Chapter 26

A/N: Hello everyone... I want to thank everyone for their loyalty to this story. I never would have guessed it would have received such a response. The progression of The Mask is due largely by all of your helpful reviews. I seriously wouldn't have made it this far without all of you. So thank you.

As you know there will be a sequel and I hope to see all of you there... No, it will not be a prequel, but it will explain in more depth about Jasper and Edward's experience.

Thanks so much for reading, reviewing, following and favoriting.

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***Some Explicit Content***

Edward's whole body was tense as he stared back at Jacob. There was a warning in his brown eyes, yet as he extended his hand, saying, "I'm the boyfriend," his dominance in the situation was more than apparent. His lip tipped in a self-satisfied smirk when Jacob's fingers closed around his. Even while his opposition maintained his cool, there was a slight tremble in his hand as he clasped Edward's.

"Hey, man, I'm Jacob." Shock claimed Jacob's typically handsome features. While he could only see Edward's eyes and the bridge of his straight nose through the visor of his helmet, he was a surprisingly handsome man. Considering Edward hid away in his house, this was a factor Jake hadn't quite anticipated. "Bella was telling me she's having trouble with some people around town."

Edward's jaw clenched at the mention of the hunters. The last thing he wanted was to discuss the predators with Jake, or anyone else. Tipping his head in a reluctant nod, his hand fell away from Jake's, his fingers nudging Bella, indicating for her to mount the bike. "Yeah, all's good now, however. Cops said the threat has passed."

Skeptically, Jake studied his adversary. "I told Bella to get ahold of me if she needs anything. I'll keep my eye out on this end. She already gave me a description of the people who were causing trouble, so I'll keep my eyes peeled."

"I appreciate that." Some of the tension melted from his muscles as Bella immediately slipped up on the bike behind him. Her fingers lightly grasp his sides as she settled behind him, her thighs bracketing his hips, the imagery prominent. Pleased by her obvious decision regarding their relationship, he revved the engine as he prepared to leave. Balancing the bike between his thighs, he pinned Jake with a meaningful look. "Hey, Jake, she won't be needing anything, not while I'm around."

With that final statement, Edward eased the bike out of the parking space, flipping his visor down in the process. Emmett watched Rose back the car out before crossing the parking lot and climbing into the rental car. Once he started the car and steered around behind Rose, he pinned Jake with a final look before the three of them left the parking lot.

"What the hell just happened?" Scratching his brow, Jake took a quick look around the parking lot, subconsciously searching for any threat. Still perplexed by the confrontation with Edward, he strode toward his truck and climbed inside. Intuitively in that moment, all hope of ever connecting with Bella on a deeper level faded. Hitting his steering wheel in frustration, he jammed the key in the ignition.

Xxx

"Your mom and dad will be here in any time," Bella whined beneath the spray of the shower. Edward had her pressed into the warm tile at her back, his sharp teeth nibbling persistently at her neck. On a moan, her head tipped back. "That feels so good."

Steam swirled around them, perspiration with water mingling under the humid cascade, Edward's skin slick as Bella's hands roamed over his body. She gasped her head falling back when he lifted her from the tiled floor, pressing her hard against the wall, his pelvis settling into hers. Her mouth locked with his as he grabbed the condom from the soap dish. Sharp teeth ripped the foil open and slipped the rubber free. Holding her slight form with his larger one, he rolled the condom into place.

As the rubber squeezed around the root of him, he thrust up into Bella with one hard buck, his teeth gritting as she clasped him tightly within her warm sheath. His feet parted to hold his balance as he pulled her from the wall allowing her body to relax against his chest. Bella's arms were wrapped around his neck, her lips skating down the line of his jaw as tiny mews of sound ripping from her throat. Bruising fingers held her place as Edward thrust up into her, his sharp teeth sinking into the ball of her shoulder, muffling his grunts of pleasure.

With her in his arms, he stumbled to the back of the shower, slowly sinking onto the bench. When her legs straddled him, pressure from his fingertips urged her to take control, his head falling back on his shoulders, thudding against the tile.

Experimentally, Bella rose on her knees and fell back down. With his hands guiding her to set a rhythm, she rolled her hips, moaning as he rocked up to meet her. Her gaze was filled with water as she stared down at the man who'd taken her by storm. Leaning forward, Bella's lips feathered over the discolored flesh on his temple, gliding up she licked over the brand on his forehead. As his fingers kneaded her thighs, she felt the pressure of release climbing through her body, their cries echoing in the closed shower.

"You feel so good, baby. I'm—God, I'm so fucking close," he groaned, his mouth closing over the perky tip of her breast. Edward nibbled on the hardened nub, his fingertips tightened into her hips, holding her still as he took control of their movements. "Bella, baby, you gotta…"

Edward fought to maintain control of his baser needs. He was right on the verge of erupting within her tight channel. Now, his thrust came erratically fast and hard, his movements jerky as he fought his release.

Bella tugged her hips free from Edward's hard fingers. With need curling her toes, she kissed him deeply, her tongue swirling around his as her clit pulsed with unspent passion. At that particular moment, Edward's cock swelled within her, the crown bumping the right spot within her wet passage.

The first strings of release gripped Bella as he bucked into her. She rode him hard and fast, the tempo forcing her over the brink of control, a cry ripping from low in her throat. White-hot sparks splashed through her being, rippling through her limbs as her orgasm tore through her.

As her passage tightly gripped him, Edward let go. His arms wrapped around her, her breasts pressing into his face as he erupted. Holding Bella to him, he never felt more complete than he did in that precise moment. Seated deep within her, he had no desire to move, his entire being depleted of energy, yet finding no better feeling in the world. "Damn, baby, I love you."

Bella's head lifted from Edward's shoulder, her gaze never flinching as she studied him. "I have no words to express how happy you make me. I love you, doesn't seem to express how I feel adequately, Edward. You're my fucking world."

They held one another in silence. Slowly, they rose from the bench and rejoined the gushing water. Taking turns, they soaped one another up before rinsing off. Once the last of their joining was rinsed free, Edward turned off the shower and slid the glass doors open. Yanking a plush towel from the rack, he passed it to Bella before reaching for a second.

Drying off in the confines of his bedroom, they dressed, Bella going to a mirror as she brushed out her long, brown hair. Walking over to her, he dropped a kiss to her temple. "You should move your stuff up here later tonight."

Surprised, she glanced at him as she tossed her wet hair. "Are you sure? It's not too fast?"

"Do you want to go back to sleeping in the basement?" After everything they'd shared, having her in another section of the house hardly seemed right. "I mean if you are tired of me already…"

She bumped into him, cutting off his statement. "That's not what I meant."

"I want you with me, Bella. Next to me, on me, under me, …everywhere." His arms encircled her waist, pulling her back into him, relishing the feel of her against his chest. "I've spent too much of my time without you in my life. In my arms, in my life, is where you belong."

Inability to withhold her joy, she splayed a broad smile as warmth spread through her limbs. Resting her head against his shoulder, she stared back at his reflection. "If that is what you want, sexy, I will move my stuff up here later."

Edward dropped a kiss to the crown of her head as a knock sounded on the door. With reluctance, his arms fell away from Bella as he went to answer it. Pulling the door open, he found Rosalie standing in his study. "Mom, dad, and Alice are here."

Bella grimaced at her wet hair. She didn't want to meet Edward's parents looking like a ragamuffin. There was no time to dry it, however. When Edward turned in her direction and held out his hand, she inwardly shrugged, realizing there was no hope for it. Going to his side, she wrapped her fingers through his, pride filling her when she spotted the mask seated in its spot on his bookcase as she followed him through the study.

They'd just stepped into the kitchen when Carlisle and Esme appeared from the hallway. Instantly, their lips turned up in greeting, Carlisle crossing the floor to stand before Bella. When she would have shaken his hand with an introduction, she was pulled into his embrace. "Bella, I presume, I've heard a lot about you."

"I don't know if that is a good or a bad thing," she laughed as he pulled back, Esme taking his place soon after.

When Edward's mother hugged her close, she grinned, "It's a good thing, trust me. No one has been able to drag Edward from his shell. You have worked wonders for my son."

"Alright, alright," Alice called from behind them. "Let the sister get a hug too."

Bella was positive she'd never received such a reception. Immediately, she walked into Alice's arms, enjoying the welcome of her embrace. Tipping her head toward Alice's ear, she whispered, "Thanks for encouraging me to pursue Edward. He's amazing."

"Yes, he is," she murmured, winking as she pulled back. "I am looking forward to having another sister. We should plan a girl's night soon."

"I would like that." Bella shifted away, instinctively seeking Edward. Feeling his fingers slide around her waist, the apprehension she'd been experiencing melted away.

"You know, people, I'm fucking starving," Emmett chimed in, effectively breaking up the circle around Bella. "Give the woman a chance to breathe and feed me."

Collectively they laughed, Rose throwing a look over her shoulder at Emmett. "Tell me when you aren't hungry? I could cook dinner, and two hours later, you are sorting through the fridge as if you haven't eaten in a week."

"True. Very true," Emmett acknowledged, rubbing his hands together. "Now, what's for dinner?"

"How about Italian?" Before anyone could respond, Rose headed to the cabinet and withdrew a box of pasta. "Bella isn't a big fan of meat, and Edward makes a kick as garlic sauce, which by the way, sounds like heaven."

"That's good for me," Alice pitched in, turning toward the fridge. "Do you have the stuff to make a salad?"

"I don't know," Emmett called over her shoulder. "But they're some amazing breadsticks with mozzarella inside them in the freezer."

Edward breathed a chuckle as he glanced down at Bella. "You see the circus I have to deal with around here?"

She watched everyone in motion. Together everyone moved in a cohesion she'd never witnessed before. "They are incredible, Edward. You are fortunate to have such a family."

She'd never had brothers and sisters before, and their willingness to accept her into their coven of sorts was beyond magical. Not only had she found the love of her life in Forks, but also, an awesome family. She'd lived in Phoenix all her life and had never acquired the type of friendship these people readily offered.

She fell into sync beside them. One by one, Bella chopped veggies, Alice tossed her way. Once her task was finished, she brushed the contents on the cutting board into a large bowl. When Emmett handed her a large bag of lettuce, she went to work, mixing the greens in with chopped carrots, bell peppers, and hard-boiled eggs. Taking the bowl from the counter, Bella turned to the large table with a bottle of salad dressing in hand.

Bella sat her bounty in the middle of the table, tucking her drying hair behind her ear, she started arranging plates and silverware. Feeling a hand on her hip, she looked back to see Edward, passing her a salt and pepper shaker. "Dad never eats supper without them."

"There for a second, I thought you just wanted to touch me," she whispered playfully, wiggling her eyebrows in suggestion. Pouting her bottom lip out, she said, "Imagine my disappointment."

His fingers slid over her bottom, giving one cheek a squeeze, his head tipping close. "Baby, you don't need to be disappointed, cause I always wanna be touching you."

Witnessing the touchy-feely game going on across the room, Emmett forgot about the task he'd been doing as he gave them his undivided attention. "Hey now, no hoky-poky in the fucking kitchen."

"Who's playing hoky-poky," Alice wanted to know, backing away from the stove. Her bright green eyes lit up with a sparkle when she saw Edward's hand on Bella's butt. "Oh nice, Edward, feeling her up in public. Public sex is so hot."

Bella's cheeks flamed with embarrassment, yet she made no effort to withdraw from his touch. "No…nope…no sex in public…"

"You don't even know the thrill you're passing up, chick." Emmett's eyebrows wiggled even as Rose jabbed him with an elbow. "Ouch. You know it's true, babe."

"Dude, mom, and dad are standing right there," Edward stated, as his hand fell away from Bella. Glancing down at her, he smirked as she blushed. "Now, you see what I mean. Huh?"

As everyone's gaze turned to Carlisle and Esme, their expressions were priceless. There was a mixture of guilty pleasure and embarrassment, twisting their features. Emmett's eyes bulged in response. "Oh my God, dad's doing mom in public."

Esme looked as if she just wanted to disappear. She would have been as happy as a clam if the floor just opened up and swallowed her. Shaking her head, she mumbled, "I—I…no comment. Carlisle, talk to your children."

"Oh, no. You are not leaving me to face this on my own." Carlisle bowed out of the discussion, humor tugging on his lips as he buried his head in the fridge. Using the pretense of searching for something, he stayed there while everyone had their laugh.

Twenty minutes later, they all took their seats around the table with a feast of Italian before them. Just when Emmett would have reached for the pasta, Rose stopped him by standing and going up behind him. "Everyone. I would like to make an announcement."

Quiet fell in the kitchen, all heads turning to Rose. When she hesitated, Emmett tipped his head back. "Go ahead, babe. Everyone is listening."

"Emmett and I are going to have a baby."

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