Disclaimer: Not mine…

A/N: Thank you for reading & reviewing! And for being patient. I know it was a bit of a filler, and admittedly, this one is too…but something big happens at the end! :-D

In real life Mariner news, Ken Griffey Jr., I will miss you. One of the greatest Seattle Mariners ever. I'm glad I got to see him play twice as a Mariner.

To eternally_addicted: I swear, I should just make you my beta. Thanks for putting up with my nonsense with watching the MTV Movie Awards, and me repeatedly telling you that Jasper and Seth are my favorite characters. :-P

Songs for this chapter: Ain't No Other Man –Christina Aguilera, Hot –Avril Lavigne , Turn Me On –Norah Jones

Chapter 35

BPOV

September 6th

I shivered slightly as the wind began to pick up. Adjusting my scarf around my neck and pulling down the black knit cap I'd stolen from Edward, I moved to hug my knees to my chest. It was a decent day, no rain, but it wasn't sunny either, and the wind was getting stronger. I would finish my round of antibiotics tomorrow, and much to Edward's protesting, I was out of the house, enjoying some time with Jake, Nessie, and Rosalie.

Alice and Jasper both had to work today, but Rosalie offered to come with me. Edward was not the least bit amused that I had ventured out. It didn't matter that I felt better…the slight lingering cough I had was what was making him overreact.

At first I had been completely irritated when he overreacted the night he came home to find me cooking in the kitchen. I was frustrated at being cooped up and as I told him, I truly was feeling well enough to be up and about. When he explained his reasoning for his actions to me, I felt guilty. He was doing so much to make sure that I was getting better, all while trying to do his job as a baseball player. The least I could do was sit in bed and do the smart thing to take care of myself right?

I sighed as I watched Jake and Nessie run around after each other, happy little doggy smiles on their faces. Jake barked as Nessie jumped and pawed at him. I had missed the two of them. Having them around was almost like having two kids to take care of and I missed them while I had been sick. I sighed heavily again, the thought of kids bringing back the memories of the other conversation Edward and I had about the future.

"What's up with you Bella? You've been silent for a good ten minutes now doing nothing but sighing."

I turned my head quickly at Rosalie, almost forgetting that she was sitting next to me. She had her hair tied back in a simple braid and she wasn't anywhere near as bundled up as I was. She cocked an eyebrow at me and I sighed again.

"Has…Has Emmett ever thought about quitting?"

Rosalie's eyes widened, "You mean quit working for the Mariners?"

I nodded.

"Is Edward retiring then? This is going to be his last season?"

"No," I quickly shook my head, "He hasn't decided yet. We just…we had an interesting talk before he left for this road trip."

"Oh?"

I bit my lip before continuing.

"Edward doesn't know what he wants to do. On one hand, he is a phenomenal baseball player and it's not like he's old or anything. Plus he has a lot of little kids who look up to him as a hero you know?"

Rosalie nodded.

"But at the same time, you know Edward has a rough past, and he used playing in the major leagues as a way to runaway from that past. He…he doesn't want to miss out on life here in Seattle. He…I mean, we both talked about the house in Forks and…and we talked about getting married and having kids."

Rosalie smiled, "I figured it wouldn't take too long for you guys to get there."

"What?" I asked surprised, "Where? And how did you know?"

She smirked at me, "Edward talks to Emmett a lot more than I think you know…AND the two of you have that look when you're together."

"Look?"

"Oh come on Bella! Surely someone has mentioned it to you before! You know…the look! When you see two people and you can tell just by looking at them that they're soul mates and that they're meant to be with one another."

"Oh…" was all I could say.

"Yes…oh," Rosalie chuckled, "So marriage and kids…that doesn't freak you out or anything?"

I couldn't help but smile, "No…Edward and I have just been through so much you know? I feel like we can handle anything that comes our way, and I know I'll never love anyone as I love Edward. There's no one else I could ever see myself spending the future with."

Rosalie nodded, "And having children? You two are ready for that?"

"Someday," I said with a smile, remembering the dream I had about a little boy with Edward's hair chasing after Jake and Nessie.

"I'm really happy for the two of you Bella," Rosalie patted my hand, "I've known Edward for a while. You've changed him completely. I'm sure there have been quite a few people to tell you that, but it's true Bella."

We sat in silence before I asked about she and Emmett.

"We're both enjoying our careers," Rosalie said with a smile, "I'm trying to make sure my shop is nice and stable before I start backing off a bit and hiring others to come in and help on the business end. Emmett is enjoying his time working with the Mariners. What's nice about being my own boss is that when Emmett is off, I can take time off too you know? And I'm ready to start cutting back my time with the shop."

"So are you two…going to get married?"

Rosalie smiled but it didn't reach her eyes, "You know my past Bella. I thought I was going to marry Royce before that all blew up in my face. I don't discourage marriage, but I don't need a piece of paper or a ring to tell me that Emmett and I will be together forever. He doesn't need it either. He knows that I'm committed to him, and if for some reason, we decide to get married, we'll just do something simple. Elope to Vegas or just go to city hall or something."

I nodded. The more I thought about marrying Edward, the more I knew that I just wanted something really small and simple, something where it was just about the love between Edward and myself. I could understand her reasoning, but I did want that ceremony, and that piece of paper that told the rest of the world that I was Edward's and he was mine.

"What about kids?" I asked softly.

Rosalie sighed, "I want to be the kind of mom that is home with her kids."

I couldn't stop my mouth from hanging open and my eyes going wide. I never would've pegged Rosalie as the type to want to be a stay at home mom. She was so feisty and had a fierceness about her when she was talking about work. I had also heard from Sam and the boys that she was quite the business woman. She enjoyed her work, so this blindsided me.

"I know," Rosalie chuckled, "hard to believe right? But just because I'm at home with the kids doesn't mean I can't monitor what's going on with my business you know? Did I tell you that I'm going to ask Sam to step up?"

I shook my head quickly.

"Yeah, well, he's got a good business sense about him, and he's been working with me from the beginning. He's smart and he knows what he's talking about."

"So…you think you and Emmett are going to start trying soon?"

Her smiled widened, "Maybe in a year or two. Once I get things squared away with the shop, and Emmett gets a chance to find a stable job in the city."

"That sounds great Rose."

"It does," she sighed dreamily.

I watched the dogs for a while longer. Nessie was lying down under a tree as Jake was running around chasing a butterfly. I chuckled softly. He was such a crazy dog (probably that wolf side of him), but he was loyal, and though he caused me a lot of trouble off and on, I loved him. He and Nessie made the emptiness of Edward being gone a little easier to bear. As I thought about Edward on the road again, an unwelcome thought enter my mind and scowled immediately.

"Bella, are you okay?"

"Did Emmett or Edward ever tell you about Ri?"

Rosalie nodded.

"You and Emmett tell each other everything right? Like everything."

Rosalie snorted, "Yeah…where are you going with this Bella? It's not like Edward kisses and tells to Emmett."

I blushed slightly, but I wanted to talk to someone about this who was sort of in the same position as me. Alice was my best friend, but she and Jasper pretty much hadn't spent a day apart from each other since they've met.

"Did you know that Ri showed up at their hotel the last time the team was in New York?"

Rosalie nodded, "Emmett mentioned it. He said Edward was really angry about the whole thing."

"Do you…" I bit my lip, "Don't you think it's weird that she's still trying to get with Edward? I mean, he said there was nothing serious ever going on between the two of them, but this is the second time she's tried to contact him while he's been in New York, and this time it was in person."

"Bella, do you think Edward is lying about any of this? That he would go back to Ri?"

"No!" I shouted, causing Jake and Nessie's ears to perk up and turn in our direction. I blushed, though it was pretty irrational, and sighed.

"No…I trust Edward. If he says it's over, then I believe him."

"I don't think you have to worry about this Bella. Emmett said Edward was really angry and told him that he was absolute in telling Ri off."

I sighed, "Edward told me the same thing."

I almost started a rant about what kind of woman would sleep with a guy no strings attached whenever he was in town, but then I remembered Rosalie's past with that dirt bag Royce King. I wondered if I should have a talk with Emmett myself. In St. Louis I really felt like he and I connected, and he helped me to also see the changes in Edward.

"Well," Rosalie said standing, "I think I better get you and the dogs home. Edward would have my head if I let you get sick again on my watch."

"On your watch?" I asked, not liking where I thought this was going.

Rosalie chuckled, "Edward has changed a lot because of you Bella, but he's always been fiercely protective of the things he holds dearest to him. How else do you think I managed to be free to accompany you to the dog park?"

"He made you come with me?" I nearly shrieked.

Rosalie simply smiled, "He didn't make me come, I wanted to hang out with you. But that crazy man of yours did call me once he found out you wanted to come here. I simply made myself available."

I scowled as Rosalie only chuckled further.

"Someone is in so much trouble…" I muttered.

Rosalie had driven the dogs and I to the park in Emmett's Jeep, so I clambered out of the giant thing with a promise to take a hot shower and relax for the rest of the day. I couldn't wait until I was 100 percent better again. I held tightly to Jake and Nessie's leashes as I walked up to the front door of the building. Something moving across the street caught my eye and I quickly turned to look, but it was lost in the crowd, bustling home from their day at work.

I squinted at the rush of people on the opposite side of the street and rubbed my forehead when I proceeded to do nothing but give myself a headache. I shook my head as I walked into the lobby. For that moment, across the street I could've sworn I saw a flash of firey red…a red that was unmistakable. She was the only person I knew with hair that burned like flames. I shivered as I got into the elevator and just as the doors were closing I looked across the street from the front doors again. I could've sworn that a ghost from my past was standing across the street staring at me, all fire and ice, her blue eyes looking cold as she stared me down. I shook my head and blinked again, but the elevator door had closed. I wonder if a side affect of the antibiotics is hallucinations…

September 10th

"Did you know Edward met President Obama?"

I sighed, "Yes Alice, at the All-Star Game last year in St. Louis."

Spread in front of me on the dinning room table was a slew of furniture catalogues. All the wiring on the house was complete and appliances were being brought in next week. They were actually running ahead of schedule and working over time whenever there was a sunny day and a dry evening. Esme Cullen sure must've wielded some power there, paying an amount I didn't even want to think about to make sure the house got finished.

"Hey!" I shouted out, "You're supposed to be in here helping me pick stuff for the house! Edward and I are tackling cleaning out his office later!"

Alice came walking back into the room, her face seemingly trapped in that of surprise and shock.

"Seriously Bella, have you been in Edward's office?"

I shook my head, "No not really. I never have a reason to go in there. None of my stuff is in there. We're going to clean it out when he comes back. Toss out the things he doesn't want and stuff."

Alice sat and stared at me.

"Bella, I don't think there's anything in there that Edward is going to toss out."

"What are you talking about?" My brows furrowed.

"You've seriously never been in there?" Alice's brows shot up.

"No…"

"Oh my God, come here."

I gasped as Alice yanked me out of my chair and pulled me towards Edward's office. For someone so small she was freakishly strong and I had to wonder yet again, how Jasper managed to put up with her. He must've figured out some way because he was going to spend the rest of his life with her after all.

"Look at all of this."

I stopped dead in my tracks as I stood in the doorway. I'm pretty sure my mouth was hanging open on the floor and my eyes were bugging out of my head. The shelves in Edward's office were covered in awards and other baseball paraphernalia. I counted seven Gold Glove awards and eight All-Star jerseys. There was several other plaques with his name and a really worn in looking blue hat. As I stepped closer I gasped, seeing the shape of a Spartan helmet on the front. It was his baseball hat from the Forks team, and next to it, an extremely beat up glove resting on top of a white jersey with blue and yellow lettering.

"You didn't know he keeps all this stuff?" Alice asked.

I shook my head, "No."

I knew Edward was a good baseball player, but good lord I didn't know he had won all these awards and plaques. There was even a picture of him shaking President Obama's hand at the All-Star Game last year and as I looked closer at the signed baseball beneath it, I saw the distinct letters "B" and "O" amongst the two words of scribble.

"He never talks to me about the baseball stuff," I said quietly, simply in awe of how good my boyfriend truly was.

"Well obviously you knew he was a good baseball player," Alice said, joining me at my side.

"Yeah…" I said, my voice still full of disbelief, "but I didn't know he was this good! I mean, I never saw all the awards and stuff before this, and seeing them…I don't know. It's…it's making me feel weird."

"Making you feel weird?"

"Yes," I said quickly, turning on my heel, "let's get out of here."

I scurried out the door as Alice rushed after me.

"Woah woah woah missy! What are you talking about? What do you mean 'weird'?"

I sighed and leaned forward with my hands resting on the couch.

"It's just weird for me," I said softly, "I always knew Edward was good, but lately he's been making it sound like he's going to retire after this year. But then I hear what they say about him on T.V. and then I see that room full of all of his achievements, and…and it makes me feel weird."

"Okay…a little more elaboration please…"

"I had a conversation with Rosalie the other day at the dog park. We didn't really talk about my thoughts, just sort of an in general idea of what I thought Edward might do. In truth, I have no idea what he wants to do. It just…it all just sort of makes me think…"

"Okay…"

"I want him to quit," I sighed, "But I don't because that's selfish of me and he's so good and he has little boys who look up to him and the Mariners are doing really good this year and he could win a World Series and-"

My voice was cut off by Alice's tiny but very firm hand.

"Bella," She said, looking at me sternly, "Have you talked to Edward about this?"

She released my mouth and I sighed, "I…I told him I would support him no matter what he decided."

"What he decides affects both of you."

"I know…and I secretly want him to quit. I'm tired of missing him Ali. I'm tired of him being gone for weeks at a time for a better part of the year. But I can't tell him this Ali…it makes me way too selfish and when I look at him out there when he's playing, he's looking like he likes being out there now. It's not just a distraction for him anymore."

"Again, did you talk to him about all of this?"

I shook my head. "I want him to make the right decision for him. I don't want him to do something because I don't want him to. If he wants to play, I'll just have to endure it. If not, then I'll be ecstatic."

"You're sure about all of this?" Alice asked, her gaze squinting at me.

"Ali, I told him I would stand by him no matter what. I'm going to keep that promise."

"Even if it makes you unhappy?"

"I could never stand to see him unhappy Ali. His happiness is my happiness."

Alice rolled her eyes, "Okay, if you're sure. I'm starting to think Emmett is right. You two are becoming almost nauseatingly romantic and cute."

"Oh whatever!" I cried, pushing Alice's shoulder. She giggled as we walked back over to the dinning room table and the catalogues.

I sighed, staring at the same kitchen table set for the past 10 minutes. I wasn't lying when I told her I wanted Edward to quit. The nights alone were becoming a lot to deal with and if we did get married, my husband would be away from me for a better part of the year. However, I also wasn't lying when I told Alice I would support Edward no matter what he decided. If he wanted to play a few more years, then I would endure it. Maybe there was even a way I could go on some of the trips. I sighed again. Edward would make his decision soon and I would stay with him no matter what he chose.

"Bella did you hear me?"

"I'm sorry what?" I asked, shaking my head from my daze. Alice rolled her eyes at me.

"I asked you what you were planning to do for your birthday this year. Usually you tell me in advance, but with the illness and all, I figured you hadn't really thought about it until you were better."

"Nothing big," I sighed, "Turning twenty-four isn't that big a deal. We don't have to do anything."

"What?" Alice screeched, "We have to do something! Surely Edward has some sort of plan for at least the two of you!"

"Um…"

"OH. MY. GOD. Isabella Marie Swan!" Alice shouted, jumping to her feet so she could tower over me as I sat, "Does Edward know it's your birthday?"

"He knows it's in September…"

"BELLA!" Alice screeched, "I'm calling him right now!"

"Alice, don't!" I cried, but I was too late to catch her as she grabbed her phone and locked herself in the guest bathroom.

I could hear her yammering away through the door and I cringed as I walked to the couch, slumping down into the cushions in defeat. Edward was not going to be very thrilled with me. In all honesty, when we had talked about birthdays in June, I didn't tell him because he wanted to do something crazy and lavish. I mean, if he flew me to Vancouver for a first date, what the hell would he do for my birthday? I didn't want him to spend a ridiculous amount of money on something just for me. We were already getting the house, my dream house, and that seemed like more than enough.

My head snapped in the direction of the bathroom door and Alice came out chuckling.

"Oh Bella…you are in so much trouble."

I stuck my tongue out at her in the most mature fashion possible and proceeded to cross my arms across my chest.

"Edward will probably be calling you in five, four, three, two…"

"Yyyoooouuuuu, your sex is on fire…"

"Seriously? That's Edward's ring tone?"

I blushed and stuck my tongue out at Alice again as I rushed to answer my phone. I glared at her chuckling form as I took my phone and locked myself in our bedroom. I swallowed heavily before answering.

"Hello?"

"Oh baby…how come I had to learn from Alice that your birthday is on the thirteenth?"

"I told you why I never wanted you to know my birthday back in June," I said softly.

"Bella, love," Edward sighed, "Your birthday is definitely a day to be celebrated."

"I'm just getting a year older. It's not like it's a milestone birthday or anything."

"It's the day you came into this world Bella," Edward said quietly, "It's a day that I need to celebrate at least."

"Why?" I almost snorted, thinking he respond with something about spoiling me.

"Because it's the day that the woman who saved my life was born. It's the day that the love of my life came into this world and from her first breath was already making the world a better place."

Well, I certainly wasn't expecting that. When I didn't say anything, Edward continued on.

"I've already sent a text to my parents. They will be coming out on the twelfth, and your father and Sue will be as well."

"You talked to my Dad?" I shouted.

"Alec and Jane are extremely quick and efficient whenever I give them a task."

"Edward…" I whined, not liking where this was going, "I don't want anything big."

He chuckled on the other end, "I just arranged for a lunch at our apartment before the game, and I got everyone tickets for the game. Should I have the stadium serenade you with 'Happy Birthday' at the seventh inning stretch?"

"NO!" I screeched. Edward's laughter was loud on the other end.

"Oh love, don't worry. I know you don't want to make a big deal out of it, but you and I…WE are going to make a big deal out of it. I plan to worship you on your birthday."

I squirmed slightly in my seat. Edward's voice was deep and scratchy, a tone I usually only head in the bedroom. This hadn't even been his longest road trip, and already I was aching for him to come back home.

"You're so good to me Edward," I said softly, "You really had Alec and Jane plan all that?"

"I did," Edward chuckled.

"Thank you baby."

"Anything for the love of my life," Edward replied softly.

"What time do you come back?"

I cringed slightly when I heard just how excited my own voice sounded.

Edward sighed heavily on the other end, "Late on the twelfth. I have some meetings after the game with Jane, Alec, and some other people. They want to talk endorsements and what not."

"Okay," I said softly, "I'll be waiting for you."

"You don't need to cook me anything okay? I'll be getting in around midnight and we're eating dinner at our meeting."

"I can't wait to see you."

"Me too love. Me too."

"Oh, and by the way," I smirked, "I'm all finished with the antibiotics and the pill will be working fine again."

Edward groaned on the other end, "Baby, you're killing me here."

I couldn't help but giggle, but also shift in my seat and rub my thighs together. It had been practically three weeks since the last time Edward and I made love. Quite frankly, that was 20 days too long. Damn my stupid bout with pneumonia!

"I'll see you in two days," I smiled.

"You have no idea how much I'm looking forward to celebrating and worshiping the birthday girl."

"Promise me Edward," I said seriously, "Nothing over the top! No spending ridiculous amounts of money or anything like that."

"I promise," He chuckled, "I've got the perfect gift for you."

"All right," I sighed, "Well, I better get back to helping Alice pick out stuff for our house. And you and I, mister, are going to have a serious talk about your office! I had no idea all those awards and things were in there!"

"Oh…well, I don't care to look at them. It would make me feel weird to see them displayed all over the apartment and stuff."

"I understand that, but you said you wanted to get rid of stuff in there! I don't think you should get rid of any of that stuff."

"I…well, we'll talk about it when I come back. I'll show you it all before we decide what goes and what stays."

"Okay," I said skeptically, "But I hope you know I'm going to vote 'stay' for pretty much everything in there."

"We'll see love," Edward chuckled, "I'll let you get back to Alice."

"Okay," I sighed, "I love you Edward."

"I love you too baby."

September 12th 11:17pm

"Mmmm…" I whined, my brows furrowing, "Jake, go away…"

I felt my body being jostled around as something brushed against my forehead again.

"Jake! Stop!"

Soft, deep chuckling made my eyes shoot open and I screamed as I found myself no longer lying on the couch and pressed against something solid on my left side. My body was startled and I automatically burrowed closer to the left.

"Edward!" I shouted in surprise, causing him to pause.

The green eyes that I adored looked down at me with amusement and love.

"Hi baby."

I could feel my heart thumping away in my chest from my surprise and I took a deep breath. Reaching up with a slight shake in my hand, I rubbed his cheek softly. Edward's eye fluttered closed slowly as he leaned in to my touch.

"What time is it?" I said softly as Edward began to walk towards our bedroom again.

"Almost eleven thirty."

"Did you just get in?" I asked, surprised that he came back this late when he had a game to play tomorrow night.

"Yeah…" Edward said slowly as he leaned down to sit me down on the edge of the bed. He kneeled down between my legs, smirking widely.

"I like what you're wearing by the way," Edward said, fingering the edge of his black button-up that I was wearing, "I think you should wear my clothes all the time."

I felt my cheeks heat as I looked down. His button down was all I wore over the pair of simple white cotton briefs I had on. I gasped and moved out of the way as Edward leaned forward and pressed a kiss to my chest. My heart was still hammering away as he leaned back and cupped cheek, bringing my gaze to his.

"Now my baby's not hurting anymore."

He stood up and stretched his back, "Do you want to take a bath with me? You know how I feel gross after flying."

I nodded and stood up as I followed Edward towards the bathroom. He stripped off pieces of his suit as he went, needing them to be dry-cleaned. Adding his button up to the pile on the floor, I was left in just my panties and Edward in his boxers as he started to run the water for our bath.

It was nice and hot when I finally settled between Edward's outstretched legs in the tub. Edward sighed and wrapped his arms around my stomach, pressing his nose into the back of my head.

"You're all better," Edward murmured, placing soft kisses along my shoulder.

"Behave Edward," I nearly moaned. I almost felt like I was back at square one in terms of my sexual adventurousness. It had been over three weeks since the last time I had been with Edward. I did not want our first time in weeks to be in the bathtub.

"I missed you," He murmured against my skin at the same time he pressed his hips up against my back. I gasped softly when I felt him press against me. From the moment he stripped his boxers off, I had been trying to ignore the fact that he was standing at attention. Not. In. The. Bathtub.

I sighed and leaned back against Edward's firm chest, turning as best I could and placing a kiss below his jaw.

"I missed you too. Tell me about the road trip."

"What do you want to know?" Edward asked, his hands rubbing circles on my stomach.

"Tell me everything."

Edward proceeded to tell me about his games as he massaged my back and shoulders. I tried to protest, insisting that I should be the one giving him a massage, but he ignored me, turning my insides to mush when he said he missed holding me in his arms. There were only three weeks left in the regular season, and the Mariners were definitely going to the play-offs. Edward wasn't sure who they were going to face yet, but he said that Minnesota and New York were leading their divisions. The only one they were unsure about was the wild card. It was between Boston and Chicago. He started talking about the NL too, but he lost me there.

"Let me wash you?" Edward asked softly.

"Only if I get to do the same."

I sighed as Edward's hands began to wander and wash my skin, making me ache even more for him in return. He continued to tell me about the road trip as he rubbed my legs.

"They were all big wins," he said as he rubbed my upper thighs like it was nothing, "We beat Oakland and L.A. who are in our division so we pretty much locked down first place."

His fingers grazed my swollen nub and I moaned loudly as Edward continued on as if nothing happened.

"Edward…"

"Hm?" He responded, stilling his hands on my stomach.

I only whimpered in response and his hands began to move again.

"Was there something you wanted?" He whispered in my ear as his fingers began to trace along my lower lips, barely skimming over my clit.

"More…please…" I panted out, as his fingers began to press against me firmly.

I could feel my hips thrust up against his hand and Edward groaned as I rubbed up against him. I was lost in the feelings that were coursing through my body and my eyes fluttered closed as Edward began to press back against me, his hips moving with mine. Our moans were loud in the bathroom and were all I could really hear as the water sloshed around us from our movements. It didn't take long for me to feel the familiar tightening and surging pleasure that I had been missing. I cried out loudly, surprised by the intensity and suddenness of my orgasm. Edward groaned loudly, pressing his face into my hair and pressing my body to his as I felt his body shudder behind mine. His grip on my body remained tight as we both slumped back.

"Well…that…was…unexpected…" Edward panted against my ear.

My laugh was weak, but I turned my head as best I could and pressed a kiss to Edward's neck.

"I think I need a shower now," I said softly, a smile on my lips. That bath was practically pointless.

Edward agreed and we took a very quick and controlled shower. It didn't escape my notice that Edward was already getting ready for a round two. While I brushed my teeth Edward said he would make sure the dogs were set for the night. Since I was no longer on the antibiotics (and my body was still aching for Edward's), pajamas seemed like a moot point. My eyes widened and my heart sank a bit when Edward walked back into the bedroom and into the bathroom with a pair of pajama pants hanging low off his waist.

I sighed, not particularly wanting to move from under the sheets where I had snuggled myself in waiting for Edward to come and keep me warm instead. Just as I was slipping out of the edge of the bed, Edward turned out the light in the bathroom, leaving the lamp on the bedside table as the only light in the room.

"Where are you going?" He asked as he walked towards the closet and started to push his pajamas down his hips.

"Um…" was all I was able to get out for a moment as I was distracted by Edward's naked form. I don't know that he ever really had a problem being naked in front of anyone, but I had certainly come a long way. As long as it was only Edward who was seeing me naked that it.

"Um?" Edward smirked as he walked back towards the bed. I quickly averted my eyes towards the ground. I gasped when Edward crouched down in front of me and kissed my lips softly.

"Why so shy love?" He whispered against my lips, "Nothing's changed. And I'm not about to walk around the apartment naked while I make sure Jake and Nessie have enough water and all the doors are locked."

I couldn't help but giggle softly and Edward placed a soft kiss on the tip of my nose. Slowly he eased me back under the covers and soon joined me on his side of the bed. Being sick had sucked in the worst way, and even though Edward had stayed with me through the worst of it, it still felt like we were separated. And then his road trip came along, and even though it was only a week, I still felt like he'd been gone forever. We both let out soft sighs as we turned and faced each other on our sides.

Edward raised his hand and softly began to caress my cheek.

"My beautiful Bella…" He murmured.

I smiled and turned my head, kissing his palm. My brows furrowed when I noticed Edward smiling, but his gaze focused on something behind my head.

"What are you smiling about?" I asked.

Edward's gaze turned back to me and he gave me that crooked smile of his that I swear one day is going to cause my heart to combust. He leaned forward and pressed a soft kiss to my lips.

"It's twelve eleven in the morning," he grinned.

"And?" I responded, confused as to where he was going with this.

"It's technically Monday."

Oh. When I didn't respond, Edward leaned forward and kissed me again before pressing his forehead against mine.

"Happy Birthday Isabella."

I sighed and moved forward to snuggle closer towards Edward. Then he had to go and say the one thing that would make me push back and scowl up at him.

"I want to give you the first of your presents."

Presents. Plural!

"Edward!" I huffed, "I thought you said you only had one and that you weren't going to spend money!"

He chuckled, "I promise I didn't spend a cent on either one, and the first one…I guess you could say I've wanted to give it to you for a while."

"Really?" I asked, completely confused. It wasn't like we did the monthly anniversary celebratory thing, and Christmas wasn't anywhere close.

He gave me a smile before he rolled over and scooted towards the bedside table on his side. I heard the drawer open and close and Edward took a deep breath and exhaled loudly before turning back to face me, keeping his arm with what I assumed was his present behind his back.

"Isabella Marie Swan, do you know how much I love you?"

I couldn't help but smile, "I think I have an idea."

Edward inched closer on his elbow, leaving a small space between us.

"You changed me. Saved me from the path I was on…one that could've led to some particularly bad situations. You helped me to find who I am again, and made me believe that I deserved to live and be happy…and find love. I love you so much Bella, and I meant what I said. Your birthday is an incredibly important day to me. Without you, there are so many lives that would never have been the same, that would never have turned out in the ways that they did. Everyone that you meet, you make their life better just by being a part of it. I would never be the man I am today, if you hadn't been born."

I could feel my eyes water at his words. We had been through so much in the seemingly short amount of time we had been together. More than any other couple I knew had ever been through, more than most would ever see in a lifetime. Edward smiled at me before continuing.

"Bella, you've given me hope and dreams again. I know there are still a lot of things that I need to decide about the future and baseball, but every road I look down, there's one thing that is always constant and always there…and that's you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you."

I watched Edward's arm as he slowly brought it from behind his back. His long fingers easily opened the box as he placed it between us. I couldn't stop the loud gasp from escaping my lips, nor the tears that began to pour down my cheeks. His voice was soft, but it seemed to echo loudly in my ears.

"Marry me Bella."

Well? Yes? No? Like you all don't know what Bella's going to say… :-P

#1. Still traveling all over the place. My layover in Chicago did provide me with some time to write, but sweet geezus is that airport huge! I think I spent half my layover walking from my arrival gate to my next flight. And I passed through Texas for the first time in my life. Dallas also has a ridiculously huge airport.

#2. Admittedly, I think this could've gotten finished earlier, but I was working on the story I have planned for after I finish this one. And mulling over another one-shot to add on to my "Setting It All Up" story. Author alert anyone? :-P

#3. Kind of pissed Rob Pattinson beat Johnny Depp for the MTV Global Superstar award. Johnny is a solid #1 on my list, so I was kind of sad. Not that I don't love Rob and his speech was cute. And the "Bad A$$ Cops" thing at the beginning cracked me up. Jackson looked flipping hot also and Peter's epic bleep fail speech was hilarious.

#4. Let me know what you guys thought, good or bad, pretty please? Next chapter I'll take us back to Edward's POV and the rest of Bella's birthday celebrations. And I seriously love Edward's other gift… :-P