Let's see how they're doing, shall we?

As always: Lara makes this so much better!

Chapter 24

It's been a few months, and slowly but surely, old wounds healed.

Bella and Edward's relationship blossomed, turning into something else, better than before. They talked, spilled their guts, addressed their concerns and spoke their minds. There was nothing left to say, no secrets or doubts. Every insecurity was out in the open, and it helped them tremendously. It brought them closer to each other and opened their hearts fully.

Conversation was Bella and Edward's new priority. It led to gloriously long dates which ended in passionate lovemaking, keeping the two awake until the early morning hours.

As winter rolled around, the temperatures dropped and Edward cursed at the cold, because it made his girl bundle up, her inked porcelain skin hidden from view.

"Baby," Bella sighed. She curled her arms around Edward's waist, cheek pressed lovingly against the warm skin of his bare back. She knew today would be a battle, a personal one. Today would be tough for the love of her life, since it was December 25th. The first anniversary of his parents' deaths.

A deep sigh escaped Edward's lips, the tense muscles in his back loosening up under Bella's warm, gentle touch.

"I love you," she breathed, closing her eyes. He'd just taken a shower, the towel draped around his narrow hips, his scent absolutely delectable. A droplet of water made its way down his neck onto Bella's cheek, and she leaned back to watch Edward's face in the big mirror. "Are you okay, baby?" Bella knew it was a dumb question, but she wanted to ask anyway. She needed to know if there was anything else she could do for him today.

"It's okay, babydoll." He squeezed her hand, giving her a weak, unconvincing smile. "I'll be fine. I've got you," he said.

"Anything you want to do today?" Bella asked. They promised each other to stay here, at the Cullen house today, just the two of them. Neither wanted the company of others, since this year called for new traditions. Bella wasn't dragged to Alice and Jasper's to get together and watch lame Christmas movies, and Edward didn't have an elaborate Christmas meal prepared by his mother.

"Yeah." He turned to face his girlfriend, clutching her hands before kissing them softly. "I have to run to the office today, but I should be back around one this afternoon. So, maybe then we can pick what we want for dinner?" His emerald eyes smoldered, but Bella frowned a little, sad he'd be leaving her.

"But it's a holiday, do you really have to work today?"

"I do, love. But it's just some routine tax stuff… I'll be back before you know it."

Bella nodded, but Edward noticed the sad look on her face. He sighed and carressed her cheek, knowing she'd love his little surprise. "Why don't you take a nice, hot bath with a book? Relax, and then I'll be back."

She giggled, figuring it was a great idea to calm her nerves a little. "Okay, be safe." She rose to her tiptoes to kiss Edward. Their kiss led to making out, as it usually did, and after a few seconds, Edward trapped her body between his and the bathroom counter. A low groan erupted from deep within him, his thick erection clearly noticeable under the bath towel around his hips. As he pressed himself against her lower stomach, she leaned her head back so he'd kiss her neck. Nipping the sensitive skin right behind her ear, she squirmed against him, the boxers she stole from Edward damp.

"Still want to leave?" She pressed her chest against his, only wearing the boxers and an oversized T-shirt.

He groaned as his thumbs traced her hard nipples under the cotton, wanting the hard peaks inside his mouth so she'd beg him for more. "I don't even want to leave in the first place." He chuckled.

"So I'm making it hard for you?" Bella laughed.

"So fucking hard, babydoll." Edward shook his head, biting his lip as he looked down at his own personal goddess.

"It's a shame you just showered. I can't make you all dirty again, can I?" Bella teased, loving the reaction it got her.

With his head cocked and a youthful gleam in his eyes, he turned Bella around until she faced the mirror. One quick tug at the towel had it pooling around their feet, his hard cock slapping against his stomach. Edward traced the lines on her back as he hitched up her shirt and palmed her tits, pushing himself against her ass.

"I don't mind if you make me dirty, babydoll. I love smelling you on me for the rest of the day."

His words made her feel light-headed; wanted. Edward always made Isabella Swan feel desirable.

He was aware the clock was ticking, and that he needed to hurry the fuck up if he wanted to make it to his appointment in time. But it just wasn't fair how hot his girlfriend was, dressed in nothing but a pair of his boxers and a big shirt, ass stuck out to tempt him. He couldn't help himself.

"Shit," he muttered. Like a depraved animal, Edward tugged on the cotton encasing Isabella's glorious bottom half, more skin coming into view. He groaned and palmed her ass as Bella's head rested against Edward's chest.

"Open your eyes," Edward muttered.

Bella obeyed, head cocked to the side, brown, bottomless pools full of emotion focused on vibrant green ones as Edward stroked his cock between her ass cheeks, teasing Bella relentlessly until she pushed back against him even further.

"Please," she breathed. "I want you."

Even though he didn't need much encouragement, her words spurred him on more. He let himself sink into her pussy swiftly and effortlessly, since Bella was already so fucking wet for him. She always was.

"Mmm, yes," she groaned between rough, forceful pumps that made her collide with the bathroom counter each and every time.

Edward slid one hand down the center of her back as he pushed her T-shirt up her torso with the other, pinning her upper body down. Bella shuddered at the change of temperature, the marble countertop meeting her hot, sensitive skin.

Edward devoured her body, using it until he felt himself getting rougher and rougher with her. He grabbed Bella by the hair and forced her body up again. Their eyes met again in the mirror, and he was in awe of her tits bouncing up and down with every one of his thrusts. Lifting her left leg onto the counter, he groaned at the change of angle. He hit her so good, so fucking deep like this. It made her eyes roll back, her heart pound, and her pussy beg for mercy. She was so close already she swore she saw stars.

"Yes, baby," Edward urged her on. He could feel her walls growing tighter around his cock, holding him tightly in their grip. "You're gonna come, aren't you?" His voice was dripping sex, hands on her quivering thighs holding her steady.

"Yeah… Fuck!"

"That's it, baby. Come for me, doll." Edward slid one hand over her stomach, down to her clit. Bella was so slick for him, and he used her wetness to play with her clit. It was how she unraveled, head thrown back against him, yelling out his name as her pussy clenched around Edward's cock violently.

"Shiiit!" she exclaimed.

Edward's fingers dug into her hip harder as he pumped into her with more force, chasing his own orgasm. He spilled into her, biting down on her bare shoulder, the intensity of his orgasm taking him by surprise.

"My god…" he started. "It just keeps getting better and better with you, doesn't it?"

Bella's face warmed as her heart rate calmed down, touched by Edward's words.

"Baby, I'm sorry, but I really have to go now." He knew he was cutting it rather short, and Rosalie would have his head for showing up late to an appointment on a holiday. Even though he didn't like to celebrate Christmas, his new friends did. Edward had even agreed to join the squad for brunch the next day at Jasper's bar.

"I know, just come back to me as soon as you can." Bella smiled and pressed a kiss to her lover's lips, totally unaware of the little white lies he had told her to be able to flee from the house. Bella was glad to have the place to herself for a few hours. After all, she had an agenda of her own.

Once Edward took off, Bella got herself ready for the day. Starting off with a blazing hot shower to shake off the winter cold, she scrubbed her body all over, making sure to shave and exfoliate every inch of her skin. Edward wanted takeout, but Bella had been planning her own little Christmas dinner for the two of them. Instead of meeting up with her friends for bad movies and junk food, she decided to pull on an apron, pile her hair on top of her head, and get started on a recipe she found on the internet. Soon, the entire kitchen smelled of fresh dough and heavenly marinara sauce, and Bella felt proud when she sprinkled the pricey Italian cheese on top of the dish.

After she erased every trace of her erratic, chaotic adventure in Edward's kitchen, she settled on the couch with a blanket and her iPad, doodling until inspiration struck her. Even though the two had promised not to buy each other gifts for Christmas, Bella couldn't fathom the thought of letting the holiday pass by without so much as a trinket. No. She wasn't that type of woman. Instead, Bella started drawing. She pulled up reference pictures of the two of them, the wallpaper on her phone, and started sketching. After what seemed like forever, she shook off the awkwardness she felt of drawing herself and focusing on the imperfections that made her unique, turning off that switch inside her creative mind. Instead, she compared colors and textures for clothing and skin, the details of her own tattoos and of Edward's to make the drawing perfect in her eyes. Just when she heard Edward's car drive up the estate's driveway, she ran upstairs to his office and fired up the printer. The quality wasn't what she was used to, compared to the fancy photo printer she had at the tattoo shop, but Bella didn't have time. This would have to do—for now. Tapping several buttons until her iPad was linked up to the printer, she ordered the device to cough up an A6 of her creation, and she bit her lip when lines of colors appeared on thick, luxurious photo paper she found in Edward's desk drawer.

Clutching her artwork to her chest, she tiptoed through the hallway upstairs and into the master bedroom, opening a drawer and sticking the paper in between the thick, plush bath towels inside.

"Baby? Where are you?" Edward's voice drifted up the stairwell, and Bella stuck her head over the banister, meeting his gaze.

"I'll be right down, I was just rummaging through my suitcase!" Bella could practically hear the words that no-doubtedly formed inside Edward's head right now. Just move in already, baby. She knew her boyfriend detested the weekly moving bags and suitcases in and out of his home, not having her at his house during the week and only waking up next to her on the weekends, or searching for her when she lurked in a dark corner of her tattoo shop at three in the morning when inspiration struck her. No, Edward wanted nothing more than his girl by his side every fucking day. He craved to wake up next to her every morning and go to bed with her each night. Little did he know that dream would become a reality, if he would just let her give him her little gift.

"What did you do while I was gone?" Edward smirked. The gleam in his eyes when he looked at the pristine, too-clean kitchen told Bella he had a hunch. There was still a faint smell of delicious food wafting through the air, even though she'd opened the windows for a while after she was done.

"Mhm," she wiggled her brows. "That's a surprise for later. Now, let's pick ourselves a movie and sit your ass down. I have another little surprise for right now." There was a hint of a secretive smile tugging at the corner of Bella's full lips, which Edward knew was one of his favorites.

"Bella, we said no gifts." Edward sighed, knowing she'd do this. Even though he meant the sentiment, he had a gift for her, too. Though it wasn't anything materialistic, it was the most meaningful thing he'd ever done for anyone in his entire life.

"Babe, it's not really a gift if I got the same thing for me." She chuckled and walked off to the garage, where she'd stuffed the poorly-wrapped square in a crowded corner. Bella walked back into the living room with the wrapping paper crinkling behind her back and a wide smile.

Edward sat back against the couch, long, muscular arms stretched over the back when he noticed his girl's giddy expression. He sat up and licked his lips, slightly amused to learn what she had bought two of.

"I know you'll hate it, but you only have to do this once a year. Promise." Giving him the green, sparkling gift, Edward grinned and started prying off the tape like an impatient child. He laughed and threw his head back when he opened the gift and the fabric lay over his lap. "You bought me a plaid onesie?" He laughed.

Bella nodded furiously, an innocent little smile that claimed pure happiness gracing her face. She pulled another set of the same onesie in her size from under the couch, holding it up for him to see.

"We can't do a couple's Christmas without matching PJs, can we?" Sitting up in between Edward's legs, she pulled at his sweater, but Edward winced, placing a hand over his chest. "What's wrong?" Bella asked, a little worried.

"No, nothing. But I want you to go first." He tried to play it off, conjuring a dazzling smile on his face. Bella was wearing new, racy lingerie, so she stood up, pulling the wool dress over her head and shedding it somewhere behind her. Edward's eyes raked over her beautiful body, over the straps and lace that barely covered a thing.

"Fuck… Is that my other gift?"

Bella just bit her lip and stepped into the fleece material of the onesie, reveling in the softness of the fabric against her skin.

When she zipped it up, she looked at her boyfriend expectantly, until he stood up and unbuttoned his jeans. He dropped them to the floor, keeping his eyes on hers and pulling his sweater off, too. When he reached for the hem of his T-shirt, he stopped and smiled at her. "C'mere," he said, reaching out for her.

Bella cocked her head to the side, wondering what was up, but took his hand in hers anyway.

"I know we said no gifts. But this"—he motioned between the two of them—"is too important to me."

Bella smiled, her face heating up. She was so proud of herself, proud of him for getting this far, for communicating and making this relationship into the best thing she'd ever experienced.

"Wait," she breathed. She let go of Edward's hand and ran back upstairs, careful not to slip on her socks when she raced into the bedroom and grabbed her digital drawing.

Back downstairs, gasping for breath, she held it up for him without any type of warning. Edward's eyes widened and he bit his bottom lip, a little shocked at the image in herhand.

It was the two of them, embracing and looking at each other lovingly, sitting on the steps leading up to his front porch. Bella held up a key, the dainty keychain of a swan reading Home Key, and he gasped.

"Baby." He looked up, tears welling in his eyes. "D-does this mean?"

There wasn't anything more to add, because Bella knew exactly what he was talking about.

"Yes, babe. I'll move in with you," she said, pride in her voice. Bella was done with walking away, done with running and denying herself any kind of happiness. This was it; Edward was it for her. What they shared was enough to last her a lifetime. They were going to make it—they had made it.

"Baby." He shook his head, taking her face between his hands and kissing her lips lovingly. "Take off my shirt," Edward whispered.

Bella leaned back and snorted. "Your gift is your penis?"

"No, you can have that any time you want. But take it off, please." He kissed her knuckles and let go of her while Bella eyed Edward a little suspiciously.

Her fingertips curled underneath the soft cotton, and she gasped as her fingers met the all-too-familiar material of Second Skin wrap.

"What did you do," she whispered, suddenly too eager to await his response. Whipping the T-shirt off his head, she stared and blushed, her heart racing. She didn't know what to do with herself.

"It's a snowflake," he explained, caressing the artwork over his heart. "Because it's you, Isabella Swan. You're my snowflake. Unique, beautiful… One of a fucking kind. And it's right here, over my heart. Because that's where you live, where you'll stay forever. It's what you healed. It's yours."

Tears streamed down her cheeks now, and she choked on her words, unable to hold back the sobs that came from deep within. "Christ, I love you so much," she breathed.

"Me too, babydoll. Forever."

"And much longer," Bella agreed.

THE END

That was it! I'd like to thank you all again for joining me on another adventure! This story has truly been challenging, and I have to admit I struggled at first. It's so different from what I'm used to writing, but I honestly love these two!

There might be an epilogue or some outtakes in the future, but right now, they stopped talking to me :)

Love you all, see you in the next one

xoxo

Pearly