Welcome back! Thank you all so much for the huge response yesterday! I'm excited to be back with you, so let's jump right in!

Thank you to Melferd, DaniDarlingxx, and Lily Jill for pre-reading this chapter. Any mistakes are my own.


June 23, 2022

Los Angeles California

"Our apartment is a disaster," Edward huffs looking around our room.

I shrug, feeling boneless. I have been well and truly fucked this afternoon. "We're getting ready to move to Europe. It's allowed to be messy."

He glances at me as he bends over to haul his boxer briefs back on. I pout from where I'm still sitting on the dresser. "My mom is going to go crazy if she sees it like this."

I roll my eyes. "She's seen way worse. Remember when we video chatted with her during the lockdown?"

Edward laughs, shaking his head as he reaches up to rub the back of his neck. "God that was a fucking disaster."

I grin. "Your mom knows exactly who I am," I point out. "My dad on the other hand," I pause, thinking about Charlie seeing the state of our apartment. Even though we are mid move, he'd still probably disapprove of the chaos. Mess has never been his thing.

"What time is he coming in?"

I look up at Edward, scowling when I realize he's put on a shirt. "Stop getting dressed," I pout. "Why do we even bother wearing any clothes when we're at home?"

He barks out another laugh, coming over to me where I'm still on the dresser. "Because," he murmurs, placing his hands on either side of me. He leans in close enough that I can smell him. He smells like spearmint gum and sex. I almost groan. "If you walked around naked, I'd literally never get anything done." His hands move up to my thighs, kneading softly and I moan, spreading my legs in another invitation. He grins, leaning down to kiss me roughly and my fingers grab at his hair, pulling and tugging desperately.

"Fuck yes, again!" I growl, my legs trying to hook around his hips. Edward laughs, stepping out of my hold and pulling his mouth from mine.

"Babe, I have to pick up my parents from the airport."

I let out a very long breath. "I don't think it's too much to ask that we just have sex all the time," I point out. Edward laughs and it fills his whole face with his amusement. God, I love him.

"That was literally the first year we were together," he points out, stepping back from me enough that I can't grab at him. He fishes around in the laundry basket he brought in earlier and pulls out some socks.

"It makes me an asshole if I say I miss the lockdown, right?"

Edward grins as he sits on the edge of our bed.

"Just a bit," he admits.

I sigh. Edward gets his socks on then stands up, coming back in front of me. He reaches out, taking my face in his hands, tilting my head up to look at him. "I love you Bella Swan. I wish the world didn't have to resume, and that we'd been able to stay in our crazy perfect bubble," he brushes his fingers across my cheeks softly. "But I can't fucking wait for the next part of our lives." He smiles then and my heart nearly breaks looking at him. He's so beautiful. "I can't wait to marry you, to show you this wonderful world we live in." He pauses, his thumb brushing back and forth over my cheekbones. "I can't wait to see how much crazier you get when you discover local legends in England." I laugh and he grins wider. "Bella, no matter what the world is doing, from here until forever it's you and me." I feel like I'm about to cry, and I blink hard. My hands come around him, pulling him to me, and he sinks down, wrapping his arms around me and bringing his lips to mine. I didn't know that love could feel like this. That it could make you so incredibly soft and warm and safe.

I love this man more than anything, and though that still scares me, I know he loves me just as much.

I pull back from him and sniff a little. "Get out of here, you sap," I say, moving my hands to shove lightly against his chest. "Your parents are going to be landing any second."

Edward smiles, leaning down to kiss me once more before he steps back from me.

"You sure you don't want to come with?"

I shake my head. "Between the three of you and their luggage I'm sure there won't be much space in the car. Go. I'll try to at least stow my arsenal."

Edward grins at me, leaning down to give me one last kiss before he grabs his keys. "I'll see you in a bit."

I nod as he heads out of the bedroom. As soon as I hear the apartment door shut I let out the stupid sappy noises that he makes me feel but I'm too embarrassed to make in front of him. It's a lot of sighing and swooning.

When I've gathered myself, I climb off the dresser, heading to the bathroom for a quick shower. The very least I can do for Edward right now is try to make our apartment less of a nightmare for his parents.