EPOV

For the first time I was excited about the next 48 hours between my rotation. I was exited to see Bella. The idea of quality time without interference was what I was wanting and needing most.

Reaching her house, I suddenly became nervous. How was I supposed to do this? Remain controlled when I wanted her so desperately especially when I knew how she tasted and what she felt like in my arms. If I thought the years without her were torture, they held nothing on this.

I stood there waiting for her to open the door, trying to use the cool, wet night air to dampen my desire.

Opening the door, she didn't speak. Instead she jumped into my arms and kissed me. It was like a downpour of love, passion and everything I'd imagined she could give me. A mirror image of what I wanted to give her.

Our arms wrapped around each other we kissed seemingly forever. No two kisses alike.

Pulling back I said in a horse voice that broke with desire, "Can we go inside?"

She said, "I forgot where we were." She cleared her throat and added, "I've missed you. I mean, I haven't seen you in a while."

"I've been counting down all day till I could see you like this," I said.

"I know you said you would see me later but I was afraid you would forget or that you might have other plans."

"I could never forget you. Especially if I get that greeting every time."

Lying on our sides together on the couch, facing each other, I let my hands run over her body, feeling shocked at how much I had missed the feeling of her against me. Every inch of her body fit right to mine; it was l like having a cool drink after being thirsty for a long time.

Not really wanting to bring it up again but I needed to know why. I just could not understand her reasons for staying gone for so long if she still loved me.

Murmuring into her ear, "How could you stay gone for so long when we are so perfect together?"

Feeling her breath stirring against my neck she whispered, "Once I had my rational thinking back, staying away was the hardest thing I've ever done. A hundred times I picked up the phone. I knew if I did you would have been on the first flight out. I couldn't let you do that since you had already started classes."

Nodding yes, "There's no doubt I would have flown to you. But you didn't give me a chance. I could have enrolled with you or you could have came home."

Realizing I sounded a little harsh I apologized. "I'm sorry. The length of time you stayed away is the one thing I cannot understand. I've tried all week to put myself in your shoes. Enrolling in school and wanting to excel is one thing but you abandoned everyone not just me."

Taking a deep breath she said, "I know I've made a mess. If it takes me the rest of my life to make it right I will."

With her arms around me, holding me close she kissed along my neck to my ear and whispered, "I let you go once, I wouldn't do it again. That's one lesson I learned from all of this."

I kissed her hair, her ear, and her cheek. Cupping her face in my hands, tilting her head back. "You have nothing to worry about. I'm not going anywhere." Gently kissing her lips.

Feathering my fingertips over her cheeks and jaw, drawing a long sigh from her. I continued exploring her face, memorizing her in minute detail. When I caressed her lower lip with my thumb, she sighed and I couldn't resist placing another kiss there before wrapping my arms around her. I was never letting her go.

We stayed like that for a long time, just holding each other. Not wanting to let the other go.

It felt so nice having her in my arms that I almost missed noticing that her breathing had changed. Thoroughly relaxed, she was falling asleep.

Whispering, "Bella, wake up. You need to get to bed and I need to get home."

Shaking her head no, "Stay." Still not fully awake, standing she grabbed my hand pulling me up off the couch. "You're in no condition to drive home. You're just as tired as I'm."

"Bella, I'm fine." Sleep was not what I had on my mind when I thought of a bed and Bella in the same sentence. I was wide a wake. Considering she wasn't, tonight wasn't the right time to be sharing her bed.

"Humor me," she said pulling me down the hall towards her bedroom.

"Sleeping in my jeans doesn't sound very comfortable." I was grasping at anything to keep a safe distance between us.

"Seriously Edward, when did you become so modest, especially with me? You've never slept in anything but boxers." Pulling the covers back, she climbed into bed and patting the spot next to her, she added, "Strip and come on."

Shaking my head at her, I pulled my shirt off and stepped out of my jeans, tossing them next to the bed, I climbed in next to her.

"See, that was easy." Leaning towards me she whispered against my lips, "I love you."

"I love you too." Kissing her softly.

Lying on her side facing me, she was out in no time.

I spent the next two hours lying next to Bella watching her sleep and listening to her breathing. The sight and sound was beautiful and one that I had missed for a long time.

The next morning waking up, I looked down to see her beautiful head lying on my bare chest. Her left arm was wrapped around my waist and both of my arms holding her to me. A smile crossed my face as I took in that sight. I wanted to wake up to that sight every morning for the rest of my life.