Stephenie Meyer owns all of the rights.

"So you see, Hell's not so bad if you get to keep an angel with you,"

– Twilight, Out take

I sat there frozen against Edward's lips. They didn't feel cold against mine anymore, but I didn't mind. I had missed this closeness to Edward, and I was certainly glad that we were sharing it once again. I pulled away slightly and bowed my head, forcing my eyes to look up at Edward. His features seemed frozen.

"Was that okay? I didn't mean to be forward or anything," he said quickly, brushing away some stray hairs from my face. He looked slightly anxious as he awaited my answer.

"Of course it was 'okay'," I told him as I lifted my head.

How could Edward have thought that kiss was anything but okay? I had been waiting for it – or something like that – for 50 years now. I was thoroughly overjoyed that he had kissed me. There was no comparison in my life to how happy I felt right then and there.

Without warning, Edward leaned across the table once again and pressed his lips over mine. It felt as though an electric shock had passed through our bodies in synch from the passion that had built up between the two of us. Not that the kiss was heated or anything... yet. It's just that we both knew that we loved each other (still) and that there was all this passion that we hadn't dealt with in how many years.

My mouth parted slightly, but Edward didn't pull away this time. I realized that his 'rules' to keep me 'alive' were no longer valid since I had as good of a chance of dying as he did. Oh, my. I prayed that at least one of us had self-control.

I also forgot that we weren't in Edward's bedroom. We were in the kitchen, where any member of the family could come and go as they pleased. That wasn't on my mind, though, as Edward and I were lip locked and deepening the kiss as much as we possibly could.I, too, was leaning over the table, holding onto Edward.

Oh, how I had missed this!

From somewhere behind us, I heard someone clear their throat rather loudly. Edward and I pulled away quickly, and I hid my face in my hands. How embarrassing! Through my fingers, I could see Edward's cheeky grin. I could only wonder who it was.

"Edward, Bella," I heard a warm voice greet us.

"Hi, Carlisle," Edward said happily to his 'father'.

I lowered my hands from my face and turned around to face Carlisle. "Hi, Carlisle," I said shyly to him. He had just come in from his shift at the hospital and was still in his doctor's clothing. I could see why the nurses at the hospital in Forks all thought that he was good looking, though in my un-biased opinion, he didn't hold a candle to Edward.

"I'm glad to see you both getting along better," Carlisle announced with a grin of satisfaction. "Bella, to what do we owe the pleasure of your visit? Edward had us all under the assumption that you weren't allowed to leave your residence." I could see that he was avoiding calling my 'residence', as he politely put it, a 'half-way house'. And I knew why: Carlisle had always been so polite. Half-way homes weren't places for girls like me.

"Oh, he was quite right about that. But you see, I failed – with flying colors, of course – a physics test. And, the director wasn't happy with me, so I just asked my physics teacher for the name of someone who could help me understand vectors, and it was such a surprise to hear Edward Cullen's name come up as his best student. So, after talking to the director of the half-way home, we decided that it would be best if Edward tutors me in physics every night for a week. If my grade improves in physics, Edward will be forced to remain my tutor–" I shot Edward a glance, I hadn't told him that part. He seemed pleased with that knowledge. "–But if Edward sucks at teaching me, then he gets the boot."

Carlisle seemed happy with that sentence, too. "And what hours are you permitted to study physics with Edward – although it looks like you two were more or less studying anatomy when I came in." He grinned and even Edward had to let out a small laugh.

"From when school ends until six. For now, anyway. I have to be home for dinner and everything, since it's so apparent that I have an eating disorder."

"That sounds wonderful. Now, Bella, as a doctor, I must ask you: Do you have an eating disorder?"

"I only avoid foods that aren't 100 blood."

That got a booming laugh out of both Edward and Carlisle. Carlisle paused for a moment. I figured that he was having a silent conversation with Edward, who would occasionally nod his head or shrug. The exchange was quick, though, and if you weren't a vampire, it would have been over before you noticed anything odd.

"Well, Bella, I must say that I'm very happy to see you back. I do hope that you stay in our lives. You've brought such happiness back to the family, and I'll never be able to tahnk you enough for it," Carlisle told me. He patted my back gently before heading towards the stairs.

I was glad to hear Carlisle say that. I had been unsure of his reaction to me returning – or, showing up, I should say. I hadn't gone anywhere that I needed to return from, in my opinion. Even though he had seemed happy to seem me the week prior to this, I still wasn't sure if that was an accurate gage of his feelings. For all I knew, he was confused and upset to see me again. But hearing what he just said to me, I knew that he was completely and utterly happy to see me back again.

And that meant the world to me.

Everyone had been so accepting of me, I was thrilled by it. Never in all of my existence had I dreamed of this. Never had I thought that everyone, including Rose, would be happy to see m e again. I never thought that Edward would have needed me this much... would have missed me this much.

As far as I was concerned, this was perfection.

"Come," Edward said, taking my hand lightly as he pulled me to my feet. I obliged, following him up the stairs a couple of flights – although they didn't live in Forks anymore, the house they were in was roughly the same size as the mansion that they lived in there – and to his room. There was a beautiful window seat with lovely scenery painted out for me. Behind the house some was a small pond that was collecting even more water as the rain fell and a lush, magnificent forest that boomed behind it.

"When was the last time that you fed, Bella?"

"Oh. I don't know. A little before I came here. Probably.. Two and a half weeks ago," I admitted. I knew that it wasn't healthy to go that long without feeding. Even though I could remain in control, it still felt draining to be "hungry". And, it was harder to remain in control.

"Then, tomorrow, for our physics lesson, we're going to go hunting in those woods. Nothing major, okay? Just a couple of hours, whatever game we can find. Bring a spare change of clothing."

I shifted uncomfortably and Edward turned his gaze to me. I could tell that he was just wondering what I was being all 'upset' about now. Poor Edward probably thought that I was so needy or something like that. I took a deep breath before confiding, "I don't have any clothing that I can ruin. I only have three outfits."

"That's okay, Bells. You're small enough to fit into something of Rose's or Esme's. We'll work it out, don't you worry a bout it." I nodded and he gently brushed my cheek with his hand. It felt so nice, so comforting.

My watch beeped off. "Edward, I need to get going back to the half-way house. I don't want to be late; they might suspend me from taking lessons from you."

Edward nodded in understanding and held out his hand for me to take. "I'll walk you back, then."

We walked to the half-way house in almost complete silence, only offering words when we saw something that we thought was strikingly beautiful or something of that nature. Even though we were silent, I just loved how close we felt. You truly did need to feel close to someone to know that they loved you. I was so thankful to have Edward back in my life now.

"I'll see you tomorrow, student of mine."

"Of course, Sir."

And with those parting words, Edward swooped down and quickly planted a gentle kiss on my lips before disappearing into the rainy fog that surrounded our city.