Hello lovelies! Here we are again and I believe I've actually uploaded the correct file this time *sheepish grin*. That's what happens when you're trying to do things too quickly. Thank you to those who caught the slip-up so quickly and alerted me so I could fix the problem. I very much appreciate it!

To my beta, Jessica1971, all my thanks for your support always. Love ya, hon!

Disclaimer: I don't own it, that honor still belongs to SM. I thank her for allowing me to play with her characters. No copyright infringement is intended with this work of fiction.

Enjoy ...

Someone Like You

"Yep," Charlie said. "No, honey, she's all right. Still a little shook up, but she's tough. What?" He paused, listening, and then groaned, dropping his chin to his chest. "Yes, I've been nice."

Bella smiled as she listened to her father's conversation and crossed the room to where he stood. His back was to her, so he didn't realize she was near. Remi entered the room and sat at her feet, staring intently at Charlie.

"Aw, hell, Sue, they're living together, for God's sake," he said, running a hand through his hair. Bella bit her bottom lip to hold back the laughter. She knew her dad was having a hard time accepting the living arrangements. In truth, she would have been concerned if he hadn't put up a fight over it.

"What am I supposed to do? I'm required to dislike the guy, on general principle. It's in the rulebook for dating my daughter. It's—what? Well … yeah, he did, but still …"

Her brow furrowed in confusion. By 'he', she could only assume Charlie meant Edward. What did Edward do?

"Yeah, yeah, I know," he said, turning just as Bella stepped up beside him.

Charlie smiled and put an arm around her shoulders, kissing her temple. "Mmhm ..." he said, continuing his conversation with Sue. "Yeah, Bella just walked in actually."

"Hi, Sue," Bella said, leaning into her father's side and squeezing his middle.

"She says hi. What?" Charlie rolled his eyes and sighed. "I'm supposed to make sure you and Edward are still coming for your birthday. Sue's anxious to meet that boyfriend of yours."

She laughed at the disgruntled tone in his voice and the frown on his face. "Tell her yes," she said, releasing her dad and turning to grab a bottle of water from the fridge. "We're still coming."

Bella leaned a hip into the counter and smiled around the mouth of the water bottle as she took a long draw.

"You heard that?" he asked into the phone. "Yep, I already took care of that. No worries. Mmhmm, I'll be heading back on Saturday. Huh?" Charlie's face flushed and he smiled. "Yeah, I miss you too, sweetheart."

Bella smiled. As gruff and stoic as her dad was at most times, he had a real soft spot for his wife. Although every kid wants their parents together, and she had for a long time, at this point in her life, it was hard for her to imagine Charlie and Renee married to anyone other than Sue and Phil.

"Wait—what?" Another pause while Charlie listened. His brow dropped into a scowl. "What the hell …?"

Bella's eyes went wide as her father's expression darkened even further. She could only imagine that Sue was relaying something about Seth. Judging by Charlie's reaction, it wasn't good.

"But it's only the first week of school! How—mmhm, well, you tell him that we'll be having a little talk, man to man, when I get home." Charlie shook his head, listening, but there was a sudden, reluctant smile pulling at the corner of his mouth. Finally, he laughed. "I've heard that before. But Billy and I didn't—What?" Charlie rubbed the back of his neck with a sheepish grin. "Yeah, I know, honey, but still … Okay, well, maybe between remembering that and the plane ride back I'll have time to reconsider wringing his neck before I get there. Mmhm, love you, too. I'll talk to you later."

Charlie ended the call and sighed, tossing the cell on the counter and crossing his arms over his chest. "I swear I thought raising a girl was the most difficult thing I'd ever do."

"Hey!" Bella laughed and backhanded his shoulder.

He chuckled and held out a closed fist to Remi who stepped forward and bumped it with his nose.

"So," she drew out the word, raising an eyebrow in question. "What did my baby brother do now?"

Charlie groaned and ran a hand through his thick, salt and pepper hair. "That boy …" He laughed despite his obvious aggravation, scratching Remi's ears absently with his free hand. "It seems Seth and a couple of his lame-brained friends thought it would be a good idea to start their senior pranks a little early."

"Uh-oh," Bella said, fighting a smile. She could only imagine what Seth and his buddies had done. Forks was a small town after all, there was only so much to do without falling into at least a marginal amount of trouble. When you were the local police chief's son? It was impossible to fly under the radar.

Her father shook his head, continuing, "Seems they had the bright idea to drive a VW Bug into the school and park it in the middle of the cafeteria."

"Oh my God! Are you serious?" Bella guffawed, one arm across her middle.

"As a heart attack," he said, grinning. "How in the hell they got it in there is a mystery."

"That's priceless!"

"Yeah, well Alvin Greene didn't find the humor in it," Charlie said grimly.

"Mr. Greene's still the principal there?" Bella asked.

"Yeah, he's getting ready to retire at the end of this year," he said. "Anyway, according to Sue, he went off the deep end a little bit when he got the call at four am when the custodians arrived and found the car."

Bella's eyes widened. "Oh, no! How'd they find out that it was Seth and his friends?"

"Remember what I said about lame-brained?" Charlie grunted, shaking his head. "One of the boys started bragging about what they'd done on Facebook and it spread like wildfire from there."

"Mr. Greene isn't going to kick Seth off the baseball team, is he?"

"No, thank God. It hasn't gone that far—yet. I'll have to go in and talk to him when I get back."

Bella walked into the pantry and grabbed a scoopful of kibble for Remi. She couldn't stop smiling. Although it was a serious matter if Seth lost his spot on the team, the prank in and of itself was hilarious. Boys, she thought.

"Are you sure you don't mind watching Remi for the night?" she asked, pouring the kibble into the stainless steel bowl.

Remi was instantly on his feet and crossing the room. The sound of his crunching filled the air. Charlie took a deep breath and straightened, pushing away from the counter. He crossed the room to Bella, placing both hands on her upper arms. He leaned forward to brush a kiss across her forehead.

"I don't mind at all, baby girl," he said. "I might not agree with everything that you two have decided to do, but I can admit when I'm wrong. That boy loves you."

Bella smiled, a warm rush spread from the center of her chest and out through her extremities.

"I can see it," Charlie continued. "And I can also see what all this is doing to you … and to him."

The prick of tears burned behind her eyes and she blinked, fighting the urge to let them fall. She slid her arms around her father's waist and leaned her head on his shoulder.

"You two go and have a good time. Don't worry about what's going on here. It'll all work out."

"Thank you, Daddy."

"So, um—" Charlie cleared his throat and released her, taking a small step back. Although he tried to hide it from her, Bella saw him swipe at the corner of his eye, "—where's that boy of yours."

Bella chuckled. "Daddy, you do realize that Edward is thirty years old, right? He's hardly a boy."

Charlie grunted. She shook her head and answered the question. "He's on the phone with his lawyer in Chicago. From the sounds of it, he's going to have to go out there sooner than he thought."

"Hmm, yeah, he mentioned something about a trial," Charlie said.

"Yeah," Bella said, sighing. "His ex-wife—Stefan's sister—her legal team is appealing her conviction. They've submitted new evidence supposedly." Bella rolled her eyes and folded her arms over her chest.

"That's not so unusual," Charlie said, studying her intently. "There's more to it, isn't there? Is Edward indicated in some way?"

"No," Bella said immediately. "No, it's nothing like that. They cleared Edward of any involvement during the original investigation. You knew that. It's just that because of his … connection with Heidi and with the case, in general, it looks like he's going to be required to testify again. He was hoping that they would use his original testimony or that he could tape a deposition and let that stand for him, but…" She shrugged.

"When does he have to go?"

"I'm not sure," she said quietly. An icy chill slid down her spine, pebbling her skin at the thought of Edward leaving. She shook herself in an attempt to rid the unpleasant feeling and took a deep breath. "I guess that's what he's discussing with the lawyer now—when he needs to be out there."

Charlie nodded and reached for her again, wrapping her in a tight embrace. Bella enjoyed the comfort she found in her father's arms; she needed it in that moment. They stood that way for a few moments before she sighed, squeezing him tightly, then let go and stepped back.

"All right," she said. "Let me show you where Remi's stuff is."

~O~

The sun was just beginning its downward slide as they rolled into the crowded streets of Pueblo. Although not a long trip, the quiet hours on the back of Edward's bike had served as an oasis in the eye of their storm. Bella sat with her arms around his middle, chin resting on his shoulders. Slowly, by inches, she felt her mind settling, growing peaceful and calm. It was a feeling she had not had in more than a week.

She knew that it wouldn't last, but for now, for the time while they were away, she could forget. She could let go and just be. Just be with Edward and not think or discuss or strategize about anything outside of where they were staying for the night or where they would have dinner. Nothing other than the two of them mattered. That was exactly what she needed.

As they moved onto the main drag through town, Bella smiled. An enormous yellow banner stretched the breadth of the wide street. In huge red letters the words: Colorado State Fair.

"The fair's in town?" she asked, her smile widening.

Edward gave her a sidelong glance, her favorite smirk breaking out, and he nodded.

"Oh my God, I haven't been to the fair in forever! This is awesome." She tightened her arms with a girlish squeal and kissed his cheek.

His chuckle rumbled inside his chest, the vibration moved through Bella and caused her to laugh.

"Did you know it was here?" she asked.

Edward turned to look at her when a traffic signal caught them. "I might have done a little searching after we talked this morning. I wasn't sure if this would be something you would like, but …" He shrugged one shoulder, his smirk becoming a grin. The corner of his eye crinkling behind the aviator glasses he wore.

"Are you kidding?" she asked. "I love it!"

"I'm glad," he said, surprising her with a quick kiss just as the signal turned.

Threading their way through the crush of cars, motorbikes and people, Edward gracefully maneuvered the bike into the entrance of their hotel. He slid the bullet helmet from his head and shot a sheepish grin over his shoulder.

"What?" she asked, returning his smile as she removed her own helmet and shook out her hair.

"I …" He shrugged, rubbing the back of his neck in an uncomfortable gesture. "This place isn't fancy—it's nice. It's the best I could find on short notice, and with the fair—"

"Seriously?" she asked, cutting him off. Her smile softened when she saw that he very much was serious. She reached up to cup his cheek and kissed him.

"Edward," she said her voice little more than a whisper, "you know things like that mean absolutely nothing to me. The only thing that is important to me is that we're here, together."

She leaned forward, pressing her lips to his in a slow, gentle kiss. Suddenly he twisted, wrapping his arms around her and lifted. A giggle bubbled in her throat as Edward settled her in front of him, straddling his lap. The feel of his strong thighs, flexing, and relaxing as he kept the bike balanced, sent a bolt of lust down her spine to coil low in her belly. Edward took a deep breath, as he seemed to have a similar reaction to their positions. His fingers tightened at her waist.

Her hands slid along the contours of his chest, over the muscled slope of shoulder, and settled along the curve of his neck. She kissed the dimple in his chin. Bella pushed the sunglasses up onto his head and smiled into the deep green of his eyes. Her fingers trailed back to play lightly in the longer hair at his nape.

"Do you have any idea how much I love you?" he said in a rough whisper.

"I know how much I love you," she said. "I know that I appreciate you suggesting this trip. I know your first priority is always me—even when I get upset at your over-protective ways."

Edward laughed. Bella framed his face with her hands and leaned her forehead against his. His hands slid gently up her back and down to circle her waist.

"Come on, sweetheart," he said. "Let's get checked in and then find something to eat."

Bella kissed him quickly and then let him lift her off his lap. "Yes, please. I'm starving!"

~O~

The night sky was dotted with millions of twinkling lights, but was, unfortunately, overpowered by the flashing lights on either side of the carnival midway. Hawkers called out, enticing people to the wonders they offered. Teams of carnival goers milled around them, slowing to a stop at intervals to browse the displays at each of the booths. They had spent the last several hours at the fairgrounds, going on rides, playing the ridiculously addictive games themselves, and listening to incredible music.

It took great effort for Bella to keep a straight face, glancing up at Edward as they walked hand and hand down the midway. They visited the petting zoo; spent the entire time laughing at the squealing children as they ran from the goats and sheep, their harassed parents in hot pursuit. The animal husbandry barn was not something Bella thought would be entertaining in the least. Oh, how wrong she had been.

"Edward, I had no idea you were so squeamish about such things," Bella said, losing the battle with laughter. "Oh God … that was …"

Edward groaned, shaking his head. A pallid green continued to hang around the edges of his features. He gave her a sidelong glance. "Do not—I repeat do not—ever tell anyone about what happened inside that barn, especially Emmett."

The twitching of his lips completely ruined the fierceness of the scowl on his face.

"I thought your family owned a farm or something back in Illinois," she said through another fit of suppressed giggles.

Edward grunted. "My extended family does, yes, and Emmett grew up on one in Tennessee until his father was killed. I, however, grew up in Chicago. I may love the great outdoors in Denver. Hell, I make a living because of it, but I'm a city boy at heart. Besides, I only visited the farm on holidays and for funerals. I never had—nor wanted—the opportunity to attend the care of farm animals. That's … ugh. I've never been so disgusted."

"I just don't understand, Edward. I mean if you're grossed out this much by the birthing process, well …"

Edward shuddered. Unable to control her laughter, Bella slid her arm though his and leaned into him and continued. "I just don't know that I can continue this relationship. Because you know, I plan to have a whole house full of kids someday, and I'm just not sure that you're …" Her voice died away when Edward stopped in his tracks, blinking. Surprise and something else she couldn't name flashed across his face. He pulled her into his arms suddenly. She went willingly, sliding her arms around his waist and holding him close. A shudder rolled through him, causing Bella to frown. "Edward?"

He pulled back, but kept her close, ghosting the backs of his fingers along the curve of her cheek. "Nothing would complete my life more than having children with you, except to call you my wife."

He took a small step back. A breath caught in her throat as he bent on one knee. Her eyes widened when he took her left hand in his.

"Oh God …" Bella's free hand shot to cover her mouth.

Looking up into her eyes, he smiled. "It's been a long, winding road that we've traveled. Fortunately, we traveled the same one from opposite ends and it led us to each other. I didn't realize at the time that making the move from Chicago to Denver would bring me everything I had ever dreamed of wanting but thought it was too late for me to find. Despite the fact that when we met, that dog of yours tried to kill me—"

Bella laughed through the tears clogging her throat. With a shaky hand, she swiped at those spilling from her eyes.

"—but from the minute I opened my eyes, laying there on the ground, I knew. Never had I seen anyone more beautiful, more perfect for me. In that moment, I met my future."

Edward tightened his hold on her hand as he shifted, reaching into the front pocket of his jeans. Bella gasped when he removed a large princess cut emerald, surrounded by diamonds. Holding it at the tip of her finger, he smiled and looked into her eyes. The light shined on the moisture in his and she returned his smile.

"Isabella Marie Swan," he said, his voice thick and rough, "will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"

A sob ripped from her throat. The tears coursed down her face. Frozen in surprise and overwhelming joy, she could do no more than stare at him.

"Answer him, girl, before that boy bursts." An unknown male voice rang out from the crowd around them. Edward laughed, a nervous edge to the sound, uncertainty clear in his eyes. The ring still poised at the first knuckle of her finger shook with the trembling of both their hands.

"Yes," she whispered, nodding.

"Yeah?" he asked, caution and hope mixed in equal measures in that one word.

"Yes! Of course," she said. "Yes. A hundred, thousand times yes."

Edward slid the ring on before bringing her hand to his lips. A moment later, he was on his feet with a sobbing, giggling Bella in his arms. He swung her round then slanted his mouth over hers, her tears salty on his tongue as they kissed. His hands buried in her hair, tilting her head so that the kiss deepened.

Bella broke their kiss, holding his face in her hands. Their heads rested against one another. "I love you."

"I love you, too, so much," he said, his voice rough with emotion.

Bella smiled as the sounds around them invaded her bubble once again. The people surrounding them smiled and clapped; some were cheering as they looked on. A few passersby stared in confusion before laughing and joining the congratulations as they realized what had caused all the commotion.

"Oh God," she said, burying her heated face in Edward's chest.

He tightened his arms around her and kissed the top of her head, chuckling. "Thank you," he whispered.

"For what?" she said, her words muffled by the fabric of his t-shirt.

"For saying you'll be my wife—for loving me."

Bella tightened her hold around his waist, too overcome with emotion to speak.

"Come on, baby," he said, keeping an arm around her shoulders and leading her away from the crowd. "I bought a bottle of champagne earlier and had it sent to the room. We can have a glass and celebrate."

"Pretty sure I'd say yes, huh?" Bella raised an eyebrow but couldn't stop smiling.

He chuckled, drawing her close to kiss her temple. "Not even a little. I figured if you said no, I could use it to drown my sorrows."

Bella laughed and wrapped both her arms around his waist, hugging him tightly as they walked toward the exit of the fair grounds.

~O~

The last few weeks had been unbelievably difficult. As much as he wanted to protect Bella from the ugly truth, things were most likely going to become a lot worse before they got better.

For now, he would simply focus on the joy of his newly engaged status.

The pop of a cork sounded throughout the room. Edward poured the sparkling liquid into two fluted glasses. Once both glasses were full, he replaced the bottle in the ice bucket. He smiled at the sound of the bathroom door opening and then turned. His eyes widened and he froze, gaping at the vision when Bella stepped into the room. Light from the bathroom spilled out and lit her from behind, shining through the thin material and outlining her incredible figure.

"Sweet baby Jesus," he murmured under his breath.

Her hair fell in soft waves around her shoulders. Edward's hands tightened around the stem of the flutes and he shifted from one foot to the other. The loose black silk sleep pants didn't seem quite as comfortable as they had a few moments ago.

This woman was heaven sent. No one but the Creator could have sculpted a more perfect female. And to think, she was his fiancée. God the sound of that word, even inside his own head, sent a thrill of excitement down his spine. She had actually said yes.

Bella smoothed a hand over the silky fabric. "I found this a few days ago. I bought it thinking we might celebrate moving in together once my dad went home." She shrugged, a smile curling the corner of her mouth as she crossed to where he stood rooted in place. "This—" she held her left hand up and wiggled her fingers, "—seems a much more fitting occasion for celebration, don't you think?"

"I'm glad you think so," he said. His eyes roamed her body, taking in the gentle, seductive sway of her hips. A slice of bared thigh peeked from the slit at the side of the white gown with each step she took toward him. His breath shortened and he swallowed audibly when Bella took one glass from his hands.

"To us," she whispered, touching the glass to his before raising it to her lips.

Edward raised his glass and drained it in one go. Bella chuckled.

"You okay?"

"Absolutely," he said with a nod, but totally unconvinced that he was anything of the sort. He reached for the bottle, refilling his glass and topping off Bella's before placing it back in the bucket. Taking a deep breath, he faced her once more and held up his glass with a ridiculously wide grin. Because Bella wore the same expression, he didn't feel quite as stupid for feeling so incredibly happy. She held her glass up, matching him.

"To the beginning of the rest of our lives," he said. "May it be a very long and happy one."

"Cheers," Bella said, touching her glass to his once more.

Edward reached out to slide the tip of his index finger gently along her collarbone, over her shoulder and down. Wrapping his fingers around her wrist, he drew her to him. Bella rested her head on his chest, curling the hand holding her glass between them. Still holding his glass, Edward slipped his free arm around her waist and began to lead her in a slow dance around the room.

It was small, but there was plenty of space for he didn't plan to allow more than a hair's breadth between them for the rest of the night.

"You are so beautiful," he said, bending to bring his mouth to hers in a kiss as slow and sensual as their dancing.

Her hand flexed, pressing into the muscle of his chest before moving up to thread into the hair at the back of his head. He pulled her bottom lip between his, suckling it softly, releasing it to slide his tongue inside her mouth, caressing. Savoring the feel of her body against him, tasting her surrender. The recognition of that yielding, opening to the call of his own desire, drove him nearly mad with want. In response, his arm tightened around her waist, his hand moving down to cup her firm, round bottom.

Bella moaned and moved against him, causing his erection to press into her soft belly. She broke the kiss. Her breathing ragged, her chest rising and falling rapidly, the pert tips of her breasts brushing his chest with each breath.

"Make love to me, Edward," she said in a rough whisper.

Needing no more encouragement, Edward released his hold on her waist and reached for her glass. He set each on a dresser along the wall, then turned back to face Bella and swept her into his arms.

Placing a knee on the bed, he laid her gently on the bed and then stretched out at her side. Edward slipped the tips of his fingers inside the slit of her gown. He smiled at the sound of Bella's sharp intake of breath.

Moving his hand along the length of her thigh, he sucked in a breath of his own when his fingers grazed the crease of her legs and discovered no barrier. He froze and jerked his head round to look down at Bella.

"Something wrong, Edward?"

Bella chuckled low in her throat when he could only shake his head. Swallowing audibly with this new revelation, he made a detour from his original plan of attack.

"Damn …" He gritted his teeth at what he found. "You're so ready for me, aren't you, baby?"

A satisfied smile spread at reducing her to the ability to do no more than nod now. He slid a single finger inside. His smile grew when she gasped. "This is just for me, isn't it, Isabella? You only get wet for me."

Bella groaned, nodding.

He clicked his tongue. "Answer me, Isabella." His voice dropped into a deep growl. "I'm the only one who does this to you."

Moaning, she moved her legs to allow him greater access. Her hands gripped the sheet, her head thrown back into the pillow, a mewling slid from her throat. His mouth found her exposed throat, the pulse jumping under his lips.

"No! Please," she said and grasped his hand when he made to remove it from between her legs. "Please don't stop."

"Tell me, baby," he murmured. "Tell me that I'm the only one that makes you feel this good, that makes you wet like this."

"Yes," she said in a broken whisper. "Oh, yes, always for you—only you."

"Good girl," he murmured, working his finger over her flesh, circling, teasing. "I'm going to make you come, Isabella. Is that what you want?"

"Please," she said, gasping.

"Do you, Isabella?" he asked.

He moved his fingers to circle her opening, slipping the tip of a single finger inside and then down to press the sensitive skin a bit lower. When he pushed inside once again he added a second finger, curling them both to find that perfect spot. In no time, Bella cried out and her body bucked against him as her release barreled toward the end.

He removed his hand suddenly and she whimpered, falling back from the precipice of climax. Edward shifted until he lay between her thighs while at the same time, he pushed her gown up to her waist, exposing her lower half to his feasting eyes.

A loud groan rolled in his chest at the sight that met his gaze. His hands encircled her waist, holding her still while he lowered his mouth to her soft flesh.

She writhed and begged for more. Her fingers buried themselves in his hair, working with her hips in time with his caresses. Slipping two fingers inside once again, he focused his attention on the swollen nub until she called out his name, her release finally taking her over the edge.

Before she had time to calm from the orgasm ripping through her body, Edward stripped his pants off and positioned himself at her entrance.

"Are you ready for me, baby?" he asked, knowing she was unable to truly respond but also well aware of the answer.

He thrust his hips in a slow slide home. Every intention had been to take things slow, to savor the feelings of making love with his fiancée, with the woman who would one day soon be his wife. When Edward found himself surrounded by that tight, wet heat, he fought the urge to pull back and slam back into his woman over and over again. He would have been successful in that endeavor were it not for the fact he was in bed with an absolute vixen.

All his good intentions went right out the window when Bella wrapped her legs around his waist, her tiny heels digging into his backside. Her hands slid along the taut muscles of his back and her fingers curled over his shoulders.

"Don't be gentle, Edward," she whispered into his ear. "I need you, hard and fast."

A low, heavy groan ripped through him and he was a goner. There was no hope for slow and easy after a request like that.

Hope you enjoyed ...

So, they're engaged. =) Next up heading home and a little surprise.

Until next time ...

xoxoxoxo

bellasunderstudy1