Thank you, as always for the love of this story. I'm up super early today, so here's the chapter a little early!

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

Chapter 10

Edward carried his bag downstairs after he was done packing and sat it by Isabella's two bags near the door. She had a pot on the stove, but she wasn't in the kitchen. Instead he found her sitting on the couch reading. He asked if she needed anything, but her only response was that she was fine. This continued through dinner and when he once again found her on the couch, her nose buried in a book that wasn't her mother's journal, he knew he needed to do something.

Edward went upstairs and found some of the oil Isabella made for herself and grabbed that. Taking off his top, he returned downstairs and walked up to the arm of the couch.

"Bre, take off your blouse, I'd like to give you a massage."

"Edward, that's awfully sweet of you, but-"

"No buts, let me do this for you."

Isabella sighed, but her fingers found the buttons on her shirt. She slipped it off her shoulders without removing it completely, but Edward was content with that at the moment. He poured a small amount of oil onto his hands and began his work.

He felt her muscles give way under his touch and soon she was making the softest sounds in response to his efforts. As her sighs changed to moans, Edward looked down to check on her and was rewarded with the sight of her chest heaving from within the confines of her corset. He wanted to rip the corset off and be what held her up. The urge to touch her, hold her like a man did a woman was strong, but he knew there was a right way to do things, and this wasn't it. As if to contradict him, Isabella moaned loudly as his thumb loosened a stubborn knot and he was in motion.

He lept over her shoulder and turned mid jump so he landed facing her. The movement caught Isabella off guard and she was shocked to see Edward crouching on the couch shirtless. She wondered if he'd truly been half naked behind her this whole time.

Before she could react, he reached down and unclasped the buttons at her wrists and helped her remove her shirt completely. Isabella expected his hands to wander to all the places she wished he would go, but instead he poured more oil onto his hands and massaged her shoulders from the front and then slowly and carefully worked down to her collarbones. When she thought she would combust from his touch, his hands retreated and moved to her arms, carefully working out the tension there.

Isabella managed for as long as she could, but when she was out of self-restraint, she leapt forward. Edward caught her in his arms as he fell backwards on the couch, her mouth molding with his. They kissed for several minutes, tongues stroking as he cradled her to his chest.

They broke apart, gasping for air, and Edward took that moment to lay his left hand against the side of her face. "Tell me you feel that hum. That isn't just my faerie senses picking up on everything around me."

"I do," she whispered breathily. "And thank you for that massage. I feel so much more relaxed now."

"I needed to do something to ease the tension that was growing within you and to stave off the desire burning within me. I would say I was successful."

"So would I," Isabella smirked.

"We should go to bed. It is going to be a long day tomorrow," Edward told her.

"It will be. Any chance of you joining me?"

"As much as I would love to, I need to be strong. Soon enough you won't be able to get rid of me."

"I don't want to be rid of you," she whispered.

"Good to know," Edward said.

The pair of them went to bed for the night, their minds filled with possibilities.

The next morning, both were up early, dressed so they could prepare for their trip to the castle. Edward went out to see to the horses, while Isabella loaded their bags into the carriage. When he walked out of the house with a carrier and a crate filled with Argus' things, Isabella was confused.

"What is all that for?"

"Argus is coming with us. He'll be staying in your rooms."

"He should be fine here. I can even let him out into the woods, if you'd feel better about it."

"Bre, he needs to come with us." The tone of his voice let Isabella know there was no arguing the point, so she agreed. Once Argus and his belongings were safely in the carriage, they locked up and set out for the palace.

The ride was uneventful, but upon their arrival, Charles quickly instructed the servants to bring Isabella's belongings to their family rooms.

"What about Edward?" Isabella asked when they'd reached her room.

"The queen has rooms set up for him. He'll be fine without you for a day. He seems well enough to not need your care at all."

"I do not know what it is you're playing at, father, but I will make my own choices."

"Yes, but there are more choices than you're allowing yourself to see. Some of Queen Alice's countrymen have come for the celebration. You would be well matched with any of them, if you're set on being a wife."

"And how would they feel about leaving their homeland to be a diplomat with a healer for a wife?"

"They wouldn't be leaving their homeland. You'd depart Skyelynn and run their household. You wouldn't need a profession as a noblewoman."

Isabella looked at her father, shocked. "So your plan is to ship me off to a foreign land to keep me from being happy with the man I love?"

"I will not consent to a marriage between you and that man."

Upset, Isabella stormed off. She didn't have a specific destination in mind, but when she found herself in Marcus' old rooms, she sighed.

"Your father is a stubborn man," Alice spoke from the doorway.

"What am I going to do?" Isabella asked.

"You will let me handle this. Jasper and I have a situation that needs to be handled on the mainland. I believe it will be best if your father handled it on our behalf."

"So you'll ship him off instead?"

"We have a new trade opportunity. But we need an ambassador to broker the deal and see that our interests are being looked after in the new arrangement. It wouldn't be permanent, but it is necessary. Jasper will speak to him after the ball and see that everything is taken care of."

"It makes me sad that he won't be here when I do get married, whenever that is. But he's made it clear he does not like Edward and won't give us his blessing. He doesn't even know him, Alice."

"Your father's protectiveness of you is tied to your mother. From everything I've heard, she and you were very much alike. Jasper remembers her from when he was young, when they were first married, and when you were born. Your father and King Carlisle were good friends."

"Jasper was their ring bearer, right? What a story to be able to tell," Isabella mused.

"Don't get any ideas on waiting that long. We've got at least six months until this one is ready to enter the world." Alice rested her hand on her stomach and Isabella gasped.

"Alice, you're pregnant?"

"I am. It is part of the reason for the big celebration. Jasper was insistent when he heard. We'll be announcing it tonight."

Isabella reached out to wrap Alice in a hug. "I'm so happy for you both. I know you've wanted this ever since you got married, and now it is happening."

"Big things are coming soon, Isabella. We all need to be prepared for them."

"Anything you care to share?" Isabella asked.

"You'll know soon enough. But for now, you should return to your room. I'll send a few maids with lunch, and after that they can help you prepare for tonight. I want my dearest friend looking her best tonight."

"I bought a new dress from Rosalie, so I hope it goes well."

"I'm sure it will."

Isabella returned to her room, avoiding her father, and spent the rest of the day getting ready. It would be a long night, but she was anxious to be with Edward in an official capacity, and she believed Alice when she assured her that everything would work out.