Hello, everyone! I hope you all had a fantastic Labor Day weekend! I was so pleased with the reviews, alerts, and favorites. Thank you so much for sticking with thi story :-)

From the looks of it in the reviews, things are becoming clearer! I'm so excited!

EPOV

I felt a pull toward the kitchen and sure enough, when I walked in there, Carlisle was smiling brightly.

Even though I had been expecting this, I still was startled by his presence.

"Hello, Edward."

"Dad..." I whispered and had to restrain myself from going to him.

"You can hug me, Edward," he laughed.

"It's not funny," I said, as I embraced him. "I miss you. It's not the same without you."

Carlisle held me tight and patted my back. "Edward," he sighed. "You'll be okay. You have a strong support system."

He pulled back even though I didn't want to let go.

"So, what do you think of your wife?"

I smiled. "Bella is...something else."

"She's exactly what you need."

"Am I going back now?"

Carlisle laughed. "Do you want to go back?"

Did I? I thought back to all that had happened so far, and the people I would eventually meet. Bella, Jasper...They were already becoming important fixtures in my life.

And then I thought about what I'd lost.

My father. My old life.

Carlisle noticed my resolve before I voiced it. "If your answer is yes, you're not ready to go back." My confused expression caused him to explain himself. "You aren't going to want to leave here. When you go back, you will want to seek her out. You will need to seek her out."

"Why do I need to be with her?"

"You're not ready to find that out, yet."

"Are you fucking kidding me? What are you doing here?"

"Checking up on you."

"Why?"

"Do you love Bella, Edward?"

I was silent. It was impossible to love someone after only a few days. I liked her, certainly, but love?

"No," I replied honestly. "I don't love her."

"Yet."

I rolled my eyes.

"Don't roll your eyes at me, boy," Carlisle scolded. "You clearly care enough not to sleep with her."

I cringed. "It's awkward that you know that about me."

"I know a lot about you, son. I know that you deserve this life. Are you happy here?"

I was reminded of my conversation with Bella about happiness. I was telling the truth when I told her that I was happy. I was happy with this life.

"Yeah, I guess."

Carlisle smirked. "Well, if you guess you're happy, then why would you want to leave?"

"Um..."

"How are you sleeping, Edward?"

"Fine."

"Any dreams?"

I narrowed my eyes. "What do you know?"

"You'll learn a lot from those dreams. You worked hard for this life."

Before I could respond, Seth walked into the kitchen.

"Your wife is trashed and keeps talking about how she's going to let you take advantage of her."

I looked to Seth who was trying not to laugh and back to Carlisle who was...gone.

"Okay." I walked past Seth and back to the bar.

"Okay?" Seth followed me. "That's all you have to say in response to that?"

"What else do you expect me to say?"

"Normally, you wouldn't have said anything and would have thrown Bella over you shoulder like a caveman."

I stopped walking and looked at Seth who was completely serious.

"I'm working, Seth. And she is drunk."

"That has never stopped you before."

"What are you saying, Seth?" I asked. "Do you want me to leave?"

"Fuck yeah. I want cougar tips."

I laughed and walked back into the bar to see Bella adjusting her boobs. Alice looked as though she was about to fall asleep. I quickly poured some water for both of them and slid it over.

Alice muttered, "Thanks," and chugged the water.

"I want more margs!" Bella shouted.

I smirked at her and her eyes went to my lips. "I think you've had enough, Bella."

"Jasper is here." I looked to the door to see Jasper walking in. Alice threw down a twenty. Before I could tell Alice that her money was no good here, she said, "Give it to Seth."

"Hey thanks for getting my fiancé drunk, dick."

"Hey lovers, don't fight!" Bella's drunken voice rang out.

Jasper rolled his eyes and walked out of the bar with my sister.

Bella began drinking the water I had given her while gazing at me with glossy eyes. Her cheeks were still flushed and her hair was messy from running her fingers through it.

I smiled at her. She giggled and brought her small hand closer to mine until our fingers were touching. The gesture was small but very intimate.

"Let's get you home and into bed, Bella."

Her eyes lit up as she misconstrued what I meant. "To sleep," I clarified.

Her smile fell and she nodded. "Good idea," she said, not meaning it.

"Seth, we're heading out. Make sure you count the drawers and lock up before you leave." He smiled knowingly at me and continued to flirt with the women at the bar. I walked around the bar and Bella didn't take her eyes off of him. I literally felt like I was a piece of meat on display in front of her.

She stood up and immediately fell into me, giggling. "Oopsies!"

I wrapped my arms around her as she leaned into me, and I kissed her on the forehead. She hummed and began nuzzling my neck.

I breathed heavily as we both walked out of the bar. When we reached the car, she was full out kissing my neck and my self-control was diminishing. I was trapped against the car. She pulled away and began to kiss me, rubbing her chest against mine. She tasted of sugar, lime, and tequila.

After a few minutes of this delicious torture, I finally pulled away and gave her one last peck.

I opened her door for her and she slid in, smiling deviously at me. She knew what she was doing to me. She probably did it all the time.

I walked over to my side of the car and got in. The drive home was silent, with nothing but the quiet sound of the radio. Bella reached over and took my hand. I glanced at her and she was looking out the window.

By the time we reached the house, Bella was sleeping. I opened my door, got out, and quietly shut it. Then, I walked over to her side, gently opened the door and picked her up. She curled into me and sighed, "Edward."

I looked down at her as I carried her inside. She looked peaceful as I lay her down on the bed. I took off her shoes and pulled the covers over her. Then, I went and got ready for bed.

I thought about all that Carlisle had talked about. I wasn't ready to go back because I wanted to. I wasn't sure how that made sense, but hoped I would soon find out.

I crawled into bed, quietly, and Bella, unsurprisingly, moved to my side of the bed. I wondered what she dreamt of. Or what I would dream of...already knowing the answer.

I would dream of her.

Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed it! I'd love to hear your thoughts on Carlisle and Drunk Bella!

Happy Margarita Tuesday!

-Bravery