Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of Stephenie Meyer. No copyright infringement is intended. The original plot and storyline of Never Enough, however, belong to me. Please be nice and don't copy or translate without permission. Thank you.

Wow, just... wow. The words of encouragement and support last chapter were amazing. Physically, I am on the road to recovery and getting stronger every day. Mentally and emotionally... each day is a challenge and I take each day as it comes. I am incredibly blessed to have an amazing support system, including two of my very best friends, Iadorepugs and Cullen_Crazy01, who do so much more than simply beta for me. They are lifelines to whom I cling regularly. Love you girls!

I'm so happy you guys enjoyed the I Love Yous in the last chapter. I failed to share credit with Iadorepugs, who helped me write the ILYs at a time in my life when I'm having difficulty believing in the concept. But these two crazy kids give even ME hope for it, and they insist on their story continuing, so please read on...

Chapter 26

I stirred and stretched a little, conscious of the heavy warmth of Edward's arms wrapped around my waist. The sensuous feel of his bare skin on mine was a vivid reminder of our lovemaking last night. I opened my eyes in the gentle morning light to find him looking at me. His dark green eyes were still a little sleepy as he reached up and traced his index finger over my cheek.

"Good morning, my love," he said, his voice low and husky with slumber. It was a sound that never failed to arouse me, and this morning was certainly no exception.

"Good morning to you too, baby," I said in return, enjoying the way the desire flared in his eyes at the endearment I had used last night. He inclined his head toward mine, running the tip of his nose along my cheekbone, across my nose, and down to my jaw.

I was raising my hands to wind my fingers in Edward's hair when the ringing of my cell phone interrupted my move...just like yesterday. I groaned, wanting nothing more than to bury myself deeper under the covers and further into Edward's arms. But the 'Mom' in me was instantly on alert when I recognized Jacob's ringtone. He almost never called when the kids were with him. Curiosity mixed with a certain amount of dread forced me to answer. I rolled over and grabbed my cell from my nightstand. I flopped to my back, sighing heavily, and sent Edward an apologetic smile before I pressed the send button.

"'Lo?" I grumbled into the phone, stifling a yawn and squinting at the alarm clock on Edward's nightstand. I couldn't believe it was already after ten o'clock….but then again, we had been up awfully late last night, I thought with a satisfied grin.

As if he could hear my thoughts, Edward moved closer to me, sliding one arm back over my waist and one leg over both of mine. I could feel his erection stirring as his hips pressed against my thigh, and I stifled a gasp when he gathered my hair and brushed it aside. He buried his face in my neck where his lips and tongue plied my sensitive skin and made me shiver with anticipation.

"Bella!" Jacob's booming voice sounded into the phone. I winced at the volume and pulled the phone away from my ear. Edward looked up at the sound of Jacob's voice, his eyes flashing with irritation and his brow furrowing in a scowl for a brief moment. Then his gaze turned playful and seductive, the corner of his mouth lifting in that sexy crooked smile I loved so much.

Edward lowered his face toward one of my breasts, his eyes never leaving mine, and brushed his cheek against the nipple, which sprung to instant attention at the feel of his growth of beard chafing the skin. I watched with wide eyes as he slowly slid his tongue between his teeth and lips, pressing the very tip of his tongue to the very tip of my breast. The sight of even that tiny bit of his mouth on my flesh sent my heart hammering, and I felt a pulsing throb of excitement low in my belly.

Edward smiled against my nipple and then opened his lips further to take as much my breast into his mouth as he could, laving it with his tongue and nipping with his teeth. It was all I could do to stop from crying out his name as I tried to control my reactions to his sensual onslaught.

"Bella, are you okay?" I heard Jacob ask from a distance, and I vaguely remembered that I was supposed to be speaking with him. Where was the phone anyway? I must have dropped it, because my hand was now unencumbered and reaching for Edward's hair to hold him closer as his mouth shifted to my other breast. I was too focused on the feel of Edward's fingers sliding down my torso and tracing light teasing circles around my belly button to concentrate on anything else.

"Shit!" I swore sharply when Edward's hand moved lower to feather his fingertips against my clit, my hips automatically rising greedily to his touch.

"Bella, what's the matter?" Jacob's shout sounded somewhere near my ear, and suddenly I was too confused and overwhelmed. It was wrong, Edward's hands on my body and Jacob's voice in my ear.

I shook my head frantically at Edward as his caresses grew even bolder. He complied immediately, obviously understanding the look of panic that must have been on my face. He drew back, putting his arms around me and snuggling against my side. "Sorry," he whispered, his gaze repentant.

I smiled at him. "I love you," I whispered back, and then found the phone lying next to my pillow.

"Sorry, Jacob, I dropped the phone and it took me a minute to find it," I apologized, pretending not to notice when Edward frowned again at Jacob's name.

"Are you still in bed or something?" Jacob asked.

"Yeah, I had a late night last night," I said as I yawned again. Edward grinned at me.

"Well I can't believe you heard the phone ring, but you didn't hear me pounding on the door. Come down and let me in!" Jacob said.

Wait...what? "Pounding on the…you're at the front door?" I asked in confusion, struggling to sit upright. Both Edward and I looked toward the doorway of the bedroom, straining to hear any noises from outside. I almost giggled when Edward drew the blanket up protectively over my body, as if to shield me from any prying eyes.

I could hear Jacob knocking through the phone, but it was silent outside. "You can't hear me knocking? Come on, Bells, that house echoes like a gymnasium!"

It suddenly dawned on me why I couldn't hear him now, and why he hadn't woken me with his knocking earlier. "Uh, Jake? I'm not at the house right now."

"Of course you are, Bella. Your car's right out front. And you said you're still in bed, so you've got to be in there." I waited for a few slow beats, and I could almost hear the light bulb go on when Einstein put everything together. "Oh shit, you're at Edward's, aren't you?"

"Yes, I am," I answered. "Why are you stopping by at ten o'clock on a Sunday morning anyway Jake? Why aren't you at home with Renesmee and the kids?"

"Well, Ness and I wanted to talk to you, actually," Jacob answered. "Do you think we could come over to Edward's house?"

The dark glower on Edward's face when he overheard the question answered it for me. "How about I meet you somewhere?" I suggested quickly, quirking an eyebrow at Edward when he glared even more fiercely. He shook his head, then gestured rapidly from himself to me and back again. I covered the receiver with my hand. "You want to go with me?" I whispered. He nodded grimly.

"Hey Jake, how about if Edward and I meet you two somewhere?" I offered. What a lovely time it would be, my ex-husband and his girlfriend, with me and my boyfriend. God, this was not how I wanted to spend the day after Valentine's Day, the day after Edward told me he loved me!

"Sure, no problem. When?"

"At least an hour," Edward hissed at me.

"An hour?" I asked incredulously.

"Sure, an hour works. Where do you want to meet?" Jacob asked.

I named a coffee shop downtown that was always busy on Sunday. Might as well have a crowd of witnesses to what could well be a major clusterfuck based on Edward's current mood and Jacob's general cluelessness. After confirming to Jacob that we would meet him in an hour, I pressed the 'end' button and tossed the phone over the side of the bed with an annoyed groan. I flopped back against the pillow once again, covering my eyes with one hand and running my fingers through my hair in frustration with the other.

Edward reached over and moved the hand covering my face. I turned my head to look at him. He was on his side, propped up on his elbow, and studying me with a look of concern. "Jacob say what he wanted to see you about?" he asked.

"No, he just said he and Renesmee want to meet. It probably has something to do with the kids," I guessed. "I wish we could just go now and get it over with. Why the hour delay?" I asked, a hint of a whine in my voice.

Edward's eyes were intense as he leaned over me. "Because these weekends are ours, our only time to be alone together, and he interrupted our morning plans."

"We have plans this morning?" I asked. Edward didn't answer with words, simply moved so that his body covered mine, his hips and prominent erection pressed against my center. I shifted my legs, cradling him between them as I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him down to me for a slow, sensual kiss. Morning breath be damned, I simply had to feel his mouth on mine.

"Mmmm, I like your plans," I murmured when he started moving down my body, his hands and mouth blazing a path to the part of me that was wet and waiting for him. Common sense returned for a fleeting moment. "But Edward, we'll be late," I protested feebly.

"Yes Bella, I believe we will," he growled, sliding his fingers through my folds and parting me, his breath hot against my sex. All sense – common or otherwise – fled at the stroke of his tongue against my needy flesh, and I gave myself over wantonly to the sensations he created.

XOXOXO

An hour and a half later, Edward and I walked through the door of the coffee shop. My body was still quaking and tingling from his ministrations this morning. Edward had been relentless in his pursuit of my pleasure, bringing me to completion several times before finally acquiescing to my outright begging and sliding home with a satisfied groan. Picturing his face as he had moved above me and remembering the way he had sounded when he called out my name as he climaxed made me wish we were still in bed, or at the very least that the weekend had more days to it. God, I needed to get a grip and stop acting like a horny teenager all the time! Even though I was enjoying it to a point that should have been illegal. Illegal, arrested…handcuffs…..Edward...mmmmmm. No, I needed to stop that train of thought right now before I saw Jake.

"Bella, over here!" a soft feminine voice called, and I saw Renesmee sitting at a table to the side. I was glad she had chosen one of the larger tables. I couldn't picture the four of us sitting at one of the tiny bistro tables without Edward and Jacob knocking knees.

"I'll go order. What would you like?" Edward asked.

"Coffee and a scone, please."

He leaned down and kissed my cheek. "Anything for you, my pretty girl," he said with a grin that melted my heart.

I left him in line and went to sit down with Renesmee. "Where's Jacob?" I asked.

"He went to grab my phone from the car. I didn't realize I left it there until he was playing with his phone and grumbling about calling to see why you were late." She grinned and winked.

I shifted in my seat uncomfortably, feeling a blush heat my cheeks. "Sorry about that," I mumbled.

Renesmee giggled and waved off my embarrassment. "It's not like lounging around a coffee house on a Sunday morning is a real hardship. Edward seems like a terrific guy."

"He is," I said, my eyes returning to him as he waited for our order at the counter. I noticed one of the women behind the counter look him up and down with a predatory gleam in her eye. He was dressed exactly as he had been the first time we had come here for coffee, in my favorite pair of worn and ripped jeans that cupped his ass perfectly. I was irritated that the barista was noticing that as well. He wore a plaid flannel shirt over his ratty gray tee, and topped it off with the Yankees ball cap that did a poor job disguising the hair I had so thoroughly mussed in bed this morning. Another woman in line was eying him with interest, and as annoying as it was I couldn't blame them. Edward – especially I-just-got-laid-and-rolled-out-of-bed Edward – was a glorious sight to behold. Even though he still sported the signs of his confrontation with Felix, nothing could diminish Edward's handsome features. They could look all they wanted, I decided generously. I was the only one allowed to do any touching, and as I had told Edward before, I don't share.

Renesmee looked over my shoulder and smiled, and I turned to see Jacob approaching our table. As usual, he only had eyes for her, but it no longer hurt the way it had when they'd first met. Even though our marriage had been over for quite a while by the time she came into his life, watching the man I'd loved fall in love with someone else had been painful.

But now I felt stirrings of gratitude. Jacob's feelings for Renesmee were what finally forced the issue of our divorce, and without the divorce I never would have met Rosalie...or Edward. My heart actually hurt at the thought of not having Edward in my life, and my eyes sought him once again. He glanced up as if he somehow knew I was watching him, and when our eyes met I felt the tightness in my chest release at his crooked grin. He picked up the two coffees and the bag containing my scone and walked toward us, his smile faltering a little when Jacob leaned down and kissed my cheek before taking the chair on my left.

Edward took the seat to my right and placed my coffee and scone in front of me. Only because I knew him so well was I able to read the discomfiture in his posture as he greeted Jacob and Renesmee. He was unfailingly polite to my ex-husband, but I could see that the smile no longer reached Edward's eyes. I reached over and put my hand on Edward's thigh and squeezed it reassuringly, noting how tense the muscles were under my fingers. He glanced up, his eyes losing their hard edge, and put his hand over mine, the warmth of his fingers a soothing balm to the sudden nerves that I felt as we sat with Jacob and Renesmee.

We shared small talk for a couple of minutes, mostly about the kids. Sarah had come home from the dance last night absolutely giddy, Renesmee told me, but had fallen asleep almost immediately and had still been asleep when they left the house this morning. Will was at Sam and Emily's house, having spent the night there last night.

Once the subject of the kids had been exhausted, we stumbled awkwardly over several more dead-end topics of small talk. Watching Edward out of the corner of my eye as he attempted to shred the napkin in front of him with his free hand, I decided to move things along.

"So, Jake, Renesmee, what brought you guys to the house this morning?" I asked. "Is there something going on with either Sarah or Will that I need to know about?"

"Oh no, the kids are just fine," Jacob reassured me. "I just wanted to…I mean, before someone…I didn't want you to hear…that is…"

"Oh for God's sake Jacob, just spit it out," Renesmee said, rolling her eyes. "Jacob proposed yesterday, and I accepted. So we're engaged." She held out her left hand where a small diamond nestled into a gold band sparkled in the sunlight from her ring finger.

"That's great," I said sincerely, the mom in me glad they were making it official for my children's sake. "When's the big day?"

"As soon as we can arrange it," Jacob answered, reaching for Renesmee's hand and giving it an affectionate squeeze.

Something in Jacob's expression raised a suspicion in me that I was unable to quell. "Are you…?" I blurted and then stopped, feeling instantly embarrassed at my own crassness. "Wait, that was rude, I'm sorry. You don't need to answer that," I apologized.

Renesmee reached over and punched Jacob not-so-gently on the shoulder with her fist. "I told you that was what people would think if you phrased it that way," she scolded him, then turned to me with a small smile. "That wasn't rude, and I'll answer the question anyway. No, I'm not pregnant, but we would like to have a baby, as soon as possible. And even though we moved in together initially, we want this to happen in the right order for our child from now on."

I supposed, given Renesmee's age, that their desire for a child was to be expected. Better her than me! I thought. I certainly couldn't imagine having another child at my age. I knew intellectually that thirty-five was hardly too old for that, and that some of the women that came into the bookstore were just starting to have their families at my age. But I already had my family, and Sarah and Will were enough to handle on most days with the business to take care of as well. The idea of pregnancy, childbirth, and caring for an infant at this stage of my life made me cringe internally, infinitely grateful that I was on this side of the table and not theirs.

"Congratulations you guys," Edward said, with his first genuine smile for the two of them. He offered his hand to Jacob over the table, and Jake took it, the two men grinning at one another. It was kind of disconcerting to witness.

"Thanks, Edward," Jacob said. "Didn't mean to interrupt your morning, but we plan to tell the kids this afternoon, and I wanted to make sure that Bella knew first."

"I appreciate that, Jake," I said, grateful that he was thinking of the kids. "I think they'll be okay with it, but let me know if they have any reactions you don't expect."

"Of course," Renesmee said. She checked her watch and nudged Jacob. "Sorry to run, but we've actually got to go pick up Will from Braden's. We'll let you know how it goes tonight, okay?"

"Sure," I said. I looked from Jacob to Renesmee and back again. "I really am happy for you two," I told them.

"Thanks, Bells," Jacob said, patting my shoulder as they got up to leave. "Edward, it was nice seeing you again."

"You too Jacob, Renesmee," Edward said, standing up when Renesmee did. God, it was so sexy when he did the gentleman thing.

I was surprised when Renesmee came around the table and hugged me. While we were friendly for the kids' sake, we were definitely not close friends given the circumstances. "I'm so happy for you Bella. You and Edward are just perfect together," she said softly.

"Yeah, we are," I agreed, squeezing her lightly in return.

Edward's eyes were soft and warm when he looked at me, obviously having heard our exchange. His hand was strong and comforting where he laid it on my shoulder as we watched Jacob and Renesmee leave.

Once they rounded the building out of sight, Edward and I each sighed loudly in relief and then started laughing at our simultaneous reaction. "Oh my God, I'm so glad that's over!" I said as I giggled.

"Not nearly as glad as I am," Edward replied, still chuckling. We sat down in the same seats as before, but Edward pulled his chair closer to mine. He leaned forward and pressed a quick but thorough kiss to my lips, and I could taste the hazelnut in his coffee as his tongue made a swift foray into my mouth.

"Mmmm, you taste good," he said, pulling back, his smile and posture now completely relaxed.

"So do you," I teased, stroking his bottom lip with my thumb to remove the trace of lipgloss left behind. "Thanks for asking to come with me, Edward. I didn't realize how nervous I was until we were here. It helped tremendously having you with me."

"Anything for you, my pretty girl," he said, the endearment familiar yet still thrilling. "So, big news, huh? How are you feeling about what they told you?"

"I'm glad they're making it official," I admitted. "I mean, I'm a pretty progressive person, but as a mom it scares the snot out of me that they've been living together, unmarried, with impressionable teenagers around. I know times have changed a lot, but I'm traditional enough to want my kids to eventually do things in the right order – fall in love, get married, and then move in together and have kids."

"I guess I'm old-fashioned then too, because I refused to move in with Heidi before we got married," Edward said, studying his coffee cup. "I didn't feel it was the right example for Chelsea. I think it's the only reason that Heidi ever married me, because I wouldn't move in otherwise."

I felt my anger rise at the mention of Heidi, and the change of Edward's tone from playful and carefree to carefully controlled and emotionless. I took a calming breath and reached out to touch his cheek. "And that's yet another reason I love you, Edward, for your old fashioned values and ideas."

Edward looked up at me and smiled, raising his fingers to touch my hand. "I love you too, Bella."

"And now Ness and Jake want to have a baby," I said, giggling again as I remembered Jacob as a new father, standing there helpless and terrified when Sarah cried. And even though it had been just two years later, the same look of horror on his face when I left him with Will, only doubled because he'd had two kids to care for. Oh, poor Renesmee, she had no idea what she was getting herself into with him!

"I think that's fantastic," Edward said, his eyes lighting up and a smile full of unadulterated joy crossing his face. "I know I can't wait to be a dad and hold my little one for the first time, watch him or her learn to roll, and crawl, and walk, and talk."

I could picture it all so clearly, Edward holding a tiny red-headed infant in his arms, changing a diaper as he sang softly to an enraptured baby. Playing, laughing, snuggling, soothing. He would be an amazing father, and he'd be a loving and attentive husband to his child's mother, the kind that would take the baby so she could sleep in, or bring her breakfast in bed while she breastfed their child. Mother's Day and Father's Day would be true celebrations of their family, no mere Hallmark holiday in the Cullen household.

But what scared me is that I wasn't sure I wanted to be, or could be, that woman. I loved Edward with all my heart, but I was happy and satisfied with my life as it was. My kids were older, fairly independent, and able to take care of their own basic needs. My house was decorated the way I wanted it, with all of the treasures that had been locked up during their toddler years on display now. I had the freedom to spend the morning, or half the weekend, in bed with Edward with nothing more than our own needs dictating our schedule. Babies changed everything, and I wasn't sure that I wanted anything to change.

I realized Edward was still speaking to me, but I had no idea what he had asked. My blood was pounding in my ears, and I could almost feel the blood drain from my face.

"Bella, are you okay?" Edward asked, his brow furrowed with concern. "You look like you're going to be sick."

I felt like I was going to be sick. "You…you still want kids?" I asked, my voice a little high and squeaky.

Edward nodded emphatically. "Oh yeah, I've always wanted kids! Especially now that…" his voice trailed off as his eyes searched mine. "Don't you want kids, Bella?" he asked, his voice suddenly uncertain.

"Edward, I already have kids," I said slowly. "I guess I never thought…I mean, my kids are teenagers already, and I…" The words died in my throat at the sad look in Edward's eyes.

The expression was gone almost immediately, replaced by a thoughtful look. "I suppose that's true, your kids are almost grown, why in the world would you want to start over again with a baby anyway," he said. He reached over and took my hand in his, his touch soothing. His eyes searched mine, and he smiled. "I've waited my whole life for you, Bella. You're what's important to me."

The emotions within me were screaming in conflict. I wanted so badly to believe that loving me would be enough for Edward, but I had seen the longing in his eyes when he spoke of a child of his own. How long would loving me be enough, before his desire for a family took him from me? And was I right to hold on to him when he may be able to find that happiness elsewhere? The thought of being without Edward made my chest hurt, just as it had earlier when I thought of never having met him. It would cause me physical pain to be separated from him now. But if I loved him, could I be so selfish as to make him stay with me and miss out on a life goal he so clearly wanted?

Edward sensed my internal struggle, and he reached over to take my face in his hands, smoothing the worry lines between my eyebrows and caressing my cheek. "You're thinking too hard, Bella. This is all that matters – you and me. I love you, and I want to be with you. Please love, don't worry about this."

"I love you, too," I whispered, leaning forward to press a soft kiss to his lips. Please let that be enough, I prayed fervently, knowing that my heart would be destroyed if it wasn't.

So... hope you don't decide to come find me with pitchforks or tar and feathers – remember I'm still recovering from surgery! Please trust me and remember that I have loved these characters even longer than you have!

As always, if there was anything in this chapter that made you smile, laugh, sigh, or even groan in frustration, I would love to hear from you. And you know if I hear from you, that you'll hear from me in response!

Thank you so much for taking the time to read, and for those of you who also take the time to review – especially those who do so with every chapter - mwah! I can't believe I'm over a thousand reviews on ffn! *squeeeeee*