I don't own Twilight or its characters. Stephenie Meyer does.

Cheryl and Gabby, thank you for pre-reading, and April, thank you for editing. Any mistakes left are my own.

Ch. 17

The sun beat down on me as I tilted my head to enjoy the warmth of it against my skin. I dug my toes deep into the sand and wiggled them. The sound of the waves crashing on the shore was soothing to my ears. I hadn't been this relaxed in a long time.

"What are you thinking about, beautiful?" Edward brushed my hair off my shoulder then placed a soft kiss.

"Nothing really…just enjoying the peace and quiet and being here with you alone." I opened my eyes and gazed up at him.

There were no words to describe how gorgeous Edward looked in the sunlight. He sparkled brighter than the crystal blue ocean. His eyes were a golden color which radiated his happiness. He smiled at me then kissed the back of my hand.

"I can second that. It's nice to finally be free of the chaos and drama," he agreed. "Would you like to go for a swim?"

I bit my lip and shook my head. "I have a better idea."

"Oh…and what would that be?" He gave me a sexy grin.

"I'd rather show you." I shifted to my knees and scooted closer.

I wrapped my arms around Edward's neck and pressed my lips to his. I felt him chuckle against them before returning the kiss. His hands grasped my hips gently and lifted me until I was straddling him. Then they slid up my torso, leaving a tingling sensation in their wake. His fingers nimbly unclasped the bikini top, and the small bit of fabric fell away from my body.

He deepened the kiss by slipping his tongue into my mouth, caressing mine. I moaned with pleasure as his hand cupped my swollen breast and teased my nipple. He pulled his mouth away allowing me to breathe, and his lips kissed down my neck to my collarbone.

"Please…please," I begged, my center aching aa I pushed against the bulge in his shorts.

Edward pulled away and stared into my eyes. His had darkened considerably and were filled with wanton desire.

"Please." My voice became more urgent.

I was suddenly on my back with Edward hoovering over me. "Bella…Bella," he murmured over and over as he lowered himself between my legs.

"Bella!" His voice was louder and more crisp.

I woke up with a start, confused to where I was. I blinked a few times as I recognized my bedroom in Forks—a far cry from a secluded tropical beach.

"Bella, love, are you okay? I'm sorry to wake you, but you were having a nightmare," Edward explained softly.

I shook my head to clear up the fogginess of still being half asleep. "No, it wasn't a nightmare."

His forehead furrowed in confusion. "Then what were you dreaming about? Whatever it was had your heartrate up and you were desperately saying please."

I cringed about him saying desperate and the blood rushed to my cheeks. "Ummm…" I glanced at the window. "Are Jasper and Emmett still right outside?"

"No. They left at dawn. But what does that have to do with anything?" Edward asked.

"Maybe I can show you my dream," I suggested boldly as I slid closer to where he sat on the corner of my bed.

It was harder to do than in my dream since my large belly was getting in the way. He returned the kiss hesitantly, at first, but as soon as my tongue touched his lips, I found myself kissing empty air. Edward was across the room with a look of disgust on his face. Mortified, I slid out of bed, anxious to be out of the room.

"Sorry…I don't know what I was thinking." I kept my head down as I went for the door.

"Bella…Bella," Edward called, blocking my path.

"I really have to go the bathroom, one of the babies is on my bladder," I told him, trying to go around him.

"Hold on a moment. Look at me," he asked.

I lifted my eyes as far as I dared, staring at his chest. He sighed and placed his finger under my chin, tilting my head up.

"Much better," he said softly, gazing into my eyes. "Love, I'm sorry…"

"No, I'm sorry I disgusted you."

"You didn't disgust me." He gave me an incredulous look.

"That's not what the expression on your face said," I told him.

"If I appeared disgusted then it was probably being disappointed in myself. Not you, love. I hate I can't fully show you how I feel about you. I would want nothing more than to be intimate with you, but it's far too dangerous while you're human—let alone pregnant," he explained, and I saw the remorse in his eyes.

"All the better to change me then," I said automatically.

"You want me to change you so we can have sex?" he questioned without any emotion behind it.

"Not the main reason. It's just another pro for it. But I'm sorry, I promised to shelve it, and I meant it. I got caught up in my dream, it seemed so real…" I became flustered. "I really need to have a human moment before I have an accident."

Edward stepped out of my way, and I hurried to the bathroom. After I did my business, I splashed some cold water on my face and took a few deep breaths. I looked at myself in the mirror and noticed I couldn't look any less attractive than I did at this moment. I had bags under my eyes and my face was all splotchy.

I made my way as slowly as possible to my room. When I entered, Edward was sitting in my rocking chair. He smiled and opened his arms for me to come to him. I hesitated for moment before joining him.

He nuzzled my cheek. "I do wish I didn't have to hold back with you. Will you tell me about your dream?"

"We probably should head downstairs. I'm sure Charlie is up by now." I avoided the question.

"He's at the diner, grabbing us some breakfast. We are alone," he told me.

I squirmed in my seat. "It was a good dream. We were alone on a secluded tropical beach. I wasn't pregnant anymore. We were enjoying the peace and tranquility. We started getting intimate, first by kissing, and then you were touching me. We were about to make love when you woke me up."

"Sorry." He smiled ruefully. "So where was I touching you exactly? Was it around here?" His hand brushed my upper thigh. "Or was it further up around here?" He moved his hand to my rib cage, and his thumb brushed against my breast.

My breath hitched. "The second one," I told him.

"I see." He smirked as his thumb brushed more firmly. "You know in my day I was taught this would be disrespecting a woman."

"Times change. I like it. It makes me feel…it makes me feel desirable." I risked being honest.

"You are definitely desirable, love. I may not be able to dream, but that doesn't mean I don't have my own fantasies." He kissed below my ear, his tongue snaking out to lick my skin.

A small moan escaped my mouth and Edward chuckled. He stood with me in his arms and carried me over to the bed. He placed me down before lying on his side next to me. His hand played with the edge of my shirt.

"Perhaps we can experiment with more intimacy; however, there will have to be some ground rules." His hand slid to my breast, cupping it.

"I'm listening," I said as my chest rose and fell against him.

"Nothing that involves going near my teeth—it's too hazardous. Also, we can't make love…it would be too dangerous for the babies and you. Those I have known to take a human sexually don't usually leave their partners alive in the end. I could never risk you that way," he explained.

"You would never hurt me." I touched his cheek.

"I have no doubt I would lose any train of thought while in the throes of passion with you." He winked at me. "After the babies are here, I'm going to take you away from it all and to an island like you dreamed about."

"Really? That sounds nice." I raked my fingers through his hair.

"It will be more than nice." He pulled away from me. "Charlie is back. I'll step out while you get dressed, then take you downstairs."

SS

Edward carried me downstairs without protest from me and set me down on the couch. From here we could hear Charlie in the kitchen on the phone with Billy.

"Your concern is too little too late if you ask me. Where was your concern and apologies a few weeks ago? Hell…where was it a year and a half ago," Charlie snapped.

"I begged you to get Jacob help the first time…don't tell me Jacob isn't on drugs. All the signs are there, did you forget I'm a cop? I agreed not to press charges last time because you swore to me you'd get him help. I consented because I knew he was all you had to assist you. I can't trust your word anymore. When we find Jacob, he will be going to jail. Kidnapping is a federal crime."

"Well, I'm sorry too!" Charlie huffed. "Bullshit. The Cullens weren't trespassing. They arrived with me, looking for Bella. You should be thanking me they did, because it is thanks to Dr. Cullen that Sam is alive, or Jacob would be looking at murder charges too."

There was a moment of silence before the phone hung up roughly. Edward stood and made his way to the kitchen while I waited.

"Good morning, Chief," he greeted.

"Good morning. I hope I didn't wake you guys," Dad apologized.

"We were already awake. I came to hunt down some food for Bella," Edward said.

"I have plenty, help yourselves. Is Bella upstairs?" Dad asked.

"She's in the living room, keeping her feet up," Edward explained.

Dad appeared a moment later with a coffee mug and plate in hand. "I wasn't sure what you'd like so I got a bunch of things. Sorry, I didn't have much in the house."

"It's okay. I'm sure whatever you got will be fine," I told him.

"You're looking better this morning," he commented, taking a sip of his coffee.

"I feel much better. I slept really well last night," I told him.

Edward came into the room and with two plates, filled with scrambled eggs, breakfast sausage, whole wheat toast, pancakes, a blueberry muffin, and an apple. I gave him a wide-eyed look, knowing there was no way I could eat all of that. He shrugged and returned to the kitchen, coming back with an orange juice to wash all the food down with.

"What time are your brothers arriving?" Charlie asked Edward.

"They should be here within the hour," Edward answered.

"I wanted to talk to you both some more about Jacob. It seems there hasn't been any sight of him since yesterday. Billy swears he doesn't know where he is. Seth Clearwater is spearheading a search party in La Push. I have my officers out as well and I will join them in a few. I know you probably know this but if you see him, don't engage. Call the police immediately and let them deal with it," Charlie advised.

"Of course, Chief." Edward nodded in agreement, but I knew he was lying. I knew if Jacob crossed our paths Edward would kill him.

"One more thing." Charlie slid an uncovered box over to us. "I know you're not too keen on the idea, but I will rest better."

"Dad, I'm really not comfortable owning a gun. Besides, as Edward said, Jasper and Emmett know how to use one."

"Good, maybe they can teach you and Edward." Charlie drained his coffee and glanced at his watch. "I should get going." He seemed hesitant to leave.

There was a knock on the door, and he stood quickly. He opened it slowly at first then all the way.

"Boys, come on in. We were just talking about you," Charlie greeted them.

"Chief, good to see you. I wish it was better circumstances." Emmett came in first.

"Sir." Jasper nodded his head.

Emmett spotted me and gave me a sad smile. "How are you feeling, Bella?"

"Better. I'll be ready to go in a few." I glanced down at the food I had barely touched.

"No rush. Eat. It's a long drive ahead and we have to swing by the house first and check in with Carlisle," Edward told me.

"So you were talking about us, good things I hope," Emmett joked.

"Edward told me how the two of you know how to use a gun. I was hoping you could do me a favor and teach Bella how. It wouldn't be a bad idea for Edward to learn too." Charlie gestured to the gun on the table.

"Bella with a gun." Emmett snickered.

"See, even Emmett knows Bella plus gun is a bad idea," I grumbled as I took a bite of my sausage.

"It isn't a bad idea." Jasper spoke in a quiet but firm voice. "I'll teach you how. It would be better for your safety. If you know how to use it properly then you won't get hurt."

"And of course, I want to learn as well." Edward rubbed my leg tenderly.

"Thank you, Jasper." Charlie looked relieved and grabbed his coat. "I'm on my way to the station. Bells, call me when you arrive back in Tacoma."

"I will," I agreed.

After he left, I finished my breakfast. Edward disappeared upstairs and came back with my bag Alice had packed.

He held up an envelope. "Since these are vouchers, they still might be good. I'll make up the difference if you want to visit your mom for spring break or maybe we can find a tropical beach you'd want to go to." He gave me a crooked grin as I started to blush.

"Sweet! Are you talking about Esme's island? We could all go?" Emmett looked excited.

"You forgot you've been banned from the place," Jasper teased. "Besides, I think Edward was talking just the two of them."

"Esme has her own island?" I asked.

"Carlisle bought it for her as a place to escape. I'm sure Esme won't mind lending it to us since we know how to behave." Edward shot Emmett a look.

"Hey, it was Rosie's fault too." Emmett smiled mischievously. "What can I say, I married a wild woman."

"Speaking of your wife. Did you find out where she was?" Edward's mood darkened.

Emmett's smirk fell. "If you want to blame someone for leaving Bella alone, blame me."

"No, it wasn't your fault, Emmett. I practically threw you out since Alice thought Edward and Carlisle were in danger and didn't know it since Alice couldn't reach them. Edward, I told you it was sunny."

"You have an underground garage, Bella," Edward stated.

"Yes. My brain was a bit foggy last night, but you need a special card to get in just like downstairs. I have one and you have the only other. Rosalie wouldn't have been able to get in. I know she doesn't like me, and I can't say I'm thrilled with her either, but I hardly doubt she would set me up to be taken. She knows she would never be able to hide that from you and you would kill her," I reasoned with him.

"Rosalie doesn't hate Bella. She would never sentence her to die by the mutts. She's almost more protective of the babies than you are." Jasper spread his calming influence.

Edward was silent, and I slid my hand on top of his. "Look, if you find out something else different when we see her, we will deal with it then. But as it stands, the only person to blame for this mess is Jacob."

Edward nodded after a moment. "You're right."

Emmett's shoulders sagged in relief. "Alrighty then shall we get this show on the road? What the hell is that?"

A/N: Did I fool you with the dream? Some progression with intimacy. I couldn't see vampward agreeing to have sex while she was pregnant due to the risks.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me.

Side note: I'm a judge and banner maker for A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words: Valentine Edition. Submissions are open to Feb. 10th. Check it out here: Facebook Dot Com /groups/ 460094101314978 or fanfiction dot net /u/ 13011621/ APictureIsWorthAThousandWords