Title: Wait for You

By: Liz

Rating: M

Disclaimers: The characters are not mine, any and all music is not mine, only the plot and my words belong to me.

Notes: A million and a half thanks to goo82 for being so awesome and being there every step of the way to bounce ideas off of and to offer up some fantastic ones of her own. This would be impossible if not for her (or it at least wouldn't be very good ;). Calling her a beta is nowhere near enough – more of collaborator, muse, and shrink all in one!

Edward opened his eyes, slightly disoriented and with the remnants of a dream at the edge of his consciousness. He remembered that he had been lying in a field with Bella and the smell of flowers still lingered in his nostrils. Then his vision cleared and he focused on the warm body in his arms, a large smile spreading across his face as he realized it hadn't been a dream after all. He buried his face in her hair, inhaling the strawberry and freesia fragrance as his arms pulled her closer to him.

Bella mumbled something in her sleep, stretching as she pushed her back against Edward's chest. She stopped, startled a moment, before the fog in her brain cleared. "Morning," she said softly, gently squeezing one of his hands as it rested on the covers over her.

Edward pressed a kiss to her shoulder. "Good morning. How did you sleep?"

"Like the dead." Bella rolled over to face him, giggling at his rumpled appearance. "Nice bed head," she teased.

"Look who's talking," he returned with a smile, reaching out a hand to gently stroke her hair back from her face.

She wrinkled her nose at him and he laughed. "So, what are we doing today?" she asked around a yawn.

Edward smiled. "It's a surprise, remember? But I guess we should get up and shower so we can get going."

"Okay. Do you want first shower or should I go?" Bella asked as she started to shift to get out of bed. She pulled one leg from under the covers before looking down and realizing she was still naked. She froze, blushing to the roots of her hair. Now what? she panicked. It was one thing being naked when they were in the middle of something like they had been last night. Then, in Edward's arms, she had felt uninhibited and even sexy. But now, in the bright morning light shining through the window, Bella was gripped by insecurity.

"Why don't I take first shower and you can rest some more," Edward suggested, wrapping the covers more snugly around Bella.

Bella smiled gratefully, knowing Edward had sensed her discomfort. "Sounds good to me," she told him.

Edward grabbed his pajama pants from the floor and quickly pulled them on while Bella did her best not to stare. "I'll be back," he told her, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "Don't get too comfortable – we should go soon so we have the whole day."

"I can't wait," Bella answered honestly. Edward smiled, grabbing his duffle bag on his way to the bathroom. Once she heard the bathroom door shut, Bella sat up in bed and looked around for her pajamas. She found her shorts and panties quickly, balled up together at the side of the bed. It took her a little longer to find her camisole and she blushed when she finally located it across the room on her rocking chair. How on earth did it get all the way over here? she wondered to herself, hurrying to retrieve the garment. She quickly redressed before dropping onto her bed and happily crawling back under the covers.

Stretching slowly, she rolled over from her pillow to rest her head on the one next to it. Edward's scent lingered on the pillow and she inhaled deeply, reveling in the heady masculine scent. She pulled the covers up under her chin with a large smile on her face. This was amazing. Edward was amazing. And the things he could do with his body, well… Bella's thoughts drifted to memories of the night before and before she knew it, Edward had returned.

"You look happy," he observed, crawling across the bed to her.

"Do I?" Bella said innocently. "Can't imagine why that might be."

"No?" Edward said, lying down next to her and pulling her into his arms. "Could it possibly be the same reason I am so very happy this morning?"

"Would that be pancakes?" Bella teased. "Because if it is, then yes, it's the same reason."

Edward growled, pulling Bella to him. "Screw pancakes," he said, kissing her soundly.

Bella started to kiss him back before something occurred to her and she quickly pulled free of Edward's arms. "What's wrong?" he asked, bewildered by her actions.

Bella put a hand over her mouth. "I haven't brushed my teeth," she mumbled. "I have morning breath."

Edward laughed and pulled her to him again. "Screw morning breath, too," he told her. "I didn't notice."

Bella pressed a quick kiss to Edward's lips before pulling back again. "Yeah, but I know it's there," she told him. "And you've had a chance to brush your teeth already, so it's hardly fair."

She stood up and Edward groaned. "Forget what I said," he told her. "We don't need to go anywhere. Let's just stay right here all day."

Bella smiled, reaching a hand down to gently stroke his perpetually messy hair. "I'll be quick," she promised. "Then we can get going."

"Fine," Edward said, his bottom lip pushed out in a mock pout.

She smiled fondly. "Silly. I'll be right back."

When Bella returned to her room after her shower, she found Edward still on her bed. However, the bed was now made and he was sitting on top of the covers reading her copy of To Kill a Mockingbird. "You didn't have to clean up my room, you know."

Edward put down the book and smiled at her. "All I did was make the bed," he told her. "And since I helped make that mess, I think it's only fair." Bella smiled back as he stood and walked over to her. "Ready to go?" he asked, picking up his duffle bag from the bed.

"Yep. Just want to make a quick sweep so there's no evidence when Charlie comes home."

"Good idea," Edward agreed, following Bella downstairs.

Bella quickly checked the rooms and had just finished pulling on her sneakers when Edward spoke again. "Bella?"

"Yeah?"

"Did you know that you talk in your sleep?"

Bella froze where she stood at the kitchen table. She had known that, thanks to her mother's teasing, but she had also kind of hoped it was something she would have outgrown by now. "Should I even ask what I said?" she asked. "Or do I really not want to know?" She tried to keep her tone casual but she knew she was failing miserably as the telltale blush crept across her cheeks.

"You said my name."

Bella closed her eyes, her skin flushing even deeper red. "Anything else?"

Edward smiled, moving to her side and reaching out his hand to brush it tenderly down her face. "You asked me to stay," he told her softly. Bella's eyes opened and she looked at him shyly. "I was more than happy to oblige," he murmured, leaning in to kiss her. Their lips had only just touched when Edward's cell phone beeped from his pocket. Looking at Bella apologetically, he pulled the phone out and flipped it open to find a text message from Alice. "Look on the front steps."

"Now what?" he muttered, more than a little apprehensive at the cryptic message from his sister.

Bella looked at him, puzzled. "What's going on?"

Edward sighed. "Alice. I'll be right back," he told her, making his way to the front door. He opened the door and looked down as the screen door bumped into something. He stepped outside and saw a medium sized basket with a lid sitting on the steps. An envelope sat on top of the basket addressed to Edward and Bella and Edward recognized Alice's handwriting. Shaking his head, he picked it up and pulled out a short note from his sister.

"Gotta have lunch for your picnic! I talked to Jazz and they will call you when they are on their way home. Have fun and say hi to Bella for me." It was signed, "Your loving sister. P.S. Don't forget to bring a blanket!"

Bella appeared at Edward's shoulder. "What's that?"

Edward turned and gave Bella a rueful smile. "Alice called while you were in the shower and I told her where I was taking you today." He bent down and picked up the basket. "Apparently, she decided we needed to bring lunch with us."

He lifted one side of the lid and they both peered into the basket. "Wow," Bella murmured. The basket was packed to full capacity with food including sandwiches, fruit, brownies, pasta salad and a thermos of something.

Edward shook his head again. "Alice never does anything on a small scale, that's for sure," he said, a reluctant smiling tugging at the corner of his mouth.

"Looks like we're all set, then."

"One more thing," Edward said. "Do you have a blanket for our picnic?"

Bella smiled. "Let me just grab one from upstairs. I'll be right back." She quickly made her way upstairs and in moments had returned with a faded quilt. "Okay, ready."

"Wait." Edward took the quilt from her and set it down on top of the basket. "One more very important thing."

"What's that?"

Edward took her by the hand and pulled her to him. He bent toward her and Bella's breath caught as she felt him gently nuzzling her neck. "Bella?" His voice came out low against her throat and Bella shivered at the vibrations from his mouth.

"Yes?" she answered breathlessly.

He pulled his head up and looked her straight in the eye. "Did you brush your teeth?"

"What?" Bella burst out laughing. "You're ridiculous."

"I'll take that as a yes," Edward murmured. Bella's laughter was cut off abruptly as Edward captured her lips in a sweet kiss. Bella kissed him back this time, her hands reaching up to tangle in his hair as she pulled herself even closer to him. Edward's hands curved around the small of her back, one hand sliding up under her t-shirt to stroke the warm skin there, and Bella moaned into his mouth at the contact.

Eventually, Edward pulled back, his breathing ragged. "We really don't have to go anywhere," he told her, resting his forehead against hers.

Bella smiled. "But what about all the trouble Alice went to for our picnic?"

Edward groaned and began kissing her neck again. "We can have a picnic in your room," he murmured between kisses. "A lot cleaner, no bugs, no rocks to worry about sitting on."

Bella giggled and reached up a hand to his face, stilling his movements. "I thought you were excited to take me somewhere," she reminded him gently.

Edward pulled back and closed his eyes, letting out his breath in a woosh. "I know, you're right," he told her. "I blame you for being so damn tempting." He smiled at Bella and pressed a quick kiss to her lips before leaning down to pick up the quilt and picnic basket. He held out a hand to Bella and she took it, entwining her fingers with his. She picked up Edward's duffle bag with her other hand and the two made their outside way to Bella's truck.

As Edward was the one who knew where they were actually going, Bella handed her keys over to him and allowed him to drive her ancient truck. They drove along in a comfortable silence for about 20 minutes before Edward turned off onto a dirt path. The path suddenly ended at a wall of trees and Edward stopped the truck and turned it off.

"We're here," he told her, turning to smile at her excitedly.

His excitement was contagious and Bella couldn't help smiling back. "Where exactly is here?"

"Somewhere I like to go sometimes to be alone," he told her. He exited the truck and quickly came around to her door, opening it for her and helping her out of the truck. Then he reached past her and pulled out the picnic basket and quilt. He piled them on one arm and took Bella's hand in his. "Ready?"

Bella nodded. "Lead the way."

They stepped into the forest and within moments Bella felt like they were in a different world. The thick canopy of trees filtered out much of the early spring sunlight and the only sounds she could hear were the chattering of squirrels and the cries of birds in the trees above them.

About five minutes into their walk, Bella felt Edward squeeze her hand. "This is it," he told her, pulling her gently behind him. They stepped through the trees and Bella couldn't help the small gasp that left her lips. They were standing in a meadow surrounded on all sides by the tall trees of the forest. Here, the forest canopy thinned out and the sun shone softly down into the area. There were several separate patches of wildflowers in the clearing and a feeling of peaceful calm surrounded them.

"This place is gorgeous," Bella said in awe. "How did you ever find it?"

"Emmett, Jasper, and I like to go running," he told her. "Once, we ended up out this way and just kind of stumbled across it."

"Running." Bella wrinkled her nose.

"Not a runner, huh?" Edward asked.

Bella shook her head. "I fall down a lot," she mumbled.

Edward laughed softly at the chagrined expression on Bella's face and she scowled at him. "We can't all be star varsity athletes," she said, her tone a little more acidic than she had intended.

Edward immediately stopped laughing. "I'm sorry," he said, looking contrite. "I didn't mean to laugh at you. And you don't have to worry about falling when I'm around – I'll always be there to catch you."

Bella's expression softened and she leaned up to kiss him softly. "Okay, you're forgiven," she said when she pulled away, a tender smile gracing her features.

"Thank you," Edward said, squeezing her hand gently. "Now, we need to pick a place to set up our picnic."

"How about there?" Bella asked, pointing to a patch of grass that was partially shaded by a small stand of trees behind it.

"Perfect." They made their way across the meadow to the chosen spot and Bella took the quilt from Edward's arms, unfolding it and spreading it across the grass at their feet. Edward set the picnic basket down before dropping down to the blanket and holding his arms out to Bella. She went readily to him, Edward's arms already her new favorite place to be.

The next few hours passed quickly for the couple as they talked and continued to get to know each other. Edward started asking Bella about her favorite songs, bands, and movies and soon they were both asking the other about their favorites in various categories. Edward eventually remembered their picnic lunch and the two unpacked the food from the basket, spreading it out on the blanket in front of them. They had each worked up quite an appetite through all of their talking and had soon devoured the contents of the basket.

"That was really good," Bella said, wiping her hands on a napkin. "Remind me to thank Alice when I see her."

Edward agreed, putting his hand on his stomach. "I think I'm about to go into a food coma, though," he admitted with a smile.

"Me, too," Bella said. "Or I would be if I weren't so afraid to fall asleep."

"Why is that?"

"You've already witnessed me talking in my sleep once," she replied. "I don't really want to give you a repeat performance."

Edward smiled. "Bella, please don't be embarrassed about that. I certainly didn't mind. In fact, I rather enjoyed it."

Bella groaned, putting her hands over her face. Edward gently tugged her hands away from her face. "If I tell you something, do you think you won't be embarrassed anymore?"

"I doubt it," she muttered.

Edward rested his weight on his elbow, looking down at Bella. "I talk in my sleep, too," he confessed.

Bella swatted him in the shoulder. "Liar."

Edward shook his head. "I swear. I didn't know I did it, either, until Emmett told me on Friday." He grimaced, his face flushing slightly. "Apparently, that's how he knew I had feelings for you without me telling him directly."

Bella's eyes grew wide. "So you're saying…"

Edward smiled. "I'm saying Emmett heard me talk about you while I was asleep. And believe me, he's not going to let me forget it, either."

"Really?" Bella asked, unable to deny the little thrill that ran down her spine at Edward's confession.

Edward nodded. "Really," he confirmed. He reached out and took one of her hands in his, entwining their fingers. "So it looks like we're quite the verbose pair when we're asleep. Must've been meant to be."

Bella giggled. "Must have," she agreed. Edward leaned down to kiss her softly then lay back on the quilt, pulling Bella against his side.

"So, food coma, then?" he asked, running a hand gently up and down her bare arm.

"Food coma," Bella agreed, snuggling up close against his side.

Edward pressed a soft kiss to her hair. "Sweet dreams, love," he murmured. Bella smiled, sighing in contentment as she allowed sleep to overtake her.

An hour later, the ringing of Edward's phone pulled the couple from their nap. Edward dug one hand into his pocket, his other arm still firmly around Bella. "Hello?" he mumbled.

Emmett's booming voice came from the phone loudly enough for Bella to hear him from her place at Edward's side. "Hey, Edward," he said cheerfully. "Alice told me to give you a call when we were getting ready to leave so we could pick you up on the way home. That still the plan?"

Edward rubbed a hand across his eyes. "Yeah, do you guys just want to meet me at Greenville Park?"

"Greenville Park?" Emmett sounded confused. "Why don't we just pick you up at Bella's house?"

Edward sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose between his thumb and forefinger. "Because, Emmett, I really don't want to have to explain to the chief of police what I'm doing at his house with an overnight bag, alone with his only daughter."

"Good point," Emmett acknowledged. "Okay, we're about to leave here. Meet you at the park in half an hour, give or take?"

"I'll see you guys there. Thanks, Em. I owe you one."

"Consider this one a gift," Emmett teased. "See you later."

Edward closed his phone and turned to Bella. "That was Emmett."

"I heard," she said wryly.

"He is a bit on the loud side, isn't he?" Edward asked rhetorically, a grin on his face. "He said he and Jasper are getting ready to come back into town so I told them I'd meet them at Greenville Park."

Bella nodded. "So I guess that means we have to go, huh?" she said sadly.

"Yeah, I guess we do," Edward said reluctantly. He turned on his side to face Bella, wrapping his free arm around her and pulling her to him. "How much trouble do you think I'd get in with Chief Swan if we just stayed here?" Edward murmured against the top of her head.

"Mmm, probably too much for it to be worth it for you," she told him even as she cuddled closer to his side.

Edward pulled back just enough to look into her eyes. "You're wrong," he told her. "It would be worth every bit of trouble for a few more minutes with you here in my arms."

Bella smiled and leaned up to press her lips to his. "I don't want to go, either," she told him when they eventually parted.

Edward pressed his forehead to hers. "Guess that means we'll just have to come back here very soon."

"Sounds good to me," Bella agreed.

With a sigh, Edward finally pulled back from Bella and the two stood up. Edward shook the quilt and refolded it while Bella made sure the remains of their picnic had been cleaned up. Edward reached out and took her hand. "Thank you for sharing this place with me," Bella said, looking up into Edward's face with a smile.

He smiled back tenderly. "I've never shown it to anyone before," he admitted. "I was waiting for the right person." He reached out a hand to gently slide it through her hair before pulling her to him for a kiss.

Bella responded eagerly, dropping the picnic basket to the ground and wrapping her arms around Edward's neck. Edward growled low in his throat and slid his hands under her bottom, scooping her up in his arms. She wrapped her legs around his waist, kissing him back hungrily as she slid her hands underneath his shirt and gently scraped her nails down his back. Edward's body twitched and he pulled Bella closer with a moan.

Bella shifted eagerly in Edward's arms, trying to lock her legs behind his back. The next thing she knew, Edward was flat on his back with her sprawled across his chest. "Oops," she mumbled, ducking her head as a dark blush crept across her cheeks.

Edward chuckled and lifted her chin with his fingers. "I guess we both got a little carried away," he said with a smile. "Again, Bella, I blame you for being so tempting."

Bella rolled her eyes and stood, reaching down a hand to help Edward to his feet. "I guess we really should go," she said, her skin still flushed.

Edward squeezed her hand, reaching down to take the picnic basket from her and draping the quilt over it. "We'll come back soon," he promised, pressing a kiss to her forehead. Bella smiled and together they made their way back to the truck.

Bella was still feeling a little dazed from the passionate kiss and allowed Edward to drive them to Greenville Park. When they got there, Emmett and Jasper had not yet arrived and the two climbed out of the truck. They stood together at the edge of the parking lot and surveyed the empty park before them.

Suddenly, Bella gasped as something caught her eye. "Swings!" she said excitedly, running over to the swingset.

Edward followed behind her, smiling at her enthusiasm. "I take it you're a fan?"

"I love swings," Bella told him. "It's like flying."

"Do you need me to push you?" Edward asked as she eagerly sat down on the swing.

Bella shook her head and pushed off with her feet. "That's part of the fun," she told him, pumping her legs. "Seeing how high you can get on your own."

Edward smiled tenderly as he watched her. She was the embodiment of joy and innocence as she flew through the air, her happiness completely unrestrained. The swing quickly climbed higher and Bella closed her eyes, her expression blissful as her hair blew around her face. Edward pulled his phone out of his pocket, wishing fervently that he had his real camera with him.

He snapped a picture with his phone and Bella opened her eyes and stuck her tongue out at him. "Well, come on! Aren't you going to swing, too?"

Edward laughed and sat down on the swing next to her. "Bet I can get higher than you," he teased.

Bella narrowed her eyes. "You haven't got a prayer, Cullen."

Edward laughed again. "And…go!" he said, pushing off suddenly.

"Cheater!" Bella cried in mock outrage. She pushed off as well and quickly began pumping her legs. Soon, she was swinging higher than Edward, so high that she was nearly parallel to the ground.

Edward dragged his feet to stop, still laughing. "Okay, okay, I give!" he told her, a little worried that she was going to fall off of the swing at that height and hurt herself.

Bella slowed her pumping but continued swinging. "Say it," she instructed him.

"Okay, you win, Bella. Your swinging skills are far superior to mine," he told her with a straight face.

Bella dragged her toes on the ground to stop herself as well. "Damn right," she teased, as her swing finally slowed to a stop next to his.

"Didn't know you were so competitive, Swan," Edward teased, swinging lazily toward her. Any comment Bella might have made was cut off by Edward's lips against hers. Using one hand, he gripped onto the chain of her swing to anchor himself, bringing his other hand up to gently cup her cheek.

Bella would have been content to continue kissing Edward all night. Unfortunately, it seemed the universe had other plans. The sound of a honking horn and someone yelling caused them to draw apart and look toward the parking lot.

"Emmett," Edward said with a sigh.

A large jeep had pulled up next to Bella's truck and parked in the space next to it. Emmett and Jasper exited the van as Bella and Edward stood, walking to meet them near the edge of the parking lot.

"Hey, guys!" Emmett called.

Edward squeezed Bella's hand as they stopped before his brothers. "Bella, I think you know Emmett and Jasper."

"Hi," Bella said shyly.

"Hi, Bella," Emmett said, grinning. Jasper smiled at her in greeting and said hello as well.

"Did you guys have fun this weekend?" Bella asked politely.

"Not as much fun as you guys, I'm betting," Emmett said with a smirk.

Bella blushed and Jasper rolled his eyes, smacking Emmett upside the back of the head as he stepped forward. "Ow," Emmett whined. "The hell was that for?"

"Sorry about him, Bella," Jasper said. "We think Emmett was dropped on his head as a baby." He looked to his friend and then back to Bella. "Repeatedly."

Bella couldn't help giggling, Jasper's friendly attitude and teasing tone instantly putting her at ease. "That's okay," she replied.

"You should come camping with us all sometime," Jasper told her. "Sometimes Alice and Rose come, too, and so do Esme and Carlisle, so there are chaperones."

Bella smiled and looked at Edward who grinned and nodded at her enthusiastically. "Sounds like fun," she told them. "I'm not really a camping girl, but I'd love to go."

"Excellent," Emmett boomed. "Well, I hate to be the one to break up this love fest, believe me, I really do, but we had better get home before mom starts to worry."

Edward nodded. "Yeah, I guess you're right," he said.

He turned to Bella but before he could say anything, Emmett pulled Bella away from Edward and into a bone-crushing hug. "Bye, Bella," he said cheerfully. "It was nice to finally get to really meet the girl my brother's been drooling over since she moved here."

Jasper rolled his eyes again and pulled Emmett off of Bella. "You. Car. Now," he instructed, pointing Emmett toward the jeep. Emmett just grinned and waved at Bella before turning and walking back to the jeep and climbing into the driver's seat.

Taking in her red face, Jasper smiled gently at Bella. "Bella, it was very nice to see you outside of school. We'll see you tomorrow." He turned his attention to Edward. "We'll be in the jeep whenever you're ready. I'll try to keep Emmett on his best behavior, but no promises." Edward rolled his eyes and Jasper laughed. "Bye, Bella," he said.

"Bye, Jasper," she replied shyly.

Edward watched as Jasper returned to the jeep and climbed in. When he was sure the two boys were safely out of earshot, he turned back to Bella. "Still think it's so nice to have brothers and sisters?" he asked, but he was smiling as he said it.

Bella smiled back. "You're very lucky. So, do you think Emmett approves?" she joked.

Edward rolled his eyes. "Sorry about that. That's just the way Emmett is."

Bella shrugged. "It's okay. I'm glad he feels comfortable around me."

"You may change your mind when he does other comfortable things around you," Edward teased, taking her hand in his again as they began to walk to her truck.

Edward opened the driver's side door for Bella and helped her into the truck. She picked up the picnic basket and Edward's duffle bag from the passenger's side floor and handed the items to him. They stood staring at each other a moment, neither wanting to be the one to say goodbye first.

Edward stepped closer to where she sat in the driver's seat and cupped her face in his hand. "Thank you, Bella," he said softly.

"For what?"

"For the best weekend of my life," he said seriously.

Bella smiled. "It was for me, too," she replied honestly. "I'm just sorry it's over already."

She blushed but Edward smiled as he gently stroked her cheek with his thumb. "The weekend may be over, but I'm afraid you're still going to be stuck with me."

Bella smiled back. "Good," she said softly.

Edward leaned forward and met her lips with his own. The instant Edward's lips touched hers, Bella forgot that she should be getting home before Charlie did. She forgot that Edward's brother and best friend were sitting just a few feet away. She forgot everything but the delicious feeling of Edward's lips moving softly against her own.

Eventually, they parted and Edward reluctantly pulled back. "You should go," he told her. He took her hand and squeezed it gently. "I'll see you tomorrow."

Bella's smile was wistful. "Tomorrow. Bye, Edward."

"Bye, my beautiful Bella," he replied with a gentle smile. He closed the door to her truck and stood waiting as she started the truck. She waved as she drove away and when he could no longer see her truck, Edward finally turned to the jeep. Jasper was pointedly looking in the opposite direction but Emmett looked back at Edward with a wicked smile.

"Don't even say it," Edward said before Emmett could open his mouth.

"What?" Emmett said innocently. "I wasn't going to say anything. Just that I can see why Alice was so damn hyper when we talked to her before. You guys are so cuuuuute," he teased in a singsonging voice.

Edward rolled his eyes but he couldn't help smiling as he leaned back against the seat. Emmett could tease all he wanted. The important thing was that he and Bella were together. Finally. And he knew he wasn't about to let her go anytime soon.