A/N: Lemon Alert towards the end of the chapter. Heads up.

Bella was true to her word. After notifying her cousin that she was going home to the United States, and had gone to the dinner Molly Weasley had put together to thank her for helping Fred and Percy during the battle, Bella closed up her cabin, and she and Severus moved back into her house in Forks. She magically widened the basement and warded it to be a potions laboratory for Severus and covered the walls in the living room with book shelves and they both took turns preparing meals, Mei Mei having stayed at the cottage, seeing at Bella's house in Forks was in a Muggle, or No Maj rather, area. For Severus, it was the most domestic setting he had ever been in, and now that he was free of the constraints that had been forced on him in Britain, he was in no hurry to change it.

Both he and Bella would stay up late reading, debating potions and healing, or just talking about the most random things in the world. He gradually found his regard for the young woman rise. He would soon find her popping up in his thoughts in the most random of times, even if she weren't in the immediate vicinity. While he was brewing, while he was doing research in the living room/library while she was at work at St. Juliana's in Seattle, or while she was even just out to buy groceries for their food.

Which is why, that morning, he had sent his new owl, Marius, to her at work this morning, with an invitation to join him on a picnic on the beach. He had been spending the morning while she was at work, putting up muggle repelling charms, warming charms, silencing wards, and the like to satisfy his paranoia, and then placing up candles, and a blanket, getting everything perfect. He needed this to be perfect. For the first time in decades, he was feeling stirrings in his heart that he had thought long dead. And now, this slip of a woman had come swooping into his life in the nick of time to save it in more ways than one, and there was nothing he could do, or would do, to stop these new stirrings. He welcomed them and he welcomed Isabella.

As he was working on the food, he received her answer. It was a simple, Of course. See you this evening, and I look forward to it. ~B

He smiled at her note. It was simple, as she liked things, but still conveyed that she cared, and even excited at the prospect. He had prepared her favorite. A ricotta ravioli with green pesto and Italian sausage, fresh baked garlic bread, and an Italian Chianti for the meal and tiramisu for dessert. It was an extravagant meal, but it was the setting that he believed that would sell it. No five star restaurant and stuffy atmosphere with stilted conversation. No, small, intimate, and hopefully easy conversation, just as they were conversing now.

He heard the pop of her apparition in her room, the wards alerting him that she was home as well, so he knew not to jump into spy mode, and smiled, knowing he would see her soon. Just in time, seeing as he was carefully packing the food into a magically expanded, temperature controlled, sectioned picnic basket. He made himself busy by cleaning the dishes and making sure he had everything.

"Good evening, Severus," he head softly behind him. He turned and his breath caught in his chest. There Bella stood in a beautiful light green three quarter sleeved blouse and blue jeans, matching green ballet flats, with her hair up in a clip. She carried a denim jacket over her arm in case the chill catches her. A smile found it's way to his lips, as it was wont to do now a days. Mostly around Bella. She was stunning, even in her casual attire.

"Good evening, Miss. Swan," he said, as he walked up to her and gently placed a kiss on her cheek. "Are you ready for our outing this evening?"

She graced him with one of her smiles, that never failed lighten his heart. A feat considering it had been weighed down by guilt for the better part of two decades over his lost love, Lily.

"I am. Do you need any help with, well, anything?" she asked.

Severus shook his head in the negative, and offered her his arm. "No, the site is set up already and I have taken care of the meal. All that is left is your company."

Bella took hold of his offered arm and gently squeezed it. "Then I am more than happy to provide said company."

Severus picked up the basket and held it in the crook of his elbow as he laid his hand over hers in the in the bend of his other elbow before he apparated them to the picnic site.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~)O(~~~~~~~~~~~~~~)O(~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~)O(~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Bella couldn't believe the day she was having. She couldn't remember the last time she had such a day even. It had started off normal enough. She had started her shift at St. Juliana's doing her morning rounds to all of her patients, and then took some time to catch up on her paperwork. Not the most exciting aspect of her job, but she realized that it needed to be done. Not long after she had begun her paperwork, she received an owl from Severus, carried by his owl Marius.

Isabella, Would you do me the honor of accompanying me on a picnic on the beach this evening. I promise you an evening the both of us shall enjoy and remember. ~S

Bella couldn't help the smile that split her face, the butterflies in her stomach, or her heart suddenly finding itself beating out of her chest. Her feelings for the dour potions master had been steadily growing the two months or so they had been in the states. She supposed that it was inevitable. Their late night chats and debates and living together in the same house, with neither venturing out to socialize with others, that they would both start to gravitate to the other. Not that she could find it in her to mind.

She penned her reply and sent Marius on his way, and went back to work with a smile on her face, where it remained for the rest of the day. Indeed, her mood was such that the head nurse even commented on her infectious giddiness.

"Isa, what has you in such a good mood? I don't think I have ever seen you with such a pep in your step," Ilana said with a knowing glint in her eye.

"I just found something to make me happy today," she told the nurse.

"And would this something be in the form of a man, by any chance?" Ilana wheedled.

Bella chuckles. "It does, but it is uncertain at the moment, so please, don't go talking about it to all and sundry. I don't want to metaphorically jinx it." The elderly nurse patted her hand.

"No worries dear. I won't say a word. You will let me know when to send a gift for your handfasting, of course."

Bella choked on her next breath and looked incredulously at Ilana, who laughed at the now discomfited healer. Bella, turning beet root red gave a bemused smile to the nurse before she continued to go about her day, leaving her to her laughter. Though now that the thought was in her head, Bella couldn't help but think on the picture Ilana had painted for her. Her and Severus having a tiny ceremony in the back yard of her little cottage in Hogsmead. Him in a fine set of black robes and her in a simple white dress. She could imagine their children, clear as the nose on Severus's face. A laughing little girl with his hair and her features, a little boy running into Severus's arms with a happy squeal. Oh how she longed for such a scene.

Such a scene stayed with her for the rest of her shift, and made her excitement for her night with Severus climb all the higher. At the end of her shift, she clocked out, Ilana giving her a knowing smirk as she left, and she apparated directly into her bedroom. She wasn't planning on getting all fancy with how she looked but that didn't mean that she couldn't clean up a bit. She donned a light green shirt and a brand new pair of jean she had gotten only a few days before and a pair of ballet flats she had charmed to the same color as her blouse. She then placed her hair up out of her face and placed a natural looking amount of make up on, and studied herself in the full length mirror in her bedroom. Well, she certainly looked well enough.

She quietly made her way down the stairs and entered the kitchen to see Severus cleaning up the place and checking a basket she assumed carried their meal.

She greeted him and they exchanged banter, Bella silently assuring Severus that she would enjoy his company as much as he seemed to enjoy hers. He took up the basket, smiled, place his hand upon hers, and then apparated them to where he had set up the picnic blanket.

Bella gasped at the sheer simple beauty of the location. There were blankets and pillows situated on the ground with candles floating and giving off a soft ambient light as twilight set in. In the center of the blanket, there was a small bouquet. Purple anemones, red tulips, and white chrysanthemum.

"Severus, It's breath taking," she whispered, not wanting to break the intimacy to the moment.

"I am glad you like it. Having gotten to know you in our time together, I figured something like this would be more comfortable for the both of us, rather than a strange restaurant with strangers all around," he says, as he sets down the basket and begins to take out the contents, starting with the wine and glasses, as she smelled the bouquet he had presented her.

Bella smiles at him. "Indeed. Severus, you have really out done yourself." He poured them both a flute of wine before placing the bottle back into the basket.

"To you," he says, handing her a glass. "The amazingly brave woman, who saved a man, who was guilty according to all of the evidence. Who showed such compassion to give a Death Eater a second chance in a new country. Salute." The klinked their glasses as Bella blushed at his words.

"I had to. I couldn't just let a man die on the cold algae covered floor of that boat house," she said, gently shifting the glass between her hands after taking a sip. Severus set his glass to one side and took one of her hands.

"And I am forever grateful, Isabella. There is no possible way I could repay such acts of kindness."

They stayed sitting there, with her hand in his, just enjoying the touch of another. And they each could tell that this was a turning point in their relationship. His obsidian eyes connected with hers and she could see him leaning in, like he was going to kiss her, but he stopped just short.

"Would you like to see what I have prepared for us?" he whispered hoarsely. Bella had to swallow a few times to get saliva flowing once more into her suddenly dry mouth.

"I would love to," she finally managed. Severus pulled away, and she could see in his eyes that he clearly didn't want to.

"I made ravioli," he said simply, handing her a plate with the still steaming pasta and a slice of bread.

"It smells divine," she breathed, before she took a bite, and moaned at the taste, as she closed her eyes to savor the flavor. She opened her eyes to see Severus looking at her with a heated gaze. His black eyes boring into her with an intense hunger. She once more blushed, and looked down at her plate, completely missing the smirk of achievement that stole over his face.

"I am glad you enjoy it," he said before digging into his own meal. They passed the time in conversation much the same as they had before hand, and once she had finished with her dessert, she sat back and gave a sigh.

"It was perfect, Severus. Thank you, so very much."

"You are quite welcome. What say you to us going back home and digesting our meal in the library. I can read to you what I have been working on. Hopefully gain an opinion on what to add or take out."

Bella smiled and nodded. They left the site as it was, Severus saying that he would return later to clean up, and apparated home. Severus opened the door for her, and as she went to pass him into the house, she brushed against him and caught his scent. She froze and looked into his eyes.

"Isa," he whispered. "Do you believe in soul mates?" She could see the insecurity in his eyes and posture.

"Yes. Yes, I do." Though there was a time she would have said it was nothing but a myth, seeing any of the pack in the presence of their imprints put paid to that rather quickly.

All thoughts however, were driven completely out of her head when he bent down and captured her lips in a deep and passionate kiss. She dropped the bouquet she had remembered to bring with as her arms immediately went around his neck and her hands tangled into his incredibly soft hair as she welcomed the kiss, tangling her tongue with his and reveling in his taste. The last remnants of the tiramisu and wine clinging to his lips, as his natural spicy taste adding an addictive undertone that made her never want to come up for air.

She whimpered in need as he brought her into the house and closed the door, before picking her up and setting her on one of the kitchen counters.

"We can stop if you want," he said lowly in an extremely thick voice.

Bella moaned. "Severus, if you stop now, I will finish what Nagini started." That was all he needed, and they quickly began shedding clothes, her jacket and blouse quickly following his outer cloak and frock coat. He expertly unhooked her bra with one hand as her own hands found their way to his waist to undo his belt and trouser buttons. Getting impatient he helped her before shedding her of her own jeans and underclothes.

His own pants barely made it past his knees before he pulled her to the edge of the counter and sank his rigid cock into her dripping cunt. They both moaned and he stilled in both rapture and shock. She had been a virgin.

"You're a-, why didn't you tell me? I would ha-," he began, but Bella stopped him with another searing kiss.

"Shut up, Severus, and make love to me."

And he did so, though he was considerably more gentle and aware as he did so. He picked her up and began moving to the couch in the library/living room so that at least she would have something soft at her back. He laid Bella down on the couch, and with a flick of his wrist, he enlarged it. He lent down and kissed her, before he once again began moving.

He pulled out nearly completely before thrusting back in, both moaning at the feeling of sheer ecstasy and rightness flowing through them. And he knew, he would never be able to leave her. He was hers completely. He knew, and it was this knowing that prompted him to whisper what he did.

"Ye are Blood of my Blood, and Bone of my Bone. I give ye my Body, that we Two might be One. I give ye my Spirit, 'til our Life shall be Done."

He did not expect her to reply, though hoped that he would soon hear those same words from her lips. This night already becoming more than he ever dared hope. So he was completely shocked when he heard her reply with the same vows.

"Ye are Blood of my Blood, and Bone of my Bone. I give ye my Body, that we Two might be One. I give ye my Spirit, 'til our Life shall be Done," she said in between gasps and moans as his cock continued to drive her into absolute raptures.

He could feel her tight little pussy begin to clench around him and he knew she was close. He needed her to finish. He needed to know he had satisfied her before he climaxed. One hand went to a breast, kneading and rolling the nipple between his thumb and forefinger, the other went to where they were joined, rubbing her clit in tight measured little circles. He lifted his head so he could look in her eyes. Eyes filled with need, joy, and love.

"I love you," she whispered, before her eyes rolled back, her mouth forming a nearly perfect 'o' and her channel clamping down on him so tightly, it pulled his own finish from him. Their resulting climaxes putting forth the magic needed to seal the vows they made to each other. As they rode out the waves of pleasure, tattoos formed around their left wrists. His formed her name in delicate looping letters, as if she wrote them, and she too, had his name in his spidery, slightly slanted lettering.

He rolled to the side so as not to crush her, and she cuddled into his side to stave off the sudden emptiness she felt now that he was no longer inside of her. As Severus got his breathing under control, he realized that she had fallen asleep, and he kissed her sweat covered brow, praying that in the morning, this won't have been nothing more than a dream of longing.

~~~~~~~~~~~~)O(~~~~~~~~~~

Severus slowly gained awareness as he woke and felt a body next to him. He breathed a sigh of relief, smelling the familiar scent of Isa at his side. The night before came back and he lifted his left arm, seeing the new addition to his person. As far as binding tattoos, this one was infinitely more welcome than the now still and faded Dark Mark just inches above her name. He nearly couldn't believe that they were now soul bound. They had invoked a magic as old as the founders themselves, and he was ecstatic with whom he chose.

His focus was shifted to the woman laying half across him, as he felt her stir. His arms went back around her and pulled her close to kiss her brow.

"Hmmm, good morning, Severus," she said with a sleep laden voice.

"Good morning, petal," he replied. She moved so she was straddling him, but neither felt the need for more yet, as she lent forward and kissed him. It was now, at this most inconvenient of times that his insecurities made themselves known. Sensing some form of hesitation, Bella pulled back.

"Severus, what's wrong?"

"Did you mean it?" he asked.

"Mean what?" she asked confused.

"Last night. You said you loved me. Did you mean it?" She smiled and once again leaned forward and gave him a soft, but passion filled hiss.

"I meant it," she said. "And good thing too, since we seemed to have found ourselves married in the old ways last night. But why the unsurity now? I mean, you aren't regretting binding yourself to me do you? You don't all of a sudden have pressing matters to return to in England?"

At the hesitation he was showing, Bella's own insecurities came flooding to the surface. Thankfully, the next words from Severus allayed any fears starting to make themselves known.

"Merlin, no. I love you as well, and I could never regret that or the binding. It's just people tend to say things in the dark and in the heat of passion that they don't mean in the light of day."

A smile broke out once again on her face, and to him, it was as if the sun were making itself known after a long Scottish winter night. Then a wicked thought seemed to enter her head as she gave him a sexy little smirk and moved her hand down to his cock, bringing it to life in merely a few pumps.

"Now, I have a dilemma on my hands. Do I prove to you how much I love you in the most enjoyable way possible. Or punish you for doubting what I say as the truth." Severus groaned and threw his head back at the sudden pleasure before thrusting his hips up into her hand. But Bella didn't make him wait long, and she slid down onto his marvelously sized cock, once again giving them both a feeling of being complete.

Severus's hands went immediately to her hips and his feet planted firmly on the transfigured couch and he thrust up into her, drawing a shout of pleasure from her. He did it again and again, drawing her down harder and harder. Her cries and groans of pleasure building as the coil in her abdomen drawing as tight as the heat that was building at the base of Severus's spine. Bella put her hands over his, and leaned forward one last time, kissing Severus so hard as her climax crashed into her, so as to stifle some of her resulting scream of pleasure. Not that it did much good. The feelings were so intense, she ended up breaking the kiss and crying out anyway.

The feeling of her hot, tight little cunt squeezing him for all it was worth, drew Severus's end from him. His seed shooting into Bella's body as it milked him for all she was worth. Bella fell forward, not even bothering to remove herself from his rapidly softening cock. Severus held her to him as they regained their composure.

"You're mine, Severus. If you think for even a moment ever again that what I tell you isn't the complete truth, I will correct you of such a foolish notion," she said softly.

"As you are mine, petal. And promise, I shall never let a thought so offending to you enter my head again," he replied. She nodded.

"Good. See, I knew you were smart."

A/N: Flower meanings, Anemone's give off the feeling of being forsaken, but also give the meaning of anticipation. Th thought both of these were fitting for Severus. White chrysanthemum's represent loyal love. And red tulips symbolize perfect love. I know that the relationship developed fast. But like I said, errant plot bunny. I hope y'all enjoy.