Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. Any 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.

~0~

~~ Bella~~

When my phone finally connected, Edward's voice message activated.

My hands trembled and my heart beat rapidly. I couldn't hold my emotions inside.

"Edward, I…"

I recalled how much insecurity I'd shown him, when I had no reason to; I broke down.

"Oh God, he said he did love me. Riley, he turned up at the hotel. It was all a misunderstanding, no it was, well, he said he needed to protect me. I feel so horrible for him. I just can't believe it. If he'd just been honest with me from the start…"

If Riley had told me the truth, I never would have met Edward!

I felt my stomach drop. The thought of Edward not being in my life terrified me.

"All I know is that, it's not ever going to be enough. I was so confused then I realized it didn't matter. All that matters to me is you. The thought of losing you terrifies me. I don't want to hide my feelings from you or anyone else. I don't want any secrets, or any miscommunication to hurt us. I know what I want; I've never been so clear about anything in my life."

I took in a deep breath, and willed myself to calm down.

"I can't compromise anymore. I want everything with you; marriage, children, a home. I want it all, with you. I know it seems really scary to know that I'm so sure of how I feel, even though we've only known each other four weeks. I know. I have no doubts. Please, can you come straight to the hotel? My dad and his fiancée are here. Edward, I don't want anyone but you. I need to talk to you in person. I only love you. Please? Can you come to the Hotel tonight?"

My phone beeped and lost reception.

"NO! Shitty, fucking phone!"

"Isabella!"

I turned to see my dad struggling with two ancient suitcases. His face held the expression of disappointment at my profane outburst.

There was nothing I could do to hold back my tears.

"Bella?" Dad said then dropped the bags and wrapped his arms around me.

"What's wrong?" he soothed.

I couldn't speak. I just let the tears out. All the years thinking Riley hadn't loved me, the self-hatred, the hurt and pain. I let it all go as I sobbed against my dad's chest, standing in the cool concrete parking garage of a luxury hotel, in Canada!

So much in my life had seemed improbable because my mind had reasoned that I wasn't worthy or lovable. I wasn't mentally well-adjusted. I didn't deserve to be so blessed.

I knew the conversation I'd just had with Riley was the disconnect I needed from him. I should have let him go a long time ago.

I was crying from pure relief. Relief that I hadn't imagined what I had experienced with Riley for the short three months we were together. Relief that I actually did survive losing Riley, scarred with emotional insecurities sure, but I could recognize them now and overcome them. Relief that I knew what I had with Edward was intense and special, and that I'd be so stupid not to be completely and utterly upfront about how he made me feel, and how much I wanted him; how desperately I wanted a life with him.

I knew that Riley was my past and Edward was my future.

And I also recognized the overwhelming feeling of hope; hope that came in the form of a song.

Episode.

Episode represented everything I could be, with Edward.

Two distinct components: his musical composition, my flowing words.

Alone, they worked, they were beautiful and distinct, yet when they were combined, they created something more, something inspiring and uplifting. A connection between two parts, that couldn't be easily separated, manipulated or soiled with lies.

I could be strong on my own, but I could be so much more with Edward.

That night when I wrote those words—the night I'd slipped into my psycho-trance in the Purple Bar—well, maybe it wasn't so psycho after all. It was like there was an invisible connection between us. That buzzing static—that I still feel when we touch—had called to me, pulling my mind and my heart in his direction, crawling under my skin. I was falling apart just recalling the memory of it.

The feeling of real love?

It was impossible, and yet, it was the only thing that made sense.

I knew I'd projected my love onto Riley. I'd helped him to recover because I'd wanted him to need me. I'd been so blind to what was really happening in his life. I made him out to be the perfect person from age fourteen onwards. I never really got to know him. I'd been selfishly single-minded. Was it simply lust, longing and a twisted teenage fantasy that made me want to be noticed by the popular and talented boy?

It felt so different with Edward.

Soul mates.

I'm Edward's soul mate and he is mine. We'd shared so much love and respect and as I thought about our weekend together I was blanketed in warmth and contentment.

I would face anything we needed to face in the world to live a happy life together. I would be strong and retain my independence. I would be supportive of Edward. I didn't feel the need to please anybody else. His fans, the media, Jessica... I didn't need to answer to any of them to justify my love for Edward. I wanted to live privately, but if our privacy was ever compromised, I'd deal with it.

And I wanted us to never unconsciously or consciously put our relationship in a position of doubt.

No lies, no miscommunication, no secrets.

My tears flowed so much when I tried to comprehend the overwhelming love rushing through my body when I thought of spending the rest of my life with Edward.

I laughed.

I pulled back from my dad's soothing embrace and I laughed.

He looked confused, and I probably looked like a blotchy, pathetic basket-case.

"Dad, I'm in love and I want you and Elaine to meet the man I'm going to spend the rest of my life with!"

~0~

~~Edward~~

"I need to get back to the hotel, right now!" I whisper-shouted at Emmett as soon as I was free of the stunt harness and Marcus had disappeared to watch the dailies.

"The Hotel? I thought you said you were staying at Kate's B&B?"

"Bella's ex—" I couldn't even think of how to say it out loud. "I need to get to her."

I could tell I sounded distraught. I'd been anxious all through the shoot, trying desperately to stay in character and not let the feeling of urgency affect my work.

"I'll bring the car around; we can leave in two minutes. Edward..." Emmett paused until I looked to his face. "Bella is in love with you. You don't need to worry about her ex, trust me," he almost laughed.

I could see that Emmett was trying to ground me, but he hadn't heard her phone message. I wasn't feeling any confidence.

Fiancée, marriage; if that fucking asshole proposed to her…I'll find him. I'll rip his goddamn head off!

The drive back to the hotel was excruciating. I held my phone and yet I couldn't call Bella. I had to see her, in person. I knew I'd see it in her eyes if she wanted him.

Then my favorite picture of Alice appeared on my phone as it vibrated in my hand.

She was the last person I wanted to speak to.

Her text flashed on my phone immediately after because I didn't answer her call.

I'm coming to Vancouver! Answer your phone, please! What happened?

What happened?

How would I even be able to compose the words? What did happen?

Bella saw her ex-boyfriend, the boyfriend that she'd had a crush on since she was fourteen. She loved him; he was the man that made love to her for the first time. He was also the man that had broken her heart.

What happened?

She saw him and he pleaded with her to take him back. He apologized, he told her he loved her and she fell back into his arms?

Did Bella instantly forget everything she'd experienced with me in the last 78 hours? Did she forget the way I sang to her, how I poured my heart and soul into performing our song at Richard's? Did she discount everything I'd said to her, about wanting to spend the rest of my life loving her? Did she forget that I planned to take her to meet my family this weekend? Did she see him and forget what it felt like when I made love to her for the first time, or what we did in the shower, or when I loved her at the kitchen table, or the way my fingers helped her come this morning? Did she forget all her words to me?

'I love you. I want to entwine myself in you.'

Did she see the bruises I'd left on her skin when I lost control last night and took her passionately from behind as she balanced precariously over the bath? Maybe she remembered how I stupidly ignored her at Ben's birthday dinner; how I talked to other girls yet didn't even give her the most basic assurance of how I felt? I didn't look at her, I didn't speak to her. Had I known what he'd done to her I would have made sure everyone in that room knew she was mine.

No!

I refused to believe that I would lose her.

She loves me, she wouldn't be with him, and she wouldn't let him kiss her, or even touch her. She would have listened to him; she would have let him speak, but anything else?

Even as I felt a slight relief at my thoughts, they faded when I remembered her words, her words from the message.

'We've only known each other four weeks. I have doubts...'

'I can't compromise...want everything...marriage, children, a home...want it all.'

'My...fiancée...'

'Edward, I don't want you.'

My head was telling me not to think the worst; my heart was telling me she wanted me. His excuses would mean nothing. That all I had to do was see her and reassure her.

I looked at the time. It was later than I expected.

Will she be in her room waiting for me, or will she be with him?

Alice kept calling. I ignored each call and eventually I forced my finger on the button and slid my thumb across the screen to power-off.

I'm overreacting, I know I am.

This morning I was selfish and proud. Now I felt hollow and sick with dread when I admitted there was a possibility that I'd never get to touch Bella again. I'd never get to feel her lips, hear her laugh, hold her close.

She could choose him.

Maybe he unconsciously tempted her with the promise of an uncomplicated life in Australia; a normal life away from the scrutiny of the media and fans.

Was her love for me stronger than what he could offer?

NO! He'd hurt her, he'd cheated on her!

I don't care what lies he told her. If he really loved her, he would have never let her go. I'll never let her go!

I was determined to fight for her, but I knew, however annihilating it would be if she chose him, I'd have to accept her decision.

If I'd learnt one thing from my relationship with Tanya, it was that two people had to have mutual respect and desire. Long term relationships don't work without balanced compromise.

I recalled Bella's words from the message...'I can't compromise...'

She would be giving up her freedom to an extent, giving up her anonymity and the chance at a 'normal' life out of the spotlight for me.

What if the thought of that scared her?

If she knew about Alice's dream. If she knew we were always meant to be together...

No! I couldn't do that. I couldn't try and influence her decision by revealing a 'dream' that my gifted twin-sister had when she was sixteen.

I wanted Bella to want me, only me. I wouldn't use the dream to make Bella believe our connection was destined. If she didn't feel it like I did, if she couldn't embrace our love or revel in the unique connection we shared, then I couldn't force her to.

Bella needs to make a choice.

~0~

~~Bella~~

After my tearful declaration to my dad in the parking garage, we'd taken the bags up to my room on the eighth floor. I suggested we take the champagne that Mike had kindly supplied, to the pool.

Dad, Elaine and I sat at a table under the shade of a big umbrella and I toasted their engagement.

"I'm so excited for you both. May your lives be full of love and happiness, forever!"

The delicate clink of three glasses together elated me beyond words. Just seeing Elaine and my dad interact, was proof that love binds and enriches people.

Love shouldn't be hidden or hushed, it should be celebrated with family and friends, and it should always be open and honest. I'll have that, one day, with Edward.

I recalled when I'd spoken to Elaine in Forks. She'd told me she'd convinced herself that my dad wouldn't be interested in her.

Why? She was lovely, she was honest and gracious.

The reason... Eric's dad had made her doubt herself. The divorce had dented her self-image.

She lamented that she wished she'd never had a 'victim' mentality. She gave her marriage everything she had, and it simply wasn't meant to be.

'I didn't realize it back then, Bella. I thought divorce made me a complete failure as a wife and mother. I want to kick myself now for how long it took me to heal from that. If I knew then, what I know now, I would have picked myself up sooner. Hindsight really is a wonderful thing. I'm really happy that I have your dad...'

I'd been so despondent when I'd believed Edward was in a relationship with Rosalie. I'd been so depressed after Riley. My perception of both situations had been incorrect, yet the anguish I'd felt was real.

Maybe it's easy for some people to say, "things get better" or that "life goes on"...I suppose each person has a different way of coping with loss, or rejection. I knew I wasn't willing to contemplate that I'd find happiness without Riley, or that I'd even be capable of loving someone again.

Why was I so self-destructive? Why hadn't I picked myself up sooner?

Thinking about it was too overwhelming, but I knew I needed to. I needed to be accountable for all of my actions, all of my thoughts.

Maybe I should talk to someone, work through it all, to make sure I never do it again?

I could talk to Edward, I could tell him everything I'm thinking and feeling and he would understand.

I watched my dad take a sip of champagne. His nose twitched in disgust. Elaine laughed and then gently touched the side of his neck lovingly.

They're blissfully in love!

So I wasn't anxious or nervous when I told my dad and Elaine that I was in love with Edward Cullen, and that he loved me.

I told them that Edward and I were determined to make it work, but his fame would mean we would need to be discreet.

I could tell by the expression on my dad's face that he just didn't get what the word 'fame' meant in a literal sense. Dad just couldn't comprehend how popular Edward was. He wasn't even aware that Edward was constantly followed by fans and paparazzi. Instead, dad just seemed to think of Edward as the 'kid' of two upstanding ex-residents of Forks. He saw Edward as a normal guy.

I was quietly elated with this fact. I now knew that dad would never treat Edward as a 'celebrity', and hopefully that meant he would be completely accepting of our relationship. Dad saw Edward like I did, and I smiled like a loon when I remembered even I had chanted to myself that Edward was 'Just an ordinary guy'.

Elaine was even more encouraging. She told me that that she believed that true love will always survive.

I could instantly see why my dad was in love with her. For a split second, she reminded me so much of my mum; a more selfless and content version.

"I've left a message with Edward," I said excitedly. "I want you to meet him tonight. I'm taking you both to dinner and then Edward can meet us in the bar when he finishes...work."

"That sounds wonderful, Bella," said Elaine.

"Yeah, OK. Well, I'm kinda beat." my dad said abruptly. "Think I'll go and sleep for a hour or two. That fancy champagne is giving me a headache and I'm tired from the drive."

He looked tense.

I knew explaining what I'd just been through with Riley—before my dad had caught me swearing into my phone and crying in the parking garage—would go some way towards explaining my erratic emotions over the last half hour, but I just couldn't.

Riley had wanted me to be a secret. I didn't think telling my dad about Riley now would be wise.

I knew I could tell Elaine, but she was buzzing with her newly engaged status, and burdening her with the whole dramatic mess seemed selfish.

Charlie stood up and kissed Elaine on the cheek.

"I think I'll use this very enticing pool." she said to him. "Do you want to come and get changed with me for a swim?" she asked me.

"No, I'm OK, but I'll stay here and hang out with you."

"Perfect!" said Elaine, "I'll be back in ten minutes."

I watched as my dad led Elaine away, his hand low and supportive on her lower back.

"Don't rush!" I called out after them, but they didn't turn. I imagined Charlie's face was bright red.

When they disappeared from view my phone started to ring.

I stood and fished it out of my back pocket.

It was Kate.

"Kate?"

"Bella, I thought you'd be back by now. Is everything OK?"

I tried to stay calm and not let my words leave my mouth in a garbled word-vomit, but they did anyway.

"Riley turned up at the hotel. I spoke to him, like, less than thirty minutes ago!"

I tried to absorb it all. It was like I was in a different universe.

"He what? What did he say? Oh my God! Do you want to talk about it?"

Yes, I needed to talk to someone about it and I was thankful that Kate already knew everything from mine and Riley's past.

So, sitting by the pool with a glass of barely touched champagne I told Kate everything that happened between Riley and me in the lobby. It felt freeing to get it all off my chest. Speaking about it helped me to formalize my thoughts, and decide how to tell Edward when he asked.

I felt kind of aghast now that I could reflect on what I'd said in the voice message to Edward—me rambling about wanting to marry him and have children. I couldn't regret speaking that truth, but it made me so anxious that my desires for our relationship may not be immediately reciprocated.

I knew Edward loved me, but committing to share the rest of your life with someone was something that couples probably talked about after they'd been together for years, maybe months, definitely not days! Edward's talk of soul mates and spending his life with me, seemed too good to be true, yet I wanted it. I could actually visualize it, and it made me want him even more.

I wondered how I could have been so blind before. How I could have been so worried, because I knew that Edward loved me, and I'd given myself permission to accept and return that love, for life. Nothing else could ever hold any more importance than that... Nothing would.

To find someone that loved you, and that you loved unconditionally. So simple.

"You can move on from Riley now." Kate stated, interrupting me from my train of thought. "I'm a strong believer in things happening for a reason."

I looked across the cool, sparkling water of the pool and I knew she was right.

"I know, Kate. I just…everything seems so surreal."

"Bella, do you think Riley would really try and hurt himself?" she asked tentatively.

I felt dizzy with the thought of Riley causing himself harm. I still couldn't actually believe that the motorcycle accident wasn't really an accident. Had Riley been so utterly unhappy that he honestly thought that death would be peaceful—easy?

Never in a million years would I have dreamed that Riley was capable of self-harm, or the type of manipulation that he admitted to me.

Lying to his family; lying to me...

I also couldn't believe that he'd tried to make me feel guilty, yet I could see that it was only the desperate words of someone that was hurting. He'd survived three years without me. He was successful. He admitted to what he'd done, he had shown regret. Had he really believed what he did was the only option? I just couldn't fathom it.

I had to stop trying to. Riley wasn't my responsibility. Yet I recognized his admission to me—apart from trying to justify his actions and win me back—was a plea for help. Regardless, of how everything had played out, I knew I still cared about him.

"I can speak to his friend Austin, who's dating my friend Jessica. I'll make sure Riley talks to someone; he needs to talk to someone. I hate to think that he'll...

"Finding out he really did love me...I can't hate him, Kate. I feel sorry for him, but I can't help him. I helped him recover after the accident. I think that was all I was meant to do. I don't know..."

I told Kate how my dad and Elaine had shown up and how they were going to be staying in my room.

"You should spend some time with them. You can use my car for as long as you need to. I have the yellow room reserved for Emmett for when you and Edward come back to stay."

"Kate, thank you. You've been such an amazing friend. I just..."

"You don't need to thank me. I'll see you when you get back. You know there's nothing as special as spending time with family."

"Thanks Kate," I sighed.

"You should take your dad and Elaine to the hotel restaurant tonight. Garrett has some delicacies on the menu that I think you may adore."

~0~

~~Edward~~

Emmett pulled up to the front entrance of the hotel.

I signed a few autographs and posed in some photographs with four of my fans that were waiting. I ignored the leeches that were taunting me with questions about Bree Tanner and our 'affair'.

The ride up in the elevator to the eighth floor was practically debilitating. I was sweating, my limbs almost paralysed with anxious tension. My hands shook as I tried to slip Bella's room card out of my wallet.

I hesitated when I was finally standing outside room 810. My pulse was racing, my head pounding and my knees felt like they were about to give out simply from standing. I eventually slid the card in the reader and walked inside.

Nothing could have prepared me for the sight, nothing. It was my worst nightmare recreated.

The bed was unmade; slept in. Two old suitcases that I'd never seen before sat next to Bella's writing desk.

Fuck!

I doubled-over with physical pain.

She slept with him. She let him touch her. She loves him; he's been here in her room!

My sweating, shaking hands clawed through my hair. My mouth instantly started to water.

I made it into the bathroom just in time to empty the contents of my stomach.

How could she do this to me? How could she cheat on me, do exactly what he did to her?

It was implausible, yet more evidence was staring me in the face, as I saw a man's razor and shaving foam on the vanity.

I was desolate, staring at the distinctly male items that weren't mine. I flushed the toilet and turned on the faucet to rinse out my mouth, all the while staring at the items that I wished would disappear.

I was completely incredulous. I was screaming inside from the pain. It was like I wanted to get out of my own body.

This isn't really happening. Bella loves me, she wouldn't have cheated on me. She would have at least broke it off with me in person, before she fucked her ex-boyfriend...no, her fiancée? She's going to marry him, she'd going back to Australia and she'll forget all about me!

Violent jealousy engulfed me and painful visions, of her saying goodbye to me, infected my thoughts. I wanted to bleach them from my consciousness, even while my head debated.

I can't believe she would, she loves me! Bella would never let another man touch her that way; she would never let a man kiss her, hold her, whisper promises to her. Not after the weekend we just spent together, the love and lust and connection we'd shared.

Bella would never betray me, like he had betrayed her. She would never cheat; she would never consciously break my heart!

I looked in the mirror at my pathetic expression. I hadn't removed the character makeup. My skin was pallid and my eyes were almost black with anger and hopelessness.

I don't want to be without her. It's impossible to imagine a life without Bella.

My spirit depleted. I was worn out, mentally and physically.

I turned the faucet back on and tried to scrub the makeup from my face. I still felt sick and my hands were still trembling as I grabbed the hand towel from the hook and blotted my face dry.

Then I heard the room door open.

"Edward?"

I heard Bella's voice and my body tensed with pain and jealousy so tangible, it made tears fall from my eyes. My heart seemed to rip in two at the sweet sound of her voice because she sounded so happy.

I wiped at my tears and I tried to force my anguish into a blank stare.

She's made her decision. I just need her to tell me. I need her to look into my eyes and tell me that she loves him more, that she won't regret her decision; that she'll be happier without me.

I walked slowly out of the bathroom to see her standing at the bed, anxiously pulling the sheets up and straightening them, trying to cover up the scene of her infidelity.

"You're leaving me for him?" I accused. My voice held the distinct timbre of disgust.

She turned towards me. Her smile disappeared and she looked confused when she saw my face.

"What?"

I motioned to the bags on the floor. "You've already packed. You love him, more than you love me. You're leaving with him to go back to Sydney."

I hated that I sounded like a hurt child. I instantly remembered Bella calling out to 'Riley' in her sleep when we'd been at the cabin last week.

I never really stood a chance with her. I'm not good enough for her.

All my confidence and masculinity evaporated. A life without her would shatter my very essence and dissipate my soul to a paper thin vapour.

"No, Edward!" she said in panic. "Did you hear my voice message? I told you 'I love you'. I only want you."

I stared at the unmade bed, as the rolling nausea threatened to make me collapse.

"No," she tried to reassure me. "My dad and his fiancée are here. Charlie proposed to Elaine, Eric Yorkie's mom. I said they could stay in this room, because I'd be with you! They're here, waiting to meet you in the Purple bar."

I tried to decipher her words.

Charlie Swan and Elaine Yorkie are here. They're not his bags?

"Oh God, please Edward. You can't think I'd...I love you, I love you, please."

I watched as Bella's face crumpled in anguish and her eyes watered. I could tell she wanted to touch me, but she stopped herself. She was worried by the look on my face.

"You didn't touch him? He didn't touch you?" I asked, my voice inflected my sadness.

"Edward," she breathed out my name with a sob, "if I live the rest of my life with only one person being able to touch me, it would be you!"

Her words didn't seem to mean anything to me, because she didn't deny touching him.

"I love you so much, Edward. Tell me you believe me! I can't lose you. I told Riley to go back to Sydney. I'll never want him. I don't love him any more. I love you."

I looked to her eyes. Tears streamed down her face, as she looked at the bed.

Her body sagged in defeat and she wrapped an arm around her waist as if she was in pain.

Bella, please look at me!

Like she'd read my thoughts, her head slowly lifted and her eyes held mine for a few sublime seconds.

It seeped slowly into my bloodstream—her love—the love that, for the last few hours, I'd been trying to convince myself she still held for me.

I could see it, blended in the reflection of the light from the floor lamp. It shined in the warmth of her deep brown eyes, so vibrant even with dark, wet eyelashes.

Her love, juxtaposed with the expression of horror that I would think she didn't love me, or that she would have ever let him touch her.

The buzz of our connection seemed to crackle through the air and into me. Bella looked like she was holding her breath.

She didn't sleep with him. They're not his bags, and she didn't touch him. She doesn't love him. She loves me.

All I could do in that moment was walk forward and pull her into my arms.

I felt the zinging pulse of bliss zap through my whole body as soon as I touched her. I heard Bella whimper and exhale loudly.

Relief that every worry I'd constructed in the last few hours was simply in my head. I should have never have doubted the strength of her love, never.

But I had, I had assumed…

Stupid! I'm such an idiot!

Bella's lips were hot through the thin cotton of my t-shirt as she breathed in and out against my chest and squeezed her arms around my body tightly.

"I love you. I love you, Edward." she chanted.

"I'm sorry..." I lamented. "I love you."

I let myself absorb her touch. My body slowly came back to itself. The nausea went away.

"Your phone message was…I shouldn't have jumped to conclusions." I said as I lifted my hand to touch her silky hair.

"Please believe me, I would never...I don't, I'll never want anyone but you." she said and I felt her inhale. She moved her lips to my neck and placed a soft, wet kiss there. "You didn't hear my entire message."

She didn't phrase it as a question.

"No..." I replied.

"Edward, can we stay in your room, just for tonight?" she said breathlessly against my throat.

"You want to stay here instead of Kate's?" I asked.

"My dad is here...I want to spend the day with him and Elaine tomorrow, and then I want to stay with you at the B&B."

"Is he still here?" I asked. The thought of him still being in this hotel made me nervous.

Surely he wouldn't come all this way to simply give up?

"I don't know. I told him to go back to Sydney then I walked away. The lift took me to the parking garage, that's why my phone dropped out in the middle of my message."

I pulled her closer, my lips found her temple and I kissed her.

"I really want you to meet my dad officially, as my boyfriend." she whispered the last word.

Boyfriend.

The word still sounded so lame. She'd whispered it as if it was still a secret. I didn't want it to be a secret. I wanted everyone to know, and yet, I wanted to protect her just as fiercely.

It's Charlie Swan's day, but as soon as I have a chance to speak to him alone, I'm going to make sure he knows that I want Bella to be mine forever.

He needs to know my intention. I'm going to marry his daughter. Bella is my soul mate. Bella will be my lover, my friend, my wife, mother of my children, my everything.

I took in a deep breath.

"I need to change clothes before I meet them. Why don't you go up and I'll be there in fifteen minutes."

I needed to compose myself. Only a few short minutes ago, I was convinced that I'd lost her forever. The fact that I'd stared at Chief Swan's razor in the bathroom and thought it was another man's, made me light-headed.

"I don't want be apart from you," she whispered. "I want..."

Once again, I'd been so caught up with my feelings I neglected to acknowledge what she must be feeling. Her ex-boyfriend had said who knows what to her and I'd practically accused her of sleeping with him.

"What do you want?" I asked calmly.

"I want to walk into the bar with you. I want my hand in yours, I don't care who sees us. I want my dad to know you're with me, that I love you and that you're...mine."

"Bella..."

My hand glided up her arm and I held my palm softly against her cheek, coaxing her face to lift towards mine.

Her eyelashes were still wet. She looked apprehensive.

All I wanted to do was kiss her, to reassure her, but I could still taste the after-burn of bile searing my throat.

"Grab what you need. I'll have a quick shower before we go to the bar together."

She smiled and bit her bottom lip. I couldn't hold her gaze then. It threatened to completely undo me.

Why does she have to be so alluring, so sensual and addictive?

I pulled her close and then I kissed her neck, slowly, softly.

She's all I want.

When I eventually released her, her eyes were heavy, her breathing was accelerated and I could literally sense how much effort it took her to pull away from me.

She's just as addicted to the feeling as I am.

Bella picked up a black backpack and then took my hand.

We didn't speak as we ascended in the elevator to the 34th floor.

The silence continued until we walked into the suite's bedroom. The sight was familiar, yet it seemed as though it had been a lifetime since I actually slept there.

The thick gold drapes were drawn closed, the bed turned down with a wrapped chocolate on the pillow.

"I won't be long." I said, leaving Bella standing by the bed as I rushed into the bathroom and locked the door.

I brushed the stinging taste of vomit from my mouth. I covered my face in cleanser to ensure the residue of makeup would come off in the shower.

I tried—in the few minutes that I allowed myself to simply stand under the steady stream of hot water—to dispel the negativity that I'd let eat away at me since I heard her message.

After I've met Chief Swan and Eric Yorkie's mom officially, I'll bring Bella back here. I'll tell her everything I was thinking and feeling. We'll be OK, and if Alice really does show up tomorrow, or even in a few days, I can tell Bella about the dream, about our connection.

She needs to know everything before I propose.

~0~

A/N: Thanks to mpg for her help with this chapter ((hugs you)). I also want to thank the readers that checked in with me to give me so much encouragement (yeah, because I'm so slow to update). I love you all, and I love your support so much!

Hello to my new readers—no doubt from the rec of Episode for 'fic of the week' over at The Lemonade Stand! Thank you all for reading, and to the unknown person(s) that nominated the story, I could simply kiss you!

I don't expect reviews, but I reply to them all (unless you leave them as a 'guest', in which case, I cannot reply). I love hearing your thoughts! Luv BBxx