All recognisable characters belong to SM. I just own the plot.

Lots of love to my beta, A Jasper For Me, for whipping this chapter into shape.

"I'm sorry we're stuck here," Edward said, wrapping his arms around my waist, his chin resting on my shoulder. I was gazing out his big windows, watching the city come alive to welcome the incoming year.

"You don't have to apologize." I turned around, putting my arms around his neck and pulling him close. "The place doesn't matter, Edward … as long as I'm with you."

We were supposed to leave two days ago for New York, but something important came up and Edward had to attend to it. Although he had insisted we could still leave after he sorted the problem – which was ironed out only yesterday – I finally convinced him we stay in Seattle and spend New Year's Eve at his place.

"I love you," he rasped before he leaned down to bite my lower lip. "And I love this."

His tongue sought permission to enter, and I opened my mouth to let him in. He tasted of alcohol and nicotine, something that made me want him even more. I deepened the kiss, wanting nothing but his taste on my tongue. His hands had moved to my ass, rubbing and squeezing, pulling me closer to him and making me feel his erection. Oh God! I moaned, pressing my body until it felt like there was no space between us. My nipples were erect, and I was certain he could feel them against his chest. All I wanted was for him to finally take me to his bed, ravish me until the he could cure the ache inside me, and satiate the desire that raged inside.

"I think we need to stop. Dinner's going to be cold," Edward said, but he kept on kissing me, doing the opposite of what he just said.

"Edward," I replied, breathless.

"We have to eat, baby," he whispered, but didn't stop the assault of his mouth on mine. I moaned, and he groaned. He reluctantly pulled away from me, panting as he stared at my lips.

I pouted in frustration.

"Later, I promise." He leaned down to peck my lips before he pulled me to the corner of the living room. There was a candlelit dinner for two that had been set up a few minutes ago, and I could feel my heart hammering in excitement. I quickly walked over the table, sitting as he helped me in my chair. His fingers grazed the skin of my arm and goosebumps broke out all over me. The sexual tension was palpable, but Edward had insisted food was priority tonight before anything else. I knew he was trying his best to make this night perfect–to compensate for our postponed New Year's Eve celebration in New York – and didn't want to rush into anything physical.

"I could be patient," I thought to myself.

He gave me this look that made me want to forego dinner, but I also knew how stubborn he could be. Giana had prepared us some delicious looking meal, and when Edward started to reveal each dish, the aroma smelled so good it made me forget about anything else except the food in front of us.

As the first bite hit my mouth, I thanked the heavens for Giana, hoping she would live a thousand years so I could taste her divine creations. Edward smirked when he saw me dig into the food, knowing the Palace chef was the ultimate cook for me.

There was little conversation during dinner, but the heavy stares we exchanged meant more than words. Edward had finished his food faster than I did and sat back, watching me enjoy my meal. His eyes were dark with lust, and although I tried to ignore the desire on his face, I didn't do a good job. All I could focus on was the night ahead of us, and my hands started to shake. There was no denying this was the night we would finally have sex, and the anticipation was killing me.

I set my fork aside, trying to hide my nerves, but I was sure he could see my hands shaking.

"Dessert?" He licked his lips, and all I could zoom in was his mouth. I gulped, my throat suddenly dry.

"Bella?" He wasn't smirking, but the expression on his face made me more nervous. "Do you want a little dessert first?"

"No. I'm stuffed," I replied, trying not to squeak. I wanted him, but I was still a little apprehensive.

He pushed back his chair, but his eyes never left mine. I could feel myself hold my breath as he came closer. He offered me his arm, which I gladly took. He leaned down to whisper in my ear, his breath tickling my skin.

"I think you're going to be my dessert," he said, before he pulled my earlobe between his teeth. "You're more delicious than any food I've tasted."

"Edward," I pleaded, not sure what I was pleading for.

He then captured my lips in a searing kiss, leaving me breathless and disoriented. I yelped when he suddenly scooped me up bridal-style and carried me towards his bedroom. There was no backing out now. My fear suddenly disappeared, and all that was left was determination. I was ready. He needed me, and I would make this night memorable for both of us.

He put me down once we reached his bedroom, and he grabbed my face between his hands.

"Are you sure about this?" He was panting, his nostrils flaring as he waited for my answer.

"Yes."

Not a second after the words left my mouth did he take me in a hard, rough kiss. It was like he was claiming me like a caveman. I returned the same fervor as he did, kissing, nipping, biting and sucking. It was just an exchange of moans and gasps as we both struggled to remove our clothing. His confidence rubbed off on me, and I felt empowered to be affecting him like he did me. When I was completely naked in front of him, I could still see the wonder I had seen in his eyes years ago. It made me love him even more.

He stepped forward, pulling me toward the bed, and quickly covered me with his body. His hands went directly to my pussy, fingering me until he was sure I was ready to take him in, while his mouth didn't relent its assault on mine. I was moaning and panting, begging for him to take me now.

It didn't take him long to give me what I wanted. He slid inside me, hissing at the sensation our union had created.

"Baby, you feel so good," he muttered, before bending down to bite my lower lip. "Let me fuck you."

"Please," I moaned, not ashamed at how wantonly I was acting.

He fucked me like there was no tomorrow, loving me like I was the most precious gem there was.

Once we were both satiated and weak, we laid naked, wrapped up in each other. I heard the sound of the distant firecrackers, the chime of the clock announcing the arrival of the New Year.

He shifted and lifted my chin with his fingers. "Happy New Year, baby."

I leaned up so I could kiss him on the lips. A very happy new year, indeed.

OOOOOOOOOO

The year had started great – with me being with Edward every chance we got. As the weeks passed, it seemed like I got more attached to being with him. Perhaps being intimate made me that way, but I missed him whenever he was away. Of course, I knew the demands of his role, and even though I wanted for us to be together all the time, it wasn't possible. There was no way I would interfere with the demands of his job, although sometimes the urge to plead for more of his attention came to me. Instead of thinking about him – which was hard to do – I focused on my duties in the hospital.

It was the first week of February, and things weren't as busy as the week before. James had finally accepted I was back with Edward, and had stopped pestering me about his romantic intentions. We were still friends.

It was during one of my clinical rotations I saw Heidi. She was being ushered in one of the rooms, her stomach so big I thought she would give birth at any moment. It had taken me half an hour to find the courage to go to her. I asked Tanya to cover for me while I went to talk to Heidi. I found her sitting in one of the observation rooms.

"Heidi," I said, closing the door behind me and locking it.

"Bella." She smiled tentatively when I entered, clearly wondering what I was doing here. The gossip about her and her pregnancy had died down a little but not completely – she was still mentioned in the news once in a while.

"How are you?" I asked, feeling a little awkward to be talking to her. My loyalty to Edward somehow made me feel I was doing something wrong.

"The baby's starting to make me feel like a whale." She laughed, and I felt relieved she didn't find this visit weird.

"Heidi, look," I started, wanting to clear the air between us. There was no doubt we would be attracting some attention soon, and I wanted to finish talking to her before that happened. "I'm sorry if I didn't call you after what happened."

She reached for my hand and squeezed it. "It's okay, Bella. I know you were dealing with so many things in your life then, and my shit was the least of your problems."

"It's not like that, Heidi." I didn't know how to explain why it was hard for me to contact her. It was selfish of me not to have gone to her when the scandal about her pregnancy broke. My conflicting emotions about Edward and our possible reunion made me forget about comforting a friend. We were friends because we were somehow forced to become friends. Being the girlfriends of the next heirs made us forge some kind of alliance, and she was the only person aside from the royal family who understood what it was like to be under the extreme scrutiny of the press and the public.

"I understand, Bella. More than you know."

"It's just that, I feel guilty," I said, trying to explain my side. "You were there when I broke up with Edward. You were always ready to listen even when you were busy with Alec and –"

"Bella, it's not your fault, okay? I was sure one of these days you were bound to contact me … and here you are."

I felt the weight on my shoulders lift, and I grinned. "Yeah, here I am."

"So, I heard you and Edward are back together."

"Yes."

"I'm happy for you."

"I'm freaking scared, Heidi. What if I fuck this up again?"

"No, you're not. You're a good person, and Edward's lucky to have you."

I tried to argue, but she cut me off.

"They're lucky to have a queen like you someday."

"Heidi –"

"Please," she begged, and closed her eyes. I didn't know what she was pleading for so I just stayed quiet and observed her. She looked tired, but I could feel she was content with what fate gave her. I saw her right hand rub her stomach, and suddenly I had the urge to touch it.

"Heidi?"

She opened her eyes, questioning as she looked at me.

"Can I?" I waved my hand toward her stomach, making my intentions clear.

She was clearly surprised, but she reached for my hand and slowly placed it on top of the bulging mound that was her stomach. It was hard and round … I was scared I could hurt her.

"Is the father willing to know this baby?"

She raised her eyes to me slowly, and I could see her eyes water. I suddenly felt bad for mentioning it.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean anything by it."

She kept silent for what felt like forever, and I was scared I had insulted her. I started to pull my hand away, ready to leave, but she tightened her grip on my hand.

"Bella, Alec knew."

"What?"

She turned away from me, staring in front of her like she was thinking. I stared at her, waiting for her to continue. I didn't understand what she meant by her earlier statement, but now my curiosity had peaked.

"Alec couldn't have kids. He confided in me two years before he died."

What? I stared opened mouth at her, clearly shocked at this revelation. I stared at her expression, hoping to find some signs to see if she was lying, but there were none. I waited for her to continue, my heartbeat a little faster from what I was about to hear. My mind suddenly went to Edward, imagining what he would think when he knew.

"I had no problem with it. He did."

"Heidi –"

"I loved him so much, Bella," she cried, and I pulled her to me. She sobbed while I comforted her, my heart breaking as her tears fell. When she was calm enough, she wiped her nose with the back of her hand, and started to relay her story again.

"I told him I didn't need kids for us to be happy, but he disagreed. Perhaps if he wasn't the heir apparent, it would've been fine. But he was, and so he insisted we got a donor," she said, snorting as she remembered. "It was top secret … secured, sealed … he promised, but of course, when he died … it all went to shit."

"Then why didn't you tell all of this to the press?"

She gave me a long sigh, and slumped back on the chair like she was defeated. "I couldn't do that to him. When I promised my love to him, I made a pact I wouldn't … won't taint his name. Even if it made me look like the bad person, I couldn't do that."

"Oh, Heidi," I said, and pulled her in a hug. Somehow I understood where she was coming from. I would've done the same thing if I was her, to protect Edward. She was truly a strong woman.

"Please don't tell, Edward." She raised her pleading eyes to mine. I searched her face, wanting to beg her not to ask that of me.

"Heidi, you know it's hard –"

"Please. I don't want him to see Alec differently."

I wanted to argue Edward's case – that he wasn't like that, that he would understand, and he would help her and the baby out – but the look of desperation in her eyes made me agree.

"I promise."

"Thank you."

How could I break a promise?

This was not my story to tell … even to Edward.

And so I didn't.

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