AN – Your reviews put the biggest smile on my face – and some even make me laugh out loud. Thank you all for your consistent dedication to this little story. Thank you also to those who are rec'ing your hearts out.

Ginginlee makes it shine. Lizzylillyrose fixed the crap ending, and Sammielynnsmom and Morethanmyself always make sure I'm right on track. Thanks to them for their hard work! IllicitWriter is my darling love who makes the most beautiful Pic Teases for SW. They all deserve a medal.

You guys really seemed to like the last 2010 chapter. Let's see if this one can top it, huh? Oh yeah…this fic is rated M…JSYK.

…

And with that, our conversation ended, and all of the boys joined us at the table for dinner as we switched out the pasta for the brownies in the oven. Looking around at all of the faces at the table, I couldn't help but wholeheartedly agree with Lana.

There were many different forms of love, all with their own complications, but as I felt Edward graze his foot up my leg playfully without anyone knowing, I couldn't help but think he was the best kind of love I could have ever hoped for.

Even if it did take me twenty-three years to do something about it.

Chapter 22

2010

The next morning, I woke up with a start, my stomach turning so violently that I had no choice but to sprint to the bathroom, heaving over the porcelain bowl. With erratic breathing and shaky legs, I pulled myself into seated position, ducking my head between my knees as I sobbed.

I had my meeting with Peggy, Seth's social worker, in a few hours, and I had never experienced so much inner turmoil before in my entire life. I felt like today sealed the deal for us, for him. I knew I needed to find my strength and stand up to this, fight this with every ounce of energy I had left, but I needed my weak moment, when it was just me in the bathroom, alone, blocked from view, to let every insecure, doubtful thought, feeling, emotion course through my body. I needed my time to be scared shitless before I put on the front of strength and positivity, because I knew damn well that I would be wearing this armor for both myself and Seth today.

With an empty stomach and dry eyes, I pulled myself off from the floor a little less than an hour later, looking in the mirror at the aged woman in the reflection. She was beat, tired, worn down…but she was not broken.

I took a deep breath and closed my eyes, letting my head fall back before standing tall once again.

Not broken, I repeated. This won't break me.

"Snap out of it, Bella," I spoke to myself before turning on the water and brushing my teeth. My shower was next, and I tried to let the hot water wash away the nerves, even though I didn't have much luck in that area.

Edward, Seth, and I were going to Peggy's office together, and I wanted to make sure that I looked professional, respectable. I wanted to be seen as the adult I was supposed to be, not the child that I felt still lived inside. After blow-drying my hair, I applied more make-up than I had worn in years, and slipped on a gray pencil skirt and blue blouse, not having worn clothes like this since I had been in North Carolina. My black heels were next, and I had to admit, dressing the part really did make me feel better. I tried to tell myself that if I convinced myself of being confident, others would think it, too.

Uncle Charlie wasn't awake yet when I had gone downstairs, which worried me since it was past 7:30, and he almost always was up by then, either drinking coffee at the table or watching TV in his recliner. I tip-toed down the hall to his bedroom, not wanting to wake him with the sound of my shoes if he was still sleeping, and saw him lying in his bed when I opened the door.

His chest was rising and falling, but it looked shallow, and I couldn't help my jump when he coughed hoarsely in his sleep. With a deep sigh, I closed the door and walked quietly back to the kitchen, starting the coffee pot and getting some cereal for breakfast. I wasn't sure if my stomach could handle any more than that.

"Hey, Bella," a tired voice said, and I turned around to see Seth, standing in the entryway, scratching his head with his eyes half open.

"Morning, kid. Want some coffee?"

He made a face of disgust and shook his head. "No thanks. What time do we have to leave?" He didn't look at me as he asked, and I just wish I knew how to make him feel better.

"About an hour. Edward should be here soon. Lana and Patrick are staying with Emmett today."

"Okay." He fidgeted, swaying his weight from one foot to the other. "Well, I'm just going to…um, shower, and stuff."

"Alright." I smiled as genuinely as I could. "Take your time, and I'll have breakfast for you when you're ready."

"I'm not really hungry, Bella," he responded flatly, looking at me.

"Well, you need to eat, so I'll make it, and you just eat what you can."

"So pushy." A small smile finally broke through.

"You know me…forever a pain in the ass. Now, get moving." I winked in his direction to try and lighten the mood further, and the small chuckle he released confirmed that it had worked, at least for a moment.

After I ate my cereal, I gathered the ingredients for pancakes, making sure I would make enough for Edward and Charlie to eat, too. It wasn't ten minutes after Seth went to shower that the front door opened, and I turned from my spot at the counter to see Edward walk into the kitchen.

"Hi." I smiled, looking over my shoulder at him. He was dressed in a black suit, his white button-down snug around his waist.

His face turned a light shade of pink as he looked me over, and he mumbled something under his breath that I didn't catch as he took the few steps over to me.

"Morning, beautiful," he said as he wrapped his arms around my waist, resting his head beside my neck and placing a soft kiss there.

I kept stirring the mix for the pancakes but turned my head in search for his lips. He was quick to oblige and gave them to me willingly, one of his hands coming to hold my cheek. When he went to take things further, I stopped what I was doing, breakfast momentarily forgotten, as I turned around and wound my arms around his neck, allowing him to press me into the counter.

"I've never seen you so dressed up before," he mused, a look of no good on his face. "It's hot, Bella."

I just chuckled and pulled him closer. "Right back at ya, Masen. You look good in a suit."

He scrunched his face in disagreement, which I found very funny. Edward Masen was a typical southern man, who would much rather wear holey jeans and a dirty t-shirt than a crisp shirt and tie. It just wasn't him, and I think I loved him that much more for it. Yes, loved him. Did I ever really stop? I didn't think falling out of love with Edward was even a possibility.

"Are you ready for today?" he whispered, his face becoming more serious as he avoided my eyes.

"I just want it to be over," I admitted honestly. "I want him safe and here with me."

Edward kissed my lips again, once, twice, before pulling back away. "I want that too, baby, so bad."

That was the first time he had called me baby in a very, very long time, and I didn't even think he realized he had said it. But I noticed…I noticed everything when it came to him.

"What?" he asked when I tensed up.

I just tried to relax in his arms as much as I could and shook my head, smiling as I met his eyes. "Nothing."

Loud coughing brought Edward and me out of our little bubble, and we both looked to see Charlie walking down the hallway, pulling his oxygen behind him.

"I'll help him," Edward said quietly before placing one last kiss on my mouth. I turned back around, getting back to work on making breakfast for my family.

O.o

Seth pulled at his un-tucked shirt as he fidgeted in his seat, which did nothing to help me feel better.

"I hope you plan on tucking that in before we get inside," I whispered into his ear as we all sat in the waiting area of Peggy's office. He just looked at me incredulously, and Edward chuckled beside me.

"You're kidding, right?"

I looked at him blankly.

"Bella…"

"Seth…"

"It's just a shirt."

"I want Peggy to take what you have to say about your situation as seriously as possible. This isn't a game, this is your life. Please just do it…for me if no one else."

He sighed heavily and rolled his eyes; however, he stood from his chair, tucking the dark green fabric into his black slacks.

"Thank you," I said, patting his leg when he sat back down.

"Pain in the ass," he mumbled, and I just laughed. He was right, after all.

There was a leftover smile on my face from my momentarily laughter as Peggy stepped out, greeting us with a flustered look as she tried to regroup.

"Morning, y'all," she began. "So sorry I'm late. Things are just…crazy." Rolling her eyes, she waved her hand in the air, trying to make her point.

"It's not a problem," Edward said calmly, gabbing onto my hand, which didn't go unnoticed by Peggy.

"Alright, well, let's just get started, shall we? Seth, why don't you follow me, and we can chat first."

"Is that necessary?" I asked, sitting forward in my seat a bit. "Why can't we talk together?"

"It's just protocol," she assured, ushering for Seth to stand and follow her. He did, although he looked back to Edward and me for support, and we just smiled reassuringly at him, nodding our heads in encouragement.

"I hate this," I said in a low voice as I rested my head on Edward's shoulder.

"Me, too. But this is what's best for him."

"I hate his parents," I responded with gritted teeth, my anger for them bubbling to the surface.

He just kissed my head before resting his own upon it. "I know."

It was a little over thirty minutes later when Peggy called us into her office, trading places with Seth as he took a seat back in the waiting area. Her desk was piled with folders stacked atop of one another, a sea of manila spread throughout the small space. It was obvious that Peggy dealt with a lot of cases; she was certainly a busy woman to say the least. It made my hatred for incompetent parents rise all that more.

It was harder for me since I couldn't have them of my own. Didn't these parents know how wonderful and amazing their kids were? How could anyone ever treat a person, let alone their own flesh and blood, with such distaste and abuse?

"Edward, Bella," she greeted. "It's nice to see you again, although I wish they had been under different circumstances."

I gave her a tight smile, squeezing Edward's hand.

"Now, here is the issue," she started as she rested her arms on papers that were on top of her desk. Looking back and forth between Edward and me, she continued, "Seth is only two years away from being considered an adult in the eyes of the state, so adoption is a little-to-none possibility, that is if the judge even agrees to have him be released from his home. As of today, I have decided to enter him into the foster system, matching him with a family close to the area."

"FOSTER HOME!" I shouted, my shock getting the better of me.

"Yes. It would be the best place for him until other care can be provided."

"Other care? He has other care!"

"Bella, no offense, but crashing on the couch of your sick uncle's house is not what I would consider suitable care for a teenager."

Her even, hard tone stunned me into silence.

"The foster home can provide him a room, a bed, food, safety."

"He is plenty safe with me!" I bit back, and I felt Edward squeez my hand.

Opening up her file and looking through it, she lifted her head to mine again. "Are you even employed right now? The last I have down is that you worked for Clark's Publishing in Columbus, Ohio. How is that going?"

"Well," I stuttered, "I'm not sure of the status of my employment at the moment."

"And your uncle. Charlie Swan, he is in declining health, correct? Is he receiving the adequate care? And his farm. The bank records say that he is about as close as an inch away from losing it. Were you aware of that? He is in incredible debt, and his retirement does not come close to paying for his house, horses, or what he would need for a good doctor.

"From what I can see, Miss, you have enough on your plate already. Taking in a teenager requires a lot – emotionally and financially. I cannot allow that young man to sleep on a couch any longer. He deserves to be in a home that can provide for him. You do agree, isn't that why you are here?"

My eyes shut on their own accord, heat racing through my body, my skin prickling. I felt sick all over again, not because of the fact that Seth wouldn't come home with me but that she was right.

"Wait…"

My head shot to Edward as he spoke up.

"What if he comes home with me? I'll take him."

I think the look on my face matched Peggy's as she shifted in her seat.

"I have a good, solid job, enough room in my house. He could share a room with my son, Patrick, until I can build him something. Pat's only over ever-so-often, anyway, since he lives with his mother half the time. I have no criminal background, nothing that the state would deem unsuitable. This way Seth can still be with us while Charlie and Bella get settled."

"You're willing to take a teenager for two years, Mr. Masen? That's a big responsibility."

"Isn't that why we're here?" he shot back, an edge of ice to his tone. "Besides, I have kids of my own, I understand the responsibility. And to be honest, ma'am, it wouldn't be for only two years. Seth is a part of our family. We could provide for him what he needs more than any foster parents could. We love him already. Can't you see that?"

By the time Edward was done with his speech, I had tears rolling down my face, my hand covering my mouth as I listened to him. God, I love this man, my heart beat rapidly at the thought. I wanted to hug him, throw my arms around him, kiss him, show him how much I… The last thought shook my from my own head as I focused back on what was transpiring between the two other people in the room.

"Well," Peggy said, shifting back in her seat. "That is definitely something to consider. There is a lot involved in this process, Edward, you do understand? There would be court visits, social workers in and out, all that comes with making sure that that would be in the best interest for Seth."

"I'll do what it takes. We both will," he added on, looking over at me with a smile.

"Alright, then, well, I guess I can suggest that to the judge when we have our court date."

"Wait?" I spoke up. "This isn't over?"

"Oh, honey, we are far from over."

"But what do we do now? Where will he go until then?"

Looking between the both of us, Peggy sighed deeply, standing up from her chair. "Look, I know y'all are good people, and I know firsthand that his mother is a piece of work, and his father is no better. I have a meeting with the judge a week from now, and I'm not going to send Seth back to his home. If you say that you can get space together for him, Mr. Masen, then I suggest you get working. Until then, I don't see a reason why to remove Seth from the Swan house. Just make sure that when the court hearing is settled, things are in order."

"Yes, ma'am," Edward answered, a smile on his face.

I was still unmoving in my seat, trying to process all of this.

"I will get the paperwork in order and will be in touch with you shortly."

We both took that as our dismissal, and we stood, Edward holding the door open for me as I stepped out. Seth shot to his feet as he saw us coming down the hall, and his face fell at the sight of my tears. I, however, just shook my head, gripping him into a tight hug as I began to cry. He hugged me back but looked to Edward for an explanation.

"Come on," Edward said, a hand on my back and the other on Seth's shoulder. "We have some changes to make."

"What do you mean?" Seth asked, breaking our hug.

"Peggy said that staying with Charlie wasn't the best for you; there isn't enough room…"

Seth tried to speak up, Edward held out his hand to stop him. "There isn't, Seth."

"So where am I going?" he asked, panicked, looking between the two of us. "Is that why you are crying? Am I going back?" his voice was loud as he took a step back, putting distance between us.

"No," I said as hot anger shot through me, envisioning him going back to that place making my blood boil.

"Then what?"

"Well," Edward started, "if it's okay with you, of course, you're moving in with me."

Seth's eyes went from mine to Edward's, a look of confusion crossing his face. "What?"

"There's room for you there, Seth," I added. "And it's not far from us at all."

"But…you…if he…" Seth started, but Edward just shook his head.

"It doesn't matter," he replied quickly, while I had no idea what they were talking about.

I just shrugged it off and continued, "There's a court hearing next week, but until then you can stay with me until we can get everything settled at Edward's."

"How long? How long am I going to stay there for?" he asked, his words uneven and a little shaky. He didn't look at us; instead he focused on the floor at his feet.

With his hand back on Seth's shoulder, Edward said, "We weren't kidding when we said you were family. This arrangement, if everything works out with the judge, would be in place until you are eighteen." Seth's shoulders dropped as he took another step back, Edward's hand falling. "But you will always have a room, a place to live, a family in my house."

At his last words, Seth's face rose, and he looked at Edward, tears swimming in his eyes, even though he tried his hardest to try and blink them away.

"I won't…I'll leave when I can. I won't burden you that way."

Stepping up to him, I grabbed his chin in my hand, and even though he was a good bit taller than me, I made his eyes meet mine. "If you try to leave me, I will drag your ass back by your skinny little ear. Am I clear?" I spoke out with an eerie calm, not caring if Seth saw my own tears.

"Why?" he choked back.

"Because I am one pain in the ass who loves you." And after a light tap to his cheek, I turned, walking out the door, not waiting for them to follow me. Part of me was pissed that Seth would even think about leaving on his eighteenth birthday, as if either Edward or I would ever let him go. But beyond that, I had so many other things swirling in my mind that I needed a moment, some time to process this. I think we all did. This was life-changing for everyone involved, and I appreciated that the boys came to the car in silence, and we were able to drive back to Charlie's without much conversation.

"Um," Seth started, as we pulled back into the gravel drive, "I just want to, um, I guess….thanks."

I turned around from my spot in the driver's seat of my Prius and smiled at him, reaching for his hand and squeezing it gently.

"We'll talk more about everything soon," I assured, taking a deep breath. "But how about you go spend some time with Rebecca, get out of the house for a bit. I know you probably could use a distraction."

He looked at me with a bashful smile and nodded his head. "We're still on for dinner tonight, right?" he asked with a lot more enthusiasm.

"We are unless Charlie burns the house down."

My answer made Edward scoff in his seat, followed by a few beats of laughter as he undid his seat belt and stepped out of the car.

"Okay," Seth said awkwardly as he gave me a hug before jogging to his beat-up truck.

Edward walked around to my side and grabbed my hand. "Let's go check on that crazy old man, shall we?"

As we walked into the house, it was quieter than it should have been, and I headed as softly as I could into the living room, seeing Charlie spread out on the couch, fast asleep.

"Maybe we should head to my place, let him sleep," Edward offered, whispering behind me.

I turned and smiled at him. "I've never seen your place."

He stepped closer and pulled me to him. "I'll show you mine if you show me yours."

I just rolled my eyes and kissed him. "Okay, I'll give. Take me to yours, Mr. Masen."

We took my car again, but he drove this time, leading us up the road a ways until we reached his house. It was bigger than I expected it to be, since he was divorced, but it was still modest.

"Three bedrooms, two and a half bathrooms…your very average family home," Edward began as we walked up the steps.

"I think it's lovely," I said, taking in the brick structure and expansive yard.

"It's enough space, kids seem to like it." He shrugged off, opening the front door as I stepped inside. The stairs were the first thing seen, the dining room area to the right, and as we walked down the hall into the living room, the kitchen was attached with a small wall separating them. It was more modern than Charlie's house, that was for sure, but it still held the novelties of the famous southern charm.

"The kids' rooms are upstairs," he said, pointing upwards, "and mine is down that way." His head nodded to the left, attached to the opposite side of the living room.

"I love it," I responded with a smiled on my face as I wrapped my arms around his waist.

"It's small," he countered with a frown.

"It's homey."

"It's not what I envisioned myself living in."

I just shook my head as I looked up at him, his eyes too sad for my liking. "You need to stop thinking like that."

"Like what?"

"Like what your life would have been if you didn't drop out of law school. Just live the life you have now and be happy in it."

"It's a lot easier to hear that with you standing right here."

I placed a kiss in the center of his chest, over his tie as he held me tightly. "Are you happy?" I asked, muffled by the fabric of his shirt.

His head came down as his lips pressed into my hair. "I haven't been this happy, Bella, in years."

"You make me happy," I offered, still not looking at him.

I felt as his hand left my waist and gently grabbed my chin, lifting it so I would look straight at him. "I don't want to waste another minute. I want to spend the rest of my life making you happy."

The tears made appeared in my eyes once again as his words registered with me.

"I'm here," I whispered. "You have me."

A magnificent smile gracing his face, his eyes filled with wonder and determination as he leaned down to kiss me, pulling me as close to him as our standing positions would allow. I sighed softly as his tongue pushed into my mouth, and his soft touches became hard and urgent. He mouth moved to my neck, my head automatically falling to the side to give him access. His tongue traced right below my ear, and I bit my lip to keep the moan back.

But without warning, he released me, only then to, a second later, lift me up, my legs draped over his knees, as he carried me to the left, heading to what he had said was his bedroom. Oh God… My heart began to beat wildly as my breathing hitched.

Once inside his door, he didn't turn on the light, the sun coming through the closed shades providing just enough illumination to see but to keep the setting intimate. Once he put me down on my feet, he leaned down to kiss me, tenderly at first.

"I need you. I've never wanted something, someone, so much in my entire life," he said with a husky voice, stroking my cheek with his thumb.

"You have me, Edward." I shrugged, hearing the truth behind my words. "You've always had me."

I felt as a single tear slipped from his eye as I held his face to mine, kissing him with everything I had to give as we stood in his bedroom. After a few minutes, Edward pulled back, walking over to the edge of the bed and sitting down, looking at me with the most intense, captivating stare I had ever seen on a man. The unholy smirk on his face made me feel sexy, giving me courage that only Edward could.

He wants me. I felt it, I could practically taste it. This was it. After this, there was no turning back, not like I even had a choice to begin with. I had spent my life loving the man who had been my first all those years ago. It was time to show him just how much he had stayed with me…just how much I still loved him.

As he sat at the edge of the bed, quickly taking off his tie, he dug his fingers into the soft mattress, griping the blankets that lay on top. His eyes traveled the path of my hand as I slowly, teasingly, pushed through the buttons of my blouse. His breathing became unsteady as my hands released the buttons and revealed more of my naked flesh, and stopped for a whole beat as I let the crisp blue material fall to the floor. Standing in my gray, tight pencil skirt and black heels, I felt exposed…deliciously so. His blue eyes burned, informing me of his desires with a single look.

Part of my mind wanted me to feel that this was too fast, that only being back in North Carolina for less than two months wasn't enough time, but my heart had other ideas. I didn't care if this maybe was too fast; this was Edward. And that was a good enough explanation for me.

My nipples pushed through the white lace of my bra, allowing him to see the effect of his piercing stare. His gaze insisted I step forward, and as I moved before him, I allowed his hands to grip my waist, his palms pressing into my sides as his fingertips grazed my ass. I needed his touch to bring me back down to earth, to ground me here with him.

"Are you sure?" he asked, one more time making sure that this was okay.

Sliding the back of my hand across his cheek, I simply nodded. "Yes," I added after a moment when he didn't make any other moves. "I want you."

Moving his arms further behind me, he found the zipper of my skirt, my hips wiggling back and forth to rid the fabric of my body, the tension leaving some as Edward chuckled at my struggle. My legs were tight from my shoes, albeit shaky, as well. He didn't waste time exploring my body, as I felt his calloused hands glide up the back of my thigh. My matching lace underwear was still a barrier, blocking me from exposing all I had to him.

With a cocky, confident grin, I pushed his shoulders back so he fell to the bed and stepped out of my skirt that was pooled around my ankles and kicked off my shoes. Climbing over him, I sat myself down across his hips and smiled devilishly when I felt just how much I was affecting him. I rubbed myself across ever so lightly, teasing him with the promise of what was to come. Already this felt different, better, right.

"Bella," he moaned as his eyes shut and his head shot back. The edge to his moan didn't go unnoticed, and I began work on his shirt, pushing the buttons through as I had done my own, allowing the fabric to fall at his sides. Cursing his undershirt, I made a quick attempt to lift it from his stomach, even though his arms were still trapped by the button down. My nails scratched against his skin, enjoying the bumps that were created by his muscles. I need to touch him, feel him, was my only thought as the concepts of removing the shirts were forgotten, his skin taking the better half of my attention. As I got higher, I rested my palms on his chest, moving my thumbs over his nipples, liking how he hissed as I made contact with them.

I took time to marvel at him, his lines, the way age had worked on his body, making him even more beautiful, if that was possible. I leaned down to kiss him, having to feel his lips on mine again, and in just a few moments, something sparked, and our kiss deepened, becoming needy and desperate. Gone were the slow, leisurely caresses, and in its place was all that was left of us…desperate, raw passion.

He removed his hands from my waist and instead went to the button of his pants, undoing them in haste and kicking them, along with his boxers, down his legs as I awkwardly sat astride him. I couldn't help but laugh at his hurried expression. This was happening. He just rolled his eyes at my laughter, yet he couldn't help but smile widely back.

After kissing him again, he grabbed my arms and pushed me backwards so that I stood up off the bed, and he pulled himself up before his hands went right for the edge of my panties. He yanked them down my legs with such urgency that I had to grab onto his shoulders for support. I laughed again, even more excited for his enthusiasm. The hesitancy that nagged me before completely evaporated and changed to those of desire as I stood there for only a second before he quickly pulled me towards him and back into our earlier position. His legs hung off the edge of the bed, his pants still around his ankles, shoes still on his feet.

"I need you," he breathed out heavily, pulling my breast from the cup of my bra, palming it for a few moments before rolling my nipple between his fingers, making me cry out from the shot of pleasure.

I positioned myself above him, lowering myself enough that he rubbed between my folds, coaxing him in my want for him, my need to have him. His hardness stimulated me even more, causing me to squeeze my eyes shut, and I shivered as a throaty moan escaped my parted mouth. We didn't need to go slow, lead up to anything. We'd had twenty plus years of leading up to get to this moment. I was ready for him…this time, finally, I was ready for him.

"Look at me…come on, baby," he instructed, his hand coming to my face, gently cupping my cheek.

Using his chest as support, I pushed up off of him, high enough for his tip to line up with my entrance. And as I smirked at him from above, I lowered myself upon him, our eyes not leaving each other's, as I gasped at the feeling of him being inside me. As I adjusted to his size, I rolled my hips, gaining friction and causing both of us to shudder.

His shirt still partly on, his hair a mess from laying beneath me, his chest starting to glisten with sweat was an absolute sight-one that I would like to enjoy for a very long time. I began to move, using my thighs to rock me upwards, coming back down slowly at first before gaining speed and force. I let my body take over, checking out my mind as I relished in the sensations.

I wanted to watch him, really I did, but the feeling of him inside me, what he was doing to me, was too much, and I had to close my eyes, only being able to focus on the white heat I was feeling. One of his hands stayed on my hip, not really guiding me, but just holding onto me, keeping me to him, as his other hand played with my exposed breast. He gripped me, squeezed me, pinched me, every sensation adding to the building tightness deep in my stomach. I wanted—needed—to be closer to him, to feel him in more than just this way.

I bent forward, resting one of my hands next to his head as the other stayed firmly on his peck, my breathing heavy and erratic as my nails digging into his skin. Kissing him was almost as good as what we were doing now, but combining them was explosive. His tongue pushed into my mouth, his lips claiming mine, wanting and needing me just as much as I did him. I kissed him back, my rhythm faulting as I got caught up in this other action.

I felt his legs move awkwardly below me, and I heard as one shoe dropped to the floor, and then another one. After a few more moments of kissing and rolling my hips against him, he was out of the confines of his pants, and he rolled us over, keeping our bodies connected as he moved to lie above me. Every time our eyes met, I couldn't but smile cheekily, still not really believing that this was happening. Shaking my head and smiling back, he lifted one of my legs, positioning it over his shoulder. I threw my head back against the pillow as he pushed back into me, the traces of my smile replaced with an open mouth as I grunted at how deep this made him, feeling him both buried within me and the friction of his pelvis.

"Fast," I pleaded, urgency returning. "Hard…I need this…you. I need you."

"God, Bella." He didn't waste another second after hearing my request, and he pulled out pretty far before sliding back down so hard and forcefully that my body was pushed further up the bed. I lifted my hands and flattened them against the headboard, knowing that I was in for a good ride.

"You feel so good, so good," he spoke, his voice deep and scratchy. He continued to move, in and out, in and out, harder, faster, again and again, adjusting the angle of his hips and making me cry out in pleasure at the new sensation.

My head was still thrown back, not having the strength to lift it. Moving my leg off his shoulder, I placed both feet down on the bed, using them to help me lift up, matching his thrusts, adding to the jolt of pleasure each time he hit the spot within me.

Sucking at my neck, his right hand traced my breast again, pushing down the fabric of my bra, and I cursed the fact that it hadn't been removed in our quick frenzy.

It had been so long since I felt this attention of a man, and being here with him, I craved it even more, wanting this moment to never end. I wanted his mouth on every inch of my body; I wanted him to lick, bite, push, pull until nothing was left.

I felt his thrusts increase, his rhythm losing sync as he quickened his pace. "I'm almost…" he started. "Are you?"

I didn't respond, knowing that I wasn't close enough to the edge to come before he did, but it didn't matter. I felt his need, and I wanted to give it to him. I held onto him tighter, lifting my hips faster as he groaned out, his one last attempt to keep himself from losing control.

"Bella," he cried, digging his head into my neck as his body shuddered. I felt him release inside me, increasing my stimulation but not being enough to push me quite over. His weight was heavy but not overbearing as he collapsed, spent from his orgasm.

After a few long minutes, he laughed into my neck, and I turned my head, confused.

"Something funny?" I breathed out, still breathless.

"Am I ever going to be able to make you come?" he asked, and his question made me snort out loud.

He pushed himself up so he was resting on his elbows, his white undershirt lying halfway down his torso as the edges of his button up swung at his sides.

"Maybe you need to get more creative," I joked, smiling as he rolled his eyes.

"Creative?" he mocked. "You need me to get creative?" Sitting up on his knees, he shrugged of his wet-with-sweat shirt, throwing it to the side of the bed before lifting up the edge of the cotton shirt and discarding it the same. Even into his forties, Edward was the most attractive man I had ever met. His job kept his body tight, and the sun of the south kept his skin a nice tan. I was tempted to sit up and kiss my way up his stomach and across his chest.

I was still very much aroused, and I wanted nothing more than to feel the delicious release of my own body. I even contemplated doing it myself, but there was no way I was ready for him to watch me do that yet.

"Bella, you are…" he stopped, looking me over as his hand rested on the dip of my hip.

"What?" I prodded, searching for the meaning of the heated intensity behind his blue eyes.

He looked up and met my stare. "I love you." He shrugged after he said it, as if it were the most obvious, most natural thing in the world. "I never stopped."

My eyes closed and I swallowed thickly, everything that I had searched for for the better part of my life being said in those three little words. However, I think Edward took my silence as panic, because not a second later he was lying on top of my again, rubbing his thumb under my eye, urging them to open.

"Too fast?" he asked, accompanied by a forced out chuckle.

I shook my head, not having the words.

"Please say something," he begged, his voice full of uncertainty.

"Do you mean it?" I asked, my eyes still closed.

He kissed both my eyes before making his way across my cheeks and down my neck, not leaving an inch untouched my his mouth.

"If you promise you won't leave me, I promise to love you forever."

I had to open my eyes at his words. Was he serious? Hadn't I already promised that?

As if he knew exactly where my thoughts have gone, he pressed his mouth to my ear. "Exactly," he said. "You're here, and I love you."

I couldn't help the smile that over took my face. "You love me," I repeated.

"Yes," he answered simply. "I don't have a lot to offer, Bella, but I do have that."

I took his hand off my cheek and brought it to my lips, placing a kiss in the center of his palm. "That's enough."

For the next few hours, Edward and I made up for twenty three years of lost touches, kisses, and moments of showing each other the depth of everything that we were worth. And he made sure to show just how creative he could be.

For the first time in my life I felt complete, whole, worthy, loved.

I knew even before this moment that I was never broken - Edward didn't fix me, but I realized as I lay with him, completely spent, that he made me better, a person finally willing to be loved, and I think that was worth just as much.

...

END NOTES –

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