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Chapter 4

~OooOooO~

The Sharks were good, but we were better. After a weak start and a two nothing deficit going into the third period, we rallied back to breeze by San Jose with a win three to two. It was a big win for us putting us in first place tied with the New Jersey Devils. If we kept this pace up we'd definitely make the playoffs this year.

The game had ended late, but Jazz and I grabbed a quick beer to celebrate before we called it a night. In the morning we were heading back home to our girls.

After too little sleep, I boarded the plane with my team. I relaxed my head back trying to sneak an extra couple hours of sleep. Changing time zones was exhausting, but I didn't care because I was on my way back to my girl. By the time our plane touched down in Philly it was dinner time, and I knew Bella would be just getting off work. I really hoped she didn't get called to cover another shift.

Once I grabbed my luggage and got on the team bus headed back to the stadium I pulled out my phone and sent a quick text to Bella.

Hey, baby. On my way to the stadium are you home? – E

Hey, handsome. I actually am just leaving now. Why? You wanna come over? –B

Now you're reading my mind, beautiful –E

I'll see you soon then. I miss you. –B

Looking forward to it. I miss you, too. –E

I pocketed my phone and put my head back resting my eyes for the short ride from the airport to the stadium. Before I knew it I was grabbing my bags and loading them into my car and heading to Bella's.

I tried to abide by the speed limits as I drove to Bella's, but it was hard knowing I was so close but still not close enough. It only took me twenty minutes to get there and then I was running up the stairs taking them two at a time. I took a deep breath and calmed my nerves before knocking.

Bella opened the door with a beautiful smile on her face. I pulled her in my arms and kissed her hard.

"God, I missed you, baby."

"It's only been two days, Edward."

"Two days I couldn't touch you. Kiss you. Make love to you."

"Oh."

"That's right, 'oh'. I'm going to show you all night just how much I've missed you, my beautiful Bella."

I picked her up kicking the door behind me before carrying her toward her bedroom.

"Edward …"

I kissed her lips stopping any more arguments.

Once we reached the bedroom, I placed her back on her feet gently. I started undressing her with extra care until she was naked before me. I picked her up again and placed her softly on the bed before I shimmied out of my own clothes and joined her on the bed.

"Edward, what's gotten into you? You're never this urgent."

"I missed you, baby."

My lips moved slowly, lightly against hers taking in the warm, pillowy softness. I let my tongue trace her bottom lip before asking for entrance. Her lips parted as I swept my tongue in her mouth to tangle with hers. Our tongues circled the other in a sensual dance, neither one dominant. Our lips continued to move against each other, coaxing and tasting.

I pulled back to stare in the beautiful, chocolate eyes that showed so much love. I wanted to tell her I loved her, but I was too afraid she'd think it was just from the heat of the moment. I settled for showing her instead, letting my body tell her what my mouth couldn't.

"Bella, please … let me love you."

"Oh, Edward."

I kissed the single tear that fell on her cheek before I worshiped every inch of her body. My lips didn't leave any part of her body untouched. I kissed along her shoulder, down her chest to the tops of her breasts. I licked and swirled each nipple until it was wet and hard. I caressed and kissed the soft skin of her belly as I made my way down her body until I reached the soft curls between her legs.

I lifted my head and met her eyes as she watched me with lust, and what I hoped was love. I hovered over her sex before taking a languid lick of her lips. Bella gasped as her back arched.

"Oh, God …" Bella moaned, and all I could do was smile.

I took her clit in my mouth sucking, teasing as my fingers traced her wet folds before pushing two fingers in. Bella's hands grabbed at the sheets, her head thrashing while I held her down, enjoying every minute of her torture. My fingers thrust in and out as my mouth latched on to her clit. It wasn't long before her pussy was clenching fingers and my name was whispered from Bella's lips.

I sucked and licked all of her pleasure as she rode out her orgasm. As she was still coming down from her high, I moved back up her body and I braced my hands on either side of her head teasing her entrance —coating myself in her pleasure.

Bella closed her eyes and I whispered, "Look at me, baby."

She opened her eyes and I tried with all my heart to convey everything I was feeling in that moment.

"Edward …"

"I know, baby."

I eased her knees further apart, inching myself into her warm heat. As I pushed to the hilt we moaned, reveling in the feeling of coming together. Bella wrapped her legs around my hips as she pushed her heels in my ass urging me to move. My eyes never left Bella's as I thrust in and out of her body with slow sensual strokes bringing us both so much pleasure.

Bella's muscles contracted on my cock and I could feel the last of my control slipping even though I wanted this to last forever. With a few more thrusts of my hips Bella was screaming my name and I was falling right behind her.

My arms were trembling and I collapsed, sliding slightly to one side so I didn't crush Bella. I pulled her into my side as we both steadied our breathing. Bella sighed as she rested her head on my shoulder and I kissed the top of her head. Small fingers ran through the sparse hair on my chest and I could tell that Bella was lost in thought.

"You okay, baby?"

"Mmmhmm."

"Whatcha thinking about?"

"I'm thinking that as much as I love our reunions, I hate the fact that you have to leave at all. Don't get me wrong – I understand, but it sucks. I never imagined that I would miss you as much as I do. Is that weird?"

I shook my head.

"No, I don't think that's weird at all, baby. I feel the same way. I hate that I have to leave too, but for now, this is what I do, Bella. It's what I love. That's not saying that I don't …"

Bella rose up on her elbow and looked at me curiously. I tried not to meet her gaze but it was completely impossible.

"You don't what, Edward?"

I sat up in bed and took a deep breath, blowing it out sharply before pulling Bella into my arms.

"Just because I love hockey doesn't mean that I don't love you, too."

Bella gasped and cupped my cheek in her hand.

"Oh, Edward. I love you, too," Bella whispered before kissing me sweetly.

Sweet kisses turned into passionate and heated and before I knew it, we had slid back down into bed and I was slowly and reverently worshipping Bella's beautiful body once again.

Bella woke early the next morning, leaving me to laze in bed by myself. Her shift began at seven and she needed to leave no later than six thirty if she wanted to make it in on time. I didn't have to be at practice until eight which left me plenty of time to straighten up Bella's apartment before heading to the arena.

Practice went well that morning with all the guys psyched to be playing on home turf again. We discussed where we'd been lacking for the last couple games and came up with a couple ways to even out our game plan. I walked out of the arena that afternoon ready for the game that night and more than ready to see my girl.

I went home to clean up and shower as well as attempt to make a dent in the growing pile of laundry I had. If only my mom could have seen that pile of laundry – she would have kicked my ass six ways to Sunday. Besides that, I didn't want Bella to see how much of a slob I could be.

I decided to lie down and take a short nap once I'd gotten a couple loads of laundry done. I checked my phone and saw that I had one short text from Bella.

Miss U – B

I quickly texted her back before silencing my phone.

Miss you too beautiful. Catching a short nap b4 the game tonight. Will you b there? –E

I had given Bella a ticket to the game that night in hopes that she'd be able to make it after her shift. I knew Jasper had also given Alice a ticket and our hope was that the girls could come together.

As I suited up for the game that night, my phone pinged with a message. I checked it immediately, hoping it was Bella and she didn't disappoint me.

Edward – going straight home after work. Had a shitty day. Maybe we can talk later? – B

I messaged her back as quickly as I could.

What happened, baby? Are you okay? – E

Her response came a few minutes later and my heart sunk.

No and I don't want to talk about it. – B

Text you after the game? I love you. – E

Love you. –B

It was hard to shake the tone of her words as I pulled my jersey over my head. Something happened at work to put her in such a shitty mood. I wished that I had time to call and talk to her, but there was no way I could make that happen before the game. I'd have to settle for calling her afterward.

When I stepped out of the locker room that night, I reluctantly pushed all concerns of Bella to the back of my head and cleared my mind. A win today would be a big win helping us keep the lead in the standings.

A win didn't look promising when only a minute thirty five into the game we gave up the first goal of the night. Our coach called a time out letting us know we needed to play the game our way and fight back. When the puck hit the ice I skated up the ice fending off Bailey as we both tried to get possession of the puck. I slammed him into the boards before controlling the puck and skating toward the goal.

I carried the puck up the right side, around the net and backhanded the puck in for our first goal of the night. The crowd went wild as I celebrated the goal with my teammates.

Back and forth the puck went with no more goals in sight until Jazz skated up the center deflecting a perfect cross ice pass from Simmonds making the score two to one. Our lead didn't last long when the Islanders snuck a puck in the corner past Brysgalov to tie up the game.

With the start of the third period we were tied up two-two and needed to get our asses in gear. We were playing good but not our best. Our luck changed when the Islanders received a high stick penalty giving us a power-play advantage. With a pass from Read, Meszaros slapped a shot to whizz past Nabokov to put us up three to two.

After two more minutes of play I scored again on a breakaway cushioning our lead at four to two. We held the Islanders off long enough to place a tick in the win column. Celebratory slaps were placed on Brysgalov's helmet before I made my way to the locker room for a much needed shower.

I checked my phone as I headed toward the conference room for our post-game interviews. Answering questions was the last thing I wanted to do onceI realized that Bella hadn't texted me back. Unfortunately, my contract required me to speak to the media following a win. I texted Bella quickly telling her I was talking to the media and that I'd text her when I was finished. I also reminded her that I love her and hoped that it would be enough to put a small smile on her face.

I spent the next twenty-five minutes answering the same inane questions. How did it feel to be back on home ice? Did I feel that we were playing our best and maximizing our strategy? Every question seemed to melt into the next and I just wanted to be done so I could talk to my girl. I was relieved when 'last question' was announced and it wasn't directed at me.

I walked to my car as fast as my legs could carry me while texting at the same time.

Hey, baby. I'm finished. How are you doin'? – E

My phone rang in my hand and a glance at the caller ID told me it was my Bella.

"Hey, baby." I grinned.

"Hey," Bella sniffled.

"Baby, you're crying … what's wrong?"

"I need you, Edward … can you come over?"

"Of course, I'll be there as soon as I can. I'm leaving the stadium lot now."

Bella ended the call and I drove to her apartment with a heavy heart wondering what in the hell upset her so much. I texted Bella again when I arrived at her building and she buzzed me in. I only had to knock on her door once when the door was thrown open and she dove into my arms. I caught her easily and wrapped her up in my embrace. Kicking the door closed behind me, I scooped her up and carried her to the living room. I sat down on the couch and kept my sobbing girl in my lap.

"Talk to me, baby. What happened?" I asked softly.

"Do you remember me telling you about the triplets who were born at 34 weeks?"

I nodded.

"Well, two of them were struggling and the other one was doing really well and responding to treatment and they decided that he was doing so well that they were going to take him out of the NICU and depending on how well he did after the move, the doctors were talking about letting him go home at the end of the week."

"That's a good thing right?"

Bella shook her head and a torrent of tears ran down her face. With one look, I knew.

"He coded in the hallway not five minutes after they wheeled him out of the NICU. It was like he knew they were taking him away from his brothers."

"Jesus, Bella … I'm so sorry, baby," I whispered, pulling her closer to me.

"Even worse … his parents had just stepped out for a few minutes because everyone thought he'd be fine. I … I can't imagine losing a child but to not be there?"

Hearing the heartache in Bella's voice was breaking my own heart. I couldn't imagine not being there either. I'd never seen Bella so upset over a patient before but I knew that she'd been one of the nurses on duty when the triplets first arrived at the hospital. When she was on duty, she was always assigned to one of the triplets.

"Tell me what to do, Bella. How can I make this better for you?"

"You're already making it better by being here, Edward. Just keep holding me and please don't let go."

"I'll never let you go, sweet Bella."

I don't know how long we sat together on Bella's couch but eventually, I felt her become heavier in my arms and I knew that she'd fallen asleep. Very gingerly, I moved us off of the couch and walked us into her bedroom. I gently laid her down and pulled the covers up over her – thankful that she already had her pajamas on. I moved through her apartment, making sure all the lights were off and the door was locked before stripping down and crawling into bed and pulling Bella's sleeping form flush against my chest.

A/N: How much do you love him? As much as we do? Let us know.

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