A/N: This took soooo long to write! I know, I'm a jerk. I've been swamped with school (finals coming up) and we moved last weekend so my real life is in total upheaval! Sorry, but hopefully you all like this chapter.

I've been totally obsessed with manyafandom's "All I Ever Knew" story. You should go check it out. Also, I've been beta'ing for IHateCleanBreak's story "Changing Prejudices," so you should go check that out also. I'm not worthy, I'm not worthy!

Disclaimer: Yeah yeah, so I don't own Twilight. Or Edward. Stop rubbing it in, will you??

Previously…

His forehead dropped to mine as he pulled out of my body, lying down beside me on the bed. I pouted for a moment, but he turned me and curled himself around me, his hand trailing across my hair. I felt his lips caressing my ear when he whispered, "I love you too, Bella."

EPOV

My eyes roamed over Bella's face, taking in the glowing beauty before me. I felt panic and concern burn in my chest when I realized her eyes were full of tears. I brushed her hair back with a shaking hand, cupping her cheek and bringing my nose to hers.

"Are you okay, sweetheart?" I asked quietly.

"Yes. I'm amazing… You're amazing. That was just too…so…I can't even think of words to describe it, and now I'm probably completely scaring the shit out of you by crying right now. I just…I just cccan't help it," she said, her voice shaky and self-conscious.

My chest tightened in response to her honesty. I knew that in my heart, I was experiencing the same rush of emotions. It took everything in me to gather my courage and acknowledge the truth blazing through my conscious mind, as I lay here, replete in her bed.

I knew this woman was exactly the thing I'd been waiting for my entire life. Feeling her skin beneath my fingertips, her breath mingling with mine, her warm eyes full of the happy tears I'd put there made me feel like a god among men; there was no reason to be afraid of this because she was everything.

I wrapped my arms around her tightly, my body cupping hers as closely as possible. Bella seemed to relax, and the shaking eventually subsided. The music drifted through the room softly, giving us plenty of encouragement to relax in the aftermath of our intense lovemaking.

As my eyelids got heavier, I remembered the bad news that I would have to impart to Bella. I cringed internally, worried about how she would react. I probably should have told her before all of this had happened, but I couldn't help myself. The moment had been too great and too perfect for stupid little details. I felt secure in my feelings for Bella, but I was a fool if I thought Bella wouldn't be disappointed by my leaving to tour Europe.

It took me a lot longer to fall asleep after that, because I was busy chewing over the situation in my mind. I wanted to think of a reason for Bella to come with us, but she was in school now and I didn't want to pull her away from something that she enjoyed so much, just for my selfish desire to have her near me at all times.

When sleep claimed me, I still hadn't thought up any plausible solutions.

BPOV

I woke up that evening, still wrapped up in Edward's warm body. I snuggled closer, breathing deeply of the delicious scent that was his essence. I couldn't get enough of him, and I was desperately interested in starting another round of lovemaking, but when I took a good look at his face, I could see the lines of fatigue there.

I decided to get up and start dinner so it would be ready when he woke up. I also had some homework to do, because finals were coming up, I wanted to get school over with so I could spend as much time as possible with Edward.

I wondered when he would tell me about the European tour. Alice had already spilled the beans the last time I talked to her, but I had yet to talk to Edward about it. I was really disappointed that I wouldn't get a lot of time with him before they had to leave again, but I understood. This was Edward's dream, and I wanted it for him.

Of course, I was a little bit heartbroken that I couldn't go with him. I wanted to see Europe and I knew they would be a big hit there. I wanted to share in his successes and joys. His dream had become my dream, and I wanted to see it come together for him.

I figured we would probably broach the subject when he woke up, so I killed time by marinating the steaks and preparing the salad. I had the table set and the potatoes in the oven while I worked on dessert, all in fewer than twenty minutes.

I settled into the kitchen table with my books and spent the next hour studying for my final in English. I felt confident that I would get a good grade, but that didn't mean I couldn't aim to do my very best.

Once the food was done cooking, I put everything on a tray and brought it up to my bedroom where Edward was still fast asleep. I set the tray beside the bed, careful to be as quiet as possible so I wouldn't wake him up.

My efforts were in vain, however, because Edward's eyes fluttered open and his powerful gaze focused on me immediately. I watched as a warm and sleepy smile drifted across his beautiful face, and I couldn't help the urge to reach over and comb my fingers through his thick, messy bed hair.

"Mmm, the best part of waking up…" he said in a raspy voice, still heavy with sleep.

"…is Edward in my bed," I teased.

Edward chuckled and grabbed my hips, pulling me over him and making me squeal as he nuzzled my neck with his whiskered jaw. I writhed around, trying to escape the torturous tickling, but eventually gave up because Edward was much stronger.

I decided some payback was in order, and I intentionally squirmed lower so I was sitting astride Edward's hips. I saw his eyes darken as my movements caused a reaction. I smirked playfully and continued to gyrate my hips, enjoying the sudden intensity of his mood.

The air surrounding us became thick with sexual tension as the playful mood dissipated, becoming something so much more. The passion from this morning rose in my chest once more, my eyes boring into his as I leaned closer to brush my lips against his.

Edward's arms banded around me, bringing me firmly against him as his mouth claimed mine in the hottest kiss we'd ever shared. My breasts were aching with arousal, pressed against his firm chest. I brought my hands up to either side of his face and stroked his five o'clock shadow, reveling in the coarse sensation against my skin.

Edward moaned into my mouth as my hips continued to swivel in tiny circles, bringing my wet core against his hardening length through the blankets. I broke the kiss and pulled back, sitting up straight to rip my shirt off. Edward's growl was so unbelievably sexy as his body jacked up into a sitting position.

His mouth crashed against mine and my hands roamed over his naked chest hungrily, trying to stroke every bit of muscle I could possibly reach. Edward's arms came around my waist and then we were turning and I was on my back with his beautiful face hovering above me.

"Bella, my beautiful, sexy, hot, intelligent, amazing, funny Bella. Please let me have you," Edward rasped out.

My brain melted, just like that. "Yes," I sighed.

With that, Edward's hands made quick work of the rest of my clothes and soon we were wrapped around each other just as before. The tone this time was more fervent, needier, as if we could not wait a moment more to be joined together.

I allowed my mind to float away and let my heart and body take over, just letting the sensations break over me like waves. Edward's body was playing mine perfectly as he entered me, his erection pressing deep within my body. I lifted my hips to bring us closer; my eyes clenched shut in concentration.

I began to perspire and I felt the sweat from Edward's body gluing us together in the best possible way. I forgot to breathe as he moved within me, bringing wave after wave of pleasure to us both. I could hear Edward's moans reverberating off the walls, and my cries seemed to echo his.

Finally, I felt my release wash over me and I clenched my thighs around his waist, my body milking his as I screamed his name. The sensations were too much, and Edward's orgasm swiftly followed mine, his seed spilling deep inside me.

We lay there together for a few moments, basking in the comfort of our embrace until I heard a low rumble from Edward's stomach.

"Hungry, are we?" I teased. Edward just grinned and reached for the tray of forgotten food, which was probably cold by now.

"Do you want me to heat that up for you?" I asked.

"No, it's okay, I'll do it," he said. I watched with a big grin as he stood up to put some clothes on. I bit my lip when he bent over to put his pants on with his magnificently naked sexy ass facing me.

"Now there's a sight for sore eyes," I said cheekily.

He spun around, laughing. "Hey, you better get a peek now because I'm pretty sure Alice won't leave us alone for the next week," he said.

He quickly buttoned up his pants, forgoing the shirt as he picked up the plate of cold food and headed down the stairs. I relaxed back onto the bed and brought the sheet up to cover myself. Now that Edward wasn't in the room, the temperature must have dropped about a million degrees.

My mind was wandering while I listened to the sounds of Edward moving around the kitchen downstairs. I was lost in a happy little daydream about our future when I heard the front door open and slam shut. I bolted upright in bed, panic freezing the blood in my veins when I realized the only person who could have just walked through the door.

"Bella!" I heard an angry and somewhat confused Charlie yelling up the stairs.

I scrambled around my room, hastily picking up my discarded clothes and trying to make myself look presentable. I panicked when I could not find my bra, and it took me a good five minutes searching for it under the bed on my hands and knees. After I found it, I realized I could have just gotten another one from my dresser. Duh, Bella!

I was flying down the stairs, my haste too great for a careful descent. I could hear Charlie's quietly angry voice and Edward's smoother consoling tone coming from the direction of the kitchen. I was hurdling downward when my foot caught on the next to last step, of course. I was airborne before I knew it, my body crashing into the wall at the bottom of the stairs.

Edward and Charlie were beside me in a moment, and I could feel Edward's hands carefully untangling my limbs so he could see if I was hurt. I could hear Charlie demanding Edward to unhand me so he could see for himself if I was okay, but Edward picked me up and cradled me in his arms, completely ignoring him.

"She's okay," he finally told Charlie, who looked completely stricken.

"I'm right here, guys. Why don't you just ask me if I'm okay?" I said, disgruntled and embarrassed.

"Are you okay, Bella?" Edward asked consolingly.

"Yes. Just really embarrassed," I grumbled.

Both Edward and Charlie grinned at that, and I knew then that they could hopefully be friends someday because there was no way I'd ever let go of Edward.

He sat me down on the couch carefully, and I settled into the plush cushions. I gestured for Edward to sit next to me, and Charlie took the seat across from the TV. "So, hey Dad. This is Edward. I'm not sure you've officially met before," I said nervously.

"He already introduced himself…" Charlie said, looking distinctly uncomfortable.

Edward cleared his throat and a look passed between them, while I was left completely in the dark.

"What was that all about?" I asked, peeved.

"I'll tell you later," Edward said softly for my ears only. I just nodded, knowing I wouldn't let him rest until I heard whatever it was.

Charlie shifted around some more, and I took pity on him and handed him the remote. He took it gratefully and tuned the TV to Sports Center so he could watch the game. I took Edward's hand and led him back up the stairs so he could finish getting dressed.

We didn't say a word until we were out of the house, driving away. Finally, I said, "Did you see his face? I thought he was going to kill you," I laughed.

My giggles took on a life of their own and I could not stem them. Edward just smiled, but his eyes still held the terror of meeting my father for the first time only half-clothed. I wondered once again what they had talked about before I'd come tumbling down the stairs.

Once we were closer to downtown Forks, Edward pulled into an empty parking lot and turned to face me with a serious expression on his face. "Bella, I need to tell you something and you may not be very happy about it," he began.

I gulped, feeling nervous. Maybe meeting Charlie had scared Edward away. Maybe I'd scared him away with the intensity of my feelings. I tried to hold back the panic I felt, but I was afraid this could be my worst nightmare.

What if, after all I'd realized about my feelings for Edward and my hopes for our future together, he didn't feel the same? What if this was the moment my heart would be broken forever?