Chapter Forty Two

Three Years Later…

"Well, I have to be honest, I wasn't sure I would ever see you on my couch," Oprah said.

Bella smiled. "Well, I'm surprised myself," she said nervously. The audience tittered with laughter.

"So, tell me…are you happy?"

Bella sighed. "I'm very happy. We've had a long road to get us to this point…" she patted Edward's hand. She couldn't see him from where she sat next to him, but she could feel him breathing and relief flooded her once more, assuaging her nerves. "But it's been worth it."

"So, tell us about your life now, Edward, Bella. You have written a book together…" Oprah held up the book and the camera panned in on it. "You've had the reunion with your family, and now…what's next?"

Edward smiled. "Well, a lot of things…but let's come back to that."

Oprah nodded. She steepled her fingers and sat back further in her chair. "I've had the chance to read your book, which is great, by the way, but tell us, Bella; what made the two of you decide to write a book together in the first place?"

Edward spoke up. "Well, we had such success writing hit songs together, we figured a book could only be next." The audience laughed again and Oprah smiled. "Seriously, though, we felt that it was only fair that since we stay in the public light so much, that we really had to write it." He paused and tightened his grip on Bella's hand. He saw the camera zooming in on their joined appendages and he smiled.

"Besides, I wrote the past partly for Bella. We're convinced she will never get her memory back. We've accepted it and moved on. This…this was a labor of love. She was the one, when she read it, that said she needed to tack on her story to it and tell the rest of it. She wants the kids to know about our love story…and the hard road we've traveled to get back to 'us'."

Bella nodded. "It's just beautiful. I always knew Edward had a way with words…his songs don't lie. But this…this was beyond that. I'll never forget the morning I received it." And the events leading up to it, she thought.

Flashback

Christmas Eve 2010

Things had certainly changed for Bella since meeting Edward in July. She and Edison had moved to Nashville, into a small carriage house behind the mansion that Edward, Kaiya and Charlie lived in. It was still dubbed "The Boy's Mansion" by all the girls of their little group and it was not a surprise to find one or more of the guys from the group there hanging out, sometimes with wives and kids, sometimes just there playing instruments.

Bella quickly learned her 'old house' was the hub in the wheel of the group. And she loved it. She realized it was something she had been missing. She and Edi often spent whole days over there, only going to their little house to sleep.

But tonight was different. She had agreed to spend the night in the mansion with Edward, Charlie and Kaiya. They had also invited up her 'extended family'…the people that had looked after her with such care from North Carolina. They were staying in the carriage house, yet another reason for Bella and Edi to spend the night in the mansion.

The children were thrilled with all the company and attention; as such, they were more than a little hyper, dancing and singing most of the day as Bella prepared hors devours. The whole band came over for heavy snacks, bringing their own as well, so it was like a big potluck supper. Then there were the presents. Bella and Edward agreed that "Santa" would bring the majority of the kids' gifts, so they were given one gift each by "Mommy and Daddy". It was as they were all seated around the huge Christmas tree that Bella finally realized she was 'in' their group. And for the first time, she actually felt like she was supposed to be there.

Edward had been true to his word; he had backed off, letting her come to him slowly. They were still only in the holding hands, smiling shyly at each other stage, but Bella had somehow found herself through her song writing and being surrounded by her family and she was feeling brazen. Tonight, she was going to take things one step further…

Edi ran to Edward and jumped on him. "G'night, Daddy," he said.

Edward let out a little contented sigh and hugged him tightly. "Good night, Little Man."

"Good night, Mommy," Kaiya said, giving Bella a huge hug.

"Good night," Bella said before nuzzling her nose against her daughter's. "Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas," Kaiya said as Bella turned the light off and stepped out the door.

She and Edward met in the hall and smiled tiredly. They had a long night ahead of them, putting together all the 'Santa stuff' for both children. "Well," Edward said, holding out his arm. "Shall we?"

Bella let out a little giggle and nodded as she slipped her arm in his. They made their way downstairs and Bella said, "I think a drink is in order."

"More eggnog?" Edward offered as he walked over to the sidebar where the liquors were sitting, along with the punchbowl full of eggnog.

Bella bit her lip as she picked up a small box. "No, I think something a bit stronger…"

"Whiskey?" Edward asked. He knew whiskey used to be her drink of choice when she was looking for something stronger than a mixed drink.

Bella nodded. "Why not?" In truth, she was feeling somewhat nervous. She knew what she wanted to accomplish tonight; she just didn't know if she was strong enough to go through with it.

They worked in companionable silence as they put together a Barbie Dream House and a 'big boy' bicycle along with a million other toys. It was closing in on one a.m. by the time they finished.

"Whew," Edward said as he flopped onto the couch, wiping his brow. "I'm exhausted."

Bella sank down next to him, and in a move that surprised him, tossed her legs over his. He looked at her in shock for a moment before he did something he once did almost every night; he started rubbing the muscles in her calves and slightly higher…

"Mmm," she whimpered as her eyes closed. "Oh, Edward…"

Those little murmurs went straight to his cock and he shifted slightly as his discomfort mounted. "Ah…Bella?"

"Mmm…Edward? I love what you're doing to my legs…but would you massage my neck?" He watched her as her back arched and her hand traveled to her beautiful neck. "It's stiff from working on all those dollhouse parts…"

His eyebrow rose as she shifted so she was sitting almost in his lap. He licked his lips nervously and his hands were almost shaking as he reached for her neck. Gone was the confident ladies man of yesteryear; he was a nervous wreck touching his wife.

Bella smiled as she felt his hands tentatively touch her. It was nice to know he was as nervous as she was. She let him massage her for a few more moments before she turned, half-straddling him as she looked in his eyes. "Edward?"

He blinked. "Uh, y-yes?"

She smiled. "Hold perfectly still."

"O-okay. Why?"

Her grin turned slightly predatory. "Because…I just want to try one thing…"

She enjoyed the view of his Adam's apple bobbing up and down in apprehension as she moved closer to him. Closer…closer…closer…

"Bella!" he said as he slid out from underneath her. He stood and ran his hands through his hair. "What are you doing?"

She felt the tears coming, but refused them as the hurt turned to anger. "I was trying to seduce my husband, if you don't mind!" she screamed at him.

"I…uh…you what?"

She sighed and stomped her foot slightly as she stood. She then did something that surprised them both; she ripped open her shirt, showing off her black and pink lace bra. "I'm married to you, Edward! It's about damned time I showed it! I want…I want a husband! I want to be with you! I don't want to be this…this freak that you're stuck with forever! I may not remember being with you before, but we have a lifetime of memories yet to make if you'll just help me make them!" She let out a growl and stomped away from him. "Never mind. You are standing there looking dumbfounded so it's obvious that you aren't interested in me that way anymore. I hate it, Edward. I hate that I don't look like your wife anymore…" Her voice caught with emotion as she said, "And you will never know how much I hate the fact that I can't remember anything of our life together, but I can't. I'm…sorry, Edward. I'll just go upstairs now…"

She continued walking, heading for the stairs.

Edward watched her go a half a second before his brain caught up to everything she just said and he ran after her. "Bella! Wait!"

She refused to let him see her tears and kept walking. She had her foot on the first step when he reached her, grabbed her arm, and spun her around. In true 'Bella' nature, she lost her footing completely and fell into his arms.

"Edward…"

"Shut up, Bella," he said harshly, his breathing ragged. "You've had your say, now it's my turn."

She shut her mouth and looked at him. Neither seemed to realize that he was still holding her tightly; nor did they realize that she was almost half-dressed in his arms.

"I love you. I searched for you for four fucking years and I didn't give up. Ever. Not even when your own father wanted to give up on you. And my perseverance paid off. When I found you, you didn't know me and I accepted that. I've waited and bided my time and been patient and then when you…you threw yourself at me, I froze." He grabbed her hand roughly and pressed it to his crotch. "This is what you do to me. You always have and you always will Whether you look like 'my Bella' or not, you're still 'my Bella'. I need you and I want you and nothing or no one could stop me from wanting you. So, if you want this, if you want me, then…you have me. I just didn't want to rush you or…"

That was when she silenced him with her lips on his; their first kiss in now five years. Her hands traveled to his face and his traveled to her ass. She responded immediately and gave a little jump as he held her weight and her legs wrapped around his. Their kiss was full of passion; long and with a lot of tongue and moans. She pulled away only long enough to say; "Take me to bed, Edward. Show me how good we used to be," and he responded by slowly ascending the stairs, taking her to his, no; their room.

He laid her gently upon the bed and just looked down at her. "Do you know how long I wished for you to be here?" he asked gruffly.

She bit her lip and smiled up at him. "Show me."

He dipped down onto her and slowly began kissing her lips and face before descending her neck, earning a giggle from her. He pulled away and smiled. "I love how ticklish your neck is," he resumed his ministrations until the giggles turned into moans. "And I love how it turns you on once I take it too far..."

Her hips bucked into his, though both were still clothed. "Edward..." she whimpered.

"Yes, God, please keep saying my name," he groaned as he continued his way down to the valley between her breasts. "I need..." he started, but she was already two steps ahead of him. She pulled both arms out of her shirt and reached behind her to snap her bra off.

"Fuck," he muttered as he stared down at her breasts. They were fuller now than they used to be, and not quite as perfect before she had birthed two children. But to him, they were perfect. He palmed one as his mouth went to the other and he made her curse as he lightly nibbled on one rosy peak.

Her hands fisted; one in his hair, and one in his shirt before she tugged at the cotton. "Take it off," she demanded.

He didn't lose his momentum as he whipped the shirt over his head, pausing only for the fabric to pass his face before his mouth continued to lave attention on her nipple. Their hands resumed their explorations as they continued to move. Her hands dipped down to his jeans to unfasten them at the same time he began undoing hers. Their eyes caught and they both said, "Naked, now," before giggling like children. He leapt up and she watched with hungry eyes as he slowly shucked off his pants and boxers, all while she was wiggling out of her own denim prison. She left on her panties though; something told her to leave on the simple black and pink satin and his eyes turned almost glassy as he looked at her. "You remember?"

She shook her head slightly, but held out her arms for him. He fell back into them and she could feel his hardness pressed into her clothed core as his face burrowed into her neck. "Remembered what?"

He lifted his head and looked at her shyly. "I, uh, I like the feel of the satin against me as I..." he trailed off, color blooming on his face.

She grinned at him before pulling his face back down to hers for a kiss. "Well then, looks like this naughty boy can't even wait to get my clothes off."

A full body shiver traveled over him as he remembered the number of times she had said that exact same comment, teasing him about his slight satin fetish. It was true; he loved to be inside of her, feeling the satin against his pubic bone and his balls. The slip and slide, the delicate feel against his manhood...all of it. "I love you," he whispered as he thrust against her.

"I love you too, Edward," she whispered back.

He looked at her once more. "I mean it," she said softly. "I know this is right. It's...it may be too soon, or it may not be soon enough, but it feels right to me. You feel right to me."

He hugged her tightly. "Thank God."

"Now," she said as she kissed his ear. "I think I would like to try out this whole 'husband and wife' thing. Let's play house, Edward."

His smile was brilliant for a moment before he paused. "Shit. I..."

"What?" she asked, uncertainly. This was all so new to her. Her body knew what it wanted, but the rest of her wasn't so sure. She had no memories of sex, save hot, wet dreams she would have where she would wake up with her hand down her panties, rubbing herself off. Sure, she knew it was a normal, natural thing, and as such, had mail-ordered toys, rediscovering what she liked and what she didn't, but that was all with herself. She couldn't imagine what sex would really be like.

"Bella, Love, I haven't been with anyone since you. I...I didn't even jack off for over a year because I was so distraught..."

She put a finger to his lips. "It will be fine. It's like riding a bike, right?"

He took a deep breath. "I guess so." He seemed so unsure of himself that she fell in love with him a little bit more. "I promise, Edward. I don't have anything to compare it to, other than what I've done with myself..."

"Shit," he said as his hips thrust automatically. "You've played with yourself?"

"Of course," she said with an air of incredulity that he would even ask such a question. "After Edi was born, the doctors encouraged me to 'test the field' so-to-speak and find out what I liked and what I didn't. They weren't sure I would like it after..." she trailed off and bit her lip. While she couldn't remember what had happened to her, she didn't like to think that it had happened to her. "Anyway, I found that I still enjoy vaginal penetration with or without clitoral stimulation, as well as anal penetration in conjunction with clitoral stimuli."

"Holy fuck," Edward muttered. "Damn. I think you just fueled a few new fantasies, Babe."

She giggled. "I like that."

"What? That you're probably going to give me wet dreams for the next five years?"

She shook her head. "Well, yes, but I was talking about you calling me 'Babe'. I like that."

His smile made his emerald eyes dance as he said, "Well then, Babe, let's get to this." He reached between them to enter her and paused once more. "Shit."

She let out a growl of frustration. "Now what?" Didn't he realize she was a woman on the edge?

"I don't have a condom."

"Did we used to use them?" she asked.

"Well, no, but...I just thought...protection, you know."

"I haven't been with anyone since..." she trailed off and changed tack. "I've been fully tested, if that's what you're worried about."

"God, no; nothing like that. I just thought...I mean, I would love more babies if you wanted them, but not right now, I don't think?" he ended it sounding like a question, as if he wasn't sure of anything.

She smiled once more. "Birth control, Edward. I have an IUD in place and have since a year or so after Edi was born. They thought it might be good if I dated, and I wanted something just in case it went further."

Anger bloomed in his chest at the thoughts of some other man touching her. "And it didn't?"

"I just told you that didn't I?" she asked angrily. "I had a few dates, a few very, very chaste kisses, but that was it. I always felt like...like I was cheating on someone."

"Thank you," he said, bending to kiss her again. "Thank you for coming back to me, Bella."

The corner of her mouth lifted and she asked. "So, now that all of that is out of the way..." This time it was she who dipped her hand between them and guided him past her satin panties and into her slick, hot core.

"Oh, fuck," he muttered as she laid back and bucked her hips until he had slid all the way in.

"Yes!" she cried out at the intrusion. Oh, it felt so good; much better than her toys did. Even her biggest toy didn't compare to the fullness she felt at having Edward joined with her.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

Tears made her eyes look like diamonds as she whispered, "I'm more than okay. Make love with me, Edward. I'm finally, truly home."

She awoke to the sound of gentle snoring in her left ear. She looked behind her and saw Edward's sweet sleeping face snuggled almost as close to her as he could get. She smiled as she turned over to face him, relishing the sore muscles from their joining. It had been so beautiful and wonderful and she hoped he realized the gift he had given her. She had always hoped she was capable of loving a man like that, and last night, she proved it.

She reached forward to kiss his lips and he let out a little whine as she pulled away. His hand wrapped around her waist, pushing their pelvises together. They had been both completely naked in the night, and as he turned her over onto her back and opened his eyes, he easily slipped into her. "Good morning," he said huskily.

Her back arched, putting one of those perfect nipples in his face. "Good morn-" she let out a gasp as he suckled on her.

"Now this is what I hope to hear every morning."

"If...if you're lucky," she managed as he began a slow pumping rhythm into her. Her legs wrapped around his waist, her heels digging into his ass as she urged him faster.

"I...can't...last...long," he said as he moved.

"Faster...harder, Edward!" she all but screamed.

His mouth fused with hers, his tongue thrusting into her mouth, and she sucked it greedily as his cock hit all the right places in her. He fucked her mouth in time with her pussy and she screamed around his tongue as she came, dragging him with her.

"Shit," he muttered as his sweaty brow fell to her shoulder.

"Yeah," she managed. "I could handle that every morning."

He lifted his head and grinned at her.

She returned it and gave him a gentle kiss. "I think we should shower before the kids get up and come in here or either go downstairs..."

He nodded, but he didn't make a move as he stayed still quite firm inside of her.

"Edward..." she chided.

"Only if I can have you in the shower."

"I thought men's libidos were supposed to slow down at your age," she teased.

He nipped her breast. "Nope. I'm insatiable."

She slapped at his chest playfully and finally he moved, dragging her up with him until he had her in his arms. "I want you just like this," he said as they knelt together on the bed. "I want you bent over in the shower, I want you in the bathtub, I want you doggy style over there on the carpet by the window..."

She looked out the huge floor-to-ceiling window and thought of being fucked thoroughly from behind as they both stared out into the snow-covered forest and whimpered.

"But most of all," he said as he lapped at her ear. "I want you in front of the fireplace on a bed of pillows. I love you, Mrs. Masen."

"And I love you, Mr. Masen. I want all those things and more. I want to almost get caught fooling around in the pool. I want to suck you off while we're watching a movie in the theatre room. I want you to go down on me while I pretend to read in the library..."

She felt him hardening against her once more and she was all smiles as she pulled away and dashed to the huge shower.

He was two steps behind her and caught her just as she was turning on the water. "Oh, yes, I do think we can work with this..." he muttered.

She turned to him and hugged him tightly. "Thank you for giving me back everything, Edward."

"Just wait," he said. "You have presents downstairs."

She shook her head. "I don't care about those things, Edward. You, me, the kids, Dad, that's all I want."

He kissed the tip of her nose. "But there's so much more," he promised as he led her under the now-warm spray.

They made it out of the shower just as they heard a knock on the door. "Daddy? Where's Mommy?" Kaiya asked.

Bella opened the door in one of Edward's tees and her jeans from the night before. "We're both here, Sweetie."

Kaiya wrapped her arms around Bella roughly as she cried out, "I thought you were a dream! I wanted to snuggle with you and couldn't find you and thought I dreamed you, but then I checked on Edi and he was there, so I knew you were real, but I couldn't find you!" That was when the wails started.

Bella grabbed her up and hugged her tightly. "It's alright, Sweetheart. Mommy is here and she's not going anywhere again."

"You p-promise?"

"I promise," Bella told her. "But...I do think Edi and I might move in here all the time, not just on special occasions. Would you like that?"

Kaiya sniffled and nodded. "Yeah...I would like that."

"So would I," said Edward as he came up behind Bella. "What would you think if Mommy moved in my room with me?"

Kaiya pulled away from Bella and grinned. "Well, duh, Daddy! Mommy is supposed to sleep with you."

Edward laughed. "Well, excuse me, Miss Smarty Pants. You're right. How silly of me."

"Silly Daddy," she agreed as Bella lowered her back to the floor. "Can we go see what Santa brought now?"

"Can you go wake up Edi first?"

"Okay!" she yelled and bound down the hall to Edi's "Toy Story" room.

"Gotta love that kid," Edward commented.

"Yeah, I sure do," Bella said softly, with a smile upon her face.

It took the kids no time at all to oooooh and ahhhh over all their gifts and they were busy playing with the toyland under the tree when Edward handed Bella a small wrapped package. "What's this?" she asked. She had already opened most of her gifts from him and Charlie.

"This is just a little something I thought you might like. I had a friend of mine put it together. It took a lot of hard work. I hope you like it..."

Bella ripped into the paper and gasped as a large notebook fell out onto her lap. On the front cover, it said; "Bella Swan Masen: My Lifetime of Memories". She quickly flipped to the front page. It had pictures of her birth, and Charlie and Renee had written all about her childhood. She didn't read it all, but flipped through the pages, just looking at everything. There were pictures all throughout the first part of the book, leading up to her teen years and her mother marrying Phil before it got to a special part titled; "Book Two: Meeting the man of my dreams (or maybe my nightmares)" that Edward had written, detailing every bit of their life together. It had snippets told from Rosalie and Alice's points of view, as well as from some of the other guys. It gave her a real view of the life she had forgotten. "Edward..." she said as tears fell down her cheeks. "I don't know what to say."

"Say you love it?" he asked nervously.

"I do!" she cried, standing to go hug him. "I do love it! It's perfect! Thank you!"

He pulled her into him for a searing kiss. "You're worth it, Bella. I love you so much. Maybe this might help you a little bit..."

"It will, Edward. I know it will."

End Flashback

"And it did," Bella said, coming back to the present. "I haven't regained my memories, but I cherish the 'borrowed' ones I now have. Plus, we have been busy making our own new memories."

Edward smiled as he squeezed her hand tighter and mouthed 'I love you' to her.

She mouthed it back before Oprah said "So, what is next for you all? The band is still doing well, if not at the top of your success, but are you truly contented?"

"We're extremely happy and more than a little content. And no, we all go off and do our own thing, but we always come back to have jam sessions and to hang out and relax together."

"I know we want to talk more about you, Bella, but tell us about the rest of the band."

Bella smiled as she talked about Jasper and Alice's treatment facilities they opened up nation-wide to help people with drug and alcohol addiction. She then talked about Emmett and Rosalie and their women's shelters. She talked about Carlisle and Esme's work with children the world 'round and how they were dubbed 'the next Brad and Angelina' when it came to adoption. And last but not least, she talked about how Jacob and Lynessa became ambassadors for Amnesty International.

"We're all quite busy," she concluded. "But we love taking time to be together when possible. And all the kids just love getting together. We have such a wide range of ages..." with that, she patted her stomach. "Including the newest one on the way."

The audience applauded and Oprah said, "Your life is just about perfect now, isn't it?"

"It is," Bella agreed. "It really is.

THE END