Authors Note- It's crazy that we are now at Chapter 50! Happy Hallows Eve to all who celebrate - I hope this short, fluffy little chapter is to your liking before, of course, more drama pours in.

Disclaimer- S. Meyer owns all things Twilight.

Chapter Song- Green Day: Good Riddance

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BPOV

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" My god I feel like I haven't seen you in forever." he breathed, holding me closely to him.

I smiled, " I know, I know. How are you? How's school tell me everything!"

James pulled away and ran his fingers through his short spiky dark blonde hair. He looked different from when I'd seen him last, more matured. Figure that shit. I guess we'd both really grown up from who were in high school, but somewhere inside we were still those crazy kids who did crazy shit and still thought it was fucking hilarious.

" What am I, chopped liver?! Get your ass over here, Swan!"

Two arms wrapped around me and lifted me up off the ground before I could open my mouth. I squealed as he pinched my sides and turned me to face him; laying his beautiful, soft lips on mine before pulling away and kissing all over my face, nose, and chin, forehead and both of my cheeks.

" Goddamn, I missed you." Edward sighed, burying his face in my neck and kissing me there.

" I missed you, too. How was California?"

" You'd probably love it." Edward said, wrapping his arm around my waist. " How's your mom doing?"

" Really good, Phil has been busy with practice so we basically spent every day out or at the beach."

He kissed the top of my head, " You got a nice tan."

" The naked beaches in Florida are nice."

Edward's eyes were fire and I laughed and walked ahead of him, feeling his hand connect with my ass with a loud smack. I yelped and wrapped my arm around James' as we went to baggage claim to get their luggage.

James was in California now going to UCLA to finish up college there. He was deciding to get a degree in Social Working focusing on Mental Health and Substance Abuse. He wanted to work with people through therapy and helping them with their problems. I thought that it was amazing that he wanted to do that. I knew that some people would think it was hypocritical considering James had been around the block and has experimented with drugs, but since he was done with that he wanted to help people with addiction.

Soon I was going to be finishing my next semester of school, and by December I was going to be finished with my two years, while Edward was starting up his third year at Julliard. It was incredible how much time had gone by. It was flying so fucking fast and so much had changed.

Since Edward and I have been engaged I'd reached out more to talk to my mother more and starting to deal with the fact that I couldn't change the past. There was nothing I could do to change the fact that Charlie wasn't my father, and the fact that they'd both lied to me my entire life.

I knew it was something that was going to be a slow heal, but when the end of the summer came around I had decided to go down to Florida to go see my mom since she'd never gotten the chance to get up to New York.

Edward and I didn't spend our entire summer in Forks, although we'd spent about three weeks there. Alice was getting ready to head off to UW, and Esme and Carlisle, were feeling pretty sad that she was going to be gone and the house would be even emptier; but they were proud at her for getting a full academic scholarship, meaning she'd gotten a free ride in although the Cullen's could pay for it.

I hadn't seen Charlie, or Sue and not even Leah. Esme said that she'd see Sue around town, but it seemed as if to them I no longer existed.

It was sad. And it hurt me more than I'd thought. A part of me couldn't believe it, until I'd made a run to the store with Alice and Sue had walked past me as if she hadn't seen me at all. I spent a few nights crying in Edward's arms, and others angrier than I could imagine but if Charlie wanted to be a coward than he could do as he pleased. He'd spewed all of my mother's dirty secrets and then ran away; it is what it is.

After spending those few weeks in Forks, Edward and I had parted ways as I'd gone to Florida to visit my mother and Edward had gone to California to see James. Then they were both going to come to New York and James was going to spend a week here until he classes at UCLA were starting.

I'd had such a good time with mom, and it was great to be able to spend some time with just her and me for those ten days, even though I missed Edward like hell. She gushed over my engagement ring and was pushing wedding details but Edward and I had barely delved into any major details.

The beginning of summer we had moved out of the apartment we had been staying in. The rent on the apartment had sky-rocketed because of all the people in the area had been grabbing up the apartments in the building like crazy. We'd never dealt with the rent because Esme and Carlisle had been taking care of it, and the bills were sent to them; but we they had gotten a mix up and we were sent all of the bills and saw how much it had rose a couple hundred; which was ridiculous.

We both appreciated them offering to let us stay there, in fact Esme had been arguing on the phone with Edward non-stop for a week until he said we were leaving and that was final. I loved the apartment, I really did; but for the price I knew Edward and I could find something better.

Close in the area of our old place and only a few minutes each from both of our apartments, Edward and I had found the cutest brownstone home; and I couldn't lie and say I'd never dreamed of living in one of them. It was a three bedroom and two bathrooms with the price that was more than half of the apartment we had been in. We of course still had our same furniture, so we'd decorated and painted the house all summer to make everything go together.

Alice and Jasper had come to visit us the beginning of summer to help out, and of course Alice had wanted to go shopping for days and days, but on the days that I was working; Jasper was able to help Edward out at the house so he wasn't alone.

Although Edward told me that I didn't need a job, I still wanted to go out and apply to places. I loved having extra time to spend with Edward, but there was a part of me that felt satisfied at the end of a Friday after a week of working hard. I hadn't been working much in the summer because they weren't busy; but I had gotten a job at the Courant Institute of Mathematical Science Library. I absolutely loved working there and I worked with girls my age so it was a lot of fun. It'd located on the twelfth floor of Warren Weaver Hall corner of 4th West, and the latest I'd work would be nine thirty; so it was nice knowing I wouldn't have long days like I had often had at the café..

I was only working every other Saturday, otherwise I had weekends off and I worked four days a week. All of my classes this semester were in the morning, and Edward had school mostly early afternoon and some evenings, so between classes in the morning; if he got his ass out of bed, we'd go have breakfast together and on days that I'd work until nine thirty he'd always have dinner at home waiting for me.

Things had been going pretty alright with us, and I only hope it'd continue.

When we got to the car I popped the trunk and they tossed their bags in. This summer I'd gotten a new car, because my truck had finally broken down for good. I'd tried to start it and it was completely dead, so after having a shop out here look at it; they said there really was nothing they could do besides change out all these fucking things and do some body work; I said fuck it and Edward and I went to a Toyota Dealership.

I'd gotten a new 2009 silver Toyota Corola, and primary that was where my paycheck went, as well as picking up groceries, too. Since I wanted to contribute, Edward told me that was what I could do, and even though it was mostly for myself; I had agreed because he used the car, too.

" I can't wait to get my hands on you later." Edward growled into my ear as James got into the backseat.

I laughed as he nibbled on my ear and went to get into the driver's seat. When we got to the brownstone I parked on the curb and got out as James whistled.

" Nice place you got here." he complimented as he grabbed his bag.

" Thanks, and no smoking inside. Only in the back."

He wrapped his arm around my neck and pulled me against him, " Whatever you say. Do we have to eat food in the kitchen only?"

Edward laughed as he unlocked the front door, " Watch your mouth or she'll probably make you."

I glared at Edward as he walked in the house and started jogging upstairs. We had an extra bedroom upstairs that we had furnished with a nice cot and simple furniture thanks to Esme, so James was staying up there. The other room upstairs Edward and I basically had put up shelves, and put in two desks and a couch with a nice rug and throw pillows so we could study and keep our school things in one place.

I went to the kitchen and grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge before going into the living room to lay across the couch. Only a minute later Edward was scooting behind me with his arms around my waist, lavishing my neck with his mouth.

" Did you miss me?"

" Mhm, it was so lonely being here alone for two days. I don't-"

Before I could finish my sentence he turned my face towards his and slipped his tongue into my mouth, massaging it against mine in smooth strokes. I smiled before kissing him back, tasting mint and the distant taste of cigarette's.

" If you both don't mind, I'm kind of starving. Where can I find food?"

" I made some salad and brats for dinner last night. Leftovers are in the fridge in the kitchen and help yourself."

" Any beer?"

" Edward bought some Heineken before we left, there were three in there after I had one last night."

This past summer since Edward had turned 21 he thought it made him notoriously cool that he could buy his own beer, so we usually always have some type in the fridge or lingering around somewhere.

" Drinking my beer? I don't condone teenage drinking."

I stuck my tongue out at him and he kissed me before hopping off of the couch.

" Don't go, I missed you." I whined.

" I just flew across the country, with one layover and all I had to eat were peanuts and a coke. I need food."

Both he and James went to raid the fridge for food while I laid on the couch. They returned with full plates, James sitting on the couch and Edward on the floor in front of me. I played with the hair on the nape of his neck and pressed my nose against his shoulder to breath in his scent.

" So, Eddie here was telling me that you guys are planning to get married in a year, huh?"

" That's the plan right now."

James smirked, " It was all he talked about while he was in Cali. Bella and I want to get married in October. Bella and I have been talking about colors. My mom is so happy about our engagement. Bella loved her ring. Bella. Bella. Bella." James chuckled while the tips of Edward's ears reddened.

I let out a sarcastic 'awww', " Aren't you just so adorable?"

" Don't embarrass him, too much. It's slightly endearing."

" Any lucky lady in your life?" I asked curiously.

He shrugged, " Nah. I don't do relationships, Bells, we both know this."

I rolled my eyes, " This isn't high school anymore. Don't you want to settle down?"

" Maybe later. Right now I just want to finish college. It's not like I don't have my fun on the weekends." he said, waggling his eyebrows suggestively at Edward and I.

I shivered, " Gross, I don't need to fucking know that. Ew."

" You caught Vicky and I having sex multiple times, don't be such a baby."

" And it was so nasty!"

Edward laughed at our banter and leaned his head back against the couch, letting me kiss his forehead. He smiled and James groaned from across the way.

" Am I going to have to deal with all the-"

" Shut up, you wanted to come here." Edward said with a chuckle and taking a bite out of his brat.

Once they finished with dinner it was already eight in the evening, and after a long flight the boys were both exhausted. James passed out on the couch and Edward woke him up to go upstairs as I cleaned up the living room from their food and went upstairs to join Edward, who was already in bed, cuddled under the sheets and looking through at the television. After getting ready for bed I crawled in behind him, my chest to his back.

" So everything with your mom was good?"

" Yeah, it was a lot of fun spending time with her. How was California?"

He turned around in my arms with a smile on his face, " I did something."

" What do you mean?"

Edward sat up and brought his fingers to the hem of his shirt, lifting it up off of him.

" I thought you were tired?" I teased.

He smirked and tangled my fingers in his before bringing it just underneath his left pectoral and over his upper ribcage. I looked down and saw black ink that had the initial 'B' in an elegant setting. It was simple and pretty.

And fucking permanent.

I ran my fingers over it, the skin slightly raised because it was still new and healing.

" The look on your face is conflicting."

" Edward..."

" I didn't want to get something completely stupid, so I kept it simple."

I looked up at him and smiled, leaning up to kiss him softly. " I didn't realize an initial could be so sexy."

A smile immediately spread over his face, " Yeah?"

" It's fucking awesome. I can't believe you'd do that."

" Well, it's there."

" Do I get a matching one now?"

He rolled his eyes, " I didn't get it so you'd want to get one. I got it because I...Well, I fucking love you more than anything."

The way he put it was simple and to the point. He loved me, that's why he did it and that was the best feeling in the world knowing how committed he was to me. Even though I knew it, to see this on his body was another.

I wrapped my arms around his neck and he pulled me on top of him, grasping my hips to brace me. My fingers traced his tattoo, my other hand tangled in his against his mouth as he kissed my palm.

" I love you, too."

" I have to take you to California some day, it's such a cool experience."

I smiled, " That so?"

He nodded, " Mhm. Carlisle actually owns a beach house in Monterey. Maybe one day they'd let us go out there."

" A beach house, why haven't I heard about this?!"

" I don't really know. He's had it since Emmett and Alice were young, and him and Esme go there went there a few times for their anniversary."

My mind wandered off to thoughts of Edward and I alone on a nice private beach. The thoughts weren't all that innocent but I couldn't help myself. Edward on the beach, all tan and sweaty from the sun, hair wet from the water.

" Is it a private beach house?"

His eyes narrowed, " It is."

" So many opportunities." I said cryptically.

" Dirty girl." Edward growled, tackling me towards the end of the bed as he hovered over me and tickled me relentlessly until I was screaming for him to stop because my sides were cramping from how hard I was laughing. His ministrations were relentless.

There was a loud knock on the door and a tired, yelling James at the other side of it.

" Stop fooling around in there I'm trying to sleep!"

Edward and I both silenced and I giggled into the comforter as I turn onto my stomach and look at the door. Making me squeal in surprise Edward lowered my sleep shorts and smacked my ass so hard I could hear the sound of his hand meeting my skin echo. I yelled out and turned around, grabbing him before he could sit back and wrestling him down to the bed.

Unfortunately, he was stronger and I lost under his hold. And of course our wrestling around the bed turned into rolling around the bed in a heated make out session, to groping and clothes hitting the floor as we had the reunion Edward had mentioned earlier.

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" Breakfast, hell yeah." I heard a familiar voice say as they entered the kitchen.

" Hungry?"

James plopped down at our square table, " Starving. Where's Ed?"

I chuckled, " Still sleeping."

" Seriously? I was dead the moment I hit the pillow but once eight hit I was up."

I shrugged and plated some pancakes for James to start eating since he looked so hungry. I put a little butter onto the pan and let it sizzle so I could pour more batter for pancakes.

" That is, after I told you both to shut the fuck up." He continued.

" He's just really tired I guess." I said slyly with a smile.

" Nice shit eating grin there, Bells."

Right as I was about to respond to him I heard Edward yelling my name from upstairs loudly. I turned the heat off on the stove, my brows furrowed as I made my way to the stairs. He yelled for me again and I quickened my pace, James hot on my heels.

I went into the bedroom and didn't spot Edward, so I went into the bathroom and saw him sitting on the closed toilet seat holding a shivering little ball of fluff.

" Edward, what the fuck are you holding!"

" It's a goddamn kitten! I got up to take a fucking piss and I saw it sleeping in our fucking bathtub!"

" How the hell did a kitten get in here?!"

He looked at the open window, where right outside there was a tall tree with spouting branches. This little thing must have been a fucking ninja because there was no way it could have gotten in here otherwise. I stepped closer and saw that it was shaking in Edward's arms.

" Edward, you have to let it go; it could be carrying something."

" We can't just shove it back outside. It's an animal!"

I rolled my eyes at his ridiculous tantrum over the kitten.

" I mean stop holding it so close to you like that. It could have fleas or some shit like that. James, can you grab a towel from downstairs."

" Uh, yeah, sure."

Reaching out towards the small little kitten I knew it couldn't be over four months old. The fur was clumped together with a few mats. It shivered when I picked it up and placed it in the tub, running water from the spicket and letting it warm.

Surprisingly, the kitten didn't try to jump out when Edward and I started to wash him or her very carefully. Its fur was white and silver, but there was dirt on the little paws and tail as well as on the fur under its belly. James returned with a towel and I grabbed my shampoo and started to lather up the kitten. I didn't see any visible bugs, but I kept scrubbing and then used a little conditioner, which loosened the matt's and made them easy to get out. The poor thing was scared and shaking even after wrapping it in a towel, but atleast he or she didn't fight us while we bathed it.

" There's a vet just around the corner near the bank. We should get it checked out. There's no collar or anything."

I wrapped the little ball of fluff in a towel and Edward rinsed the dirt and grime out of the tub before closing the door.

" Okay, little one, you are going to stay here while I get dressed." I said quietly to the shaking animal as I set it down on the mound of messy blankets on our bed. The kitten didn't move while I got dressed, but she watched me go back and forth, as well as Edward once he got out of the bathroom.

I just tossed on a t-shirt and some shorts and put my hair in a ponytail. I brushed my teeth and found Edward holding the small shivering kitten in his arms.

" Alrighty lets roll."

I slipped my sunglasses on and jogged downstairs, seeing James in the kitchen finishing up the breakfast I had been cooking.

" We'll be back. Don't burn the place down."

He rolled his eyes, " Have fun."

When we got to the vet they were luckily no people in the waiting area, and a technician behind the desk had immediately stood up and come to us upon seeing the little guy. She let us into an exam room as we explained to her the situation, and that we didn't know if there was an owner or anything.

A doctor was in the room just a few minutes later and had let Edward set the kitten down on the exam table so that they could get a proper look.

" Well, I can tell this is a silver Persian kitten and it's a female. She honestly can't be over ten weeks old right now the tiny little thing. She's probably very much dehydrated and famished. So how did you come upon her?" the vet asked nicely, combing through the fur with a fine comb.

" I found her in our second story bathroom. My fiancé had left the window open to let air in and when I went into the bathroom she was asleep in the bathtub. She scared the sh- crap out of me. We didn't want to really touch her too much without giving her a bath just in case, but she was also full of dirt and mud."

The vet, which still hadn't even given us a name and I couldn't see a name tag, nodded at us and looked close at her skin and fur in different places.

" Well, she doesn't have fleas, but she seems very scared with human interaction. Her mother maybe could be a stray or maybe a runaway and it's possible she got away from her little family. We never exactly know in these situations but she doesn't seem like a kitten who's gotten any love. There is no collar and well, we can just keep her here until we send her to a humane society facility after getting her properly fed and hydrated unless you both would like to keep her of course. There is no claim on her it seems, so it's up to you."

When I looked over at Edward, I could see that he was already attached to the little kitten. He had a soft spot and I knew exactly in that moment that we were most likely going to be going shopping for cat bowls and litter boxes. He wanted her even if he didn't want to admit it.

With a sigh I looked up at the vet, " I think we'd like to keep her." I said, grabbing Edward's hand.

She smiled, " Of course. Well, I think I'd like to keep her here for a few hours and get her hydrated, see how she'll act after being fed and of course give you a call. It should only be a few hours unless something comes up. She is very lucky to have found someone who did right by her."

" Sure, of course."

" I'll have my technician Jen get all of your information and I'll see you both soon." the vet said, shaking both of our hands before picking up the shivering little kitten and taking her through the opposite door of the room.

Edward and I went to the front desk and gave the lady our number and address before heading out and getting into the car.

" You really want her?" he asked.

I looked up at him, " Don't even deny it, you fucking love that little thing already. Maybe we need something to add to our home anyways. So, to the pet store?"

He sighed, " I guess so, can we get coffee first? I'm fucking dying."

After making a quick run through the drive-thru of Starbucks Edward and I went to the Petsmart that was located right next to our Target. When we walked in, I honestly didn't know where to start, but one side was for dogs and the others for cats so we started with the first aisle.

We went through each aisle, picking out a good cat food; even though neither of us knew shit about what kind would be good for her; the people who worked here seemed very helpful and said not to get canned because they have a lot of fillers that are no good. So we got an all natural holistic food called buffalo blue and then went on to bowls. We picked out cute little white bowls with pink skulls all over it and then went to get some combs, cat clippers, litter and a litter box to go with it and then we got to all of the toys.

Edward went completely overboard. He bought a scratching post, insisting that she needed it so that there would be no furniture damage, but the little thing that stuck to the wall with a long spring with a bell and feathers at the end was just something he said he 'had' to get. We also got her a little bed to put downstairs, and one to put in our bedroom for her to sleep on at night.

Who would've known the boyfriend I had a few years ago who acted like such a badass loved kittens so much. As we got to checkout, Edward insisted on paying for everything since he wanted to keep her in the first place, and as we got into the car we started rattling off name after name.

When we got back home James is lounging on the couch only in boxers drinking coffee and watching fucking SpongeBob.

" Dude, what the fuck?"

He shrugged, " What? A grown ass man can't watch SpongeBob?"

I shook my head and started taking the things into the kitchen to set on the table.

" You really okay about this?"

" It's just a kitten, Edward. I mean, a dog would be a different story. And I've never really had a pet before."

Edward smiled and kissed my temple before taking bowls out of the bag. We decided to put the litter box in the laundry room underneath the utility sink in there because it fit perfect and it had a top as well so she wouldn't hit her head on anything. It was out of the way as well.

We set the little bowls near the kitchen table and filled it up with food and fresh water and then put her toys in the little fabric toy box we'd gotten her as well as sticking the toy to the wall and putting the scratching post in the corner.

" How many cats are you guys keeping?" James laughed.

" Don't ask me, ask the crazy cat lady over there." I teased, sitting down on the couch next to James.

Edward glared at me and sat down on the other couch. The rest of the day seemed to go by slowly and around early evening we got a call from the vet asking us to come in. James decided to join us since he didn't want to be coped up anymore in the house so we all went together.

When we got to the vet we immediately got in and Dr. Jett, who of which was now wearing a nametag, came in holding the kitten with a warm blanket wrapped around her and she looked so much more healthy and happy; looking around the room eagerly with wide blue eyes.

" We dried her up and gave her some fluids and a little bit of food and she perked right up. Her temperature was a little cold so we wrapped her up in a warm blanket, but here is your towel. We gave her two kitten shots which will help with her immune system and she has a little bit of a cold so we have medicine to give to her."

I nodded, " Okay, how much is all this going to be?"

She waved her hand, " Don't worry about it, sweetheart. It's not often we have people so nice to come in to bring in poor little kittens like this one. I'll take care of it, just give her a good home and some love." she said, handing her over.

" We couldn't- " Edward started.

" Just enjoy her. And her medicine will be up front waiting for you; all the instructions are on the bottle."

" Thank you so much." I said profusely.

After getting the medicine we walked out and headed to the car, a new addition to our home in Edward's arms. When we got back to the house Edward was adamant about watching every single move that the little kitten made; it was slightly hilarious.

For most of the day we just relaxed and hung out, but by the time dinner rolled around we locked up and headed out to the city to show James around a bit to get the ' New York Experience' as he was saying, and we went to a sandwich shop for dinner and had Panini's and drinks.

It was nice to catch up and hear about what James was doing in California, and he seemed to be enjoying it; his relationship with his parents had improved he was telling us. I guess as kids we all get caught up in shit we shouldn't and it does affect our parents; but he claimed him and his mom were getting along okay now.

Afterwards we had just decided to head home after planning to do more looking around tomorrow, and Edward was drinking just a little bit too much beer, so I had to get him into bed before he collapsed on the pavement.

When we walked into the house a little ball of silvery white fluff was bouncing around at our ankles meowing and scared the shit out of me; it followed all of us upstairs and we said goodnight to James and went into our room.

" Baby, baby, slow down." Edward said roughly as I pushed him to sit on the bed.

I chuckled, " You need to get some sleep tonight."

The little kitten, still with no name to her, jumped onto the bed and I glared.

" No cats on the bed, no way."

Edward bent over, exposing a sliver of his smooth pale skin as he scooped her up.

" What's she going to do? Cuddle us to death? She's so fucking adorable." he said, petting her lovingly and laying back on the bed. I rolled my eyes at him and slipped his shoes off before getting undressed myself and getting into bed.

The kitten jumped from Edward's arms and curled up against my chest, nuzzling her little head above my heart.

" So what do we name her?" I asked."

" Fluffy? Fuck if I know, babe."

I sighed and cuddled up into the bed, letting the kitten lay next to me. Edward scooted up and started to unbutton his shirt before tossing it off.

" How about Zoey? I like that name." I mentioned.

He scuffed up the hair on the top of her head and she batted his hands away with her tiny paws. She honestly was an adorable little kitten, I couldn't imagine what it would have been like if she hadn't gotten her way into our lives.

" Zoey it is."

I looked up at him and reached over to rest my head on his shoulder, my hand resting lightly on his bare stomach.

" Everything feels so right." I told him, kissing the underside of his jaw.

" That's because everything finally is right. We've gotten through our fucked up situations and came out together in the end...and I hope that never changes no matter what." he said, rolling to lean over me while Zoey curled up at the end of the bed comfortably.

I looked up into his eyes and ran my hand over the side of his face, seeing all the love in his eyes that were in mine.

" Us against the world, right?"

He leaned down to place a lingering kiss against my slightly parted lips.

" That's right."

Authors Note- I hope you enjoyed the chapter. Thank you for reading.