DISCLAIMER: Twilight and its inclusive material is copyright to Stephenie Meyer. Original creation, including but not limited to plot and characters, is copyright to the respective authors of each story. No copyright infringement is intended.

Previously:

"I hate what happened, and at the time, it was devastating. It's in the past though. I've moved on. You don't have to be upset for me."

"I'm not upset." She raised a brow, and I huffed. "I'm livid. If I ever meet any of those fuckers, I'm taking them out." She rolled her eyes before leaning forward and kissing me.

"I love you."

"I love you too."

On Tuesday, I went back to work. Bella insisted I not take too much time off work just to spend it with her. I had a duty, she reminded me, and I begrudgingly did as she said. Part of me was glad I listened to her, because nothing made me happier than coming home to find her there. I tried to temper my hope that she'd choose to move here after her current assignment so I wouldn't be too disappointed. This was Bella after all. She had an adventurous spirit and would probably head to the next location. We would be fine; I believed that 100%. I would miss her though. And worry about her. God, would I worry about her.

Each afternoon I came home to Bella either finishing dinner or to it already on the table. We would eat then find some adventure nearby. Our adventures ranged from hiking to checking out local shops to checking out the bedroom. Bella wanted to see everything the place had to offer, and I wanted to do anything I could to make her fall in love with the town. If she loved the town, it could only increase my chance of convincing to her move here eventually.

When I arrived home on Thursday night, Bella was rushing to put dinner on the table. She'd made steaks with baked potatoes and green beans. The sight of her, with hair piled on top of her head and glasses slipping down her nose, made my heart flutter. I wanted that every day, and I'd have to wait months for it – longer depending on where she chose for her next assignment.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry," she hurriedly apologized. "My meeting ran longer than I planned."

"Meeting?" I asked as I walked over to kiss her.

"The meeting with the General was fine, but the school's selection committee held me up." I smiled widely. Ever since she'd gone back to the base, she had been working to get Newton into medical school. She was convinced he needed to become a doctor. Newton had gone all shy when she praised and thanked him for his work and explained that he hadn't gone the med school route because of money. She was determined that would not be a barrier for him anymore.

"It smells awesome," I said as I followed her to the table.

Dinner was wonderful but subdued. Bella tried to engage me in conversation, and I honestly tried to participate, but my mind kept wandering. I couldn't stop thinking about her going back to the base. After eating, I helped clear the table and dried the dishes and she washed them. At one point, he was spraying a plate and a shot of warm water hit my stomach. I looked down at my half-drenched shirt then up to her slowly. She wasn't looking at me, but I could see the smirk on her face. I reached over and flicked suds at her. She gasped and looked at me incredulously.

"You did that on purpose," she accused. I schooled my features.

"I don't know what you're talking about," I responded innocently. She hesitated for just a moment, and we both reached for the sprayer at the same time. I got there first, but only by a hair. We tussled over it for a few seconds before she squeezed the nozzle which was pointed directly at me. Her laugh echoed through the house. I turned the water off, picked her up by the waist, and spun her around.

"Edward!" She was still giggling as I sat her on the kitchen counter. I chuckled and pulled away only long enough to pull my shirt off. She bit her lip as she watched me. I moved back between her legs, and she wrapped her arms around my shoulders. I kissed her shoulder, trailing my lips over her delectable collarbone. I could feel her hum on my lips causing me to nip at the base of her neck. She moaned at the action. "You're all wet."

"You will be too," I whispered. Her breathing was labored, and her hands wandered into my hair.

"You're succeeding." She tilted her head back enjoying my ministrations for a few moments. "A girl could get used to this."

"You taste so good." She groaned as my lips traveled lower, pulling her shirt down to expose her so I could suckle at her beautiful, pale skin.

"Edward." My name dragged out of her pouty lips, and I moved up to press mine to them. "Take me to bed."

Later that evening, we lay in bed just enjoying being in each other's presence. Bella lay on her stomach, arms folded under her head. She had kicked her leg out from under the sheet saying it was hot. Her movement had pulled the sheet down to cover only her lower half. Her back was arched slightly, the dip in her spine captivating me along with those two dimples that sat at the top of her delectable behind.

"We could do this every day," I told her as I ran my fingers over her spine lightly. "Of course, it probably wouldn't be every day. We'd need some rest at least once a week." She giggled, her nose crinkling with the motion. "Honestly, though. I want you here." It was the first time I'd said it so straightforward, and my nerves flared. "I want you safe." She rolled her eyes, and all I could do was roll mine back. "Most importantly, I want you with me. I want to build a life with you, sooner rather than later." She looked at me for a long second, and I prepared for her to let me down.

"Okay." Wait. What?

"Huh?" She smiled indulgently.

"Okay."

"Okay? As in…okay?" She laughed at me before leaning over and kissing me softly.

"I actually already signed a contract for the base hospital starting next week. I can't stay there anymore. It's," she paused, "difficult." I could hear something in her voice, something I couldn't identify, but I was so overcome with happiness. I couldn't stop myself from pulling her into a kiss. She was staying. She was staying with me.

A/N 07/06/18: PLEASE READ TO THE END FOR NEWS ABOUT MY NEXT PROJECT.

Be still my heart. I'm having trouble with this coming to an end. :(

I hope you liked the last regular chapter of the story. There will be a three part epilogue (all posted on the same day) to give you a glimpse into the future.

I want to say thank you to everyone that made this possible. EdwardsFirstKiss and SunflowerFran did not beta this story, but they have helped me with recent one-shots. I took their advise and worked it into Stolen Heart. So they have had a big hand in this. Thank you to LizziePaige who made the wonderful banner to this story. You are amazing! I want to thank all the wonderful reviewers of this story. I honestly appreciate every single one, even when we didn't agree with the direction of the story. Finally, thank you to each person that read my story. You are much appreciated.

I hope to start posting my next project within the month. It's very different from this, much heavier on the angst. I have spent the last year or so learning about a problem that occurs here and internationally. Human trafficking is believed to be the third-largest criminal activity in the world. Between 14,500 and 17,500 people are trafficked in the United States annually. Men, women, and children are taken from their home and sold into forced labor, domestic servitude, and sex trafficking. The new story will address this - how it happens, what occurs to some people, how they survive, and how/if they escape. It won't be a topic for everyone; so, if you choose not to read, I will completely understand. After that, I hope to expand my one-shot Knotted Heart.

If you have any questions about this project, my next project, or an old project, please feel free to ask. I love talking with y'all!