A/N: You guys rock my world, you know that??!! Each and every review puts a huge smile on my face, and I love each and every one of you. Thank you so much for your love and support. There's still much to come, there's more I want to write before putting an end to this story, so please keep with me!!! Thanks as always to LittleLea05, and the rest of my BFFF'ers for keeping me sane!!! Hehe. Love you ladies.

Disclaimer: Sigh. You know what I'm going to say here. Not mine.

BPOV

The next few weeks flew by, and before I knew it, graduation was upon me. Every time I thought about it, I got butterflies, first and foremost because I was terrified my old fumbling ways would return and I'd somehow end up flying across the stage to my doom instead of graciously accepting my diploma.

I had a few weeks off until I started my job at the Wisconsin State Journal, and Emmett and I decided, with his physical therapist's permission, that we would go home to Forks for a few weeks to visit home. Renee and Esme were already vibrating with excitement, even though they'd see us a few days before for my graduation.

I could tell it was difficult for Emmett to accept that he wasn't graduating, too. He would finish his final year starting in the fall, but it wasn't the same. Jasper, Alice and I were "moving on", and he wasn't. I could tell he was putting on a brave face for me, and I knew he was genuinely happy for me, but I couldn't help but feel guilty when I addressed my announcements or brought home my cap and gown.

"Lover?" I called.

"He's not here, said something about knocking over a bank so he can take you to Vegas and buy you a right purty dress and hookers," Emmett joked from the bedroom. We were getting ready to go out on our first official date. Almost a moot point considering we'd been living together for more than ten months, and dating for nearly eight of those months, but still. I was incredibly excited.

"Well good," I said, playing along, running to the bed he was currently sitting on, and gingerly jumping into his lap. I wrapped my arms around his neck and kissed him deeply.

"I was hoping to have a hot, torrid affair with you."

"I dunno, I'm not sure my wife would really like that. She's the real jealous type," he said, and I punched him playfully. He wrestled me to my back as I laughed.

"I'm not your wife," I teased. His hands ran up and down my sides, tickling and thrilling me at the same moment.

"Not yet you're not."

My heart stopped and my arms tightened around his shoulders. Did he just say…?

"I'm not asking now," he said hurriedly. "But I was thinking… someday…" He actually blushed as he looked away bashfully. I had somehow lost the ability to speak, but I lifted my slightly trembling hand up to his cheek to comfort him. He looked deep into my eyes, and we communicated forever to each other in that one meeting. I nodded and swallowed hard. Somehow, insanely, I wished he had asked now.

"Now, wanna get ready for our first date?" he asked cheekily, breaking the intense spell we'd cast. I laughed and pushed him off me, but not before planting a sloppy, wet kiss on his cheek.

"Yup! I gotta get all sexy for you, so hurry up and dress."

"You're already sexy, baby." That grin would get him everywhere tonight. I was already dying to get him into the very same bed he was standing over.

"Nice try, now hurry!" I said, already plotting my outfit in my head. Alice would be so proud.

Five minutes later, he emerged wearing dress pants and a dark blue button down shirt, which he wore without a tie, and open at the neck. My heart skipped a beat. I hadn't seen him this dressed up since we were teenagers at some lousy high school dance when we were not dates.

"I take your look of shock and awe is a good thing?" he smirked, probably noticing the way I openly eye-fucked him.

"You could say that," I joked, but inside I was far from joking. I wanted to ravish him.

"Now, you get dressed," he said, ushering me through the bedroom door and slapping my ass playfully. "Reservations are for seven."

That fucker only left me with ten minutes to get ready! Thank God I wasn't high maintenance! I scrambled into my white eyelet dress, diamond stud earrings, and Alice-approved sandals, and ran a brush through my hair. I put on the barest makeup possible, and was for once grateful for my eternal blush. I'd never need to buy the synthetic stuff ever.

"Good God, baby, you are a vision," he said as I stepped out of the bedroom. I was tempted to roll my eyes at his cheesy line, but then I saw the way he was looking at me, and I couldn't be annoyed by that. I was edible, and he was starving.

"Let's go, Big Boy," I said, grabbing his hand, not willing to tempt either of us out of our first date. "You already know you're getting lucky tonight. I'm going to be one of those girls who puts out on the first date," I said, winking.

He merely groaned in response.

"So, I'm going to chauffeur us around tonight, Lover, so you might want to tell me where exactly these reservations are."

When he told me to drive to the most expensive place in town, my jaw dropped. "Are you kidding?!" I exclaimed, my voice practically supersonic. "I'm not dressed for it, and I sure as hell don't want you spending that much money on me!"

"Bella, please," he said, not quite begging, but almost. "I just want to make this special. I haven't been able to court you all proper like, and I want this to be something we tell our grandkids about. You know, skipping over the whole screwing like bunnies for months beforehand."

There he went again with his "future" talk. I had to admit, it was sexy as hell when he did it. I was happy that he was thinking about things like that, Lord knows I didn't. Sure, I wanted to get married someday, and have a couple kids, but it was never the thought at the forefront of my brain. My parent's marriage had been a lot rockier than Carlisle and Esme's, and though Renee and Charlie always scraped by still attached by the wedding ring, they weren't exactly the pillar of marital bliss.

"Then I guess I'll have to skip the hand job under the table," I said lightly. Emmett's eyes bugged out before he got that wicked grin on his face that always got my panties soaking through.

"You know, you do owe me one after leaving me high and dry at the karaoke bar," he said darkly.

I thought about that night and got just a little bit wetter. Damn, that had been a good night, even though half my memories were fogged up by tequila.

We were relatively silent all the way there, though I noticed Emmett kept adjusting himself without discretion, and I kept shifting in my seat to put more pressure on my aching center. Our thoughts were both in the same place, and I wished there was something I could do about it, but I was pretty sure that if I tried to give Emmett a hand job right now, we'd end up swerving off the road and getting killed or something, and I had far more things I wanted to do with him before our ultimate demise.

I pulled up in front of the swanky restaurant, and the valet guy came over, smooth as silk, to get my keys. Now that was a laugh. A valet driving my Chevy clunker.

Emmett took my arm in his like we were in some 1950's movie, and part of me wanted to laugh, but I knew that Emmett was taking this incredibly seriously, and I wasn't going to ruin it for both of us by giggling. He was courting me, and I thought it was incredibly sweet.

"Reservations for Cullen," he said to the host. His voice was deep and authoritative, and it sent tiny shivers down my spine. My man was sexy.

"Yes, right this way sir," the host said in what was most likely a fake British accent. He led us to a tiny table for two, the stereotypical red rose, votive candles, and a bucket of champagne adorning the setting. Emmett squeezed my hand and smiled at me, and even though I found this all profoundly amusing and far too much, I couldn't help but smile back.

"Emmett, this is too nice!" I lightly admonished.

"I wanted the best for you, honey. Don't worry, next time I'll just take you out to Hooters, okay?"

"You'd better not," I grumbled, but I gave him a smile anyway. He looked so sexy at that moment, and my heart stuttered a bit, knowing he was all mine.

I could barely read the menu. Half the things were in French, and I was nervous that'd I'd order something too exotic. I wasn't afraid to explore, but calf's brain wasn't really on my to-eat list. Emmett and I settled on the classic (and safe) steak, which came with a slew of fancy comfort food pretending to be pretentious. It was incredibly delicious, and I had to admit that I was enjoying myself immensely.

The waiter had uncorked the champagne for us, and I allowed myself to enjoy the toast Emmett gave and the first sip. I was more of a beer and pizza kind of gal, but Emmett was making me feel like maybe I could enjoy this, or maybe even deserve it somehow.

"You look beautiful tonight," Emmett said, giving me a private smile meant only for me.

"Thanks, you're not so bad yourself," I said, taking another sip of bubbly.

"When I think about you, and how you've changed my life, I just can't imagine how I ever hated you, let alone lived without you," he began.

My heart leapt. Was he…? "You're not proposing now are you?" I hissed.

He laughed. "Baby, I told you someday, not "two hours from now"! No, I just wanted you to know." He looked embarrassed. I think it was hard for him to express himself sometimes.

I covered his hand with mine. "Sorry, I wasn't sure. That's the kind of thing you say on one knee, not in casual conversation! But… I agree. I know for sure I couldn't live without you, not for a day. I mean, I'd live, but damn, it wouldn't be much of a life." I squeezed his hand, and he gave me the most amazing smile I think I'd ever seen. My heart was doing double-time in my chest.

"So I should get on one knee huh?" he said after a long moment.

"You'd better, or I'll say no," I teased.

"Good to know," he said, winking. We fell into a less serious conversation after that, discussing our trip back home, and the things we'd do. We were mainly concerned about where we were going to stay. After all, we both knew straight off that neither of us were willing to sleep in separate beds, let alone different houses, for two weeks. We decided we'd split up our time so that one week we'd stay at my parent's place, and the next at the Cullen's. That was all we planned, figuring we'd just wing it and see what came up.

Our dessert came, and we savored the chocolate raspberry cheesecake. Well, I savored mine; Emmett inhaled his, moaning the whole time. He was still getting used to having real food now, instead of the Jell-O, toast, and chicken soup diet he'd been surviving off of during initial recovery. When he was done, he had a tiny bit of chocolate in the corner of his mouth. Even though it was a crowded, swanky restaurant, I could help but lean across the table and kiss it off, licking my lips as I pulled away. Emmett's eyes were practically glowing with lust.

"So, how did I do for our first date?"

"I'd say very well," I said, pretending to consider it.

"Think I'm gonna get lucky?" His eyes twinkled (yes, twinkled), with mirth, knowing what the answer would be no matter what.

"Perhaps," I said semi-mysteriously, knowing full well we both knew he would.

"Well, then, what do you say we get out of here?" he said after he'd taken care of the absurdly large check, which he refused to show me, because I'd probably have a heart attack if I saw.

"Yes, let's," I said, and took his hand. We waited for the valet to bring over my rusting truck, and soon enough we were pulling into our parking space at our apartment.

"Will you walk me to the door?" I asked teasingly.

EmPOV

"Hell yes I'll walk you to your door," I said enthusiastically, winding my arm around her, and pulling her up the walkway.

I was tired of our little charade. I wanted her in our bed, and I wanted her now.

She was giggling the entire way, her shorter legs trying to keep up with my long strides. She pulled out her keys, and I grabbed her arm away, pressing her up against the door. Our lips met enthusiastically, and I wanted to sigh with contentment. I'd wanted her since we were getting ready for dinner, and now I was practically panting for it.

The keys clattered to the pavement as she wound her arms around my neck and pressed closer to me. We were pouring everything into the kiss: love, need, lust, desire, affection, forever. I could kiss her forever. I changed the angle of the kiss, deepening it, and she sighed, parting her lips further so we could battle with our tongues.

Another car pulled into their designated parking space, and the lights flashed, bringing us out of our never-ending kiss. Bella blushed, as usual, and leaned down to pick up the keys, though I noticed her hands were trembling. I loved that I could bring out that reaction in her. Lord knows my stomach was in knots, twisting with need. You'd have thought it was our first time all over again.

We kissed our way into the bedroom, kicking off our shoes and throwing our jackets off, not caring where they landed. Nothing mattered but Bella. I didn't even want to tear our mouths apart to continue stripping, but the need for flesh against flesh outweighed my need for instant gratification. I groaned when I discovered she wasn't wearing any underwear.

Soon, though not soon enough, we were both naked, and I couldn't stop kissing her. She was whimpering, and I'm sure I sounded just as needy and desperate for her. More than anyone or anything in this world, I needed Bella.

My erection was trapped between us, and soon Bella was reaching down to wrap her hand around it. I groaned with pleasure, burying my face in her neck as she stroked me up and down slowly. More, I needed more.

"Bella, please," I gasped. I couldn't stop from thrusting hard into her hand.

"Emmett, I need you inside me, now," she whimpered, and who was I to tell the lady no? I guided myself into her, and her body accepted me fully. We both groaned with pleasure at the joining, and I held still inside her for a moment, simply enjoying the tight wetness. She was soon bucking her hips up, needing more as much as I was, and I began slowly thrusting in and out of her, torturing us both with the pace. Her fingernails dug into my shoulders, encouraging me to move faster.

I switched angles, and she moaned low in her throat. "Right there, yes, baby, yes!" she shouted. Apparently I'd found a good spot. I kept at it, and she kept moaning out encouragement, her body slowly tightening around me. I felt like a sex god.

I wanted to make her cum at least twice before I did. I was feeling rather generous, and with Bella, it was easy to want to go the extra mile for her. I began to circle her clit with my finger, and apparently the combination was enough to send her over the edge. She hollered out my name, and I felt her cum all around my cock. It was nearly enough to spur my own orgasm, but I had made a commitment to her and myself, and dammit, I was going to see it through!

I pulled out, to both of our great displeasure, and looked at her for a brief moment. She was absolutely beautiful, her body blushing from head to toe with her orgasm, her lips swollen, eyes dark, and hair flowing across her body. She looked like a damned sexy sea nymph that I was going to fuck fast and hard from behind, she just didn't know it yet.

She must have seen the wicked gleam in my eye, because she suddenly grinned widely and bit her bottom lip.

"No, no, allow me," I said, and kissed her hard, biting her bottom lip before pulling back.

"On your knees, baby," I said, my voice deep. I stood and patted the end of the bed.

"Emmett," she whimpered, and did as I asked. She was so wet and ready for me, I had to bite back a whimper. I put one hand on her hip and guided myself to her, entering her once more. We both groaned with the sensation. She was so goddamned tight!

She looked over her shoulder at me, and I knew the time for romance was gone. She wanted it, and she wanted it hard, and I was going to give it to her. I pulled out until only my tip was inside her, and then slammed back in, and she let out a choked bark. I was almost afraid I had hurt her, but then she looked at me again and mouthed "More."

The lady wants more, I'll sure as hell give her more. Soon, I was thrusting at a nearly inhuman pace, and she was thrusting back nearly as hard. We were panting and gasping for breath, neither of us able to form our thoughts into words. We were primal, wild.

I knew I was getting close, and she was, too. I surprised her by pulling her back and pulling her back flush with my chest. I loved feeling her hot and sweaty body against mine. I grabbed one of her breasts in my hands, cupping it and pinching the nipple between my fingers. With my other hand, I rubbed her clit fast.

"Oh shit! Oh Emmett, fuck!" she screamed, and I pounded into her until we were both screaming out in climax. My knees were weak, and I collapsed onto the bed next to Bella, who was also looking pretty shaky, in a good way.

"Whoa," she said after pulling me in for a peck on the lips. "That was…"

"Yup. Good first date," I agreed.

"Mmm, I'm a slut," she said, laughing at herself.

"Yes you are," I said, rolling on top of her. I nipped at her neck. "I like it."

"Me, too," she sighed.

A/N II: Reviews for outtakes!!! This next one's wicked fun. ;-)