I do not own Twilight.

Betaed by SunflowerFran; remaining mistakes are mine.

oOo

Edward yawned sleepily without opening his eyes. He was lying on a towel, the sun warming his skin despite the trees surrounding him.

In the distance, children were shouting and squealing in the pond. He listened to the afternoon sounds for a while. It was nice in this dreamy, half-awake state, and for once, he didn't think or brood. He didn't even think about painting. No colours, no shapes in front of his mind's eye; only the yellow and orange of the sun.

"Hey!"

A cold, wet toe inched its way up his shin to his knee, and higher, tickling the inside of his thigh. Smiling, he grabbed her foot and pulled until she collapsed on top of him with a joyful cry.

Finally, he opened his eyes, and what he saw was so perfectly lovely his lips drew into a big smile.

Bella's hair was in a wet ponytail, and the freckles on her nose had become more pronounced from sunny days outside. Her large, dark eyes were carefree, and drops of water hung in her lashes. Her breasts were pressing against his unhurt side and made his skin wet.

"Hey," he mumbled against her cool lips, scrambling for a towel to wrap her in. "Did you enjoy your swim?"

She nodded, even though she was shivering.

His hands wandered from the small of her back to her behind. After all, they were in a rather quiet spot by the pond.

"I would have enjoyed it more with you."

She was straddling him, and no doubt could feel his growing reaction to her luscious body. Her smile was proof to that.

"I know," he sighed. "I'm sorry I fell asleep. The pills just make me so drowsy."

She said nothing, but kissed his chin, and then snuggled up to him, wrapping her slim body around him. She was as light as a feather.

"It's okay," she murmured. "It's okay."

"Dr. Greene said the side effects might last for up to two weeks," he said.

Bella remained quiet, as if she knew that admitting it out loud was harder for him than the physical reminders of that horrible night, eleven days ago.

"Edward?"

She moved so she could look at him.

"Mmm?"

"I love you so much, you know that, right?"

"Yes, baby. I know; I know."

He kissed her eyebrow, her nose, her temple.

"And do you know how much I love you?" he whispered against her lips. "For putting up with me."

"Shh…" Her breath was warm and sweet. "There's no 'putting up,' Edward. I love you. Just as you are."

"I still have a long way ahead of me." He swallowed. "And a relapse isn't uncommon…"

"I understand that." She kissed his throat. "But I know that you want to get better now. I know that, Edward, I feel it." She placed her palm above his heart. "For us."

"Yes," he whispered. "Yes, Bella, for us."

oOo

Thank you for reading.