Y'all finally earned a peek at their one day! lollll if you don't like fluff, don't read.
Also, make sure you actually read the previous chapter! I guess FFn sucks and opted people out of their email alerts, so a lot of you never received the last update, and probably won't receive this one either! You can go to the settings of your FFn account and opt back in to receive future updates.
The futuretake will post on Friday! Hope everyone has a lovely Thanksgiving if you celebrate!
46
- one day -
One Year(ish) Later
"Do you think it's too soon for me to be leaving Mikey and Seth for a few days?" I ask Rose as I drive to the airport.
She's in the passenger seat. Seth and Mikey are in the back, in their car seats, and Em is squished in the middle seat between them. If their giggles are anything to go by, he's keeping them distracted and entertained while he sings along to Elmo in a silly voice.
"No way. Not too soon. You deserve to get away," Rose reassures me.
"And you're sure you and Em are okay watching the boys?"
"No, Bella. We changed our minds. Cancel your flight, and don't surprise Edward on the last day of his book tour," Rose says dryly. "Stop overthinking this! It's going to be so good for you two."
I know it will. Alone time for us is already rare, especially recently with all of the press he's been doing for his book.
We flew to New York with the boys a few weeks ago to watch him on The Today Show. I know he was nervous beforehand, but I think having us standing off to the side of the studio helped him nail the interview. He was self-deprecating, open, and charming in a subtle way.
Even though it was fun to get away to support him, and also celebrate his birthday, traveling with young kids is difficult and doesn't feel like a vacation. So I decided to book a flight and surprise him in Chicago.
I'm excited to spend some time alone with him, but I'm still nervous about leaving the boys. Separation anxiety kicks in the closer we get to the airport. It always makes me uneasy leaving Mikey behind, but thankfully it's nowhere near as bad as the first time I left him overnight with his dad.
Jared did everything in his power to make my life more difficult during the custody battle. After our divorce was finalized, Mikey excitedly told him about his new room that he was going to be sharing with Seth. That's how Jared found out Edward and I were about to buy a new house together. I couldn't be upset with Mikey for telling Jared. He was just excited to share the news, and it made me happy he was looking forward to living with Edward and Seth.
Edward and I had many conversations with the boys leading up to us moving in together. The first few times it was hard for them to wrap their heads around the idea that Jared and Gianna wouldn't also be living with us. Eventually, after months of questions, they were able to grasp what was going on enough to be excited about the idea of sharing a room and eventually being brothers. Their excitement and understanding pushed us to move in sooner than we normally would've, along with the fact that I found the perfect house just blocks from Em and Rose. The sooner we could all start being a real family, the better.
Instead of letting me move on, spite fueled Jared to try to add a clause to the custody agreement we were still working on. He didn't want Mikey to be around my boyfriend until the relationship was established for at least a year. I told him it was bullshit. He reasoned that it was in Mikey's best interest, to make sure he wouldn't get attached to someone who might not stick around.
In court, the judge denied the clause and sided with me after hearing that Edward had been in Mikey's life since he was born. He was not a stranger, had a wonderful relationship with Mikey, and saw him more than Jared did.
It took everything I had not to flip Jared the fuck off. Instead, I sat there and remained calm, silently cursing him in my head.
In the end, Jared only made himself look like a fucking idiot. The judge admonished him in front of everyone for dragging this out and not being able to handle this civilly. After taking into consideration Jared's hectic work schedule and the fact that he was unfamiliar with his son's routine, the judge granted me primary custody of Mikey while Jared would have him every other weekend.
Jared didn't look surprised by the outcome, which further proved he was doing this to hurt me.
We agreed the new custody arrangement wouldn't begin until Jared found a permanent place to live and had suitable living arrangements for Mikey. I was grateful for those extra two months, but eventually, the day came for Mikey to stay the night with Jared.
I'd been reasoning with myself it was fine. Edward and I had many heart-to-hearts, and he reassured me everything would be okay. It was just two nights. Two days… every other week. It was nothing. But being away from my baby and not knowing if he was going to be sad or scared or worried about me returning made me uneasy. Not knowing if Jared was going to have the patience to manage him worried me, too.
I cried before and after dropping him off, but not during. I didn't want Mikey to freak out. I tried to play it up like it was going to be fun! A sleepover with Daddy! But Mikey wasn't buying it. He cried when I started to leave. Grabbed for me, begged for me to stay. I remember holding him and looking over at Jared like "See? This is what you fucking wanted when you were fighting for full custody?"
He at least had the decency to look ashamed, but he was too prideful to suggest I take Mikey back home with me.
Eventually, Jared was able to distract Mikey with the television, and I was able to leave. I felt awful about not saying goodbye, but I figured it was better to not have him cry again.
I cried the entire drive back, but going home to Edward and Seth mended my aching heart a little.
Edward knew I was struggling with separation anxiety, and when I returned home, he was making dinner and opened a bottle of wine. We watched a movie with Seth, and when he passed out between us on the couch, Edward carried him to bed, then curled behind me, holding me.
I couldn't get out of my head, glancing at the clock.
"I hate this," I murmured, staring at the television, not paying attention.
"I know, baby," Edward whispered.
I rattled off my worries. "Like, is Mikey asleep? Did he eat dinner? Did Jared give him a bath? What if he made Mikey bathe alone? Surely he wouldn't be so fucking stupid, but I have no idea of knowing, and when I tried giving Jared some pointers, he was such a dick."
I could feel Edward tense behind me. "You know how I feel about Jared, but unfortunately, we're gonna have to put some trust into him," Edward said reasonably.
I rolled over to face him, our bodies close on the leather couch.
"I know," I sighed. "I still don't like it." He leaned in for a kiss. I deepened it, his hand sliding from my waist down to my ass. "I guess you'll just have to distract me," I suggested.
I could feel his smile against my lips. "I can do that."
We were just about to kiss again when my phone rang. I scrambled to sit up and grabbed it from the coffee table.
It was Jared.
"Hey, is everything okay?" I asked, and I could hear Mikey crying in the background. It reduced me to tears, too.
"I don't know what I'm doing," Jared sighed, admitting defeat. "Will you help?"
I told him I'd be there in twenty.
"Mikey needs me. Raincheck?" I asked Edward, but I knew I didn't even have to ask. He'd leave in a heartbeat, too, if Seth needed him.
"Call me if you need me," he said, his lips brushing my forehead.
I quickly kissed Edward goodbye and ran out the door, heading across town.
When I got there, Mikey was still crying uncontrollably, and it broke my fucking heart. I made him drink water, and he started to calm down when I got into bed with him. I sang songs, told him silly, made-up stories, and gently scratched his back, reassuring him that everything would be okay and he'd be back with me on Monday.
Jared sat on the floor next to us the entire time, just watching. Taking it in. He'd missed out on so much, and as desperate as I was to bring Mikey back home with me, I knew it wouldn't help in the long run. Jared would need to step up. Learn how to raise his son. To be a dad.
Eventually, Mikey dozed, and we snuck out of his room.
And then Jared shocked the hell out of me.
"I'm sorry," he said sincerely, looking down at the floor.
"For what?" I asked.
"For… everything."
It was more than I expected, and I was willing to accept his blanket apology but then he elaborated.
"I'm sorry for trying to use our son to hurt you." He finally met my eyes and rubbed the back of his neck, looking uncomfortable. "You could've told me to figure this shit out on my own tonight. But you didn't, so… thank you."
For once, Jared Cameron was putting his pride aside, and I was stunned.
I let myself revel in it for a second before shaking my head. "Not helping you would only hurt Mikey in the end. You know I put him first."
"I know that," he agreed. "I always loved that about you."
It was my turn to look away. "It'll take time, but you'll get it. You just have to try. Literally, that's all. Just be present with him and try."
His face fell like he was finally realizing maybe that's all he had to do with me, too.
"I know, I will," he sighed, and when I looked back up at him his expression was softer.
Jared meant what he said. He did step up for Mikey. It didn't happen overnight, and he still needed help from time to time, but I could notice a difference and eventually, when I dropped Mikey off, he no longer cried. And when I'd pick him up, he didn't want to leave.
That hurt me in a different way, but I couldn't be upset because it was all I wanted—for Mikey to feel safe and secure with his father. For me to not have to worry so much when he wasn't with me.
The situation with Gianna was the complete opposite. She moved to San Francisco last September and has only seen Seth two times. My heart breaks when he asks about her. When he asks why Mikey gets to stay with Jared but he doesn't get to stay with Gianna. Edward reassures him she loves and misses him, but she lives too far away for him to visit her often.
After the first time Gianna visited, I sent her an email to ease my conscience. Knowing we would still have to see each other because of Seth, I didn't want there to be more awkwardness than there needed to be. My email was short and to the point. I apologized to her for everything because my intention wasn't to betray her trust. I told her I didn't expect her to ever forgive me, but that I hoped we could be civil for Seth's sake and I reassured her I would love him as my own.
She never replied, but if the roles were reversed, I'm not sure I would have, either.
"Pwane! A big pwane!" Mikey calls out excitedly as we get closer to the airport.
I pull over near Alaska Airlines. Rose and I get out, and Emmett ungracefully crawls over the center console to exit through Rose's door.
Emmett gets my suitcase out of the trunk, and I open the back door, kissing Mikey over and over again. "Momma's gotta go," I tell him.
"To see Edwohd?" he asks, eyes wide with understanding.
"Mmhmm. I love you, baby. I'm gonna miss you so much," I tell him. "Be good for Aunt Rose and Uncle Em, okay? I'll call you tonight."
"Bye, Momma," he says sweetly.
I kiss him again and move around the car to open Seth's door. He smiles at me, looking more like his father every day.
"I love you so much, buddy. I'm gonna miss you," I say softly, brushing his light brown hair.
"Bye-bye, Bella," he replies with a shy smile. I'm no longer Bewwa but Bella. He started pronouncing his words correctly a couple of months ago. It's bittersweet in a way and just highlights how much he's growing up.
I smile back at him and pepper so many kisses on his cute little cheek.
"If y'all are good, Edward and I will bring some presents back from Chicago," I say, and they excitedly look at each other, their eyes lighting up.
"Coercion," Em says. "I like it."
I laugh then blow the boys kisses before shutting Seth's door.
"When y'all have a kid one day, you'll get it," I tell Em. They share a glance with each other. "What?" I ask.
"Yeah, so about that… I'm totally pregnant," Rose confesses.
"What?"
She nods, smiling. "I was trying to hold out until I made it to the second trimester, but fuck it. I'm too impatient. I'm ten weeks along."
I cover my mouth in surprise. "Bitch, you did not just announce your pregnancy to me outside of the airport!"
They both laugh. "Sorry," she says, shrugging. "It felt right."
I hug and congratulate them, happy tears in my eyes, knowing Edward and I will have a niece or nephew soon. The boys will have a cousin. I'm excited, but there's something else there, too. Urgency, maybe. Yearning. The desire to be pregnant with my best friend and future sister-in-law.
Or you know, that feeling otherwise known as baby fever. It's not exactly new, though. Edward and I have both been feeling that recently, which is why I had my IUD removed three months ago.
"Don't tell the boys yet," I warn them.
"Why not?" Em asks.
"You really want to dodge questions about where babies come from?" I ask rhetorically and raise my brows.
"Damn, good call," he says, then gets an evil glint in his eyes. "We'll wait until Edward is around so he'll have to answer them."
XXX
When the woman sitting next to me on the flight pulls out Edward's book, I smile.
"Are you enjoying it?" I ask. "I've read it like, five times."
"I am!" she says enthusiastically. "I heard it's going to be made into a movie, so I wanted to read it first."
Yeah, it is, and I'm so fucking proud. Edward got the official word a week ago, and after the tour is over, he'll begin working on turning it into a screenplay.
The woman keeps talking about the book, how she's worried Holden will leave Lola, and I just smile, giving nothing away.
I don't tell her I know Edward, either. Don't tell her I'm his fiancé. I just sit here and soak up hearing her talk about my man's book.
He proposed to me on Christmas Eve. The boys had finally gone to bed, and we had just put all of their gifts under the tree and set out a plate of cookies for Santa. I laughed, my heart swelling when Edward got really into it and put on boots and stepped in flour to create Santa's footprints near the tree.
We sat on the couch, finally relaxing, the glow of the Christmas tree the only light in the room.
I loved looking at the tree and seeing our ornaments mixed together. Loved seeing proof that our lives were finally blended. Loved tucking the boys into bed at night. When Seth started asking for goodnight kisses from me, my heart soared. And when Mikey asked for Edward to read him a book, I wanted to cry. These simple moments felt so far away for so long, and they were finally here.
"I have something for you," Edward murmured, massaging my foot.
"Oh yeah?"
He smiled softly. "Yeah."
He got up from the couch and disappeared for a minute. When he returned, he had a medium box with Spider-Man wrapping paper.
"Oh, I see you used the good stuff," I laughed as he handed it to me.
He grinned. "Sorry. I forgot to buy more."
"Shush, I love it," I said sincerely, leaning over to kiss him.
"Open it," he told me, eyes bright. "This is part one of your gift."
I unwrapped the box and opened it to find a hardcover of his book.
"It's the first one," he said as I held it in my hands.
"Oh my God," I said excitedly, picking it up and admiring the cover. We spent a lot of time getting it just right. In the end, he wanted it to be simple. A large infinity symbol sat in the middle of the cover, a pair of silhouettes on each side. On one end, the man and woman were clearly apart. On the other, they were hugging. "It's real."
He scrubbed a hand through his hair, smiling shyly. "I know."
I leaned forward and wrapped my arms around his neck, hugging him tightly. "So fucking proud of you," I told him.
"Thank you," he whispered in my ear.
"In Another Life, by Edward Cullen," I read aloud when we pulled apart.
And then I opened up the book to find a dedication to me.
For Bella. Our one day is now.
The words blurred as my eyes filled with tears.
"Great," I laughed, wiping my eyes, feeling overwhelmed in the best way. "All I got you for Christmas are those new noise-canceling AirPods. You went and dedicated your entire book to me?"
"Of course, I did. It was all for you. Because of you. Inspired by you," he whispered. "Now for part two."
Wordlessly, he handed me a ring.
A cushion-cut emerald.
I blinked.
"Take it," he coaxed. "Put it on."
With a shaking hand, I grabbed it from him.
"It's beautiful," I admired and slipped it onto the fourth finger on my right hand.
He laughed softly. "Wrong hand and wrong finger, baby."
"It's an engagement ring," I said in awe, emotion burning hot in my throat.
I could feel him watching me, but I was still staring at the ring. "Yeah, it is. You said you didn't want a diamond."
"I put it on my right hand because I didn't want to assume…"
He grinned and knelt in front of me on both knees, cupping my face with his hands. And then all I could see was him.
Him, him, him.
"It's safe to assume I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I love you. Seth loves you," he murmured tenderly. "Marry me, Bella. Be my wife and have my babies and be a mom to my son. We can have a big wedding here or go to the courthouse or elope in Italy. Whatever you want, as long as you're mine for life."
He leaned in and kissed me deeply before I could give him my answer because he already knew I'd say yes.
I was his, and he was mine, and yeah, I wanted to marry him more than anything.
"Okay," I whispered against his lips. "Take your fiancée to Italy."
XXX
After I land in Chicago, I text Kate, Edward's agent. She tells me they're already at the signing and that she left a key card for me at the front desk of the hotel. The plan is for me to drop my luggage off in his room, then Kate will send a car to pick me up and take me to the bookstore. I thank her for the help in surprising Edward then laugh when she sends a gif of a woman saying she'd do anything for love.
When Edward introduced me to Kate, it was hard not to recognize how attractive she is. Add that to how smart and funny she is, there was potential for me to feel threatened. But zero part of me felt insecure, especially after seeing the way they interacted with one another. I could tell there was only a friendship and mutual respect between them.
It was Renee who tried putting shitty ideas in my head about Kate. My mom and I were never on great terms after the divorce, but I tried being the bigger person so Mikey could keep his grandmother in his life. Unfortunately, I couldn't be a big enough person after Renee found out Edward had a female agent.
It only came up while we were out having lunch because Kate was organizing a local event for the release of Edward's book and I stupidly thought my mom would want to support her future son-in-law.
"Having a female agent is a huge red flag, and if I were you, I'd be concerned," she'd said. "What's going to happen when they travel together for his book tour? You can't watch him 24/7. He's a man and has needs. And we know he's a cheater…"
Yeah.
I picked up Mikey and walked out of the restaurant. That was two months ago, and we haven't spoken since.
Thankfully, Pete and Charlotte have been wonderful and are still very present in my life. They've had me, Edward, and the boys over for dinner a few times, too. I was a little nervous it'd be awkward the first time, but they're such genuinely good people and were so kind to Edward, there was never an uncomfortable moment.
When I get to the hotel, I freshen up a little and change my clothes before the car shows up to take me to the bookstore. When I arrive, there's a line out the door, down the sidewalk, and around the building. It makes my heart swell with so much pride, and I snap a photo.
I could stand in the line and surprise him that way, but honestly, that'd take too long, and I'm impatient. And one of the perks of being engaged to a best-selling author is that you don't have to wait in lines.
I walk into the store and follow the line until it leads me to him.
He's in the middle of signing someone's book, and I stand nearby, watching. He looks so damn good in a blue suit, white T-shirt, and no tie. The woman he's talking to is gushing about how much she loves his work. He kindly thanks her for her support, and when he looks up to hand her the book, he sees me.
He looks stunned for a split second before his face breaks into a smile.
"Surprise," I say softly, moving closer.
He immediately stands, walks around the table, and pulls me into a hug. My feet lift off the floor, and I hug him back tighter.
"Hey, you," he breathes out into my hair. Then he sets me on my feet and kisses me.
I hear a few "awws" as we pull apart.
"You're making a scene," I whisper, laughing lightly, eating up his affection.
He grins wider. "So? I'm so fucking happy to see you." With his hands on my face, he kisses me again. One, two, three pecks.
I smile when we break apart. "Sorry, sorry," I tell the few people standing right here at the front of the line. "He's all yours." Their smiles are friendly, and I push him back toward the table. "Get back to work."
"Don't go far," he says, sitting back down.
"I won't." I spot Kate standing off to the side, so I make my way toward her.
She smiles. "Hey! How are you?"
"Great. It's really embarrassing how bad of a turnout this is, right? I feel so sorry for him," I tease.
She laughs. "Yeah, I hope his confidence doesn't dip after this," she jokes in return. "You get checked in okay?"
"Yeah, thanks again."
"Seriously, no problem," she says breezily. "It was funny, yesterday at lunch Edward was talking about how he wanted to change his flight and fly back home today, right after the signing, because he missed you and the boys too much."
My heart fucking melts for this man. "Really?"
"Yeah, I had to lie and say we had a last-minute interview tomorrow to keep him from changing it," she says, amused. "I thought it was cute how similar you both are with wanting to surprise each other."
She's right; we are similar in so many ways. In the ways we're different, we just complement each other.
"You know…" she starts to say but pauses like she's trying to choose her words carefully. "In all the years I've known him, I've never seen him like… this. And I'm pretty sure that has to do with you."
It's never been like this for either of us. This ease. This pure affection and clear understanding of where we stand with each other. I've never been more in love or happy or—as cheesy as it sounds—at peace. There's no underlying feeling of wanting to escape or needing more. We both just give each other exactly what we need.
It's as simple as that.
XXX
After the signing, we grab an early dinner with Kate to celebrate another successful book tour. We indulge in a little too much wine and stay at the restaurant long after we're done eating. When the conversation shifts from possible ideas for Edward's next book to our upcoming elopement in Italy, the desire for that day to finally happen consumes me. It's only two months away, but it still feels so far.
Kate asks about every detail, and I happily tell her all about it because envisioning the day is second best to living it out.
I show her a picture of me in simple ivory and lace angling the phone away from Edward's prying eyes. I tell her about the boys' adorable navy blue suits that match Edward's. I share the guest list, which consists of only Em, Rose, and Carlisle. It'll just be the seven of us—well, eight, including the photographer—standing on the coast of Italy while Edward and I confess our love for one another. I absolutely can't wait and get emotional even thinking about it.
Like right now. Happy tears fill my eyes, and I use my napkin to catch them. Kate offers a kind smile while Edward pulls me close to him in the booth and kisses my temple.
We call it a night just after nine, making it back to the hotel in time to say goodnight to the boys and for Rose and Em to tell Edward their exciting news. It's sweet how genuinely happy he is for them. He's already the best dad, so I have no doubt he'll be an amazing uncle.
We talk a little longer before hanging up. And then Edward and I are finally alone.
No friends, no family. No hundreds of supportive fans.
Just us.
"God, I can't wait to sleep in our bed again," he says, casually undressing.
I'm sitting up against the headboard, watching him. "It misses you. I missed you."
He sighs, kicking off his slacks, standing only in his boxers. "Twelve days without you. Pure fucking torture."
"I know." I start to undress too while he hangs his suit in the closet. I'm in my underwear and dig through his suitcase for one of his T-shirts. When he sees me in it, his eyes light up.
"I'll never get used to it," he says softly, sitting on the bed.
"What—me in your clothes?"
He tugs on my arm so I'm standing between his legs. "That you're mine."
I smile, gently squeezing his broad shoulders. "Okay, charmer."
"I mean it." He grins, his fingers brushing my legs, sliding up the back of my thighs. "How was it being alone with the boys?" he asks, even though we talked multiple times a day while he was gone.
"It was a lot, but they were great," I muse. "It's nice they have each other to play with, but we'll be glad to have you back."
"I missed them," he says softly, staring up at me. "And you. Thank you for taking care of them, so I could go on the book tour."
"You don't have to thank me for that. You know I'd do anything to support you."
He swallows. "I know. I love that about you. And I appreciate it, so thank you."
I tangle my fingers in the back of his hair, caressing and massaging his scalp. "Well, I appreciate you appreciating me," I say teasingly, but I mean it. "Really."
His hands move further up the backs of my legs until his fingertips brush the edge of my underwear. His eyes spark with want.
"So, are we gonna just sit here and keep driving each other mad with these tender touches or are you gonna do something about it?" I ask, my stomach sparking with the desire to be with him.
"Mmm, forward. I like it," he teases. And then he teases me some more by sliding his hands up under cotton and squeezing my cheeks. "Missed this ass."
I grab his face and dip my head to kiss him. His tongue brushes mine the same moment he slides my underwear down my legs. He stays sitting on the edge of the bed and I settle on his lap, straddling him, pressing against the hardness in his boxers. He lifts my shirt, bringing my tit into his mouth as my hips roll.
"Get naked," I tell him, taking off my shirt.
"Get on your hands and knees," he says in return, eyes glazed and heated. Then nicer: "Please, baby."
My arousal spikes from his request, and I move to the middle of the bed just like he said. I turn to look over my shoulder, but I feel his mouth before I see him.
"Ohhh," I moan. He licks me from behind, tongue flat and flicking. Long licks. Deep licks. "I love your mouth."
He groans. "Fucking love eating your pussy," he says against me, still at it.
A minute later, I can feel him settle behind me, and his mouth is replaced with his cock. He slides in with ease, gripping my hips as we moan in unison.
He pounds into me. Not too rough, just right. Hitting me where I need it most.
"Fuck, you feel so good," he murmurs, voice low and strained. "Shit."
He ups his pace, fingers digging into my ass, going deeper. I can't hold myself up anymore. I fall to my forearms, my cheek against the mattress.
"Lay against the bed, baby," he coaxes because he knows how I like it best.
We resettle with him behind me still, but both of us lying on our sides. He hooks my calf around his leg and slides into me again. It's better this way. I love feeling him so close, right behind me. His hand snakes around my hip, finding my clit, and I fucking love that, too. I turn my head and he kisses the corner of my mouth. Sucks on my shoulder, biting.
"Don't pull out," I whisper. I know he's close because I am, too.
"Don't?" he confirms because we've been doing the pull and pray ever since I got my IUD removed. Not the safest, but if I get pregnant, we don't really care. We agreed we'd wait to try until after the wedding, but I'm kind of forgetting why.
"Don't pull out," I urge, my arousal building. "Come inside of me."
He groans like he fucking loves this idea. "Baby…"
"Do it. It's okay."
He laughs breathlessly, pounding and pounding and pounding. I cover his hand with mine, both of us rubbing my clit. I cry out as I come, riding out my intense orgasm. When my body relaxes, he pulls his hand away and grips my hips, fucking me harder and more unrestrained until he's spilling inside of me.
He kisses the side of my neck as he pulls out, and I roll over to face him before we relax against each other.
"So, was that okay?" he asks, his face and voice earnest. "Not pulling out?"
I kiss him. "Yeah."
"We stopped doing that because you were worried you'd get pregnant and not fit into your wedding dress," he reminds me.
"We're two months out. Even if it even happens, I doubt I'll be showing by then," I reason. "I want a baby. You want a baby. Yeah."
"Okay." His smile is tender. "I love you."
"Love you, too."
And just like that, we're officially trying for a baby.
We take a long shower together and then climb back into bed. He's exhausted from the tour. I'm exhausted from traveling.
"We're sleeping in tomorrow," he tells me, turning off his alarm and his lamp.
"Done and done," I agree, but I know I'll still be up by seven.
We settle against each other, so he's curled behind me, his large palm flat on my stomach.
"What are the chances it worked?" he murmurs.
I do mental math. "I might be ovulating? But I have no clue."
"Maybe we should spend all tomorrow trying, too. Just in case."
I laugh and turn so I can see him in the dark. "So selfless. Giving up a day of tourism to have sex with your fiancée."
He grins, tucking some hair behind my ear. "I'm just excited. I want everything with you."
My heart softens. I get it. We've been waiting for what feels like forever to get to this place. A pang of melancholy hits me when I remember he's been waiting even longer than I have.
"Speaking of having everything…" I prompt.
"Yeah?"
"I want to change my last name."
We've had a few discussions here and there. I thought it might be weird to have a different last name than Mikey, but keeping Jared's last name felt wrong. Ultimately, Edward was leaving it up to me, not trying to sway me one way or another. But deep down I knew what he wanted.
"Yeah?" he says again, softer.
"If we're going to have kids together and I'm going to be your wife, it makes sense. It doesn't make Mikey any less mine. It just makes me even more yours," I murmur. "I want to be Bella Cullen."
His lips crash against mine, and he kisses me fiercely. Deeply. He kisses me with an intensity like he wants to tell me without words that I'm his and only his. I feel this. I know this. I've been his for a very long time, it only makes sense that everyone else knows, too.
"Bella Cullen," he murmurs, testing it out.
I smile softly, wanting this more than anything. "You like it?"
His eyes spark with tender affection. The expression of a man who finally has everything he's ever wanted. "I fucking love it."