eyes.

Bella's milky white skin now covered in a thin sheen of sweat glistened like diamonds as the shafts of light from the skylight illuminated her body. She looked like a fucking Angel. She was an Angel and she was mine.

As if Bella had read my mind she said the words that confirmed that she was fucking mine and she always would be.

"I love you Edward...only you...only ever for you." Her walls clamped down around me and her cum trickled down my cock sending me into a fucking frenzy.

"So fucking beautiful Bella...so warm, and wet...I can't...baby...need you..." I ground out between my teeth as I pounded into her. My orgasm rushed through my body like lightening and my knees buckled. I collapsed against Bella as my body shuddered violently, her arms and legs ensnared me and I would have to be stayed buried deep in her warmth for the rest of my life, "I love you Isabella Marie Cullen." I breathed against her neck.

She tightened her grip on me and it felt like fucking heaven...

I left Bella in front of her laptop designing the wedding invitations while I went to phone Aro with the news that he was going to get his greatest wish of officiating my wedding.

Of course he swore he already knew why I was phoning when I told him the news and I rolled my eyes when he reminded me he had seen long ago the beautiful woman who had stolen my heart.

Excitement bubbled in the pit of my stomach; we would soon be on Waiheke Island and Bella would be making all my dreams come true by becoming my wife...

I never returned to work in the week leading up to us going to Waiheke not only was there too much for Bella to organize on her own I also took the time to look into alcohol counselling. While things had been a bit easier since Bella began to heal it was still too fucking hard to do on my own.

My hands still trembled, not nearly as bad as they had, but it was still there. The desire to drink was still there though. The urge that never went away. I had not appreciated how bad my addiction was until I had tried to stop altogether.

Having Bella and the twins with me constantly made it far easier to deal with and my newly found positive attitude and sense of calm increased during the week and by the time we were ready to leave for Waiheke I was positive that things were only going to get better for us from here...

A/N: Feel free to let us know what you loved and hated you know your comments are our daily dose of giggles... :)