A/N Thank you for waiting patiently as I walked my mama home and worked on recapturing my life beyond hers. You are a kind and gracious audience. *wipes eyes* Okay, let's peek in on Moondoggie and his Sweets.

~o0o~

Chapter Eighteen

In the early morning hours, Edward and Bella make their way to the food tent. Hand in hand, they stand watching Carlisle and Esme with heads close together and hands entwined over a shared cup of coffee. Bella smiles up at Edward whose face glows with love as he watches his parents and her heart overflows that he has them again.

The tete-a-tete ceases as Edward and Bella make their way over to the couple.

"Hey Mom, Pops," Edward kisses his mother before pulling out a chair for Bella next to her.

"Son, what has you two up so early?" Carlisle asks as he takes a sip of his coffee and smiles at Bella.

Edward drops into his seat next to Bella vibrating with excitement.

Esme gives Carlisle a glance before smiling at the grinning couple.

Edward rocks forward. "We're getting married."

Esme and Carlisle look to Bella to interpret.

She giggles and squeezes Moondoggie's hand. "What he means is, we talked last night, and we would like to get married here—soon." A fearful crease forms between her brows and she drops her eyes as Moondoggie squeezes her hand back.

Carlisle's heart gives a painful start at the thought that this gentle, sweet, lover of his son would ever question being wanted by them.

He smiles tenderly at her lowered head as Esme squeals and giggles in the seat next to him. He puts his arm around her and pulls her into his side as Bella lifts her head and shyly shares a smile with Esme.

Carlisle claps Edward on the shoulder. "Soon, well we'll definitely pitch in. What needs to be done?"

Esme stills next to him. "My God, we're in the middle of nowhere. We are going to need so much help!"

As Esme begins pushing buttons on her phone, Carlisle hollers, "Mac!"

Esme stands and walks toward the tent flap, "Alice!"

Edward looks into Bella's scared, round eyes and laughs, "Here we go, baby. No turning back now."

~o0o~

Edward and Mac follow a clipboard-wielding Carlisle from building to building taking inventory of what Esme needs to be cleaned up for the grand day.

As they walk around Bob's three bay garage, noting the rusting body parts along one wall, Carlisle throws over his shoulder, "Boys, take to heart the words of an old, married man. When it comes to the big events of life—weddings, births, funerals—just do what the women in your life tell you. Don't try to think for yourself; they will have everything sorted out." In a grim tone, he adds, "It's useless to fight it, I know."

Mac and Edward stifle snickers behind his back.

Carlisle stops and turns bringing them up short. "Alice will be arriving tomorrow, boys. It's going to get so much worse."

"Fuck," Edward gasps.

Carlisle smirks and smacks him on the back. "Yeah, Mr. 'Leave-Pops Alone-With-These-Women-For-Years', payback's a bitch."

He grabs Mac's shoulder as they both laugh at Edward's shocked face. Carlisle laughs louder adding, "Prepare to reap the whirlwind, boy."

Mac smacks his thigh and leans on Carlisle as they laugh, but Edward can't get past the fact that his pops just joked about their years of estrangement, but finds relief in the healing of the moment.

A smile spreads across Edward's face. "Thanks for the words of wisdom, Pops." He rubs the back of his neck and adds, "I'm glad Bella will never be like that."

Carlisle grabs his side in a grimace of pain as he laughs louder causing Mac to pause before joining Carlisle's new round of laughter.

Edward smirks at the two unhinged men until Mac barks out, "That's why I ain't ever gonna allow a woman to dictate my life."

Edward and Carlisle look at each other and burst into a new fit of laughter as Mac shouts, "Shut the fuck up!"

Carlisle wipes his eyes and begins to walk away, "I can't take anymore; you boys are killing me."

~o0o~

Edward spent the day working with Carlisle and Mac on rounding up men to help clean up the outside areas, taking a lunch break with Dunny and Bob for a bologna sandwich and a game of chess. He knew Bella spent the day shadowing Esme and worried she had been overwhelmed.

Now he watches his Sweets dress for dinner as he leans against the bathroom doorjamb. She hums quietly to herself as she brushes her long straight locks, pulling them forward over her shoulders to get to the ends.

A sweet little mouse, quietly happy in her work.

She stops mid-brush and catches his eye in the mirror. Found out, he comes into the room wrapping his arms around her from behind. She bumps his thigh with her hip.

"What's put that glint in your eye, Mr. Cullen?" she asks as she pushes her round little tush across his pants fly. She is sparkling—happy, and Edward's heart skips a beat.

He stills her hips and lines her up just-so before pushing forward to pin her against the vanity's edge with a heated groan.

"You," he breathes into her hair.

He runs his open mouth along her long, creamy neck, his hot breath leaving gooseflesh in its wake as his hand fists her hair.

"God—the things I want to do to you, Sweets."

His eyes lock with hers in the mirror, and he watches, transfixed, as the quivering little mouse in his arms shape-shifts and the feline eyes of a predator flicker back at him.

"Show me," she whispers.

His eye bore into hers in the reflection as he pulls back and ruts again causing her to reach back and grab two fists of pockets, her nails scraping his ass cheeks causing him to jerk forward before she holds him in place and takes over with slow gyrations causing them both to moan luxuriously. His hand snakes around her hip, and one long finger begins to run the inner seam of her boy shorts, keeping rhythm with her movements.

She pants with eyes closed as one slender arm curves around his shoulder, fisting his hair.

"We're going to be late," she moans as she arches her back and presses against his hand.

His finger stops its machinations and his hand cups her as he bites down on her shoulder. "We're going to be very late, baby," he says licking over his bite.

He pulls her hair to bring her sultry eyes to his in the mirror. "Get on my bed, Sweets, hands and knees." He releases her as a blush blooms on her chest and works its way up to her cheeks.

He smacks her fine, round ass as she hurries past him, racing toward the bed, shedding clothes as she goes. Two steps behind her, he unbuckles and unzips as she prostrates herself, her face on the coverlet, her ass in the air, rocking slowly from side to side in invitation.

He stands at the bed's edge stroking himself. She's a glorious sight spread out before him, waiting, wanting—needing.

He takes one finger and runs it slowly down her spine, between her cheeks as gooseflesh blossoms in its wake and over her rosebud to her inviting wetness as a shuddered moan overtakes her.

His voice is rough, barely controlled as he palms her ass cheeks moving and manipulating her wet core. "Baby, I want to be rough. I want to possess and control. Does that scare you?"

He kisses the juncture of her cheeks, running his tongue between them as he waits.

"No, I trust you. I—I want all of you, Edward," and with a body-rocking shudder she moans, "Show me."

He runs his finger along her folds and sinks two fingers deep into her and watches her reaction.

He begins to pump slowly, "You have control, baby, tell me to stop and I will," he says.

The gentle tone of his voice gives her confidence, and she pushes back against his hand seeking more, but when his hand comes down hard on her fleshy ass cheek a shock racing ahead of a thrill rushes through her.

"Be still. You follow me tonight," he growls. "Answer me, please."

She grins against the comforter, "Yes, Master."

She giggles when he snickers and the tension of the moment dissolves. It's just Moondoggie and his Sweets in every moment, and they relax into that surety. He knows she's with him in this, and she knows that he will keep hold of her as he leads her into deeper waters.

He grabs a fistful of her hair and pulls her flush against his chest, claiming her breast with his other hand.

She wraps her arms around him, her hands clasping the back of his strong thighs as he kneads her breast and rolls her nipple.

"It's just you and me, baby. Promise me you'll speak up," he growls against her vulnerable neck.

"I promise, Moondoggie," she pants as her blood races.

She had called him Edward before. Her 'Moondoggie' registers with him, helping him know she is comfortable in the moment. He lets a smile twitch the corner of his mouth before he schools his features and releases her with a swat at her hip.

"Make me an offering—now," he growls.

She assumes her position with her face prostrate and her ass an offering, raised to him. He follows her onto the bed and aligns himself with her wet heat.

"Good girl," he grunts as he twists her nipple and rams forward. She gasps as the pleasure-pain surges through her and before she can catch her breath, he places his hand between her shoulder blades pushing her into the mattress as he sets a punishing pace.

~o0o~

Mac and Pete are shooting hoops near Dunny's shop when a commotion in front of the garage stops the game. Mac and Pete grab their shirts as a small crowd roars in response to movement in the center of the ring of people. Mac notices the pretty silver Miata convertible off to the side as he strides into the group.

He's not sure what he expected, but a tall, blond bombshell with a biker's neck wedged under her four-inch heeled boot didn't even make the list.

"You don't touch me—ever—you little prick," the blond seethes as her boot twists causing the man's movements to still and his face to redden. The crowd, this man's supposed friends, whoops and hollers for more.

"Hey!" Mac calls over the crowd.

All eyes turn to him, including the bombshell and her footstool.

With her eyes on him, he becomes acutely aware of his nakedness and quickly wipes his face with the T-shirt before slipping it on.

"May I be of assistance, ma'am?" he asks as the crowd stills.

She looks suddenly unsure and slightly panicked.

He holds his hand out as if to calm a spooked horse. "I'm Mac, and you are?"

"Rose—Rose Hale," she says with her eyes fixed on him.

"It's nice to meet you, Rose. Can I assist you in letting this man up?" Mac walks over and peers down on Jared 'the mouth' Cameron. "Now how am I not surprised it's your mouth under that sexy boot, Jared?" The crowd laughs and out of the corner of his eye he sees the sexy blond relax a bit.

Mac rests his hands on his knees, looking the compromised man in the eye. "You gonna behave if she lets you up?"

Jared tries to nod and chokes. "Yeeees," whistles from him and he squeezes his eyes shut.

Mac looks over to the beauty and lifts his eyebrows in question.

She begins to shake as her eyes dart around the crowd. Mac shifts to draw her eyes back to him and smiles softly as their eyes lock. Slowly, cautiously she draws her boot back and men from the crowd surge forward to pull Jared off the ground, shoving a longneck in his hand with laughter and slaps on the back.

As Jared allows himself to be pulled away, Mac steps next to Rose. "Hey!"

The group turns back. "You're going to apologize to the lady, Jared," Mac says.

Rose stiffens next to him, but Jared turns to her and bobs his head, "I'm sorry for my rough ways, miss."

She sniffs crossing her arms over her chest but nods, dismissing him.

As the group thins, Mac sees Pete grab a teenager and toss him the ball as they walk back to the makeshift court.

"Rose, is that your sweet ride?" Mac asks pointing to the Miada.

She nods and takes a step closer to him as the last of the men move past her.

He angles his body between her and the men.

"I was looking for Edward Cullen, but things went south when that dick grabbed my ass," Rose says glaring in the direction of the tent city.

"Edward—you a friend of his?"

Rose frowns at him and says, "Yes, we've been friends since college. Have you seen him?"

Mac looks toward the row of RV's and rubs the back of his neck.

"Yeah, he's here, but I think he got held up. Dinner's gonna start in a few minutes. How about you stick with me, and we see when he shows."

Rose smiles shyly and tucks her glossy hair behind her ear. "Okay, is my car alright there?"

"Sure, just lock it and we'll move it after we eat," Mac smiles at her and motions toward the tent, pleased when she wraps her hand around his arm.

"Thanks, Mac, for helping me out of that jam. I guess, I may have overreacted, a smidge," she says demurely.

Mac throws his head back and barks a laugh, "—just a smidge."

~o0o~

Edward is silhouetted against the light of the open refrigerator when he hears footsteps behind him. He turns to find Mac's amused grin as he leans in the frame of the kitchen door.

"What has you up so late?" Mac asks as he moves into the room.

"All we have is yogurt and drinks in the RV, Bella needs more than that," Edward says over his shoulder as he digs around in the large fridge.

"—since you kept the poor girl from her dinner. Pete had to hold Lottie back from going looking for your Sweetness," Mac laughs.

Edward shoots him a look as he pulls a stack of containers out of the fridge, closing the door with his foot.

"What are you doing up at two in the morning?" Edward asks and then tenses, "Is Bob alright?"

"Yeah, he's fine. This is his second good night," Mac says.

"So what has you haunting the halls?" Edward presses as he sniffs potato salad and begins scooping it onto a plate. He looks up from his work as his friend hesitates.

"Well, your friend Rose rolled in tonight," Mac begins.

"What the fuck did you do?" Edward rounds the island.

Mac steps back from his friend with his hands in the air.

"Hey, slow down, cowboy, you were nowhere to be found, so I made her feel welcome, that's all," Mac says.

"How did you make her feel 'welcome,' Mac?" Edward asks shooting him a dark look as he walks back to the food.

"I walked her to the food tent and introduced her around. We sat and talked and when the crowd thinned I invited her back to my place," Mac says.

Edward's head shoots up from the cold fried chicken, "Your place?"

Mac straightens. "She's going to sleep in my RV. A lady like that doesn't sleep in a tent. She deserves the best."

Edward looks up from the fruit cocktail he's spooning. "Does she now?"

Mac looks around uncomfortably and then squares his shoulders. "So don't eat all the chicken. That shit was made for two AM raids."

Edward laughs and lets him off the hook. "Come get some," he says waving a spoon.

Mac rubs his neck as he moves to the counter and grabs two paper plates.

"Mac, she's a good girl. Don't mess with her, be straight up," Edward says without looking at his friend.

"She told me you were like a big brother to her, one of the few men in the world she trusted. I won't hurt her, man. I just want onto that woman's short list."

Edward nods and smiles as he crimps foil around Bella's plate. "Rose is a big girl, but I'm glad you've got good intentions." He pats Mac on the shoulder and picks up the two plates.

"Clean up and get the lights, will 'ya?"

Mac smiles at his friend's back, "Sure thing, buddy. Oh and I'll let Lottie loose if we don't see that little girl for breakfast. She's gotta get out of your bed sometime," Mac laughs.

"Fuck you," Edward growls over his shoulder causing Mac to laugh harder dropping potato salad on the counter.

"Shit."

~o0o~

Walking past the stillness of the slumbering tent city, Edward sees the light in Mac's RV and makes a detour.

He shifts the plates to one hand and raps on the door.

"Edward?" Rose whispers.

Edward laughs, "Hi, Rose, so you and Mac?"

"Oh, shut the fuck up and get in here. It too cold to stand here with the door open," she says as she throws the door open.

Edward steps up into the RV, and Rose closes the door behind him.

He gives her an awkward hug while balancing his plates. "I'm glad you made it. You made ridiculous time. I didn't expect you until next week," Edward says as he puts the plates on the coffee table.

He turns to see a makeup free Rose curl up on the sofa. She has pulled her hair up into a messy bun, and her over-sized tee hangs off her shoulder. She's prettier than he's ever seen her.

"I was in Vegas working for a vendor at the Car Rally, so I just came on." She looks at the plates. "I had to see what had 'The Edward Cullen' rushing to the altar. Did you knock up some little girl?" She laughs but stops when Edward doesn't. "My God, you did!"

"Fuck that, I just . . ." Edward sits forward, and his hands drop between his knees.

Rose studies him for a moment, and uncurling, leans forward. "Edward?"

He looks up into concerned eyes. "I love her, Rose. I guess I'm different with her." He shrugs. "Mac could tell you if I've changed."

She doesn't like the sound of some girl trying to change him. Edward is the most genuine person she knows. Their friendship has always been a safe place for her.

"So this girl is trying to clean you up, tame you?"

"No, not like that, Rose." Edward frowns at her aggressive tone.

"So you don't want me to talk shit around her?" she glares.

"You can talk any way you want, Rose. Just don't expect me to go ten rounds with you," Edward says.

"She got you by the short hairs, Eddie?" she teases.

He sits up straight and studies his friend. Rose is a tough cookie. She moves in men's circles and being a drop-dead beauty she learned early to drop them with her sharp tongue before they could get to her.

"I love her, Rose . . ."

"You said that already," she snaps.

"HEY! What the fuck? This isn't some skirt in a bar. This is the real deal—the one. She's good and sweet and for some fucked up reason, thinks I'm a good guy. She's one of the toughest people I've ever met, but she's been dealt a shitty hand and has taken a lot of hard knocks because of it. I'm not ever going to be the one that hurts her; that is ever anything but a safe place for her. So yeah, I'm not gonna talk shit with you." With that, the starch leaves him, and Rose watches her friend sink back into the chair.

The silence between them grows until Rose's voice brakes through, "Sooo, you're telling me you love her."

Edward looks at the pretty smartass and laughs, "Yeah, that's what I'm telling you."

She laughs shyly, and Edward realizes all of this bluster might be because Rose is afraid of losing a friend. Enter the girlfriend—Exit the pretty threat; it's happened to her many times before. He thinks of Bella's loving nature and knows that Rose is safe. Rose will just have to see that for herself tomorrow.

He sits forward. "Just be yourself, Rose. She's gonna love the girl I've loved since you slapped my butt in college."

She smirks at him, and he raps his knuckles on the coffee table. "So, you and Mac?" he gives her a smirk back.

"No—no 'me and Mac,' he was just being a gentleman and offering me better sleeping arrangements. I'm sleeping on the fold out sofa, Gossip Girl."

He laughs, "Mac's a good guy, as you know." Edward gives her a pointed look and adds, "I'm right next door if you need me. Otherwise, Bella and I will see you in the morning."

He stands, and she hands him his plates giving him a hug around his middle as he holds out his arms.

"I'm glad you're here, Rosie," he says against her hair.

"Yeah—well . . ."

He pulls back, and they smile knowingly. She pops a hip and rests her hand on it, "I'll see you tomorrow."

He meets Mac as he shuts the door.

"Dude, you've got your own woman. Go find her bed," Mac says shoulder checking Edward as he laughs.

~o0o~

Edward steals into the softly lit room and gazes on the curled form sleeping sweetly and frowns.

I took too long getting back to her; he thinks as he brushes the hair from her peaceful face.

I wore this girl out. A smile plays at his lips at that thought.

He leans forward and places his lips on her cheek. "Baby, wake up and eat a bit. I'm sorry I took so long," he coos against her petal soft skin.

He steps back as she stretches and sits up.

He watches for any stiffness or achiness as she moves. His eyes roam over the love bites on her neck and chest and the redness of her nipples, particularly her left one.

He had carried her to a warm bath and soaked with her, toweling her dry and applying arnica cream to her marks and laid her in his bed before he went to get her dinner at two in the morning.

I really am a beast. It is a wonder she didn't pass out on me.

He rubs his open palm over her breast. "How are you feeling, baby?"

She smiles dreamily at him and stretches. "Loose and toasty, Moondoggie."

He smiles down at her and breathes out, "I love you, Sweets."

She lifts his hand to her lips, "I know."

"Come let me feed you," he says pulling her toward him.

She follows willingly, and he slips a throw around her as he carries her to the living room. He places her on his lap and feeds her each bite. Her little moans and coos have his hands wandering under her blanket, but he knows she will be sore if he pushes her any farther tonight.

After they've eaten their fill, she curls against his chest.

He wraps her snug and rests his cheek on her hair.

"Moondoggie?"

"Hmm?"

"Tonight was just about the best night of my life," she whispers.

"Really, baby?"

"Yes, um—can we do it again sometime?"

He pulls his arms tighter around her, "Yes, baby, of course. I enjoyed it too. Anytime you want."

Her delicate hand fists his shirt as she ducks her head farther under his chin.

"I think I needed it, Moondoggie," she says in a quiet whisper of confession.

He begins rocking them as he ponders her words. "I need it sometimes too. It builds up in me, and I can't get enough, and I need—I need—just grrrr . . ."

"I know, just—grrr . . ." she says with a little kitten growl. He smiles into her hair, and his chest tightens with the pain of loving her so much.

He swallows thickly as his eyes sting.

"I like us," she whispers drowsily.

He kisses her forehead as a tear drops into her hair.

"I like us too," he says as her breathing deepens in slumber.

~o0o~

A/N My deepest thanks to Ipsita who graciously pre-read a section of this chapter, helping me feel confident in its continuity with future chapters. And to PixieKat07 for kindly stepping in and beta'ing this chapter while our SunflowerFran is on vacation. I am in your debt ladies.