*Taps mic* Anyone still with me? We'll catch up below.

Songs:

"Lovesong," Adele
"More Hearts Than Mine," Ingrid Andress

Chapter 20

Sweat beads on my skin and my pulse races. His right hand grips my hip while the other slides up my spine to the back of my neck, sending ripples of heat throughout my body as I press my forehead to the mattress. I feel every delicious inch of him, hovering over me, moving in me. Pleasure pulses everywhere. I'm still not used to how alive I feel when we're together like this, but I'm slowly growing addicted to it.

Each time we're together is better than the last.

A long, breathy moan escapes me, and his answering groan—combined with his fiery touch—is almost enough to make me come.

"That's it," he says, his voice low and gravelly. "God, you feel so damn good."

He deepens his thrusts, drawing more whimpers out of me.

"I want to hear you, Bella," he demands. "I want to hear what I'm doing to you."

He twists his fingers into my hair and gives a gentle tug. I gasp, crying out as I lift my face from the warm, silky sheets. Doubling his efforts, he speeds up his movements, tightening his grip on my hip.

I catch a glimpse of us in his dresser mirror. The sight of him—his muscled body in control of mine, the way he so expertly bends me to his will, his head tilted to his chest as he screws his eyes closed—is enough to tip me over the edge.

My keening cry comes seconds before he stills, a groan that seems to last forever pouring from his lips.

Our breaths come fast, but neither of us moves.

"Goddamn," he murmurs, pulling out and collapsing onto the mattress beside me. "I needed that."

Even though my body feels like Jell-o, I lift my head enough to look at him, resting my cheek on my outstretched arm. "I don't think I can get up," I rasp.

He rolls to his side, propping himself on his elbow and running a single finger along my side. It does nothing to quell the tremors still racking my body. He smirks. "Who says we have to?"

I inch my way closer to him, nuzzling his neck and murmuring against his skin, "I'm pretty sure we have somewhere to be soon."

His chuckle vibrates through his chest. "And here I thought I'd taken your mind off that."

I shake my head but then stop. "Maybe while you were …"

His lips brush my ear, and I can hear a smile in his voice when he whispers, "While I was what, Bella?"

He attacks my side, tickling me as I try to escape, giggling. "Stop it!" I nudge his chest, pushing myself away. "You know damn well what I was going to say."

Grinning, he wraps his arm around my waist and tugs me to his chest. "While I was making mad, passionate love to you?"

With a nonchalant shrug, I attempt to be serious, but my lingering giggles betray me. "I was going to say fucking my brains out, but that works, too."

With mock shock, he gasps … moments before he resumes his tortuous tickling. "Why, Bella, I didn't know you were capable of such foul language."

I belly laugh as he flips me to my back, settling between my legs.

"And to call our lovemaking fucking …" He tsks and shakes his head, his grin growing … along with another part of him as he laces our fingers together over my head. He kisses me, and even though I just had this man, desire surges through me once more, dancing along each nerve ending as his lips dance across my skin, his breath warming my ear as he whispers, "Maybe I need to try again."

"How much more time does this thing need, babe?" Edward calls from the kitchen.

"It should be done. Just turn it to warm, please," I holler as I run the brush through my hair one more time.

"Whatever it is smells damn good." His voice grows louder as he walks down the hallway until, finally, I catch his reflection in the mirror. "I say we take McDonald's to Fig and Jess, and we can eat what's in the crockpot."

I laugh at his pout. "It's just chicken."

He sighs. "Yeah, yeah. And besides, Mom and Dad might want to go out tonight."

The mention of his parents makes my nerves spring to life.

I huff a breath, fluffing my hair and straightening my shirt as I stare into his bathroom mirror. "How do I look? Is this okay? I mean, shorts aren't very dressy. Maybe I should change. I—"

Edward steps into the bathroom and nudges my chin toward him, cutting off my rambling with a kiss. Instantly, my nerves calm to a hum.

He pulls away, brushing his hand over my exposed shoulder and down my arm. "You look beautiful. And it's over a hundred degrees out today. Standing outside in anything other than shorts and a sleeveless shirt is just asking for trouble."

I eye his white T and khaki shorts. "So, where's your sleeveless shirt?"

He grins as he leans in to kiss me once more. "You look way better in that than I do."

"I beg to differ."

"Oh?"

"Oh yeah." I turn to fully face him, placing my palms on his chest, pushing them over his shoulders to wrap my arms loosely around his neck. "Way better."

With his hands at my hips, he pulls me closer, and I get lost in his kiss. I'm so lost, in fact, that it isn't until he stills my hands as I try to pull his shirt over his head that I snap out of it.

Chuckling, he pulls away. "We'll be late if you start that again."

It may make me look like a petulant toddler, but I can't help but sulk. I tug on the hem of his shirt. "But once they get here, we won't be alone anymore."

"Baby, we pick up the boys tomorrow. Our alone time is almost up anyway."

"I know. It's just … the last two weeks have been …" I sigh. "I love my kids, and I'm ready for them to be home, but it's been wonderful being just the two of us, too. One more night would have been nice."

"I don't remember telling you that you have to go home tonight."

I shake my head. "You didn't, but I wouldn't feel right being here with your parents staying here, too."

"Why?"

I scrunch my nose and lower my voice. "As loud as we get?"

His grin stretches from ear to ear. "You mean as loud as you get?"

I hide my face in embarrassment against his chest. "Stop," I beg, drawing out my plea.

"Okay, okay. I'll stop," he says, laughing. He nuzzles the top of my head. "But please think about staying one more night. My parents won't care. In fact, Mom will probably insist. She wants to spend as much time as she can with you while they're here."

I look up at him. "And they're okay with you going with me tomorrow to get the boys?"

"Absolutely. They're meeting friends for the day and for dinner. They'll be more than occupied. Mom actually said it was good timing. They'll be able to get some of their visiting with old Air Force friends out of the way then focus on us the rest of their stay."

It's the focusing on us that worries me.

Jessica Newton opens her front door, her eyes lighting up. "Edward! Hello! Please come in."

"Hey, Jess." He waves a hand in front of him, and I step past them both into the house.

Jess smiles at me. "Bella, it's good to see you again."

I'm caught off guard by her welcoming mood. "You, too." I hold up the foil pan in my hands. "Where should I take this?"

"The kitchen is this way." She leads us down a short hallway to the kitchen and motions to the oven. "You can just put it on the stovetop. We really appreciate you guys bringing dinner."

"I'm happy to help," I say, putting the warm pan down. "I asked Angela if there was anything I could do, and she said the meal train could always use more volunteers. It's nothing fancy, but I hope you like it."

"I'm sure it'll be great."

"So, how is Fig doing?" Edward asks, placing a box of chocolate cupcakes on the counter. "He was pretty out of it last time I saw him."

"He's doing better. He's off the stronger pain medication, so he's not so loopy." Jess sighs. "But now we've traded pain for boredom, and I'm not sure which is worse for him." She thumbs over her shoulder. "He's in the den if you want to say hi."

"Yeah. We have some time before we need to take off."

We follow Jess to the other room. Mike is sitting in his recliner, watching a movie.

"Oh, hey, Vamp. Bella." He points the remote at the TV and switches it off.

"Hey, Fig. How are you feeling?" Edward asks him.

He shrugs. "Better. Just bored to tears these days."

Jess lingers in the doorway. "Can I get you two something to drink?"

When we decline her offer, she sits in the armchair opposite Mike's.

I feel a little out of my element as the guys start to talk about his accident and work, and Jessica's warmer-than-usual reception today has left me feeling a little off-kilter. But I sit back and try to pay attention, a polite smile never leaving my face and my hand never leaving Edward's.

"I never thought I'd say I was excited to ride a desk when I go back," Mike gripes, "but after two weeks at home, I'll do anything to get out of the damn house. There's only so much TV you can watch, you know?"

Jess shoots Mike a condescending smile. "We might have to replace that chair once you go back to work. I think the cushion has a permanent indentation from your butt."

Edward and I laugh, albeit a little uncomfortably, because her attempt at humor is laced with a hint of seriousness.

Mike shifts, scowling. "Yeah, well, I didn't ask for this. I'm as anxious to go back as you are to get me out of here."

When Edward steers the conversation back to Mike's return to work, blessedly putting an end to the Newtons' short-lived display, I watch as Jess leans in and hangs on his every word. I squeeze Edward's hand in response.

The action doesn't go unnoticed. Jess blinks, almost imperceptibly shaking her head and turning her attention back to her husband.

I spot their wedding picture on a bookshelf. Jess looked so happy in Mike's arms. Nothing like the embittered woman I met months ago. I have to wonder where it all went wrong for them, when she decided hitting on other men was a good idea. I hoped Mike's accident would have made Jess realize where her priorities should be.

I'm drawn from my wayward thoughts when Edward begins rubbing his thumb absentmindedly over my knuckles.

"Thanks for bringing dinner over for us," Mike says. "Whatever it is smells great from here."

"It's nothing spectacular, just a chicken and rice dish." I point at Edward. "This guy almost hijacked it before we came over, though."

"Can you blame a guy for trying? Hey, at least I agreed to sharing the dessert she made." Edward looks at Mike. "Homemade chocolate cupcakes. Need I say more?"

"Chocolate," Mike groans. "That sounds amazing."

"I can confirm they are. I snagged one last night when she was icing them." Edward glances at his watch. "I hate to cut this short, but we really need to get going. We're picking up my parents at Glendale in less than an hour. But maybe I can swing by later this week, and we can catch up some more. Maybe I can take you up on that drink?"

I can read the disappointment on Mike's face. "Yeah, that would be great."

The sun is high in the sky, so even standing in the shade sweat trickles down my back and between my boobs. I try to convince myself it's the heat and has nothing to do with the fact I'm about to meet General Cullen and his wife for the first time.

The more I think about it, the less that line of reasoning works.

It's then that doubt sets in. "Are you sure they wouldn't rather have time alone with you? I mean, you said they haven't seen you since Christmas."

"Hey." He tugs on my hand and nudges my chin until I meet his eyes. "I thought we already talked about this. They want to meet you. Mom specifically asked me to bring you with me to pick them up."

I nod. "And your dad?"

"Is just as excited to meet you." The corner of his mouth turns up. "He caught me talking about you on speakerphone with Mom. I was a little … enthusiastic. Needless to say, I got quite a ribbing from him for that." He pecks me on the lips. "But you have nothing to worry about. They can't wait to meet you."

When something over my shoulder catches his attention and his smile widens, I don't need him to tell me.

It's showtime.

We watch from our spot in the shade as the little, white plane lands, taxiing along the runway toward its final destination. The process takes several minutes, but it's not enough time to calm the nervous knot in my stomach.

I still haven't gathered my wits as Edward reaches for my hand and tugs me toward the now-parked plane. "Come on. They're going to love you."

As we approach, Edward's father has already stepped out of the Cessna and around to the other side, holding out his hand to help his wife deplane.

Edward's grip on my hand momentarily tightens before he calls out, "Hey, Mom … Dad."

His mother spins around, and a huge smile lights her face. "Oh, Edward!" Her sunglasses may shield her eyes from the sun, but I can feel her gaze land on me. "And you must be Bella!" She quickly closes the distance between us and pulls me into her arms. "I'm so happy to finally meet you."

The initial shock evaporates, and I return her embrace wholeheartedly. "It's nice to meet you too, Mrs. Cullen."

She pulls back but keeps hold of me. "No, dear. Please call me Esme. After all, I'm hoping one day we'll be family."

Stunned and unsure how to respond to that, I'm thankful when Edward clears his throat. "Do I get the same greeting, or …"

Carlisle chuckles as he steps up to his wife's side. "Cut your mother some slack, son. Bella is practically all she's talked about since we left home last week." He turns his crooked grin—one much like his son's—on me. "I'll echo my wife's sentiments. It's nice to finally meet you, Bella."

"Likewise."

"If you two are done hogging my girl," Edward interjects, "how about we load up your things and head toward home?"

While the men unload the bags, Esme gives me a quick look inside their plane. The four-seater is small but looks comfortable, and I can absolutely see the appeal of having a plane at your disposal for trips. The bank of controls and gauges is nothing like the cockpit of Edward's jet, but they're still intimidating.

"It must be nice to be able to just go where you want when you want," I say as I back out of the plane, stepping back onto the tarmac.

"It certainly has its advantages," she replies. "We were able to stop in a few cities along the way to see some old friends. Stayed for a day or two to catch up before moving on. You can't do that commercially."

"No, I guess not. But to own your own plane." Smiling, I shake my head in disbelief. "I can't even imagine."

She loops her arm through mine. "You may have to start imagining it because"—she tilts her head toward her son as he helps carry the bags toward the car—"it's not just Carlisle's name on it."

"It's Edward's plane, too?" I choke out.

"It is. They restored it together when he was in high school. Many weekends were spent getting it ready to fly." She takes my hand and squeezes it. "So, you better be prepared to go up in it soon. We aren't just here with it for a visit. Edward asked us to bring it down until his next assignment. And knowing my son, he's anxious to take you up in it."

The drive to the rental car location is full of conversation. Esme is, surprisingly, interested in talking all about my kids. What shocks me more is that she already knows so much.

"How is Seth doing with his drumming? Is he taking lessons?"

I glance at the rearview mirror, catching Edward's smirk, before looking back at his mother. "Not yet. I'll probably look into it soon if it's still holding his attention."

She pats the hand lying on my lap and smiles. "I hope it does, dear. For the sake of your eardrums at the very least." She glances at her son. "I can remember when Edward thought he'd try his hand at the clarinet in seventh grade."

"Hey!" he protests from the front seat. "Don't hold that against me." He shifts in his seat, squirming all of a sudden. "Lorraine Meyer was in band, and I was trying to impress the girl. You can't blame that on me."

Esme snickers. "Oh, I most certainly can. You didn't have to listen to that awful instrumental caterwauling for months on end until you gave up. Believe me, I can blame that all on you."

Their back and forth is amusing, and their ease with each other is enough to put me at ease. Maybe the next few weeks won't be so bad after all.

Instead of a restaurant, Edward's parents insist on having a simple meal at his house. It's causal and laid back, with all of us gathered around the dining room table. Our plates are full and there's an open bottle of wine on the table. It's exactly the kind of atmosphere that allows for relaxed conversation, and the Cullens are exceptionally easy to talk to.

Their stories rival Edward's. Each story about the places they've lived and the people they've met along the way is more exciting than the last. Even tales about stopping in cities along the way to catch up with old friends as they flew down here are entertaining.

"So, tell me about the bird strike, son." Carlisle leans in, his hands clasped over the table. "How is your pilot doing? That had to have shaken him up."

"He's okay, considering. He had a hard landing and broke his ankle, so he's DNF for another month. But he's coming back Monday to fly a desk until he's cleared to get back in the cockpit."

"He's going to need extra support that first time out once he's back."

Edward nods. "And he'll have it."

Carlisle smiles. "I have no doubt."

Only when the conversation changes to current events do I start to feel a little out of my element.

"So, how are things going on base?" Carlisle asks his son. "Has anyone received orders to head to the sandbox yet?"

Edward places his arm over the back of my chair, completely at ease. But he's also completely unaware of the turmoil raging inside me at the mere mention of anyone being given orders for Iraq. "Not yet. There's buzz about who might get sent, but no one's been called up yet."

"It's probably inevitable, though, isn't it?" Carlisle sits back in his chair. "Even without knowing anything official, anyone can see things are escalating over there just by watching the evening news."

"Okay, boys," Esme interjects, "that's enough shop talk. Maybe save it for a boys' night, hmm?"

"Sorry, dear." Carlisle kisses her cheek. "Sometimes I forget what constitutes friendly dinner conversation." He turns his contrite blue eyes on me. "Please forgive me, Bella."

I offer him a small smile. "No apology necessary."

"Edward tells us you work with Tex's wife? In a pharmacy, right?"

Carlisle Cullen's been nothing but inviting since I met him at the airfield hours ago. It's plain to see where Edward gets his charm. He's given me no reason to think he's anything other than the wonderful man Edward has told me all about. But his gaze across the dinner table is somewhat intimidating all the same.

"I do," I reply. "I'm scheduled to take the test to get my certification to be a technician."

"That's lovely," Esme says. She glances at her son beside me then turns her attention back to me. "And would that be transferable if you chose to relocate one day?"

Edward's breaths stutter, almost imperceptibly, and his fingertips brushing over my bare shoulder still for a moment. The sensation and the cold blast of the air conditioning make me break out in goosebumps.

I clear my throat and reach for my wine glass. "I'm not planning to move any time soon, but if that were necessary, it would depend on where. I might need to be recertified." I shift my gaze to the man next to me and smile shyly. "I guess we'll see what the future holds."

"Oh, Bella, let me do that."

I look up from the sink. "It's okay. You've been traveling all day. And you're a guest."

"In my son's home. I'm not sure it counts. I've also been sitting on my rump most of today. Besides, you helped Edward cook. Please let me help. It's the least I can do."

Reluctantly, I nod and step back from the sink.

"So, tell me about yourself."

"There's not a lot to tell."

She peers over her shoulder at me, raising a brow. "That's not what I hear."

"Edward hasn't filled you in on all the gory details of my past?"

"Oh, sweetheart, we all have a past. But our pasts are what make us who we are today. And without your past, you wouldn't have those two amazing little boys."

Her mention of my kids brings a smile to my face. I reach for the nearly empty bottle of wine, pouring what's left into my glass. "Yeah, you're right."

She shoots a smile my way. "I can tell they're the light of your life. I'm excited to meet them."

"I reminded them last night that you were visiting. They're excited to meet you and Carlisle, too. But it may be next week sometime. After I pick them up at my parents', they go to their dad's for the week. I'll have them for a few hours in the late afternoon each day, but …" I stop short of giving her a comprehensive schedule. There's no reason to explain the details of the arrangement I have with Garrett's mother to watch them during the day or the specifics of our visitation schedule. "They'll definitely be with me for Edward's birthday dinner, though."

"We'll have to do something special when we can, then. Maybe they'd like to go swimming or to see a movie."

"They'd like that."

I trail a finger along the rim of my glass. The ease I've felt since being introduced makes me bold, and a question that's been niggling the back of my mind spills out. "It doesn't bother you that your son is dating a woman with kids?"

She chuckles, the sound reminding me of her son's laugh. "Bella, the only prerequisite I have for the woman my son loves is that she love him in return. The children are a bonus." She reaches for a dish towel to dry her hands and turns to me, leaning against the counter. "And it would be unreasonable to think, especially at his age, Edward would hold out for a partner without a past, without children or an ex. After all, he has an ex of his own and a past that I'm sure he's discussed with you."

"He has."

She nods once. "If he's happy, if he's loved, I have no problem with any of the rest."

I exhale, the tension I've been carrying around lifting from my shoulders.

"You were really worried about that, weren't you?" she asks, tilting her head.

I nod once. "A little."

"Well, there's no reason to be. The way Edward talks about them … well, he's grown rather attached to those boys."

I smile. "They seem to be pretty attached to him, too."

"And you're going to pick them up tomorrow?"

"We are. I hope you're not upset with me taking Edward away from you so soon after you've arrived."

She waves away my concerns. "Not in the least. We're spending the day visiting with a few friends and catching up over dinner. Don't you worry about us. We'll be well and truly rested before you come back with your boys. I have a feeling we're going to be quite busy with those little men."

A/N: So, we opened with some lemony goodness, met the General and Mrs. Cullen, and we also got a peek at post-accident Mike and Jess. Can't wait to hear what you think!

So, yeah, it's been a minute. I'd apologize for the long delay between updates, but sometimes it can't be helped. We—writers, prereaders, betas—all have RL responsibilities that sometimes pull us away from what we WANT to do. Between writer's block that's not completely resolved and a whirlwind of life changes going on here—my kid buying a house and an upcoming wedding I'm officiating—I'm crazy distracted, and my writing and creativity have taken a huge hit. I'm not going to commit to any kind of schedule just yet, but I'm aiming to update relatively regularly. Hopefully, every two weeks. Fingers crossed I can stick to that.

I'm hitting the road in a matter of hours to head to Chicago to see a handful of lovely Twi-friends. I'll try to capture a few pics to share with those of you in my FB group.

Remember, the best way to stay up to date with what I'm up to, join in the discussion, and to see exclusive teaser pics, check out my Facebook group, Sunshine Fics. I'd love if you all could join us. I'm also on Twitter at CSunshine1220.

With any luck, I will "see" you in two weeks!

Be kind.
Stay safe.
Stay well.

Lots of love
~Sunshine