I have nothing special to tell you, except for the fact that this is the second to last chapter for The Beard *weeps*

Big thanks to Rita01tx, as always.

Of course, I don't own Twilight.

The Beard

Chapter 20

The months flew by at the fastest pace ever. Edward and I were both extremely busy with school and found comfort in each other's company when we were totally exhausted by it.

Edward had been doing night shifts for ten days, now, so I'd barely seen him. Sure, he called when he was on his break and texted me but something was eating away at me. I was beginning to fear I wouldn't be able to cope if, in fact, he did choose to work at the hospital.

I could tell he didn't like it, either, even though his supervisors and mentor told him he was doing a great job. The phone calls to his father became a lot more frequent, too, asking for advice and little heart-to-hearts.

Somewhere around midnight, I was feeling exceptionally lonely as I waited for Edward to go on his fifteen-minute break. When he'd sent me a text saying that wasn't going to happen, it killed me a little. His current rotation was seriously lowering his mood and energy levels and he really didn't like working at the ER. Thankfully, tonight was Edward's last night on duty before we left for Chicago to celebrate Christmas with his family.

I'd taken my last final yesterday and tomorrow was D-Day, my thesis presentation for the jury, and I couldn't be more prepared. It helped that I felt completely and utterly done with school, in general, and Edward's sweet words of encouragement always seemed to help.

Tonight, I was up too late even though I had to get up around six to get ready and revise one last time. I couldn't help myself…Edward was on my mind and he wasn't here with me to step in every time I lost focus. He wanted to go with me tomorrow but, since he'd been called in early tonight, he won't be getting any rest until he got home around eight in the morning. I really didn't want to put him through that much-missed sleep by dragging him along for the entire day.

The dress I'd picked out was black with a thin, dark blue band around the waist and hit me quite conservatively right at the knee. I looked professional and I hoped I would be able to deliver my message in the right way.

Now, the dress might say 'professional' but the lingerie I planned to wear under it was anything but. I'd picked it out online, measuring myself to a T so I wouldn't mess up the sizing. When it arrived, I was as jittery as a kid on Christmas morning and unpacking the French lace and ivory tissue paper made my insides tingle.

Edward would love it, there was no doubt about that. Plus, a woman really never feels more powerful than when she is wearing a decadent set of lingerie.

The bra was padded slightly, the emerald color of it rich and absolutely beautiful. It was as close to Edward's eye color as I could get. I went overboard and ordered the three-piece set complete with a garter belt. To be honest, it was a little terrifying since I'd never worn anything like it. The 25 denier stockings that came along with it were silky smooth. Lingerie was crazy expensive so I had my fingers crossed I wouldn't tear them while putting them on.

Maybe I should give it a little test run so I'm not late tomorrow?

I decided to take a shower so I wouldn't have to do that in the morning and took my time, scrubbing and shaving until I was all pruned up.

The panties were gorgeous and I nearly blushed when I saw just how revealing they were. The front was incredibly detailed with a beautiful lace pattern and the back had cutouts, leaving the top part uncovered except for the little straps.

Once the bra was on with my girls lifted and in place, I took a shot at the garter belt.

It wasn't as difficult as I'd thought and I had to admit I looked pretty hot in it. The garter belt hit me in the waist perfectly and kind of cinched it in, creating more curves than I actually had.

With a silly smile, I grabbed my phone and opened up my camera.

He will lose his shit.

I snapped a few pictured in the full-body mirror hanging on the back of my bathroom door.

Gee, Bella. You look good.

Conceited much?

I giggled as I typed my boy a text and forwarded him the picture.

"Hope you like this. I miss you and I want you. And I bought this for tomorrow. I figured I could give you a little sneak peek before you go and rip it off of me.
P.S. Don't actually rip it please, it was very expensive. My student loans are quaking. Off to bed now, I love you. Can't wait to see you."

Carefully taking the lingerie back off and changing into a sleep shirt and some shorts, I crawled into bed clutching the phone tightly in anticipation of his reaction.

I'd almost drifted off to sleep when the vibrations of my phone startled me.

Edward Cullen, why are you calling me from work?

"Hi, Sweetward," I answered.

I could hear Edward exhale…hard.

"Kissabella," he groaned.

"What's wrong? Did something happen?" I taunted gleefully.

"I just got a break but, baby, you're torturing me." I heard him close a door.

"Oh, so that happened?" I teased and turned over onto my back, sitting up slightly in my bed.

"Are you wearing that right now?" he asked, his voice rough.

Oooh! Is this turning into one of 'those' phone calls?

"Where are you, Edward?" I wondered.

"On-call room. They told me to go take a nap and be back in an hour and a half," he replied.

On-call room. A thousand fantasies played out in my head, right now. Yeah, I watched too many doctor shows. A girl can dream, right?

"Oh, well I better let you get some rest, then," I muttered, slightly disappointed.

"You better let me know if you're still wearing that, first," he insisted

I snorted.

"So what if I am, doctor?" I teased.

Edward groaned and I heard the bed move under him.

"Not anymore, I'm not," I answered.

"Then, what are you wearing, baby?" he whispered.

Damn, my boy was horny!

I bit my lip as I fought the urge to get on a bus and drive over to the hospital to look for that on-call room.

Busses don't even run at this hour.

"Some sleep shorts and a tee-shirt," I admitted truthfully.

Would he rather have one of those vixens who sleep in nothing but their perfume or in slippery silks?

"The tight, short shorts?" he practically whimpered.

"The one and only," I giggled, running my fingers over the hem of them.

"Take them off, baby," he growled.

Hmm, I like this side of Edward.

I put him on speaker and wriggled out of them, tossing them aside on the bed.

"They're off. What are you wearing, Doctor Cullen?" I shot back.

"My boxers," he chuckled.

"You better not run around the hospital in just those," I teased. "But wouldn't you rather take them off?"

"I don't know if you know but other people stay in this bed, Kissabella," Edward chuckled again.

Goodbye, mood.

"That fucking lingerie, baby. Why did you send me that picture? You knew it was going to be the death of me. I can't hide much in scrubs, you know," he whined pitifully.

Mood back on.

"Yeah, those fucking scrubs of yours. I wish I could see how tight they got," I groaned.

I was surprised to hear that coming out of my mouth. Where the hell was that coming from?

"Maybe you can give me a rerun tomorrow when I'm actually wearing it?" I taunted.

"Oh, fuck. You're wearing that for your thesis presentation? That jury better not have X-ray vision," Edward sniggered.

"I only want you to see," I stated.

"Is that so?" he purred.

Cocky Cullen in da house.

"Uh-uh. I want you to take it off, too," I said, furthering the torment.

"I want you," he sighed heavily.

"I want you, too, Edward," I breathed out.

"You're a fucking goddess…you don't even need any of that wrapping." His voice was rough and I loved it.

"There's no wrapping now, Edward," I told him, stroking my panties. "You got me wet, baby.

"We'll have to do something about that, then, don't you think?" he chuckled wickedly.

"Come take your break here and fuck me?" I asked sweetly.

"Bellaaa…" Edward groaned. "Time will be up before I can even get my shoes off."

"Just relax, baby," I responded, smiling into the phone. "Lay back and let me take care of you. Imagine I'm with you and I'm kissing your neck, your chest, always going lower and lower."

"I need you a lot lower right now," he huffed impatiently.

"Where do you need me, then?" I teased.

"On my cock. Your mouth, your pussy…anything, baby. I'm so hard, it hurts."

Gee, Edward. I think I just moaned.

"Tell me, baby. Are you playing with yourself, right now?" Edward grunted.

What a question.

Of course I was.

I was breathing heavily as I circled my clit, my heart speeding up rapidly.

"Tell me how good it feels, how wet you are," he insisted when I didn't reply.

"So good." I slid one finger inside of me, trying to reach the spot that always drove me insane. Edward was much better but it still felt amazingly good. I needed this.

"My finger's got nothing on you, Cullen," I moaned and paid more attention to my clit again. There was no way I was going to be able to come if I didn't.

"Right back at ya," he laughed a little.

This is so us. Who the fuck makes jokes during phone sex?

"Do you want my hands or my mouth, right now?" I asked. I needed to slow down or I'd come way too fast.

"Mouth. No questions asked. I need to feel your wet, hot mouth around my cock, baby."

"I want to feel you hit the back of my throat. I want you to grab my hair and take control. I get so wet when you do that," I breathed, my heart thundering in my ears.

"Oh, fuck. I'm so close. Are you close?" he grunted again.

If only I could see his face. I couldn't say anything. I couldn't delay my orgasm any longer. I'm sure I sounded awful when I came, loud and proud because of my first ever phone sex session with my boyfriend.

"So hot…I…uh!" A strangled moan left Edward's mouth. I know he needed to be somewhat discreet as there were probably a lot of people around behind the thin door of the room.

"Fuck," he cursed.

I giggled, coming down from my orgasm, my limbs tingling and face hot.

"Cat got your tongue?" I asked, grinning like a fool.

"I, ah...I might have to go commando for the rest of my shift," Edward chuckled.

My eyes widened.

"What? Oh, those fucking nurses better keep their eyes off you," I snorted.

Edward laughed uproariously.

"Well, you'd better not send me any more of those pictures, Kissabella. These pants are quite thin, after all."

"You tease!" I shot back.

"Takes one to know one. Now sleep, baby girl. Big day ahead," he said sweetly.

"Yeah, yeah. You, too, Edward."

"Love you."

"Like nothing else I've loved before."

— TB—

Morning came far too quickly and I hurried into the bathroom to get showered and dressed with sleepy eyes.

I let out a big breath when I straightened the dress over my legs.

"You can do this," I coached myself.

After an encouraging text from both my mother and Edward, I made my way to the bus stop clutching the box with my model tightly.

This would be it. The end of my academic career. I found myself smiling at the thought.

On the bus, I kept reciting my presentation in my head. It was all there and I was confident, for once, that I would nail it.

I met my mentor a few minutes before I was due in the auditorium. She told me to break a leg and left me standing in the hallway with a wink and a squeeze to my shoulder.

It's time.

Five of them sitting at a long, oval table on the auditorium stage gave me the jitters. I knew all five, having done my research on each and every one of them, with my mentor on top of the list.

I could almost feel the power of my lingerie shooting through me, allowing me to move with poise and speak with confidence about my plans and about the model I'd created. Their faces were all different. My mentor smiled slightly giving me encouraging nods as I went on and on about my inspiration. The other ones, the three men and one other woman, appeared interested yet neutral about my presentation.

"I'd like to thank you all for your time and attention," I stated in closing.

They clapped —which I hadn't expected, and it left me feeling very good about myself.

"Thank you, Isabella. I think I can speak for all of us when I say you were extremely thorough and spot on with your plans. I'm sure there is an agency waiting for you and your eagle eye as we speak."

The middle gentleman stood from his chair as he spoke. The others seemed to agree, which I was glad to note.

I walked over to the table to shake their hands before being excused.

The waiting game continued.

By the time I walked into the cafeteria on campus, it was after two p.m. and my stomach was loud, reminding me to eat some lunch before I heading back home.

I pulled my coat tightly shut as I walked out onto the grounds toward the cafeteria building when a mop of all-too-familiar bronze hair lured me away from my path.

He was here.

"Edward," I gasped and hugged him tightly before he pressed his lips onto mine.

"Surprise," he whispered into my ear.

I took him in, standing back a little with his fingers entwined with mine. He looked a little tired but he was dressed in black cotton and wool on black denim with his leather boots.

"You look so good," I complimented him. He chuckled a little and pulled me closer, his hands under my coat on the small of my back.

"Is that what I think I feel?" His fingers traced the edge of my garter belt over the fabric of my dress. I blushed as his lusty gaze met mine.

I just nodded and kissed his stubbled jaw.

"Don't you have to sleep?" I asked, concerned he wasn't getting the rest he so desperately needed.

"I had a few hours of sleep when I got home. I went straight to bed around a quarter to eight this morning and I got up at noon," he explained.

"You really need to take better care of yourself, baby," I scolded, leading him to the cafeteria.

"Where are you going?" he asked.

"I'm going to feed you, silly," I replied, rolling my eyes.

"Hell, no. I'm treating you to lunch somewhere else. Someplace nicer," he insisted, smiling at me.

"Oh," I beamed. "Surprise me, then."

—TB—

I graduated cum laude one week before Christmas. I was over the moon and even my mother was there for the event. Okay, she was there virtually, skyping on Edward's phone since she was in Florida at the time. It felt a little silly but seeing Edward converse with my crazy mother caused warmth to spread through my chest.

She told me later that evening that she loved Edward. She thought he was the best thing that ever happened to me since braces and I kindly agreed with her opinion.

My job hunt had begun now that I had my diploma in hand and, with some help from my professors and their recommendations, I was feeling confident about my chances of landing a good position.

Edward suggested I take it easy, at least until the new year since most companies were on holiday, anyway. That would leave me free to enjoy our time off together.

I was packing a bag for Chicago when a Facebook message alert made me jump. I'd posted about leaving school and most of the people commenting were family. This, however, was far from family.

Congrats on graduation, Bella.

What the fuck?

I didn't even hit the Like button. Mike Newton's words meant nothing to me.

—TB—

"Are you ready for tomorrow?" Edward asked, lazily tracing circles over my bare back.

I hummed in response, closing my eyes to appreciate his touch even more. Since all the school stuff was behind me, now, my mom and dad had decided it was time to put the studio back onto the market. They were on board with me moving in with Edward with only one condition: that the place was empty and spotless so the landlord could give out his new lease on January first. He'd found several suitable candidates for my studio, already, since the price was so reasonable and it was extremely accessible to campus by bus.

The clean-up was a rather fast process as I didn't have too much junk and Edward was eager to help me. In one whole day, we'd made a round trip to the junkyard and moved the rest of my belongings into his place. It was quick, easy and extremely handy that I didn't need to buy any boxes. The actual move was simply making a bunch of trips across the hall.

Of course, Edward's apartment now looked cluttered since we'd just dropped about everything in the living room until we had time to incorporate all our things. We had made one start, though. It felt great to see my books sitting in this beautiful book wall. Medicine and architecture looked damn good together.

The new tenant wanted to pay for the furniture I'd left behind which was better than okay since we didn't need two of everything. I even threw in my bedding. Edward's bed was far bigger than mine so it wouldn't have fit, anyway.

I stretched my neck and stared at my Edward, happy to be in his —our bed enjoying after-bliss cuddles before actually going to sleep.

"Yeah, I really want to be there already," I smiled.

"Mom was over the moon that we got an earlier flight. I thought it was hard to top Alice's excitement but mom sure did," Edward chuckled.

"So, I'm a little more than excited to sleep in your old bedroom," I admitted.

"Why?" Edward frowned but smiled.

"Because it was your room for so long and I can't wait to see if there's a piano in there," I explained, wiggling my brows suggestively.

"There's a keyboard in there, sure, but that's old and not at all suitable for any other activities." He pulled me close and nuzzled my neck.

"I do have one incredibly comfortable lounge chair in my old room," he mused.

"Oh, really?" I arched an eyebrow, jealous of any girl he might have brought up there.

"Yeah, I used to pass out on it watching TV all the time," he joked.

I rolled my eyes and smacked him in the chest.

"Hey, we need to talk about your end of the deal," I said quietly.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, you helped me with Mike…I need to help you with Tanya," I replied confidently.

"Baby, we're together. It's all I need. Besides, I barely care about the rumors anymore. I don't know why I ever did."

"Yeah, but I still hate her for hurting you. I want to rub it all in her face," I pouted.

"Baby, trust me. We're loud and clear and, if she can't see that, we might have to have sex in front of her," he laughed and I joined in.

"I'd rather not share you in any way," I told him.

"Yours forever, baby."

I kissed his lips and savored every second.

Forever does sound good.

—TB—

Edward had to endure a lot of night shifts before his time off. Let's just say that that, and not going to bed on time combined, turned him into one grouchy little asshole when we had to get up at the crack of dawn to catch our plane.

"Come on, we're going to be late!" I exclaimed as I threw his sweater and jeans his way. He'd buried his head into his pillow and groaned when I pulled open the curtains, even though it was mainly street lights since the sun wasn't up yet.

I ran the brush through my hair, pulled it into a ponytail and laced up my shoes.

"I'm going to drop a fucking bucket of ice water over your head, Cullen," I threatened.

It wasn't until I stormed off into the kitchen and ran the faucet that I heard his muffled response.

"Alright, alright, woman! Sheesh."

I smiled and giggled internally.

Victory.

I made him take a quick, lukewarm shower to wake up and forced a to-go mug into his hands before we left.

On our way to the airport in his car, he spoke for the first time.

"I know I suck but I hate mornings. I promise to treat you better once I've taken a nap on the plane."

His smile was broad and infectious.

"Sure, pretty boy, but you owe me," I reminded him.

"I owe you what?"

"Anything that might cheer me up," I winked.

"God, I've created a monster," Edward laughed.

"You bet, Doucheward."

We parked the car safely and rolled our suitcases to the gate hand-in-hand. I felt like I'd walked into one of those Hallmark movies. The girl gets the guy and they lived happily ever after. I smirked and rolled my eyes at myself but Edward noticed.

"You know, when things go so good, it can only mean something bad is about to happen," I said.

"Stop that, baby. Can't you just accept the fact we're happy together?" Edward nudged his elbow into my side playfully.

"Yeah, I try but it's so hard for me to believe."

"Believe. I'll do whatever I can to make you."

"I'll just make a quick call to my mom to tell her we're boarding soon."

I nodded and told him I'd hurry to get us some more snacks while he made his call.

"Baby?" he called out when he spotted me looking for him. He smiled like a kid as I handed him the sour cream and green onion potato chips.

"That means no kisses for you until you have these," I said, holding up the mega pack of menthol chewing gum.

"Agreed. Now, come on, baby girl. Let's get to Chicago."

Thanks so much for reading :D

Time to rec the duck out of krida86 and her wonderful fic: My Stubborn Mate. GO READ! Tell her I said hi ;)

A Different Forest showed TB and my other fic, The Butterfly & The Hawk in Fic Dive :D YAY!