Twenty-One

"Although I thoroughly enjoy our sexual repartee, we need to dim it down significantly before we get to the airport. I do not want Renée to catch on to our voracious activities in bed," I joke as Edward drove on the highway to Seattle. We were heading over to pick up my mother from Sea-Tac and I couldn't wait to see her. The last time we got together was when I visited her and Phil for spring break over a year ago.

"I'll keep my salacious thoughts to myself, although I can't say that I'll behave when we get home tonight. I haven't had enough time to play with your body yet," Edward grinned devilishly, taking his eyes off the road to look at me, his eyes gleaming with wicked desire.

"I believe you done that three times this morning." I was getting hot thinking about how many times he made me cum earlier and I wanted more. He made me wild with lust and it was hard to control around him.

"Surely, you don't think that was enough?" He questioned. He didn't take his eyes off the road this time but he still had that smirk on his face.

"Of course not."

"Alright, then it's settled. I'm gonna worship your body and make you cum so many times, you'll lose count. I'm gonna wear you out until you can't take it anymore," he said darkly, his voice thick with lustful promise. My body buzzed with anticipation and I felt flushed with desire. I stared at him hungrily and he met my gaze. He chuckled and went back to keeping his eyes on the road, fully aware of the effect his words had on me. I was unbearably wet and there was nothing I could do about it because we just got off the exit to the airport. I put aside the imagery of Edward following through his promises and focused.

We were hour early, sitting patiently for Renée's arrival. Before long, we heard the announcement that her plane had landed over the intercom and we went to stand near the gate. I watched the passengers pass through the gate until I saw the bundle of energy that was my mother hurriedly coming towards me. Her broad smile and bright blue eyes warmed me and I met her halfway, embracing her. "Oh Bella honey, it feels so good to see you. I missed you," she said excitedly, placing a kiss on my forehead.

"I missed you too, mom," I said with a smile.

She pulled back a little, staring me in the eyes before looking at the man to my left. Her eyes widened in surprise and without taking her eyes off of him she asked, "Bella, who is this handsome young man standing next to you?" She was awestruck and I giggled at her expression. I honestly couldn't blame her; Edward was dazzlingly beautiful.

"Mom this my boyfriend, Edward."

"It's a pleasure meet you, Mrs. Dwyer." Ever the charmer, he gave her a megawatt smile and I swear Renée nearly swooned.

"Please, call me Renée," she said batting her lashes at him. Edward erupted in laughter, thoroughly amused by her flirtatiousness.

"Oh my gosh mom, stop flirting with my boyfriend," I said in mock annoyance.

"Honey, he's gorgeous. I'm a happily married woman but I'm not blind," she laughed.

Edward looks between us with a ghost of a smirk on his lips, clearly amused by the playful banter between my mother and I. "I have to say the similarities between you two are strikingly uncanny, but not in a bad way."

"Don't worry dear. We're definitely used to everyone saying that," Renée chuckled as she patted Edward on the shoulder before focusing back on me. "Shall we go?" I nodded and Edward grabbed her luggage walking ahead of us. We followed him out of the terminal with our arms wrapped around each other as we chatted like old times.

"That man is over the moon for you, Bella," she whispered to me like it was a secret.

"I know," I said smiling, thoroughly pleased I knew just how much.

My mother was my best friend and after everything that happened with Charlie, I vowed to spend as much time with my family as I could. I realized how much time I missed and I wouldn't allow myself to fall off again. When we got back to the hospital, Renée immediately went straight to Sue and embraced her. She murmured words of hope and positivity, shedding a few tears when she finally sat in the chair beside Sue that was next to my father's bed. Renée leaned over his still form and placed a kiss on his forehead, whispering something into his ear. I watched silently in the corner, praying to God that my father would wake up soon.

Later that night, Edward dropped my mom off at the Charlie and Sue's home and we went back to the cottage. I was drained, both physically and emotionally and wanted nothing more than to curl into myself. Edward, seemingly intuitive of my current distress, took my hand in his own and led me to the bedroom, stopping in front of the bed before turning around to face me. He began to undress me, not in a sexual manner but to simply get me out of my clothes. He didn't look down at my body, not even when he removed my undergarments. He led me to the master bath attached to the room and started the shower, testing and adjusting the water to the desired temperature. Edward stripped until he was naked as me and wordlessly gestured for me to step into the shower. He followed behind, encasing us in the billowing steam from the water and wrapped his arms around me.

The water sluiced over our skin as he pressed his body against mine and I was instantly comforted. He washed my body and shampooed my hair silently, never uttering a word. He took care of himself before he shut off the water and stepped out, grabbing a towel to dry me and then himself off. Edward once again took my hand and led us back into the bedroom. He turned down the sheets and motioned for me to get in. I settled into the bed sheets, loving how the softness and warmth of them felt against my naked skin. Edward turned off the lights and slid in beside me, pulling the sheets over us. I immediately shifted my body closer to his, wanting to feel intimacy, not sexually but for the need to be held. Edward gave that to me and so much more; skin on skin, soft breaths inhaling and exhaling, just existing in this moment. My head rested on his chest as he lightly dragged the pads of his fingers up and down along the length of my back. I nestled closer to the warmth of his body and listened to the steady thrum of his heart, utterly at peace. I began to drift off to sleep but before I fell completely under, I heard Edward faintly whisper, "I love you".