Jacob's eyes drift closed while Edward and I slip out of his bedroom. He stared at us wide-eyed and bemused as Edward explained that he was going to Europe. Even now, I'm not sure he really understood what was going on. He was half asleep throughout the whole conversation, but I'd rather have that than have him wake up for school to find Edward had left without a word.

I cling to Edward out on the porch, not caring that Jasper and Emmett are waiting in the car.

"I wish you didn't have to go," I say, sighing against his lips.

He cradles my face in his hands, sweeping his thumbs over my cheeks. "That makes two of us." His lips provide welcome warmth against the frigid air surrounding us. I moan lightly when his tongue sweeps into my mouth. I feel his smile and can't help reciprocating.

Our smiles fade quickly when he pulls back and gazes at me. "I'll call you ten times a day," he says. "And during the night too if I can't sleep." Our smiles return.

The car engine revs a little, making us groan ruefully before indulging in one last lingering kiss.

"I'll miss you," I tell him as he trudges down the steps. Keeping his eyes on me, he walks backwards for a few steps. I smile sadly but then it drops from my face when he stops abruptly and starts walking back to me.

"Come with me," he says, gripping my shoulders.

I blink in confusion. "What? I can't. Jacob is still sleeping and we're not packed or anything."

"I can arrange for the jet to come back for you on Sunday." His face lights up with the possibility of it. "Think about it. We'll be in London until Tuesday, and then I think we're headed to France then Italy... or vice versa, and then–"

I put my finger to his lips. "Edward, as tempting as that sounds it's not feasible. Jacob doesn't have a passport." His brow furrows, and his face falls with disappointment. "Besides, you'll be working all the time, and Jacob and I would just get in the way."

He shakes his head. "No you wouldn't."

The car revs again.

I pull him down for a quick kiss. "You'll only be gone for a couple of weeks. We can take Jacob to Europe some other time."

I feel bad for him when he finally lets me go and walks to the car with slumped shoulders.

After the car has gone, a lone bird chirps in the tree to signal the dawn of my last full day in Forks.

Jacob wakes in a foul mood which has probably been brought on from tiredness and Edward's departure. I manage to coax him out of it with promises that Edward will be joining us in Florida soon, and the prospect of spending time with Renee and his old friends seems to help too. By the time we reach the school gates the only thing bothering him is the bunch of flowers he has to carry into school for his teacher.

"Can't you take them to the office or something?" he asks, glowering down at the bright bouquet in his arms.

I look across the school yard and see countless other boys carrying flowers and gift bags. "Look," I say, turning him gently to face the railings. "You're not the only one."

He clicks his tongue in annoyance, and his shoulders remain slumped as he trudges off with the bouquet dangling by his side. My warning to be careful not to trail them across the ground earns me a murderous glance over his shoulder.

"I used to hate it when my mom made me take flowers for the teacher."

I turn at the sound of Mike's voice to see him grinning at me as Amy and Louise rush past me with a quick, "Hi Bella". They are both proudly carrying flowers, cradling the bouquets lovingly in their arms as they scurry through the gates.

"Hey," I greet Mike and turn away from the railings and Jacob's retreating form, which reminds me so very much of how Edward looked this morning.

"No Edward?" he asks, bending his knees a little as he glances into my car.

I shake my head. "He had to go to Europe this morning," I say, unable to keep the frown from my face. Mike's brow furrows. "A work related emergency," I elaborate with a shrug.

He shoves his hands in his pockets and regards me for a long moment before speaking. "Today's your last day, right?"

I nod, unable to voice my confirmation.

"You got plans?"

"Just some last minute packing up. Edward arranged for someone to come by later and take the last of my stuff to his apartment in Seattle. Oh, and I have a couple of loads of trash to get rid of," I tell him. "All riveting stuff."

"Anything I can help with?" he asks, leaning on my car.

"Not really, but if you're free I'd love some company."

Mike follows me in his car and when we arrive he makes a call to work. I scowl at him when I realise that he's taking the day off to spend time with me, but inside I'm secretly pleased that we'll have a few hours together before I leave.

I tell him about Edward's trip to Europe while he helps me drag boxes of junk out onto the porch. The house is mostly bare except for the few bits of furniture that Sam and Emily wanted to keep. While the percolator is bubbling, I gaze around the empty kitchen, noticing the wallpaper and the cracked linoleum for the first time since I got here. With everything packed away it looks shabby and dated. I already know that Sam and Leah intend to rip out the cabinets and start again.

"What are you doing for lunch and dinner?" Mike asks, spotting that the fridge is empty except for the bottle of milk I take out for our coffee.

"I'm taking Jacob to the diner for lunch and Sue invited us over for dinner tonight," I reply, handing him his cup. "Hey, why don't you and the girls join us for lunch?"

"Yeah, they'd like that." He accepts with a smile.

After our coffee break, we fill both cars up with trash sacks, and junk and it only takes one run to the recycling unit instead of the two I had anticipated.

When we arrive back, I head upstairs to finish packing the bags in preparation for bringing them downstairs. Mike makes himself comfortable on the bed while I go through the drawers to make sure I haven't forgotten anything.

"It's funny how things turn out," Mike remarks while I'm dragging our bags out of the closet.

"What?" I ask over my shoulder.

"I used to wonder what your bedroom looked like," he says. "Back when I had a crush on you... and here I am years later lying on your bed."

I turn to find him grinning at me.

I laugh. "Ewww, this isn't where you tell me you had fantasies about me is it?"

He winks. "I was a hormonal teenager. I had fantasies about half of the girls in Forks." He clasps his hands behind his head. "But relax, you weren't my star turn." He clasps his hands behind his head and waggles his eyebrows at me. "I'm glad I never made a move on you."

"Why didn't you?" I ask, realising that I probably knew he had a thing for me back in high school. "I mean there was that time you and Jessica split up for a month. We got pretty close then."

"I could say I liked you too much as a friend," he says with a smile. "That's what all the guys say, right?"

I can't help but laugh. "Yeah, I guess. So why didn't you?"

"I knew you weren't into me. I didn't want the rejection." He starts off jokingly, but then he sobers and stares at me. "And I really didn't want to ruin our friendship."

"It got ruined anyway," I point out.

He turns onto his side and props himself up on his elbow. "I hated doing that, but I really loved Jess and I just wanted to make her happy."

"I know," I say. "I'm not condemning you for it. I just wish you hadn't had to make a choice."

I remember what Edward said in the meadow the other day about leaving my bad memories behind and it lifts my spirits.

"I have a confession to make," I tell him. He quirks an eyebrow at me. "Remember that first time I ran into you outside your shop not long after I came back to Forks?" He nods. "I didn't want to stop and talk to you that day. I didn't want anything to do with anyone from the past so I was trying to get rid of you."

He sits up and laughs heartily. "You think I didn't know that?" He gets up off the bed and comes towards me. "You looked so sad that day... and kinda lost. If it hadn't been for that I would've just left you alone, but you looked like you could use a friend."

"Thank you for persevering, even though I didn't deserve it. If it wasn't for you, I think I would've got everything wrong with Edward. You made me see things from his point of view, and if I hadn't had that perspective, I doubt I'd be standing here now getting ready to go and spend my life with him."

He clamps his hand to my shoulder. "Are you sure you're doing the right thing?" he asks, concern evident in his eyes. "You seem to be giving up everything to move out here."

My smile never falters. "I have everything to gain." I stoop and grab the handle of the suitcase. "Besides, this is a conversation I'll be having with my mom in a couple of days. Please don't make me have it twice." I look at him pointedly, and he holds his hands up in surrender.

"Okay," he says. "I had to ask. I just want you to be happy Bella. You deserve it."

I look up into his kind face. I open my mouth to speak, but my lips tremble and he pulls me into his arms. He tells me he'll miss me and soothes me while I struggle to compose myself. I look back up at him with warm cheeks.

"I'm sorry," I offer, feeling foolish. "It's not like I won't see you again."

He brushes a tear from beneath my eye. "I know, but it does feel like the end of an era."

He carries the cases downstairs for me and leaves them in the living room. We take Mike's car to pick the kids up, and they are delighted when we tell them we're going to the diner for lunch.

Jacob was a little quiet when he came out of the school gates and said goodbye to his new friends, but I can see by the way he's talking animatedly with Louise that he's perked up. It's just another reason to be glad of Mike's friendship.

We linger over our drinks long after the meal has finished, and it's late afternoon when Mike drives us home. All that's left to do is say goodbye.

His girls wait in the car,and Jacob heads straight into the house while Mike holds me on the porch. I kiss his chin when he kisses my forehead and tears threaten again when I watch him leave.

Jacob throws himself on the couch and switches the TV on. I flop down beside him and stare at the screen while he channel surfs. He leaps up when there is a knock on the door. I grab his hand and tell him to sit down. He shoots me a curious glance, but I insist that I'll get it.

I'm relieved to see Alice through the glass as I make my way down the hallway. Her smile is a little tight when I open the door.

"Hi," she says, making no move to come in.

I invite her in, and her smile widens as she steps into the hall beside me.

Jacob pops his head around the doorway, "Hi Aunt Alice," he says with a wave. Alice beams at him.

Jacob goes back to the TV when I lead Alice into the kitchen.

"I'd offer you coffee," I say. "But I used the last of the milk for my own. Sorry."

"It's okay," she says, waving the apology away with a flutter of her hand. She glances at my bags resting against the wall. "What time do you leave tomorrow?"

"Edward's arranged for a car to pick us up at six."

Her head bobs, and our conversation stalls. I lean back on the counter and fold my arms across my chest. She stares blankly at the bags for a few moments before finally turning to me.

"I'm going to see Dad today," she says finally. Her eyes meet mine. "I wanted to come and tell you so you won't have to worry about him turning up here." She rakes her fingers through her hair and frowns. "I'm going to stay at his place tonight... I need to talk to him about all this and try to make some sense..." Her jaw tightens and she shakes her head a little. "I'm sorry, you don't need to know all this... I'm just–"

I move towards her. "Alice, I appreciate that you're trying to put my mind at ease. I don't need you to apologise on behalf of your dad."

She looks at me sadly. "I think we're all having to adjust to this. Mom is in bits about it... I can't believe that he would be so cruel." She looks away and trains her gaze on something beyond the window. "I suppose you could say it shouldn't have been a surprise, but it really was. I need to go there tonight and try to make some sense of how this man who's loved me all my life could be so cruel and horrible and I never saw it."

Again, she shakes her head as if clearing it of nasty thoughts. "Anyway, I just wanted to let you know that there won't be a repeat performance of last week's altercation."

"Thank you," I say, unable to say anything further. I don't want to hear about how blind the Cullens have been. It makes it worse, not better.

She must sense my reluctance because she tells me she should go, and I follow her to the door. She ducks into the living room and says a quick goodbye to Jacob, wishing him a safe journey and telling him she can't wait to see more of him when we move to Seattle. Jacob accepts her hug eagerly before turning his attention back to the TV.

She hugs me on the porch. "I wish we could be friends again," she whispers before letting me go.

I feel a pang of guilt. I've forgiven myself, and I've forgiven Edward. Maybe it's time to forgive Alice too. I squeeze her arm. "I'll see you when I get back."

She smiles and hugs me again.

The rest of the day passes in a flurry of activity. Saying goodbye to the Clearwaters is just as difficult, and I'm glad to finally get away before I embarrass myself further.

Jacob goes to bed as soon as we get home, and I sit alone in the living room drinking wine and looking over old photographs that I put in an album. It helps to see Charlie with his dark hair and full, bushy moustache. This is how I want to remember him – and even though my smile trembles – it never fades while I look at each picture.

Clutching the album to my chest and still holding my wine glass, I head upstairs and open his bedroom door. I rest my hip on the door frame as I stare into the emptiness. I'd forgotten all about the camp bed and step tentatively into the room, wondering if I should strip it down now or leave it till morning. I sit down on it and pick up a pillow, bringing it to my nose to inhale Edward's scent which makes me feel better and gives me the strength to stay.

I set my glass on the floor and curl up on the bed. It was too dark to visit the cemetery by the time we left Sue's, but somehow this is better. I lie on my back and close my eyes. At first the memories are painful ones of his last few days: the smell of the room, the awful pained groans, his cold clammy skin beneath my fingers, the weak beat of his heart beneath my cheek. But as my mind casts further back I start to recall other things.

I remember Charlie sitting bare-chested in the bed listening to me talking. I can't remember what I was telling him, but his smile was wide and his eyes shone with pride as he listened to me. My smile widens at the memory of his laughter when Renee brought in coffee and burnt pancakes. She swatted his arm when he held one up and waved it in front of my face with a theatrical grimace.

I remember how happy I was when he kissed her cheek by way of apology and squeezed my hand at the same time. I thought we would always have mornings like that. Tears slip down my cheeks as I cry softly into the pillow. I never want to forget the sound of his laughter or how his moustache lifted when he smiled.

In the morning I wake up groggy as hell with a slight hangover. I've just finished packing the bed away when the car arrives at six a.m. to take us to Seattle. Jacob looks as listless as I feel when he sags onto the suitcase in the hallway. I usher him out onto the porch and deposit him on the bench while I make one final check that everything is switched off and locked up.

As I walk around the empty house for the last time I feel peaceful. I thought I would feel like I was leaving something fundamental behind, but I don't. I know that I'm taking Charlie with me. Leah and Sam will transform the house and there will be no trace of Charlie left, but it doesn't matter, it's only bricks and mortar. Charlie is not part of this house, he is part of me.

I put the keys through the letterbox and don't look back.

Due to the late booking, the only flights we could get include a connection in Atlanta. It's almost nine p.m. when we arrive in Jacksonville. Jacob, who has been grouchy for the whole day, perks up when we walk across the tarmac to the terminal. We pick up our bags at the baggage claim, and Jacob trots happily beside me while we make our way out to find Renee.

I spot Phil first when he raises his hand to wave at us. Renee darts out from behind the people standing in front of us and rushes forward, her smile almost as wide as her outstretched hands.

Jacob yells "Nana!" and hurtles into her arms.

They squeeze each other so tightly they both go red and then I watch, smiling, as she kisses every inch of his face. "I missed you so much." She stands and holds him at arms length. "You've grown!" she exclaims.

Jacob preens under her gaze. "All my pants got too short," he tells her proudly. "Mom had to buy me new ones."

Renee ruffles his hair as he steps away and turns to greet Phil. She straightens, lifting her eyes to me, and a loving smile spreads across her face. "You look great," she says, her eyes roaming down my body. "You've put on some weight."

I look down frowning. "Have I?"

Her laugh is light and melodic as she pulls me into her arms and presses her face into my hair. She squeezes me tight for the longest time. "You were too thin last time I saw you. I'm so happy to see you looking..." She pulls back and looks into my eyes. "Happy. You look like you're happy."

"I am." I smile.

She shoots me a knowing look that tells me we'll be discussing this at length later.

I hear a broad chuckle behind me and turn to see Jacob wrapped in Phil's arms. Phil opens his arms wider, and I step into his embrace alongside Jacob. "It's good to have you back," he says, squeezing my shoulder. He looks down at Jacob. "Tomorrow, we need to pitch some balls and get in some batting practice. I bet you're really rusty, J."

Jacob beams up at him. "I've been practicing with my dad. I'm still good, but I want to buy a soccer ball. Dad bought me an A C Milan shirt. They're an Italian soccer team... they call it football in Europe though. Did you know that?"

Phil laughs and nods. Jacob doesn't shut up all the way to Renee's house.

Renee insists we spend the night at her house, arguing that there's no point in us going back to an empty apartment when she'd just follow us there anyway. Jacob is ecstatic when I agree, and spends over an hour regaling Phil and Renee with all his news about the school play. I curl up beside Renee, sipping my wine while she rubs my arm affectionately.

After Jacob goes to bed, Phil leaves us alone together, and she wraps her arm around my shoulder and rests her feet on the coffee table next to mine. "I'm so proud of you," she says with a contented sigh. "I was so worried about you when you went to Forks." She smoothes her fingers through my hair and kisses my temple. "You did good, baby."

"I missed you so much, Mom."

"Me too, sweetie. We'll have to make the most of the few weeks we have."

I detect the sadness in her tone and tilt my face up to look at her. She tries to smile but doesn't quite manage it. "Are you sure you're doing the right thing?" she asks.

"He's everything I want, Mom. He makes me feel... loved." I grimace at her, but she smiles knowingly. "He's given me a sense of belonging that I've never had before. I love him so much–"

Her wide smile stops me. "I remember how broken you were when you came to Phoenix. I was all set to hate him when I came to Forks, but the way you and Jacob talked about him... I could see you were falling and so I had to put my own feelings aside and try to see what you two were seeing."

I blush slightly. "And did you?"

"I saw a man who couldn't take his eyes off either of you. He had this look in his eyes... it was like pure longing and it was almost painful to look at." She leans back, sighing and twirling a lock of my hair as she looks at me. "You and Jacob had it too."

"Did we?"

"Remember how you thought I was setting you up with him that night we went to dinner?" I nod and she continues. "I wasn't. I wanted you to knock him dead. Let him see what he had thrown away. But when he arrived you lit up when you saw him. Sure you were shocked to see him, but your reaction to him was so telling." She takes my hand. "When he came to Forks after Jacob got in trouble, we talked a lot."

I narrow my eyes at her. "You grilled him didn't you?" I accuse.

"I just wanted to hear his side of the story."

"Did he tell you?"

"He was very honest and forthcoming... and carrying a whole lot of guilt around with him." She sighs harshly. "He probably deserved to feel guilty, but hearing how hollow his life has been was pretty hard to take. We were here enjoying Jacob—" She stops abruptly and kisses my knuckles. "I believed him when he told me all he wants is to spend his life taking care of you and Jacob."

"He said that to you?" I gasp.

"Yeah," she shrugs. "Right before he lamented the fact that you and Mike were together and he'd missed his chance." She chuckles a little. "I didn't bother to correct him. I thought it wouldn't do him any harm to think about that for a little while."

She leans forward and refills our glasses before handing one to me and clinking them together. "I knew he'd fight for you."

Nothing is ever black and white for Renee; it's all shades of grey. She never holds grudges and is always willing to forgive and forget if the person makes the right moves towards redemption. I think I'm more like Charlie than I realised. She forgave Edward in one conversation while it took me months to let go of the past.

We stay up talking long into the night, and in the morning we are both tired and wincing at the volume Jacob is emitting while he talks to Phil. I'd missed waking up to bright sunshine, and as soon as I step outside into the yard the heat envelops me.

Jacob follows me out, carrying his bowl of cereal, and sits at the table beneath the parasol.

"Can we go to the beach today?" he asks.

I laugh because there is a gate at the bottom of Renee's back yard that leads directly out onto the beach. "Just for a little while," I say. "We need to go back to the apartment this afternoon."

He nods and scoops a huge spoonful of cereal into his mouth, before making me laugh with his remark that it's nice to see the sky again.

I wind up returning to the apartment alone. Phil has taken Jacob to the beach and Renee suggests leaving him with them while I go back and get things ready. Driving through the familiar streets, I realise how much I missed the place. It's so bright and bustling and everything that Forks is not.

The entrance to our apartment is at the rear of the building, and I struggle with my bags as I climb the outer steps to get to it. There used to be another entrance from within the building, but when the restaurant owners stopped living in the apartment they blocked it up and had this one constructed instead.

A cool waft of musty air greets me when I swing the door open. Renee said she had aired the apartment yesterday, but judging by the stale smell, that probably entailed opening the windows for twenty minutes.

The apartment seems even smaller than it did before. I open the curtains in the living room and look around. Suddenly it's like seeing the place through fresh eyes. The sofa looks too large for the cramped confines of the ridiculously small room. The furniture consists of a dark oak coffee table that doesn't match the mahogany TV cabinet or pine book case. Most things I own are old relics salvaged from Renee's many redecorating ventures.

I walk through each room opening the windows, but the air is so warm and humid it does little to freshen the air. My heart sinks further when I look around the kitchen. My eyes fall on the scraped porcelain on the stove from my overzealous cleaning and the peeling paint on the cabinets.

I never really dwelt on these things before. Sure, I noticed them, but I was always too busy to actually expend any time or effort fixing things. It never mattered what my apartment looked like when I was always in a rush to get to work on time, or to get Jacob to school in the morning. Looking at it now though, I can see how tatty it is.

At least Jacob's room is presentable. Renee decorated it last year for his birthday, and it's the one room in the apartment that is bright and vibrant. I put clean sheets on his bed before heading to my own room. Since Jacob needed space for his toys, I took the small bedroom.

The wicker headboard on my double bed looks old-fashioned and doesn't match the white dresser that I brought when I moved out of Renee's house. There is an overstuffed crimson easy chair in one corner and a full length mirror in the other. I sit on the edge of my bed and scan the room. I wonder what Edward will make of it.

The only thing that bothered me about this apartment was that there was no garden for Jacob to play in. Jacob has never complained because he's never known anything else. Besides, he's spent a lot of evenings at Renee's or his friend's houses while I've been at work.

I push my disappointment at the state of my apartment aside and set about making my bed. I'm elbow deep in the duvet cover when my cell rings. A glance quickly at the screen and smile before answering. "You're only five hours ahead of me now," I say.

"I would've called sooner but I've been in meetings all day."

He sounds tired and despondent.

"Is everything alright?" I ask, concerned that things are not going well. When he called last night as soon as he arrived, he sounded much brighter than this.

His response is preceded by the sound of his breath rushing into the receiver. "It's been a nightmare trying to get these people to meet with us on the weekend. Thankfully, most of them are workaholics like us, so they finally agreed."

"But you won't be a workaholic for much longer," I say.

"I haven't been for a while," he counters. "Anyway, let's not talk about this. How was your journey? Is Jacob happy to be back?"

I lie on my bed and talk to him for over an hour. It feels a little strange talking to him in these surroundings, and I still can't imagine that soon he will be in this apartment with me: Something I never thought would happen.

Later, when Jacob is home, Edward rings again and Jacob tells him how much he misses him and can't wait for him to get here. That night I tuck Jacob into his own bed and his eyes scan the room.

"My room is smaller," he remarks, wrinkling his nose.

"It just seems that way," I tell him. "You've been used to the bigger rooms in Forks and Seattle."

He rolls onto his side and stares at me. "It's great to be back, but I wish Dad was here."

I sweep my hand over his hair. "I do too."

He nods, and I catch a fleeting glimpse of sadness in his eyes before he looks away.

I settle on the bed beside him, and he nestles his head on my chest. My fingers slide through his hair, massaging his scalp gently, and he sighs softly.

"I had a great time at the beach today," he says quietly. "It was better than the beach at La Push." He looks up at me. "It's better when the sun is out, and it's not so cold. Dad will like it better too."

The fact that he's used the word better three times in the same sentence does not escape me. "Yes, the beach is definitely more fun when it's warm and sunny." I squeeze his shoulder. "And I much prefer sand to pebbles."

I feel his smile.

Over the next couple of weeks, Jacob settles into a good summer routine which consists mainly of sleepovers with his friends and frequent trips to the beach. Bored for the first time in my life, my thoughts start to drift to college, and I spend a lot of time sitting at the tiny desk in my living room browsing prospectuses online. I can't decide which college to go to so I order as many as I can.

One lonely night after Jacob has gone to bed I sit alone in the living room thinking about my life. Mike's remark that I'm giving everything up to be with Edward plays over and over in my mind. Jacob loves it here, he has friends and Renee and Phil. He loves school here and likes nothing better than being able to go to the beach as often as he wants.

I, on the other hand, have never really laid down proper roots. I have Jacob, and I have Renee and Phil. Everyone else has been held at arm's length. I barely socialise with people I work with, and Jacob's friend's moms are merely women who are in the same boat as me. I help them when I can and in return they help me. Some of them spend a lot of time visiting or socialising with each other, but I was either too busy or too tired. I never made the effort.

I never built a life for myself except for the one I had with Jacob. However, Renee has been my rock and sadness engulfs me when I try to imagine what it will be like to live on the other side of the country from her permanently. Renee is the only sacrifice I will have to make, but there is truth in Mike's words. In one way I am giving up everything to be with Edward.

I push these thoughts aside and start leafing through the college prospectuses I brought from Seattle. It's time to concentrate on the positives.

It's almost three weeks since we got here and, watching Jacob frolic in the sea with his two best friends, it feels like we've never been away. We've enjoyed so many weekends like this. This stretch of beach outside Renee's house is always relatively quiet compared to the more public beach further down the shore. Other residents often use it, and there is the occasional jogger passing this way, but for the most part there are never more than a dozen people in sight at any one time.

With a long look at Jacob to make sure he's not too far into the water, I roll onto my front and pick up my book. I barely make it to the bottom of the page when my cell rings. I sit up and pull the rim of my hat down to shade my eyes. Once I spot Jacob I keep my eyes trained on him as I answer.

"Hi, long time no hear," I greet, only half-joking. I haven't heard from Edward since evening yesterday, and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't worried.

"Sorry, my feet haven't touched the ground since last night," Edward explains.

"Is everything okay?"

"Everything's fine now. I'll tell you about it when I see you, but everything is sorted."

I sigh with relief. "You got the contracts?"

"Every last one," he says with pride.

A wave of relief washes over me. Not just because of the business, but because this means he'll be coming home to me. "I'm glad. So you're coming home now?"

"Home," he repeats wistfully. "Where exactly are you now?"

A burst of Jacob's laughter carries on the wind. "I'm at the beach," I tell him. "It's a beautiful day."

"That's great," he says. "What are you doing?"

"Missing you."

A soft chuckle rumbles down the line. "Yeah, I feel like that's all I've been doing lately too. So you're not a bikini girl?"

"What?" I ask, confused.

"I'm just imagining you alone on the beach, reading, and I'm guessing you're not a bikini girl."

I look down at my yellow t-shirt and khaki shorts, confused by the question. I decide to play him at his own game. "I am wearing a bikini," I lie. "It's red." I bite my lip, waiting for his response.

"I can't wait to see you in a bikini, you have a fantastic body," he says huskily. "And you know I love you in red."

The sexy timbre of his voice thrills me. "It's very revealing," I tease. "I'm building up a nice tan. Maybe I'll show you my white bits when you get here."

"Is the beach busy?" he asks, switching gears.

"Not really."

"So I don't have to worry about any other men enjoying the view while I can't?" His voice is light and teasing, and I suspect he knows I'm not really lying around on display.

I look up and down the beach to see that there are only a handful of people present. Most are sunbathing, but a couple of teenagers are throwing a Frisbee around.

"You're checking?" he asks with a tinge of humour in his tone.

"No," I deny.

"Maybe you should check again," he says softly. My breath hitches , but I quickly realise that he can't possibly be here.

"I don't need to check," I say with a laugh. "I'm sitting here in shorts and a t-shirt, and Jacob and his friends are playing in the surf a few feet away."

"So you're sure there aren't any hot guys ogling you?"

I frown. "You're not serious?"

"I am," he insists.

"Edw—"

"I'd defy any man not to be drawn to you. I'm certain there's someone admiring the way your tan is enhanced by that yellow t-shirt."

I leap to my feet and do a complete one eighty, scanning the beach. At first I don't spot him but when I do my heart soars in my chest. He is leaning against a palm tree about fifty feet away, his phone held to his ear and looking devastatingly handsome in a white t-shirt and light cotton trousers. He raises his hand and waves as his chuckle floats down the line.

I resist the urge to run at him squealing like a child. "Did you just call yourself hot?" I ask, grinning as I force myself to walk at a normal pace towards him.

"You don't think I'm hot?" He starts to move towards me and I can't stand it any longer. I launch into a run.

He opens his arms when I get closer and I slam into him, flinging my arms around him. "I can't believe you're here." I pant into his neck.

He grabs my face, tilting it up to meet his and kisses me wholeheartedly. "I'm sorry I didn't call. I wanted it to be a surprise," he says when he finally pulls back.

I pull him in for another kiss just as I hear Jacob's yell. I turn to see him sprinting towards us.

"Dad!" he yells, excitedly.

I step to the side to avoid being crushed, and Jacob leaps into his arms. "I didn't know you were coming back today."

"I just got here," Edward says, wrapping Jacob in a bone-crushing hug.

"How did you know where to find us?" Jacob asks when Edward sets him down again.

"I went to your apartment first, but when you weren't there I called Renee and she told me you were here."

Jacob grabs his hand. "Come and meet my friends,"

Edward lets Jacob pull him along while I follow happily. I can't believe he's finally here, and my stomach is doing somersaults with excitement.

Jacob bounces on his feet as he calls his friends over. "This is my dad!" he yells before they've even reached us.

Josh and Connor both shield their eyes from the sun as they squint up at Edward.

"He just got here from Europe," Jacob says, his voice filled with pride.

Despite the fact they are standing right in front of Edward, both boys wave a little awkwardly and say, "Hi."

Jacob tries to show off a little for Edward by trying to bounce the ball in the air using his knees, but it quickly goes awry and his friends drag him back towards the sea.

"You have a half-hour," I call after them as I sit down on the blanket. "And then we have to go home."

Edward drops down beside me and throws his arm around my shoulder. "Do you think Jacob would be embarrassed if his parents made out like teenagers on the beach?"

I laugh and jab his ribs with my elbow. "Definitely."

He clicks his tongue in faux disappointment. "I guess we'll have to save it for later." He smiles, gazing down at me. "God, you're a sight for sore eyes. You look beautiful. The sun suits you."

I press my lips to his shoulder. "You look a little pale, maybe you should take your shirt off and let the sun get at you."

"The sun, huh?" He chuckles, but to my delight he slides his hands under the hem of his shirt and pulls it off in one fluid motion.

I bite my lip and can't resist running my hand over his broad back. "Maybe I should put some sun cream on you," I suggest.

"Sure," he says with a knowing smile.

He scoots forward, bringing his knees up and leaning his elbows on them. Grabbing the bottle, I kneel behind him and squeeze a large dollop of cream into my hands. I spread it out over his back and start to massage it in.

"That's nice," he murmurs contentedly as my fingers smooth circles over every inch of his skin.

"You should have called," I say while I work in the lotion. "I would've picked you up at the airport."

He rolls his head a little when I knead the muscles between his shoulders. "I wanted it to be a surprise so I took a cab."

I lean forward to kiss his temple. "It's a lovely surprise." I smile. "I thought you were getting all possessive on me when you started talking about hot guys ogling me."

He turns and plants a quick peck on my lips. "You do bring out the possessive side in me... but I'll try to control it."

I move to the front and instruct him to lean back on his hands to let me do his chest. He opens his legs, and I kneel between them. His abs are taut, and I feel a frisson of awareness tingle down my spine as I run my fingers over them.

His eyes meet mine. "Maybe you should stop now," he says ruefully, his voice croaking slightly. "I don't think it would be appropriate if I pitch a tent in these loose pants with kids around."

I look down at his crotch and see the slight bulge. I drop my hands and sit back a little.

He adjusts himself surreptitiously, before stretching out and crossing his legs at his ankles. I shift to his left, pulling my feet in towards my body and face him.

"Your mom's house is great," he remarks, scanning the beach. "This is practically her back yard."

"Yeah," I agree. "This beach is quite private; it's mostly only the residents from the houses who come here."

I watch as his eyes trail the length of the beach, taking in the long stretch of houses that line it. "It's like a different world," he says. "Especially when you're used to more cities that don't have beaches."

He sighs contentedly and flops onto his back.

"So is everything okay with the business now?" I enquire, glancing at him from beneath the rim of my hat. I can't resist pulling his hand into my lap. I brush my thumb over his knuckles while I weave my fingers between his.

"Yep, we got all the contracts signed and James and Riley are welcome to the scraps we left behind. They won't be getting any big contracts for a while... Emmett will see to that. We did better than we expected, and Jasper and Alice are moving to London."

"Really?" I ask, surprised by the news.

He smiles. "He was originally going to take over the South American division, but we got so many contracts in Europe someone will have to be there to oversee them."

"It's a big decision to make so suddenly," I muse. "But then Alice always did want to go to Europe."

"They've been talking about it since Jasper bought me out. It was a toss-up between Brazil and Europe, but as soon as Europe was on the table there was only ever going to be one option for Alice. I can just see her traipsing around the trendy cities in Europe," he says with an affectionate smile. "She'll love it there. Though, it's just a five year deal. I don't think they will stay there permanently."

Jacob doesn't stay away long. Barely ten minutes have passed when he plonks himself down beside us and shakes his wet hair like a dog, covering Edward and I with a spray of sea water. Edward grabs him and tickles his ribs until he is squealing for mercy.

"I don't want to go to the sleepover tonight," Jacob announces when he's got his breath back. "Connor's mad at me."

I look over to see his two friends trudging along the beach towards us... not looking happy at all. "It's okay," I assure him. "Let's go talk to them."

We rise in tandem and walk towards his friends. They perk up when I tell them that we can reschedule for next weekend, and if it's not convenient for Connor's mom they can have the sleepover in our apartment.

Edward shakes out the blanket while I drop my book and the lotion into my bag, and he takes my hand as we stroll back towards Renee's house. Jacob keeps glancing at us over his shoulder as if he expects us to disappear.

Renee invites us to stay for dinner, but since I have to take Connor and Josh home we take a rain check. After we've loaded Edward's bags into my car we head off.

During the drive across town Jacob and his friends chatter like monkeys in the back seat. They get louder and louder and by the time we arrive at Connor's house they have reached an ear-splitting volume. I catch the glimmer of relief that flickers on Edward's face as they pile out of the car. I also notice the tiredness that is now etched into his features.

I explain the change of plans to Connor's mom as quickly as I can in my eagerness to get back to Edward, and afterwards Jacob trots happily to the car having been promised a sleepover next weekend.

"You look exhausted," I remark to Edward when I get back in the car.

His smile is slow and weary. "I am a little," he admits. "I didn't get much sleep in Europe."

"Your body clock must have been off," I say.

He stares at me for a while before responding. "I don't sleep well without you."

Jacob's groan of distaste makes us both laugh.

I stop en route and buy Chinese food. I don't feel like cooking and Edward looks like he'll keel over if he doesn't get some rest soon. I hand Jacob the keys, and he dashes up the steps to open the door while Edward retrieves his bags from the trunk and I carry the food.

Jacob swings the door open theatrically and beckons Edward inside. "This is our apartment," he says, and I wish I felt as proud of it as he seems to be.

Edward glances at me, giving me a little smile before he steps inside. "This is the living room," Jacob says, pulling him into it.

I watch as Edward's eyes roam around the room. His expression is difficult to read, but I can see he is deliberately trying to keep it impassive. He looks at the pictures of Jacob on the walls, and a hint of a smile twitches on his lips.

"Bring your bags," Jacob instructs, and I roll my eyes as he leads Edward straight to my bedroom. He glances at me briefly as he opens the door and looks up at Edward. "Um... you should probably put them in here... this is Mom's room."

Jacob's eyes swing hesitantly to meet mine. A crimson blush stains his cheeks, and I rub my hand across my mouth to hide my mirth. It's not like we need Jacob's permission, but he seems to be giving it anyway.

Edward – looking a tiny bit amused himself – thanks Jacob before entering my room. Jacob and I both stand in the doorway as he drops his bags beside the bed and glances around. The room looks even smaller with him in it. He turns to face us.

"What?" he asks, his brow creasing in confusion.

I realise that Jacob and I are both watching him for some kind of reaction to our home.

"Come see my room," Jacob says, before I have the chance to speak. "Mine"s bigger."

Edward squeezes my shoulder as he passes. He admires Jacob's room and listens intently while Jacob opens drawers and doors to show him some of his toys and books. On a roll, he drags Edward by the sleeve to show him the rest of the apartment. I catch Edward's frown when he peers into the tiny bathroom. In fact, shower room would be more appropriate since we don't have a bath.

By the time Jacob shows him the small galley kitchen, his face is grim and he's failing in his efforts to hide it. I tell Jacob to go wash his hands before I set our food on the counter and start pulling plates out of the cabinet.

"In the bathroom," I say, when he attempts to do it at the kitchen sink.

"I know it's not much," I say, turning to see Edward staring at the huge dent in the fridge. I got it on sale because of that dent, and it irks me that he's frowning at it. "But it's the best I could do."

His eyes snap up, and he instantly steps towards me. "You think I'm judging you?"

"You seem... I don't know, disappointed... underwhelmed," I say quietly.

"I feel bad," he admits, sliding his fingers into my hair and cradling my head in his hands. He kisses my forehead. "But not because I'm disappointed in you. It's just... this place looks like the apartment of someone who has had to struggle to make ends meet. I'm embarrassed that I've been living in the lap of luxury while you and Jacob have been scraping by."

"I did the best I could," I say defensively.

He's at my side in a flash. "Look at me," he requests, placing his hands on my shoulders. I lift my eyes. "This is just material stuff. Yes, I think you two deserve the best of everything, but you've clearly provided what he needs most in abundance. He's happy and healthy and loves you with all his heart... and judging by the hundred and one pictures you have of him around this apartment, he's been the centre of your world." He presses his lips to my temple. "I hate to think of how hard it has been for you... and I can't help wishing I'd been here too."

He pulls me close. "I want to give you everything," he whispers into my hair. "I don't want you to cope alone anymore." He pulls back to look at me again, and a warm smile spreads across his face. "I just want to love you and make you happy."

"You already do."

After dinner, Edward falls asleep in front of the TV. After I get Jacob settled, I go back to the living room and switch everything off before waking him.

He startles when I whisper in his ear, and his disoriented eyes dart around for a brief moment before he remembers where he is. "Bedtime," I whisper.

We undress quickly, and I smile when he folds his clothes neatly and places them on the chair in the corner. I dump my own in the laundry basket beside it and pull a nightshirt out of my drawer. I remove my underwear and step towards the bed.

"Which side do you sleep on?" Edward asks.

"The right side," I say with a smile, lifting the duvet on that side.

He slides in beside me and scoops me into his arms. His kiss is tender, and I revel in the feel of his warm body pressed against mine. "Jacob's still awake," I warn him when his kisses become more fervent.

He slides his hand down my body, between my breasts and his fingers capture the hem of my nightshirt. He raises it up slowly and rests his hand on my naked hip. "I know, I'm just enjoying being with you again," he whispers before burying his head in my neck and falling quickly asleep.

It's still relatively early, and I lie awake for a while listening to his rhythmic breathing and running my hands gently over his back and shoulders. Every now and then he sighs contentedly and each time my heart swells with love for him.

For so long I wanted this desperately: to spend my nights in his arms. There was even the occasional night when I lay in this bedroom and allowed myself to wonder what he was doing and my heart ached for him. I never thought we would have a second chance.

I lie in the darkness with him wrapped all around me, his breath fluttering across my skin and his heart beating against mine, and I feel like I should pinch myself to make sure that it's not just a dream.

Thank you for reading

Kat