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

Got a little carried away with some happenings in my life these past months, so my apologies for the long wait.

Thanks to A Jasper For Me for going over this even when she was sick. Lots of love, sweets.

So ... here you go, people. Enjoy .

"I just told them the truth, babe."

Bella scowled at me. My admission to the press earlier about how hot and sexy she was didn't sit well with her. She thought it was inappropriate.

"You didn't have to tell them about my ass," she lectured, and I smirked.

"I love your ass."

"I just bet you do," she muttered, pulling away from me. I grabbed her waist, tightening my hold when she resisted.

"I don't want you to get angry because I was just being truthful. As the next leader of this country, I think that particular trait is applauded."

"Not when you're talking about me and your ass-grabbing hands."

I chuckled, and she smacked me.

"It's not funny, Edward!"

"Your ass is not funny," I whispered, biting her earlobe, "it's sexy."

"I hate you right now." She pushed me away, glaring at me as she crossed her arms against her chest.

"Bella … babe," I started, trying to pull her back into my arms but she sidestepped me. "The press had that picture plastered all over the news. What did you want me to say?"

"I don't know!" She stomped her foot in irritation, and I smiled. I loved it when she was feisty. She looked enticing and she didn't even know it. "You could've said anything other than what you said!"

"I didn't want to," I drawled. "Besides, that picture was sort of hot."

The picture I was referring to was of me kissing her during our last weekend out of town. The one thing that made it all the more exciting or scandalous, depending on whom you talked to, was my tight grip on her ass as we kissed. If we weren't who we were, it wouldn't be a big deal, but as expected the said picture made headlines … and now my girlfriend was making a fuss about it.

"I can't believe you," she said, frustrated.

"Come're," I said, pulling her to me and wrapping my arms around her hips, nuzzling my face against her neck. "Don't be mad, Bella. I can't stand it if you're angry at me."

She sighed, leaning back against me as she did. I kissed her neck before I turned her around to face me.

"You didn't have to elaborate. That picture could've spoken for itself," she grumbled, still unable to let the topic go.

"How could I not? They were pestering me about it."

She narrowed her eyes at me, not believing me.

"You're the best thing that ever happened to me, Bella. I'm so fucking in love with you, and I wouldn't lie to anyone about it."

"Edward," she said, sighing as she melted into my arms, "of course, I don't want you to lie about your feelings, but did you have to tell the whole damn country h-how … how sexy I am? I'm studying to become a doctor, and that wouldn't help me gain respect especially whe–"

"Shhh," I said, putting my finger on her lips to stop her talking. "You worry too much."

"But Edwa –" she started to argue, but I cut her off again.

"Shhh, it's okay, baby." I rubbed my finger on her lower lip as she stared wide-eyed at me. "I love you."

I gave her a reassuring smile, hoping she would forgive me for running my mouth. She was a little more receptive of the scrutiny in our lives now than before, but she would get apprehensive whenever the press got too much information. Like now. It didn't help that I was the one who supplied said information. Calling her 'my hot, sexy girlfriend' in front of a good number of reporters, which I knew would be broadcasted all over the country, was something she clearly didn't appreciate.

"Your parents will surely love this," she said sarcastically. "I just can't imagine what they're thinking right now."

"That I'm the luckiest bastard to have a hot, sexy girl who loves me," I answered cockily.

She smacked me hard this time. "This is not something to joke about, Edward. You're parents aren't going to like this. I'm sure of it."

"I'll talk to them." I pushed a strand of hair back behind her ear and gave her a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, okay?"

She sighed, before actually nodding her head. I gave her a peck on the lips.

OOOOOOOOOO

"Told you it's not gonna matter," I whispered, skimming my nose along her jaw.

"I bet you're lying to me," she answered, moving a little closer as I continued what I was doing.

"I swear to you I'm not."

"Yeah, sure," she replied, her sarcasm not lost to me.

I chuckled, knowing I was busted. My father didn't say anything about my ass grabbing – although it was evident he wanted to, but my mother did. She wasn't furious or anything, just a little disappointed. She gave me a reprimand on my not being a gentleman.

"Is this still an issue?"

Bella gave me a pointed look, but I tickled her and she eventually smiled, telling me she was no longer affected by the ass grabbing issue a few days ago. I grinned, wrapping my arm around her shoulders, and pulled her closer to me.

We were on our way to a charity event. Bella came directly from her hospital duties, making me worry she was tired but her reassurance convinced me otherwise. Tanya had agreed to swap some time with Bella so she could afford time to spend with me today. It was a good thing she had such a good friend in Tanya.

"Were you able to talk to your boss?" I asked, referring to Dr. Brock, Bella's direct superior.

"Not yet. I'm still looking for the right time to approach him." She didn't meet my eyes, and I sighed in exasperation.

"I could talk to him, you know."

"You will not."

"Bella, if he's giving you a hard time then –"

"That's exactly why I don't want you to talk to him," she said, her voice laced with irritation. "He'll agree to whatever you say. You're the next king of this country, so of course he'll agree to whatever you want!"

"Bella, I just want to help. Make it easier for you."

She sighed, and turned to me. "You can help by waiting for me to talk to him. I don't want you to talk to him and sway him in making a decision."

I wanted to argue – to tell her that her position as my girlfriend had enough weight to influence anyone even without me present – but I held my tongue and just nodded in acquiescence.

"Okay," I replied. "I'll give you until this week to tell Dr. Brock to give you a couple of days off."

"Don't pressure me," she grumbled.

"I'm not. But the ground breaking of the new hospital in Chicago is next week, babe. You know how important it is for me that you'll be there."

"I know, Edward. That's why I'll be talking to Dr. Brock … soon."

"Just make sure you give him enough time so he can work around your schedule."

She stared at me like she wanted to say something – an argument or a scathing remark, but instead all she said was, "Yeah, yeah."

"But," I warned, wanting her to know I was still going to get what I wanted, "if he ever makes it difficult for you, or if he doesn't agree then I'll be coming to visit him."

She started to open her mouth, but I held a finger against her lips to stop her from arguing.

"No more arguing."

"But –"

"Shhh …"

"Okay."

"Okay."

I captured her lips in mine, and we spent the entire drive toward the charity event making out.

"You still got some lipstick …" Bella rubbed a spot on the side of my lips "… here."

"We'll definitely continue this when we go back to my apartment tonight."

"Who said I'll be spending the night in your apartment?" she asked, her eyes teasing.

"I did," I muttered, capturing her lips again in another hot kiss. After what felt like forever, I pulled away panting. "The prince needs some of your tendering loving care."

"Edward, we need to go."

I closed my eyes, trying to calm myself.

"I know. Just give me a second."

I heard her giggle, and I pouted.

"I'll make it up to you," she whispered, "tonight."

My smile was so wide I was afraid everyone would know what Bella and I were doing inside the car. I tried to compose myself as the door of the car opened, hoping there was no more lipstick stain anywhere on my face or my shirt.

"Your Highness," someone greeted, and I nodded my head in response.

I helped Bella out of the car and offered my hand. It was customary for me to have walked ahead of her, but by now, everyone knew I wasn't the conventional Royal. We walked inside the lobby hand in hand. There were reporters who were asking questions, but I ignored them, knowing there was a proper place and time for the Q and A. The click click of the cameras and the buzz around us were nothing new, but I wanted to get away from it all. I walked fast, pulling Bella's hand so she would do the same. Felix was busy trying to clear our way, and Emmett suddenly appeared to help usher us inside.

"This is a zoo," I muttered, turning my head toward Emmett.

"What did you expect?" he answered. "You and Bella are here so naturally the vultures will descend."

Once we were inside the clubhouse, the first person who came to greet us was Jake.

"Prince Edward!"

I glared at him. He knew damn well I didn't like it when he called me by my title, which made it more enticing for him to do so. If there weren't other people here, I would have smacked him.

"Jacob."

"Hi, Bella," he said, leaning forward so he could kiss Bella's hand.

"Hi, Jake. It's nice that you were able to come."

"So, it's you who invited him," I whispered to her, but Jake heard me.

"Yeah, she loves me more than you do," he replied, grinning as he walked beside us.

"Edward, didn't I tell you Jake and BB Financial Holdings is one of the big sponsors of this golf tourney?"

I snorted, and Jake laughed. I turned to look at my girlfriend to see her watching me with doe eyes, her lower lip in between her teeth. There was something fishy in her expression and I narrowed my eyes at her. She smiled widely … and I knew. She talked to the organizers of this event to make sure Jacob Black would one way or the other contribute a big chunk of his money. Jake was frugal and didn't believe in spending on things he didn't need. The way I saw it, Bella had succeeded in convincing my friend to donate a lot of money, and he didn't seem to mind one bit. She was devious like that.

"She persuaded me to part with a few thousand bucks and join this noble cause," he explained, a little too jovial. "So naturally, I agreed. Being your best bud and all, not to mention a gorgeous brunette doctor who promised to accompany and play with me, there was no other choice."

"You did not!" I accused Bella.

She just shrugged and smiled sheepishly. Jake winked at her, and she just beamed.

"I told you he won't mind me playing with you," Bella said to Jake.

"I did not –"

"Whatever you say, pretty lady."

They ignored my pouting and continued with their conversation. I was listening to their banter when I felt Bella tense. I looked at her to see her staring at something. When I followed her gaze, I could see it wasn't something but someone.

It was Kate.

"Bella," I said, not really sure what to say. I was afraid she would freak out, so I needed to say something ... anything.

She stood staring at Kate, who was now also staring back at us. It briefly crossed my mind as to how Bella even knew who Kate was, but it floated away when I felt Emmett whispering something in my ear. I didn't hear anything … it was all murmurs. My eyes bounced back and forth between Bella and Kate, my heart thudding in anticipation as to what would happen next.

Kate smiled at us. It surprised me, but what shocked me more was when Bella just nodded in response.

"Bella," I said again, trying to get her attention.

She tilted her head to look at me, searching my face for something. When she was satisfied with what she saw, she leaned up to kiss me on the cheek. She placed her palm on my cheek as she stared at me, like nothing existed but the two of us … like the awkward moment between Kate and us never happened.

I opened my mouth to speak but she smiled and pulled me towards the center of the clubhouse. I looked at Jake as if he could explain what just happened, but he just shrugged and eventually broke into a big smile. Even Emmett didn't seem surprised at what just occurred.

As I walked with Bella's hand in mine, her demeanor peaceful and happy, I realized everything was okay. Bella somehow, in her own way, had gotten over what had happened between Kate and me.

And that made me so freaking happy.

I knew she was going to be a great queen. My queen.

Thoughts?

Two more chapters to go before HA says goodbye.

Thanks for reading. =)

P.S A little late, just like my posting, but as they say better than nothing. - Regards to everyone this 2014!