Twas the Friday before Christmas, and all through the fandom, everyone is happy we got rid of the randoms. Now onto Edward and his fair Bella, and how he might become, her one and only fella :)

Doors slam and the engine cranks, but I wait until I hear the distinct sound of tires crunching against snow before I turn to Edward. "I'm sorry I did that," I say, suddenly feeling self-conscious. "I hope you don't mind running me to the airport tomorrow."

"I'm not sorry." Edward smirks, dropping his throw right there in the floor and opening my blanket so he can step inside. "My only question is does it have to be tomorrow?"

My brows fly up on my forehead. "You want me to stay longer?"

"Bella," he says, and he sounds slightly frustrated. "Of course, I want you to stay. Why would you think otherwise?"

I shrug, all of a sudden finding his neck very interesting. "I crashed your parade, and my planned week is over."

He places his finger beneath my chin and tilts it upward. "You didn't crash anything. But beyond that, I'm not ready to say goodbye."

"Me either," I admit, licking my lips. "I know we agreed …"

His brows are puckered. "Agreed…"

"Never mind," I say, chickening out. "I'll stay for a few more days, but only if you're sure?"

His expression remains thoughtful, and he steps out of the blanket, guiding me by the shoulders. "Come on."

I don't question him, instead following wherever he guides, which is into the bedroom. I watch as he slips on a pair of briefs, basketball shorts, and a T-shirt before moving to the drawers where my clothes are stored. He pulls out a pair of panties, sweatpants, and a tank.

Holding them out, he says, "Get dressed."

I take them cautiously, unsure where this is going. Once I'm dressed, he takes my hand again, without a word, and leads me to the sofa. He sits and pats the space beside him. Once we're settled, he turns to me.

"I think …" He stops, shaking his head. "No. I don't think." He huffs a breath. "The impression I gave you initially was so far off base," he says, his thoughtful expression remaining. "I mean, at the time I thought what I was saying the truth, but the reality is, I had no idea what I was getting myself into."

"I … I don't understand."

"I imagine not." He huffs a laugh. "I barely do."

"Okay," I say, dragging it out. "Let's start at the beginning. What are we talking about here?"

"Everything," he replies, still being too vague for my liking.

I roll my eyes, unable to stop myself. "I'm not a mind reader, Edward," I say, getting anxious. Our week is ending, so it wouldn't be unusual to start putting some distance between us. "You took me to our room, tossed clothes at me, and then brought me back out here. You obviously have something to say, so I wish you'd get it off your chest."

"Our," he replies slowly. "You said our."

"Uh …" I pause, replaying my words.

"Our room." He's still smiling like he knows something I don't.

"Yeah, so?" My anxiety is turning to annoyance. I don't like games, and I suddenly feel like I'm being strung along for a big let-down.

"Bella," he says, sighing as he lifts one of my hands and closes it between his. "I lied to you that first day, only I didn't realize it was a lie. As a matter of fact, it wasn't a lie in the way you might think. I didn't know it was a li—"

I pull my hand from his grasp and stand, ready to flee, unsure if I'm ready for him to say the words. "You're driving me crazy here." I toss my hands in the air. "You've been babbling on and on without saying anything, and it's freaking me out."

"No!" He jumps up, horrified, grabbing my arm. "Jesus, Bella. You sure don't give a man time to find his words."

"What words?" My voice sounds as anxious as I feel.

"Gahhh." He releases my arm and claws his fingers through his wild hair as he meets my eyes. "Apparently, I don't only fuck. I fall in love, too."

An FYI—I'm publishing Operation Nail the Swan as Monster Inside Me on Amazon. I'm not telling you this to sell books but as a common courtesy. I will not be pulling the fic (unless Amazon forces me. They've already emailed about it being online), I did not change it a whole bunch, and if anyone wants the set, once they're all live, all you have to do is PM me and provide your Kindle email address, and I will send them at no cost. The final book publishes April 20.

Now—awwww he's in love!

See you Monday to start the final 3 chapters :)