I don't own Twilight or its characters. Stephenie Meyer does.

Cheryl and Gabby, thank you for pre-reading, and April, thank you for editing. Any mistakes left are my own.

Ch. 7 Bella -17

"Italy was so romantic. I hope you have a chance to go someday," Mom gushed.

"I'm glad you had fun," I told her.

"I have something to tell you and I hope you don't get upset," she started.

"Why would I get upset?" My guard went up.

"While we were in Italy, Phil and I got married," she squealed.

"Wow, congratulations. When did you even get engaged?" I was a little confused.

When they were out here for my graduation in June they never mentioned anything. Phil didn't seem the type to be spontaneous.

"We skipped over that part and got married in small little chapel on a whim," she explained.

"Are you pregnant?" I joked…sort of.

"Of course not. Making that mistake once was enough," she said nonchalantly.

I bit my lip, speechless and a little hurt.

"I didn't mean you, sweetie. You're not the mistake. Getting married just because I was pregnant was. Charlie and I work better as co-parents than we did as husband and wife," she rushed to explain, which made me feel much better.

"Speaking of pregnancies, are you and Edward being safe?" she questioned.

"Jeesh, Mom, we haven't gotten that far." I was glad Edward wasn't with me at the moment.

"Really? You guys have been together for so long, I assumed you had." She seemed surprised.

"True, but a majority of the time is emails, video chats, and texting," I explained.

"I keep forgetting. Anyways, I'm hoping you'll come out next month for a wedding party before you go to school. I really want you here, and you can even bring Edward if you'd like. Though, Phil is very old fashioned and won't let you share a room." Mom was very excited.

"I'll ask him," I told her.

"That sounds great. I've got to go, I'm supposed to meet Phil at the club. Bye, sweetie, talk to you soon."

I no sooner hung up the phone than it beeped with an in-coming text.

We're finally here. Come meet me at the house.

I answered him quickly and then checked my appearance before running out the door. Feeling like giving my legs a stretch, I decided to run the path to the Cullen's house. I slowed when I reached the car and Dr. Cullen came out of the house, jogging down the steps.

"Bella, good to see you again. Congratulations on being your school's salutatorian," he greeted me.

"Thank you, Dr. Cullen," I said politely.

"Enough of the formalities, you're an adult now, you can call me Carlisle," he insisted.

"Yes, sir…Carlisle." I corrected myself.

A pair of arms wrapped around me and pulled me back against his chest. "Hey, Love, I've missed you." Edward kissed my cheek.

"I've missed you too." I turned and hugged him, wanting to keep it PG in front of his uncle.

It sent a little thrill thru me that he had officially exchanged Boo for Love. I was counting down the days until we were at school together. I was excited and a tiny bit nervous that we'd finally be able to date like a regular couple.

"Have you eaten lunch yet?" he asked.

"No." I shook my head.

"How about we pack something real quick and take it out on the boat?" Edward suggested.

"Sounds great to me." I followed him back into the house.

"Where is everyone else?" I asked as we gathered stuff to make sandwiches.

"The girls are in New York. Emmett is working and will come out next week. And I don't think Jasper will make it again this year," Edward answered, finding a small cooler from the closet.

"Wow, it's going to be very quiet," I commented.

"Just the way I like it." Edward kissed me lightly. "Hurry up."

"What's the rush?" I leaned toward him, hoping for another kiss.

"As quiet as it is, we're still not quite alone." He lowered his voice.

"Then what are we waiting for?" My smile widened

Days

I tucked the strands of my hair behind my ear that the wind had ripped loose. Edward sped as fast as was allowed through the lake.

"I talked to my mom earlier today. She and Phil returned from Italy, and apparently they got married spur of the moment while over there," I yelled loud enough to be heard.

Edward slowed the boat. "What?"

"I said my mother called to tell me she got married in Italy," I told him.

He forced a smile, clearly still not a fan of her. "That's great."

"Phil and her are having a celebration in a month. She said I could invite you along," I told him.

"I'm sorry I can't," Edward said.

"I haven't even told you the exact date yet." I frowned.

"My father wants me interning at his office. It was all I could do to convince him to let me come these two weeks," he apologized.

"Oh. I understand." I nodded. "Did you get your dorm assignment yet? I got into McCarty." I hoped we were in the same one if not close to each other.

"I don't remember the name." He shrugged before speeding up again.

"Are you sure the boat isn't too big for the cove?" I asked, glancing around nervously.

"I'm sure. Emmett takes it in here all the time," Edward promised.

Edward cut the motor and walked to the stern to lower the anchor. He lifted up one the seats and pulled out a large blue canvas that was used to make a top. He returned to the bow and started to snap it in place.

"Would you like a hand?" I offered.

"I got this, but could you take the seat cushions and make a spot for us on the floor?" he asked.

"Sure," I agreed.

I grabbed the bench cushions and laid them out in the center of the space. While Edward was finishing up, I pulled off my rash guard and after a moment's hesitation my shorts too. I leaned back on the cushions, propping myself up by my elbows.

"This reminds me of your old tent," I commented.

"My wha—" Edward looked over his shoulder and stopped speaking abruptly.

His eyes roamed my body and his jaw slacked. He was so distracted that the wind whipped the cover out of his hands. He snapped back to attention to finish securing it. By this time, I was eyeing a different tent.

"Are you trying to kill me?" Edward grinned wryly, kneeling down and crawling toward me.

I smirked. "Silly Teddy, if I was trying to kill you, I would have already done it. I've been watching old MacGyver episodes with my dad—all I need is a paperclip."

Edward snickered. "Well then, I'm glad there aren't any paperclips on board."

"Are you hungry?" I asked him.

"Not for food." Edward settled beside me and ran his hand from my hips, along my side, until he cupped my breast. "You know, they were right. If we kept sleeping in my tent we would've easily gotten carried away."

"Are you saying you want to bird and the bees me?" I teased as my heart started pounding in my chest.

His nose wrinkled. "I'm never going to live that down, am I?"

"With a cousin like Emmett, probably not?" I giggled.

"What if I told you yes?" Edward became more serious, and butterflies fluttered in my belly.

"Then I'd say what are you waiting for?"

"Lay back." Edward kissed and lowered me.

His hand left my breast and dipped into my bikini bottoms. His thumb played with my clit while two fingers slowly pushed in and out. I arched my back and moaned, Edward's mouth moved to my breast, nosing the fabric of my top out of the way so he could suck lightly on my nipple.

I reached out to graze his cock with my fingertips. His eyes closed, and his mouth hummed around my sensitive flesh. Feeling bold, I stroked him through the fabric, then gripped the waistband and began to push them off, letting his erection spring free.

"Fuck, love, you keep that up and we'll finish before we barely get started," he panted.

"Do you want me to stop?" I was surprised how husky my voice sounded.

"Hell, no. I just need to grab something first." He pressed a kiss to my lips before stretching for the lunch bag behind me.

As Edward moved, his cock trailed from my belly button all the way to the valley of my breasts. My breath hitched as I felt it pulsate against them and his tip leaked a bead of fluid on to my skin.

"Sorry," Edward mumbled when he realized his position.

"Don't be," I said shyly.

He rolled to his side and held a small foil packet in his hand. I watched with anticipation as he opened it and slid the rubber into place. He looked at me expectantly, and I nodded before removing my bottoms, tossing them to the side.

"You're so beautiful. I love you, Bella," he whispered as he hovered over me.

"I love you, too," I responded, spreading my legs for him to lie between them.

"I don't know how to do this without hurting you." His expression became nervous.

I shrugged. "It only hurts the first time, right? We won't have to worry about it after today."

"Already, planning for more?" he teased.

"Absolutely." I was confident we wouldn't be able to keep our hands off each other after this.

Days

Toward the end of the second week, we were out on the jet ski when thunderheads started building. We raced back to shore, and Edward insisted I sit in front of him while he drove. We still weren't back when rain started to pelt us and the wind picked up.

"Cut the engine. We just passed the marker," I yelled to be heard.

"When we're bit closer. The current is working against us," Edward told me as he slowed.

Edward got us as close to the dock as he could. "Hold it steady," he told me.

I nodded as I took over the steering. Edward jumped out and slid a little on the planks before he regained his balance. He managed to tie up both ends before stretching his hand out for me.

"Be careful, it's very slippery," he called over the wind.

We made it off the dock and broke out into a run for the Cullens, holding hands. By the time we made it through the front door, it was pouring, and we were soaking wet.

"Hold on, they just came in the door." Emmett was speaking into the phone. "Okay, will do." He hung up.

"Dang, we were about to call out the coast guard on you two. Dad and Chief are at the Swan place, looking for you," Emmett said.

"We headed back as soon as we saw the storm, unfortunately it was faster," Edward told him. "Could you get us towels so Aunt Esme doesn't have a fit for us getting water through the house."

"Be right back." Emmett took off down the hall.

"Brrrr." I rubbed my arms. I was cold from the air conditioner and being wet.

"I know how to warm you up." Edward took over rubbing my arms.

"A hot shower," I suggested.

"For two." Edward waggled his eyebrows.

"Nice try, but not with your cousin in the house to rag on us for years to come." I shook my head with a smile.

"You have a point," Edward reluctantly agreed.

"Who has a point?" Emmett asked, tossing towels at us.

"Bella. Soup and grilled cheese after we take separate showers," Edward said, wrapping the first towel around me.

"I can get things started," Emmett said.

"You know how to cook?" I asked in surprise.

"I'm a jack of all trades, Tommy." He grinned.

I held up my thumb and pointer finger, with a small amount of space between them. "And you were this close to being nice."

Emmett laughed as he headed for the kitchen. I followed Edward up the stairs to the second floor. He grabbed some clothes out of his drawers and handed it to me.

"I think these are couple years old, they should fit you. Take my shower, and I'll go borrow another one," he said.

I was barely in the shower a couple of minutes when I heard thunder over the running water. Knowing better than to stay in, I quickly jumped out and got dressed. I went for the kitchen and figured at least the food would be able to warm me up.

"I can't believe you haven't told her," Emmett said angrily.

"I will," Edward said.

"This has gone on way too long. You should've told her years ago and not led her on," Emmett argued.

"I didn't lead her on. I do love her, and the thought of hurting her is killing me," Edward stated.

"She's going to know sooner than later. Especially when she shows up a U-Dub and finds out you never even applied to go there."

"What?" I cried out, stepping further into the room.

Edward whipped around, the shock of me overhearing was evident on his face. "I…I thought you were taking a shower."

"I didn't think it was safe with all the thunder and lightning. You never even applied?! What the hell?!"

Edward rounded on Emmett. "Are you happy now?"

"Don't blame him. He hasn't done anything. In fact, it has never been him, but you always blame him," I snapped.

"I'm going to make my self scarce." Emmett backed out the kitchen.

"I was going to tell you," Edward said quietly.

"When? You had countless opportunities, like when we talked about places to go in Seattle. Or moving in together our second year. Or I don't know, last week when I asked what dorm you were in and you played dumb." My voice got louder and louder with each sentence.

"Love—"

"Don't call me that."

"Boo—"

"Not that either." I huffed.

"I'm sorry. I didn't want to hurt you, and once I told you it would become too true. My father put his foot down and is insisting it's time I started working with him and going to school Chicago," he insisted, taking a step toward me.

I took one back, not wanting him too close at the moment. "If you had told me, I could've applied to schools in there."

"You can't come to Chicago." Edward shook his head.

"Why not?" My heart was starting to shatter. As mad as I was, I wasn't ready to call quits just yet.

"Because."

"That's not a reason. How can we ever move forward if we live in separate states?" I saw the answer in his eyes. "You don't intend to, do you? So what, you wanted to fuck me a few times, all while you planned to dump me at the end of the two weeks?" My chest hurt so bad, I wondered if people my age could have heart attacks.

"Don't call it that," Edward implored.

"Isn't that what it was?" I shrugged.

"I made love to you. I love you. My time here and you are my escape from real life," he stated.

I froze and blinked a few times. "Our relationship was never real to you?"

"I didn't say that." He ran his hand through his hair, tugging on it.

"You definitely implied it," I scoffed.

"Because even though I love you, I know it won't end well." He barely spoke above a whisper.

"Ouch. You're right. If you're not willing to fight for us, then it won't ever work," I said dejectedly. "You know what, I'm beating you to the punch—We. Are. Done!"

I headed for the front of the house.

"Where are you going?" Edward was following me.

"Home." I yanked open the door.

He slammed it shut before I could exit. "It still storming out there. You're not going anywhere. It's not safe."

"You don't get to tell me what I am or am not going to do." I pulled it open again.

"Bella." His eyes narrowed, and he grabbed my arm.

"Edward, let go of her." Emmett spoke up, rising from the couch.

Edward's grip loosened, and I used the distraction to run for it. He hollered my name and chased after me. I pumped my legs all the more faster, knowing I was quicker than him. A huge crack and crash had me whirl around to see a large tree branch in the path between us. Edward stood on the other side and met my eyes with an apologetic look. I stared at him for a moment before turning away. I continued my sprint for the cabin, my tears mixing in with the rain.

My heart was in shatters and my mind couldn't wrap around what had happened. One minute we were happy, and now, everything came crashing down like the branch.

A/N: Ummm…tissues anyone? I'm sorry it was hard to do but you had to know it was coming at some point soon. Next chapter will be the last big time jump for the foreseeable future. (I'm not counting a future/epilogue) So after the last chapter I will stop listing the ages.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me.

Side note: My beta released her last book in Dirty Lion series, Their Dirty End yesterday. Her penname is Faye Byrd and you can find it on Amazon.