Ch 37 Three's the Charm

"So class I hope you enjoy your Valentine's Day weekend and I'll see you all next week." Professor Gia clapped her hands and dismissed us. Jessica craned her neck suddenly rushing to collect her things together, throwing me a smirk before she jogged out the door. Well that's normal…

When I walked out I saw Edward standing in his usual spot with an irritated expression while Jessica deliberately rocked back and forth, twisting a strand of her hair in between her fingers flirtatiously. That's why she was in such a hurry to leave the room.

"Oh Jessica, what a surprise to see you here after you were in such a rush to leave," I smiled to her watching her eye twitch. Edward's arm wrapped around my waist and he kissed my head. "Hi baby," I greeted not removing my eyes from Jessica's face once.

"Hi love." He mumbled into my hair. Jessica swallowed once, laughing, a sound that was too fake for words. "Oh I was just leaving when I caught up with Edward here." She gestured to him.

"Of course, but we have to go or we'll be late to class," I looked up speaking to him and he thankfully smiled, nodding. "Happy early Valentine's Day Jess," I waved watching how her face turned with frustration. Sucks to be her.

"Ugh, I love you." Edward said, hitching his arm around my neck kissing my cheek repeatedly. I giggled, liking this reaction from him. "She was boring me half to death. I wasn't even listening."

"She has her eyes on you." I winked and he snorted.

"I have my eyes on you." I reached up placing a chaste kiss on his lips. He pulled back, stopping in our tracks patting his pockets.

"Wait I have some news." My eyebrows knitted together not sure what he was saying. He pulled out a white envelope smiling from ear to ear, yet my expression remained the same. "One ticket for Phoenix for spring break," I smiled from ear to ear. He was coming with me!

"You're coming with me!" I squealed and he nodded, chuckling. "I said I would, tiger." He bent down, kissing me long and hard. This news was perfect, now it seemed that I was even happier to go to Phoenix knowing he'd be right by my side.

After two hours of being tortured by Alice, all her makeup and hair tools, we finally saw the boys. Now we were off on our way to restaurant to celebrate Valentine's Day on a triple date. The restaurant was fancy, very well organized and large. The host settled us into a nice spacey booth, distributing the menus letting us be. I placed the napkin neatly on my lap and nudged Edward's shoulder.

"So is Jane going to appear again? Three times is the charm." He frowned not enjoying my bitter joke. "Or is there any ex girl that I should be worried about?" His frowned deepened and I decided I should stop pushing his buttons; this was a very special outing. That hopefully won't be ruined.

"Hopefully she won't appear again." He replied ordering himself a coke. "And you have no other woman to be worried of. Now moving on from the distasteful jokes," Jasper laughed at our exchange and Edward glared at him. "It's not funny."

"Oh it's absolutely hysterical." He continued with Alice smiling affectionately at him. "You have to be the only person not part of the family that can say that to him and shut him up without him getting mad." He praised me and Emmett joined in.

"Yeah, after so long somebody that's up to match with him." He snickered, clutching onto Rosalie's hand. I blushed slightly that my jokes now caused the mocking between the boys. Edward growled next to me and Alice chimed in.

"All right boys, enough. Time to act our age," She patted Jasper's hand gently and he immediately relaxed on command. "Let's focus on what to eat."

We all ordered our foods after a good five minutes. Our waiter was extremely kind and patient for the people with huge indecisive appetites. Not going to say any names—Emmett. As we all ate we all discussed matters for Jasper and Alice's wedding, and our spring break plans.

"I'm going to visit Jazz's parents with him." She said nuzzling her head onto his shoulder.

"Bella and I are going to visit her mother." Edward mentioned placing his fork down onto his empty plate. Emmett's chewing slowed.

"Well now I'll be stuck home, oh yay." His tone was sarcastic. Rose's brow furrowed.

"What's the problem?"

"I hate being home. My mother and I have a very distant relationship." She stayed thoughtful for a second before she smiled.

"You could come over and meet my parents." Emmett swallowed his mouthful of food hard the question catching him off guard.

"Really?" She nodded.

"Yeah, I think they have a right to know who I'm dating now." They shared a look before he smiled, nodding.

"Okay." She kissed him briefly then returned to her food.

Alice ordered a strawberry cheesecake for dessert for all of us. She cut everyone a slice and I stole a strawberry since it was my favorite fruit. The cake looked delicious, it was white fluffy, creamy and simply dissolved in your mouth.

"Mm," I moaned watching Edward's eyes turn to me swiftly. I swallowed whatever I had in my mouth lowering my eyes onto my plate avoiding his piercing dark stare. It was clouded with desire. He grabbed the spoon from my hand, slicing a piece of cake and holding it over me.

"Tip your head back, open wide." His voice was low but soft so I followed his orders. I closed my mouth around the cake that now tasted even better that Edward fed it to me. When I looked up Edward's eyes were even darker and everyone around us had smirks. I blushed profusely and he cleared his throat. "I think we should go." We ordered the check, paying evenly amongst the six of us.

When we got back to the dorm Edward kissed me, his hands at my hips. "I hope you like what's inside." He whispered against my lips, walking away chuckling. I stood watching after him confused but entered the room when his figure was gone. There next to my bed on my night stand stood an enormous bouquet of red roses in an expensive looking crystal vase, with a note sticking out from the top. "Whoa," Angela breathed removing her glasses to rub her eyes. Alice squealed passing me the note because I was walking 'too slow' according to her.

The note was inside of a white little envelope with a golden seal. I opened it my heart thumping in my ears.

My dearest little tiger,

On this special day, I want to tell you thank you for stepping back into my life to change it around completely, making me a better person and for loving me. I love you more than I can ever express it Bella, this note doesn't have enough space where I can write even a quarter of how much I feel for you. The roses are a true red to represent my love to you; hopefully one day I can add different shades to complete all the meanings. Bella, I love you my little tiger and you're going to hear it way more than just for this day. This is just the start.

Edward

A single tear fell onto the corner of the note, fading the last "d" in his name while my stomach fluttered with butterflies of pure happiness. This gesture was the absolute perfect thing he could've ever given me—a description of how he feels for me. I hugged the note close to my chest smiling through the small tears that fell out of my eyes.

"What was it?" Rosalie asked curiously. Alice snatched the note letting her eyes scan it quickly before her face visibly softened when she finished.

"I'm so impressed with him." She mused. "He really loves you Bella." She added and I nodded.

"I know," Rosalie smiled after she read it as well, passing it onto Angela. "I love him too." I whispered walking over to the huge roses. True red for lovers. I chuckled to myself, taking a whiff of them smelling a rich, sweet scent that brought happiness to whoever smelled it.

My fingers dialed Edward's number and he answered on the second ring. "Hello?" I sniffled into the phone making him immediately worry. "Bella, what's wrong?"

"Baby, I love you so much." I answered into the phone, hearing the girls still gushing over my roses in the background. I could almost picture the smile that probably crossed his face right now.

"You liked it?"

I wiped my nose taking another whiff of the red roses. "I loved it. Thank you, this means so much to me."

"Not as much as you mean to me." He was literally melting my heart with his sweet words.

"Edward Cullen, I love you."

"I adore you Isabella Swan." His voice rang clearly through the line like if that was the one thing he was absolutely certain of.

"Bella, how are you going to get sick two weeks before spring break!" Alice whined like a child at the sudden cold I'd managed to get due to the change in temperature. I wrapped the blanket around me raising an eyebrow at her.

"Trust me, I didn't decide this Alice." I answered knowing perfectly well that I didn't want to go to class today. I wouldn't be able to concentrate and if I can't concentrate there's really no point of me going. I'll see if Rose could let me copy her notes for today. She left earlier in the morning for her first class with Angela by her side. Alice was getting ready to leave now in her skinny jeans and high heels, looking more like she belonged on a runway then on her way to class.

She pouted placing a small pin into her hair to keep any baby hairs away from her face. "Blah, fine, I'll be back during break to check up on how you're doing. No straining yourself." She pointed her perfectly manicured fingernail at me. I rolled my eyes knowing this was the side of Alice that came out whenever I wasn't feeling a hundred percent okay or when I was harmed. This was her nurturing, mommy side. "See you later, chick." She kissed my forehead before strutting out of our door.

I snuggled closely into my pillow feeling weak. Ugh I hope this sleep will make me feel better. I closed my eyes and slowly drifted away. There were footsteps in the room followed by a bang and a small groan. That must be Alice, is it really break already? I opened my eyes them focusing on bronze messy hair.

"Edward…" I called groggily and he stood up straight forgetting about the foot he'd hurt against the bed. "What are you doing here?"

"Hi baby," He greeted kissing my forehead. "I heard you were sick so I brought you soup." He held up a small bowl in front of my face that smelled really appealing. I licked my lips instinctually and he laughed taking some soup onto the spoon. "Open." I opened wide and like the night for Valentine's Day, he fed me again, except this time it was all caring without desire or lust butting in. The hot soup burned my throat on the way down warming up my insides. I immediately started to feel better and even Edward noticed it.

"Don't you have class?" I put the bowl on the side as he accommodated himself next to me on the bed. He draped his arm behind my head supporting me while he shook his head.

"I only had one in the morning because I switched my other class to a different day. So when I heard you were sick, I thought it'd be the perfect opportunity to care for you." He bumped our noses together.

"I hope you don't get sick."

"I don't get sick." He bragged proudly. "Plus, you're looking a lot better so I doubt you're contagious anymore."

"I feel a lot better." It was the truth. My body was warmer now, less tense and my headache was gone.

"Good." He lied down with my head on top of his chest. I closed my eyes drifting away again into another sleep. When I woke up Edward was awake, his arms still wound around me. I'd only fallen asleep for an hour, he must be so bored. His face was calm, handsome and freshly shaved leaving him looking drop dead gorgeous. I let my fingers trace down his straight nose to his lips, following their curve like if it were painted there by Picasso. He closed his eyes under my touch and I followed my urges, putting my lips over his. He responded without hesitation, his lips following my rhythm for once. It started getting a little steamier, my hands pulling at his shirt silently begging him to take it off which he did in one movement to my surprise. Our legs tangled with one another's under the sheets. His hands roamed down my waist to the hem of my shirt where he stopped, not moving another muscle from that spot.

I was getting increasingly frustrated that he suddenly decided to stop his hands from moving, so I pulled him closer by his shoulders to urge him to continue, feeling the strong definition of them under my fingers. I ran my hands down his chest to his abs where he groaned. One thing was to see his muscle; another is to feel them completely bare under my fingers. His hand was still motionless, the complete opposite of his lips, driving me crazy so I decided to take matters into my own hands. I reached with shaky fingers to the hem of my shirt ready to pull it over my head when Edward's strong hands encircled my wrists, restraining them from accomplishing their task. He pulled away moving onto my ear.

"Don't Bella," He whispered huskily into my ear as he kissed it ever so tenderly. How does he expect me to be totally okay with being a nun when he does things like that to me? I almost whimpered trying to push past the daze that my mind was in right now.

"Hm why?" He sat up sharply next to me all trace of warm pleasure now gone. His green eyes stared at me as I tried to catch my breath and slow down my heart rate.

"Because," I sat up next to him perplexed by his strange attitude and neglect towards this. He was the man that basically had sex all the time before me and now all of a sudden that stopped? It sounded like a great thing in the beginning, now it's actually starting to piss me off.

"Because what?" I pressed angrily watching as he sighed, running a hand through his hair.

"Bella, do you think I could honestly do this with you while I know your past?" His words were harsh as he spoke and they hurt me. He basically said he didn't want to have sex with me because of what happened with James. I pressed my lips into a tight line, feeling the unwanted feeling wash over me. "No, no, no. Not like that." He amended reading my expression. "What I meant was do you think that I can treat you like any other girl because lust consumes me when I know you're not ready because of what James did to you." His face was cold, his jaw taut and clenched.

"I would never treat you the way I treated some girls Bella, I want you to be more than sure that that's what you want. I don't want you to wake up and think that this was a bad idea—I want you to be ready. A repeat of James won't ever happen to you, I'll make sure of it. So no." My jaw hung open feeling a lot of things at once in a huge jumble of a mess. He was looking out for me—but it's hard not to want someone when they're sitting half naked on your bed looking like they were photo shopped!

"But—"

"No buts," he argued pressing his lips softly against mine before tugging his shirt back on. I pursed my lips, pouting not happy about the fact he said no and that he really put his shirt back on! Ugh men, you can never understand them. "Besides, when and if it happens I want it to be romantic and alone, not in the dorm room of my sister and your friends when they can walk in and out as many times as they please." I huffed crossing my arms over my chest.

"You're unfair."

"All's fair in love and war." He grinned crookedly while I glared at him through narrowed eyes. He remained completely amused the rest of the time he was here at my reaction finding it comical.

"Oops," Rose said turning around covering her eyes. "Sorry!"

"Don't worry about it Rose, we're doing nothing." He responded while I rolled my eyes.

"Not by my choice." I muttered sarcastically and he threw me a complacent look. Alice stepped in minutes after not looking surprised to see Edward here so I knew she must've let him know I was sick. She clapped her hands gesturing him to move away and he did as ordered, untangling himself from me.

"Someone doesn't look too happy." She mumbled placing her hand over my forehead to feel my temperature. Rose hovered over me next to Alice, giggling.

"Ask your brother." I replied jerking my head to him. His face feigned innocence like he didn't know what I was talking about. "What'd you do?" She sighed and he shrugged not answering. "Edward." She insisted.

"She's cranky because she's sick." He retorted nonchalantly. Rosalie didn't seem convinced; she just gave him a look before combing my hair with her fingers.

"Alright, well it's time you leave so we can spend time with Bella. We'll take care of her." Rosalie shooed him and he rolled his eyes planting a quick kiss on my lips before leaving, shutting the door behind him. Rosalie turned to me with an expectant expression and I gulped knowing very well she was going to press answers out of me. "So now why is it that you looked annoyed while he looked like he was enjoying it?" Well this became just a little awkward. She and Alice sat down next to me getting comfortable meaning they weren't going to move until they were satisfied with my answer.

"Come on, Bella. We're best friends, we tell each other everything." Alice huffed at my hesitant, nervous expression.

"Well I kind of wanted to have…sex?" It sounded more like a question than a statement, not quite the tone I was going for. Alice and Rose exchanged a look before giggling.

"Are you asking us or...?"

"No, I wanted to."

"But," Rose continued slowly as if she were talking to a toddler.

"He doesn't want to because he thinks I should be more than ready so I don't regret it." It was a dumb reason to be annoyed at because he was being caring but I couldn't help being irritated he kept turning me down. Anybody would!

"That doesn't sound like a bad thing." Rose said honestly after a small silence. "At least he's being considerate of you."

"I know…"

"But you obviously aren't too happy with that." I shook my head. I was really conservative when it came to sex not wanting to end up getting used or knocked up, but now I was sure I wanted to be with Edward, in all extents of that word.

Alice placed her small hand over mine softly. "Understand him," her eyes giving me an underlying message that said, 'James'. "He's trying to do the right thing for the both of you. He doesn't want to mess up."

Not that I didn't know that, but I guess hearing it from a different person makes you really reflect that it's not because he's being cynical. I relaxed, letting go of my annoyance and finally understanding the same point he tried to explain to me before. "You sure you want to do this with Edward?" Rose tested worried just like Edward was if it did happen would I end up regretting the decision. "You don't have to. Edward has been with you for so long without it, I don't think you have to rush into things." Her expression was very cautious and I knew Rose was worried for me and I had to be thankful for that.

"It's not about having to," I started. "I'm aware that I don't have to but it's something that's come naturally into play and I'm ready for. Just like you guys said, 'you know when it's right.'" They suddenly smiled warmly at me, nodding once.

Edward's POV

Professor Grange dismissed us from our late class wishing us a happy spring break. I jogged into my dorm watching Jasper close his luggage releasing a huge breath while Emmett laughed setting aside his clothes to pack. "Edward, man, ready for tomorrow?"

I grinned. "I'm actually leaving today, our flight leaves tomorrow first thing in the morning. We're pulling over at a hotel nearby." Bella and I agreed that sleeping somewhere nearby would work out better for us than trying to drive down there in the early am hours. Emmett's eyebrows shot up in surprise.

"Getting freaky?" He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively and I scowled, my mouth twisting towards the floor. Jasper shoved him.

"No, Edward respects Bella."

"Jeez, I was joking." Emmett rolled his eyes. "We all know Bella has kept Eddie here on a tight line. A true woman." He was right, she's the first woman I've been with for so long that hasn't bored me due to lack of sex. It's not necessary for me to stay interested in her, she's perfect and I vowed from the beginning I wouldn't taint her with my foul old ways. Of course I desire Bella in that way, she drove me crazy with the little things she did, with her shy innocent attitude that turned to a dangerous fierce tiger, when she bit her lips with her teeth softly, when she tried to seduce me—it drove me off the wall and it would take all my self-control to stop and pull away. It was weird to be the controlled, strict one for once. She had the perfect body that screamed to be touched at all times, even if it was innocently. All these attributes made up that beautiful woman.

"I'm leaving." I said grabbing my luggage in my hands, ready to leave. Emmett and Jasper came and shook my hands, patting my back.

"Good luck Edward." Jasper wished sincerely and I thanked him.

"Let us know how it goes." Emmett added with a mischievous smile and I knew where his thoughts were headed. "You too, both of you let me know how things go." They nodded and I departed loading everything onto my car when I heard girly giggles behind me. I turned around seeing Bella, Alice and Rosalie walking arm and arm with some luggage towards my car. "Okay, have lots of fun, Bell!" Rosalie kissed her cheek, hugging her tightly.

"And we hope you have lots of stories." Alice snickered into her hand and Bella jabbed her elbow into her side. I was obviously missing an inside joke between them. "Bye Edward. Call me when you're in Phoenix." She hugged me and I kissed the top of her black hair.

"Of course,"

"Bye guys!" Bella waved buckling into the passenger seat of the Volvo as we left the college campus on our way to the hotel where we'd be spending the night. Bella sighed relieved turning up some music, entwining our fingers together as I drove peacefully down Seattle.

"The bellhop will show you both up to your room. I hope you enjoy your stay and don't worry your wakeup call is set for tomorrow." The concierge at the desk said smiling at us, passing us the room key for us. "Sebastian! Please escort our guests to their room." The young boy Sebastian nodded following commands piling our luggage onto a golden cart taking the elevator to the eighth floor to our room.

Bella remained close to my side after we argued for a good fifteen minutes about the price of the hotel. She didn't want me to pay for her but I somehow convinced her although now she's determined to buy me a lot of things in Phoenix so she didn't look like a leachy girlfriend. That caused me to snort because she was taking things out of proportion as always but if it helped her feel better then let her be.

"Here you go," I gave him a tip for his help thanking that I saved up some money besides whatever my parents gave me. Bella was slowly walking around examining each item with the most awe I've seen on her face. I walked up behind her, wrapping my arms around her waist and kissing her shoulder lightly, rocking us from side to side. "What do you think?"

"It's so lovely…" Her voice was filled with love. "It's such a nice place." I remembered Bella still wasn't used to all these things, she was the worker of her small family for years that having someone pay for this came to her as a shocker. "Go on, go check it out." She skipped through the room into the shower staying there for a while that I started to think she drowned with her luck. After twenty minutes I knocked on the door. "Are you okay in there?"

"Yeah," she called back. "I'm taking a bath before bed." I groaned low enough so she wouldn't here. Bella was bathing in the same room as me, this was absolute torture. "Edward, can you leave my blue bag by the bathroom door."

"Sure." I picked up the blue dark bag and left it at the entrance of the floor walking over to the window where I looked out seeing the dark blue sky shine brightly with the moon's light against it. Bella remained in the bathroom for a while longer so I called Alice advising her of my arrival to the hotel. I pressed the end button hearing the bathroom door creak open. "Finally you're ou—" Bella stood biting her lip wearing a pair of dark blue silk shorts with a matching spaghetti strap silk top. It made her light skin stand out beautifully in contrast to the dark color also bringing out the pink hue that was spreading all over her cheeks. She suddenly giggled and I snapped my jaw shut trying to stop gawking at her long legs.

"I was showering." She walked over to me and hugged me the silk material rubbing softly against my skin. She smelled of fresh flowers and the smell itself was enticing so I pulled away and sat down in bed reaching for the remote to turn on the tv. She crawled in next to me snuggling into my side while I tried not to move too much.

For the next ten minutes everything was perfectly peaceful and I relaxed slightly, paying attention to a mindless cooking channel she insisted on watching. Her thin fingers suddenly slid up my neck to my face where she grabbed it and brought it down to hers, kissing me fiercely. I cradled her face, kissing her back cautiously trying not to let the lust overcome me. "Bella," I said sternly taking a breather. "No." She sat up onto her knees pulling me with her.

"Edward, stop."

"Bella we talked about this already…"

"I'm ready Edward."

"You're just being driven by desire." I knew the feeling all too well, it had a mind of its own. She shook her head, smiling, from side to side.

"Maybe I am being driven by desire, but I want to do this with you. I love you so much; this is something that's happening naturally. I don't feel forced in any way. I have thought about this clearly Edward."

My mind suddenly hesitated over her argument. "I don't want you to feel like how James—"

She leaned over placing her finger lightly over my lips to quiet me down. "You aren't James, Edward. I can't feel that way with you because that was something horrendous and forced whereas this is something special happening on its own. I mean that's at least how I would feel about this…"

She was worried I wouldn't see this as anything out of the ordinary, how ludicrous. I cupped her cheek, feeling the warmth of the blood under my touch. "Bella, you're the most special thing in my life—this would be the most memorable thing I do." I said sincerely. "I just want you to be ready." Her doe eyes bore into mine before she opened her mouth to speak.

"I am ready." She repeated firmly her eyes set and I gave up, letting her get her way. I closed the space in between us and kissed her long and hard enjoying her reaction. Her hands tangled in my hair tugging softly making me moan and feeling her press her lips harder against mine. My hands roamed down her arms, to her waist, down to her hips as hers unbuttoned the buttons on my shirt, pulling it off swiftly pulling me closer to her. I worked on her next, slipping off the tank top looking down to get a good look at her. She didn't meet my gaze, and I could tell she was embarrassed; this was after all her first time. She was perfect however; every single inch that my eyes ran over her newly bare skin was beautiful that it left me awestruck. My eyes followed down every curve on her body really taking her in when I saw the silver belly button ring that has taunted and teased me so many times dangling in the same place and my body couldn't wait anymore. I had to give Emmett a pat on the back for packing condoms in my wallet every time he got a new load, even when I was with Bella, saying 'you never know'.

"Beautiful." Her eyes never looked up at me so I lifted her face to mine. "Don't be ashamed you're so utterly gorgeous." She smiled pulling my lips down to hers, her hands caressing every feature of my face while I worked slowly so she would feel comfortable and cherished. I kissed her shoulders, down to her collar bone all the way back up to her ear back down to her lips. "We're going to take this really easy and slow Bella." I warned. "If I—if I hurt you, you have to tell me okay?"

She nodded once and I hoped really hard that I would be as gentle as possible with her.

Bella's POV

Edward's lips were on my throat seducing me in a way I didn't know he could and now I understood why women threw themselves on him. The feeling when he went inside me for the first time stung slightly and I clutched his shoulders tightly, digging my nails into his flesh screwing my eyes shut. He groaned breathing really harshly. "Are you okay?" He asked in a rough voice that was coated with concern. "Yes…" I breathed. "I'm better." He buried his face into the crook of my neck and resumed his earlier movement. Through the small pain I felt sudden pleasure of this whole experience. It was like something new, great and full of love.

Edward picked up his movements, his breathing becoming panting as I moaned at the feeling, running my nails around his waist to get him as close to me as I possibly could. He groaned in response tipping us both over the edge leaving us breathing heavily as he flopped on top of me. I felt complete now, my emotions too happy to even be on a meter. I cradled Edward to my chest, softly rubbing my fingers through his hair as I smiled towards the ceiling. He had been so gentle and tender yet so firm and filling—no pun intended. He really did know how to please a woman and I don't think I've ever felt as great or overjoyed as I have now. Edward propped himself up staring up at me, his eyes filled with adoration towards me, a small tired smile on his features.

"I love you." He whispered into the darkness of the room. I bent down and kissed him passionately, his hold tightening on me making those feelings he made me feel before stir up all over again.

"I love you." I replied watching his smile grow wider. "It was…great Edward." Great seemed like an understatement but I didn't know how to describe it—magnificent, wonderful, enjoyable? None of them sounded like the right word.

He chuckled lightly nuzzling our noses. "It felt amazing for me too. I'm glad that you are the only person to ever make me feel this way both with my body and my heart." I yawned accidentally and he shifted us so that he was underneath me his strong arms wrapped around me. "Go to sleep, baby. You're tired." I said nothing but let myself go into a deep sleep hearing the low humming of my lullaby from Edward's lips.

Hey guys I'm back from a long recession ! Enjoy :)