Beta- StacyO72- She understands my deep and abiding love for the word lugubrious just as I understand hers for lave. You get them both in this story. Also, she knows that instrument in Last Chance On The Stairway is a marimba.

Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyer owns all things Twilight. No copyright infringement is intended.

Ch. 12 City By The Sea

I don't remember quite how I met you,

Wasn't long ago

Just get a picture of sun

In your eyes, the waves in your hair

Maybe it's something said in a movie

Or you could've said last night

Just took me out on a limb

And I don't really know what I'm doing here- Last Chance On The Stairway, Duran Duran

"Edward".

It feels so good to hear Bella speak my name, my real name. The only thing better than hearing her is feeling her soft feminine body pressed up to mine. Her hair is up, giving me easy access to her neck. I waste no time, kissing a line along her jaw to a spot just below her ear. My hands slide down from her waist to grab her ass and hoist her up higher against the wall. I moan a little as I kiss her neck over and over. I know she likes it. She's breathing hard and squirming against my dick.

"Edward, I stink."

I stop, laughter overcoming me but don't pull away from her. "And I don't? I smell like the inside of a fish hold for a reason."

I inhale deeply as my nose grazes her skin. I honestly can't distinguish any odor. "You smell good to me."

I return to her lips, kiss her softly between words.

"Like flowers." Kiss.

I try to think of types of flowers:

"Roses." Kiss.

"Freesia." Kiss. Freesia? Where did I get that from? I don't even know what the fuck that is. I move on to other scents:

"Lavender." Kiss.

O.k. that's a dead-end, I try something else.

"You smell like strawberries." Kiss.

I try to think of another sweet-smelling fruit but my hands are cupping her ass and she's grinding into me. I can't focus.

"Mango." Kiss.

She giggles and pulls her head back. Her smile is beautiful.

"Mango? You are so full of it. I stink like monkfish and I'm covered in sweat. If you can't smell it, then you've been in here too long."

I glance down, giving Bella a good once over. She is flushed, her skin damp and warm. She's wearing a dark green tee with Newton's Fish embroidered on the upper left corner, and denim shorts. A few stray strands of hair cling to her neck. I nuzzle that same spot below her ear again and flick my tongue.

"Mmmm. You taste sweet and salty, like the ocean. Besides, I thought women didn't sweat, they glow. At least, that's what…" I pause, not wanting to finish with 'my mom used to say.' So instead, I end with "I've always heard." If she notices my hesitation, she doesn't mention it. I give her ass a little squeeze as I push my now obvious erection against her.

"Bella, you feel so good." I murmur before I lean down and kiss her deeply, only stopping when we are both panting. Her arms are wrapped around my torso as her hands roam up and down my back. I shamelessly grind against her and am rewarded by her low moan. I want to hear that sound over and over again and I tell her as much. She responds by crashing her lips against mine, our mouths part, tongues touch, and we kiss for what simultaneously feels like forever and not long enough. I vaguely register the sound of a door opening across the building but it is enough for Bella to push me away. She slides down and steps away just as the door opens again and whoever entered returns to the plant floor.

"Relax." I say as close the space between us and embrace her. Her hands instantly wrap around my shoulders.

Bella nods but explains. "I really don't want to get caught making out at work. A lot of these guys know my dad and I don't want anything getting back to him before I get a chance to tell him first."

I sigh, stealing one more kiss, before I agree.

"What are you doing here today? Don't misunderstand, I'm definitely happy to see you but I wasn't expecting it."

"Oh, I lied in my last email. I just wanted to surprise you. I knew we would be in too late today to offload so I figured it wouldn't matter if I gave you an ETA that was about twelve hours later than we'd really be here." She gives my bicep a playful slap but I can tell by her smile that she isn't really mad.

"Since we're not going to pack out until tomorrow afternoon, I'm free tonight. I'd love to take you to dinner, if you'd like."

She agrees and I know I'm smiling like an idiot. It's been so long since I've felt this happy that my cheeks actually hurt. It's Wednesday and she isn't working at the bar so we will have the whole night together. I can't help but hope she'll want to stay with me at the hotel tonight. She sits down at her desk and I find a copy of National Fisherman and settle down in a chair in her little office. I spent more time staring at her than I do reading but she doesn't seem to mind. As she works, entering data into her computer, and shuffling papers around the desk, she fills me in on her month. I tell her a few stories about the trip. She laughs when I recall how Rose yelled at Emmett for sitting on 'her' Mako. Eventually, Emmett and Jasper join me in the office just as the envelope containing our last two trip checks arrives by FedEx from Volterra Seafood. Apparently, Volterra has worked it out with Newton's and the local bank so that Jasper and I can cash our checks without an account or I.D. The three of us are just about to walk over to the bank when Rose appears in the doorway. Emmett lights up like a Christmas tree when he sees her.

"Hey Rosie! Missed me already, didn't you? "

Rose tosses her hair, ignoring Emmett, and wrinkles her nose "Ugh. Monkfish." She turns her attention to Bella, who is still seated at her desk. "You aren't working tonight, are you? I thought maybe you, me, and Alice could go out."

Bella has no poker face. I was already pretty sure she didn't but this clinches it. She turns bright red and stammers out a succinct "I can't." as her eyes dart between me, Rose, and the wall. After spending the past month with her on an eighty-five foot boat, I know that Rose has a pretty low opinion of fishermen as anything more than work partners or friends. Still, I can't help but feel offended that Bella doesn't tell Rose she'll be with me. It doesn't matter that I haven't had a girl reject me since that first time at the country club. The memory still feels fresh. My ego is wounded and I react without consideration of anything but my self-esteem.

"About that Bella, what time should I pick you up for our date?"

Emmett and Jasper's heads whip up in perfect synchronicity. "Date? Aw, it's like you're Richie's Mary Beth."

"Emmett, you ass, it was Lori Beth, not Mary Beth." Rose's voice is sharp and hard. Jasper laughs. She crosses her arms and glares at us all.

"Babe, don't be jealous. We can be Joanie and Chachi. Their romance was far more epic." Emmett gives her his best dimpled smile.

Rose gives him a look of disbelief before turning back to Bella.

"I wanted to go to Newport. You're seriously giving up a night out with your best friends to date some deckhand?"

Before Bella can answer, the door from outside opens and Alice walks in.

She looks at each of us. "What's going on?"

Jasper speaks before the rest of have a chance to reply. "We're all going on a triple date to Newport tonight."

"WHAT?" Five voices join in unison.

"What, what? It's the perfect solution. Rose wants to go to Newport. Richie and Lori Beth want to go out on a date and…" Jasper pauses and walks over to Alice, taking her hand in his. "Alice and I do too."

"What the fuck, Alice?! Do you know anything about this guy?" Rose looks infuriated.

"I know enough to know I want to get to know him better." Alice replies, never taking her eyes from Jasper's.

"That's cute. You realize what you'll find when you do: a former junkie with tax problems." Rose huffs.

"You forgot high school drop-out, redneck, and tattooed freak." Jasper stands a little straighter and faces Rose down. Toe to toe, they're almost the same height.

Alice does that eyebrow thing girls do and puts one hand on her hip. "Rose, you need to stop judging people based on what Royce did. Jasper has been clean for three years and he's working to save enough to get his tax lien removed. Regardless, we've just met. Right now, we're just having fun getting to know each other. Maybe you should do the same instead of comparing every fisherman you meet to that asshole."

Rose looks shocked. I get the feeling she isn't often at the receiving end of a lecture.

Emmett puffs out his chest. "What did this guy do anyway?"

Rose protests, saying she doesn't want to discuss it but Alice ignores her and tells us how this Royce douche kept her in the dark about his wife and kid in New Jersey.

"Rose, you can't compare a fine specimen of manhood like myself to some Yankee knuckle dragger from Barnegat Light. I bet he didn't even graduate from high school."

"Hey!" Jasper protests.

"Calm yourself, Jasper. You're a shrimper from Texas, no one expected you to graduate eighth grade let alone high school." Emmett squeezes between Rose and Jasper so that she has to look him in the eye.

"Give me a shot. Come on, it's one night with four other people."

Rose's eyes never waver. "I don't shit where I eat."

"Baby, as much as I want to get to know you better, I really don't need to know about your hygiene habits. I just want to take you to dinner."

Rose huffs. "Fine! But I'm only going to keep an eye on these two losers." She points to Jasper and me. "We'll need to catch the five o'clock ferry. Make a reservation at the Commodore Room at The Black Pearl for six thirty and make sure you clean up. It's a nice place, so no frigging naked girl shirts."

We all look to Emmett when she says that. His shirt features a very well-endowed pin-up girl wearing a barely there stars and stripes bikini. She is holding a fishing pole attached to a blue marlin, which she also happens to be riding. The slogan Support Your Local Hooker covers the top of the shirt.

Emmett looks offended. "These shirts are quality works of art."

Rose gives him a condescending look. "Airbrushing is not fine art."

I catch Bella's eye while he is talking. I really wanted to spend time alone with her but maybe this is better. She can't ask me questions if we're with everyone else. She still looks uncertain. I understand why when she speaks.

"The Commodore Room? Rose, that's really expensive. I can't afford that."

"Bella, I asked you, you're my date. I'm paying, don't worry about it."

Bella rolls her eyes so I wave the envelope containing my paycheck for the last two trips. I know she is aware that I've made close to fifteen thousand dollars. She had been the one to make the arrangements so the bank would have enough cash on hand to pay the Vampress crew. That cash would be burning a hole in my pocket within the hour.

She acquiesces. "Fine, you're paying. So we're all staying over in Newport?"

"We are?" I ask, not sure how this scenario has happened but I'm pleased nonetheless.

"The ferries stop running after seven. I know just where we can stay!" Alice explains while practically bouncing with excitement. "Good thing it's a Wednesday. We'd never be able to get a room on the weekend."

"Rooms, Alice: one for the girls and one for the boys." Rose insists.

Alice shakes her head and laughs. "Seriously, Rose? I'm already fucking him. Did you think I'd miss the opportunity to do it again? I'll get three rooms. The rest of you can work out who sleeps where. Come on, Jasper, let's go before that smell seeps into my clothes, it really stinks in here today."

Jasper doesn't have time to reply before Alice has pulled him back through the door.

"She's um, very …" I leave off, not sure how to phrase what I'm thinking without possibly pissing off both girls.

"She's very secure in her sexuality." Rose supplies the politically correct wording. "You should meet her mom. "

"Your step-mom?" I ask.

Rose nods while Bella smirks. "She's earthy –crunchy but Goth at the same time. If Patti Smith and Robert Smith had a child, it would be Miranda."

"She threw a body-piercing party for Alice's sweet sixteen. Jessica's mom had a fit when she came home with a belly piercing and a nose ring." Bella laughs.

"She did let her keep the belly piercing." Rose adds.

"What did you get pierced?" Emmett asks her. I inwardly groan to myself. Wrong thing to ask, Emmett.

"Nothing you'll ever see." She replies curtly.

"Aw, come on, roomie. You don't want to be like that." Emmett practically whines.

"Ted's your roomie, not me. Maybe if you ask him really nicely, he'll show you his piercings."

"Don't be so sure about that, I think Richie and Lori Beth may want to recreate their own Perspiration Point."

"Inspiration Point!"

"Whatever. Same difference."

"Um, we really haven't discussed that yet." Bella interrupts their banter.

I don't want any hasty decisions made now so I quickly add that we can figure that out later. I remind Emmett we have a lot to do if we're going to be ready by five. We make plans to meet at the ferry dock. I give Bella a chaste kiss that isn't nearly long enough or deep enough and we're finally out the door.

ﻝ ﻝ ﻝ

Five hours later we're finished with dinner and moving over to the outdoor patio area, which is decidedly more casual than the white-gloved service of the Commodore Room. The night has been surprisingly smooth. After the rush, of going to the bank, getting a room on Block Island, going shopping for the proper dress required for dinner, getting a haircut, shaving, showering, buying condoms – just in case, packing another bag for overnight in Newport, and worrying about stashing most of my cash in my room safe, it was nice to relax for the hour long ride on the high speed ferry. Unlike the big, lumbering workhorses that traveled back and forth between the mainland and Block Island, the high speed ferry was sleek, fast, and fun. Everyone was in a good mood, even Rosalie. The little I knew about Newport revolved around music- the famous annual jazz and folk festivals, and money- yacht races and mansions owned by the Vanderbilts and Astors. I didn't know Newport was also on an island, the actual namesake of Rhode Island, or that it was one of the biggest summer party towns on the East Coast.

We arrive near an old Revolutionary War fort and take a cab across to a bed and breakfast on the other side of the island. Alice made the reservations. I questioned her for a minute when we check in to the beautiful old yellow Victorian and instead of going upstairs, we're directed to a raised ranch in the back. I should have known better than to doubt Alice. The place, known as The Cottage, is divided into three large luxury suites, each with fireplaces, Jacuzzi tubs, and a large expensive looking bed. There are views of the ocean beyond. Apparently, a famous trail called the Cliff Walk runs behind the property. Alice and Jasper claim the largest of the suites as theirs. The rest of us throw our bags in another of the suites. The girls aren't ready to decide who they are staying with and I don't want to force the issue. I text Carlisle to let him know where we are staying before we take another cab down to the waterfront area where the restaurant is located and arrive just on time for our reservation. The outside of the restaurant doesn't look like much. It is one level with weather shingles and a few fancy signs.

Inside, we find a completely different atmosphere. The ambience oozes old money. While I'm somewhat used to this type of place, I wonder how well Emmett and Jasper will adapt. Jasper tugs at the collar of his dress shirt every once in a while, I know it's probably bothering his scar. We're both in ties, sport jackets and khakis. Emmett has embraced the inner WASP none of us knew he had and wears a loud madras plaid sports jacket over a polo shirt emblazoned with F/V Vampress on the upper left corner. Bright green golf pants and authentic topsiders, worn without socks, finish his ensemble. Not even Rose can think of anything to say when we first see him in that outfit. The girls have gotten off easier; all are wearing sundresses with little matching sweaters. Bella's dress is white and lacy and it's paired with a black sweater with little white flowers. Her hair is up, her lips are pink, and her natural beauty shines through. For the first time since I've met her, she has pale pink polish on her nails. She picks at them, and I can tell she's not used to wearing it. We're among the youngest patrons in the restaurant, although not the only ones. Mostly, there are older couples. They remind me of my parents and I push the thought that they'll never share another night out to the back of my mind. Dinner is a blur of side plates and main courses with Alice asking questions about how our food lived and Rose making sure medium is medium, not rare, and not well done. There are revelations like Emmett ordering duck with smoked brie and we all laugh at the thirty plus dollar price tag on the swordfish. Bella tried to order the cheapest thing on the menu and it takes all five of us to convince her to get what she wants rather than what she thinks she should have.

"Who's up for some clams on the half shell?" Emmett rubs his hands together as we sit around a table on the outside patio. The crowd here is decidedly different. Newport has a split personality. There is the old money side we just saw inside the restaurant then there is the party town outside. The bar has a live band and a good-sized crowd for a Wednesday night. Most people here are on vacation, just like on Block Island, but there are a surprisingly large number of Navy personnel as well. The girls explain that a small base plus the Naval War College are located just north of town. Jasper and I ditch our jackets and ties but Emmett refuses to take off that god awful madras sport coat.

"You should take off your jacket; you don't want to get clam juice on it." Rose repeats for the third time as she glares at him.

"Nah, I'll suck down those littlenecks so fast, I won't spill a drop."

Rose can't take her eyes off him and I'm not sure if he's an idiot or crazy like a fox.

The clams arrive and I look at them dubiously. I've never eaten raw shellfish. The others, even Alice, all dig in and I'm just staring at the plate.

"C'mon now Richie. Y'all ain't lived 'til you've sucked down a few of these babies." Emmett taunts.

I sigh, knowing I'll never hear the end of it if I don't try.

"Squeeze some lemon on it and put a little hot sauce on." Bella offers. I watch as she illustrates for me, ending by tilting her head back and bringing the clamshell to her lips to suck its contents down. It's a complete turn on and I wonder if I'll look as appealing to her if I try it.

So, I follow her instructions, tilt my head back and swallow the clam. They all watch expectantly. I try not to make a face but I know I've failed when Jasper and Emmett start laughing. That clam is the most disgusting thing I've ever eaten. Nothing, none of the stuff I ate during my fraternity's hell week, or in the two years I lived in the house, can compare to what I've just ingested.

"I feel like I just swallowed phlegm." I finally say after taking a long drink of my beer. They all laugh at me, but I don't care. I tell them I'm never eating a raw clam again.

"Poor Midwest boy can't handle it raw." Bella teases me as she sips on her margarita.

Between the wine at dinner and the beers now, I've got a buzz. I put my arm around the back of her chair and lean in close as I whisper in her ear "Let's see how well you swallow."

Her breath catches and I know she gets my not so subtle meaning. I smirk, satisfied with myself.

"You know, you could still end up with Emmett as a roommate tonight." She gives me a sideways glance.

I look over to where Emmett is dousing his clams in hot sauce. "I really hope not. I don't want to be anywhere near that ass when the flames start shooting out." I whisper back.

Bella giggles and gives me a peck on the lips. "I'm eating them too."

"I'll take my chances. Your ass is a lot nicer looking than his; I don't think it will hurt me if I get close." I joke.

Bella looks away; her eyes darting around and I can tell she is uneasy.

I gently trace her cheek with my finger, causing her to gaze up at me.

"Nothing will happen tonight unless you want it to. I'm perfectly fine with whatever you're comfortable with. I just want to wake up with you in my arms tomorrow morning."

Her body visibly relaxes as she leans into me. We stay like that for several minutes, just lost in each other, occasionally exchanging kisses, our lips soft against the other's. We're so involved in each other that we don't notice Emmett has disappeared until the singer from the band announces a special guest.

Rose's head jerks up as she splashes the last of her drink on the table.

"Please say he didn't?"

"Ladies and gentlemen, reality t.v. star Emmett McCarty!"

There is a smattering of applause, but I can tell this group has no idea who Emmett is. The music starts as Emmett, in all his madras plaid glory, grabs the mike. I know the song but I can't place it. Then it hits me.

"Oh shit." I try not to laugh, it's perfect.

"I've just had the opportunity to spend one month with the strongest, smartest, most beautiful woman I've ever met. I had to be on my best behavior then but tonight, it's back to winning her heart. Rosie, this is for you."

Rose cringes, ducking down as low as she can in her chair while Emmett begins singing Bruce Springsteen's Rosalita.

"Please make him stop." She begs.

"You know what song this is?" I ask as Emmett jumps down from the stage and walks toward our table.

"Of course I do." Rose hisses. "My father is a huge Springsteen fan. I was named after the damn song."

Emmett stops in front of our table but instead of dropping to one knee like he had in the Block Island bar, he grabs Rose's hand and pulls her to her feet, just in time for the chorus.

"Rosalita jump a little lighter
Senorita come sit by my fire
I just want to be your love, ain't no lie
Rosalita you're my stone desire"

Instead of looking at him, Rose focuses on Bella, who is still curled up in my arms. They silently communicate for a moment before Rose leans in and whispers to Emmett.

"Thank you, Newport! You've been a great crowd!" Emmett abruptly stops singing and hands the mike back to the lead singer, along with what appears to be a large wad of cash.

"What just happened?" I ask.

"Rose told Emmett that she'd stay in the same room with him if he agreed to stop singing." Bella answers, biting her lower lip as her eyes bore into mine.

Never let it be said that I don't catch on fast. "Let's get out of here."

The cab ride back to the inn is a blur of hands, mouths, and tongues. Now that we're not on an island where ninety-five percent of the population knows her and her father, Bella's normal reserve is gone and I couldn't be happier. We somehow make it from the cab. I grab our bags and move them to the last unoccupied suite in the Cottage, dropping them just inside the door. Bella lies in the middle of the bed, her dark hair contrasts with her white dress and the light blue linens of the bed. I could look at her forever but I'd rather feel her instead. I make my way to the center of the bed so that we're both lying on our sides, facing each other.

"You're so beautiful." I murmur as I capture her lower lip between mine. I sweep my tongue across her soft skin before she opens her mouth wider and our tongues entwine. One hand automatically reaches up to cup her face as the other snakes around her torso. I pull her flush against me as I rub my hard-on against her thigh. Legs separate and I've got her wrapped around me as I suck and nip at her neck. She moans and my whole body echoes with the vibration. Her dress is bunched up to her waist. I slide one hand beneath her panties to cup her bare ass while the other snakes up to lightly tease a nipple.

"Edward." My name is barely a whisper as Bella grinds against me in an erotic rhythm. I can feel her hands as they work to unbutton my shirt. Her lips follow, nipping and sucking at my clavicle and then I'm the one moaning.

"I want you."

I breathe onto her neck as my fingers circle her nipple through the fabric of her dress. My lips trace a path from her neck to her shoulder. I grab the thin strap of her dress with my teeth and drag it down, she isn't wearing a bra and her breast is right there, pale skin and pink center. My tongue first gently laves around her nipple before I suck it into my mouth. She gasps, arching her back towards me. I take that as confirmation she doesn't want me to stop. I continue to work her breasts, alternating between them with my mouth and hand. I slide the hand on her ass between her legs, pushing her panties down at the same time. I can feel her warm and wet on my hand. I circle a finger around her entrance before I slip it inside. She cries out, pushing back against my hand, trying to get me deeper. Our bodies thrust against each other while my hand sets a steady rhythm in and out of her. She tries to reach for my cock but she can't get her hand between us as we rub against one another. I break away so I can pull my pants and boxers off. My erection springs free. I'm so hard and aching for her.

"Are you sure?" I ask. I feel like I'll explode if I don't get inside her.

"Yes, I want you too." She answers as she strips off her dress. I grab a condom and hold it up.

"I made sure it's lubricated, even though I don't think you need it this time."

I can't help but be a little smug about that as I tear open the wrapper and put it on.

"You ass!" She huffs but I can tell she's not really mad. "Get over here before I change my mind."

Bella lies back on the bed and spreads her legs in invitation. I'm nearly overwhelmed by the sight of her. She is all soft curves and pale skin. I climb on top of her and kiss her deeply. My fingers rub her clit in slow circles until she is writhing and arching against me. I push two fingers inside her while I continue the circling her clit with my thumb. I can feel her muscles tighten around my fingers. I watch in rapt fascination as she comes undone beneath me, moaning and crying out. I tell her again how beautiful she looks. Her brown eyes flutter open and focus on mine.

"Edward, I want you inside me, please."

I position myself at her opening. She grabs onto my shoulders and gasps as I push inside without any problems. I let out a deep breath, relieved to finally be in her, before I start moving, slowly at first then the pace increases as we get used to the feeling of moving together. I know I won't last much longer.

"Bella, will you touch yourself?" I ask.

She is already flushed from us fucking but she turns an even deeper red.

"I want you to come again before I do." I explain. "I want to feel you come while I'm inside you."

Her eyes widen and I get the feeling no one has ever said anything like that to her before me. I like that. Slowly, she brings her hand between us and starts to rub herself. The sight alone is enough to push me over the edge and I have to still myself so I won't come.

"O.k.?" She hesitantly asks.

"Yeah, beautiful. You look so hot doing that, please come for me baby before I lose it."

I start to move again, slower this time pulling out and pushing back in as I watch her get closer and closer. I can feel her muscles contract around me as she cries out again. I thrust into her a few times before I feel my balls tighten and I come hard, the feeling washing over me in a wave of sensation. I collapse on top of her panting and covered in sweat. I roll us both over, kissing her deeply, my tongue slowly circling hers.

She pulls back and lays her head on my chest. I kiss her forehead as I caress her back. I am really drenched in sweat.

"Damn, it is hot in here."

She giggles. "Yeah, well, fireplaces tend throw heat."

"Fireplace?"

I look over and for the first time, notice the fire burning in the large hearthstone fireplace across from the foot of the bed.

I let go of Bella and get up to dispose of the condom, noticing the room for the first time. It is really nice, pale blue walls and pine furniture with subtle nautical décor. It almost looks like someplace Aunt Esme would design. I turn the a/c on high and return to bed. Bella snuggles up next to me but I don't mind since the cold air is blowing right on me. The last thing I remember is kissing her forehead before I fall into the best sleep I've had in months.

ﻝ ﻝ ﻝ

I awaken to the sound of my phone buzzing with an incoming text message. I check the time: six fifty am. Ribbons of morning light streaming through the multi-paned window to the left of the bed. I'm still drowsy as I check my phone but the words cause me to sit up straight as I read Carlisle's text a second time.

Maguro. Be at the Cliff Walk at 7 am.

Maguro is our password, the way I know it's really a text from him. I quickly throw on the khakis from last night and a t-shirt. I grab my cigarettes and my phone. Bella is sleeping soundly. I gently push the hair back from her face and kiss her forehead before I head outside. The Cliff Walk is only a short distance from the house. I nervously puff on a cigarette on my way down. It's a disgusting habit but smoking is a perfect companion to the monotony of setting out gear and it calms my nerves during times like this, when I don't know what's about to happen. I silently vow I'll quit if I ever get through this bullshit.

I arrive at the steps leading down to the paved path and descend until I am standing on it. I take a long drag from my cigarette and sense rather than see that someone is here.

"Hello?" I barely make a sound as the word gets stuck in my throat. I clear it and try again.

"Hello?"

"Edward." I turn to my left to see my father emerge from behind a tree. I drop the butt, cross the short distance between us and embrace him.

"I love you Dad." I choke out between sobs. I will never again take my father's presence in my life for granted.

"I love you too, Edward." He pulls back, but keeps his hands on my shoulders. "You look good. Who would have guessed you'd make a decent fisherman." He laughs but there is no levity in his voice.

I check over my father and notice the minute differences. Although most people think I look more like my mother because of my coloring, I get my jawline and other facial features from my dad. His cheekbones and chin look sharper, indicating he has lost weight. In addition, his eyes appear worn and tired.

"You're here for a reason." I state, knowing my father wouldn't risk exposing my location for a mere social visit.

He nods. "There have been developments in the negotiations between the State department and the Romanian government. It appears as though the Romanians are willing to enter the town by force and attempt to capture him. They will only do so if U.S. operatives lead the assault, unofficially, of course."

I digest this information but I'm so jaded that it fails to make an impression. "Do you know when?" I ask.

"A few months at the most. We can't risk waiting too long. The hacking attempts on government servers are occurring on a daily basis. Eventually, they will get through again."

I wince, knowing their last successful effort is what led to our current circumstances.

"Where will you be?" I ask. IRS agents aren't typically on the front lines of international elite forces operations.

"Underground and safe, I hope. Only those at the highest levels know where I am. I won't be able to contact you or Carlisle until it's over." He rubs the back of his neck as he speaks, a nervous habit I know I've picked up from him.

"Can you stay here for a few minutes?"

He sighs. "Just a few."

We sit on a couple of boulders just off the path. We talk; about mom, my life on the Vampress, his efforts to stay off the grid, anything we can think of to fill in the blanks in each other's lives. I tell him about Bella.

"You know, your mother would be overjoyed. She was a hopeless romantic, always trying to match couples together. She never gave up on the idea that your Aunt Esme and Carlisle would somehow get back together, even when they themselves gave up."

I smirk, just picturing how my mom and Esme, each equally stubborn, must have argued about Carlisle.

"He's a good man. He's done so much for me."

Dad agrees. "We knew you'd be safe with him." He stands and I know our time together is over.

"When will I see you again?" I ask as I hug him.

"Hopefully soon. We have to pray this ends well. Stefan is already rotting in prison. Once Vladimir is captured or killed, the rest of his organization will fall apart." He pauses and I know he feels guilt over what happened.

"It wasn't your fault." I reassure him. "You were just doing your job. No one could have predicted this would turn out this way."

"It was supposed to be just a routine identity theft investigation. These cases were always domestic- usually, someone's wallet gets stolen with their social security card in it. I had no idea that I was going after an international organized crime figure until it was too late. Then when Stefan was captured and Vladimir came after me personally, no one had ever breached the IRS super servers before. He swore he'd destroy me and he nearly did. Your mother…" His jaw clenches as he fights for control of his emotions. "As long as you are safe, I know we will survive this. Mom would want you to live a long, happy life filled with love and that is what you'll do."

We hear footsteps approaching on the path from above. My dad places his hand on my shoulder and in the next moment he is gone. I turn just as Bella's face appears over the crest of the cliff.

"Edward? Who were you talking to?"

A/N Yes, this is really late, but to make up for it, you get it all- romance, comedy, fluff, a true lemon ( I upped my game from the lime I was originally planning), and a bit more of the mystery revealed. Real life is about to become a bit hectic because it looks like we are really selling our house! Now I have to find one to buy! This situation has made the past several days insane plus the oldest is in the midst of baseball playoffs and all-stars which means he now has two teams, and there are games every single day. However, I will continue to post, it just might be more like every 10 days instead of every 7-8 and that's hopefully only for the next few weeks. Thanks again to everyone who voted for TUITML on TLS. It made it and the exposure has brought a ton of new readers so welcome to you all and thanks for putting this story on your alerts and favorites. Also, thanks to all of you who have reviewed, I will eventually respond. Find me on Twitter where you can witness my freak out about the home buying/selling process: shelly_duran (2 underscores) I will still try to post a teaser on Fictionators and A Different Forest on Monday and Fic Central next Wednesday. Check the comments section, I'm generally late for everything and this is no exception. XO Shelly