I suck, I know this. We all know this. My apologies. Enjoy anyway.

To recap the last chapter: In the words of Ginny Weasley, "He just sort of shouted it at her. It was quite terrifying actually."

All mistakes are mine. I don't own twilight- never have, never will. I do, however, own a car that has a full tank of gas that is taking me to St. Louis tomorrow to meet my Twi sisters!

The American Princess Chapter 22

Edward

She's still beneath me, her eyes locked on mine. She's nervous- not that I can blame her after the emotional night we've had. And now we are here- in my bed, with her quiet and unmoving.

For some reason that I can not comprehend in this moment, my brain is playing Madonna's Like A Virgin as mood music. I'm almost afraid to speak in fear of the words coming out. But it does make sense, I suppose. It's not the first time for either of us by far but feels so bloody monumental at the same time.

Her smile is soft, her voice a whisper. "Tonight, I'm yours."

Not the three words I had hoped for but there was time for that. I think. I pray. I need more time with her.

Forever would be a start but I can't ask for that now. Tonight, she said. She's giving me tonight and for now, that's what I'll begin with.

Our clothes are gently removed, kisses feathered over each other's faces and wherever we could reach. Whispers and that giggle I love so much as I accidently find a ticklish spot. We learn each other's bodies, in no hurry for this to end.

Finally, she envelops me into her body and just like that, I'm home. I get her kisses, her moans, her breathy little sighs. She gives all to me as I give my all to her until we reach the pinnacle. Not together- no, she falls before me with a breathy moan and hitched breath. A direct contrast to our situation.

I fell first, beyond all reason. And she is holding on to reason with every ounce she possesses.

As she falls into a deep sleep beside me, I find myself unable to follow her now.

Not when she could run. I have to make her see. I have to make her stay. And if I can't make her stay, then I'll just have to go with her.

I pick up my phone and shoot off a message to my brother and hope he can stay quiet until I make my move.

***TAP***

Bella

I'm on the verge of waking up and realize right away, I'm in his bed. Not that the memories from last night escape me, but I slept like I haven't slept in a long time. Well, not without the help of a Xanax anyway. I look to my left and there he is. On his side facing me, his slow breaths making his defined chest rise. He looks peaceful in a way I've never seen him. In his sleep, he doesn't have the pressing responsibilities or disapproving father. He is free to dream, to be himself. I want that for him no matter the fallout for me.

I feel his eyes on me now and I smile- not a forced one, not actress Bella's smile- a real one. I feel light and airy. I know that will change outside the four walls of this bedroom so I am soaking it in as much as I can right now for who knows what will happen once, we leave them.

"Morning." He greets me. I lean over to kiss him softly then back away.

"Morning. How'd you sleep?" I ask.

"Brilliantly. You?"

"Same. Refreshed. Which is good since we have that dinner tonight."

He groans.

"Do we have to go?" He whines.

"Yes, Your Highness, we have to go."

"But you'll be there?"

"Yes, I'll be there. That is what 'we' means. Wait until you see my dress." I tease.

He looks more alert now. Definitely interested.

It took Carmen almost a week to find this dress. It's not because she isn't good at her job, it's more that I usually dress a certain way and now I am dressing another way. So, her automatic inclination for short sleeveless dresses and sexy pantsuits aren't going to cut it in this situation. She brought back several choices and we ultimately decided on the white long-sleeved dress with the deep slit ending at my upper thigh. Sexy, yet demure. I think Edward will like it but considering how he is looking at me now, I could wear a burlap sack and he'd be thrilled.

"Does it show off your legs and tattoos?" He asks, as his fingers trace the one on my wrist.

"Legs, yes. Tattoos, no."

"Why not? I love them."

"They're not appropriate for the event."

"Fuck appropriate." He says.

"I think you fucked me appropriately last night, Your Highness." I said with a giggle.

He beams like I just gave him his first Oscar. It's funny how a member of the most famous royal family in the world needs validation. I blame his father, but I'll shelve that train of thought for another time. He's in every aspect of my life here, he doesn't belong in bed with us.

There's a light tap at the door.

"I don't mean to interrupt but your phone is going crazy out here." Em informs us.

"Responsibility waits for no girl." I sigh and fling the covers off. I feel his eyes on my body as I throw my clothes on haphazardly. I meet his eyes and grin at him. "When you see me tonight, I'll look drastically different."

He gets out of bed, naked as the day he was born. There is no shyness like I see in him sometimes, no hesitation. Just pure unadulterated confidence. He stops just shy of touching me and gazes down on me with his beautiful green eyes.

"I doubt you'll be any more breathtaking then you are right now." He kisses me before retreating to the bathroom and I take the opportunity to retreat to my room.

The next words he whispers to me as I meet him in the living room hours later all gussied up and ready to go is, "I was wrong. That dress…" He trails off.

"Will look really good on your floor later tonight." I whisper back. I wink at him as I straighten his bowtie.

"Well, don't y'all look all domesticated and shit." Em interrupts as he exits his own room, looking dapper in his suit and tie.

We break apart reluctantly and I am escorted out the door by two lovely men- both whom have my heart albeit in two completely different ways.

Unfortunately, I would only be able to keep one.

***TAP***

Bella

I'm surprised to see a red carpet and photographers when we pull up. I glance over at Edward. He looks both bored and at ease.

"I thought this was just a dinner."

"It's never just a dinner if we are out of the palace. This is a charity event for the children's hospital we went to."

That I can deal with.

"You ready?" He asks.

"For chaos? Always. This isn't my first rodeo, Charming." I assure him.

Emmett exits before us and waits patiently at the side of the car. Charming gets out and extends his hand to me. I grab it, get out and… mass pandemonium. So much for the boring and demur evening I thought I was going to have. I plant a smile on my face, reminiscent of past movie premieres and red-carpet events that are a given in my profession. Edward places my hand firmly into the crease of his elbow and leads me confidently down the carpet bypassing all the questions until we are safely in the building.

"That was certainly prompt. Maybe I should fire Em and hire you as my publicist. I haven't been rushed into a building like that since that director's scandal." I tease.

"Hell, Bells. I could do what he did but that is counterproductive to my job description."

I laugh and wink at him. He knows how in disposable he is to me.

"I have no interest in entertaining the masses." Edward sniffs.

"Oh baby, this is your circus and these most certainly are your monkeys."

"Who are the monkeys in the scenario?" Jasper interrupts with a lovely Alice on his arm.

"Why your family of course." I laugh.

"We are certainly something, aren't we Edward?" He gives Edward a measured look I can't and won't even begin to try to decipher.

Edward merely smiles in agreement.

"Speaking of the family, we should join them. They sent us to gather you up. We are receiving guests by the main staircase."

Edward nods and grabs my hand as I let his arm go. I look at him in askance.

"You will be joining us in the receiving line this evening." He informs me.

"When was this decided?"

"Just now."

"Oh, Carl isn't going to like this. And Marcus might have a seizure."

He kisses me. "Ask me if I care."

He leads me through the grand foyer of the building into the ballroom where the gala is being held. Sure enough, his family is waiting in all their royal finery. As expected, I get the normal mixed reactions I usually get in their presence. I ignore the feeling of inadequacy that tries to invade my mostly positive and confident viewpoint of myself and take my place next to Charming.

Throughout the next hour, I get a lot of confused looks, but I also get genuine smiles and have some of the loveliest conversations with people that have known Edward since birth or who met him at school. Of course, there is the naysayers as well and I am not particularly surprised to see Lady Kathryn come upon us, though she sure is surprised to see me in the position I find myself in.

Girl, same.

I presume she is with her family. I see three women who all resemble her and a man who looks most distressed. Can't say I blame him if his wife and two other daughters are like Kate. And judging by the fact that if they were out in the rain, they'd drown because of how high their noses were in the air, I'd say that's a given.

Kate sees Edward and I and grabs the arm of an attractive man who I'm guessing has accompanied her here tonight. She starts giggling at him and batting her eyes. He is taking it all in as the poor boy obviously hasn't spent enough time with her.

Edward follows my gaze and smirks. "That's Theodore. He's a distant cousin of my mother's."

"Guess that's one way to keep it in the family…" I murmur.

I turn to the next person in line and then another and then the Denali family is upon us. Her father speaks to me. I can tell he's kind. I smile graciously at him and thank him for coming. The rest act as if I'm not there, choosing instead to fawn over Edward.

Kate and Theodore wait for their turn. Kate smiles viciously at me. "I surprised you're still around. Hasn't Carlisle kicked your trashy ass to the curb yet?" She whispers.

I take a look at her date and then back at her. "I don't know if anyone has told you yet but to find your prince, you're supposed to kiss a frog, not fuck the whole pond." I left the 'whore' unsaid.

"When he tires of you, and he will, I will be there in his bed comforting him." She seethed.

"That may be, but until that happens, I'll keep your spot warm for you."

"Listen here you little…"

"Lady Kathryn, you're holding up the line." A person behind her protests. Kate shoots the woman a dirty look then looks back at me. "This isn't over."

"Looking forward to it, Lady Kathryn." I smile.

She moves on to Edward who ignores her by speaking to his cousin. She pouts the rest of the receiving line until she starts kissing Carlisle's ass. Esme dismisses her pretty quickly though.

"This is exhausting." I whisper.

"Yes, it can be especially since apparently they are letting any old riff raff in."

"Bella!"

Wait, I know that sweet voice. I look around until I see Lila trying to reach me, but Jenny is trying to stop her because protocol.

Screw protocol. I stoop down on one knee and open my arms. She flies into them and starts chattering my ear off.

"I am so glad you're here! I didn't think I could come but I begged and begged they finally said yes. But I have to be back by ten or they said I could turn into a pumpkin like in Cinderella. Do you like Cinderella? I know you said you're not a princess, but mama said if you marry Prince Edward you would be and then it will be like in the books I read." She finally stops to take a breath. I look helplessly at her embarrassed mother.

"She's obviously feeling better." I laugh.

"This is one of her better days." She says as she pulls Lila out of my lap. Edward helps me stand and we step out of line so as not to hold anyone up. I can feel Carlisle's eyes boring into my back.

We chat for a while with Jenny and Lila and I give my number in case they ever need me. I make a note to have Emmett set up a PSA targeting organ and bone marrow donation. Speaking of Emmett…

I spot him keeping the fair Rosalie company now that the royals have broken the line to go mingle with the guests. I catch his eye and wink.

We finally excuse ourselves to pay attention to others then it is time for dinner.

It's delicious and beautifully presented but not at all filling. I'd give my left arm for a Whopper right about now. I say the same to Edward who laughs loudly catching more than a few people's attention.

After dinner, Rosalie and Alice drag me to the silent auction tables and I bid on more than I intended but why not? I have the money and the charity has a need. I end up with a trip for six to a chateau in France, a shopping spree with an up and coming designer and a photoshoot with Annie Leibovitz who I've worked with before for a Vogue shoot. I also discreetly arrange for a fifty-thousand-dollar donation to be transferred from my bank account. All in all, a pretty great way to drop a hundred grand in one evening.

Before I know it, it's time to leave. Emmett says he'll take a cab later and to not wait up. I shoot him a warning look. I know we are kinda sorta in the same boat, but Carlisle might actually shoot someone over his baby girl.

I take my shoes off the minute I get in the car. Edward promptly grabs my feet and rubs them as I groan in pleasure. "If you continue to do that, I might just keep you around." I tease.

"That is my hope." He smiles as he concentrates on his task at hand.

"Stuart, please take us to 18 Bear St on Leicester Square."

"Where are we going?" I ask.

"You'll see."

I shrug and settle back to enjoy the ride. However, once I see that yellow Burger King sign, I am sitting straight up as I look incredulously at Charming. "No way! Dude, this is perfect."

"I aim to please."

"Wait, why are we parking?"

"We're going in."

"You're going to slum it at a fast food restaurant?"

"Who says I'm slumming? I am all about new experiences lately."

I kiss him. "Hmmm, you are, are you?" I pull back. "So, we're just gonna waltz in there, sit down and eat like normal folks?"

"We are normal, Bella."

"We are the furthest thing from normal, Charming, but that's okay." I lightly slap his cheeks.

I get out of the car and see that we went from us and a driver to five of us with the addition of two bodyguards. Neither look too happy at the choice of venue.

"Come on, boys. Let's eat." Charming and I lead the way into the slightly crowded restaurant. I ignore the gasps and focus on the menu.

"What's good here?" Charming asks.

"I'm getting the double Whopper with cheese no pickles."

"Okay, sounds good. But I want pickles on mine."

"Okay, I don't know if this is going to work out between us then."

"You hate pickles that much?"

"Yes, but I like you, so I'll deal."

I feel his smiling gaze as I order for the both of us then pay much to his chagrin.

"I have never had a woman pay for a date." He complained as I took the receipt from the star stuck cashier and grabbed our cups.

"Add this to the list of new experiences you are so fond of having." I said as I mulled over my drink choices. Coke it is. I wait for Charming to fumble with the drink dispenser and then lead him to a corner booth that had a table next to it for the three stooges that were lurking behind us. No way were they sitting with us.

Ignoring the murmured whispers and giggles, we settle in with our culinary delights. I moan as the first taste hits me. "How I've missed you so." I say to the burger.

Charming takes a bite then grins at me. "This is good."

"I told ya."

We spend over an hour at that restaurant just chatting and getting to know little minute details about each other. Here it doesn't matter that he's a prince or that I'm American. It doesn't matter that I dripped ketchup on my designer dress. It doesn't matter that we have bodyguards and a driver watching us intently or a whole restaurant for that matter.

Has there ever in the history of meals been one as good as this one?

You'd never make me believe it if there was…

What is your favorite fast food joint? Surprisingly mine is not Burger King, they just have great coupons and I'm broke.