Here we go again … the plot bunny just couldn't stay away. Persistent little fucker. Originally, this began as a dream. When I woke up, I wrote down as much as I could, but it's morphed into something different.

We're also going to have some citrusy, smexy times in the next chapter. It's been a long time for our two lovers. They need to reconnect as a couple. After that, we're going to see Bella return to work and we're getting close to the end, folks. What will happen to our favorite couple?

Also, this is the LAST update until after Thanksgiving. My schedule is completely crazy the coming few weeks. Thank you for your patience!

Chapter Thirty-Seven

"Bridesmaidzilla," Bella giggled. "Oh, boy. Alice, I dub us in charge of the bachelorette party. Weekend in Vegas? Or spending some time in a tropical location, sipping mai tais?"

"Oh, both please?" Rose sang. "But, enough about my wedding. My mom is planning all of it, with Lindsay's help. How about you, Bella? When do you go back to work?"

"I'm working on rebuilding my stamina, but Dr. Denali and my physical therapist, Megan, think that I'll be able to go back in about a month, maybe two. I'm nothing, if not, determined. I'm tired of staying home. I'm tired of not working. My license is ready to go. It's all based on my healing, my leg."

"How is it feeling today?" Alice asked.

"Fine, but it'll be sore tonight," Bella answered. "I won't be sleeping here since my bed isn't being delivered until tomorrow. Edward promised to give me a massage."

"An erotic massage?" Esme asked, waggling her brows.

"Maybe," Bella purred, blinking over to where Edward helping Jake perfect the cocktail table in her living room. "The last time we made love was …"

"Too long ago," Alice said. "Do you want to seduce your man?"

"It's far overdue. Yes," Bella nodded.

"Edward? Do you mind watching the fort?" Rose asked, poking her head out of the kitchen. "We're going to pick up groceries and some other necessities with Bella for her new digs."

"Sure, Rose," Edward nodded.

"We'll be back," Alice chirped, dragging Bella out the door, with Rose and Esme in tow. When the door shut, she turned to Bella with a smirking grin. "You have some sexy lingerie to buy and when was the last time you had a wax?"

Oh, boy …

The afternoon was spent in an impromptu day of beauty. Bella had her toenails painted, along with a full-body wax. After that, they went to a nearby mall and picked up some new lingerie, bra and panty sets. They also went to pick up towels, new sheets and pillows for her new bedroom. A few hours later, they returned to the apartment with the goodies. The guys were all seated on the couches in the living room. Emmett had set up the television, along with the cable and they'd found some sporting event on TV.

"You got the cable set up," Bella chirped.

"The silence was killing me," Emmett said. "And Edward's iPod had some pretty shitty music."

"Language, Emmett," Carlisle said, elbowing Emmett's side. "Little ears."

"I've heard worse, Dad," Jake shrugged. All of the men cringed, remembering Jake's shady upbringing. "Can I get something to drink?" Carlisle nodded and Jake hopped up, walking to the kitchen.

Bella frowned, shifting uncomfortably on her feet and feeling the pain from the long day of movement. Jake's life was so much better now, but it was hard to forget that he'd such a horrible life prior to this. "I'm going to put this in the linen closet. Then, we can go out to eat before Edward and I go back to his place? Pizza or Chinese?"

"Chinese," everyone responded, Jake included after he'd finished sipping his water. Bella nodded, walking to her bedroom and putting her new sheets and towels into the linen closet. She picked up her bag, tossing her new purchases from Victoria's Secret inside. She sat down at a high-back chair, grimacing as she rubbed her calf muscle and sighing as she remembered Jake's past. What else had that little boy experienced? What else did he see?

"Hey, gorgeous," Edward said, sitting down on the chair across from her. "You okay?"

"Yeah," she said, giving him a stiff smile.

"Really?" he asked, arching a brow, moving her so she was sitting on his lap. Bella snuggled against him, idly playing with his freshly cut hair. "Talk to me, Bella."

"Just that little remark by Jake … it makes me wonder … how much did he really see?" she choked out.

"Carlisle said that Jake was witness to some pretty gruesome things. He and Esme have observed his therapy appointments. With that, William Black could have been put away for long, long time with the crimes Jake has witnessed," Edward said. "Starting with his mother's murder. His father's death in the quake was blessing in disguise, really. Saved the tax payers a lot of money." He brushed her hair away from her face. "Jake is resilient. Yes, he had a horrible beginning and a shitty father. But, he's with Carlisle and Esme now. They love him."

"Do you love him?" Bella asked.

"Very much so," Edward answered. "What is it, Bella?"

"I don't know. I love Carlisle and Esme and I'm grateful that they've taken Jake in, but what about us? Why couldn't we have …?" Bella trailed off. Edward's eyes widened and she blushed. "Never mind. Stupid thought."

"No, not stupid thought. I get it. And I have an answer. Your injury, our fledgling relationship and subsequent move, it was too much, too fast." He reached into his pocket and pulled out a card. "That didn't stop me from getting approved for foster care, just in case things didn't work out with Carlisle and Esme, but Jake took to them well. But, I think we need to get our friends some food. Emmett was grumbling that all you have is girly rabbit food."

"I do not have girly rabbit food," Bella grumbled. "I'm on a low-carb diet and veggies are the only carbs that I can eat."

"Why are you on a diet?" Edward frowned. "You're perfect."

"I've gained weight, Edward. My slovenlier lifestyle has caused me to become a little fluffier," she blushed. "I've lost about fifteen pounds since I've started this diet." Edward arched a brow. "I gained thirty pounds, Edward. I don't like how I look. I'm getting better, with this new way of eating. I'm allowing myself a cheat day today with the Chinese food. I'm looking forward to it." She kissed his nose. "Now, let's go before our friends think we're christening my wall."

"Oooh, that sounds like fun," Edward chuckled. "Can we?"

"Not yet," Bella said, getting up and picking up her bag, but grimacing. Edward took her bag and wrapped his arm around her waist. They walked out to her living room. Clambering into their cars, they drove to a nearby Chinese restaurant. After dinner, Carlisle and Esme went back to their place with Rose, Alice, Jasper and Emmett. Edward and Bella went back to Edward's place. "I'm going to take a quick shower, okay?"

"Want company?" Edward asked, his eyes twinkling.

"Hmmm, tempting, but I have a surprise for you," Bella said, sliding her hands up his arms. "Give me a few moments?"

"Sure, baby," he smiled, brushing his lips against hers and patting her ass.

Bella ducked into the bathroom and warmed up the shower. She pulled out the navy-blue negligee and a pair of cheeky navy blue lacy panties. She pulled her hair up into a messy bun. Stripping out of her yoga pants and loose sweatshirt, Bella went into the shower and scrubbed her body, using Edward's body wash. She finished the shower and dressed in her new sexy lingerie and slathered on lotion all over her skin. Wrinkling her nose as she massaged her still weak leg, she hated the scars that littered the length of the part beneath her knee. Granted, it could be worse. Bella could have lost her leg.

She finished her ministrations by brushing her teeth, putting on some lip gloss. She blew out a breath and pulled her hair out of the bun. Opening the door, she leaned against the door jamb, seeing Edward laying on his bed. He was reading a medical journal, wearing a pair of boxer briefs. "Anything interesting?" Bella asked.

Edward blinked up from his magazine, his eyes widening. "Holy shit," he breathed. "Bella, you're so fucking gorgeous."

"Oh, this old thing?" Bella chuckled, trying to play off her nerves. She looked down and shifted on her feet. Edward got up, seeing her distress. He cupped her cheek, guiding her face toward his. "I miss you, Edward. I miss us." She looked at him, seeing the love swirling in his eyes. "I want to try. But, not against a wall. My legs are nowhere near that strong."

"I want to try, too. The first time we make love, I wouldn't want to fuck you against a wall. Our bed …" he whispered, his arms snaking around her waist. He bent down, picking up. Bella squeaked, her arms wrapping around his neck. He kissed her sweetly. Laying her onto the bed, he looked down at his girlfriend, who was a vision of feminine perfection. Her skin was pale against the navy-blue silk, glowing beautifully. He lay down next to her. He caressed her cheek. "I know that you're still healing." His fingers danced down her thigh. "If you're in pain, please tell me. I don't want you to …"

"I'm stiff and sore, but so much better," she said, her hand teasing his hair. "Make love to me, Edward. Please?"

"Always, gorgeous," he smiled, leaning down and kissing her gently. He moaned at how soft her lips were against his. He slid his tongue into her mouth. She moaned against his lips, tugging at his shoulders, needing him closer. "Bella," he whispered.

"Touch me, Edward," she whimpered. Her fingers glided down his chest, caressing his nipples. He shuddered, missing the feel of her. He stopped her hand, moving so he was hovering over her and settling between her thighs. His fingers eased the straps of her nightie onto her shoulders. He traced collarbones, seeing the necklace he'd gotten her laying at the hollow of her neck. "Edward …"

"Shhh, my love. I want to take my time with you, baby," he said. "I've missed touching your skin. Seeing you come. Tasting you. Loving you." He bent down, kissing her greedily as Bella's legs wrapped around his waist. His lips moved down the column of her neck, tasting her sweet flesh. His hand cupped her breast, growling against her flesh. She arched against his touch, gasping his name. The nightie fell down, exposing her chest and he wrapped his lips around her puckered nipple. Her fingers tangled into his hair, tugging on the messy bronze locks. He looked up, staring at her. "You smell like me."

"I like your body wash and smelling like you," she breathed, her fingers tracing the apple of his cheek. "I miss being yours."

"You are mine," he whispered, kissing her and removing her nightie from her body. All that was left was the lacy panties and Edward bit back a growl, seeing her nearly naked body. His hands were touching every inch of bare skin, seeing nothing but beauty. His lips gently kissed every inch of alabaster skin. Bella was writhing, pleading for more. He looked up as he reached the waistband of her panties. She gazed down at him, nodding, her lip caught between her teeth. "Are you okay?"

"More than okay. I'm … fuck … I'm on fire, Edward," she panted.

"I think I know the way to put out the fire," he purred, tugging her panties down. "Bare, baby?"

"A side trip while I went out to pick up my sheets and towels," Bella chuckled, blushing a brilliant crimson.

"I like it," he smiled, gently moving her legs and spreading them so he could see her bare pussy. She was soaked, her lower lips coated with her arousal. His mouth watered, anxious to dive in and taste her. He kissed her inner thighs, inhaling deeply and smelling her sweetness, mingling with the scent of his body wash. It was a heady combination. He teased her with his fingers before languidly swiping up her slit. Bella cursed, her hips bucking against his sensual assault of her sex. He flicked her clit with his tongue, his fingers easing inside of her body. His movements were slow, deliberate. He worked close to a frenzy, but calmed her down. She pleaded for release, her fingers tugging on his messy hair. Curling his fingers, swirling his tongue and growling against her body, he pushed her over the edge. Bella screamed as her body convulsed. Edward kept his mouth on her, tasting her arousal as she rode the wave of her climax.

Bella shuddered as Edward removed his lips from between her legs. She was floating, having and out-of-body experience. Edward crawled up her body, his fingers gliding along her belly. "Are you okay?" he asked, his voice deep and husky.

"Hmmmm, boneless," she said, looking over at him. Her eyes were on his tented boxer briefs. Her hand reached for his erection. "I've missed this."

"Baby, if you touch me, I'll explode. I'd rather be inside you when that happens," he said. "Are you okay?"

"I want you. I want this. I miss us," she breathed. "But, you're going to have to do all the hard work, Edward."

"Making love to you is never hard work," he smiled, shimmying out of his boxer briefs and revealing his leaking, erect cock. He stared at her, moving his body over hers. Keeping his eyes on hers, he grasped his cock and placed it at her entrance. "I love you, Bella. I'll always love you." He slid into her slick heat, groaning as he felt her body clench around his arousal. "Fuck …"

"Tell me about it," she gasped. "Edward, love isn't strong enough. What we have is more …" He kept moving until he was fully seated inside. "Oh, God …" She traced his jaw. "Don't move, baby. I want to feel this for as long as possible, Edward."

"Me, too," he said, his hands cradling her head. He kissed her before he started moving, slowly and reverently. He was pouring as much of his feelings in their loving making as possible. This coupling was the first time they'd been intimate since they'd said they loved each other. It was the first time Edward had ever made love to Bella and he wanted it to be perfect. "Edward …" she breathed, moving her hips with his. "I can't … I don't want this to end."

"It won't, gorgeous," Edward whispered, kissing her deeply and plunging his tongue into her mouth. She scratched her fingers down his back, cupping his ass as he pushed further inside of her body. He could feel her body clench around his hardness. "Bella, you feel so good." His lips moved from her mouth and he nibbled on her neck, sucking on her ear. They moved as one, sharing one body, one soul. "Oh, fuck me. I'm …"

"I'm coming, too," she breathed, tugging on his hair, scratching his scalp. He crashed his lips against hers and their bodies exploded simultaneously. Edward spilled inside her, filling her completely and Bella's muscles went into spasms around him. Edward's thrusts slowed and he eventually slid out of her. Rolling onto his side, he held Bella to his chest. Bella was panting, her head pressed to his chest, listening to his rapidly pumping heart. "I've never done that."

"What, love?" he asked, brushing her hair back and kissing her forehead tenderly.

"Make love," she answered. "I mean, really make love. I've had a lot of sex and we did our fair-share of fucking."

"Fucking is fun, as is having sex, but making love is something that's mutually shared, mutually given … I'm yours, Bella. Irrevocably," he whispered. "I've had a lot of sex and we've fucked a lot, but you are the last woman I'm ever making love to."

Bella's eyes widened, her cheeks flushing. "What are you saying, Edward? Are you talking marriage?"

"I'm still healing from the betrayal of Tanya. Meeting with the counselor has helped. Marriage is something that I don't want to discount. I love you. I'll always love you and I want forever, but a marriage … I mean it when I say that you will be the last woman I'll ever make love to," he said. "Now, are you okay? How's your leg?"

"It's stiff, but I'm fine," she said. "I'm just trying to wrap my head around what you said." She bit her lip, sitting up and looking down at him. "But, I get what you're saying. I need to think about it. I'm sorry if that … if that's too 'sciency' for you. I'm a scientist. My brain needs to … I love you."

"Bella, I get it," he chuckled, sitting up and kissing her. "I'm a scientist, too. But, my mom told me that I'm a romantic at heart. Being with you and sharing my heart with you has reopened my eyes to being a romantic. I've turned that part of my mind off for so long. It was for my preservation, for my sanity. Now, I want to massage your leg and get some sleep. The delivery guys are coming early with your bedroom set and mattress. I'd like christen that tomorrow." He kissed her and winked cheekily.

"Oooh, I like the sound of that," Bella grinned. "Yes, and please!"

A/N: So, they made love. First time since the earthquake. And to put a date on this, we're in mid to late March-ish. Up next will be Bella finally moving into her apartment, christening of her bed and starting in the OHSU PICU. And as I said earlier, we're getting closer to the end. I don't know how many chapters are left, but the end is in sight.

Leave me some! Thank you for reading.