Chapter eleven-

Coming Home-

Edward POV-

I was ecstatic that last night hadn't bothered Bella. The simple intimacy that we'd shared confirmed what I'd been hoping forever since she showed up. We must have something. If we didn't, she would have never allowed it. But she had, and I was so happy that the feelings between us were mutual.

I watched her as she sighed in her sleep and moved closer to me, if that was at all possible. She fit my body perfectly, and I hoped she was comfortable. She was on her side, curled up into mine; her hand was on my chest, and her head on my shoulder. I had instinctively wrapped my arm around her, resting it on her back. The flight would be over soon, but I didn't want to wake her quite yet. I was worried about what the stress would do to her, and it was obvious she had a lot of sleep to catch up on, I wasn't about to wake her up.

The flight was fairly empty, as the one going to Iowa had been too. I'd been glad about that. I didn't like being surrounded by a lot of people. Besides that I didn't exactly trust that there wasn't some lunatic on the flight, just waiting to set off a bomb, or start shooting. Experience of being a lawyer told me to trust no one, and I didn't. I trusted Bella, though. Almost instantly. I don't know what it was about her, but she just seemed so… special. I'd never felt this way about anyone before. Sure, I'd dated in high school and college, but it was never serious. More something to pass time with, getting to know someone, having someone to do things with. Maybe it was because I was in my late twenties and still hadn't had a serious relationship that caused me to feel this way about her. Some part of me doubted that though.

I sighed as the sign lit up, telling the passengers we would be landing soon. I brushed her hair out of her face that had fallen while she was sleeping.

"Bella."

The only response out of her was a muffled sound, and shook her head.

"You have to. The plane is landing. You can sleep once we get home." I bargained with her. I knew that Connor would probably wake up during the night, and a thought crossed my mind.

"Fine." she huffed, buckling her seatbelt and sitting upright.

"How did you sleep? I asked, I reached forward to smooth her hair, and hesitated. The look in her eyes didn't show any warning, so I continued.

"Pretty good. I should be wide-awake, I haven't slept this much in a while, but I'm just exhausted. I hope I'm not getting sick."

My mind raced at the thought. Of course Emmett would take care of the baby while I was at work, but there would be no one to take care of them, except me. And of course I would, but I didn't want her to get sick. I knew how miserable it could be, and I didn't wish that upon her. I put my hand to her forehead, and didn't think she had a temperature, but I couldn't be sure. I'd never really gotten the hang of that thing. I preferred a thermometer.

"I think that your body is just trying to get you to catch up on sleep. I wouldn't worry." I said, in what I hoped was a soothing voice.

"Okay." she mumbled.

Our plane landed then, it was a little rough, but nothing too bad. Once again we found our luggage without difficulty and went out into the parking lot, looking for the car. I found it right away and steered Bella in that direction. I think that her luggage was helping to keep her upright. She looked like she was dead on her feet to me. My thoughts were confirmed when we reached the car, and luggage was put into the trunk. She went around the side, heading for the passenger door, and tripped over apparently nothing. I instinctively reached out and caught her. My hands on her waist to steady her. She started to move forward, and fell once again, before she had even left my reach.

"I think you should give up on walking for a bit." I said, picking her up and bringing her over to her door. I opened it and set her inside, buckling her seatbelt for her, and shutting the door.

I walked over and got in myself, starting the car and heading home. I was surprised that she stayed awake for most of the trip, and I carried her inside, glad that we had gotten home before midnight, so I only had to worry about the touchpad, and not fumbling for my key. I carried her to her door, and she opened it with her key. I scooped her up once again and started to carry her to the bedroom. I saw a figure on her sofa, and heard snoring that could only be Emmett. I laughed to myself and set Bella on her bed.

"I think you can get ready on your own. Goodnight." I said to her, while hugging her.

"Yeah. I'll manage. Tell Emmett thank you for me." She mumbled, turning her back to me as she went over to her dresser. I closed the door behind me, to give her privacy.

"Emmett, wake up. We're here. Why is it you're sleeping on her couch?" I shook him gently, trying to not wake Connor. He just shook me off.

"Lemmealone." The words came out all at once, and it took me a second before I understood. I knew Emmett, though. He could sleep through a natural disaster. I decided that it wouldn't hurt anything for him to sleep on the couch, and left him be. I pried Connor out of his arms, who was now slightly awake. I hummed to him, as Bella had once told me that was how she usually got him to go back to sleep. She was right, it worked almost instantly, and I walked into the nursery, tucking him in. I leaned down and kissed the top of his head, and turned on the monitor before shutting the nursery door.

I was about to leave when I heard a light knocking on the door. I opened it to find Rose.

"Is he still here? He was convinced that Connor missed his house, so he brought him down here." She peered around me, and sighed when she heard him snore.

"Yeah, and out like a light. Good luck waking him up." I laughed, stepping out of her way.

I watched her walk over to the couch, and start kissing Emmett. I groaned, looking away. That was something I definitely did not want to see. It worked, though. Within seconds he was awake.

"Come on, Emmett. Let's go back to our place. We're not continuing this here."

I laughed as Emmett all but ran back to his apartment. Rosalie adjusted the pillows on the couch.

"It works every time." She smiled, heading out the door. I had to give her credit. She did know Emmett.

I sighed, fighting the urge to crawl into bed with Bella. Although it was definitely getting late, I was wide awake. I sat down on Bellas couch, and turned on the TV. Not much going on. Rising gas prices, more bombings over in Iraq. Nothing new, I thought to myself. I gave in, rising and gently knocking, before opening the door. Bella was laying on her bed, dressed in a little nightie, on top of the covers. I had to fight to control myself, but I quietly walked over and tucked her in, kissing her on the forehead, as I had her son a little while ago.

I wanted to stay with her, but I knew that I couldn't without her permission. I sat at the end of her bed for a bit, looking at her, and how beautiful and peaceful she looked lying there. After a bit a realized that if she woke up she would probably think that it was slightly creepy I was watching her sleep, so I got up and headed back to my apartment.

I opened my door and checked my messages. I was surprised to find that there was one from Alice.

"Hey, Edward, just thought I'd let you know that I'll be coming for a visit this weekend. Don't tell Bella, though, I want to surprise her. I just wanted to know how court went, and how she was doing. I'll see you Saturday! Bye!"

I chuckled. You could almost feel the energy radiating off of her even through the phone. Good, I thought to myself. She'd be here for our little get together. Now everyone would be here. I had even torn Jasper away from work. I would've invited Esme and Carlisle, my parents, but I didn't want to worry Bella. We weren't even together, so it didn't seem like a big deal that she hadn't met them yet. But if something official did ever happen between us, she would meet them as soon as possible. I wanted them to know that I was serious about her, and I knew that they would be able to tell as soon as they saw us together.

I had told myself that if she had been bothered about being close to me at the hotel, then I would back off, and let her go, if she chose to. I didn't know if I would be able to follow through, but I would try. But she hadn't been. She had wanted to be closet to me afterwards, even. I smiled to myself, feeling like an idiot. I took a quick shower and went to bed, hoping that she wouldn't find out about Alice and her surprise. I knew that I wouldn't be able to lie if she asked me. She has no reason to ask you, idiot. I thought to myself. I flipped over my blankets and lay down. And somewhere, somehow in all of the thoughts racing in my head, I fell asleep.

Bella POV-

I woke up sometime in the middle of the night. I glanced at the clock, that said it was two in the morning. I wondered what time we had gotten home. I felt myself reaching to find Edward, but he wasn't in the bed with me. I frowned. I slept so much better when he was around. Just his presence calmed me. I knew what I was going to do.

I walked across the living room, grabbing the sleeping Connor and his diaper bag, which held everything I would need if he woke up. I found the key to Edwards apartment, that he had given me before court, if I needed or thought of anything during the night, and he wouldn't answer the phone. I had taken it as a silent invitation, though. And I planned on using that invitation. I walked down the hallway, and opened the door to his apartment. I breathed in his smell that was everywhere. His apartment was laid out a little differently than mine, but I found his bedroom quickly enough. He was lying in his bed, sleeping. I could tell that he didn't have a shirt on, but it didn't bother me. I went over to the other side of the bed, putting down Connors diaper bag next to it, and crawled in. I put Connor in between us, and soon fell asleep.

Obviously the feelings are mutual. It's just fun to play with them when neither of them know it yet. Hope you guys like it! Reviews really keep me motivated. Tell me what you're thinking, or if you'd really like to see something happen in this story let me know. The 'reunion' of sorts might be the next chapter, or the following. I haven't decided. Thanks for reading!