Disclaimer: All characters belong to Stephenie Meyer. I own the plot.

Right now I am on my knees saluting my beta Dazzled eyes22. If it wasn't for her, this chapter would be lacking, half-assed and seriously bad. So if you like the chapter below, thank her and not me. She pushes me to dig deeper and be better. Thank you so freaking much D, I owe you.

Someone else deserves a serious pat on her back and a kiss on her cheek for being so damn awesome. Thaigher Lillie, you say you like what I do, but I hardly reach past your non-pasty ankles. Thank you so much for your moral support and the rest of the shit you do for me.

AN:

Thank you for the comments and alerts, reading them brings me a lot of joy and it makes me feel honored. Keep it up.

Okay, lovelies. A bit of Edward and some Bella for you… and perhaps a clue to what that damn test says.

NOW READ.

oooooOOOOooooo

Chapter 26

EPOV

Wide brown eyes. Impossibly wide brown eyes. Beautiful, so extraordinary and overloaded with emotions. I wondered if she was going to pass out. "Bella, what do you want this to say?" I asked. She didn't answer. "Bella?"

"I… I don't know."

"What do you mean you don't know?" How the hell could she not know?

"I mean that I haven't really thought about it."

I narrowed my eyes at her. "How can you not have thought about it?" Now it was my turn to stare baffled at her. It was all that I had been able to think about. Through the last two shitty and lonely weeks of my life, it was seriously ALL that I could think about every damn second. Positive or negative. Blood or no blood. Pregnant or not pregnant. I had been numb, unable to focus on work and not even capable of having a conversation. All the time I was gone, I was thinking about Bella and Elizabeth and wondering about what the outcome of a pregnancy test would be.

I longed for the both of them. Suddenly, I was going from being free and not really having a care in the world to being completely tied down and more insanely, I wanted to be. I wanted to be on a freaking leash and have their names tattooed to my bloody forehead. I wanted to be the sole figure in their lives. The longer that I was away from them, the more I hoped and wished for a positive test result. I wanted Bella to be pregnant again.

However, I had no clue how she felt about the whole ordeal. I tried to be a gentleman and take care of business. I tried to be considerate and not force her hand and that was exactly what I ended up doing. Almost fucking forcing her hand and make her take that damn pill. She'd said nothing and I assumed that it was her quiet consent to what I thought she wanted. So finding her with silent tears completely soaking her face had been an eye opener. So not wanting to force her to do anything, I kept my damn mouth shut and let her deal with things in her own time and pace. The only problem was she hadn't said a goddamn word about it, so now I was left fumbling through the darkness once more.

"What do you say, Bella?"

"I don't know?" Her eyes were still bottomless pits of confusion.

I closed my eyes seeing clearly what this was about. "You thought about what I would think, didn't you?" It took a moment before she nodded. So selfless, she was always so damn selfless. It was the same all over again. She never thought about what she wanted before considering what I wanted. Sure, sometimes it was misguided, unnecessary and perhaps even wrong, but she didn't do it to be cruel. It was just so confusing and frustrating. "What do you want for you, Bella?" I pushed, hoping to catapult her back into her own body and her own feelings. She needed to trust herself.

"I think… I think I want it. I mean that I want it to be positive," she said carefully after a while.

Slowly, I turned the stick and let her see the result. "It looks like you got your wish."

oooooOOOOooooo

BPOV

Waking up, I wanted to pinch my arm and check to see if I was really awake or still having a bizarre dream. Edward wasn't in bed with me. Elizabeth lay in her crib and was cradled around her covers with her face scrunching up once in a while, like she always did when she was waking up in the morning.

Perhaps, it all had been a dream?

I turned in bed glancing at my alarm. It was seven-thirty AM on a Saturday. I didn't need to be at the store until ten. However, I might as well get up, because Elizabeth would be howling from her crib within the next ten minutes. While getting out of bed, I stretched my back to get rid of the kinks, but then I stumbled over a bag dropped on the floor. I braced myself against the dresser to avoid smacking into the floor. Pictures tipped over. I was suddenly face to face with a plus sign that apparently hadn't been part of my dream. I straightened myself and picked up the pregnancy test. Oh, right. I was pregnant again. It all felt so surreal. The three am wake up call, the kissing, the testing and conversation with Edward. He had been so sweet and understanding when he admitted that he wished that I was pregnant. I contemplated banging my head against the wall a few times to make the haze dissipate. Could this really be true? Did I get off this easy? That too seemed bizarre.

I glanced over at Elizabeth's crib, feeling confident that perhaps this was okay. Sure, very rushed, but really okay for us. Edward said that he wanted this. He'd kissed me and promised me that he was here for the long haul, here for good, and that we were in this together. I felt a fleeting ray of happiness and allowed myself to really consider this pregnancy. I had another Elizabeth growing inside of me. Okay, not another, but a child, another child of Edward's, inside me.

This time, we were doing it together. I ran my fingers over my stomach. A shadow of sadness lingered at the back of my mind. Somehow, it felt like a do-over. I had robbed Edward of this the first time that I was pregnant and now we got to do it again together. I knew the sadness that I felt came from the simple fact that it would never be okay that Edward didn't get to be a part of my pregnancy when I was carrying Elizabeth.

I left my room pondering about what Edward was doing, when I heard voices from the kitchen. I strolled over taking in Edward's very casual attire of checkered pajama bottoms and a t-shirt. How anyone could make that outfit look so good was beyond me, but Edward pulled it off as usual.

"Coffee?" Alice asked as she was buzzing around the kitchen like a tiny bee wearing a bright yellow dress and black leggings.

"Thanks," Edward answered. He had his shoulder leaned against the cupboard.

Jasper sat at the table flipping through the paper. Her hair was damp and she was in her usual jeans and t-shirt. Her face was still flushed, probably from a morning run. Jasper held her cup out mid air and Alice refilled it out of habit. Sometimes, it was like they shared one mind. No questions were necessary.

I stepped up behind Edward and was about to put my hands around his waist when he spoke again. "I er… I have something for you guys. It's sort of a belated wedding present. I didn't get around to it last time I was here, but I wanted to give this to you now."

A smile spread on my lips, but I didn't say anything. I just stayed behind him, curious as hell.

Alice stopped mid step and threw a surprised glance at me. Jasper looked up from the paper. Edward tapped an envelope against his knuckles a few times before handing it to Alice. "What is it?" Alice asked cautiously.

Edward laughed gently. "Why don't you open it and see for yourselves?"

Alice sat down next to Jasper and peeled the lip of the envelope back. Alice pulled what looked like tickets and a pamphlet out and both their jaws dropped simultaneously. Alice turned some of the papers over a few times, clearly trying to regain her composure. "Are you for real?" she gasped. "I really know that I should say we can't possibly accept these, but I am just not going to do that."

"Oh, my god," Jasper gasped. "Neither am I, baby." She gazed at Alice then back at the papers, whatever they were. "This is just freaking awesome, but this really is too much."

"Glad you like it." Edward said and took a sip of his coffee nonchalantly, like the present was no big deal. Alice opened her mouth to speak, but Edward cut her off. "Before you say anything else, the tickets are valid for whenever you find the time and opportunity to go. I really hate to do this, but could you not tell Bella exactly where that is because the place is quite special to me and I want to surprise her with it."

My breath hitched and my blood simmered in my veins.

"Okay, I won't say a word," Alice chirped and turned to me. "Morning, Bella." Her tone was overbearing and she smiled gleefully.

Edward groaned loudly and hung his head off his shoulders. He turned to me. "You weren't supposed to overhear that."

"Oh?" I inclined a brow at him, waiting for him to spill the beans.

"Yeah." He shrugged and kissed my forehead. His light breath feathered past my face. It smelled strongly of coffee.

"So what did you just give them?" I asked.

"Nothing you need to worry about. Not now, okay?" His eyes pierced mine. Oh, right. We had bigger things on our hands and we had mere hours together this time. I wrapped my arms around his waist and leaned in. I decided to not push the subject and just deal with what we did have on our plate.

I was aware that Alice and Jasper were chatting elated about whatever he gave them. I was curious as hell, but I would just ask Alice or Jasper at a later point in time. I closed my eyes and savored that he was home today.

The front door slammed suddenly and Emmett's loud voice shot through the apartment. "Well, hello there you SOB. When the hell did you fly into town?" Emmett basically hollered when spotting Edward. Apparently, they had a good night the last time he was here.

"Last night," Edward answered and pulled back from me. "Nice to see you too, Emmett."

"I know."

Jasper shot him a glum look. "What are you doing here at this hour… or haven't you been to bed yet? If that's the case, I don't even want to know." She shook her head.

"I haven't been to bed, but not for the reason you might think. I got some kickass awesome news, sis!" I glanced quickly at his wrinkled shirt and surprisingly disarrayed short hair. He had definitely had a long night, which wasn't unlike him.

"What's that?" Her brows furrowed.

"Well, I am done freeloading off mom and dad for now, because I got freaking signed!" He bellowed and fist pumped into the air. "I have a job, a contract and a very decent paycheck." I gaped at him, completely understanding his need for a night out. Watching him literally have his dream come true was quite spectacular and loud to say the least. My chest swelled with pride. He was finishing college and worked as hard as anyone to obtain his goal, a contract to play professional football. Sure, I was clueless about the sport, but what mattered to Emmett, mattered to me.

"Oh, my god," Jasper's practically squealed, almost sounding like Alice. "That is so awesome. With whom?"

"Four letters. Give me four letters." Emmett gestured with four fingers raised.

"Holy shit! The Jets? Congratulations, little brother. I knew you could do it." He put her arms around Jasper and hauled her up from the chair into a bear hug.

"Good for you," Alice said and was next in line for a crushing embrace. Emmett was far beyond euphoric.

"Thanks, Pixie." Alice groaned at the name. I was the next person to be hugged and I was sure my ribs were a bit bruised when he let go. Even Edward didn't escape a few hard pats on his back when Emmett hugged him too.

Jasper and Alice started to throw together breakfast, after Emmett declared that he hadn't eaten all night and that he was fucking starving. I didn't doubt that. He was always hungry.

We sat down for breakfast and there was a more than decent meal served with a boatload of food. Besides the table being seriously crowded, it was warm and a strong sense of family rose within me. Literally. I found myself unconsciously playing with my fingers over my still flat stomach. It was hard to believe that inside of me another mini-Edward was growing again. Sure, it was probably just a few cells growing and dividing, but another little nudger was inside there.

Edward caught my gesture and smiled softly at me. However, there was some strange darkness unfurling behind the happiness. Something was troubling him. "Emmett, what the hell happened to you at the benefit? I waited for you, like forever," Edward said when looking away from me again.

"Oh, let me see. Life." He shrugged. "Anyway, you're a big boy. I was sure that you could make your own way home."

"That's not the point." Edward said, while spreading butter on another roll and handing it to Elizabeth. She sank her two bright white and new front teeth into it right away, but quickly changed tactics and started licking the butter off instead. Edward smiled indulgently at her, before he shifted his gaze back to Emmett. "Anyway, you could have at least texted me."

"Sure I could, but I got a little tied up." He shrugged again. I really hoped that he didn't mean literally tied up. With Emmett, you just never knew. Strangely, he was being completely and unusually evasive. Normally, he was all for sharing details that the rest of us wished we could wipe from our brains forever.

Jasper let out a small giggle and shared a couple of looks with Alice and then me. We all knew what that meant. Alice spoke up. "I'm going to venture a guess. Blond, approximately five eight and not the brightest bulb in the tanning bed." She quirked a brow at him.

"I beg to differ, ass fondling girl," he said, dragging out the word ass. "Five seven, legs up to her neck, smoking hot and wickedly smart."

"Wow, you got all that from a one night stand?" Alice grinned. "I'm sure that she's talented."

"Like you wouldn't believe." Emmett shot back and smiled wickedly, clearly recalling some kinky detail that he was probably about to share.

I covered my ears hoping this conversation was over soon, because I seriously didn't need any more information. "Are you done?" I asked, just a small step away from singing lalalalalalala to drown out their voices.

"Oh, so delicate, Bells." Emmett laughed and his eyes twinkled mischievously. "But I guess that I understand since you're the only one at the table who doesn't eat pussy."

I gasped.

The reaction was instant and from everyone.

"Jesus!" Jasper spat, and smacked his chest.

"Emmett!" Alice growled, then rolled her eyes.

"Not around my kid, you don't!" Edward glared at Emmett.

I said nothing and belatedly covered Elizabeth's ears instead of my own, but the damage was done. I felt the heat from my blush burn my face. I was probably turning a startling shade of crimson.

"What did I say?" Emmett asked with mock innocence.

"Boys will be boys." Jasper muttered after a long silence and we all started laughing hysterically. So true, at least about Emmett.

The conversation picked up again, mainly focusing on Emmett's future career. I paid attention, but understood as much about it as I did about Charlie's fishing gear, which was very close to nothing. I understood fishing involved a pole and football was played on a field, but comprehending more than that was a struggle. To me, physical exercise was humiliating. I didn't have the hand eye coordination and I was a klutz.

"Emmett, would you mind looking after Elizabeth for about half an hour?" Edward asked when we were done with the dishes and cleaning up after the enormous breakfast. Sure, I was pregnant again, but I wasn't prepared for how bloated I felt. I blamed the food.

"Sure thing."

I stared at Edward. He held his hand out to me. "Is there somewhere we can talk?" He hesitated. "Privately?" I gazed at his face, taking in the seriousness.

"Uhm… sure. We can go up to the roof."

Edward followed me up the stairs to the wrought iron door leading to the roof. Old withered plants were situated in pots, alongside a few old and tattered tanning beds. No one really used the space. I didn't really get why. It was quite peaceful up here. A gentle breeze swept across the rooftop. The morning was warm and the sun was rising on a cloudless sky.

I slowly sat down in one of the chairs and watched Edward pace back and forth a few times. With each step he took, I grew more and more anxious. What was it that he needed to say and that he was obviously so distraught about? I fiddled with my hair, taking in a few split ends and making a mental note of booking a hairdresser appointment. Following Edward with my eyes, I forced my mind elsewhere to avoid going into a full-blown panic attack.

Edward finally stopped torturing his hair with his hands and came over. He slumped to his knees in front of me. He looked down while he tenderly ran his hands up my jeans clad thighs. "Bella, do you ever think about what you want?"

"What do you mean?"

"I think you always think about me. I need you to stop trying to protect me. I don't need it. When you worry only about what I want, I can't tell how you really feel. I am just clueless."

I chewed my lip, feeling a bit sad. I hadn't realized that was how I affected him. "I'm scared, Edward." The words tumbled from my lips before I even registered that was how I really felt. I was terrified to make a mistake, which would result in him turning his back and leaving us.

"What exactly are you scared of?" he asked gently.

My heart fluttered in my chest. Could I really air all the things troubling my mind about him and me, but that was what he asked for. "I'm scared of losing you. Our worlds are so different. I have a quiet and boring life. You have excitement, traveling and living out your dream. Not that my life isn't the way I want it to be, but they are nothing alike." I wished my voice had more power and my eyes weren't already burning with pressing tears. I wasn't used to being so vulnerable.

"Who says it is my dream to miss nine out of ten days with Elizabeth and you? Who says my dream is to talk to a bunch of strangers and make other people money because I have a pretty face? That is not my dream, not anymore. What I want is to stay here with my family." Edward gently rubbed my thighs in a soothing rhythm.

"You shouldn't have to give up what you worked so hard for, not for me," I mumbled, staring down at my hands. It just wasn't fair for him to lose that. I couldn't ask that of him.

"Bella, I wouldn't be giving up anything. I would be planning a different future than I thought I would, but that is not a bad thing."

"You want quiet and boring?" I mouthed, feeling a bit stunned.

"I want you. I want my family."

"You already have me. That's the other thing. I don't get why?"

"Why what?" he asked confused.

"Why me? The only thing that makes sense to me is because we have Elizabeth." I whispered. My throat was closing and my nose stuffing. "I'm nothing like the women in the world you live in. I look nothing like them."

"God, you have such low self-esteem," he said under his breath. He hesitated for a moment. "No, you look nothing like them and frankly that's the point. I happen to think you are one of the most beautiful people that I have ever laid eyes on. That's because you're natural and you're real, Bella. You are real to me and what you have in here," he placed his hand over my heart. "That is what I love, not what's on the outside. Sure, I happen to very much like the outside of you too. I love the inside of you, because you are different from them and strong, self-sufficient. You have a mind of your own. You're a fighter and you always find a way through the tough days. You're sweet, smart and caring. You are also the mother of my daughter and how can I not love you for that? So all the things you see exists in my life as it is now, isn't real. I said it before and I'll say it again. That world is only skin deep. What we have here today and on this rooftop is more than skin deep. It goes all the way in here." He tapped his fingers against my chest, over my heart. "You have nothing to fear because what matters to me is here and a few floors below us and I seriously don't mean Emmett."

I suddenly cracked a smile through it all, feeling all splotchy and ugly with tears brimming in my eyes and snot running from my nose. I tried to gingerly mask wiping my nose. "You're too good for me."

"Says who?"

"Me. How can you love me when all I do is trap you? I get pregnant once by accident. I get that happens, but seriously who gets knocked up twice by accident?"

Edward cocked a brow at me, looking almost arrogant. "Seriously, who can't keep his dick to himself and puts a bun in your oven - twice?" I gaped at him. "Two can play that game, Bella, but it doesn't really get us anywhere. Can't we just let go of the blame game?"

"What if I make mistakes?" I snorted.

Edward's jaw dropped for a moment, but then he snickered. "Oh, honey, that ship sailed a long time ago. I think we both know that already happened. I am still here and I am staying here. You don't have to be worry about messing up, because we all do at some point in time. No one's perfect."

I couldn't help giggling, while trying to capture the tears running over my cheeks. "You kind of are. I'll try to be more open, but I just can't help feeling a bit scared."

His answering smile was sympathetic and warm. "I am so far from perfect, but would it be ironic if I said that I'm a bit rattled too?"

"You're scared?" My brows shot up. It was a little hard to imagine his confidence had any cracks. Perhaps, he just hid them well, better than me at least. "What are you afraid of?"

That darkness that brushed across his eyes when he was hurt reappeared. "Basically the same thing as you. I'm afraid that you don't love me back. I am also terrified that my world will end up hurting you because that can be a fucking brutal place. I've grown a thick skin over the years, but if you're not used to it, it can skin you alive."

"Now who's not paying attention?" I basically interrupted and Edward frowned. "I told you over and over again that I love you."

"I know, but when you don't talk to me, they're just words." He shrugged and his eyes clouded with sadness.

"So when I blurt all my fears to you, that makes you feel loved?"

"Yes. When you trust me with your thoughts, that's when I know you love me," he answered gently.

"So we're both a bit frightened, I guess."

He nodded. "It seems so. Just right now that can't get the better of us because baby you are pregnant… er, we're pregnant and we need to figure this out. I told you last night that I hoped for this. I promise you that I do, but I need to know that you want this too. Are you sure you want the baby, because this is a huge decision." he implored.

"Yes, I'm sure." I hesitated, while deciding to stop editing through my feelings. I held my breath for a moment before I spoke. "I'm excited about the pregnancy," I said carefully. "I'm excited the baby because it's another you and me."

"Good. There you go." He encouraged. I sensed he was thrilled with my openness. I couldn't help, but laugh as his praise felt kind of juvenile, considering I was twenty-six years old. Quietly, he helped dry my tears. "Now, I have another bunch of stuff that we need to talk about. Boring as hell, but we need to settle some affairs."

"What might that be?" I bit my lip.

"First of all, Elizabeth's birth certificate now officially has my name on it, thanks to you, Jenks and the legal system, and I'm having other documents drawn up."

"Like what?" I frowned.

"I want a passport issued for Elizabeth."

"A passport? Why?"

"I want her to be able to go with me when I travel, if that's okay with you. Maybe even having you come with me too."

"Are you plotting something?" I narrowed my eyes playfully at him, remembering his gift to Jasper and Alice this morning.

"I might be." His smile was enigmatic.

"You're not going to tell?"

"And spoil the surprise? I almost did that once today. All I will say now, is that I want to take you and Elizabeth somewhere that is very special to me, but you already heard that." I opened my mouth to beg for more information when he placed a finger over my lips. "There's no use arguing, because I won't tell you," he paused. "I also think we are going to need some privacy to contemplate the pending situation. I think it will be good for us to spend some extended time together. Basically, you need to see if you can stand my ass for more than a few days." He laughed gently.

"When is this supposed thing happening?"

"Soon, I hope." He smirked looking quite pleased with himself.

"Edward, I can't really leave the bookstore."

"Not even for me?" He asked. His face literally fell apart. Darkness instantly clouded the brilliant and vibrant green color in his eyes. I hated doing this to him. The idea of me hurting him again was sickening.

"It's nothing to do with you. I have to take care of my business," I said softly.

"And we have to take care of our family," he countered immediately. He moved his hand from my thighs and grasped my hands. I squeezed his fingers hoping to let him know that this wasn't easy for me. I couldn't just pick up and leave on a whim anymore. Sure, he could financially afford it without as much as batting a lash, but I couldn't.

"I'll think about it," I conceded.

"I'll take that for now. Last thing. I'm also having a living will drawn up. Jenks is handling it. I want Elizabeth, well our kids now, protected should anything happen to me or us." His face was completely serious and not to be argued with when he sat squatted and gazed up at me with such astonishing devotion.

I gaped stunned, but knew why he would take such a precaution. He was reacting to what he knew and learned in his life. He had lost everything. "You kind of go all in, don't you?" I mouthed.

"You could say that." Edward smiled sheepishly, but I completely understood him.

I leaned forward, while palming his face. I kissed him softly. "Do whatever you need to do, Edward." I whispered. "Whatever makes you feel safe."

"I feel safe because I know that you love me back," he mouthed soberly and returned my kiss. His lips were so gentle and tender.

"Can I ask something of you?" I said carefully, while pulling back slightly.

"Anything," he mouthed, looking calm and reassured.

"Can we not tell the others about the baby for a little while? I'm feeling a little overwhelmed and I just want it all to sink in first."

"I don't really favor secrets, but I understand." His eyes traveled down my body. His long fingers fiddled with the hem of my shirt, before he grazed both thumbs over my stomach. He kept his eyes on midriff, seemingly lost in thought. "I bet you look beautiful when you start to show."

"I'll look like an elephant." I rolled my eyes trying for humor, but Edward didn't notice. I skimmed my fingers down the bridge of his nose, hoping to catch his attention. "Edward, I'll make a doctor's appointment for next time your home."

His eyes moved up to my face. "Thank you," he answered quietly, still brushing the skin on my stomach with his fingers.

As we arrived back to the apartment, Elizabeth was squealing with joy while Emmett was tossing her back and forth and making her soar through the air then nosedive to the floor. He had her completely riled up.

I finished getting ready to go to work, when Edward announced that he and Elizabeth were coming with me. I was thrilled, knowing that I wouldn't be missing him the few hours that he was here. He was leaving at nine tonight.

Edward checked the spine of the book, before he put it away on the shelf helping me restock the store with new publications. His baseball cap was pulled down his face and we were working at the back part of the shop, having as much privacy as possible. "So how is business?"

"Pretty good. I mean that I am turning a profit, but it's not by much. Enough to put food on the table and pay Aro."

"Aro?" Edward questioned, raising his brows.

"Yeah, uh, he's sort of my silent partner. He owns forty three percent of the bookstore now. He stepped in and it was how I was able to buy the place. However, I am paying him back by a third of a percent each month." Edward stood stock-still and stared at me. "He also helped out Alice when she started her clothing line." I threw in, trying to avoid this thick tension coming from Edward. "What?" I asked.

"I could help you out," he said carefully.

I narrowed my eyes at him. "Help out how?"

"Buy this Aro guy out," he said wistfully.

"Edward," I sighed.

"I know it's your place and not mine," he agreed quickly, maybe too quickly. I had a feeling he wasn't going to let that go. I nodded. That was the essence of this whole debacle. This was my life's work. I wasn't sure that I liked how he was able to basically demote me because his treasure chest was packed and mine wasn't. I built this place, it was mine, and having Edward waltz in and take over was unsettling. I loved him, yes, but the bookstore was my baby.

oooooOOOOooooo

Edward was on his knees, stuffing his small and fancy computer, journal and other personal belongings into his backpack. He was rifling through stuff that he didn't want to bring and sorting through clothes that he left the last time. I'd washed them all for him.

I sat up on the bed and ran my fingers through my knotted hair trying to untangle some of the strands. I had a bad case of just fucked hair, though that hadn't happened. I let my eyes rake down Edward's naked chest. He was only dressed in a pair of loose soft jeans, with his dark blue boxers just peeking over the waistband. I watched how the lean muscles of his stomach rippled when he moved. He looked mouthwatering like this.

I reached for my shirt tossed beside us and pulled it on over my head, while forgoing putting a bra on. I was headed to bed in not too long anyway. I tried to straighten the waistband of my old sweats, because they had practically been wiggled around my waist with all our activity. We basically had been making out like horny fifteen year olds.

My lips were virtually sore and swollen and it was almost nine o'clock. Edward was getting ready to go. God, I hated this sense of déjà vu that I was having. It was like life was running circles around us, drawing a path where we could only make left hand turns and leading us back to the exact same spot over and over again.

Edward stood and bent down over me, while brushing his lips over mine. We had spent the hour and a half since Elizabeth fell asleep trying to keep quiet. Edward had covered the side of her crib with a blanket, should she wake up. She shouldn't see us all over each other. We would scar her for life.

"I like you much better half naked," Edward mumbled into my mouth and flicked his hand at my shirt.

"I like being half naked for you." I twirled my tongue around his, reveling the sweet taste of his mouth. "Or completely naked." I suggested playfully. He moaned softly, while capturing my bottom lip and sucking. We pressed our mouths together passionately, when he tipped me backwards on the bed again. I sighed content with running my palms up his still naked back, when I was trapped under him once more. I liked this. I laughed gently when he quickly and efficiently ridded me of my shirt all over again. When he pulled back, his eyes did a once over down my torso and warmth coursed through me. His eyes were sparkling pits of green and so alive. I cherished the way that he looked at me, like I was the most desirable woman in the world, the most exquisite wine and like I was something to eat. I blushed at the thought.

"Perhaps next time and definitely naked," he murmured, as he put his lips to my neck. He nipped my skin, while letting his teeth graze my throat. The sensation was exquisite. While drifting south and as if he needed to prove a point, he parted my legs with his knees and pressed his growing erection against me. I squirmed at the almost burning sensation from the ridged hardness. His mouth and hands met at my breasts and sparks of desire floated through my veins when his tongue circled my puckered nipple. He took it between his lips, suckling once more, slowly and deliriously. I moaned. The sound ricocheted deep in my throat.

"I'm looking forward to it." I sighed against him, reveling in the heat that was coming from his body.

"Uhm yes, this was fun." He smirked at me. He brought his hand up and tenderly brushed my lips. Oh yes, they were certainly sore and swollen. I let my fingers rest on his cheek, remembering how his facial hairs tickled and felt coarse when we had kissed so passionately. He dipped further south and kissed my stomach reverently. Crawling up my body, he hugged me to his chest and hummed lightly. He wasn't so sad this time and neither was I. He would be back soon, in just a few days. "Take care of both of you. I'll call you in the morning."

"You better." I sat up again and stole one last kiss from him, before I put my shirt back on and at the same time that he finished dressing.

He leaned over Elizabeth, placed a gently peck on her cheek and stroked her hair. In the living room, Alice leaped up and hugged Edward when he said goodbye. I stared a little stunned. "Thank you, Edward," she said gratefully like she was thanking her for more than just the mysterious present that they had received.

Jasper didn't move from the couch, but smiled politely when saying goodnight. She was still uncomfortable with a man in the house. I knew it would take her time to overcome her reservations towards him. Edward only waved and let her be.

The trip was short through the apartment and with that Edward was gone again, but I felt reassured. I was happy and he would be back here again soon.

I trotted back to the living room, joining Jasper and Alice. I plopped down on the couch. "What did you guys do today?" I asked, once more trying to salvage my hair with my fingers. I felt like I was floating on cloud nine.

"We went to the Met and then a flea market. Got some new shoes." Alice beamed and propped up her foot. "Cute, huh?" I glanced at the red vintage stiletto.

"Very," I said, feigning like I knew fashion. The shoes were nice though. "So, where is Edward sending you?" I asked. I was dying to know. I needed my curiosity fed. It was nagging at me insanely.

Alice only smirked at me, then turned to Jasper who sat beside her. "You really want to watch Heidi casting her judgment over some poor defenseless designers with me?" She asked her, not even bothering to tell me that I wasn't getting an answer.

Jasper smiled, leaned in and clearly inhaled against Alice's cheek. I wasn't one to be a voyeur, but I liked seeing them exchange these terms of endearments. I guessed it was because I knew they had lost it at one point and now they found it again. They deserved it. "I'll watch Heidi. You watch the clothes." Jasper smirked.

"She is so not even your type, sweetheart." Alice's pretended to pout like a schoolgirl.

"I know." She moved downwards and kissed Alice's throat. "She's still hot though." Jasper mouthed playfully and slipped her hands around her waist. She pulled Alice close and whispered something in her ear. Alice giggled. I knew that I didn't want to know what was said.

I narrowed my eyes at them. "Edward got to you, didn't he? That's why you're ignoring me," I asked when realized that I seriously wasn't going to get an answer. Such traitors.

"Absolutely." Jasper shifted and grinned at me.

"We promised not to kiss and tell, not even when he left."

I groaned and slumped into my seat. Typical.

oooooOOOOooooo

I hope you enjoyed. I hope it won't be too long until next time, but you never know.

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