Hello everyone,

So happy to have you all back. We are in the final stretch and I am working on finishing this story by November. I am so honored you all have been here and enjoyed the experience.

Also, I have several new stories to read if anyone is interested. I have a Drabble that will run until Halloween called Stalked, and a new one-shot called Fucking Hired. Head over and check those out.

Thanks for reading, reviewing, favoriting, and following.

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"Nana?" Lily looked up at her grandma as they sat on a bale of hay.

Esme smoothed the wayward tendrils of hair from Lily's face, dropping a kiss to her forehead. "What, baby?"

"Um … My daddy kissed the princess. Is she going to be my new mommy?" As Lily spoke she turned her attention to Bella. Currently, the princess was walking a mare around the arena with Laurent and James standing guard near the entrance of the barn. "She didn't even care about the pricklies on his mouth. I told her they make my lips itch, but she just laughed."

Edward had kissed Bella. With a knowing smile, Esme looked at their houseguest. Patting Lily's arm, she leaned down. "I don't know why your daddy kissed the princess. Did you ask?"

Lily's feet drummed at the bale beneath her as she kicked it. "Yeah, but they just said we would talk about it later. Isn't it later?"

Ever since Irene died, Edward was locked in a black hole of misery. Since Bella had appeared in their lives, her son had changed by leaps and bounds. To say she was curious about this kiss was putting it mildly. Of course, she had noticed subtle changes in Edward since Bella's arrival, but she'd tried not to get her hopes up too much.

Was she happy about Edward and Bella—Supposedly kissing? Her son did so much for his family—made sacrifices she could never have thought to make. He deserved to find someone who made him happy. With a nod of satisfaction toward Bella, she looked down at Lily.

Esme chuckled at her granddaughter's logic. "Yeah, I suppose you are right. It is later. Sometimes grownups need a little more time before deciding how to handle a situation."

"Oh." Hopping off the bale of hay, Lily twirled in a tight circle. "I hope she is my mom. She's pretty, fun, and she plays barbies with me."

Esme was about to reply when a commotion at the barn door caught her attention. When it slid open to reveal Edward, she stood up from the bale she'd been sitting on, and brushed the stray strands of hay from her butt. Offering her hand to Lily, she said, "Come on, baby. I think we can go back to the house now."

Clasping Lily's hand in hers, she wandered to the front of the barn as Bella pulled the mare up, and turned in Edward's direction. Together they made their way to her son. "Is everything okay, Edward?"

"It is now," Edward moved forward picking Lily up. He returned her hug before turning his attention to his wife. "Bella, can you hang back for a second? I would like to speak to you."

"Daddy?" Lily asked, patting his cheek to get his attention. "Are you gonna kiss her again?"

The corners of Edward's eyes crinkled as he looked toward Bella, humor dancing in his oceanic depths. "I just might."

"Daddy?"

"Hmm?" Edward shifted as he adjusted Lily's weight, the horse Bella held the lead rope to nickered. "What's up, Lily?"

Lily leaned in real close as if she had a secret until she met Edward's ear. "Are you her prince?"

Esme cleared her throat. When everyone looked in her direction, she offered her hands to Lily. When her granddaughter leapt into her arms, she looked pointedly at Edward. "Whatever is happening between you and the princess needs to be addressed soon. I don't want Lily getting hurt. Understand?"

"We'll discuss it tomorrow." Edward threw his hands up in surrender. "I promise. Now, everyone get out so I can talk to Bella for a few minutes alone."

One by one they trickled out of the barn, leaving them in peace. Bella noted the hungry look in Edward's eye as he moved closer. Stumbling back a step, she squealed in surprise when he reached for her. He buried his nose in her neck, and her eyes rolled when he nipped at the pulse there. "I h-have to put Juno away, babe."

Licking her slender neck, he kissed her cheek, his hold grasping her hips. "Let's put the horse away," he urged, smacking her ass.

The whole way through the barn, Edward plucked at the buttons holding his clothing in place. By the time they reached the stall, his shirt hung open, revealing the expanse of his chest. As Bella slid the stall door open, he unsnapped his slacks.

Bella let go of the lead rope when Edward's arms wound around her waist, pulling her against him as he nuzzled her throat. She tilted her head giving him better access, her eyes rolling as he placed open-mouthed kisses along her neck. Whimpering, she tried to turn in his arms but was held in place as his hands slid up to cup her breasts.

Her nipples throbbed as he kneaded the twin mounds, her breath becoming short and choppy with each caress. His warmth seeped into her back, his hand sliding down her belly to find her heat. Bella groaned as his fingers slipped between her legs, her heart stuttering as he pressed against her clit. Eagerly, she parted her legs, granting him better access. "Are we going to do this here?"

Edward bit the tender skin of her jaw, pulling her along with him as he found a vacant stall. Visually checking the bedding before urging Bella inside. "I plan on fucking you everywhere."

Finally, he turned her to face him, his lips claiming hers as his tongue dove deep. He grunted as lust slammed through his veins, his blood boiling when her fingers dug into his hair, impatiently backing her up against the wall. Biting her lips, Edward yanked her T-shirt over her head and tossed it away.

He ripped the lacey material of her bra, sliding the cups out of his way as his mouth clamped over the tips. Edward shook out of his shirt as Bella shoved the cotton over his shoulders, eager to feel her warm skin pressed into his. She gulped for breath as his teeth grazed her nipple, her nails digging deep as she held him to her. Kissing his head where she could reach, she grew impatient for the taste of him, dragging his mouth away from her breasts.

"You're so fucking hot." She groaned as he pinched her nipple, rolling the nub between his fingers, she sucked his tongue as it pushed into her mouth. Through a cloudy haze, she stared, enthralled by his body, her hands exploring his chest to slide around to his back, she scraped the tight muscle. "I will never get enough of you."

Edward licked his lips as he pulled back to look at her. Pushing the strands of hair out of her face, he watched her intently. He'd never fathomed finding someone he cared about more than he'd cared for Irene. The thought never even occurred to him. When he'd first discovered his growing feelings for Bella he'd been plagued with guilt. As the days passed, however, the guilt had waned, leaving room for the wonder Bella created with every word she spoke.

This freeing wonderous feeling had blossomed, exploding in thick currents throughout his being until his chest felt near bursting.

Bella's brow creased as she studied the man that was her husband. There was something new in his eyes. Something warm and bright. Something wonderful that left her feeling a tad breathless. Swallowing, she cupped his cheeks, her gaze turning skeptical as she studied him. "What's up, baby? That look in your eyes is …"

"Is," he started, choking on the emotion clogging his throat, he continued, "love." He combed her hair out of her eyes and his throat grew thick. "When you came here I never imagined falling for the screaming banshee above my study." He chuckled softly as he explained, "Then you came to my study with a cheesecake demanding me to eat. I've never seen a person with bigger balls—especially since you don't have any—and I checked, quite thoroughly."

She sniffled as amusement played across his harsh features, the creases around his mouth and eyes softening. A well of feeling enveloped her, and she fought the urge to weep.

Bella laughed at the reference to her balls, her eyes watering, never believing to hear an admission of love from this big bad mafia king. Burying her face in his chest consumed with this feeling, she whispered her head coming back up to see him, "I just …"

Edward's finger dropped on her lips, smiling when she nipped it. His brows flickered, saying, "See, balls, woman. Shhh… I'm not finished." Dropping a kiss to her forehead, his lips ran over the bridge of her nose before pulling away. "You created a friendship with my daughter and showed me how much I was missing. You made my whole family fall in love with you, and dragged me down with them." His nose grew itchy as he stared at his wife. "I-I'm trying to say—that I love you. I don't want a single day to go by with you ever wondering what you mean to me. I love you, my ballsy banshee."

Bella laughed at his description even as a cascade of tears flowed down her cheeks. Cupping his jaw, her thumbs ran over his bottom lip. Taking a deep breath, she let her hands trail down his chest, her emotions causing them to shake. "I was intent on driving you crazy. I was hurt, betrayed, and angry at my father. I was never allowed to be myself, and decide what I wanted. When I pushed into your life, I just wanted you to see how lucky you were to have so many people love you."

Bella took a deep breath as she continued, "The broken man locked in his study caught my attention, but I fell in love with a guy who became my friend, a father, and then, offered to save me by becoming my husband. I didn't marry you because you could save me. I married you because I wanted to, I love every inch of you, Edward Cullen."

Watching her intently, his mouth took possession of hers, he hurriedly stripped her of her clothes and shucked his pants. Yanking her naked form against him, he caressed her hip, trailing kisses down her neck. "God, I love you. I want you so bad. Fuck, I never wanted anyone so much. Ever."

Desperately, Bella clung to his chest, her nails raked his back as he lifted her. "Wrap those amazing legs around my waist. Gotta be inside … ahhhh!"

Bella gasped as he plunged deep, holding tight to his neck, she returned kiss for kiss, moving against him as he withdrew and bucked into her. Within moments she was on the brink of her release, crying out, her head fell back against the wall. "Don't stop … don't … oh, I'm right there … shit!"

Bella spiraled on the waves of her orgasm, her body going limp, trusting Edward to hold her steady as he continued to thrust hard and deep. He growled next to her ear as his cock swelled, and he came with a roar.

They held tightly to one another as their hunger ebbed, and slowly, Edward melted into the straw beneath him, taking Bella along the way. Sated, he held her, randomly pressing kisses to her temple as their breathing returned to normal.

Bella stroked his chest, raking her fingernails through the hair on his pecs. "So, what was going on at the house? You had me worried."

Caressing her belly, Edward proceeded in explaining what happened, leaving out the more vivid details. "I delivered the bitch to your father. He will put her in Winthrop's bed while he is searching the premises."

After hearing he'd made Jane eat the soup, she pushed back to look at Edward. "Why would Jane want to poison everyone? She always seemed contrite but I didn't peg her as a murderous shrew."

This was the part Edward hated. He didn't want Bella ever wondering if he'd fucked Jane while she'd been in residence here. Clearing his throat, he kissed her shoulder. "Before you came I might have been drunk enough to—to sleep with her." When Bella went stiff and seemed like she would pull away, Edward held tight. "Babe, she meant nothing to me. Never crossed my mind that Jane thought it was something it wasn't."

Bella shifted so she could look up at him. "You never wanted anything more with her? Did she—did she want more?"

Edward shook his head in disbelief. "She thought she was in love with me. I don't know where she came up with the notion. Apparently, she noticed my fondness for you, and she was jealous enough to try and poison the whole family. I couldn't let her get away with that. I protect the people I love, even if I am a dick most of the time. Bottom line is, Jane got what she deserved and I would do it all over again. That leaves Winthrop to deal with, and after tomorrow we'll all sleep better."

The mention of Winthrop made Bella shiver. "I know you know what you're doing, and I trust you more than anything … but I hate the idea of that man being anywhere close to me."

"I promise, he will go down, and you will leave that church with me. I will kill anyone who gets in my way." Edward held her gaze long and hard, willing her to trust him. His thumb drifted across her bottom lip, and he dropped a kiss to her lips when she finally nodded. "Don't worry, banshee, you're not going anywhere."

Emmett stopped midway down the aisle. He'd come in search of Edward to discuss the meeting with Winthrop but upon hearing the grunts of pleasure, he stalled in his tracks. He'd meant to turn around and retreat when he heard Edward and Bella speaking softly. Unable to stifle his curiosity, he moved closer, every word of love and devotion spoken between the pair another nail driven in his fate. When the moans started all over again, a crack ran the length of the control he'd tried to gather.

He was never good enough. Shaking his head, he thumped his bulky weight against the wall. Hearing the moans and grunts was the last thing he wanted, but he froze, incapable of turning away. Tears pricked his eye, and angrily he wiped his eyes. After a long weak moment, he gathered his strength and left the barn behind.

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