A/N This is the final chapter...

18+

LXXIX

I'm grabbing a book from my locker later that day when I feel my skin tingle.

I turn my head and smile widely as I see Edward a few feet away, emerald eyes sparkling, a soft smile playing at his lips.

'Hi,' he says.

'Hi back.' I say, grinning. 'How are you?'

'I was good, but after hearing your beautiful voice, I'm on top of the fucking world.' Edward's eyes shine, 'How are you?'

'Same.' I say softly, feeling my cheeks heat. 'I mean, I was good and now…'

Edward bites the inside of his cheek and leans against the locker next to me, running a hand through his hair. It's longer, and I want to run my hands through it, but I hold back.

'I wanted to ask you…' I swallow, nervous all of a sudden.

I've practiced this with Heidi, but it seems so strange saying it out loud.

Edward arches an eyebrow, grinning widely, his cheeks just as flushed as mine, 'ask me what?'

'If you wanted to…go for dinner, or something,' I say, aware that I'm blushing like an idiot.

He looks taken aback and then gives me a smile that takes my breath away, 'yeah?'

'Is that a question or an answer?' I tease.

Edward laughs softly, and hearing the sound makes my heart swell in my chest.

I bite my lip, 'If you're not ready, that's okay. I'll be here when you are. I just wanted you to know that I am. That I'm ready for you, for us.'

Edward steps closer to me, his green eyes shining as they stare into mine. 'Bella Swan, are you asking me out?'

I laugh softly, 'Yes. I really am.'

My heart is pounding in my ears, cantering away in my chest like it could take off at any moment.

Edward places his hand on the locker next to me and gives me a cheeky grin. 'I'd love to.'

My breath catches, 'You would? You're…I mean…you're ready?'

He cups my cheek in his large, warm hand, and a hum goes through my entire body at the contact, my head spinning, heart beating chaotically in my chest.

His voice is soft, reverent, sure. 'I'm ready. I love you.'

The sound of the words makes my heart soar and a shiver go down my spine. Edward chuckles softly at my reaction.

We're here.

We did it and we're here.

'I love you Edward.' I tell him, smiling so hard my cheeks ache.

He leans in, his mouth barely apart from mine, those green eyes sparkling like midday sun across sea water, incandescent and beautiful. 'Can I kiss you?'

A sound of pure happiness slips from my mouth, partway between a laugh and a 'yes', and I lean in and press my lips to his. They're warm and so soft, and the feel of them against mine sends such a huge wave of emotion through me that I feel like I'm falling, flying, the floor suddenly disappearing and leaving me hurtling through the clouds. It's the kind of kiss that blazes through you, that's so intense and mind blowing that it changes you permanently. Nothing has ever felt so perfect, so incredibly right. Edward's lips move softly against mine and my lips part for him, my arms loosely wrapping around his neck as one of his hands gently rests on my hip.

His tongue teases my bottom lip, little licks and nips that electrify my every nerve ending, and when it sweeps into my mouth and meets mine, I see stars behind my closed lids, my fingers gently playing with the hair at the back of his neck as we kiss softly and sweetly. His taste in my mouth is heady, just like it's always been, but the fire that blazes through me, that fills my veins, is kept at bay by the weight of this moment, the magnitude of feeling his warm body, gently pressed against mine.

We're not gripping each other for dear life, he's not the only thing holding me above ground, we're stable and steady, just holding each other because we want to. This is a new kiss, a first kiss. Our lips say hello, our tongues say I missed you, and the pounding of my heart in my chest, that powerful, strong beat, that says his name, over and over.

I'm soaring, my body on cloud nine, tears gathering in my eyes because this moment right here, Edward Cullen kissing me against the lockers, it's one I'll remember every day for the rest of my existence. The love that I feel burning through me, the intensity of it, it's the most electrifying, euphoric experience of my entire life.

He pulls back, and the look in his eyes, that shining, pure happiness, I know it's on my face too.

We're not addicted anymore, we're just in love.

A/N Fuck that was emotional to write. If you've been on this crazy ride with these two with me, thank you so much for reading, for reviewing, and for all the support. I feel truly blessed to have had so many people reading my ramblings, and I really hope you're happy with how the story ends. Huge kisses and love, and definitely come join Creaatingmadness (FB GROUP), we have a lovely community there.

If you've read desire and enjoyed it, don't forget to leave a review and let me know, it would mean the world to me!

Thank you again,

Ella xx

P.S I'm writing a new story called Wicked Games right now, go check it out, I think you'll love it :)