Chapter Sixteen: Drift to You

Edward's POV

"Awe, look at this picture Jasper just sent me of Nathan," Bella gushed as she handed me the phone. I looked over from the fire I was trying to build and smiled. Nathan was swaddled up tight in a dinosaur blanket and had a blue hat on his head. He looked like he was sleeping soundly and his mouth was open just a tiny bit.

It was hard to believe that I'd been there the night he was born just two and a half weeks ago.

"He is pretty cute," I laughed as I threw some more kindling on the fire. It had been a while since I'd built a fire but I had a pretty good one going. Bella was wearing one of my sweatshirts and was tucked under a blanket. She was patiently waiting for me to get this fire going to she could cook our hotdogs.

I finally got a good base going and added the bigger logs in a teepee shape. Once it was a decent size Bella came over and put the hotdogs in the fire. While she was doing that I went inside to put together a tray of toppings and grabbed the baked potatoes from the microwave.

I wanted to make everything on the fire but she said she wasn't going to wait to cook hotdogs and potatoes so we agreed to use the microwave.

When I got back outside she announced the hotdogs were cooked and I handed her a paper plate. We put everything together and sat down on one of the benches my dad made when we first started coming out here.

"I can't get over how beautiful it is out here," She sighed happily as we looked out into the woods.

I nodded. "Maybe the four of us can spend a week here over the summer. It'll be so much warmer and I think Brady would love fishing."

"I love that idea. We haven't been on vacation since the divorce and Brady loved going on vacation."

"We'll pick a date when we get home."

After we finished eating we sat by the fire until it was only glowing embers. I threw a bucket of water on the logs as Bella began cleaning up. I covered the unused wood with a tarp and made sure we got all of the food so we wouldn't attract more wildlife. When I got inside Bella was nearly finished with the dishes.

We went upstairs to sit in the bathtub together. I told her I'd fill the tub while she undressed in the master bedroom. When the tub was nearly full I stripped down to my boxers and went to get her.

I found her looking at a picture of Rosalie and me from our senior prom.

I didn't even know that picture was even in here and felt bad that she had to find it on the dresser.

"You look so young," She whispered when I walked up to her.

I smiled. "I was eighteen. Wow that was almost thirteen years ago."

"You look so happy."

I had been worried about how Bella would feel about Rosalie. I never wanted to hide that part of my life because Rosalie had been my entire world for so long. Most girls couldn't handle it and Tanya tolerated it. Bella was different though. She was so understanding but I didn't want her to think I was unhappy now.

"I'm happy now, Bella," I told her honestly. "I didn't know my parents had any pictures of us here."

"Will you tell me about her?"

"Now?" This is not the direction I thought tonight was heading.

She nodded. "I want to know everything about you. If you don't want to…"

"No, it's okay," I looked down and smiled. "Let me put some pants on."

"Okay," She giggled. I went to my bag and pulled on a pair of old sweatpants. We sat down in the plush chairs in front of the window and she set the frame on the windowsill.

I took a deep breath. "I was fifteen when we met. And it wasn't love at first sight by any means but we really cared about each other."

I wasn't sure how much detail she wanted me to know but I wanted to be as honest as possible with her.

"Our first date was the homecoming dance and we were inseparable after that."

"Did you ever break up?"

"We almost did when we were juniors," I told her. "We didn't speak to each other for almost two weeks but we realized we missed each other too much and decided to try and work things out."

"When did you get married?"

"The August before sophomore year started. We got pregnant with Caroline in May of our first year of marriage," I told her. "It obviously wasn't a planned pregnancy but we were so happy when the shock died down. People kept telling us that we would never last because we were so young when we got married but our age never mattered.

"We loved each other and that's all that mattered to us. We didn't understand why people thought age mattered so much. Money was tight and it was stressful but we were good together," I told her and took a deep breath. "Losing her while having to be a new dad was the hardest thing I had ever done. Even with this beautiful new baby I didn't think I could ever be happy again."

"I'm so sorry you had to go through that," She said sadly.

I nodded. "It was hard on all of us. Rosalie's parents weren't good people so my parents were her parents. We all lost a member of the family the day Caroline was born and that was really hard for us to cope with," I told her. "My parents went to grief counseling after she died and Emmett was pretty angry for months."

"Oh."

I reached out and took her hand and smiled at her. "I'm not telling you this to make you feel bad, Bella. I just want to be honest with you."

"I asked."

"I want you to know that I am committed to you. I'm in this for...however long it lasts," I told her. "Rosalie was a huge part of my life and I still get sad that she's gone. Especially on our anniversary. But I'm not...sad all the time. And I hope you know how much you've done for me and Caroline over these last few months."

"I haven't done much."

"You're the closest thing my daughter has ever had to a mother. She loves you so much and I can't thank you enough for loving her back."

"She makes it so easy."

"Before you, I only dated women because it's what was expected of me. I was expected to find someone to move on with but I didn't want to."

"And now?"

"Now," I smiled and gently touched her cheek. "Now I want to see where this goes and I want you to be by my side. You are my best friend and I lo…" I couldn't say it. Not yet. I wanted to but it didn't feel like the time was right. We just finished talking about the first love of my life.

I wanted that moment to be special and all about us.

"I love being with you."

She smiled. "The feeling is mutual."

"The bath is probably cold," I sighed after we sat together in a comfortable silence for a few minutes. "I can run a new one."

"I'd like that," She nodded as she kissed my cheek. I stood up and went to drain the tub and refill it. She came in with two glasses of white wine and wearing zero clothes. I felt my dick twitch beneath my sweats and took a breath to calm down.

I didn't want sex to be the only thing we did while we were alone.

"You're so hot," I grumbled as she put the wine on the vanity and wrapped her arms around me. "Quick get in the tub before I take you right here."

"Right here on the vanity?" She asked. "Mr. Cullen you are so impatient."

"Exactly, get in that tub."

"And demanding," She raised her eyebrows. "It's very sexy."

I stepped into the tub and sat down behind her. She leaned her back against my chest and I wrapped my arms around her tightly. I sighed, completely content, and happy. I probably could have stayed this way forever. It was so quiet and there was no risk of anyone interrupting us.

When the water started to cool and the bubbles had pretty much disappeared we decided it was time to get out. She pulled on a pair of panties and one of my college sweatshirts to sleep in and I pulled on a pair of thin flannel sleep pants. When we crawled into bed and snuggled up next to each other I could still hardly believe this was my life now.

I couldn't believe she was part of my life now.

"Goodnight, Bella," I whispered softly as her breathing started to steady.

I woke up the next morning to an empty bed and the smell of bacon wafting up the steps. I got out of the bed and pulled a shirt on before going downstairs to find Bella. She was still only wearing my sweatshirt as she danced around the kitchen. I quietly sat down at the island and watched as she cooked our breakfast.

When she turned around she let out a small scream.

"You...you scared me," She panted with a big smile on her face. "How long have you been standing there?"

"Long enough," I smirked as I stood up and went over to her. "Good morning."

"Morning," She tilted her head and my lips found hers. My hands slid down her side to her hips and she began giggling as she swatted my hands away. "I'm trying to not ruin breakfast."

I didn't let up though. I kissed her neck and she let out a quiet moan. "I have better ideas for breakfast."

"No," she said sternly yet playfully. "I'm not going to let you and your mouth ruin my yummy breakfast."

"Suit yourself."

"Are you going to make yourself useful or are you just going to distract me?"

"That depends. Is distracting you going to work?"

"Not this time."

"Then I guess I'll help."

She smiled. "Can you please cut the fruit?"

"Yeah," I leaned down and kissed her cheek before grabbing a knife. I got to work cutting the fruit she handed me. By the time I was finished she was plating what she'd made.

We enjoyed a relaxing breakfast on the back deck before getting dressed to go for a hike. The trails were still pretty muddy with the melting snow but we had waterproof boots and lots of layers. We could have stayed warm and dry.

Then an unexpected storm came.

"Shit," I cursed as we picked up the pace as the rain started coming down heavier.

"Let's go!" She laughed as she grabbed my hand and began pulling me. At once point I lost my footing and fell down into the mud. When she couldn't stop laughing, I pulled her down with me. The two of us were covered in mud when we got home.

"Hold on," She panted as we ran up the steps. I was about to open the backdoor when she grabbed my hand. "I don't want to drag mud all through the house."

I stared at her. "What do you wanna do then?"

She simply shrugged and unzipped her jacket. She threw that on the floor and then pulled her sweatshirt over her head. "Bella, what are you doing?"

"Making sure we don't track mud all over the house," She smiled as she pulled her jeans off. I bit my lip as I watched her strip down to nothing but her t-shirt and panties. She raised an eyebrow at me, silently asking if I was going to join her. I gulped as I began undressing myself. When I got down to my t-shirt and boxers, she leaned her body against me.

"Bella," I moaned as she reached out and turned the doorknob. She pushed the backdoor open and pulled me into the kitchen. I pressed her up against the island and pulled her t-shirt over her head. I reached around and unclasped her bra and let it fall to the floor.

She played with the hem of my shirt and pulled it over my head. I kissed her jaw and then her neck until I reached her bare breasts. I licked and sucked on her nipples until I felt her legs started to shake.

"Edward," She groaned as she threw her head back. I smiled as I picked her up and set her down on the kitchen island. It was the perfect height for what I had planned. I yanked her panties down her legs, leaving her completely naked.

"Please," She begged as I kissed her inner thigh. "Fuck," She whispered as she used her feet to push my boxers down. I growled into her eat as I thrust hard inside of her. She yelled in pleasure and laid back on the island. I gripped her hips and moved faster and harder until she was screaming my name.

"Fuck, Edward!"

"Come on, baby," I whispered as I felt her walls clenched around me. She screamed and started bucking her hips wildly which spurred my own orgasm. I still inside of her and went limp.

"Fuck," She whispered and sat up. She looked at me and then bit her lip. "That was hot."

I pulled out of her and handed her a few paper towels to clean up. She pulled on my discarded shirt and then leaned in for a sweet kiss.

"I'm going to take a shower," She whispered and I was about to follow her when she stopped me. "Alone."

"What's the fun in that?"

"It leaves you wanting more."

"I always want more."

"Of course you do," She laughed. "You're a man."

"I take offense to that."

She shrugged. "It's true. Maybe you can clean up down here. Get our clothes off the porch."

"You started that and now I have to clean it up?"

"Yep!" She laughed as she started her way upstairs. I was going to follow her, but the place was kind of a mess. I pulled on my boxers and picked up the clothes from the porch. I put them in a pile in the washroom and cleaned up the kitchen so we could make an early dinner.

"Where are you taking me?" Bella asked for the tenth time. It was our last day at the cabin and the weather was finally perfect. There was still a chill to the air but the sun decided to make an appearance. When I woke up that morning I immediately started packing a picnic because I wanted to take her to my favorite spot.

The meadow.

The meadow was about a mile and a half away from our cabin but it was worth the hike. My parents had found it while exploring when they first started renting the cabin before buying something. They came here at least once when we'd come camping and eventually they started bringing Emmett and I.

My mother said it was the place where they fell in love with each other all over again. My parents had always been happy but they admitted that after a while that spark had disappeared. The first few summers we started coming to Taylor Creek we were up here constantly. My parents were able to connect with each other again and it put that spark back in their relationship.

I wanted to share that with Bella.

"Just a little bit longer," I smiled as I pulled her along the overgrown path. Not many people came this way anymore and since it was still early spring we were pretty much the only people around.

After another fifteen minutes the trees finally cleared and I smiled at the sight of the meadow. It was more overgrown than the last time I was here but it was just as beautiful. Big, purple flowers were blooming and the sun was shining perfectly. I looked over at Bella and smiled when I saw the awe on her face.

"Wow," She sighed as she took my hand and snuggled into my side. "It's beautiful."

"We came here all the time when we visited the cabin," I told her as we walked towards the middle. I looked around and found the path I was looking for. "There used to be a path that was cleared from people walking over it. Emmett and I learned how to ride our bikes there."

"I love that."

"And I used to sit under that tree and taught myself the guitar while my mom listened and dad and Emmett threw the football," I told her. "We would come here for picnics a lot. And my parents fell in love with each other again here."

She kissed my cheek. "Thank you for bringing me here."

We found a place and set our blanket down. It wasn't very muddy and I was grateful we were going to stay clean for once. She started unpacking our food and we ate the most perfect lunch together.

When she got some jam on her upper lip, I couldn't help but smile at her. She was just so incredible and adorable. She was so patient with me and she loved my daughter as if she were her own. I didn't deserve her but I was so grateful she was giving me a chance.

"What?" She asked when she caught me staring.

"You've got some jam on your lip," I whispered as I reached out and brushed it away using my thumb. I felt this wave of emotion and couldn't help myself as I took a deep breath. "Bella?"

"Yeah?"

"I love you."

Her head whipped up and she met my gaze. She studied my expression for a second before smiling. "Really?"

"Yes," I nodded. Her eyes filled with tears as she pushed me down to the ground and straddled me. She kissed my lips and then my cheek and chin.

"I love you too," She whispered as I rested my hands on her hips.

"I've wanted to tell you for a while now but I didn't know how," I admitted. She had tears in her eyes as I brought her lips to mine in a gentle kiss.

She bit her lip. "This was perfect. This trip has been...amazing."

"Do you...ever think of getting remarried?"

"I don't know," She shrugged. "I loved being married for the first half of my marriage. I loved being that committed to someone."

"It's so special."

"Do you want to get remarried?"

"If I find the right person who loves my daughter...then yes," I said. "Don't worry, I wasn't planning on proposing on this trip."

"That's what every girl wants to hear," She laughed as she kissed me. Small talk seemed to be over and I was afraid if we didn't stop we would end up naked in this meadow. I was sure no one else was around but Bella deserved more than that.

Plus the wind was starting to pick up and it was getting chillier.

"Let's head back," I suggested. She agreed and we packed everything up and headed back to the cabin.

When we got back to the cabin we left the picnic stuff in the kitchen and I led her upstairs to the bedroom. She used the restroom while I made a fire and lit a few candles. When I heard the door open I turned my head to look at her. My jaw dropped when I saw what she was wearing and considered myself a lucky SOB for having her in my life.

She was dressed in this dark purple, lace one piece with a giant slit down the middle that showed off her incredible body. She had never been sexier and had never looked more beautiful.

"You like?" She asked as she bit her lip nervously. "Angela took me shopping before we left."

"Remind me to thank Angela later," I growled as I crossed the room to get to her. I put my hands on her side and leaned in for a kiss.

Our kiss was passionate and tender. I could feel how much she loved me and although what she was wearing made me want to lose my mind, I wanted to take my time with her.

She pushed me back to the bed and I turned us around and laid her down gently.

We took our time with each other. We worshipped each other's body and slowly peeled each other's clothes off. I took my time kissing every inch of her skin and made sure she felt loved too. When we were both finally naked, I looked into her eyes.

She looked up at me with those beautiful brown eyes that caught my attention all those months ago in my music store. The beautiful eyes I fell in love with without even knowing it.

"I love you," I whispered as I slowly entered her. She closed her eyes and bit her lip as I thrust inside of her with slow, long strokes.

"Edward," She panted as she ran her hands through my hair. She looked up into my eyes again and I smiled at her.

"I've got you, baby," I promised. "Let go."

"Yes!" She yelled as I felt her walls clenched around her. I thrust into her a few more times before my own orgasm hit and I still inside of her, holding her tightly. "I love you," She whispered as she kissed my forehead.

We lay next to each other until we just fell asleep.

I hadn't gone to sleep that happy in such a long time.

The next morning we reluctantly got out of bed and she showered while I started packing up things. I would have loved to get in with her but we both had places we needed to be and couldn't risk being late.

When she was finished I took my turn in the shower while she made us breakfast. When I got downstairs everything was cleaned up and there were eggs and toast on two plates.

"Looks great," I smiled as I kissed her cheek and accepted the cup of coffee she was offering me. The two of us ate breakfast with the biggest, goofiest grins on our faces. I just couldn't believe how lucky I was to have found her.

After breakfast she cleaned the last few dishes while I brought our bags down. We both sad a sad goodbye to the cabin and I promised we'd come back with the kids over the summer. Her eyes were drooping as we left the cabin and I told her to sleep for a while. She insisted on staying awake but she was snoring softly ten minutes into our drive.

When we got to her house, I went inside with her to help her settle in. She had an hour before she needed to get Brady and I told her that she should take a quick nap. She wanted to spend the time with me but realized I was right and we said goodbye so she could sleep and so I could head to Forks.

I spent the four-hour car ride trying to get rid of the grin on my face but I couldn't help it. I was a man in love who had someone who loved him back and that was something to smile about. When I got to my parent's house, Emmett's Jeep was parked out front which helped wipe the smile away.

I didn't need Emmett prying in my personal life right now. I wanted to keep this moment private for just a bit longer.

"Hello!" I called when I opened the front door using my key. I could hear everyone in the kitchen so I headed back that way. I was not suspecting the scene I walked in on. Emmett and Kate looked nervous, mom looked upset and dad looked like he was trying to hold everything together.

"What's going on?" I asked as I looked around the room and wondered where Caroline and the baby were.

Emmett looked at me and smiled. "I got offered a really good job."

"Yeah?" I asked, still confused. Emmett had graduated with his degree in athletic training. He'd gotten a job at our old high school pretty quick after graduating and took it immediately. He was lucky to have a job right after graduating but I knew working for a small high school wasn't what he wanted to do forever.

He nodded. "At the University of Washington."

"It's so great, Em," Mom said pretty unconvincingly since she was still crying. "I'm so proud."

"They want me there at the end of May to prepare me for football camp."

"So you'd be moving to Seattle?" I asked, trying to keep my excitement at bay. Emmett and I had been pretty close growing up despite the four year age gap. It had been hard going to college and staying in Seattle after graduation. I was sure he'd stay in Seattle too but then life happened and he stayed in Forks.

"Yeah," He looked at Kate. "We want to start looking at houses."

"Would you finish the year with Forks?" Emmett worked closely with the football players but he was very involved with the baseball team. Baseball season was just starting to pick up.

"I would like to," He said.

Mom sighed. "Excuse me." She walked out of the room and I looked at dad.

"She'll be okay," He promised. "She was like this when you moved out and stayed in Seattle with Caroline."

"I didn't mean to hurt her," Emmett said. "This is just a great opportunity…"

"You don't need to explain your decision to me, son. I understand and so does your mother."

"What are you going to do, Kate?" I asked.

When Emmett was offered the job at Forks High he told Kate he would turn it down if she wasn't happy about moving there or if she couldn't find a job. Kate had graduated with a nursing degree and had been working at a private practice when she got pregnant. They made the decision that she would take Lucy's first year off so she could focus on the baby.

Last I'd heard she was still planning to go back to her job in August after Lucy's first birthday.

"There's a lot of job opportunities in Seattle," She smiled up at Emmett. She was always so supportive of him sometimes I didn't think he deserved her. "My dreams came true when I became a nurse and a mother. Emmett's are still coming true."

I smiled. "She's too good for you, dude."

"I know," She smiled.

"Okay, where's my kid?"

"Keeping Lucy occupied in your old room," Dad said as he left the kitchen to search for mom. I went upstairs and smiled when I saw Caroline observing her cousin's tummy time. There were toys scattered around the floor and she was lying next to the baby.

"Hey, baby."

Caroline turned her head and smiled. "Daddy!"

"I missed you!" I exclaimed as she ran into my arms. I hugged her tightly and sighed in contentment. The weekend with Bella had been amazing and it was always nice to be child-free for a bit. But I loved my daughter and was happy to be home with her.

"Uncle Emmett and Aunt Kate are moving to Seattle!" She told me. "They're going to be close!"

"I know it's so exciting," I smiled. "Did you have fun?"

She nodded. "Uncle Emmett took me to a baseball game Friday and then I baked cookies with Grandma. Pappy took me to see Mr. Peabody and Sherman."

"Sounds like you had quite the break from school."

"It was so fun, daddy! I just wish you could have been here."

"Maybe next year," I kissed her cheek.

"Can we stay for one more night?" She begged. "Please."

I looked up and saw mom standing in the doorway. She smiled and nodded her head and I turned back to Caroline. "Sure, but we gotta leave kind of early tomorrow morning to get you home and ready for school."

"Okay!" She hugged me again and went back to playing with Lucy. I went over to mom and gave her a big hug. I wanted her to know how much I loved her and that everything would be okay when Emmett and Kate moved to Seattle.