A/N: Here it is, the end of the story. :(
I'll do my big speech at the end. So without further delay...
BPOV
I woke up and immediately regretted it. This time that damn construction worker was digging in the dirt, making my head throb and my mouth dry. I slowly opened my eyes and noticed the bottle of water and the two Tylenol on the bedside table. Edward had started insisting that we set water and Tylenol on the night stands any time we decide to go out; just in case. Every time I woke up like this, I worshipped his practical side.
I leaned over to grab the bottle and felt Edward's arms tighten around me. Smiling I leaned back into his embrace, my headache wasn't really that bad.
As I snuggled into his arms, I thought about how we get here.
Flashback
Edward and I drove up to the Cullen's for Christmas Eve dinner. We had been back together for several months, and what a time it had been.
Edward had talked to his father about his career choice while I sat and had coffee with Esme. Things got heated for a little bit, but Edward stood his ground and eventually Carlisle gave in and actually listened to him. Once the two of them were able to communicate, they realized that they really had the same goal in mind, for Edward to happy.
His father wanted him to have a stable profession and was worried that this was just a passing phase and that Edward was wasting years when he could be studying medicine. He couldn't quite understand how anyone as smart as Edward could be happy being anything other than a doctor.
Edward had always stormed off in the past, too frustrated to actually speak his mind. However, this time, he was determined. He told his father exactly why he didn't want to be a doctor and all about his passion for archeology. Of course, giving his father the 'operated on' skull Edward had found on his last dig may have helped grease the wheels.
Edward parked the car and raced to my side to open my door, he was so sexy when he was being sweet. We walked up to the house and were met with a slight surprise.
"Anthony?" I asked walking in to the foyer.
Anthony turned around and smiled at me, "Bella, how are you?"
I gave him a hug and introduced him to Edward. Anthony shrank back a little, "He's not gonna hit me again is he?"
I laughed as Edward reached out to shake Anthony's hand. When I had first told Edward that Anthony was gay and that I had not really dated anyone while we were apart, he admitted to having a sex buddy relationship with Heather and quickly told me that she had gotten back together with her ex. I was a little hurt, but knew that I would have done the same thing had the opportunity been presented to me. We were both tested just in case, and the results came out perfectly clean.
"Bella, sweetie, I will never be able to thank you for introducing me to this fine piece of man candy."
I spun around at hearing Will's voice and gave him a big hug and a kiss on the cheek. I had introduced them a couple of weeks ago, and it's been non-stop since then. Claiming love at first sight, they both came out to their families. Anthony's family told him that they had suspected as much and were glad that he had finally told them. Will's family didn't take it so well and refused to talk to him for a week, but they had finally agreed that as long as Will was happy, they would be happy for him.
"Well, it's not like I have a use for him." I laughed. Anthony threw me a hurt look until Will walked up and kissed it away. I couldn't help the giggle as I noticed Edward shifting back and forth, clearly uncomfortable with their display of affection. I realized that Will and Anthony were not coming up for air any time soon so I took Edward by the hand and led him to the dining room.
Edward went to talk with his father and a few of his cousins while I went in search of Edward's mother, Esme, in the kitchen. She was putting the finishing touches on her famous oyster gravy and I noticed that the potatoes, while boiled, had not yet been mashed.
"Need a hand in here, Esme?" I asked nodding in the direction of the potatoes.
"Yes please, Bella. It's funny how you are always the busiest right before you finish." I smiled and grabbed the potato masher, I added some milk and butter to the potatoes and started to cream them into a lovely concoction of fluffy goodness. By the time I finished with that, Esme was calling her husband to come cut the Turkey.
Dinner was very nice. Everyone was talkative and happy to be together. We all talked about what we were hoping to have waiting for us under the tree. I knew what I was giving Edward; myself, all wrapped up. I went out and bought a big bow and Alice helped me figure out how to make a wrapping paper sleeping bag to crawl into. I couldn't wait for him to unwrap me in the morning.
I was caught up in my little daydream of Christmas morning when I heard Edward taping his crystal glass with his knife. Everyone stopped talking and turned to look at him, waiting to hear what he wanted to say. Edward cleared his throat and glanced at his father who just nodded encouragingly. Edward took in a deep breath and opened his mouth.
"As you all may know, Bella and I have been through a lot. But no matter what happens, I know I don't want to be without her." He turned to me and looked me in the eyes. "Bella, I want to give you your Christmas present now, and I hope that not only will you accept it from me, but return the sentiment."
In the next moment, Edward had moved to a kneeling position next to me. My heart understood what was happening but my mind was having a hard time keeping up and caused me to stare at Edward in confusion.
"Bella Swan, I want us to belong to each other for forever. Will you marry me?" With that he pulled a beautiful diamond ring from the inside pocket of his dinner jacket. I was stunned; I couldn't pull my gaze away from the ring in front of me. Words failed me and tears began to spring to my eyes.
Edward's wife.
Edward wants me to be his wife.
Edward Cullen wants to marry me.
"Bella?" Edward was looking up at me with confusion and a hint of fear in his eyes.
Why would he be afraid? He knew that I loved him and I told him all the time that I never wanted to let him go again.
It was then that I realized that I hadn't answered him yet. I pushed my mind through the haze and whispered in a choked up voice. (No a in choked)
"Yes, Edward. Yes, I'll marry you. A million times, yes." Edward smiled brightly as he pushed the ring onto my finger and pulled me from my chair into a crushing hug, then he pulled my lips to his engulfing me in a searing kiss. Our teeth biting each other's lips, our hands tangled in each other's hair, lost in our own world where nothing but the two of us mattered - until Carlisle cleared his throat. We pulled back, both of us blushing and took our seats again. I looked over at Edward and couldn't wipe the smile off my face, and obviously neither could he.
Everyone around the table congratulated us and before we knew it, it was time to depart for the evening. We drove home in comfortable silence. We had decided to get a new apartment together after both of our leases were up and found a cute little place not too far away from campus. Edward was graduating in a few months and had been offered a job with the college's archeological research department. I still had about a year to go before I received my forensic science degree, but I was ready to get out into the world and start using my knowledge. I was looking at an intern program at the local Crime Lab.
We arrived home and proceeded to celebrate our new engagement well into the night. I was so happy that I had started taking the pill; sex was so much better without the barrier of a condom.
The next morning I woke early and chanced a peek at Edward. He was sleeping soundly and his soft snores were almost enough to make me want to stay in bed with him; but I had a plan.
I carefully climbed out of bed and took a quick shower; then I brushed my teeth and put my hair in cute little pigtails with red and green ribbons. I slid on the lingerie that I had bought, a cute little two-piece fuzzy Mrs. Claus suit and snuck down stairs. I pulled the wrapping bag out of the back of the closet and affixed the giant red bow. I placed the bag under the tree and carefully slid in. I knew that Edward did not stay asleep long after I got up, so I expected him down very shortly.
It couldn't have been more than 10 minutes when I heard Edward coming out of the bedroom clad in only a white t-shirt that stopped at the top of his hips and his red boxer briefs. He stumbled his way into the kitchen and started a pot of coffee. He opened the door to the fridge and started rooting around for a bit. I bit back a giggle as he scratched his right butt cheek and then pulled out the dairy creamer. I watched as he puttered around the kitchen for a little bit longer getting both of our coffee mugs and the sugar from the cabinet, wondering when he would notice that I was lying there, waiting for him.
The coffee pot finished and he poured his coffee taking a tentative sip. I watched as he added a bit more sugar, took another sip and nodded to himself. I was seriously considering making some noise when he finally turned around and saw me. His eyes grew 10 sizes that day, and his jaw dropped to the floor. He slowly put down his coffee mug and walked toward me.
"Is this for me Bella?" He asked in a husky tone.
"That depends, Edward? Have you been a good boy?"
"Oh, I've been a very good, but you have been very bad." He slowly tore away at the wrapping paper revealing the gift underneath causing him to moan softly. "Oh Bella, you are on the top of the naughty list this year."
"I'd rather be on top of you." I whispered to him. I stared up at him through my eyelashes and softly bit my lip.
Edward winked at me. "I have a feeling that can be arranged."
Edward ripped away the remains of the wrapping paper and pulled me to him attacking me with his hungry lips. I ran my hands to the hem of his shirt and tugged, letting him know that I wanted it off. He broke away long enough to take his shirt off and returned to my lips. I ran my fingers along the waistband of his boxers and I felt his muscles ripple as I tickled his lower abs. I loved feeling his body respond to me that way. Spurred on by my actions, Edward grabbed my ass and squeezed while pulling me closer to him. Our chests pressed together and our lips never leaving each other's skin, I slowly ran my hand up his thigh and up into his boxers, first teasing his balls and then grasping the base of his very erect penis.
Edward threw his head back and groaned in pleasure. He quickly worked to pull down his boxers, leaving him completely naked before me. I had very little time to take in the view before me as Edward tugged on my breasts until they were spilling out of my top. As he kissed and sucked my nipples, I stroked his cock, feeling it get impossibly harder with every movement. Edward grabbed my bottoms and slid them down my legs; I had to help him a little since he refused to leave my breasts.
And so there we were making out on the living room floor, in front of the tree; Edward naked, and me in just my top, which no longer hid anything. We were so lost in the moment that we did not hear Emmett's loud knocking, or Rose's warning phone calls. We did however hear the front door open.
"Merry Chri... MY EYES!" I don't think it was possible for Emmett's voice to get any louder. Edward pulled me to him and grabbed the nearby wrapping paper, trying to cover as much of us as possible.
"Get. Out." Edward seethed. Rose burst in screaming at Emmett.
"I told you to leave them alone! No one cares about your stupid IPAD loaded with porn that Jasper gave you." She reached up and grabbed Emmett by the ear, pulling him back out of the apartment. I was wondering what we had been thinking giving our friends copies of our keys, I'd be taking those back as soon as possible.
Once the door was closed and our friends were gone, Edward and I looked at each other. The scene was so horrific and unbelievable that we couldn't help but break out in fits of laughter. But when you are in the position that Edward and I were in, laughing does funny things to how your bodies are in contact. And just like that, the need was back.
Edward laid my back, placing kisses all along my neck as he did so. I opened my legs to accommodate him and he was soon sheathed inside me. Edward started out slowly, teasing us both, but all too soon, I was begging him to go faster, harder. Everything was so perfect with him, nothing in the world felt as good as Edward sliding in and out of me. I was getting close and I could tell that Edward was too, but for some reason he was holding off. He looked down at me, his eyes and his voice burning into my soul as he spoke.
"Tell me Bella. Tell me you love me. Tell me that your mine and I'm yours." He began to thrust harder and I could see him struggling to not cum.
I placed my lips at his ears and began to whisper to him. "I'm yours Edward, and your mine. Forever, always, I love you."
Edward began to shake as he started to come undone. "Bella, I'm cuming. I'm cuming for you. Oh God, Bella, I'm cuming for you." Seeing his pleasure completely pushed me over the edge and we fell together.
End Flashback
I felt Edward begin to wake behind me. I knew his head was hurting as much as mine was, but he snuggled to me and I found myself not caring about how I would feel when I finally got up.
Edward wrapped his arm around me and something on his hand caught the light, immediately drawing me to it. On Edward's left ring finger was the gold band that I had picked out for our wedding. Curious, I slowly lifted my left hand and noticed that a new ring sat on my finger with my engagement diamond.
"Edward?" I asked, a little anxious.
"Yes my beautiful fianc ?" Edward replied as he gently nuzzled my hair.
"Um, I'm not sure fianc is the proper term anymore." I told him as I raised his left hand with my own, showing him the two rings.
"In that case, good morning my beautiful wife."
I smiled at that. "Good morning my amazing husband."
As we snuggled back into the bed all I could think was that I couldn't wait to hear what all my friends say.
A/N: It has been one hell of a ride and I am so thankful for everyone who has gone on this ride with me. There is a really good chance that I will do a few out takes on this story so keep a look out. If I do I will post it here.
Mesmerizeme - My amazing beta, You rock so hard! Your quick work and great grammer and spelling skills have been amazing!
Zen One - You inspire me in so many ways! Thanks sweetie!
And lots of love to flojo03, ADADancer, justginger, LadyTx, zdra8351, RoSaDbAdAsSgUaRdAiNs, and Flora73 for reviewing most if not all of my chapters.
I'm really hoping to get to 100 reviews! So close...