Chapter 8- We All Stumble Sometimes

It seemed like this first semester of my senior year raced by. It was already November, and we were just finished with our rigorous finals. There had only been one class I had been worried about, but with Edwards help I think I managed to pull out an A.

"So, when are your parents going to be here?" I quietly asked him as we laid in bed. His fingers were playing with my hair, and his breathe was tickling my ear. It sure didn't take him long to start calling this home, he had made himself perfectly comfortable about a month after living here.

"9 am. So we should get some sleep." He whispered. Like there was any way I could sleep, I was extremely nervous to meet his parents. I was dreading that they wouldn't find me suitable for him, or they just plain wouldn't like me.

"Yeah, like I could sleep." I said nudging him, I was hoping he would take the hint. He did. His hands were instantly at my waist, pulling me to him. My hands curled into his hair, gripping it; it had to be hurting him. His lips were persistent on mine, his tongue begging for entrance.

"Love, we have to stop." I groaned, pulling him closer.

"No." I demanded. My back arched into him, I could feel every inch of him along my torso. The friction was overpowering. Trailing my hands down his naked chest, I felt him shiver. His hands pulled at my underwear, tugging them down swiftly. Apparently my protest did it for him. I wrapped my legs around his waist, trailing my feet back down his legs bringing his boxers with them. He moaned sending goose bumps down my back. His lips left mine, continuing their quest down my neck. I gripped his hair, sucking in a breath between my teeth when he lightly touched me.

"Edward….uhhh…" Definitely not what I had intended on saying, but when his hand found the slick skin between my legs words were no longer possible. He brought his lips back to mine, and earned a groan when he removed his hand.

"Shh.." He quieted my complaint to his actions. He flipped us over so I could be on top. My hands braced themselves on his chest, his hands guided my hips as I lowered myself onto him. A low sigh escaped his lips as I settled, my body adjusting to its intrusion. He opened his eyes, the beautiful green piercing mine. I kept my eyes locked with his as I began my steady rhythm on top of him. I loved watching his face when we made love, it was like seeing every emotion a person could possibly have. The way his eyes fluttered shut when I pulled him almost all the way out of me, and then opened back when I brought myself down onto him again. His hands gripped my hips, I was probably going to be bruised again. His breath was becoming erratic, and he was trying to take over control of my speed. Apparently he wanted more. Flipping me over quickly, and climbing in between my legs.

"You are such a tease." He whispered. I smiled up at him, reaching for him. But he didn't do what I had expected. He hand once again dipped into my folds, making me yell out his name. A smile played on his lips, I knew he loved doing that to me. His fingers expertly rubbing just the right spot to make me scream.

"Now…who's the…tease?" I stuttered between breathes. He laughed, bringing his hand back up to my hip. He entered me roughly, groaning as I began to meet every thrust. My legs wrapped around his waist, pulling him deeper into me. He began to thrust faster, each time bringing me closer to my own climax. I clamped my eyes shut, concentrating on each movement.

"Bella, open your eyes." He said loudly. One hand reach up to brush hair from my face, the other cupped my breast. I opened my eyes slowly, meeting his inches from mine.

"I love you." He whispered. That was it, I was sent over the edge by those three words. I shuddered underneath him, moaning loudly as I rode out my wave of pleasure.

"I love you too." I whispered softly to him, pulling him closer so he could hear me. His lips found mine again, softly but passionately.

"Bella." He thrust one last time. I could feel him twitching inside me, releasing himself into me. His lips stayed on mine, kissing me for minutes after our high faded. Our sweaty bodies still entwined as I finally feel asleep in his arms.

That evil little piece of plastic, ending my perfect dream. It's noise blaring loudly into my ear. My arm swung, and hitting it roughly.

"We have to get up." Edwards voice rang out in the quiet morning. And we did, we had to be at the airport in two hours, which was just enough time to shower and get dressed. I groaned as I pulled myself from him, sticky from sweating last night. We stood at the same time, still very naked and headed to the bathroom. I was grabbing my clean clothes when my door swung open. Alice stood, looking at me in shock.

"Well Bella, I love you like a sister but I don't really need to see you naked." She teased. Thankfully Edward was already in the shower. Her eyebrows were pulled up, knowing exactly why I was naked.

"Well get out then, cant you knock?" I shot back. She laughed, telling me she would tell me in the kitchen. I was slightly confused, it was to early for her to be cryptic. Whatever she had to tell me could wait. After my shower with Edward, where he kept his hands to himself saying we couldn't waste time, I stood in front of my closet for a good ten minutes trying to figure out what to wear.

"You will look good in anything. Just pick something love." Edward said, frustration leaking into his voice. Finally I picked, my gray pinstriped Capri's, with my black high neck sweater. And my black boots that climbed to my knees, finishing my outfit. Edwards eye appraised me, his arms reaching for me.

"How did I get so lucky. Smart and beautiful all rolled into one." He whispered, kissing my jaw. I pushed him away.

"No time." I chastised. His bottom lips stuck out in a pout, but he nodded, we didn't have the time. We met Alice in the kitchen, exactly where she said she would be. She could tell we were rushing. She just quietly handed me a manila folder, and shook her finger at my questioning stare. Edward climbed behind the wheel of my car, he might as well call it his own, he drives it more.

"You miss your car don't you?" I asked him, smiling. It was cute the way he revered his car back home. His head nodded, I could see the longing in his eyes.

"Yes, but I make do with this fantastic piece of machinery. You have good taste." He complimented. I laughed, pulling our entwined hands to my lips. I reached down and nervously opened the folder Alice had handed me. I slipped the piece of paper out, and it slid into my lap. I clasped my hand over my mouth, in shock and in humor. The paper was a flyer for an STD medicine. Alice was definitely right, we did have to make sure no one knew it was her. There staring back at me was Jessica and Lauren, huddled together, on the flyer for a well known herpes medicine.

"What is that?" Edward asked, grabbing the paper. His eyes read the material. His mouth flung open, his eyes meeting mine.

"Do I want to know?" He asked, I couldn't tell if he was mad, or finding it funny.

"They were saying things about me and you one day. Saying that you were with me just for the sex. And it was the only way I was keeping you around. And you know Alice. She doesn't do things halfway." I answered. He nodded, and told me not to be upset.

"They are just jealous. But, I do think its funny." He said, a smile breaking onto his face.

"Are you sure they are going to like me?" I asked as we waited at the for his parents to exit the plane. He was excited, and he was sort of bouncing the way that Alice did when she was excited.

"Yes Bella, they will love you. Just like I do." He said, his hand gripped mine harder.

"Ow Edward." I pouted pulling from him. But his eyes were trained on someone else. A beautiful woman slowly making her way towards him. Instantly I was jealous, this woman was far to young to be his mother, and now she was hugging him.

"Mother." Edward happily remarked as she kissed his cheek. Her eyes landed on me. I was wrapped into a hug quickly. I was not expecting her to like me so much.

"You must be the beautiful Bella. I am so excited to finally meet you." She said, placing a kiss on my cheek. I blushed furiously. My eyes met Edwards, and then found a very handsome man standing next to him. He had the same build as my Edwards, but blond.

"Mom, Dad, meet Bella." Edward introduced us.

"Bella, I'm Carlisle. This is my wife Esme. Honey let her go." He chuckled, Esme had me in a death grip. But I smiled, these were very nice people. I now knew where Edward got his manners.

"I'm Bella." I replied, letting him shake my hand. He had a very nice grip, just like Edwards.

"So tell me, how is school?" Esme asked as we settled in for the trip home. Carlisle had appraised my choice in cars for a good ten minutes, it was the only chatter in the car when we first let the airport. I was sitting in back with his mother, and Edward was again driving with his father fiddling with my touch screen controls to the radio.

"Its fine, school is school Mom." Edwards answered. He and his dad went back to making small talk, and Esme continued getting to know me. Thanksgiving was actually still four days away, so we had all week to get acquainted.

"Did you want to stop at your dads, love." Edward asked, his eyes on me in the rearview mirror. I shrugged, a little shocked that he used his name for me in front of his parents. Esme stared at her son, a smile on her face, she was beaming. Carlisle exchanged a thumbs up with him in the front seat. I almost laughed.

"That's fine. I think he said they were staying home." I told him. I was a little nervous introducing his parents top my father. Edward and Charlie had hit it off quickly, I was still in my warming up stage. Sue was great, she mothered me a lot, but I guess I needed it after all this time. Pulling into Charlie's drive, heading down the tree lined lane, made me a little nostalgic. I saw his mothers look as we pulled to a stop in front of the door. A low whistle came from Carlisle's lips.

"Wow." IS all Esme said. At least they knew I wasn't with Edward because he had money. I had my own.

"This is beautiful." Esme whispered. I blushed. I wasn't used to people gawking over the house, everybody already knew it was huge when they first came over. I showed them the house, leaving my old room for last. Esme examined each and every photo in the room. Even the ones from my childhood.

"Honey, where are your parents?" Esme asked as we entered the kitchen. I shot a look at Edward, he had obviously not explained things to his parents.

"Well, my dad is probably out with Sue. And my mom died when I was small." I answered. Her eyes went wide, she gave Edward a slap on the arm.

"I just made an idiot out of myself. You couldn't tell us?" Esme chastised him. He held his hands up in peace.

"I didn't think it was my place. I wanted you to meet her dad and make your own judgment, not coming into the situation being biased." He explained. I like his answered, apparently his mother did too. The front door opened then, and I heard the very distinct sounds of my father rushing in. He appeared in the doorway.

"Bella. You have company? Hey Edward, nice to see you again." Charlie looked the most relaxed I had ever seen him. Jeans and a nice button up shirt. He noticed my appraisal.

"I told you I was retiring Bella. Did you not believe me?" He grinned. I smile back, and hugged him. Carlisle and Esme just watched, I remembered my manners.

"Dad, this is Edwards parents. Carlisle and Esme. They flew in from Seattle this morning." I explained, while they exchanged pleasantries. Sue came in, and did the same.

"Please join us for thanksgiving." I heard Charlie practically beg Carlisle and Esme when I was coming back from the girls room. I opened my mouth to say something. I took in their faces, trying to decipher their opinions. They seemed happy enough.

"Ok." I answered from behind everyone. They all turned to me. Edward was smiling, I knew he approved.

"You ready?" I asked him. He nodded, and gathered his jacket, and ushered his parents outside into the cold.

"We have a game tomorrow dad. You coming? Carlisle and Esme have tickets right next to yours." I asked him, his face lit up. I found out quickly that he really enjoyed watching me cheer.

"Wouldn't miss it for the world." He answered.

"I have this really bad feeling that something bad is going to happen." I told alice after she had questioned my frown. She giggled, I knew she was going to tell me to stop being so superstitious.

"I know. I just do. I cant help it." This feeling of anxiousness just wouldn't leave my stomach. It was messing up my balance, and my concentration. My heads were shaking from the uneasiness. Alice's eyes watch as I shook the nerves from myself.

"Are you going to be ok?" She asked. I nodded, tying her ribbon into her hair. Edward came up behind me, his landing on my shoulder. I jumped at the contact. I reeled back, an apologetic look on his face.

"Sorry, I'm just jumpy." I apologized. He nodded, and stayed with me as we walked out onto the basketball court. I loved this place. Allen Fieldhouse was so rich in tradition, and school spirit. This was the epitome of cheering for me.

"Are you going to be okay? Edwards voice asked me from behind. I nodded my head, he smiled weakly at me.

"Ready?" He asked again as we took our spots to perform for the crowd. I just nodded. I could do this routine in my sleep, I had every move memorized right down to the way I walked. The music started and we began our moves. I executed every move perfectly, moving into the basket toss formation. My nerves were even stronger as I stepped into their arms. As soon as I flew into the air I knew it was all wrong, it felt wrong. Twisting into my flip as best I could, I closed my eyes as I hit cradle. But it didn't land the way it was supposed to. Arms fell out from underneath me, and my arms shot out in front of me to catch myself as I hit the floor. Pain shot up my arm instantly. I quickly took inventory of myself quickly, checking for any other pains. None. I held my hand in front of my face, it was definitely broken.