A/N: This is part one of the prologue. Things are going to get worse before better, please keep your faith in the HEA.

Lemon ahead, it's my first lemon;)

Song suggestion for this chapter: Cardigan by Taylor Swift (I don't own the song or Twilight, just my plot;))

Thank you to Mel Cee for betaing~all mistakes are my own.

Thank you for the support and reviews. I'm so happy people actually like my story:)


Age 18

"I can't believe you are making me do this. You know I hate these functions," Bella complained, not adding in how she hated his parents too.

"Bella, please, you know I have no choice." Bella was grateful Edward was focused on the road because she couldn't help her eye roll.

It was the day before her eighteenth birthday, the day she would be free of all the chains that bound her to a life of being unwanted. Finally, she could choose her future, and she chose Edward.

Siobhan had been warning her about this day for a while, trying to keep her steady about how she might potentially feel. After all, not being adopted and aging out was never the goal.

She offered to help Bella apply for a transitional housing program that would help her until she was twenty-one, but Bella was stubborn and refused.

All Bella wanted was to be free with Edward. They'd graduated high school in June and had planned to road trip all summer before college in the fall, but as fate would have it, Liz suffered a massive stroke at fifty years old. All plans came to a screeching halt. Edward stayed by her side all summer, helping her through her therapies and treatment plans. Bella felt awful for Edward, knowing that she was the other woman in his life. Although she and Liz had their differences, Bella remained at Edward's side, assisting Liz in any way she could.

She loved him and there was no other choice.

Bella got a job as a waitress at a diner, continuing to save money, and she applied to be an apprentice at different art studios around New Jersey and some in New York as well. College wasn't an option for someone like her, she concluded one night after Edward pursued the subject for the millionth time.

Edward just shook his head, no longer relating to the fact of her having to choose work or education. Of course, Edward's education was the best money could buy.

Kate was kind enough to offer that Bella stay with them for an extra week or two, but again Bella wasn't one for handouts and politely refused. Kate and Garrett had been great to her, but she was tired of being a burden; tired of being held to a life that didn't feel like her own.

This was her time to feel like she had some control over her own life.

But while she was insistent on staying as independent as possible, she also wanted to start her future with Edward. Moving in together seemed like the next step in their relationship. Bella would work to contribute her half of the rent, while Edward lived off his trust fund and attended school.

This was all great until Edward told his parents about his plans. Liz and Ted were vehemently against living together before marriage, so moving in together was out of the question. With Liz's health in a delicate state, Edward conceded, not wanting to hurt his mother.

Edward obviously didn't want Bella to be homeless, so he needed to come up with a solution. With his parents and Bella at an impasse, Edward resolved that the only logical explanation would be for Bella to move into the guest house. The pair technically wouldn't be living together, and Bella insisted on paying rent.

Liz and Ted yearned for control, so they reluctantly obliged.

Starting tomorrow night, Bella would be moving into the pool house. There wasn't much to move except Bella's one bag of her entire life's contents.

"I hate that we have to do this today and then the party tomorrow, but this is Liz's first outing in months. She needs this." Edward pleaded for her to understand.

"I know why we are going, but it doesn't change my opinion," Bella said with an attitude, turning off the air conditioning in the car on this chilly September evening.

Bella was tired of making so many sacrifices, but she told herself soon things would be different. His parents were trying to extend an olive branch by letting her move into their guest house. The least she could do was play nice at the opening of this restaurant.

The Masens invested in a new restaurant and the opening was tonight, Edward begged his parents to let him bring Bella as a guest. Tomorrow night was a party in Ted's honor hosted by the board of Princeton University.

They were less than thrilled having her attending two of their events, two days in a row, but they didn't really have a choice either.

Even though Bella hated these events, they meant something to Edward so she'd learned to grin and bear it.


"Edward, dear, did you get ready in the dark?" Liz slowly walked over to Edward, pacing herself to redo his tie before anyone important saw. "Bella, you didn't notice it?"

Bella composed herself and shook her head. She had to look away to contain her disdain for how Liz acted in public and how Edward ate that shit up. Of course she didn't notice that his tie was knotted incorrectly; she didn't give a crap about things like that. Edward used to not care about those kinds of things either.

Ted greeted Bella with a sly smile, still hoping she would take him up on his offer. But the more he'd grown to know the orphan girl, the more he'd seen how pig-headed she could be. "Bella, you look wonderful," Ted said, smirking."New dress?" He knew it wasn't a new dress. She only had two and seemed to rotate them every event she accompanied Edward to.

"Thanks," Bella remarked curtly, turning to see the newly renovated restaurant. It was too fancy for her liking. She was never used to the extravagant lifestyle Edward and his parents lived. She much preferred the food at Red Robin or McDonald's in comparison to this fancy food like escargot and oysters.

Liz hooked her arm through Edward's and started walking him through the restaurant, telling him little tidbits about the decor and stopping to mingle with important friends. Bella followed behind them, not really having a purpose or direction.

They approached a beautiful blond woman. She was a little older than Bella and Edward, and she was standing next to a white-haired gentleman.

"Oh Edward, you remember Tanya and Alistair Denali?" Liz cooed, looking back at Bella to ensure her silence.

Edward nodded and outstretched his hand to shake the pair's hands. "Pleasure to see you both again. Tanya, you're looking well. How was Japan?"

Bella had no clue who this Tanya chick was, but she didn't like her one bit. She watched the exchange like she was watching a trainwreck.

"I'm back in the States now. My internship is finished and daddy insists I start my Master's." Tanya flirted. She liked Edward. He was a cutie and now finally of age.

Alistair glanced back at Bella, who was shifting uncomfortably behind Edward, "Who is this, Edward?"

Edward grabbed Bella's hand in an effort to support her. "This is Bella Swan. She's my girlfriend."

"Alistair is the Dean of Admissions for Princeton University," Liz added, eyeing Bella, expecting her to be impressed.

Bella smiled but didn't say anything. Nothing these people did would impress Bella. Their hearts were still ugly.

Tanya's eyes narrowed, going unnoticed by Edward, but Bella caught her and sent her a dirty look.

"Nice to meet you, Bella," Alistair commented politely and started speaking to Liz about the fundraiser tomorrow night.

Bella excused herself from Edward and Tanya and ran to the exit. Edward followed her and grabbed her arm. "Hey, where are you going?"

"I just need some air. This dress is a little tight," Bella lied, looking at the marble floor.

Edward pulled her in for a kiss. They kept it chaste; after all, society people didn't like public displays of affection.

"There's a photobooth. Let's go test it out," Edward suggested, nodding to the fancy setup past the tables and chairs in the dining room.

The couple took many photos, loving how carefree they could be in that tiny booth together.

Too bad it was short-lived since they were now sitting through another stuffy, boring dinner. All the adults spoke of were IPOs, takeovers, stocks, and investment portfolios.

Edward saw how sad Bella looked, and since she was compromising by celebrating her birthday weekend with him and his family, he needed to make it up to her somehow.

Edward leaned into Bella, whispering in her ear, "Let's get out of here."

"What?" Bella looked over at him, puzzled. This was his family's restaurant opening.

"Let's get out of here." Edward rose and pulled Bella up with him. "Mom, Dad, we're going to head out. Bella turns eighteen in less than an hour," Edward reasoned, looking at the clock on the wall. He kissed Liz's cheek and patted Ted's back.

"Edward!" his parents cried, as Edward pulled Bella out the double doors. It was raining, and they both tipped their heads back, letting the droplets fall on their faces while they inhaled deeply. They relished the feeling of being free. Thirty more minutes and Bella would be truly free.

Edward took her hand and twirled her around. They laughed and joked, being an ordinary couple in love. Getting soaked in the rain, and loving every minute of it.

"Oh I have a great idea!' Edward grinned, dragging Bella to the car, droplets running down his face.


Edward stopped at Carvel, the only dessert place opened this late and got her a Fudgie the Whale cake.

He sang Happy Birthday to her in the Range Rover, and they ate the cake with two plastic spoons. Bella loved it. This was like old times. Simpler times.

"Let's go back to your house, Edward," Bella said, with purpose. Edward nodded, putting the car in drive.

Bella and Edward were laughing as they exited the car, still drenched from the rain. They only had to walk from the car to the door and were still somehow soaked.

They entered the foyer of the large home. No matter how many times Bella entered, she was still in awe of the opulence. It didn't help her doubts and feelings of not belonging. But for tonight, Bella pushed those thoughts out of her head. After all, she had a mission. One that she'd been thinking about for far too long. Much like Operation: First Kiss, she knew she'd have to be the one to take control. Operation: First Time. Operation: Sex with Edward.

Now the concept was alluring to her hormone-driven mind, but it also scared her a bit as well. She overheard girls talking about how it hurt the first time and how guys only made it about themselves. Bella knew that Edward wouldn't intentionally hurt her, but she couldn't help feeling nervous. Then she thought, "What if I'm not good in that way?"

She shook her head. Everything that she and Edward had done so far had been incredible, and it wasn't like Edward had anybody to compare this experience to. And neither did she.

She grabbed the nape of his neck and pulled his face to hers. Started to kiss him tenderly, but passionately. He pulled back and looked into her eyes, questioningly.

Edward didn't bring her back to the house with any intentions of furthering this part of their relationship. But there was something in her eyes. Something that told him she wanted them to go further. That she was ready.

Bella and Edward had done everything else, apart from actual sex. Edward learned what Bella liked and what she didn't, and vice versa.

She stepped back and turned her head in the direction of the spiral staircase, leading to his room.

Edward nodded, taking her hand in his. Wordlessly, they made their way to his bedroom. Edward pulled off his stuffy sweater vest, tossing it onto his computer chair. Bella sat on the bed, kicking off the annoying heels Liz made her wear.

Edward stopped in his tracks when he saw Bella stripping off all of her clothes. Sure, they had seen parts of each other's bare flesh, but usually, one or two garments always stayed on. Bella stood in front of the boy she loved as naked as the day she was born, and then she made her way over to him. Undoing his tie, she then started unbuttoning his shirt. Edward started working on his pants. Soon all that was between them was Edward's boxers.

Bella walked backward until the back of her knees hit the bed. Edward ushered her onto the mattress, kneeling in front of his beautiful girlfriend.

"Bella. I don't—Are you sure? This isn't something we can take back. I mean, I don't want to hurt you." Edward trailed off, his voice getting smaller. He knew that first times could be painful for the girl, and he didn't want to cause Bella any more pain in her life.

"I want you, Edward. There's no one else I'd ever want to share this with." Bella smirked, moving her hands to caress his chest. He didn't have much chest hair, but she loved rubbing him up and down. As she traced patterns on his chest, his breathing stuttered, hitching when she soon lowered her hands to his boxers. Slowly, almost like she was afraid he'd change his mind, in hopes of protecting her, she slid his boxers down, holding his gaze the whole time. When they were around his ankles, Edward rid himself of them and then started touching her.

Grabbing her face in his hands, he kissed her with as much passion and love as he could muster. Now it was Edward's turn to let his hands roam down her body.

He cupped her breasts, giving them a squeeze. But he was on a mission. While Bella was reassuring him this was what she wanted, he'd decided he needed to take care of her first.

Letting his fingers slide lower down her stomach, he found that the little patch of hair that was normally there was gone. She was shaved bare. Edward couldn't stifle his groan, relishing in the smooth feel of him against his fingertips.

Bella gave herself a fist pump internally.

He slowly inserted one finger into her. She was hot, wet, and tight. He pumped his finger in and out, trying to stretch her for their first time.

Edward moved his thumb so that he was circling the spot that made her eyes roll in the back of her head. He continued until she was clawing at his chest and then his back, pulling him into an embrace.

"Edward," she said breathlessly. Her eyes were shut, and she was biting her bottom lip, gyrating up toward his fingers.

"Yes, baby?" he answered her, trying to contain his smile.

"I'm gonna—" She threw her head into the crook of his neck, moaning and breathing heavily.

Edward removed his fingers as she leaned forward giving him a kiss. Bella moved her hand down toward his penis. He relished in the feeling of her, and her hand. Edward couldn't imagine how much better this could get.

He grabbed her hand in his, giving her another peck on the lips. Leaning over to open his side table drawer, he pulled out the condom that his Sex-Ed class gave him. Opening the package, he sheathed himself, gesturing for Bella to lie down on the bed.

Now it was Edward's turn to fumble; the condom wasn't comfortable so he continued adjusting it until it stopped trying to unroll.

Bella's breath picked up and she looked at Edward's penis and then started picking at her fingernails. "How was it going to fit?"

Edward laughed, seeing as how she said it out loud, instead of in her mind as she'd intended.

"Are you sure you wanna do this?" Edward asked. "Please say yes," he willed her in his mind.

Bella paused and Edward started to rise from above her, thinking her hesitance was her saying no.

"Edward, I'm ready. I love you." She looked at him adoringly, just like she always did.

"I love you more," Edward said sincerely, repositioning himself on top of her.

There was silence for a minute. The pair burst out into laughter. Edward shook his head and caressed Bella's side.

He grabbed his dick and aligned it with her entrance. He could feel her heat already.

God she is so wet, Edward thought, carefully sliding inside of Bella.

Edward reached her barrier, pushing slowly, keeping his eyes on Bella. He had to bite his lip in order not to make any sudden movements and accidentally hurt her.

Edward was treading the waters, going slow, keeping a close eye on her. When he saw her suck in a breath, he asked, "Are you okay?"

She nodded. "Yeah…just a little uncomfortable but okay."

All at once, he started thrusting into her, unable to keep still any longer. Bella wasn't in pain. It was more being stretched and the muscles feeling sore.

"You feel amazing, baby," Edward muttered, kissing her. He was out of sync with her, while attempting to maintain his rhythm.

After a few moments, the ache went away, and Bella started feeling a similar sensation as to when Edward would touch her. Bella let out a moan, thrusting upwards, trying to get more of that feeling.

Edward reached his hand down between them, where they were joined, and started feverishly rubbing her clit. He was close, too close, and he really wanted this to be enjoyable for her as well.

Bella began arching her back, and her eyes did the telltale thing where they rolled back into her head. She was close now too.

"Oh God. Oh my God!" Bella cried out, clutching the back of Edward's neck. He would have welts tomorrow.

With one final thrust, Edward spilled inside of her, letting out a guttural groan.

He collapsed on top of her, allowing all of his weight to crush her.

Bella gave him a peck and pushed him off of her. "You're heavy." She squealed.

"I'll give you heavy." Edward rolled them on their sides and started tickling her. "I love you, Bella."

Bella choked out, "I love you too" in between gasping for air from being tickled.

They cuddled, basking in this new part of their relationship.

You would think nobody ever told them that sex doesn't fix an already broken relationship…