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Taking a Shot

Chapter 13

I pulled Bella closer into my side, snuggling her in my embrace as I thought about the night before. In a blink of an eye I thought that my whole world had come crashing down. I had made a colossal mistake trying to keep my finances from Bella.

It had never been my intention to keep my finances a secret. I meant what I said when I told her I had never meant to hurt her but I did, and it killed me seeing her tears fall freely. I knew Bella took pride in her work and I was proud she was a confident and independent woman. She could take care of herself but what she didn't know was I needed to take care of her.

I was in no way trying to make her feel inferior or that she didn't give in this relationship. I just needed to give in to my instincts and care for the woman in my life. I wanted to give her the world and for her to never want for anything.

After we kissed and made up, Bella was too embarrassed to return to the bar and face my family. Even after I explained that my parents would pay her no mind, she was still sheepish. I didn't want to push her anymore and asked my parents if they would mind if I left my keys with Cole and they could drive themselves home.

They didn't even hesitate to give Bella and me a little time to ourselves. I couldn't have been blessed with better parents than them. I had handed Cole my keys as Mom and Dad said they'd finish their drinks and catch up with Emmett for a bit.

When we made it home, we took a shower taking care of each other before we climbed in bed and snuggled into each other's arms. It was the best feeling in the world to be loved and cherished, and I wanted Bella to feel just that. We had both been exhausted and no sooner had our heads hit the pillow than sleep was overtaking us.

Bella stirred in my arms bringing me out of my thoughts. A contented sigh left her lips, and I placed a kiss to the top of her head just before she looked up at me with sleepy eyes.

"Hey."

"'Morning, beautiful."

"Did you sleep okay?"

"I always sleep better with you in my arms."

"Me, too."

She cuddled into my chest once again. We lay like that for a few minutes and I thought she had fallen back to sleep but then she lifted up on her elbows to look down into my eyes.

"Edward?"

"Hmmm?"

"I never got to talk to you last night. I'm sorry."

"Stop, baby. No more apologizing. Okay?"

"Okay."

"Good. Now what did you want to talk about?"

Bella bit her lip nervously as she drew circles on my chest. She was nervous, but I had no idea why. Was she second guessing us? Did she not want to buy a house together?

She sighed and the next words out of her mouth were nothing what I was expecting.

"An on-call doctor, Dr. Michaels, offered me a position in his private practice."

I know I must not have heard her correctly. Did my Bella just say she didn't have to work at the hospital anymore?

"What?"

"Dr. Michaels is starting his own practice and asked me if I wanted to work for him. He's a pediatrician so I'd be working with kids still—which I love. It's in New Jersey, so there wouldn't be a long commute. I wouldn't be making as much as the hospital but the hours would be regular."

"Oh, baby. That's great news. What did you tell him?"

"I told him I needed to think about it. I wanted to talk to you first."

"I think it's the best news I've heard. Now I don't have to worry about you running yourself into the ground."

"But the pay is less."

"Bella … if it means I get more time with you and you're not running ragged then I could care less about the money. We don't need it."

"Really, Edward?"

"Yes, baby. I think you should take it."

"I really do like the idea of working a normal schedule and working in an office setting."

"Then do it, love."

Bella kissed my lips soft and sweetly. "Have I told you how much I love you?"

"Hmm … I don't think this morning."

"Well, I do. I love you so much, Edward."

"And I love you too, Bella. Now come bring those lips back here."

A giggle slipped out as her lips kissed mine. It started as an innocent peck but soon turned heated. I swiped my tongue along her bottom lip before trailing wet kisses down her neck. She tasted sweet as I sucked the spot below her ear and she moaned.

"Edward … your parents and Cole are just across the hall."

"So … you know how to be quiet, don't you baby?"

In an instant I had Bella on her back, my knee rubbing her heated center as I took her earlobe in my mouth, sucking lightly.

"Oh, God," Bella tried to whisper.

I lifted her tee above her head revealing her bare breasts and lace panties. My lips descended, taking one rosy nipple in my mouth. I swirled my tongue around, twisting and sucking until it was hard and wet before giving the other the same attention.

"Edward …" Bella murmured into my ear. "I need you."

I released her nipple with a pop and crawled up her body.

"I'm here, sexy girl."

I aligned my cock with her hot, wet center and pushed into her with a moan. She felt so good wrapped around me. I stilled my hips to relish in the feel of her. Even after apologizing the night before - after the evening we had, I needed this connection with her again.

"Baby, I'm right here," Bella said firmly, cupping my face in her hands.

She always knew what I needed to hear. Yes, she was there in front of me, but I needed to hear her say the words.

I slid slowly from her warmth, only to push back in. I set a slow pace – moving against her languidly. My lips ghosted across her skin, leaving warm, wet kisses against her heated flesh. Bella's quiet moans and whimpers were the only sound in the room.

"Shh, baby," I crooned. "We have to keep quiet."

"But you feel so good."

"Mmmhmm … you feel incredible, baby."

I thrust into her a little more forcefully, a grunt crossing my lips as our pelvises met.

"Fuck …."

"More," Bella breathed. "I need more."

I struggled to keep up the rhythm – I could feel the pressure building low in my belly. Bella's muscles fluttered around me, pulling me deeper. I kissed her lips firmly and with one final thrust, I spilled deep inside her as she clenched and came around me.

"Oh, God, Edward," Bella breathed.

"What?" I asked, searching her face for any hint that I may have hurt her.

"I love you so much."

I gently pulled out of her and rolled us to the side, gathering her to my chest.

"I love you too, Bella. Always."

We lay naked together for the longest time. Bella fell asleep against my chest and I watched as her eyelids fluttered and she mumbled incoherent things. When I felt her shiver, I pulled the blankets up over us and held her to me even tighter. I let her sleep for a while longer until I heard my parents moving around the apartment. She stirred in my arms and I kissed her bare shoulder.

"We need to get up, baby," I crooned in her ear.

"Do we have to?" She whined.

"We do, beautiful."

"Ungh …."

I peeled the pillow away from her face and kissed the corner of her lips.

"Take a hot shower, baby. I'll go get us some coffee."

I crawled out of bed and pulled on a t-shirt and basketball shorts before heading into the kitchen. Mom was standing at the counter whisking a bowl of eggs while Dad poured their coffee.

"'Morning."

"Morning, Sweetheart." Mom smiled. "How's Bella this morning?"

"She's good, Ma," I replied, kissing her on the cheek.

"Good. I hope she wasn't too upset last night."

"She was a little upset, but she's okay now."

Cole came trudging into the kitchen, looking a little worse for wear.

"Dude, I didn't mean to out you like that to Bella. I thought she knew …"

I waved him off.

"Brother, you need to learn when to open your mouth and when to keep it shut. Thank fuck Bella is as forgiving as she is – otherwise, I'd have to hunt you down and beat the ever loving shit out of you."

"Whoa, Ed, calm down," Cole said, putting his hands up defensively and backing away.

"I can't lose Bella, Cole."

Warm arms wrapped around me from behind and I felt Bella's damp hair against the shirt on my back.

"You won't lose me, baby. But no secrets, even if you think you're protecting me, okay?"

I turned in her arms and wrapped my arms around her.

"No secrets," I whispered, as I touched my forehead to hers.

"Love you," Bella murmured, kissing me swiftly before turning to Cole.

"You," Bella started. "Stop trying to get even or one up Edward. He's got enough to worry about."

Looking properly chastised, Cole apologized to Bella for the night before and offered to stay and help us move since he wasn't working.

I excused myself to shower and Bella jumped right in to helping my mom out in the kitchen. When I finished, they were setting everything out on the table.

"What's on the agenda for today?" Dad asked.

"I thought we'd take you to see the house today." I grinned.

Breakfast was filled with lively conversation – most of it revolving around Bella and the new house. My parents seemed to really like Bella and that made me happy because Bella was all that mattered to me.

"Edward," My mom gasped. "This house is beautiful."

I grinned as my dad clapped me on the back and I led them toward the house. Once we were inside, Bella led my family on a tour of the house. It made me happy to see her so proud of it. My mom kept throwing Bella decorating ideas and if her facial expressions were any indication, I knew we'd be discussing them later.

"Son, this is a great house," Dad said, grinning. "But what are you going to do with all this space?"

"I hope to ask Bella to marry me, and one day we'll fill it with kids."

Pride filled his face and he nodded.

"I think that's fantastic, Son. You and Bella will be very happy here."

The following night I was back on the ice trying to help the Flyers up our lead in the series. I had my family and Bella cheering me own and I had high hopes we could beat this team.

It turned out not to be a good night for us. The Penguins outplayed us and we just couldn't get any goals on the board. We made costly mistakes causing dumb penalties and in the end wound up losing to Pittsburgh four to one.

And that was only the beginning of our down fall in the playoffs.

The next two games were in Pittsburgh and my family decided to stay and make the drive out there. Bella was also able to get some time off and switch with another nurse, which only made the time with my family sweeter. My parents, Cole, and Bella drove the five hours to Pittsburgh meeting me and my team there.

We were now on the Penguins turf. Our heads were back in the games but Pittsburgh was playing better playoff hockey. We managed to get some goals on net, but in the end it wasn't good enough and we lost both away games.

Of course my family was supportive, and Bella was there to lick my wounds and make me feel semi better. She knew how to stroke my ego and make me feel like I was the best damn hockey player in the world – even when I felt like the worst. Bella made love to me, showing me with her body how much I meant to her. That hockey wasn't everything and as long as we had each other nothing else mattered.

After two losses on the road, we were back in Philadelphia for the fifth game in the series. We were down three games to one, and we knew we needed a win or we were out. No more playoffs. No Stanley Cup.

We managed to get more shots on goal and keep our heads in the game but the Cup wasn't meant for us this year. Pittsburgh was the better team and we lost the game in a shoot-out five to four.

Like most of the other players we were pissed for playing like shit and being out of the playoffs. I sat and sulked a little in the locker room before joining Bella and my family.

"I'm sorry you're out, baby."

"Hmph."

"There's always next year, son."

"Uh huh…"

"I hope your game in the bedroom is better than your game on the ice."

"Oh don't worry about that, I score every time."

"Hell yeah, Eddie," Cole said with a fist pump- which I returned.

Bella rolled her eyes and muttered, "Children …"

I wrapped my arm around Bella's shoulder, kissed the top of her head and walked out of the arena. It didn't matter that we had lost and were out of the playoffs; as long as I had Bella and my family, everything else was a bonus.

A/N: Well we're getting close to the end. We have one more regular chapter and then the epilogue. It's been a long sweet ride.

We have some new one-shot stories in the works for two upcoming fandom causes so make sure to check out our blog at .com.

Also we will both be at the TFMU in Chicago and hope to meet you there.

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~Karen & Jill