Previously…

"Wait, Edward we aren't near finished." James pleaded.

Edward stopped abruptly and turned. "Bella take Timmy with you please." The look on his face made her nervous and she didn't want Timmy around him like this. She had an idea what was coming. She waited for Timmy and led him to the kitchen.

"James." He said roughly. "You do not ever tell me when we are finished. I have to talk to Bella before you can arrange anything anyway, so get off my back."

"We don't have a lot of time."

Edward shot him a look and turned, "I said I will handle it, I'll call you by this afternoon. Now, get out." He didn't stay to see him leave. He simply went to find Bella. She looked up not questioning his face.

"Would you like blueberry pancakes?"

"Yes baby, that would be lovely." She could see his jaw clinching and his muscles were tense. Pouring him some coffee she set it in front of him not wanting to push the issue. He grabbed her wrist before she turned.

"Thank you love." He smiled and kissed the inside of her wrist before releasing it. She winked and went back to cooking. He turned to Timmy, "So, son how are you this morning?"

After breakfast Timmy went to his room to play. She watched Edward carefully knowing something was off. He seemed distant and was looking out the window deep in thought. She massaged his shoulders for a moment then slid her arms around his neck from behind.

"Everything ok?" She whispered against his warm skin.

He sighed, "Come here love." He pulled her around and into his lap. "I am afraid I have some bad news."

"Ok." She didn't get upset. She just wanted him in a better mood. She could only imagine what James had said. He kissed her nose as his right hand came up to caress her cheek. "I love you."

"I love you too, what's wrong?"

His forehead rested against hers and with a sigh he spoke, "I have to start filming next week. Something happened and they moved the dates up on me."

"That's fine Edward. I mean we knew you were going to do two films anyway." She tried to relax him but it didn't work.

"I know. I just wanted more time with you. I had no idea I would be traveling this quick, will you come?"

"How can we work that and keep Timmy safe?"

"Well, simple. We come in at different times. We'll have to be careful with venturing out, but really it's kind of secluded anyway. We should have plenty of alone time. The body guards always check everything out. You and Timmy have two of your own now."

"Wait, what?" Her eyebrow raised as her face turned upset. He felt her tense, "Baby, you have to. I wish it wasn't this way but I am still an actor, you have to be kept safe."

"What are we going to tell Timmy?"

"Nothing, he thinks they are daddy's friends. That is all he needs to know." She shook her head sliding out of his lap. It was the price of fame, and she knew there were many sacrifices she would have to make in order for this to work. She didn't like the idea of being surrounded by bodyguards all of the time but she had little choice. Even if she wanted out, Timmy was and would always be Edward's son.

She washed the dishes and began to stack them in the dishwasher in an attempt to clear her now cluttered mind. She could feel his body close even before he kissed her neck. "Please tell me this is ok Bella."

"Edward, I'll adjust. It's just odd to me right now."

"It won't be this way forever love. I promise, you just have to give me time." He pleaded holding her flush against him. She watched him turn off the water and turn her around to face him. Reaching around her he grabbed the towel on the cabinet and dried her hands.

"Bella, we knew this would be difficult at first. It will all work out in the end. We just have to look at the big picture."

"Which is?"

"You and I married with a houseful of happy children." He tossed the towel lifting her chin, "We will have our chance to be alone and live a somewhat normal life. You just have to stay with me and weather the temporary storm."

"I'm not going anywhere handsome." She gripped his silky hair pulling him close. "I like it too much being with you. No one else fits."

"Exactly." He whispered against her soft, pink lips before kissing her deeply. She giggled as he lifted her legs around him and pulled away carrying her towards the living room. "I'll get James to make arrangements and then we'll go over the details."

"All right." She said unsure. He looked at her strange as he sat down resting her on his lap. "Why do you look worried?" She ran her hand down his chest, "I don't know. I mean James seems to have a grudge against me or something."

"Bella, it's just his personality. He thinks women are toys that are easily tossed away."

"Even Evangeline?" She asked now wondering what in the world she would be doing with a man like James. He nodded, "Yes, but there is a difference. Vangie just uses him to. It's good for them both right now. They'll break up in time. Vangie is a sweet girl, she can do better."

"I thought she seemed nice."

"She is. She can go if you would like. She loves to travel with him and it would give you someone to visit with while I am filming."

"I think that would be fun."

He nodded, "I'll let him know. We should probably check on Timmy." She stood handing him his cell, "You do your business I want you all mine this afternoon."

"Yes ma'am." He replied with a sexy grin.

She checked on her son who was playing happily and wondered back downstairs. Hearing a knock she looked towards the door. Edward winked as he passed and took her hand. He opened it with a smile, "Hello sister."

"Hey big brother." She hugged him and then Bella dragging Jasper behind.

"Where is the sweet pumpkin?" She asked looking around. Edward tilted his head, "His room."

"K, well you two enjoy your day." She happily bounced up the stairs. Jasper shrugged, "Guess I'll wait here, I am sure she'll have him down here before long."

"Did you get to talk?" Edward asked with a serious expression. Jasper smiled, "Let's just say it was eventful." They both laughed. Bella didn't want to guess what they were talking about, she already had the idea.

"So…you are taking me somewhere?" Bella questioned. He pulled her hand, "Yes, come on let me change." She sat cross legged on the bed while he changed.

"Where are we going?"

"Not telling." He replied back.

"Well am I dressed ok? I mean is jeans and a shirt ok?" She asked watching him pass again. She admired the way his jeans hugged his legs. He slid a T-shirt over his head, "Yes." She smiled grabbing a ponytail holder and putting her hair up as he slipped on his shoes.

"Will I like this surprise?"

"I hope so." He pulled her close, "It's just us, no security."

"Is that safe?" She was now concerned. He chuckled, "Yes, I made preparations." He took her hand leading her out and downstairs. Timmy looked up from his game and smiled, "Look mommy, Uncle Jasper got me a new game."

"I see. Do you like it?"

"I do, daddy do you want to play?" He asked with a sweet smile. Edward walked in and knelt beside him, "Daddy and mommy are going to go out for a while ok?"

"I'm staying with Aunt Alice and Uncle Jasper?"

He nodded, "If it's ok with you. I have to leave someone to watch my house you know. Alice can get pretty messy. Do you think you can do that?"

"I'll watch it for you daddy, she'll be good for me I know it." Edward chuckled and Alice just winked at him. Bella kissed him bye and followed Edward to his silver Volvo.

"No Mercedes?" She questioned with a smile. He opened her door, "I like to dress down every now and then you know." Smirking she kissed him, "I like to undress you every now and then."

"Bella Swan!" He pretended to be offended. "I think you are sexually harassing me, suddenly I feel very uncomfortable."

"Want me to help you feel more comfortable?" She asked with a seductive look on her face as her hand reached for his jeans. He chuckled jumping back, "You are a naughty girl. I would love to see just how naughty, but I do have plans. Get in gorgeous."

He started the car and they headed out. He took her hand in his, "I like the playful side of you. I have missed it everyone here is so tense all the time."

"You make them crazy that's why." She teased.

"You know there is probably some truth to that." Arriving at their destination she looked around, "The building is beautiful. What is this place?"

"The Getty Villa, I had some special requests made."

"Like what?" She took his hand as he led her up to the entrance. He chuckled, "You'll see." They walked in and her mouth dropped in amazement. It was so beautiful. The architecture was amazing. He turned pulling both her hands, "Let's look around. I knew you would appreciate the beauty here. It doesn't have Scottish influence, but just the same."

"You looked for something Scottish?" She looked amazed.

"It is your history love. I do pay attention believe it or not. I just thought until we have more time this would be a nice place to visit." She felt her heart swell. He had done all of this for her. She knew they often talked about their history when they were young, but she hadn't really given it much thought since then.

They walked around hand in hand. He simply smiled enjoying the happiness that radiated off of her. This was when he felt complete when she was in his arms and smiling. They finally ended up on the Outer Peristyle. The view of the Pacific Ocean was breathtaking.

He slid his arms around her small waist. "What do you say to a picnic lunch?"

"Here?"

"Yes, I wanted time alone in a beautiful place. I thought lunch here would be nice." She smiled inhaling his sweet sent deeply, "I think that is very romantic."

"Good. I had hoped you would." He lifted her small frame in his arms and carried her to a small table set up for them. Pulling his chair beside her he grabbed a strawberry.

"I think this trip will bring us closer." He said as he pressed the juicy strawberry to her lips. She smiled taking a small bite, closing her eyes and enjoying the taste that was bursting in her mouth. She reached for a paper towel but he stopped her.

"I got it."

Tilting her delicate face with his long fingers, he ran his tongue over her chin catching the stray juice. She held her breath trying not to groan. In return she grabbed a piece of pineapple slipping it in his accepting mouth.

"Why do you say that? About the trip I mean?" She questioned. He grabbed a grape rubbing it teasingly across her lower lip, "Look at us now, do I really need to go deeper?"

"Depends on what you are talking about." She bit the grape with a sly smile. He groaned inhaling deeply, "You need to stop giving me those thoughts you little vixen. I am trying to be sweet and romantic here and you are turning me into a pervert."

"I am not. I have no idea what you are talking about." She feigned innocence.

"Yeah, whatever gets you through the day." He replied slipping a bite of apple in her mouth and kissing her soft lips. She tasted like fresh fruit and it was such a wonderful taste. She closed her eyes in bliss only to open them when she felt his warm stare.

"What's wrong?" She wondered why he had suddenly become so quiet. His gaze fixed on her face. He kissed her neck, "I have something for you, I am just a little nervous."

"Why?" She turned her body to face him more, her hands resting on his lap. "Why are you nervous baby?"

He smiled the sexiest little smile she had ever seen then moved closer, "I love when you call me that."

"Baby?"

"Yes." He stroked her cheek, "I want to give you something. It's something very special to me and I know it would be safe with you." His lips pressed against her warm temple. His fingers dropped to lift her chin, "Bella, I love you."

"I love you too."

"I have had this since before I left. I wanted to give it to you on your eighteenth birthday and well…things happened that made that difficult to arrange." She watched as he slipped a box out of his pocket and opened it slowly.

"This was my grandmothers. My grandfather gave it to her when they decided to get married. It was passed on to my father who gave it to Esme when they got serious. I would like to give it to you now."

"What does it mean?" She asked still in shock. He slid the ring out and placed it on her small finger. "It means we are one, it means you want to spend your life with me. It's kind of a promise ring so to speak."

"It's beautiful." She said quietly looking at the intricate details. It was simple but so perfect. He rested his hand on hers. "I would have given it too you sooner, it is kind of late since we went in reverse having Timmy and all, but it means the same to me."

"Are you promising yourself to me?" She asked watching his bright eyes for an answer. He smiled kissing her hand then returning his eyes to hers. "I am. You've always had my heart Bella, there can be no other." He watched the various expressions that fell upon her face, excitement, awe, love, worry…wait worry?

"Is everything ok? Bella, you don't have to accept this now. I can…" She turned kissing him hard. He chuckled catching them both before the toppled over in the chair.

"I love it Edward it's perfect. I am just surprised. I didn't expect it."

"Is it too soon? I mean it's not an engagement ring or anything, not yet anyway." He teased tickling her. She gasped trying to protect her ribs. "Why not?"

He stopped in shock, "What? Did you want…" He swallowed hard as a lump formed in his throat. "Did you want an engagement ring? I can…I mean I thought I was moving too fast and you… but I can get one, really if it's what you want then…"

She giggled at him fumbling over his words and suddenly nervous. A sheen of sweat now covered his brow.

"Edward it's quite fine. It's perfect. I don't need an engagement ring yet. I was playing with you, but it was quite interesting to see you get so worked up about it. Not ready for the walk down the isle yet I take it?"

"Actually no." Seeing her expression he immediately began to back track, "I mean not quite yet. I would if it was what you wanted. I know we would be happy, but it would be too soon and I'm not sure that it wouldn't really send us into a downward spiral."

"Why do you say that?"

He kissed her cheek returning to the food and feeding her a grape.

"I think we haven't dealt with the inevitable yet, and I think it could be devastating if you didn't fully know what you were getting into with me." She smiled sadly, "It scares me."

"I know." He sighed pulling her between his legs. "It scares me too, I don't want to lose you and I am not sure what your reaction will be."

"I'll handle it ok. I always do."

He buried his face in her hair, "It's hard Bella with cameras always flashing. Microphones are being stuck in your face from all angles and I can't even eat dinner in a normal place without getting assaulted by them. It's not that I am unappreciative. I love my fans and what they have done for me. I decided to live this life, not them. It is just beginning to become tiresome and I want to step away."

"As in leave the business?"

"Yes, when these films are over. I think that is a valid option." He shrugged, "I don't know if I will come back. My priorities have sort of changed, and I was thinking about maybe going back to school."

"For what?"

"Well, I was thinking of following in my father's footsteps. I mean it was always next in line if acting didn't work out. I just never wanted to do it. If I did, we could have a normal life."

"Your life will never be normal Edward. People will flock to you because you are so handsome."

"I don't care what other people do, what will you be doing?" He asked squeezing her thigh. She giggled, "I'll be your secretary fighting them off with a broomstick." He sighed, "Ah Bella, no need my heart is taken. They can't take what you already have."

"They can still grope. I don't like hands on my property." She pouted. He chuckled, "I won't let anyone grope your property but you my love."

They spent the next few hours relaxing and doing what a couple in love might do. Arriving home they walked inside smelling spaghetti.

"Look mama, look what I got." Timmy smiled eating his dinner. Bella laughed, "I see, did your Aunt Alice make that for you?"

"Yes." She turned to see Alice leaning on the sink.

Edward patted Timmy's head with a smile as he continued to walk past talking on the phone. Alice grabbed Bella's hand with a wide grin. "I knew he would give it to you, he loves you. You do know that?"

"Yes."

She pushed her small body up onto the counter top, "Bella these next few months are going to be hard. Promise me you won't give up on him." She looked at her with an odd expression, "No, why would I?" Alice didn't have time to comment before he walked back in, "James is on his way to set up our travel arrangements."

"Ok."

"Just remember what I said. We should head out. Jasper has to get up early in the morning. Work and all that fun stuff." She said with a wink. Edward walked them out while Bella started cleaning Timmy's now empty plate.

"Are you hungry?" She asked when he walked back in. He shook his head no, "Not really, it smells great though, maybe later." He lifted Timmy in his arms, "I bet I can beat you at a game of Kung Fu panda."

"No you can't you get killed on the dummy men." He said as Edward tickled him and headed to the living room, "We'll just see about that mister." She wasn't sure what Alice meant by her comment, she wanted to speak with her further but it had been interrupted. Perhaps she would call her in a day or so. She set the plate in the dishwasher and heard the door.

Seeing it was James she opened it. "Hey."

He smiled, "Hello, Bella is Edward around?" She waved him in and shut the door. He set his briefcase on the table and leaned on the living room door facing, "You want to look at the arrangements?"

"No, just leave them on the table when you are done." He answered never taking his eyes off of the game. James ran his hand through his hair, "I thought you wanted to go over them?"

"Is it really necessary that I do everything? Take care of it." He snapped. Bella looked at him funny. She knew he had snapped at James a lot. Sometimes it was warranted sometimes it wasn't. This was one of those times. She didn't trust him, but she didn't understand Edward's attitude either.

He turned, and she grabbed his arm. "I'll look at them with you, if it's ok." He was silent a moment then nodded. She followed him to Edward's office where he signed on and went through a few details with her. He explained security and how she would travel and meet up with Edward.

She nodded in understanding then as he printed a few things out she sat down, "Shouldn't Edward see this?"

"He doesn't like the details. He wants it done he doesn't care what the process is." He said softly.

Her face fell, "Well shouldn't he want to know? I mean isn't it important?"

He smirked closing his laptop and slipping the papers on Edward's desk. He leaned back, "You really have no idea have you? You have no idea who he is, who you are with. You think you know but you don't."

"What does that mean?"

That means he may love you. You may be his shiny new toy, but in the end the old Edward will come right back out. The Edward who demands things done his way, the one who barks orders and doesn't accept excuses, the one who is nothing like what he pretends to be."

"He's never pretended with me." She replied back. He sighed, "Yeah, well what do you think he is doing? Have you paid any attention to his interaction with anyone other than yourself? Maybe you should. Once he has you where he wants you it will all be the same, you will bend to his will or he will move forward. It is who he is. If you don't believe me watch for yourself."

She stood, "Why are you saying these things?" He grabbed his briefcase to head out, "You asked and I answered. I'm sorry if it is not what you wanted to hear. You may be the love of his life Bella, but he is not the same boy that left you six years ago." With that he walked out the door. She was confused. Yes, she had seen him treat James differently. Yes, he had said he was different but was he really that different? Was she so blinded by her passion she didn't see the truth?

"Bella, love come play with us." She heard him from the living room.

"Ok." She sighed. If he was different she would notice. She decided to leave it for now and headed to the living room deciding to spend time with the family she loved. She could worry later.

I did a longer chapter since I've been tied up with family things. I hope you enjoyed ;)