A/N - Happy Saturday! They have changed the review reply system. They act live private messages, now, so in order for me to reply, you have to have the private messaging feature enabled in your account settings. I'm still not a fan of it, but I guess I have to change with the times! Thank you all so much for reading! Enjoy!

Chapter 35 - Counselling and Communication

BPOV

It was a great sermon, and only lasted about an hour. I could definitely handle an hour or so every week here. I felt happy and uplifted, like everything was right, and that we could face anything together. What I liked the best about this church, was that the minister wasn't preaching rights and wrongs, but gave us motivation on how to live a better life.

It really seemed like Pastor Weber was a good man. He was going to be the man that would marry us, and I was looking forward to meeting with him. After the service was over, Rosie and Em both gave me a hug.

"I know your parents are coming by this afternoon, but would you like to stop in for lunch?" Rosie asked. "I'll have it ready in about an hour, at around noon, and then that way, you don't have to worry about cooking before they get here."

"Sure," I agreed. "That would be great, actually. Thank you." Rosie was such a sweet person. We were so lucky to have her in our lives.

"Thanks, honey," Edward said, kissing her cheek. "I'm just going to run Bella out to the barn that you suggested for the reception, and we'll be over."

We said our goodbyes, before Edward took my hand. "Would you like to meet Pastor Weber?" he asked.

I smiled at him, happy that he was feeling so comfortable here, again. "I would love to," I told him, squeezing his hand. We walked up to the front of the church and I smiled as I saw the minister with whom I presumed were his wife and daughter.

Mr. Weber was about the same height as Edward, had sandy blonde hair, a full beard and moustache and was a little on the heavier side. He seemed almost jolly, and was laughing as he talked with his wife.

Mrs. Weber had chin length red hair, that was perfectly styled into curls. She was a petite woman and was wearing a peach coloured dress with shoulder pads, and white high heels. She seemed like a nice woman, and was holding her daughter's hand.

The little girl looked to be about ten years old. She had long brown hair, and little wire framed glasses. She was a beautiful child, and by the way she looked down, I could tell she was shy.

"Good morning, Mr. Cullen. I can say I was pleasantly surprised to see you here with us this morning," Pastor Weber said, enthusiastically, patting Edward's shoulder. "It's been quite some time."

I smiled at Mrs. Weber, and she returned it with a friendly smile of her own. The little girl was looking up at Edward, and blushing. It was sweet, and I couldn't blame her. Edward was not only gorgeous, he had a confident air about him, and it made him even that much more appealing.

"Yeah, sorry about that," Edward chuckled. "You know how life goes sometimes." The minister nodded his head in support and I really appreciated that he was so accepting and understanding of Edward. He could have easily judged him, but he didn't, and I think that it showed what a truly nice man he was.

"I see you've brought a guest, today," Pastor Weber said, smiling at me.

"You'll be seeing her a lot," Edward said, smiling at me. "Pastor, this is my beautiful fiancé, Bella Swan. Bella, this is Pastor Isaac Weber, his lovely wife, Karen, and is this little Angela?" Edward shook his head, and looked at me. "I guess it has been a while. She was only about knee high the last time I was here."

I smiled at how Angela's cheeks were bright red at the attention. "It's so nice to meet you all," I said, reaching forward to shake their hands, even little Angela's. She smiled up at me, happy that I had included her.

"Fiancé?" the pastor said, smiling at me. "Pardon my nosiness, but you're not from around here, are you?"

I laughed, softly. "No, I'm from the city," I told him.

"A long distance relationship?" he asked.

"Oh, um, no," Edward said. "She moved out here with me a few weeks ago."

Pastor Weber smiled at me, and nodded his head. I sort of had the feeling that they didn't believe in couples living together prior to marriage, but they didn't say anything. I wasn't sure if it was going to be an issue, or not, but I guessed we'd find out.

"Anyway," Edward said. "We're going to be getting married on December 5 of this year, and we were hoping to have the ceremony in this church."

"Well, that would be lovely," Mrs. Weber said, smiling at me. "Congratulations."

"I would be happy to perform the ceremony," the pastor said, smiling at us. "But, I would like to meet with you two in the coming weeks. I counsel all my couples prior to their weddings."

Edward fidgeted a little and looked over at me. I smiled up at him and squeezed his hand. I knew what he was thinking. He was nervous that the minister would question our relationship because it was happening so fast. He didn't want to be judged. I knew that our relationship was the one thing he was confident about in his life and he didn't want that challenged. I knew how much it bothered him when his dad passed judgement on us the night before. Edward had dealt with that his entire life, and he didn't want to have to go through that again.

I knew, however, that Edward and I were meant to be. I was one hundred percent confident in our relationship, and I was alright with the idea of explaining this to the pastor.

"That's fine," I told him. "Do we need to make an appointment?"

"I'm available early this week," Pastor Weber suggested.

"I have to work," Edward said, quickly.

"Would you mind if I called you later in the week, when I know when we're available?" I asked. I wanted to get Edward back in the truck and talk to him.

"No, that would be fine. I'm in the phone book," he said, smiling warmly at us. We said our goodbyes and Edward hurried us out of the church.

He walked up to the truck and kicked the front tire. "Shit," he said under his breath. I looked around the parking lot, glad that it was mostly cleared out by now, so Edward and I could talk privately.

He leaned his back against the truck and I walked up to him, taking both of his hands in mine. "What's wrong?" I asked.

"I don't want to go to counselling," he said, pretty close to pouting.

"Is that's what's bothering you?" I asked, wanting him to tell me on his own what was making him upset.

"Well, that, and, I don't know, Bella," he sighed. "What if he thinks it's too soon?"

"The wedding?" I asked, and he nodded. "It doesn't matter. That's what we want. Plus, I'm the one that wanted to do it so soon, not you, so don't worry about that." I looked up at his face, I knew there was something else on his mind. "What else?"

Edward looked down at our hands. "I just don't want him to make you doubt me." He said, quietly.

I brought his big, callused hand up to my lips, and placed a long kiss on the back of it. "You know that would never happen. I love you so much; more than anyone on earth," I told him. "I don't think it's a big deal. He probably just wants to know who he's marrying. He knows you, but he's only met me for all for two minutes."

Edward stepped forward, setting his hand on my cheek, and leaning in to press a soft kiss to my lips. "I love you, Bella," he said. "I know I'm probably overreacting, I'm just nervous."

"Well, you can nervous about anything else, but never, ever be nervous about me changing my mind," I told him. "You're stuck with me." I wrapped my arms around his stomach, and kissed his chest.

"I'm a lucky guy," he said, kissing the top of my head. "Um, you want to go check out the barn?"

"I would love to, Edward," I told him. Edward helped me into truck, spanking my bum, before I sat down. I giggled, as Edward closed the door, and came around the front of the truck. He hopped in and I scooted over to sit right beside him. He smiled at me, before starting the ignition, and backing out of the lot. We drove back towards the farm, but turned left down a secondary road before we reached Em and Rosie's place.

As we drove, I was running my hand up and down the inside of Edward's thigh. He pulled off in front a huge red barn. It looked to be two storeys high with a big green roof. There was a big wooden balcony around the second floor.

"It's really big inside," Edward said. "They have communities dances, and things like that here."

"It's really pretty," I said, smiling.

"Yeah, just picture it all covered in snow," Edward said. "'Cause the snow's going to start by the end on the month, and, sunshine, it gets deep out here."

"I think it's going to look gorgeous," I told him. I pulled my skirt up, and got up to straddle Edward's thighs, facing him. He chuckled, as I started unbuttoning his shirt. I leaned down and started licking his chest, pressing kisses all over his skin.

"Bella," he sighed. "I'm okay. You don't need to do this."

"Yes, I do," I said, in between kisses.

Not only did I want to show him how much I loved him, and wanted to marry him, but after today in church, the conversation with the pastor, and after everything we had shared this morning about our pasts, I felt like I needed to be connected to him.

I pulled off my cardigan and Edward smiled, before he leaned down to start kissing my shoulder and neck. He brought his face down to my cleavage, kissing my over heated skin. Edward put his hands on my bum, pulling my body close to his, making us both groan. We moved together as I brought my lips back to his. We were fooling around like a couple of teenagers in the truck, but it just felt so necessary right now. We needed to got lost in this moment together; to forget everything, and everyone else in the world. We were Edward and Bella, and we were in love. Nothing else mattered.

EPOV

The feeling of Bella's body pressed into mine was amazing. It was more than that; it was everything. This was exactly what I needed.

I don't even know why I reacted the way I did when Pastor Weber told us we needed to meet with him prior to the wedding. I just panicked. I was so tired of everyone trying to tell Bella that I wasn't good enough for her. From Bella's professor, to her parents, and then, we had just dealt with all the shit with my dad the night before.

I didn't doubt that she loved me. I doubted myself. I always doubted that I was good enough for her. She was just so perfect. She was amazing. Over the last few weeks, I had come to realize how perfect we were for each other. She loved me, despite all my crazy issues, and shortcomings. Bella had agreed to marry me, and we were going to have a family together one day.

I had put all my doubts behind me, and I was ready to look ahead. But when the pastor suggested pre marriage counselling, I just sort of panicked. All those old insecurities resurfaced.

It was really immature of me, and I knew it, but I couldn't help it. I finally, after twenty six years of unhappiness, had something in my life worth living for. And I was wary of anything, or anyone that could take that from me.

But, Bella, being the amazing woman that she was, told me that I nothing to worry about. And she wasn't just saying it, either. I could see in her eyes how much she meant it; how much she loved me. Bella was the perfect woman for me, and I would love her 'til the day I died.

I had taken her to see the barn, and the church, she seemed to love them both. Our wedding looked like it was going to happen, and I couldn't have been happier.

Bella dropped her head on my shoulder, her hips finally still, and just breathed her sweet, warm breath on my neck. "I love you, Edward," she whispered, before kissing my salty skin.

"I love you, too," I told her. "And I'm really sorry about this morning."

"Edward, no," she said, sitting up to look into my eyes. "Never apologize for how you feel. And don't hide your feelings from me either. I love you, and that means we'll deal with it. Once we talk things out, things make sense, right?"

"Right," I agreed, smiling at her. I brought my hands up and ran my fingers through her long, pretty hair. "You are so beautiful." I traced the back of my fingers over her now flushed cheeks. "And the brains of the operation."

She laughed, before kissing my lips. "Thank you. Now, I've worked up quite the appetite."

I chuckled at how cute she was. "Okay, sexy. Get back in your seat. Let's go home and change and then we'll go eat," I told her.

"You just want to get me back into our bedroom, don't you?" she teased, using my shoulders, to lift herself off of me and sit back in her seat.

"Maybe," I told her, winking. I really just wanted to get out of these clothes, but if Bella wanted have some fun before lunch, then I did, too.

On the drive back home down the gravel road to the house, Bella looked over at me. "So, you're working with Em this week, loading the cattle?" she asked.

"Yeah, but I'm guessing it won't take all week," I told her. "Thursday at the latest."

"Okay. Would you like to talk to Pastor Weber on Friday?" she asked. "I'd like to get that done and out of the way. I don't want you to worry about."

"Friday sounds okay," I told her, as I parked in front of the house.

"I was thinking maybe we could just have him over for lunch, or dinner?" she suggested. "That might make us feel more comfortable."

I smiled as she said 'us.' I knew she meant that I would be more comfortable with the marriage counselling, but she didn't say it. She always made me feel that we would face things together. Bella was so amazing.

"Um, yeah. You can ask him," I said. "Maybe lunch?" I was thinking about taking Bella out for dinner, or something on Friday night. I wanted to spoil her. Plus I had been working all last week with Em and had another long week ahead of me. I hated leaving her that long. I missed her.

"Lunch it is," she said, smiling. "I'll call him tomorrow."

"Okay," I said, hopping out of the truck. I went around to her side, and carried her out of the truck. I walked up the porch and she had her legs wrapped around my hips.

She was giggling and smiling, and I loved seeing her so happy and carefree. "I left my sweater in the truck," she said, as I unlocked the front door.

"It'll be there when we get back," I told her. I reached down to scruff the dog behind the ears, before carrying my girl up the stairs to our bedroom.

I set her on the bed, and we were both naked in ten seconds flat. She giggled as I climbed on the bed to join her. I kissed her body, everywhere. I wanted her to feel how much I loved her, adored her and needed her.

But, Bella had other things on her mind. "Come on, cowboy," she breathed, grabbing at my shoulders. "I need you, and we have to go to lunch in like ten minutes."

I chuckled, moving up to kiss her lips. "Lunch can always wait," I said, leaning in to suck at her collarbone.

We ended up being fifteen minutes late for lunch, but Rosie didn't mind. After making love to my beautiful fiancé, We had both gotten dressed in jeans, and I threw on a plaid shirt, rolling the cuffs, and leaving it half way unbuttoned.

Bella put on a white tank and a white and blue plaid shirt overtop, tucking it in, and showing off her tiny waist. She pulled her hair up into a high ponytail, showing off her pretty neck and gorgeous face. She was so damn sexy and she didn't even realize it.

We brought Seth with us, and drove back to Em and Rosie's. "Just went home to change, huh?" Em teased us, making Bella blush and give away what we were really doing.

"Yeah, yeah," I laughed, before taking another bite of Rosie's delicious shepherd's pie.

"So, Pastor Weber married you guys, right?" I asked. Bella and I had talked this out, and I felt better about this pre wedding counselling session, but I figured it wouldn't hurt to know what we would be facing.

"Yes he did. We got married in that church, too," Rosie said, smiling. "Did you meet him, Bella?"

"Yeah. He seems really nice," she said to Rosie, even though she was looking at me.

I could tell that she was checking to see if I was alright with her talking her about what the pastor had talked to us about. I nodded at her, thinking she was going to bring up the counselling, but she surprised me with what she said.

"Um, did you guys live together before you got married?" she asked.

"No, we didn't," Em told her. "But we got married right out of high school, so we literally went from our parents houses to this one."

"Um, I don't know a lot about religious beliefs and stuff, but when Edward told Pastor Weber that I was living out here with him, he hesitated a little," Bella explained. "It was almost like he didn't approve of the fact that we had taken that step, before marriage." She let out a breath. "I mean, that's just the impression I got. He didn't actually say anything like that."

I reached over and held her hand. She hadn't mentioned anything to me about that, but I was glad that she felt comfortable enough to talk to Em and Rosie about it. She smiled at me, before she leaned over to kiss me.

"Well, if you are going with traditional beliefs, no, you shouldn't be living together or having sex before you're married," Rosie explained. I looked over at Bella and she was nodding her head, and looked to be deep in thought.

"But, we are," Bella said. "Do you think we'll still be welcomed in the church? Is that why people were looking at me?"

I was going to get after her when we got home. She made me tell her what was bothering me, but she didn't do the same. She was obviously way better at hiding her concerns than I was.

"Bella, look," Em said. "Everyone's situation is different. Edward invited you to live out here because you guys are in love, and you didn't have anywhere else to go. I find it hard to believe that God would disapprove of that."

I smiled at his explanation, and looked over at Bella. She had tears in her eyes, as she listened to him, nodding her head.

"Honey, they were looking at you for three reasons. The first is because you're beautiful, the second is that you're new in town and Edward has been a recluse for so many years," Em said, making me laugh. "And the third reason, is that they are damn nosy."

We all laughed when he said that, even though Rosie slapped his arm. He just shrugged, and mouthed 'It's true.'

"Weber told us that he wanted to talk to us before the wedding for some kind of pre marriage counselling," I added, pulling Bella over to sit on my lap. I wrapped my arms tightly around her, and held her close. I needed her. "What do you think? Should we just go to Vegas?"

Bella laughed, and Em and Rosie shook their heads. "No. We had to do the counselling thing, too," Rosie told us.

"Yeah, it's not that bad. He just tells you to communicate, because letting things fester will only cause fights, when you could have resolved them easily before hand," Em said. "Stuff like that. It's mostly just advice. I wouldn't worry about it."

My friends were amazing. After hugs, goodbyes and thank yous, Bella and I headed out to the yard. Em had Rosie's horse, Bumblebee, out and saddled for us. Bella was going to drive the truck home, and I was going to follow with the horse.

"Are you okay?" I asked her, stopping her by the truck. "You know, about the whole living together thing?" I wanted to hear her concerns, too.

She smiled at me, before kissing my chest. "I am," she said, looking me in the eyes. "I love you and I know what we have is right for us." I kissed her soft lips, making her smile. That was all I needed to hear.