AN: Disclaimer.. I don't own Twilight or the Dark Series. I only borrowed the characters and a few traits for my tale. Hope you enjoy them.

EPOV

Moving day was here. Bella had taken an apartment directly across the hall from Alice and Rose.

Charlie and I were carrying her mattress in the doorway. We looked over at the three of them giggling and discussing where to place things.

We sat it down and waited on our orders.

Charlie nudged me with a grin "Edward my boy, what do you want to bet it will be a constant roaming sleep over between here and across the hall?"

"Oh no, I'm not betting a dime against that one. I know these three too well."

The girls flipped us off in unison.

I was very happy for her and I have to admit just a bit excited for US. We wouldn't have to sneak out of town for some brotherless alone time.

Charlie turned down our invite to dinner. He was heading over to Sue's for some home cooking.

We ran the others out telling them we were going to initiate the apartment by ourselves.

As soon as the door was shut behind them, I locked it and turned to Bella. She was digging in one of the boxes.

With a big smile she came up with two small plastic cups and ran to the fridge where I had put a bottle of champagne earlier to cool.

We toasted to her new independence. I took her cup and sat it on the floor along with mine. Standing up, I scooped her up in my arms and walked to the bedroom.

"It's about time we get this initiation started" I said.

..............................................

I waited just as long as I could. I had to leave. She said she understood, but I could see on her face how apprehensive she really was.

This would be a big test to our relationship, to see if she would be able to handle my work.

I had to go to South America. It would be the furthest and longest that we had been apart since the cruise from hell, and I wasn't sure how long exactly it would be.

I pulled her to me, closing my eyes to breathe her in. I wanted to keep as much of her with me as I could.

As if she could read my mind, she slipped something in my pocket and asked me not to look until my plane landed.

I took her face softly in both my hands and tilted it up to me. My lips gently touched hers and she parted them so seductively. I let my mouth show her how I felt. She answered my kiss with all the passion and strength she had in her soul.

"I love you Bella. I will be home to you as fast as I can, I promise."

"I love you too Edward, now scoot and keep that promise." She shooed me off with a playful spat to my behind and a smile on her face.

..........................................

BPOV

I knew this would be a critical time for both of us. I had to prove to Edward that I would be just fine with him gone.

I had Rose and Alice right across the hall and my dad right down the road. I was going to keep myself busy and make him proud of me.

I sat on the sofa thinking about Edward. I grinned when I thought of the little "gift" I had tucked in his pocket.

I had taken my digital voice recorder and made a special message for him. It was my version of phone sex without the phone, and wrapped it in a pair of my thongs before tucking it in his pocket.

That should tide him over till I saw him again. I giggled to myself.

I had to get busy, I wasn't sure how long he would be gone and I had a plan of action.

First I went by the store and picked up some supplies.

Next, I drove my truck over to the High School parking area. It was Saturday so the lot was empty.

I parked in the exact spot I was in the day of the accident, the first time we met.

Walking back to the far side of the lot, I took a picture of my truck sitting there.

When I got back to my truck I zoomed in and took a close up of the huge dent still in the back quarter panel.

I got back in my truck and headed home. That's two down and many more to go I thought with a smile.

That evening I was sitting at my computer printing off the pictures when Alice and Rose came bopping in.

"Hey Bella, what are you up too?"

"Hey girls, just printing some pics, be finished in just a second. There are sodas in the fridge if you want one"

Rose came over by me to see and had a scowl on her face, "Bella what did you take pictures of this for, it reminds me of the accident and seems so sad?"

"Well it is supposed to remind Edward of the accident too and no it's not sad in the least. That's the first time I saw him. I'm making him a scrapbook of how we met. You girls want to help?"

They each pulled a chair up.

"At your service." Alice piped in as she handed Rose a soda.

"Great! I have a few ideas and it will be more fun with you guys in on it."

"I've been really trying to think of ways to prove to Edward that I can handle his job and his way of life. He seems to think it would be better if I were never transformed and he just lived here with me until I'm gone. I don't see it that way at all"

"I want the whole package. You girls saw how well they work together and how good at their job they are. I want to fit into that synchronicity not split it apart."

"If we are going to spend the rest of our lives together, then I don't want it to be with him worrying every time he has to leave."

"So........ I've already spoken to Mrs. Newton about tossing any overtime my way. I didn't tell her why. I guess she figured with the new apartment I could use the extra cash. Then I decided to make this scrapbook for Edward. And I'm even thinking about taking some college courses online in the evenings."

"Damn Bells, think you saved any time in there for your two best friends?" Alice pouted.

"Aww honey, I always have time for you guys" I wrapped my arms around both their shoulders as we laughed.

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Babygirl, can you hear me? Bella? Hey Baby can you hear me?

Yes! Yes! I hear you Edward!

There you are! You sound a bit surprised.

I.... I didn't realize we could connect this far away.

Yes Baby we can.

He sounded a little sad and I knew he was remembering the last time we were separated.

Well shame on you Mister, I just got out of the shower and now I feel like you are peeking.

Hmmmm I guess I have really good timing then. Speaking of you and naked, I love your gift.

I couldn't help but giggle. Oh I'm glad. I thought it might keep me on your mind while you were gone.

On my mind and a few other things.

Mmmmmmmmmmm sounds good to me. Remind me to participate in that as soon as you get home.

Absolutely, it's a date. I need to go get busy before Jazz and Emmet send out the attack dogs.

I love you, babygirl. I'll be home soon.

I love you too Edward. Stay safe.

It wasn't a long visit, but I walked around with the biggest smile.

Rose and Alice were really coming through with pictures for me to use. But there was one in particular that I had to do myself.

I lined the tub all the way around with tea light candles and had the bubbles nice and high. I had the camera on the tripod and got it angled just right, then turned the lights out.

I set the timer and jumped in real quick, bringing the bubbles up to cover my chest. I held my arms out beckoning him to join me.

.............................................................

I grabbed my keys and headed out the door, almost knocking Charlie down as I did.

"Hey Bells, careful, you almost dumped the coffee on me."

"Hi Dad, sorry about that, what's all this?"

"Well I thought I'd bring breakfast over and visit a bit, that okay?"

"Sure come on in, I was heading out but it's no hurry."

He sat the coffees down and handed me a bag.

"Oh Thanks! You know I'm a sucker for cinnamon rolls"

We sat and visited while we ate. It was nice, I figured Charley was lonely, but he seemed to be keeping busy with Sue lately.

When he got up to leave, he turned back to say something and hesitated.

"What's wrong, Dad?"

"Bells, I kinda went behind your back and did something and I brought you breakfast to butter you up so I could tell you."

"Uh oh! Ok what did you do?" I sat back on the sofa to prepare myself for whatever it was.

"Well you know my friend Billy right? He was telling me about a self defense course they are giving there at the res. I thought it would be a great idea for you, Rose and Alice to take it. You know with all you girls living on your own now and things. So I talked to their families and we kind of signed you all up and already paid the fees."

I couldn't help but laugh at the look he was giving me. It was like I was going to chew him up for doing this without asking first.

"Dad, I'm not mad at you. I do wish you had asked first, but I don't have any problem taking the course as long as it's not during my work or anything."

"It's Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 7 to 9pm for the next two weeks and that's it."

"Starting tomorrow?"

"Yeah, I know it's short notice, but I was afraid you would back out if I gave you too much time to think about it."

"Dad, you are crazy" I laughed as I tiptoed up and kissed his cheek.

He blushed and gave me a little hug. "So I'm forgiven?"

"Yeah, dad I'll let ya off easy, this time."

I walked him to his car with promises to have him over for dinner next week.

When I got home that evening Rose and Alice were waiting to ambush me.

"Did you hear what our folks set us up for?"

"Yeah Rose, Charlie dropped by this morning to tell me."

"Our families called us and sprung it on us. Did you agree?"

"Sure, why not, it might be a good idea to learn more self defense. It's not like we haven't been in need of it in our lives and with the profession our guys have, we may need more" I laughed.

"I guess so, besides, it may be fun using Jasper to practice with" Alice grinned as she thought of it.

"Come on Rose, it may be fun and we can surprise the guys when they get home."

"Ok, but I'm not sweating for anyone" Rose grumbled.

The next evening we headed to La Push to the reservation. The course was being held at their youth center.

There were people sitting around stretching waiting on everyone to get there.

A couple of guys brought in a big contraption that looked like a tackle dummy. A few others were putting out pamphlets on a table by the door.

All of a sudden I heard a baritone voice behind me "Bella?"

I jumped up and flung myself in his arms as he swung me around with my feet flailing out.

My friends were sitting with their jaws wide open in shock.

"Oh my God Jake, what are you doing here? I thought you were still gone on the Save the Wolves Campaign."

"Nah, I'm back here teaching on the res."

I hugged him tight "It's so good to see you again"

Then as he sat me down I noticed the looks I was getting from Rose and Alice and we both burst out laughing.

"Rose, Alice, this is Jacob. His dad and Charlie are best friends. We grew up together."

After all the introductions were done he said he needed to get the class started but asked us to hang around for a minute afterward so we could talk.

When class was over we hung around till everyone had gone. Jacob helped the other guys move the tackle dummy and then he walked over to where we were sitting.

"How about I buy you ladies a cup of coffee and we can talk?"

"We would really love to, but Rose and I both have to be up early for work" Alice said with a pout.

"What about you Bella?"

"I don't have to be in till 10 but I'm riding with them, maybe after next class."

"I'll spring for the ride home, come on let's get caught up" he looked at me with big brown puppy eyes.

"Okay okay, you know I can't turn down that pathetic look"

He grinned and gave me a big hug.

The girls left, making me promise to call them when I got home so they would know I made it in.

I knew they just wanted a play by play of the night.

Jacob and I went for a walk on the beach. We were giggling like old times as we reminisced.

We sat on a log and watched the waves rolling in. The moon was large and bright and every large wave looked like the moon was dipped in the ocean like a kid dipping a cookie in milk.

The water whooshed against the sand changing the picture each time it washed in and out. Tiny sparkles of light danced on the bubbles as they popped.

It was absolutely beautiful and I was laughing harder than I had in months, but all I could think about the whole time was how I wished Edward could be here.

Jake walked me to my door to make sure I made it in safe. I kept telling him I was fine but he said he wouldn't be a very good self defense teacher if he left me on my own after just one class.

I gave him another big hug and thanked him for the ride. He walked off as I locked the door.

I thought about the way my life had changed in the last few months. I thought about Edward and how I felt when I was with him. I fell asleep snuggling my pillow and wondering if he was safe and snuggled somewhere too.

The next day when I got home from work, I had made up my mind about a few things.

I grabbed a soda out of the fridge and sat down. I reached for the little address book that Edward had given me with emergency numbers in it.

"Hello?"

"Hello Mrs. Cullen, this is Bella Swan. I was wondering if we could talk for a bit?"