Hi! I want to take a moment to thank everyone who's stuck with my through this story, and everyone who reviews! I know that I whole bunch of people have favorited this story and have it on alert (shuffling feet) too much to ask to hear from you guys?

Okay, so now that I'm done begging for reviews... here's the quote:

"He who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead; his eye are closed." - Albert Einstein

I woke sometime later to Edward's gentle words in my ear. His voice was soft, barely detectable through the other sounds that began flooding my consciousness, but I took a moment to really focus on what Edward was saying.

He was singing to me.

I didn't open my eyes, not wanting him to feel the fluttering of my eyelashes against his neck. Instead, I sighed, taking in his scent and listening to him sing to me quietly.

"Wise men say only fools rush in

But I can't help falling in love with you

Shall I stay

Would it be a sin

If I can't help falling in love with you

Like a river flows surely to the sea

Darling so it goes

Some things are meant to be

Take my hand, take my whole life too

For I can't help falling in love with you

Like a river flows surely to the sea

Darling so it goes

Some things are meant to be

Take my hand, take my whole life too

For I can't help falling in love with you

For I can't help falling in love with you"

I couldn't take it.

I pulled my face from his neck, smiling up at him. "I know you were awake, Bella." I smiled sheepishly at him. "I wanted to hear you finish the song." I said. Edward chuckled, "I would have kept singing for you if you'd told me you wanted me too."

"Good." I responded, smiling cheekily at him. He laughed, pressing a kiss to my lips, "We're almost here." He said leaning up slightly to look out the window he was leaning on.

We sat in silence, my body pressed up against his until we arrived at the hotel.

When we arrived, Edward handed the driver cash, asking me to apologize for the fact that he made him take us on such a long ride home. The driver just smiled at me, telling that it was nothing. "I just got enough money to buy my children some gifts." He'd said.

Edward's face cracked into a glorious smile when I'd told him, and he promptly reached into his wallet to give the man more cash.

The man smiled gratefully at us, thanking us profusely as we gathered up our stuff and got out of the cab.

We walked into the hotel, greeting the doorman and the concierge before stepping into the elevator. Normally, I would be trying some serious schmexing… right now, I just wanted to get upstairs and 'Under the Tuscan Sun' him.

I told him as much.

Edward chuckled, "You want to 'Under the Tuscan Sun' me?" he asked, looking at me like I was insane.

"Yep." I said, smiling, "I want to make love to you all over your body."

Edward smiled wickedly at me, "That seems like something I can get on board with." I winked, "I figured you'd see things my way."

"Don't I usually?" Edward asked, nuzzling my neck. "True. You learned fast." Edward started laughing, reaching over to slap my ass as I walked out of the elevator.

I smiled, reaching back to take Edward's hand as we walked to the room. Shutting the door quietly behind us, I lead him into the bedroom, turning him so he stood in front of me.

I stepped back, releasing his hand, taking a moment to look him over. My eyes drifted up and down his form, trying to take everything in. My eyes eventually settled on his face, which was pinked with a slight blush. I smiled at him, walking to him and wrapping my arms around his neck. I pulled my body flush against his, smiling when Edward bent his neck, pressing his forehead against mine.

"I love you." I whispered, pressing my forehead a bit more into his. "I love you too, Bright Eyes." He whispered back, "So, so much."

I ran my hands up his chest, taking his face in my hands before moving my lips to his. His lips were soft but persistent against mine, our mouths moving together in perfect harmony. I tangled my fingers in his hair as I ran my tongue along his lips, taking the time to explore the familiar spaces of his mouth when he granted me entrance.

Edward groaned quietly, my mouth trapping most of the sound, and I smiled against his lips, running my hands down his neck to the bottom of his t-shirt. I ran my hands up his chest, bringing the fabric up with my motions, breaking the kiss to pull the shirt over his head.

Edward reached for the ties on my sarong, but I knocked his hands out of the way, giving him a wry smile as I unbuttoned his pants, pushing them to the floor. He picked his feet up, kicking his pants across the room, sliding his boxers off his hips, allowing them to follow suit.

I chuckled at his enthusiasm, but moved out of his reach to take another look at him.

Edward saw me backing up and immediately moved to grab me back; I laughed, holding up my hand. "I just want to look at you." I said, smiling at him. He went silent then, nodding his agreement, and dropping his hands to his sides.

I dragged my eyes up the length of his body, his long, lean muscles filling him out in the most tantalizing of ways. His legs were strong, but not overwhelmingly bulky in the way that I suspected his brother's were. I, of course, also took a moment to admire his manhood. How I adored that particular part of his anatomy.

I felt him watching me stare at him, so I looked up and winked, quickly moving my eyes to his stomach.

His abs looked as though they were literally chiseled from granite, the hard lines moving rapidly due to the speed of his breath. I drew my eyes up his chest, allowing my gaze to caress the lines of his pectorals, before tracing the sides of his neck and the hard square of his jaw.

Avoiding his face, I ran my gaze down his arms, focusing on each individually, before my gaze settled on his hands. I loved his hands, and not only because of the amazing things that they have done to me.

I loved the masculine lines, the calluses that he had on the tips of each finger that I suspected he got from playing a stringed instrument. I loved the little bits of dirt that he almost always seemed to have under his index fingers… there was just something so raw and masculine about the whole thing.

His fingers were long and slender… 'piano playing fingers' as my grandmother used to call them. I bet he played. I would kill to hear him play.

I finally allowed my eyes to meet his again, and the emerald green of his eyes looked to be on fire. He stared back at me for only a few moments, before meeting me across the room in a few steps, smashing my body up against his, immediately bringing his mouth to mine.

I could tell that he was struggling to keep his desire in check; he knew how I wanted this night to be as romantic as it had started out. But I knew the way that his body was reacting right now; if I wanted to slow this down, I would have to do it now.

I smiled into the kiss, slowing the movements of his mouth against mine by slowing my own movements. Edward caught on, and I felt the heat under his skin sink to a slow burn, and I leaned back, grinning at him.

I walked him backwards, pushing him onto the bed before stepping back. Edward fell onto the bed with a quiet bump, and quickly slid himself up towards the pillows, putting his hands behind his head and watching me.

I winked at him, moving my hands behind my neck and untying the knots on my dress, allowing the fabric to slowly slide down my curves. I watched Edward slowly lick his lips and I laughed, reaching back to undo my bra clasp. I slid my bra from my shoulders, and slid my underwear down my legs, kicking them towards Edward's pants.

His eyes were on fire then, matching the fire I'm sure was burning in mine. I slowly crawled my way up his body, allowing myself to hover above him, completely reversing the roles we usually took. Edward smiled up at me, and I stooped down, placing quick kisses along my neck, and traced the lines of his neck with my tongue. He arched his neck up, his hips thrusting up involuntarily. I smiled at him, kissing his lips, before peppering kisses along his chin, down his neck, and across his chest. I traced my tongue along his pecs, and along the lines of his abs, trying to taste every inch of his skin.

I could hear his breath picking up as I approached his pelvis, and I decided to tease him just a bit. I moved my body down so that I was hovering just over his dick. I leaned down, allowing my breath to float down over him, giving him just a taste of what was to come. No pun intended… (I even nibbled on that sexy little 'v' just for some extra torture).

I looked up at him, and I could tell that he was trying to control himself. The sensation of my breath floating over him was probably driving him crazy though, so I decided to relieve some of that… tension.

I leaned down and licked up his length, allowing my tongue to play along the spot just under the head, before completely taking him into my mouth. Edward's moan was loud and unrestrained, and I resisted the urge to smile, reminding myself to keep doing what I was doing.

I bobbed up and down for a few minutes, keeping Edward just far enough from the point of orgasm to get him completely frustrated.

I pulled my lips off of him with a pop, winking at him before I kissed his pelvic bone and the inside of his thighs, moving further down his body. I kissed the backs of his knees, the sides of his ankles, and even kissed both of his little toes before leaning back on my heels and smiling at him.

"My turn." Edward said, his voice deeper and rougher than usual. He shot off the bed, grabbing me in his arms and throwing my up to the pillows before sitting where I had. I climbed off the bed, standing at the end, staring at me just as I had him.

His eyes moved over my body, taking their time to memorize every line, every freckle, every scar. My body was on fire under his gaze, and I could feel myself become almost impossibly wet as he continued to look at me. Edward took a play out of my playbook, crawling up my body until his face was directly over mine.

He leaned down, kissing my lips for a few minutes before he began kissing my cheeks and jaw, moving slowly to my neck.

After licking the length of my collarbone, Edward dipped his head, teasing my breasts with his mouth. He looked at me, smiling wickedly, before taking my left breast in his hand, his mouth covering my right nipple; his gentle suckling caused me to moan out in pleasure. He switched breasts a few minutes later, the sensations causing me to rub my legs together in an attempt to relieve some of the ache that was slowly taking over between my legs.

Edward smiled against my skin, no doubt feeling my legs moving against him. He kissed his way across the soft skin of my stomach, slowly moving his body between my legs, making room for himself by gently nudging my legs apart. Edward kissed along my pelvic bone, completely ignoring my sex, kissing along my thighs before slowly kissing and caressing his way down my right leg, kissing pieces of my skin that had never been paid much attention before. When he reached the end of my right leg, he switched to my left, kissing his way back up, tracing patterns on my thigh with his tongue, his hot breath teasing me in the best of ways. I groaned in frustration, and instead of responding, Edward spread my folds and traced his longue around my clit.

I moaned at an impossibly loud volume, arching my hips up into his mouth. Edward chuckled quietly against his skin before immediately getting back to work. Bringing his mouth up, he covered my clit with his lips, bringing his fingers up and easing two inside me as he flicked his tongue back and forth against my flesh.

I came apart at the seams.

Edward let me ride out my orgasm, before climbing up my body again, kissing me fervently. I could still taste myself on his tongue, which shockingly turned me on.

I kissed him back, smiling slightly before breaking the kiss, and wrapping my arms around his neck, bringing his forehead to rest on mine.

"Make love to me, Edward." I said, my body practically dying to feel him inside me.

Edward kept his forehead pressed to mine as he eased himself inside me, moving slowly with me as we allowed our pleasure to build.

This wasn't loud, exclamatory sex. This wasn't about getting pleasure from someone else. This was about showing each other that we loved each other… that we couldn't live without each other.

With little gasps of pleasure every now and then, Edward and I moved together towards our release.

Sometime later, Edward collapsed onto the bed beside me, rolling off me before pulling me up into his chest. I snuggled against him, whispering how much I loved him, kissing his chest. Edward began singing "Can't Help Fallin' In Love" to me again, and I allowed my eyes to shut, letting myself absorb his deep voice.

Suddenly, the harsh ringing of Edward's cell phone broke through our moment. Edward groaned, placing me on the pillows before climbing out of bed to grab the phone from his pants. "Cute ass, baby." I said, winking at him when he turned around. Edward rolled his eyes at me, climbing back into bed with the phone in his hand, crushing me to him before he answered.

"Edward Cullen." He said, his voice a bit deeper than usual; I recognized this as his business tone. "Ah, yes, Riley… we've been waiting for your call."

Riley…? Oh yes, the man that we were trying to buy this file off of. Fantastic.

"Yes, we are still interested in acquiring the file. We've actually paired up with James Conklin, if you weren't already aware." I smiled up at him, quietly kissing his chest as he spoke.

"We would actually like to meet with you as soon as possible…. Yes, we understand that you need to be highly selective… we would like to get the initial conversation out of the way as quickly as possible…. Well, we have a lot of buyers waiting, Mr. Cohan."

I couldn't help but wonder what Edward was arranging right now. I usually never met with the people I was supposed to purchase things from until the actual buying event. Though, I guess talking to him a lot beforehand would increase our credibility, and make us more favorable when he thought about whom he and Victoria wanted to sell to.

"You'll be in London in three days? Perfect…. Yes, we'll be there. Noon? Okay, fantastic. See you then." Edward said, his smile impossibly wide as he shut the phone.

"We're going to London?" I asked, kissing his chest. "Yes," Edward said, smiling down at me, "I get to show you where I'm from."

"Let's fly out tomorrow."

The next morning at ten, Edward and I were hailing a cab to the airport.

"You called James and told him we were going to London, yes?" I said, making sure that all our bases were covered. "Yes, just this morning. He said that he would be there soon as well if we wanted to meet up."

We climbed into the cab, giving the driver directions, and I leaned under Edward's arm, cuddling into his side. "He's going to be in London too… is he going to meet with Riley by himself? Is he going to try and go around us?"

"I don't know, but I'm going to expect that." Edward said, looking down at me. "We told Riley that we're partnering with James… all he would have to do is go and say that we sent him to pick up the file and he'd have it… without even paying for it." My mind was spiraling out of control, coming up with every possible thing that could go wrong. It wasn't that I was worried about everything going wrong… I just knew that I needed to be prepared for anything.

"Do you really think he would do that?" Edward asked, looking down at me.

I laughed, "He works with terrorists, Edward." Edward chuckled, "I guess you're right." "Aren't I always?" I quipped, smiling at him. "Too often for your own good." Edward replied, kissing me once.

I smiled, leaning my head against him, allowing my mind to wander. I detailed the situation in my mind, tracing all the people involved, and all the connections that existed. I then carefully analyzed the situation, trying to think of every single thing that could go wrong.

There were a lot of things.

Riley and Victoria could sell the file to someone else; James could go behind our backs and steal the file; we could be found out; we could get killed….

The list became almost unmanageably long.

Once I had everything mapped out, I looked up at Edward.

He smiled down at me like I was the most important thing in his world… and maybe I was. Who knows? He was definitely the most important thing in mine.

I didn't know what I would do if I planned out something or I said something that ended up putting us in a situation that would cause him harm. I knew that if I told Edward this, he would just laugh and say something along the lines of, 'I'll be fine as long as I know you're safe' or whatever… but I would rather take a bullet than have to watch him suffer like that.

All I knew was that I couldn't lose Edward. Not even for a second.

We climbed out of the cab and walked into the airport, making it through security with just twenty minutes before our flight boarded. Laughing, Edward grabbed my heaviest bag, slinging it over his shoulder and took off, running through the airport towards our gate. I wrapped my fingers around the strap of my messenger bag so it wouldn't fly around and I took off after him.

We reached our gate a few minutes later, dropped our bags, and I wandered off to find coffee. I found the nearest coffee shop, and after I placed my order, I took a moment to look around at the people that were milling around the airport. Suddenly, I saw someone who looked exactly like James walk into the shop. I reached into my bag, pulling out a portable microphone, much like the one I wore, and secured it to my finger. I grabbed my coffees off the counter and walked to the front, looking at James the entire time. Once I realized for sure it was him, I said, "James!"

James spun on his heel, looking very nervous, before clearing his features and looking at me. "Isabella! How are you?" I walked forward and wrapped my arms around his neck, pressing the microphone to his skin before pulling back. "I'm well. Edward and I are flying home today. I didn't realize you were flying somewhere. Where are you going?" I smiled innocently at him, trying to get him to lie to me.

"I'm flying into Quebec today." He said, "My flight leaves in an hour."

"Oh, well have fun! My flight leaves in five minutes, otherwise, I'd stay and chat. Enjoy your time in Quebec!" I said, walking swiftly from the shop.

I walked past an arrival/departure board on my way back to the gate and I let my eyes scan it quickly.

No flights for Quebec leaving in an hour. Just one for London… interesting.

"I think James is following us back to London." I said, handing Edward his coffee when I reached the gate. He was standing in line; they must have called our boarding number while I was gone. I reached for my duffle and Edward moved it out of my reach, smiling at me.

"What makes you say that?" he asked, handing our tickets to the woman at the desk. "I saw him at the coffee shop; he told me that he was getting on a flight for Quebec in an hour… but there are no flights to Quebec today. There is, however, a flight for London in an hour."

"Hmm." Edward sipped his coffee thoughtfully as we walked on the plane, handing it to me as he stored our overhead luggage. He plopped down next to me, immediately moving up our seat divider and pulling me into his side. "I have to agree with your hunch here." He said, taking another sip of his coffee. "The way he phrased his flight plans made it seem like he was just flying to Quebec, not catching a connection to Quebec."

I nodded against him, sipping at my coffee. "It makes me think that he's definitely going to try and go behind our backs with this."

"Well then," Edward said, looking down at me with a smile, "we'll just have to outsmart him." I chuckled and leaned up to kiss his cheek. We sipped our coffees in silence, listening as the flight information was read. We had an hour-long layover in Frankfurt, and would be landing there in about six hours. We would then catch a forty-minute flight to Heathrow, putting us in London around nine.

I had no idea how far from Heathrow Edward lived, but I just assumed we would be at his place by ten at the latest.

It was a good idea that I got this coffee so that I could keep myself going today.

As the flight took off, I reached into my bag, pulling out one of the MadLibs books that Edward had gotten me on our flight to Bangkok.

"Okay, baby… give me the name of a person in the room…"

Ten minutes later, I was laughing hysterically.

"Dear Bella," I read, looking at him, trying to contain my laughter, "It has come to my Breast that you are the Best girl/boy in the Bed. My Penis starts Fucking a Pussy every time you speak. I would like to Lick if you want to go to the Wedding with me next Friday. If you Love please Suck me at the London, England in Ten Hours. I Screw you and everything about you. Lovingly, Edward"

We both started cracking up, "That was wonderfully dirty." Edward said, leaning down and nuzzling my neck. "That it was." I said, chuckling at him, "I can't believe it worked out."

Edward laughed, and kissed my neck twice before pulling back. "So when I called Em and Rose and told them we were coming home, they insisted that we go out with them tonight."

"Oh did they?" I asked, smiling at him. "They did." He said, chuckling.

"What exactly does that entail?" I asked, looking at him. "They want to go out to some club tonight… apparently a new one just opened up a few minutes from where we live." I rolled my eyes, "Edward, I can't dance."

"Nonsense," he said, smiling at me, "we danced on New Years. We'll just get you good and juiced and then you won't care at all." I laughed, "That's your plan? Get me so plastered I don't care that I look like an idiot?" Edward smiled, "Exactly, love." I laughed and hit his chest, pretending to struggle against him when he wrapped his arms around me and began kissing my neck.

I sighed, letting myself soak up the feeling of Edward's lips on my skin. It was something that I hoped I would never tire of. His skin on mine set off electric pulses through my skin, keeping me alert and ready for him at all times. I was absolutely addicted to the feeling.

I scooted myself closer to Edward burying my face in his neck and breathing him in. "Bella… did you just smell me?" Edward asked, his voice full of humor. "Yep." I replied, breathing him in again.

"Well, what do I smell like?" he asked, chuckling. "Hmm…" I said, making a show of rubbing my chin and looking towards the sky in a faux thinking pose, "you smell like spice, the woods, fresh cut grass, the air right after it rains, and man." Edward laughed then, burying his face in my hair and taking a breath.

"Edward… did you just smell me?" I mocked, smiling at him. "I did." He said, smiling down at me. "You smell like strawberries and chocolate." He said, smiling at me. I laughed and kissed his jaw.

"So are we really going out tonight?" I looked up at him hesitantly. "Yep; you'll love it, I promise. Emmett and Rose really know how to party. They've had to slow down a little since Rose had Trevor, but they still go pretty hard."

"Trevor is their son?"

"Yes, they had him about a year after they got married. I absolutely adore him. Though, I wish I were around a bit more so that I could be a better uncle." Edward sighed, and rested his head on mine. I reached up and tangled my fingers in his hair, running my fingers soothingly along his scalp. "I'm sure they don't blame you, Edward." I said, pulling myself up to place small kisses along his jaw.

"I know they don't." Edward said, leaning his head into my fingers, "I just want my nephew to know who I am." "Oh, baby…" I leaned up and placed my lips on his, trying to assure him that everything was going to be alright.

Edward kissed me back, his mouth hot and persistent against mine. He ran his tongue along my lip, asking me for entrance.

As though he even needed to ask.

I opened my mouth, allowing Edward to explore my mouth, our tongues rolling over each other in a fantastically tantalizing fashion.

I could have jumped him right now if not for the fact that we were in the middle of an airplane.

Not that it stopped me the first time…

I eventually broke the kiss, my breath coming out in quick pants as I pressed my forehead to his. "You have to stop doing this to me in public places." I said, lightly chuckling through my pants. Edward laughed, "You think I'm faring any better?"

I reached my hand down and cupped the front of his pants. Edward's eyes rolled back into his head, and he bit his lip, trying to bite back a moan, "Nope, I'd say we're in about the same situation." I said, winking at him.

Edward opened his eyes and it looked like he was trying to decide whether or not he wanted to just have sex with me already or kill me so I couldn't tease him anymore.

I winked at him and snuggled up against him, putting my face back into his neck (it was rapidly becoming "my place" on him), and smiled.

"Not nice, Bright Eyes." Edward said, trailing his fingers up and down my spine. I smiled, "I know." I said, kissing his neck.

"But okay…" I pulled my face from his neck, "What's the deal with tonight?" Edward laughed, "We're going to my place, dropping our stuff, going out to this new club, then going back to my flat." Edward leaned closer, pressing his lips to the shell of my ear, "And once we get there, I'm going to fuck you senseless."

I nearly came.

I reached up and slapped his chest, groaning quietly at his words.

The rest of the flight continued in that fashion.

We talked about the mission, our plans for the night, what Edward wanted to show me in London, and we teased each other mercilessly. By the end of the plane ride, Edward and I were both so sexually frustrated, we could probably have used all the pent up energy to power the entire globe for a few years.

Getting off the plane in Frankfurt was like getting a dose of fresh air. As we walked through the airport, listening to the German flourish around us, the sexual tension between the two of us was reduced to a quiet hum, still present, but moved into the background of our minds, replaced with an intense hunger that had formed over the course of the day.

We wandered the airport, stopping at a small restaurant just outside our next gate. The place was a small chain in Germany and served some relatively decent food. Not the best German food I'd ever had, but pretty good for a chain.

We sat in the back, at a table alongside a wall of windows, watching the planes take off and land as we ate our dinner.

"Are you going to call Charlie when we get to London?" Edward asked, looking nervously at me as he took a bite of his food. "I've been thinking about it. It will be one o'clock in Forks when we finally get to London… and my dad shouldn't be working today…"

I sipped on my soup, trying to avoid thinking about it. "I think you should. At least call him saying that you want to talk. Even if you don't talk about the situation now, at least you'll be making plans to talk." I sighed, moving my spoon around inside the bowl.

"I know that you're right…" I said, looking over at him, "I just don't know if I'm ready to talk to Charlie yet. I mean, what if he doesn't want to talk to me ever again?"

I bit my lip, trying to control myself.

"Bella…" Edward's voice was soft, yet commanding. I looked up at him, the emotion swimming in his eyes holding my gaze. "Charlie would never be able to cut you out of his life. You are the most amazing person I know… how could anyone want you out of their lives?" I smiled at him, leaning across the table to kiss him. He cradled my face between his hands, making the soft, simple kiss last just a bit longer than I had intended.

When I pulled back, I was blushing.

We finished our meal quickly, walking back over to the gate to find that we were boarding. We got on the plane, and I snuggled up to Edward, deciding that I was going to take a quick nap so that I would be completely rested for what was probably going to be a life-changing conversation with my father. That, and this night out… yeah, definitely not excited about that.

I pressed my face into Edward's skin, breathing in his scent, falling asleep to the quiet sounds of Edward singing "Can't Help Fallin' In Love".

About forty minutes later, I woke up to Edward's hand on my shoulder, gently shaking me awake as he pressed kisses along my jaw line. I sighed, leaning into his kisses, smiling when he chuckled quietly. "Come on love, we're here."

I immediately flew out of my sleepy mentality, and jumped up out of my seat, grabbing my bag from the floor in front of me. "Let's go! Let's go!" I said, jumping around. Edward laughed and grabbed our bags from the overhead before taking my hand, letting me lead us from the plane.

Once we were out at the gate, Edward pulled out his phone.

"Hey, Em. We just landed." He said, looking down at me and squeezing my hand. I smiled back up at him. I couldn't believe we were here.

"You're here right?" Edward asked, laughing. Emmett said something to Edward and Edward smiled at me, my hand still in his, as he walked us through the airport.

He talked to Emmett for a few more minutes before hanging up, but I was lost in my own little world.

I was here… in London. Going to Edward's home. I would get to see where he slept, meet the people that filled his every day life. I would get to sleep in his sheets.

I would get to walk through his house, and see how he decorated the place. I would have a chance to really understand him… in the way that seeing someone's material possessions can demonstrate.

I was practically jumping out of my skin with excitement.

I somehow managed to control myself as we walked through the airport.

We finally reached the exit, and I immediately spotted Emmett and Rosalie standing over near a gorgeous Audi. Edward waved in acknowledgement to his brother and his sister-in-law, and I noticed that he picked up a bit of speed as we walked.

Edward bent to kiss Rose on the cheek, while Emmett scooped me up in a hug. "Hey little one!" he said, his booming laughter in my ear nearly deafening me. I laughed, hugging Emmett back with as much gusto as I could muster, trying to forget about that my feet were nowhere near the ground.

Edward laughed behind me, "Em, let her down. I can't take a chance of you accidentally hurting her." Emmett just laughed, but placed me down on my feet. I smiled at Rose, before walking over to her, somewhat surprised when she wrapped her arms around me neck. "Great to see you again, Bella." She said, "I hope Edward's been behaving himself?" I laughed and gave her a wry smile, "You've met him, haven't you?" I said, smiling.

"Hey!" Edward said, wrapping his arms around my waist and kissing my neck, "It's your fault. I can't help myself around you." I just laughed, but snuggled back into him for a moment, before pulling away to toss my stuff in the car.

Edward opened the back door of the Audi for me, climbing in after me. I noticed that Emmett also opened the door for Rose.

Their mother certainly raised them correctly.

I smiled to myself; I hope I have some time to meet his parents while I'm here in London.

Rose turned around in her seat once Emmett got the car rolling. "You're coming out with us tonight, aren't you?" she asked, smiling widely at me. I nodded, "Edward's making me. I can't dance though… just a warning." Rosalie laughed. "Love, we're going to be so sloshed, we won't bloody care." I laughed, "Thank goodness."

Rose and I chatted the rest of the way back to what I assumed to be Edward's apartment. She told me all about her son, and all the crazy things that had happened to their lives once they had him. Even though it seemed like a large part of their lives was over, I could tell that Rose wouldn't trade Trevor for anything. It was clear that she loved that boy, and the man she'd married, more than anything.

A few times during my conversation with Rose, I looked up at Edward to find that he was looking between the two of us with a shocked look on his face.

I would have to ask him what the deal was later.

We finally got to Edward's place, and amid shouts from Rose and Emmett that we "better get our shit in gear" because we were "hitting the town in two hours", we gathered our things from the trunk and walked into the building.

As we got into the elevator, I looked over at Edward, "What was that look for in the car?" I asked, hoping he knew what I meant. "She loves you." Edward said, looking stunned.

I laughed, "Thanks, baby." I said, rolling my eyes. "No! I didn't mean it like that!" Edward said, immediately backtracking, "I've just never seen her accept someone so quickly. I told you she was a total axe wound… when we first met, she refused to say more than three words to me at any given family gathering. And those three words were usually cruel, sarcastic ones. I was just shocked that she completely opened up to you."

"People just like me more than you, baby. It's something you'll have to get used to." The elevator opened, and I walked off into the small waiting area outside Edward's door.

He grabbed my waist, tickling me, before walking over to open the door. I noted that his security system was very similar to mine. Only in a relationship between spies would this be important.

I followed him into his apartment, immediately overcome with how gorgeous it was. You'd think a gorgeous place wouldn't shock me, given the extravagance of where I lived… but I always managed to find a way to appreciate someone else's space.

And Edward's place was amazing.

"Just make yourself at home. I'll go place our bags in my room." Edward smiled at me and walked off, disappearing down a hallway. I walked around, passing his kitchen, taking a moment to admire all the stainless steel appliances that he'd chosen.

I walked back out into the open area, and was immediately drawn to the piano I had somehow managed to miss.

Edward had a large black grand piano placed in the middle of what I'm assuming was supposed to be the living room. The wall behind the piano was made entirely of glass, and you were able to see the most amazing shot of London's skyline. I walked over to the piano, plopping myself down on the bench, before running my fingers ever so softly across the ivories.

I smiled to myself, the feeling of the keys under my fingers bringing back so many memories.

My mother had purchased a small upright when I was a child, which we kept in the sunroom in our house in Phoenix. She'd 'learned to play' on a whim when I was six; the only song that she could play without a music book was "Claire de Lune".

I always thought that was funny. She couldn't play me "Frosty the Snowman", but she could play me a complicated Debussy piece. It was just like her.

Of course, because my mother had played "Claire de Lune" so many times, and even managed to teach me to play it, I knew the piece by heart.

My fingers began moving along the keys, the music feeling as though it was literally flowing through my fingertips. And even though I was in London, I was immediately transported back to warm and sunny Phoenix, and even the rainy haven of Forks.

I thought about how I used to run around the sunroom, dancing about as my mother played. I thought about how she used to sit me on her lap, put my tiny fingers over hers and slow the song down to about quarter speed and let me play with her.

I thought about how I used to sit in the living room with Charlie for hours trying to teach him how to play on the keyboard he'd bought me.

He never did pick it up.

Trying to avoid crying, I threw myself back into the song, the notes once again swimming through my nerves, taking over my brain, and charging my thoughts.

I smiled to myself, bowing my head slightly over the keys once I was done playing, letting the notes ring out in the air.

"That was beautiful."

I spun around, finding Edward leaning against a wall diagonal to the piano. I can't believe I didn't notice him come in.

"Who taught you how to play?" He asked, walking over and sitting beside me on the bench. "My mother." I answered, scooting over and placing my head on his shoulder.

He reached up, wiping a tear from my cheeks that I hadn't even noticed had fallen, before kissing my cheek. "You going to call Charlie?" he asked quietly, turning so that he could rest his forehead on mine. I closed my eyes, trying to block the tears I knew wanted to fall. I nodded, my head moving against his.

I opened my eyes and saw that Edward was wearing a glorious smile. "I'm so proud of you." He placed his hands on either side of my face, pressing a kiss to my lips, before pressing our foreheads together again. "You'll feel better, I promise you. And he will be so happy to hear from you. But remember, I'm here if you need me." Edward got up off the piano bench and walked into the kitchen, coming back with a cordless phone.

He reached out for my hand and led me into the living room, sitting me down on one of the leather couches and placing the phone firmly in my palm. "You know the international code, right?" he asked, looking down at me, the concern flickering behind his eyes. I nodded, looking at the phone in my hand, trying to fight off the panic that was rising in my chest.

I hadn't had a panic attack since I started working for the CIA… I wasn't about to start now.

"Do you want me to stay…?" Edward asked, cocking his head at me. I nodded, still unable to speak and held my hand out to him. Edward smiled sadly at me, and walked over, sitting on the couch next to me. I pulled myself up into his lap and looked at the phone lying in my palm.

I buried my head in his neck, clicking on the phone and dialing the number, holding my breath as I placed the earpiece to my head.

I kept my face buried in Edward's neck until I heard the phone click on.

"Hello?"

I had to physically resist the urge to hang up.

Just hearing my dad's voice brought tears to my eyes, the tears dripping down my face and onto the skin of Edward's neck. Edward wrapped his arms tighter around my waist, and kissed my head, whispering quiet words of encouragement to me.

I kissed his neck softly, before pulling my face away, resting it on his shoulder instead.

"Hello…?" Charlie said again, getting suspicious now. "Hi… dad… it's me. Bella." I said, my voice breaking.

"Oh, Bells!" Charlie said, sounding legitimately happy, "How are you? I haven't talked to you in way too long, baby girl." I chuckled quietly, "I know dad. I'm really sorry… we just fought so badly… I…" I couldn't continue, the tears were rolling down my cheeks, spilling onto Edward's shirt.

"Bella, I want you to listen to me." Charlie said, his voice holding all the "small-town cop authority" I'd missed so much. "I know what happened between us. I know that we both said some things that we didn't mean. I realize now that you said what you needed to to get me to let you grow up. And you know, Bells? I'm glad you said those things. You've grown into a woman I'm proud of… Jake tells me everything about you... well, the things that he can tell me anyway." Charlie chuckled, and I sniffled a laugh, wiping my cheeks. Edward squeezed me up against him, kissing my head, before resting his head on mine, his fingertips absently playing with the ends of my hair.

"Bella," Charlie said, "I love you. And I am proud of you. You're living the life you've always dreamed… and as your father, I couldn't be happier." His voice became quiet, "I'm not upset with you… I just didn't want to pressure you into talking to me again." He said, sounding a little hurt.

"Dad! I was always ready to talk. I wanted to apologize the minute the words had come out of my mouth…" I said, shocked that he thought I didn't want to talk to him. "I knew you needed to say them, Bella. I needed to let you grow up. And you did. But that doesn't mean that we can't make up for lost time."

I smiled, "I'd like that, Dad." I looked up at Edward, who was smiling brilliantly at me. "Want me to go?" he whispered. I shook my head, wrapping my arm around his neck and playing with his hair. "So what's new, Bells? I noticed you're calling internationally. What are you doing in London?" "I'm on a business trip, dad." I said, hoping that he understood.

He knows I work for the fucking CIA… there are only so many things I could be doing internationally.

"Ahhh, wonderful, Bells." I laughed, burying my face in Edward's neck. "Yes, it is, Dad." I said, smiling at Edward. "Where are you staying?" he asked, sounding legitimately worried about my wellbeing. "I'm actually staying with my business partner… my boyfriend Edward."

Boyfriend didn't feel like the right word, but it was close enough to what I was trying to convey.

"I'm your boyfriend?" Edward whispered, smiling at me. "Only if I'm your girlfriend." I whispered back, covering the receiver. Edward smiled wickedly at me, leaning down to kiss me firmly.

"Your boyfriend, huh?" Charlie asked; he was in full-on father mode.

"He there?" Charlie asked. I laughed, "Yep, you want to talk to him?" I asked, smiling at Edward. He looked like he wanted to kill me.

"Put him on." Charlie said. I smiled and handed Edward the phone. "Baby? My dad wants to talk to you." Edward frowned, but took the phone from my hand.

"Hello Chief Swan, this is Edward Cullen." I smiled at the formal tone in his voice, smiling because I knew that Charlie was going to make it his personal mission to knock him down a few pegs.

I wonder what he's saying to him right now.

"Of course, sir." Edward said… "Er- Of course, Charlie." Edward smiled down at me, placing a quiet kiss on my forehead, "More than my life, Charlie."

Whatever Charlie said next must have been funny, because Edward began laughing, "I plan on it, Charlie; the sooner the better, really. Though, getting her to agree right now may be a tad difficult." I could hear Charlie's laugh through the phone, followed by some mumbled words. Edward and Charlie talked for a few more minutes before Edward handed me back the phone, kissed my forehead, and stood up.

"I'm going to go get ready. Want me to pick you out something?" I nodded, blowing him a kiss, taking a moment to admire his ass as he walked away.

I heard my dad clearing his throat, and I laughed. "What do you think, dad?" I asked, the smile evident in my voice. "I like him, Bells. He really loves you." I smiled, the blush flooding my cheeks. "I know it. I love him too, dad."

"I'm glad you're so happy, Bella. It really means so much to me." I smiled, "Thank you, dad."

We chatted for a few more minutes, Charlie telling me about his budding relationship with Sue Clearwater, a woman from the reservation near Forks, and relating some fishing stories from a few recent trips with Billy, Jake's dad.

Before hanging up, Charlie told me to call him as soon as I could, and make sure that I was able to make it out to Forks sometime soon.

Smiling, I hung up, walking out of the family room, and hung the phone up on the hook in kitchen. "Edward?" I called, trying to figure out where his bedroom was. "Down the hall, past the family room, last door on the right." He called back.

I walked down the hall, finding Edward standing in front of the bed, clothes laid out on his black comforter. I chuckled, taking in the scene.

"Baby?" Edward just turned around and smiled at me.

"I'm picking out our clothes!" He was smiling and looked so proud of himself. Edward had a pair of black jeans and a gray button up laid out for himself, and was currently staring into my bag trying to figure out what to pick for me without seeming too presumptuous.

I smiled, reaching into my bag, pulling out a pair of strappy silver heels and a black backless dress that hit me about mid-thigh. Edward looked like I'd just slapped him with a brick. "You're going to wear… that?" he asked, staring at me, his mouth gaping open.

"Just think…" I said, grabbing him by the collar and pulling him flush against me, "I'll be dancing up against you all night in that."

I winked at him, dragging him into bathroom so we could shower and start our night out on the town.

Like how the story is progressing? What do you think about Charlie/Bella's make up?

And my question for you... any fun nights out on the town?

My friend and I went out one night and met a few players on my universities basketball team. It was AWESOME! It was the best night out we had all year. Feel free to share your night out story!

But I'm serious about the reviews. I'M BEGGINGGGGGG! Please? :)