June 26, 2010 EDITING TO ADD THIS NOTE:

THE FANDOM GIVES BACK AUCTION IS STARTING THIS EVENING...and I am offering an outtake from any of my current stories:

GUARDING EDWARD http:/www. fanfiction. net/s/4823993/1/ Guarding_Edward

IMMERSION http:/www. fanfiction. net/s/5434313/1/ Immersion

DRAGON STONES http:/www. fanfiction. net/s/5287790/1/ Dragon_Stones

KNIGHTS OF HONOR http:/www. fanfiction. net/s/5203210/1/K nights_of_Honor

K'DIN, BRONZE MEERTANTH'S RIDER http:/www. fanfiction. net/s/5838342/1/ Kdin_Bronze_Meertanths_Rider

You all know that I'm Chatty Kathie, so the outtake will be at least 3k long.

This is the link to the actual auction, take out the spaces to make any and all links work: http:/ www. thefandomgivesback. com/item. php?id=483

And this is the link to the AUCTION DISCUSSION thread: http: /www. thefandomgivesback.c om/forum/viewtopic. php?f=13&t=81

If there's a missing moment...or a past moment or a future moment that you'd like to read...come and bid on me, and I'll write it for the winning bid.

Now, back to the story!

Esme is going to talk about a fan fiction story in this chapter. The fantastic fic I'm referring to is THE LIST, by LauraACullen, http: /www. fanfiction. net/s/4934524/1/The_List (take out the spaces to make the link work) There is a lemon in this epilogue...but it is a mild one according to some standards.

…Epilogue…

…Six Years Later…

…Edward…

The storm was building over the mountains of Colorado. Bella leaned back against my chest as we watched the black clouds roll in. Alice had told us that this storm would be spectacular, so the family gathered on a mountain peak north of Breckenridge to watch. Besides the visual pleasure we derived from the display, we enjoyed the side effects of the atmospheric upheaval from such a huge storm. It enhanced our vampiric senses and the tingle of the electricity as it discharged in sheet lightning made our skin prickle in a very delightful way.

No one needed to say it, but we all knew that as the storm raged we'd be pairing off to hunt and find release with our mates. In fact, when Alice had mentioned the storm she had called it "Dinner and a show…with dessert."

As the storm built around us, I thought back over the last several years. My life had changed so much on that fall day, six years ago; the day that Bella Cullen's scent had first claimed my attention just before she claimed my heart.

…

~~!~!~!~~

…

It had been hard keeping the mating imperative at bay when everything in our bodies cried out to become one. We had spent every night together, either at my place or at hers, and that did help. The intimate moments that we shared and the hours spent skin to skin appeased our urges to some extent.

The fact that my parents fell in love with her almost immediately was helpful too. I had started talking her up the day after we met, telling them what a wonderful girl she was, so smart and pretty, and that I was taking her out on Friday night. We did go out, to a movie and then I came home. After telling them what a good time I had, I went to my bed…to sleep in Bella's arms.

Of course, they didn't know anything about that, but they saw how happy I was and that my grades were still stellar, so they didn't worry. After our fifth official date in two weeks, not counting all the study dates we had shared while they weren't home, Mom had me invite her over for Sunday dinner. I proffered the invitation to her while we sat with her family watching Buffy reruns. Who knew that vampires would find that show so amusing?

Emmett had laughed and asked, "So, what is Ma serving for Bella to hack up later? That reminds me, does she have to hack up your c-"

Rosalie didn't even hesitate as she smacked him on the back of the head.

I remembered that I had felt shocked. I hadn't even considered that she'd have to do that. Turning to her I asked, "Wait, do you have to do that?"

She had turned to me with a soft loving smile on her face and said, "It's worth it each and every time." That had shut Emmett up.

That first dinner with my folks had been interesting. We had already discovered that I could only read other minds when she was near me. I was grateful, as the few lustful thoughts that I had seen in my parents' minds were more than enough. At that point I could slip into the meadow at will, and I certainly did so to avoid more time listening to their thoughts.

Mom had served baked chicken; new potatoes; fresh green beans and a three layer chocolate cake for dessert; all things that I loved. Bella had been a real trooper, eating her portion with grace. I had tried not to think about her having to make it come back up later.

The conversation had flowed well. And laughter had been the theme of the evening. Bella had been enthralled listening to stories of me as a youngster. It was all I could do to keep mom from bringing out the baby albums. I finally convinced her to hold off until much later in our relationship.

When we had left the house later, so I could return Bella to her home, Mom had pulled me aside and said that she approved and that Dad did too.

Their support of our relationship had made things so much easier on us both.

That very first morning, waking in Bella's arms had been amazing. A glance at the clock showed that I had an hour before I would have to start to get ready to leave. Being so close to Bella had allowed me to tune in to her gift. I could hear my parents' dreams. That was weird. After a moment I brought the two of us into the meadow. That was going to make my life so much easier, and Bella said it would improve her life too. She was looking forward to having a break from all the thoughts of those around her.

My mind was wandering through the flowers, holding her hand as we enjoyed the sunshine, when I realized that her hands were physically wandering on my skin. I was still naked and she was still wearing her soft yoga pants. We spent the next hour caressing each inch of exposed skin, sharing kisses and trying to immerse ourselves in each other.

It was a wonderful way to waken and set up a routine that we followed for the next two years.

Bella had run home to change while I got ready for school that first day. I drove my truck to school and she and Esme were waiting next to a black Mercedes when I arrived. I parked next to them, my eyes on Bella's as I got out and slammed the truck door. She met me and I ducked my head into her neck, breathing in her wonderful aroma for a moment. She tilted her face into the curve of my shoulder, also taking in deep hits of my scent. I heard the gasps from the students watching us.

Esme's thoughts were overjoyed. She loved seeing us this way. Just as I realized that I could hear Esme, on my own and not through Bella, I had also heard the mental voices of the students. That was it, I took myself into the meadow and Bella joined me there. She said later that it as the best day of school that she had ever had.

We had only been apart for an hour at that point, and after the night spent together, the time away from each hadn't been too bad. We'd test ourselves to see how long we could go without the pain coming back. We both acknowledged that we'd never want it to be for long amounts of time.

Esme got Bella transferred into my classes and we went about our day, holding hands and sneaking in kisses. The students came to accept our togetherness and our ritual greeting without comment after just a few days. I didn't care what they thought though. I just kept that part of me that could hear them in the meadow and ignored them.

The team was pleased for me. They liked Bella's sense of humor, her dry wit and her smarts. Sandi gave me a look that said, "I told you so."

I wasn't sure about asking her to join the Debate team. I felt that with her gift, and now with mine, that we'd be cheating, since we could hear the strategies of the other teams. I could have kept us in the meadow, but I didn't want the temptation.

After some discussion between the team and us, we decided to become the support division for them. We'd do research and act as practice debaters for the active members. We helped them hone their skills and they excelled throughout the year. Gary had been named Captain after Sandi moved. She had qualified for State and would be flying back in the spring to attend the big event.

In addition to Bella being welcomed by my friends, her family was too. Our table was filled at lunch with the team and the Cullens. The student body just couldn't get over it. The gorgeous new kids had joined the geeks. A couple of times a few of the popular kids had tried to join us, but a cutting remark from Rosalie on the state of Jessica's clothes and about the smell exuding from Mike had put a stop to that.

That was good, because I had listened to Mike's mind at one point and I would have had to kill him if I couldn't be in the meadow. He wasn't subtle about taking Bella's clothes off in his mind…along with Alice and Rosalie's. For a minute I thought about telling Jasper and Emmett about his fantasies, then sitting back and watching the show, but decided that he wasn't worth it.

After a couple of weeks, I noticed that some other couples in the school would also greet their other half the way we did. The first one I noticed, in particular, was the freshman that Bella had "sneezed" on. He greeted the girl that had come to his rescue the same way. She still glared at Bella when they passed in the hallway. We would both laugh quietly.

Having an extended family was interesting. I had been an only child, with the Debate team as a surrogate extended family, but having the Cullens in my life sometimes left me speechless-and often an uncontrollable shade of red.

Emmett was a riot. He lived to make me blush, and since Bella and I were almost constantly walking the fine line of "we have to, no we can't," he had plenty of source material.

He was also constantly being reminded that I was fragile. The first time someone took him to task for approaching me too roughly I had felt a bit babied. But that was before he had bruised my ribs!

Jasper and I had the best conversations about history. We'd sit through our class in school and he'd whisper that he'd tell me what really happened later. That was a blast.

Of course, there was a drawback to being in the class with only Jasper. The girls in there hit on him, and on me, every chance they got. I guess my being with Bella had added some kind of cachet to my standing and I found girls trying to get near me all the time. Well, all the time when Bella wasn't standing right there with me.

I loved her subtle vampire vibe, she didn't scare me, but the girls were always wigged out when she was standing near them. It could have been the nearly subliminal growls she gave off when she saw them flirting with me, or worse, touching my arm. We weren't far apart most of the time and that was very good.

A lot of the flirting had stopped after the Halloween Party. Bella, Alice and Rosalie had taken care of it then. Certainly one of my fonder human memories and I was glad that it had come through my change with me. Having the video evidence had helped keep that particular memory nice and clear.

…

~~!~!~!~~

…

I could hear Bella all the time after knowing her for just three days. Most of the time we just kept a soft touch on each other; just enjoying the feeling of our connection. We had found that we could "keep secrets" from each other, but talking directly was such a pleasure. We could contact each other even when we were miles apart.

By entering the meadow, I could keep Bella mostly out. She could still feel our connection, but not get a read on my exact thoughts. When she was with me in the meadow she could hear me clearly. I could also hear anyone who was inside with me.

Being connected mentally all the time made Bella's hunting trips easier on both of us. Our touch helped us to stay sane. She also only went immediately after we had an intimate connection.

I was fascinated by her mind when she hunted. It was so feral and totally Wild Kingdom. She would hurry back to me afterwards and the intensity of our connection, even without going all the way, would rock the rafters. Jasper would have to leave, taking Alice with him, to get away from the levels of lust we'd be broadcasting.

Carlisle and I were anxious to find out about my meadow and how it worked. It was effortless for me to get inside and easy for me to bring Bella in also. I couldn't hear the mental meanderings of everyone around me when I was there, and neither could Bella. We had found out early on that if I wasn't in close proximity with her, I couldn't hear anyone else. Carlisle had theorized that when I became a vampire, and Bella's immortal mate, I would take on at least some aspects of her gift.

Starting the first week, we'd hurry to her place, or mine, right after school. We'd spend an hour or so immersing ourselves in each other. Considering we were both virgins, our learning curve was high and our sessions were very satisfying. Emmett enjoyed teasing us that we were making an art out of dry humping. Whatever…it worked for us, over and over again.

After our connection time, we'd research my meadow with Carlisle. It soon became natural for me to step into the glade whenever the other voices in my mind got too loud. Bella enjoyed being in there with me, having the respite from hearing her family and the people at school. I was intrigued that I could be in the meadow, but still able to function within real time, for want of a better phrase. Bella said that vampires could compartmentalize many threads of thoughts at one time. I had seen that the first time I encountered them all, when I nearly got lost in their seven combined minds. Carlisle was very impressed that as a human I could find that balance too. Well, at least I could balance two portions, the meadow and real time.

One afternoon shortly after we met, there was a huge thunderstorm approaching Forks. Emmett had told me that storms like that usually got everyone hot and bothered; he liked sharing those details with me. After hearing that, I was looking forward to some quality time spent with a storm-horny Bella.

The family had meant to leave the house to find some privacy, but the storm came up faster than Alice had anticipated. She rolled her eyes when Emmett called her on it and said she was only 98% accurate in her predictions. I wasn't feeling any effects from the tempest, but everyone around me had gotten really antsy. I stepped out of my meadow to see what was going in everyone's minds. Yes, I was sort of wondering what antics they were going to be getting up to; I am seventeen years old, after all. Immediately upon hearing their mental voices, I could see that Jasper was going to let loose a tremendous spike of lust; he was striving to contain it but it was getting away from him because of the all the input from those around him. Without thinking, I yanked him into the meadow just before he came unglued.

Jasper was shocked to find himself in the peaceful glade. A huge smile filled his face when he realized that the only emotions he was feeling were his own, and mine. And I was calm, not disturbed or agitated at all.

Thanks, Edward…this is great! Give me a minute to recover, and then I can go back. As he looked around and enjoyed the serenity that the space afforded him, he asked if he could come back sometime.

Anytime, Jasper. Bella and I enjoy the quiet here too.

Okay, I'm ready…and I let him out. He was immediately able to calm everyone's lust enough for them to gather up and go.

Alice was glaring at him, her hands on her hips. "I didn't like you being gone like that."

Without warning her, I made the spur of the moment decision to pull Alice in with me. Her eyes were wide as we met in the middle of the flowery space.

She shrugged and said…Well, it IS pretty here. I can see why Jazz would want to stop in on occasion and Bella practically lives in here with you. It's peaceful and the lack of most emotional and mental chatter would be restful. The couple of minutes that he spent here with you rejuvenated him more than a successful hunt!

With that Alice walked over and hugged me. Thank you for being there for him, Edward. You are such a great brother…

I hugged her back and then shooed her out. "So are you all going to go hunt now?" I asked.

With a round of raucous laughter from Emmett, the house quickly emptied of everyone except Bella and me. She said she'd give me a forty second head start and we could race to her room.

"Forty seconds? You know, when I'm changed and a newborn, I'm going to run circles around you…" And when I catch you, well, we won't come up for air for three years…

I took off and ran up the stairs, taking them two at a time. And still she beat me to her bedroom, had her clothes off and was sitting in the middle of her bed, totally naked.

You're wearing the shorts right now…she said as she dangled a pair of lime green and pink ones from her fingertips.

And I did so gladly.

…

~~!~!~!~~

…

We had made it six months, then nine and then an entire year without giving into our urge to consummate our relationship. It was a mutual decision to wait until we had graduated from high school for us to do so. For the most part that seemed like a good idea. I'd have my high school diploma and be free to attend any college that I wanted with Bella and the family. We had had a loose plan to marry two weeks after graduation. Alice kept trying to get Bella to put her in charge of those plans.

Then Bella and I would pretend to spend a year backpacking around Europe, enjoying our newly married status.

In reality we were going to be living through my newborn year in the wilds of Alaska. The family had a lodge along the White River in the Wrangell Mountains. There was lots of good hunting and no humans for hundreds of miles. It was the perfect place for me to become accustomed to my new life.

Now we were seniors and our routine of spending every night with each other and sharing classes had been working well for over a year. Most of the time we could hold the mating imperative at bay with nimble fingers and tongues, but for some reason, it had suddenly gotten harder for us to hold back. The status quo changed and suddenly it wasn't enough to just be skin to skin, to be enjoying each other's bodies, taking turns giving and receiving pleasure. We were both about to explode and were on the verge of just giving in to the mating imperative.

Jasper was quick to notice our tension and he told the rest of the family, who kept watchful eyes on us.

We had been caught, more than once, trying to hide out in the janitor's closet at the school, or under the bleachers with the intent to do more than make out. Yes, rather cliché places, but they were handy and we were horny. Alice had seen our plans and sent Jasper to subdue us with lethargy each time. I seriously thought about not letting him take a rest in my meadow the next time he felt the need…he should have to suffer, just like I was.

Emmett tried to work off some of my tension by getting more physical with me. He was constantly challenging me to races, to batting practice, to climb trees. One time he tried to get me to see who could eat the most hot dogs. That was ugly…and it didn't work either.

Carlisle tried to reason with us by pointing out that we had come so far and that the end was in sight. That made sense in my head, but my body wanted to forge ahead.

He then tried guilt and he was good at it. I was the last in my family line and Bella had broached the idea of storing some of my sperm; that maybe at some point in the future we could have a baby through a surrogate. Carlisle pointed out that I hadn't made a deposit yet, and he'd need some time to set up a couple of appropriate storage facilities. That had been on the agenda for a couple of months in the future. Why a couple of places? Well, we wouldn't want all my eggs, er, swimmers, in one basket, so to speak.

Bella and I were so close to giving in, for her to change me and just taking our year…or three…when Esme came to our rescue.

She made us sit down in the living room while she stood before us. She had a binder in her arms. The words, The List by LauraACullen, were on the front.

"I was wandering around the internet and found something that might help you to find new ways to express yourselves, without giving in to the mating imperative. I know that you both want to stick to the plan, but it's getting harder for you to do so." Esme smiled at us both, concern and compassion equally filling her eyes.

"This writer's characters have decided to not have intercourse until they are married. But they still want to be close and they need to find release with their partner. She has compiled quite The List for them to remain chaste, but still be intimate." Esme handed the binder to Bella. "I think that if you two read this, together, you might find some inspiration that will help keep things new and fresh…and relatively chaste. I would suggest a chapter every so often, maybe twice a month? Or as the need arises, it's up to you."

Bella and I both looked at the book in her lap and then up at Esme. Words of thanks were ready to leave my lips when Emmett bounded into the room.

"Dude, Bella's MOM is giving you a sex manual! Righteous!" A ringing slap followed by a prolonged howl trailed Emmett's words. Rosalie wasn't the only one who had perfected the smack down of Emmett over the years.

Esme's eyes were now narrowed as she glared at her cringing son. "What did Rose tell you last year? Do you really think that you should be playing fast and loose with your words when your most precious body parts are on the line?"

Emmett covered his lap with his cupped hands. "I'm sorry, Ma'am." He turned to us and offered us an apology too, remorse sounding through every word.

We accepted his apology and Esme said that if he could contain himself, she'd give Rosalie their copy of The List that she had bound for them too.

Apparently this book was so good that every couple in the family was getting one. Bella and I took our copy to her room…and didn't leave for several hours.

The List got us through the last months of our senior year of high school. Sometimes we read more than one chapter per weekend.

…

~~!~!~!~~

…

From the moment I accepted the fact that Bella was my soul mate, my love, my everything, I knew that I would do whatever it took to be with her always. Humans got a lifetime to share their love. By becoming like her, by becoming a vampire, I'd have lifetimes to devote myself to her.

I knew it was the right decision to wait to change me, at least in the long run. There were times during those two years that we both wanted to toss that decision out the window. Our mantra became: Follow the Plan. We chanted it a lot, sometimes together and sometimes separately.

The Plan made a lot of sense. It allowed me to grow into my body a bit more, let me finish high school and let me spend time with my family.

Much thought went into that last one. To tell them, or not? That really was the question and hours of discussion went into it. Finally, after making the decision in many different ways, with Alice looking into the future for us, we decided to take the plunge and tell them. My mother and father had come to enjoy time spent with the Cullens. Mom and Esme had so much in common. My dad and Carlisle would get into long discussions about how to save the world. It was great watching them spend time together.

Bella and I both kept tabs on them to see if they had any suspicions about the nature of the Cullens. They tended to overlook a lot of things because they were just so happy for me, and for Bella, too. They loved her like a daughter, or rather, like a daughter-in-law.

Esme planned a fantastic dinner for the great reveal. She fussed all day to make the meal perfect. I think she changed the linens on the table at least three times. I finally just grabbed her and hugged her, pulling her into the meadow with me.

Esme, my parents already love you all. They appreciate the way you've raised Bella, even if they don't know just how that all came about. They didn't know yet, but would be filled in with all the facts tonight. I firmly believe that the most important thing to them is going to be my happiness. They've always said that, and I trust them.

I know, Edward. And I trust Alice's view of how they will take this. But I want them to be comfortable and I'm worried that they will be hurt or scared. Her arms were tight around me as we stood and watched the brook babbling along its grassy banks.

It will be fine…I assured her.

And it was.

My parents were shocked, but the friendship that they had forged with Carlisle and Esme had been cemented through their mutual love for Bella and me. They had a lot of questions, which were answered to the fullest extent possible.

I had been correct; they just wanted me to be happy. My impending change brought a lot of questions. Our bond was explained, the fact that we were soul mates and what that meant to a vampire. They had already seen the depth of our commitment and weren't all that surprised. I was grateful that they didn't ask too many questions regarding just how close we had already become. We also didn't disclose Bella's mind reading gift and how that would probably come to me full time once I was changed. We wanted them to have the truth, but they didn't need all the details.

Dad and Mom both supported Bella's wish to save some of my seed for possible future use. They had had questions about a baby in the house with vampires, but Carlisle assured them, and me too, that blood lust wouldn't be a problem by the time we came to that decision.

The most important thing that was impressed upon them was the need for secrecy. They were told about the Volturi and the fact that we would all be killed, the Cullens included, if it was known that they knew the secret. Mom and Dad were concerned for me and promised that they would never tell. Being able to still be in my life, after the first year or so, made their promise an easier one to make. Also being able to still be in touch through phone calls and video messaging during that time would help them immensely.

Alice saw that they would keep their promise.

When I told them of my plans to continue my higher education, to become a doctor and that I wanted to go into pediatric medicine, knowing that it might take me several years to reach that level of control. Well, that cinched the deal for them. Bella would be attending school with me, getting her second medical degree.

My mother's comments were along the lines of: My son, the doctor! My daughter-in-law, the doctor! And a grandchild too? Works for me!

The evening was deemed a success.

They both thought of questions as time went on, which were answered as they arose. I had questions too, and we all learned together.

A week later, my father called me to his study. My mom was there with him, practically humming with excitement. Earlier in the week we had discussed my decision to become like the Cullens and our future. It had been understood that Bella and I would marry. At least it had been understood between the two of us…and Alice.

"Edward," my dad began. "We got the impression that you hadn't formally asked Bella to be your bride. Is that true?"

"Yes, Dad, we've just known that we would be together as mates, and that we would marry when school was out, before any other changes occur." Mom grimaced the slightest bit when I used the word changes.

"Well, Son, we've been holding something for you; a gift from your Grandmother Masen. She died shortly after you were born. She decided when she held you for the first time that you, her only grandson, should have her engagement ring. She told us to tell you that it had brought her great enjoyment and she hoped it would bring your bride the same." My mother stood and stepped close to my Dad, a box held in her outstretched hand.

Incredibly touched, I took the black satin box and opened it. A large round diamond, flanked by two kite shaped diamonds twinkled up at me. It was gorgeous and I could immediately see it on Bella's hand.

"It's set in platinum, but if you don't think that Bella will like it, you could easily sell it and get something that you think that she'd love." My mom had moved to my side and was anxiously awaiting my decision.

"Mom, Dad, she will love this…" Sudden tears filled my eyes and I turned and swept her into a hug, my hand still clutching the little box. I had slipped into my meadow as soon as I realized where this conversation with my folks was going, not wanting Bella to hear. But I could suddenly hear her concern as she struggled to figure out why I was so emotional. I heard the faint echo of her voice; she was on her way to me.

I was so grateful in that moment that I was going to get to have it all. My mate, my family…and a future filled with possibilities.

…

~~!~!~!~~

…

The Plan was a success. We had restrained ourselves for a year and a half, which meant that things would be easier for my family, and for me. My new family told me that the change would "perfect my body" and I wouldn't have to spend the many years of my future looking like a high school student. I was grateful, now, that we had survived the waiting time. There had been a few close calls, but we had made it.

The last couple of months spent waiting for graduation and our wedding was a whirlwind of finals, fittings, and stress. But each evening had found Bella and I tangled together, skin to skin and heart to heart.

Alice's puppy eyes had worn Bella down. She, Esme and my mother put together a wedding that was fancy enough for Alice's sensibilities, but suited Bella and I. We hadn't cared about the ceremony, we were already mated and married in our minds, but we were both anxiously anticipating our wedding night. We had decided that yes, we would finally give in to the mating imperative with me as a human.

My parents were both thrilled with my happiness and worried about my change. I had spent a lot of time with them in the weeks before the wedding. They had already put all of the family videos that they had on discs, and made copies of all the photo albums. I had been told that it was hard to keep human memories after the change, and we hoped that these reminders would jog my memory. Emmett, in particular, was looking forward to watching the home movies the first weeks after my change. My Mom had mentioned a video of me on a bearskin rug, while being bare. He thought that would be "cute".

We planned to leave immediately after the reception to head to Alaska. Rosalie and Emmett would accompany us, with Rose flying the little Lear Jet that the family owned, to the lodge on the White River in Alaska. They'd drop us off and return with the family a week later…and I would be changed.

Our wedding ceremony was held in the Cullens' backyard with just our close friends and family in attendance. Ben and Emmett stood up with me, while Alice and Angela stood for Bella. Angela's dad, Pastor Webber officiated. Sandi had flown in for the service and she read one of the scriptures for us.

Our mothers held each other and cried happy tears. Well, my mother cried enough tears for both of them.

We finally tore ourselves away from the reception. It was hard to say goodbye to everyone. Esme and Carlisle were beside my parents, assuring them that everything would be fine. With one last kiss and amidst a shower of birdseed, we were away.

Emmett and Rose stayed in the cockpit for the flight out of Seattle. He told us to not get carried away because he didn't want to interrupt any mating stuff going on. Bella looked at him, her brow arched, and started counting down the myriad times that she, and we, had caught he and Rosalie in flagrante delicto!

When he went back into the cockpit mumbling about long vampire memories, we laughed. Starting our mating years on the jet to our honeymoon destination was not in The Plan. We did spend the time cuddling and reliving the memories from the day…and our lives since we met.

It would be soon enough to give into the mating imperative when we were alone, in the Alaskan Wilderness.

…

~~!~!~!~~

…

A very long lasting bolt of lightning split the air near us. I counted the seconds until the clap of thunder rattled the bones in my ears. The leading edge of the storm was nearly upon us. I moved out of my meadow and found that I could only hear the distant echo of our family's voices. We were alone and my skin was charged from the tempest approaching us. I could literally see the sparks as the electricity jumped from my skin to the woman who was nestled in my lap. If her long hair hadn't been in a tight braid, it would have been lifting in the static filled air.

…I was just thinking about your first weeks as a newborn. It was a good thing we were so deep in the wilderness. She chuckled quietly. The first time you caught scent of a human, from that camp seven miles over in the next valley, if Emmett and Jasper hadn't been hunting in that direction, Alice and I would never have caught you!

She turned in my arms to smile up at me. It wouldn't have been quite so bad if you hadn't been so fast. Even now, I've never known anyone as fast as you. In fact, I think that you are even faster now than when you were a newborn.

Bella's movements in my lap were taking my mind from the trials of my first year and making me focus on the here and now. And the fact that only recently had the need to be intimate leveled off to something less than every couple of hours.

I shuddered at some of those early memories. Seeing the vision in Alice's mind of what could have happened at that hunting camp had scared me enough to submit when Emmett had crashed into me, knocking me to the ground. I think that made my learning curve rather fast. I never wanted to see that vision come to fruition.

Carlisle had brought blood samples with him each time he came out to the lodge. I'd practice keeping control around them. I had never messed up, partially because of the desensitizing that Carlisle helped me with, and partially because of the vividness of that vision from Alice. She ran it past me on occasion even now.

After several months we had made a run to just east of Wrangell. We spent a couple of days there, testing my control against the scent of humans. I eventually found my center of control and could walk the streets there, brushing up against people as we made our way from one end of the main street to the other. I certainly didn't want to be around anyone that was actively bleeding, but I could handle the bloodlust otherwise. Since then I had honed my control so that I felt confident enough to start my medical studies. It had been hard, but so worth it.

Having my meadow space to retreat to was such a blessing. I don't know how Bella stayed sane with all the voices in her head before she could retreat with me. The voices of everyone when we were close to people kept me distracted from the call of their blood. The meadow was a respite from that.

Nine months after my change, Mom and Dad had sent along some of their clothing and some blood samples with Carlisle and Esme when they visited. After I had a week to immerse myself in their scents, Rosalie and Emmett had flown them in to visit us.

My eyes were almost gold by then. I did hear my mother missing my green eyes, but she had hope that there would be a green-eyed child in our future.

We were actually thinking that we could plan for that baby in about five years. Bella and I were starting at Dartmouth College, pre-med, in a week. The rest of the family would attend as well. Rosalie wanted to take more engineering classes. She had some ideas for a greener engine that she wanted to explore.

This dinner and a show…with dessert, was rather like a last hurrah before we all headed off to Hanover. Esme already had our house ready there and my parents had their tickets purchased to come for a visit.

While the noise still rumbled across the mountains from that last clap of thunder, I leapt to my feet, nestling Bella against my chest. I had prepared a surprise to make the evening special for my wife.

Come on, I have something to show you…I felt her curiosity as she tried to find the surprise in my mind. Uh uh…no fair cheating. Do you want to me to escape to the meadow without you?

She gave in gracefully and tucked herself closer to my chest as I ran. I trust you…I won't pry…

I ran down the backside of the mountain, stopping near a tall, sturdy tree. Bella's eyes whipped open when she caught the scent of a mountain lion. I let her slide down my body, enjoying the feel of her trim figure against mine as she settled on her feet.

She looked up at me…What's going on?

Well, this is the dinner part of our evening. Emmett did a park survey and found this guy for us; since he knows that mountain lion is our favorite. He and Rose are hunting a bear right now. The storm is the show…and I have something special planned for dessert…I motioned towards the tree, encouraging her to take the lead. She had already spotted the cat about halfway up the tree. A grin filled her face as she crouched. With a surge of power she was on the limb and the cat turned with a snarl. Another push from her thighs and they fell to the ground in a tangle of arms, legs and snarls.

Just like when I would share these moments with her through our bond when I was human, I was overcome with awe over her strength as she took him down. The sight of her besting the predator also filled me with lust. There was just something so very sexy about my Bella when she hunted. I loved watching her body move; she was supple, elegant…and deadly.

Bella quickly bit into the jugular of the wildly fighting cat and took several deep swallows as his movement stilled. She raised her head, her golden eyes nearly glowing, and called me forward. Together we drained the beast, our eyes locked on each other. We had fed on deer the day before, so didn't need to hunt further. Another crack of thunder rolled over us as we hid the carcass beneath a boulder.

The electricity surrounding us made my hair stand on end and my skin thrum with power.

Bella looked at me and crouched again, a feral gleam in her eyes. I could see her plan in my mind; she was going to take me right here, against a tree. That could be fun, but I had another plan in place.

I held my hands up. Wait, my Lady…the rain is coming and I have another surprise for you… Her mind was confused as I reached a hand out to her. Come, love…

She slowly rose from her crouch and took my hand. Turning, I led her at a run further down the mountain towards a small clearing in the valley. Her gasp was loud when she spotted the structure there.

We're here…I said as we stood before an eight-man dome tent that I had secured in the field. I had draped the inside of the tent with battery powered twinkle lights. It literally glowed with golden light as we stood before it.

The doors were tied open and we could see the mound of pillows and blankets that I had laid there earlier in the day.

Now it's time for dessert…if you'd care to join me…I smiled down into her lovely face. Bella quickly took my hand and tugged me inside. She toed her shoes and socks off, digging her toes into the soft rug I had placed on the floor of the tent. I untied the doors and zipped them shut. I slipped my shoes off as well. The first drops of rain hit the tight skin of the tent.

Will we stay dry in here? Her fingers were already opening my shirt and she was pressing hot kisses to the skin that she exposed, I growled when she scraped her teeth across my nipple…Not that it matters, I need you now…

Yes, this tent is the top of the line. It should withstand the wind and the rain …My fingers were lifting her shirt up and over her head, dropping it on top of mine where it lay in a heap on the floor. A midnight blue bra quickly landed there too. Keeping my touch light, I cupped her perky mounds and ran my thumbs across the tips. Her growl answered mine and I could already smell her arousal, sweet and heady as a fine wine.

I wrapped my arms around her, hoisting her up high against my body. I began kissing her sweet lips, sucking the lower one into my mouth. She wrapped her legs around my hips and pressed her breasts into my chest. Cupping her shoulder blades in my hands caused her to growl again.

I love it when you do that; I've loved it from the very first time... Her hands were woven into my hair and she pulled gently as she tilted my head up to kiss along my jaw line and down to my throat. She paid particular attention to the small scar that she had created when she changed me four years ago, following the slightly raised edges of it with her tongue and then sucking gently.

And I love it when you do that…Turning my back to the pile of pillows; I fell back onto them, holding her firmly to me. She raised her head and laughed, the sound sent shivers of delight through me. Her laughter stilled as I thrust my hips up and against her body.

Some of us have too many clothes on…Bella said as she moved to rise, but my hands on her hips stopped her. She collapsed back down onto my chest and the feeling of her pebbled nipples against my upper body caused my groin to tighten even further.

For nearly two years it was enough…I thrust against her again, smiling as I hooked my fingers into the waistband of her jeans. With a deft twist I ripped them from her body and tossed them aside. Her growl filled the tent, nearly overwhelming the sound of the now pounding rain.

I moved my hands to her back, gently massaging the smooth flesh across her shoulders, down over her hips and then grasping her rounded buttocks and pulling her body firmly against my erection.

It's not nearly enough now…she was out of my hands and kneeling beside me in a blink of my eyes and my jeans were in shreds too. I sure hope you brought us more clothes…or we're going to be very sparkly in the light of day tomorrow…

I glanced over at a bag near the door of the tent. Of course, My Lady…Alice handed it to me when I came up here to get things ready. I would have thought of it…but probably not until tomorrow.

Her laughter rang out once again. Lightning flashed in the distance, but close enough to illuminate my body, her laughter trailed off as she took in the state of my arousal.

A look crossed her face as her eyes darkened, the same look she wore while hunting. I leaned back into the pillows to enjoy what was to come as her growl warned me a second before she pounced. Her thighs straddled my own, the heat from her center pressed firmly against me. She twined her fingers into mine and pulled them up over my head. Our lips pressed tightly to each others' and I sighed as she slipped her tongue deeply into my mouth. Kissing each other freely had been one of many things I appreciated about being changed. As her tongue tickled the roof of my mouth, my hips jerked upwards in response.

Rolling her over and pressing her into the cushions I nipped at her earlobe, then suckled the spot just below it. Her hips were pressing into mine as her legs came up to hold me firmly between her thighs. Both of us had our hands stretched up over her head, our fingers still tightly entwined. Slowly we began rocking against each other, just enjoying the feel of skin against skin. We weren't in a hurry, the night was long and the storm hadn't reached its peak yet.

After several minutes Bella flipped us over, and lifting her hips, slipped me into her wet folds. A long sigh left us both at the intimacy of the moment. That first moment of connection always made me feel like I had come home.

I knew that our bodies were the temperature of the cool ambient air around us, but the heat generated by our connection made me feel like she had encased me in velvet fire. Blue sparks of static, jumping between our bodies, sent our senses reeling. Holding her hips, I started to move, to thrust up into her, but she placed her small hand in the middle of my chest, stilling me.

Keeping her eyes on mine, she loosened the band holding her long braid in place. I watched as she slowly ran her fingers through the tightly woven strands, freeing them and then shaking her head, fluffing the long tresses out. I was right; the electricity surrounding us made her hair appear almost alive as it flew around her shoulders. The twinkle lights hanging around the tent picked out gold and red in the waves of her hair. She was so beautiful, she took my breath away.

A flash of lighting lit the interior of the tent. It highlighted her soft curves and threw portions of her body into deep shadow. She looked like the finest porcelain, painted with a master's touch. I ran my hands from her knees, up her hips, pausing at her breasts and feeling their weight. She leaned into my hands and rocked her hips gently against me.

I lifted a hand to the silky strands of her hair, twisting it around my fist and pulling her down towards me so that I could kiss her again. I was mesmerized, lying in the curtain of her hair, feeling her teeth nipping at my upper lip. We heard the tempest outside increase in fury as it whipped around the tent, the energy surrounding us drove our passion and she began to stroke along my length, faster and harder.

Another burst of lightning lit the tent, immediately followed by a clap of thunder that shook the very ground that our tent was tethered to. The charge from the lightning suddenly engulfed us and our loving turned wild in a rush. It was as if the elements were driving us on, pushing us towards our release.

We both needed more and I flipped our positions, she was now below me, her eyes dark with lust and love, her hair splayed out upon the pillows. She looked like a siren, calling me closer as her tongue came out and licked her lower lip.

You need to share that…I held her face in my hands and sucked the tip of her tongue into my mouth. She slipped it in and out of my mouth in rhythm with our bodies' movements. All of my weight rested against her as our hips continued to thrust against each other.

Another bolt of lightning flashed near our tent; we heard the cracking as the tree it hit split asunder and the thunder crashed around us like an entire percussion section of an orchestra. Bella wrapped her legs around my hips, tilting her pelvis up…we both groaned at the sensation of deeper penetration.

The storm was reaching its crescendo and we kept pace with it. Through our connection I felt Bella's control start to slip as she gave in to the coil that was building in her center. She grasped my shoulders, pulling me closer to her. Just as I felt her come apart, she gasped my name and I fell with her, tumbling into the maelstrom of sensations, a combination of our love, the elements and feeling each other shatter.

I continued to rock gently into her body as we slowly came down from our Rocky Mountain High…she chuckled at my thoughts and started to hum the melody to the song.

That was amazing…I kissed her gently as I rolled to my side, keeping her close, our bodies still connected. A truly magnificent goodbye to our life here…

Oh, I don't think so…Bella was nibbling my earlobe.

What? You don't think it was good enough? I was feeling a little confounded. I knew that she had felt pretty good just moments ago; I had heard it in her mind and felt it through her body.

Well, it was a good start to our goodbye to Colorado…there's still hours until the sun rises and still some storm left to inspire us…

What a vixen my wife was, and she was right. There was still time to enjoy this night. Our new life as medical students would begin in a few days, but now was our time. Our time to immerse ourselves in one another, a time to connect and to just feel.

Tomorrow would come soon enough.

…The End…

A/N… Again, this should have been out long before this, but I've been fighting some health issues again, meds not agreeing with me and other stuff (Teen Angst)…so, I apologize for the delay. Bugged me no end…

THE LIST, by LauraACullen, http: /www. fanfiction. net/s/4934524/1/ The_List. Just take the spaces out and copy/paste into your browser to find this story. Thank you LauraACullen for letting me use your fic in my fic!

Once again, I also thank LJ Summers…her words, "mating imperative," motivated me so much throughout this story. You really should go check out her work. http: /www. fanfiction. net/u/1965916/

There's a link on my profile page of the ring that Grandmother Masen passed on to Edward. I think it was about $25,000…I decided against the $39,500 one…

Wow, THE END…I actually typed those words! LJ didn't think that I could do it…LOL…

BUT, I have an idea for an outtake that I want to write…something about the meadow that I just couldn't fit in here. The Volturi might make an appearance there. Putting me on AUTHOR ALERT will let you know when I write and post that. Also, Kris was disappointed that we didn't see the proposal and how Bella liked Grandma Masen's ring...I might have to add that as an outtake too...I'm sort of seeing that come together now that she mentioned it to me.

So, even though it is THE END, I do have a little wiggle room. LJ told me I couldn't just walk away…LOL…how well she knows me.

Also, a couple of other GREAT AUTHORS are writing side shots for us…I'll post in this fic, as separate chapters, with the links to their stories when they happen.

Thank you to every one of you who have reviewed, alerted and favorited this story. I was tickled that so many of you liked this little angst-free, love-filled fic…THANK YOU ALL!

Now, I'm back to writing Dragon Stones…and Jasper's epilogue for GUARDING EDWARD. He's promised to sit with me in his blue riding leathers…

Kathie