Author's Note: I'm publishing this week's update of Home a few days early because I needed to write. I learned yesterday morning of the death of Judy. She went by the screenname grandmachix. She was so sweet and encouraging and posted lovely recaps and reviews on many of my stories. Romance, smut, just goofing off, it didn't matter. She was there. I always smiled seeing her name in my inbox. The fandom lost one of our best. Many of my friends and favorite authors have expressed similar sentiments. We will miss her dearly. She's been on my mind all weekend. Rest in peace, dear friend. I continue my writing because of lovely souls like you, and you as well, beloved readers.
Thank you all for your continued love. Every favorite, follow and review encourages and shows love to authors who sometimes battle anxiety worrying too much over making sure each chapter is the best it can be. We recognize usernames and I know I'm not the only one that waits for certain reviewers to pop up, waiting to see what they think. This is especially true with a story like Home because I know how personal it is to many of us and I really don't want to mess it up in a way that makes readers uncomfortable or veers too far off course. I know I've said it a few times, but it brings me true joy seeing how many of you have found parts of yourself and loved ones in this story. I hope that I always do the themes and characters justice.
This chapter does have some sweet character development, but it is mostly sexual. If you are sensitive to sexual situations, please feel free to skip it. I would like to express to my readers that a relationship, especially sex, is not a magical fix. Many people enter into bad relationships, which I've been guilty of myself, thinking that was what they needed to get better. That just isn't the case. However, if you find someone who is your equal who will love you as you are, the good and the bad, and love and encourage you, that's something worth treasuring. Sex is great between two people who trust each other and share the same desires, but not something that is going to fix anxiety, self-doubts, etc. and certainly not something that should be rushed into before you're ready. I was hesitant to include anything sexual for Bella & Edward in this story, but for a couple as in love as they are, it's natural and healthy and I feel it's an important part of Edward's journey to overcome his inner demons.
As an aside, I've started a Facebook group for canon or close to canon only Twilight fan fic. Search "Canon Twilight Fanfic" if you'd like to join. If you're a writer, you're welcome to post there as well. I was considering starting some discussion threads for some of the themes in Home.
Apologies for the long author's note. On with the chapter! Yay for smut!
Bella's mind swirled with happiness and desire. She couldn't get close enough to Edward. She wrapped a hand in his hair and grabbed him for a kiss, pressing her warm body against his cold one. Her warmth sent sparks up and down his spine and he allowed himself to relax into her, cautious only of his teeth and the strength of his grip. It was practically instinct now to be gentle with her.
She draped a leg over his and he allowed it as promised, one of his hands resting on her cheek and another grazing over the soft skin of her hip and waist. Her heart started to beat faster and her thoughts echoed desire for him. The way she saw him in her mind was incredible. He was equal to happiness for her. To safety. His touch could never make her uncomfortable. It wouldn't be inappropriate because he was very much an extension of her.
He was hit with a fresh wave of regret and sorrow for having left her. He never could have imagined her feeling like this. He made his apology by kissing her more passionately, allowing his hand to slide around to rub her back, unfastening her bra when it got in his way. Bella enjoyed every touch, her body feeling as if it were floating as he sent pleasant chills up and down her arms and back, everywhere he touched.
Her thoughts became less with words and more with feelings, matching his own in ways that drove him wild. She played with the hem of his shirt for a second before placing her hand under it and rubbing his chest. He growled quietly and broke their kiss just long enough to toss the offending shirt across the room. She smiled and eagerly kissed him again as soon as she could reach him.
He lifted her own shirt off of her, followed by her bra. Her mind encouraged him and gave him courage not to stop. He lovingly caressed her stomach, above her ribs, and finally her breasts, one after the other in turn. He groaned as he felt their softness. It seemed his hands were directly connected to his groin, which twitched in desire for her.
She was experiencing near euphoria having him touch her like this. She felt loved and desired. His scent surrounded her, comforting her. His touches were gentle yet excited, as were hers as she enjoyed the definition of his abs and chest.
He kissed down her jaw, her neck, shoulders and ended in gentle kisses to each breast. "You're gorgeous." he whispered against her skin. So are you, her thoughts echoed. He continued his kisses down to her stomach, stopping when he reached the top of her pants and working back up to her lips.
He spread his hands over her waist as they kissed again. She scooted closer to him, pressing her naked chest to his. He growled quietly, a contended growl that he didn't bother to suppress. She wasn't the least bit afraid.
This is everything I wanted. It feels amazing to be this close to you. Just this alone is heaven.
"For me too." he agreed.
Her hand wandered to his hips and his butt, resting there for a moment. He didn't stop her as he usually would. He inhaled her scent deeply and enjoyed being close to her. Her heart was racing too much and she snuggled up to his chest to calm down, easily falling asleep a few minutes later as he held her and rubbed her back. It had been a very long day for a human and though she was content, she was a little drained from the stress of the phone call with her mother and the newly discovered fear of heights.
Her mind was open to him when she fell asleep, so it remained that way for a while. He watched her dream, still completely amazed by the beauty that was showing itself to him in her thoughts. Her initial sleep stage was quiet, mostly feeling happy and restful. As she relaxed more, he saw his own face in her mind. His smile. The way he said her name. For a test, he gently caressed her cheek. She smiled more and leaned into him. He didn't think his heart could possibly contain any more love for her.
After a while, her dreaming stopped but it was as if she were thinking in her sleep. She reflected on the evening they spent together. On the afternoon at the beach. She remembered Edward slipping her ring on her finger and how happy it had made both of them.
Then, her memory started to betray her "Do you hate Forks yet?
You're not pregnant are you?! You better not be!
I can't believe that you would speak to me that way!
Forks is getting to you.
Don't you hang up on me!"
Edward couldn't stand hearing her suffer, recalling her mother's harsh words in her dreams. He gently kissed her head and caressed her cheek. She woke only slightly, wrapping an arm around him more tightly as she drifted back off to sleep. He softly hummed to her, noting how her thoughts calmed even more at his voice.
So, this is what having a mate feels like. he thought, remembering how her voice had much the same effect on him. I finally have someone to share myself with, and it makes her happy. She's at peace. She feels safe with me. He smiled, closing his eyes, and resting in his own way along with her.
She had been so brave standing up to her mother. He was incredibly proud of her. He knew the wounds of that discussion wouldn't disappear right away but he was glad that he could at least soothe them by being near her.
When he stopped humming a while later, her thoughts started racing so quickly he started to question if she were awake instead of asleep. Her breathing and heart rate said she was sleeping but her mind was moving so fast that even he could hardly keep up. She was partially conscious yet unable to wake all the way up to stop the thoughts or even roll over. He kissed her head.
Edward. He loves me. It's alright. We have a cabin together. Home. It's lovely. I'm so at peace there already. Mom was awful today. I just wanted to celebrate our engagement. I knew she'd be mad but that was terrible. I can't believe how childish she is. It isn't fair to me-
Edward kissed Bella's cheek and started to hum softly again. It took a minute or two, but she drifted back to sleep in his arms.
"My mate." he whispered. "I see now that you need me as much as I need you." Though he hated to hear her upset or worried about anything, he was thrilled at the effect his love had on her. Every touch of his seemed to calm her even more. He stopped humming but gently rubbed her side and nuzzled his face against her. She smiled and his thoughts were overwhelmed with her love of him and in return his love for her.
Edward's mind turned, developing a theory. Clearly, they were soulmates if such a thing were possible. If he did have a soul, theirs were definitely intertwined. Their reactions to each other's very presence, the way they understood their inner most thoughts and anxieties, he didn't doubt how they were made for each other. He thought her draw to him was his vampirism and the parts meant to lure humans in, but how wrong he was. Sure, she found him exceptionally attractive. She loved his smell. His strength. Even in her sleep, however, it was his proximity she wanted. His voice. His presence.
He wondered if she was always meant to be a vampire as she insisted. Was it possible that she was made for him? Or that finally, the right circumstances had made his mate and she had found her way to him? Or perhaps he his way to her? Regardless, neither of them could live without the other. They understood that now. He had a new resolve to change her as soon as the circumstances would peacefully allow, promising himself that he would do all it took to ensure she never harmed a single human. She was much too pure to allow such a thing to happen to her.
He pondered then on the more physical aspects of their relationship. They were matched so closely in every other way. Was it possible that their love was something that could transcend human concepts of things like marriage and morals? Could loving Bella ever be wrong? If his gentle touches to her back, her side, and his lips to hers were any indication, loving Bella would make them both happier than they could ever imagine. Who was he to deny that from her? And from himself?
But how could he not hurt her in the process? That was a much bigger fear than morals now that he had started to embrace the times and Bella's way of approaching things. He knew his venom wouldn't change her because he had read the minds of many vampires who had tried such a thing in the past. It was only the venom in his mouth to fear.
He was confident that he no longer had living sperm, but even if he did, she took a birth control pill every night, not wanting to make him and his family uncomfortable with her periods. He had told her once that the blood was much different and didn't bother him then. She still wanted to do what she could to help. She was always too sweet and giving, especially towards him when he felt like he didn't deserve it.
That left only his strength to fear. How could he not hurt her? He knew from seeing in the thoughts of others that at the moment of climax, he would be faced with an urge not just to bite, but to grab her tightly and thrust at his full speed. Such a move could shatter her pelvis, among other injuries. It was too risky. And yet, he marveled how he could stroke her fair skin, soft as a whisper, leaving not even an impression of where his hand had been. He remembered how he could hold her on his back for long runs, not leaving so much as a bruise behind on her legs.
She stirred then, rubbing her eyes, and smiling slightly when she saw him admiring her. He kissed her, needing to love her now more than ever. There were definitely ways to test his theories without injuring her. She had been through so much today, both good and bad, and if this were one more way to show his love…he wanted her very much.
"Edward, my breath is terrible." she protested.
"I don't care. It tastes way better than that mint stuff." he said, pressing his lips again to hers. She had no further argument, sitting up and running her fingers through his hair when he kissed her more passionately. She woke up quickly then, kissing him in return and wondering what had gotten into him. It was then that she remembered she had fallen asleep topless as her nipples grew hard against his cold chest.
He moaned quietly and wrapped his arms around her more fully, holding her against him. "Please, show me those lovely thoughts again." he requested in practically a growl as he leaned his face against hers.
"I've been having nightmares." she confessed, afraid to show him anything that would ruin their perfect evening together.
"I know. I wish I could have done more to stop them."
She showed him then, realizing she had nothing to hide and feeling completely relaxed around him. The call with her mom had haunted her. Her anxieties and racing thoughts had kept her feeling in a state of wakefulness and alert, though she was actually asleep. Yet, when she heard his voice or felt his touch reminding her he was there, her mind stilled and she felt loved. There was comfort. And desire.
Edward wondered if physical love was an act of mindfulness for Bella. Some people found a degree of inner peace through meditation, others through music, writing, puzzles, and any number of things. He himself enjoyed composing and sometimes a difficult conundrum to solve. Perhaps what helped her to focus and relax was sensation, something that would force her mind into the present moment and not allow it to dwell on the past or the what ifs. Physical touch was what held her focus more than anything because she enjoyed it so much when it was him touching her.
"I'd like to try something, if you're amenable to it?" he asked.
She nodded, her thoughts showing how much she wanted him to touch her in any way possible. He could see the arousal in her mind. For most humans, arousal was a purely physical response. Many people were undiscerning who they spent time with in that manner. For Bella, her arousal was emotional first, and physical second. She didn't want him because he was a man or because he was attractive. She wanted him because he was Edward. That made all the difference for him in what he was about to finally allow himself to enjoy.
"Is there anything you don't want me to do?" He had to ask. His anxiety made him. "Anywhere you don't want me to touch?"
"No, I'm all yours." she said, her eyes wide and her mind excited.
He growled a little, quietly whispering to himself "You're going to be the death of me, precious human."
She heard it, though barely and smirked at him, stroking his cheek with her hand. "And you love me for it. At least I don't seem to bore you these days."
"You have never once bored me."
"Wait until my vampire romance novels come in."
He growled louder then, not wanting to justify that absurdity with a response. Her thoughts were laughing and playful, yet incredibly turned on at his growl. He sounded so sexy. His frustration at her choice of employment amused her. She wondered if he would growl more as they did whatever they were about to do. Will you let me touch you? she asked in her thoughts, too nervous to ask aloud.
"You first." he said, kissing her neck gently. "But you must either leave your mind open to me or tell me if you want me to stop. Or both. I can't possibly live with it if I hurt you or make you uncomfortable-"
Edward her thoughts interrupted. Stop worrying and just love me. You can hear it's what I want. You won't hurt me. And if you make me uncomfortable, I'll tell you. I promise.
One of his hands went to her breasts then, gently rubbing them in turn and again enjoying their softness. His own desire burned through him like a dancing flame. Every touch of her warm hands sent fresh shockwaves through his body. It wasn't entirely a sexual need, but an intense craving for more Bella, whatever that meant to both of them.
"I love you so incredibly much." he whispered against her neck.
I love you too. her thoughts answered, words lost to her as he bent down and kissed her breasts, slowly but carefully sucking on one nipple, and then the other. The taste of her skin was heaven to him.
His hand trailed down to the waistband of her pajamas, stopping just above anywhere too inappropriate.
It's alright. her thoughts promised, very much wanting him to touch her. He slid his hand lower to rest over her crotch. She unintentionally twitched, pressing herself more against his hand. He closed his eyes and was momentarily overcome again with her warmth and softness. She was so precious to him. Perhaps physical love was a feat of mindfulness for him as well. Most of his anxieties and racing thoughts were nowhere to be found for the moment. She was unbelievably perfect. Every new bit of her he discovered, as well as every little thought and reaction made him love her even more.
Carefully, he rubbed her intimately through her pajamas. Her mind was excited and filled with love. Her heart raced. Her breathing was a bit shallow. "May I?" he asked, his hands resting on the waistband of her pajamas.
Please. her thoughts answered, immediately wondering to herself if she should have shaven or worn nicer underwear.
"Relax, my love. You're perfect." he promised, removing her pants and panties, and making her totally nude to him. He could see well in the dark, admiring her newly exposed skin and wanting to see it more up close. "Hold very, very still."
I promise. Just like our first kiss, right? she asked with a slight laugh in her mind.
"I don't recall you holding very still then." he said with a smile. He kissed her stomach then and a slow path down to the top of her most intimate area, pausing for a moment to enjoy its unique scent. He could smell the overwhelming beauty of her blood, calling to him in a way that only she could. He also smelled a faint hint of her body wash. And something new and uniquely Bella, the notes of her arousal just for him.
He growled quietly again and her thoughts were totally stilled. There were no words. There was only anticipation, a little nervousness, and an overwhelming amount of love and desire that made his head spin.
He placed a gentle kiss on her most intimate area, licking his lips and savoring the taste as he used a finger to carefully trace the outline of where the sides of her labia met together. Her thoughts were encouraging, though her mind was clear of everything but him.
"Bella, are you sure?"
"More than anything, Edward." I want you. her thoughts finished for her.
He readjusted himself then so they were on eye level. He kissed her lips and used his finger to spread her folds, gently finding the sensitive spot above her opening and caressing it. She gasped against his lips and her thoughts were consumed with his touch. He wondered how he had ever denied her this. This was something he could do for her. He could bring her happiness through physical love, something he had never gotten to experience before. Something he had often thought he never would experience. So far, he hadn't been tempted to hurt her. There was no frenzy or bloodlust yet. He wondered if it would ever come. Perhaps all of his fears had been for naught.
She slid one of her hands down his side, stopping at his hips and then caressing his stomach. Her thoughts were asking permission for what she was too shy to say out loud.
"I'm afraid of how I might react." he confessed.
"You won't hurt me."
"We can't know that."
"This feels amazing. I want to touch you so much. I want you to feel like I feel."
"Slowly." he said, looking deeply into her eyes and concentrating on her every touch on his stomach. "I want that too. I always have with you. But I am so scared of hurting you. You must stop if I ask you to."
"I promise." she said. He stopped his movements on her as her hand carefully slid down over the button of his pants, then the top of the zipper, finally resting on his erection. She held still for a moment, watching his reaction, and loving how he felt in her hand.
He closed his eyes, unable to find words to describe how he was feeling.
"Is it too much?" she asked, her thoughts concerned for him. She didn't want to make him uncomfortable either.
"It is entirely too much. But only in the best way possible." he promised. "Bella, I never imagined that I would someday find my mate. I didn't think I deserved anyone and especially not someone as amazing as you. There are no words to tell you how your touch feels because it's more than just your touch. It's the intimacy. The love. The way both of our minds still when we're together like this. I'm sorry I kept us from this for so long. I've been so afraid. I never want to hurt you in any way. I let my outdated beliefs and fears come between us instead of just talking things out with you and listening to your side as well. And here, now, feeling this…the touch of my love….my life…my mate…." He opened his eyes then, looking into her deep brown ones, "This is…you are…incredible." he finished, kissing her gently and then more passionately as she brushed her thumb over his erection and caressed him through his pants. His hips jerked involuntarily in a need to get closer to her, but still he didn't hurt her.
Her mind was more than eager. She debated sitting up to straddle him or helping him remove his pants.
"We must go slowly. My strength is still a factor. I don't want to harm you. I won't harm you." he said and she nodded, thrilled that he was even willing to try these things with her. He started to stroke her sensitive spot with his fingers again and she continued rubbing him, getting acquainted with this new part of him. She finally felt like he was all, truly all, hers. If he felt even one tenth as amazing as she did at his touch…
"I do." he said, bringing her out of her thoughts for a moment to admire his dark eyes. "You can't imagine how this feels."
"I have some idea."
He laughed quietly. "Perhaps you do."
He kissed her again then as he carefully, slowly slid a finger inside of her. She moaned loudly. Her thoughts were grateful for the cabin. His thoughts answered me too, though she couldn't hear him. Sure, it was slightly uncomfortable for a second or two, but it felt so amazing to have him touch her like this that the discomfort wasn't her focus. It quickly went away. He was making every effort to be gentle and loving. She was perfectly relaxed and happy.
He rested his thumb over her sensitive clit as he moved his finger within her. She impulsively squeezed a little on his crotch and he moaned this time. She was amazed by his hardness, the clear evidence of his desire for her. "Don't ever doubt how much I want you." he promised. "I just don't want to hurt you."
Her mind was split between a building sensation in her groin, threatening to overcome her with an intensity she hadn't imagined possible, and a desire to have Edward truly make love to her. She imagined how he might feel.
"One night at a time." he said quietly. "We have all the time in the world."
She smiled gently at him then, kissing his lips softly as she understood what his promise meant. He was still alright with changing her and keeping her around forever. She was more than willing to wait until he was ready knowing that he still wanted her.
"I'll always want you." he promised, curling his finger inside her upwards a bit when he felt a spot just slightly different in texture.
"Edward." she gasped, her mind showing him it was just where she wanted him. He moved just a little more quickly then, mindful of his strength and speed. She became a little anxious, worried that she was making weird faces or squirming too much at his touch.
"Don't worry. I am totally and completely in love with you. You're so gorgeous like this. To see you losing control of yourself due to a pleasure I'm giving you…" he growled quietly and closed his eyes, focusing on what he was feeling. On the texture of her skin. The warmth of her hand, still rubbing his crotch over his pants. The pleasurable chills running down his spine from not just her touch, but the little noises of pleasure she was making
When her climax approached more quickly, he kissed her to spare her the embarrassment of worrying about her facial expressions or being loud. She moaned several times into their kiss, her body clenching around his finger and releasing in a burst of euphoria in her mind and in her body. He didn't think his body would ever contain the happiness he was feeling, let alone hers as well. He stroked her just a few more times before removing his hand and smiling at her, the likes of which she had never seen before.
"That was amazing." she said.
"Indeed, it was."
"I know how much thought and effort it took for you to be alright with this."
"I'm sorry I ever hesitated." he smiled.
"Let me do the same for you."
"I'm afraid."
"I'll go slowly."
"What if I hurt you?"
"How would you hurt me?" she asked. "You don't have to touch me if you don't want."
"I could thrust too hard and break your hand. Or jump up and accidentally send you flying across the room or-"
"Edward, that's your anxiety talking. Trust me?"
"It's me I don't trust."
She kissed him then, her mind talking for her. I trust you. You won't hurt me. I promise to be careful and watch how you react. If it gets to be too much, just move my hand away or tell me to stop. Let me give you the love you gave me.
She was nervous, unsure of how to pleasure him in a way that would feel good. She hoped that she would do alright. She knew he was scared but she was also entirely sure that nothing between the two of them could ever harm the other. There was too much love and care in their every motion.
"Don't worry. You'll be perfect. There's no other option because you're you."
He was nervous then, never having shown himself to a lady before, and certainly not the love of his life. He rarely even touched himself, having spent years thinking that it was sinful to touch even to wash or adjust in his clothing. He realized now how foolish he had been, so set in his ways.
She reached for the button of his pants and unfastened it. He lounged on his back, lacing his fingers together behind his head.
"I'm not going to touch you, not because I don't want to, but because it's less of a risk of me hurting you with my strength."
"Alright."
"Bella, you don't have to-"
"I want to. Let me do this for you. Unless you don't want me to?"
"I do very much."
"Then just relax." she said, unzipping his fly carefully. She remembered a snippet of a comedy movie where someone accidentally zipped up his balls. He laughed loudly then, making her blush. "I told you that you might not want to read my thoughts. Sometimes they're very random."
"I love them and I love you. You have no idea how precious you are to me. Although I have no idea what movie you're referring to."
"We'll watch it sometime." she promised, returning to the task at hand and removing his pants and boxers together. He lifted his hips a little to help her. Her vision was more limited than his in the dark, but she could see the outline of his penis. He hoped it was satisfactory to her. There was no negativity in her thoughts. Tentatively, she wrapped her hand around the middle of it, caressing what she could reach with her fingers. He was breathing heavily, admiring her loving expression and the love in her mind as well.
Her warmth and the sensation of her touch overwhelmed him in the best possible way. He gasped as she started to slide her hand up and down him slowly, watching his expression for any sign of discomfort. He was lost in the feelings, saving every perfect touch to his memory, and awed at new emotions taking place within him.
"Is this alright?"
"Perfect." he said. "Incredible. Beautifully overwhelming."
Tentatively, he unlaced his hands from behind his head and reached out with his clean hand to stroke her cheek, admiring her blush and her excited brown eyes. He had said it several times during the course of the evening, yet he could never say it enough.
"I love you so much."
"I love you too." she said, making her grip just the slightest bit firmer. It was perfect. She paid attention to his facial expressions, but also the way his breathing would change or his erection would twitch a little in her hand when she did things he seemed to like. She noted which areas were the most sensitive, though anywhere she touched was heaven to him.
His climax approached quickly. "Hold on." he whispered. She held still until he retrieved his boxers from the floor and held them in his hand. "I don't want to get it all over you." he said, allowing her to return to her physical love of him. Her thoughts showed that she wouldn't have minded, but he still didn't want to be improper.
When he came, he did have to be careful to hold his hips still. He bit his own tongue, having the desire to bite but no desire to lunge for her or taste her blood. Waves of bliss and relaxation rushed through him as he shot his orgasm into his boxers, which he then tossed in the floor to wash when she went back to sleep. She watched his expressions, in awe of seeing him give himself over to pleasure. Pleasure she had given him. She felt empowered. He knew that he was loved, even without the obvious stated in her thoughts.
He smiled at her, using a hand in her hair to gently encourage her up towards his face. He grabbed her in a kiss that was gentle and lazy yet loving and grateful.
"You are everything to me." he whispered.
She was dazzled by his smile and his serene expression. Words weren't coming to her then. They weren't necessary. They happily kissed for a while, naked with nothing in between them. It wasn't just the lack of clothing, but the lack of boundaries that had them both at peace. They didn't have to have rules or restrictions with each other, besides avoiding his teeth and taking it slow. They were both more than alright with that.
"You didn't kill me." she said with a smile. "And you didn't even try to bite. I'm a little disappointed about that. Some dangerous vampire." she teased.
He growled softly, playfully. She held her breath, freezing a little in response. "I can't wait until your change." he said. "The way you respond to me now, my touches, my growling." he laughed. "You're going to have a growl of your own. One that I'm sure will drive me absolutely mad with desire for you. I can't wait to hear it."
"You're excited about my change?"
"Incredibly. I was thinking about it while you were sleeping."
"That wasn't all you must have been thinking about while I was sleeping." she said with a smirk.
"No." he smiled, running a hand nervously through his hair.
She wondered to herself if he had ever touched himself in that way before, when the tension between them became too much to handle and their boundaries were still in place.
"That was my first." he answered shyly. "Touching oneself in my human time was incredibly frowned upon. I've always felt it was sinful…until recently. My brothers definitely tried to change my mind over the years. They said I would be less grouchy. I highly doubted that."
"Are you?"
He laughed. "Significantly less. I'm still tingling all over. That was, you were, incredible. It's hard to believe that you would want to do that for me. But your thoughts…that was the loveliest part."
She looked at him questioningly.
"Because you love me so much in ways I never understood."
"I do."
"Speaking of I do…can we set a date for the wedding?"
She smiled up at him, no longer flinching or nervous at the mention of marriage. "Soon. I don't want to wait. What about a week or two after graduation?"
"How about I steal you away to Las Vegas tonight?" he said, making her heart flutter as she admired his smile and playfulness.
"My dad might really shoot you then."
"Perhaps." Edward's phone vibrated loudly in the floor with a text. It was still in his pants pocket. He reached for it, knowing without even looking who it would be. "Apparently we are going to agree on August 13th. Alice thought she would save us the trouble and just tell us."
"Perfect." Bella said, resting her head against his chest as he ran his fingers through her hair.
"Get some rest. You haven't slept much this evening."
"I bet I will now."
He laughed, "I bet you will too. Sleep well, my love. My everything."
As she rested, he reflected on their evening together. She had truly brought out the best in him. He didn't know how they would ever emerge from their cabin to face the family in the morning, so tempted he was to keep her with him forever. Soon. he thought. All my wait is finally over. I'm hers, and she's mine. This is what it's like to feel at home.