As always: Everything and anything related to the Twilight saga belongs to Stephenie Meyer. This is a work of fiction based on her writings. No harm is meant by it.

Special thanks and much adoration to my beta Kelly.

Every house where love abides
And friendship is a guest,
Is surely home, and home sweet home
For there the heart can rest.
~Henry Van Dyke

Chapter Twenty-Three: H is for Home

After his phone call with Emmett, Edward decided to just stay in his hotel room and watch television. He found himself in an odd mood, all thanks to his brothers prying ways, but Edward didn't really know if he could truly be angry with him. Though Emmett had practically pulled the words out of his mouth, Edward had on some level, already known that he was been in love with Bella.

The night in the park was evident of it. He had felt it then, hell, he had even said it, but it hadn't registered. How that was possible, he had no clue, but it had happened. He had known he said it, but had totally disregarded it as a fluke, or as something he just happened to have said as he came. It wasn't rare from someone to say 'I love you' when having sex; it happened all the time, but Edward could honestly say he meant it.

In retrospect, he knew at that moment he was in love with Bella. It had sucker-punched him there on the jungle gym. He had been staring into her eyes, watching her body quake below his, as they moved together. The moonlight was casting shadows of the tress across her cheeks, and those three little words had slipped through his lips with ease, but now, now, they felt far more real.

"I love Bella Swan," he told the hotel room once more, as he lay on the bed with his head propped on his crossed arms.

The words sounded different as if there was something there that gave them substance, definition.

He didn't know what it was, but all day his mind raced with thoughts of Bella as he tried to watch some movies and forget about his conversation with Emmett. Even when his boss called him to invite him to dinner, insisting that he come, Edward politely declined using the excuse that he was ill.

The only thing that he had managed to do all day was to have someone at the concierge's desk pick up a necklace he ordered online from Tiffany's. It was a simple necklace, not too expensive, but it was incredibly symbolic, at least he thought so.

It was white gold, and on it hung one of the famous Tiffany keys, specifically the heart key pendant with round diamonds incrusted into the heart. As corny as Edward found it to be as he looked at the necklace online, it was beautiful as it lay in the famous blue jewelry box; he couldn't help but smile. He was picturing how lovely it would look against the alabaster skin of Bella's neck, and how radiant the diamonds in the heart would shine against her chest.

He was giving Bella a necklace that he knew she would complain about, saying that he didn't have to buy her anything, but he knew that she would love it.

Unfortunately, she would have no idea behind the symbolism of the heart key, or how hard it would be for him to give the necklace, well more so the pendant that hung from it.

Edward eventually dozed off into a restless sleep as he tossed and turned thinking about the early morning flight back home. For the first time in years, he was actually nervous about going home, but what was really making him nervous was that he wasn't going home to his best friend Bella; he was going back to his best friend Bella who he was in love with it.

That night he dreamt of sweeping her off her feet, declaring his love to her, and having it reciprocated tenfold. He dreamt of the way she would smile, admit that she felt the same, and then they would kiss and make love.

Of course, he knew it was all his imagination running wild as he woke up a couple of hours later to procure that he had everything safely packed away in his suitcase before he made his way down to the front desk to check out.

When he was done with the overly flirtatious hotel worker, he met Mr. Austen by the door as they waited for a taxi to drive them over to the airport. Edward was anxious, but he pushed his fears aside as Mr. Austen greeted him good morning and gave him the accolades he rightfully deserved.

"Good morning, Edward."

"Good morning, Mr. Austen," he replied, straining hard with himself to calm his nerves and suppress the yawn that was threatening to come out.

"Are you feeling better?" he asked and Edward nodded, almost giving himself away because he forgot that he had lied to him the night before.

"Yes, Sir. I think it may have been something I had for earlier yesterday."

"It happens to the best of us," Mr. Austen chuckled and Edward joined along as they made their way over to the taxi the doorman had hailed over.

As the cab driver shut the trunk, Mr. Austen passed Edward a large stack of papers. It was as thick as a textbook Edward used in college.

"What is this, Mr. Austen?" he questioned, balancing the papers in his right hand.

"That, my dear boy, is the contract for the Adidas campaign. Mr. Dassler was incredibly impressed by your presentation and by the manner in which you hold yourself. He also mentioned that he believes you're destined for some great things in the advertising world. I couldn't agree with him more."

"Thank you, Sir," Edward thanked him, smiling slightly as he noted the ten figure number on the contract cover.

"It's my pleasure, Edward. You have been a great asset to my company. Mr. Meyers and I were discussing this the other day. We believe that in the future there is the possibility of making you a partner."

Edward gasped at his admission. Partner? he thought. That would be incredible. He wondered how long it would take before the sign outside the office doors read Meyers, Austen and Cullen. The image brought a smile to his face, but when he noted Mr. Austen looking at him, he let it fade.

"It's alright to smile, Edward. It's a great honor to be made partner. Myself and Meyers have never even considered the idea until we hired you years ago," he began and Edward sat there stunned. "It's true," he affirmed.

"But why me, Sir?"

"Edward, it should be obvious. You're one of our most dedicated employees. Don't think that we haven't noticed you coming into work on Saturdays. You have tenacity that I haven't seen in years. You have a knack for this, Edward. I've never seen anyone present a campaign quite like you have."

"Thank you, Sir," Edward spoke, still stunned by what he was hearing. He had known that his superior had thought well of him, but to actually be considered, someday, as their partner, was astonishing, and incredibly flattering.

"No, problem. You remind me of Meyers when he was young. I was never quite the charmer he was. My wife, Jane, seems to thinks that your success rate has something do with your quote-un-quote brilliant smile and fantastic face."

Edward chuckled as Mr. Austen went on to tell him about his wife's not subtle crush on the young employee since they met several years back at one of the company's many holiday parties. He even let him know about how disappointed Mrs. Dassler had been when he had let her know that Edward would not be attending dinner the night before because he was sick. He had had to almost physically hold the woman down because she wanted to visit him and make him feel better.

"You may laugh Edward, but looks and charms can get a man, especially advertising men a long way. Don't think your impressive resume was the only reason we hired you."

Edward's eyes widened at Mr. Austen's admission, but he eased up as he noticed how Mr. Austen's shoulders shook as he tried to suppress a laugh.

"You're messing with me, right?" he asked and Mr. Austen nodded his head, allowing the stifled laughed to pervade the taxicab.

"Of course, Edward, but let it be known. That some clients are incredibly shallow that way."

"I can only imagine, Sir."

Mr. Austen nodded in agreement before remaining silent for the last fifteen minutes of the ride over to J.F.K. Airport.

That was when Edward's nerves started to become frazzled once more. He was now one more step closer to getting home, to getting back to Bella. He couldn't wait to be back in her arms, to feel her pressed against him, to feel her naked body writhing against him as he pushed into her slowly.

He had to stop in his spot as the image flashed in front of him. In the flash, he caught sight of her glistening, flushed skin, and her dark hair fanned out against the bed.

"Edward!" Mr. Austen called him, breaking his quick daydream.

"Yes, Sir?"

"Are you okay? You just stopped walking and started staring off into space."

"I'm fine. Just wondering if I remembered everything," he quickly lied. It seemed like a legitimate excuse.

Mr. Austen didn't question him further and the two headed over to the ticket window to pick up their boarding passes and to check their bags in. Once that was all complete, the two headed to their assigned gate for boarding.

"I hate waiting," Mr. Austen randomly said as Edward took a seat across from him at the first class lounge bar.

"I couldn't agree more," Edward concurred for an entirely different reason as the butterflies in his stomached flapped their wings in unison. His nerves were far from frazzled, they were fried.

Half an hour later, one of the airplane attendants announced that the first class cabin of their airplane was boarding. Trying to keep in Mr. Austen's good graces and make a further impression, he quickly pulled out money and placed it on the table, picking up the tab.

Mr. Austen thanked him and headed over to the gate. Edward followed suit and picked up his briefcase and made his way to the boarding gate, his nerves making him feel nauseas.

An hour later, the plane was departing the city. Before takeoff, Edward texted Emmett to let him know he was on his way home, and he left a message for Bella to let her know that he would be home sometime after noon.

He sat by the window and stared at the cloud embankment before dozing off to sleep. By the time he woke up, there was only two hours left in the flight.

"Ah, good morning again, Edward," Mr. Austen chuckled as Edward woke up.

"Sorry I fell asleep. I guess I was more tired than I thought."

"It's quite alright. You were ill, yesterday. It's only natural to still feel a bit under the weather."

Edward nodded and paged for one of the flight attendant. Quickly, a heavily made up, big haired, woman stepped next to Mr. Austen and leaned forward to talk to Edward.

"Good morning. How may I help you?" she smiled grandly, and Edward had to stop himself from gagging as her cheap perfume wafted in his direction and her bright red lipstick was painted across not only her lips but her two front teeth as well.

"I'll just have something cold...umm…like a Coca Cola. Thank you," he answered and smiled at the woman trying to keep his distance from her. From the corner of his eye, he could see Mr. Austen failing to keep from laughing.

"My pleasure," she responded, still smiling brightly.

As she walked away, Mr. Austen allowed himself to laugh freely and Edward just stared at his boss.

"You see, charmer."

Edward rolled his eyes as the flight attendant, Rebecca, came back, obscenely leaning over Mr. Austen to hand Edward his beverage. She smiled widely again and Edward backed up against his seat as far as he could, pushing the back of his head into the cushion of his seat.

"Is there anything else you need sir?" she flirtatiously asked, and this time Mr. Austen blatantly laughed out loud, embarrassing Rebecca.

"No, thank you," Edward answered, dismissing her.

Clearly flustered, she walked away, her face stained red.

"That was uncomfortable," Edward mumbled, and Mr. Austen chuckled.

"That was hysterical. She couldn't have been any less obvious."

Edward shook his head as he grabbed his cup and took a sip of the fizzy carbonated drink, reveling in the way it cured his dry mouth.

By the time, he finished his drink and the attendants came to clear the garbage, the captain was informing everyone that they were approaching Seattle, and would be landing in twenty minutes.

As Edward readjusted his seat into the upright position and placed the tray back in its spot in front of him, the knot in his stomach started to tighten, making him nauseous.

"You look tense," Mr. Austen commented and Edward shook his head to dismiss the notion.

"I'm fine. Landing just makes me a bit nervous."

"No shame in that," Mr. Austen said. "For me, it's the take off that makes my stomach turn."

Edward nodded and gripped the arms of his chair as the plane descended closer to the runway. He could now see Seattle through the clouds. Mere minutes later, the wheels were released and the plane was touching down on the blacktop of the airport runway.

It was another fifteen minutes before the plane stationed itself by a gate and the passengers were allowed to get off. When Edward and Mr. Austen arrived at baggage claim, they bid farewell to each other when Mr. Austen's bag was the first to come off the plane. Edward waited a few minutes before his suitcase traveled its way around the conveyor belt. The closer the bag got to him, the more hot he felt. His ears were ringing, and there was a light sweat starting to form on his forehead.

He walked slowly through the baggage claim area until he entered into the arrival's gate, spotting his brother easily in the crowd of people waiting.

"Em!" he called out and Emmett waved him over.

"Welcome back," Emmett greeted him with a hug.

"Thank, Em."

"So, did you bring me anything back from the Big Apple?" he asked as he led Edward to his jeep.

"No."

Emmett frowned as he opened the trunk of his jeep to put Edward's suitcase there.

"Well, that's just rude. You go away and come back without gifts for anybody. I always bring you back something."

"A Toblerone bar from Duty Free does not count as something, Emmett," Edward argued as he stepped into the car. "Besides, I did bring back a gift, just not for you."

"A gift? As in one? As in for Bella?" Emmett pried and Edward glared at him.

"Oh come one, Edward. Let's stop this now. You're in love with Bella, and you brought her something back from New York. Right?"

"Yes," Edward defeated admitted.

"The question is what did you bring her?"

Edward grimaced as he pulled out the jewelry box from his briefcase.

"Tiffany's?" Emmett asked. "Tell me you didn't buy her a ring?"

"No. I'm not that stupid. It's a necklace. It a key with a heart on top," he revealed the necklace, carefully untying the blue bow on top. Emmett started to laugh.

"Oh my god, you cornball. Is that supposed to be like the key to your heart?" he questioned and Edward glared at him, which served as enough of an answer for him.

"Oh man, it is. God, you've really got it bad, but I mean that shouldn't surprise me. I think you've always had a thing for Bella. I mean, what kind of teenage boy spends a superfluous amount of money on a necklace for a girl that's just their friend?"

"Shut up, Em and just get me home," Edward grunted.

"Oh of course you want to get home. Bella's probably waiting for you in some sexy lingerie," Emmett teased and reminiscent of their younger days, Edward punched Emmett in the arm.

"Hey, watch it! I'm driving here. You do want to get home? No?"

"Do me a favor and keep your mouth shut and drive."

"Whatever, Edward. You're such a sour puss. So how was New York? Did you land the client or whatever it is that you do?" Emmett asked seemingly interested.

"It was nice, and yes I booked the client, and I think I'm going to be made partner soon."

"Really?" Emmett asked, showing how happy he was for his brother. Edward nodded and Emmett patted Edward's shoulder.

"That's awesome, man. No one deserves it more than you."

Edward smiled as his brother took the familiar left turn onto his street. It felt so good to be back in the familiar neighborhood, but it also served to cause his nerves to go haywire again.

"Whoa, Edward you okay?" Emmett asked as he found a parking spot a few paces down from the front door.

"Yeah, just nervous."

"Why the hell are you nervous?"

"I don't know," he admitted as he stepped out of the car. His body felt like it was on fire as he removed his luggage from Edward's car and started walking toward his apartment, Emmett following behind him.

"Where do you think you're going?" Edward turned to Emmett.

"To say hi to Bella. Don't think just because you two are boinking that you can hog her."

Edward rolled his eyes as he opened the front door and headed toward the elevator. The two Cullen men hopped in and rode it to Edward's floor. During the ride up, Edward's leg shook, bouncing impatiently as the metal box ticked away slowly as they grew closer to their destination.

"Damn, Edward, relax."

"I'm trying," Edward gulped as they stepped out of the elevator and walked to his door. With his hand shaking, he slipped the key into the door and opened the door. As soon as they were inside, Emmett bellowed out to Bella.

"I've brought him back in once piece, Bella."

Bella rushed out of Edward's bedroom in a rush, almost tripping as she leapt into Edward's arms, chanting how much she missed him.

"I missed you too, beautiful," Edward replied and Emmett smirked as he watched Bella in her revealing pajamas, a pair of short shorts and a tank top, grip Edward's neck for dear life.

"How come I don't get a greeting like that? Is it because we're not having kinky sex?" Emmett asked and Bella gasped as she loosened her grip on Edward. She turned around to stare at Emmett.

"What did you just say?" she asked him, turning to Edward after. "What did he just say?"

"Rosalie has a big mouth," Edward answered for Emmett who in return nodded his head.

"Fuck," Bella swore. "So you know?"

"Yep, I know all about your little adventures," Emmett chuckled and Bella flushed red. Most times Edward would be admiring how pretty she looked in the simple bed wear and the pink that tinted her skin, but right now he was furious with Emmett and Rosalie.

"Go home, Emmett," Edward scolded and Emmett whined that it wasn't fair.

"Oh come on, really?"

"Emmett," Edward repeated and he conceded.

"Fine, fine, I'll go, but this won't be the last time you see me. I'll be back," he jested and Bella shook her head as she chuckled.

"Tell that blond bimbo that's she not getting anything for Christmas," Bella shouted as Emmett walked out.

"I'll tell her all of that, word for word!"

"Good," both Edward and Bella said. They laughed as Edward locked the door behind Emmett.

"I missed you," Edward declared and Bella nodded.

"I missed you, too."

"What were you doing in my room?" he asked her as he took of his shoes and started walking to his bedroom. He watched as Bella followed him and started to blush.

"I slept in your room yesterday. I like the way your bed smells," she answered, and Edward smiled.

"Did you sleep well?

"Sort of. I had that dream I keep having, but it's not like it's a bad dream. On the contrary, it's quite nice. I just wish I could see the person's face."

"What you mean?" Edward asked as he sat down on his bed. He removed his tie and unbuttoned his shirt, pulling it out of his slacks.

"Well, I keep having this dream where I'm dancing with a man, and we kiss, but I never see his face. It's so odd," she whispered, and Edward felt his heart skip. Something inside him wished the face that she was seeing was his.

"It probably means nothing."

"I know, but it's so unnerving. I keep having it," she protested and Edward watched as her brow wrinkled. He reached over and pushed the furrowed skin down.

"You'll get wrinkles like that," he teased and Bella scoffed at him.

"You sound like Alice."

"She is my cousin," he argued and Bella nodded.

"So how was New York? Did you get the contract?" she asked, genuinely excited, unlike Emmett.

"Yeah I got the account, and New York was great, though it would've been better with you there," he murmured the last part, but Bella heard him and ended up blushing.

"I love when you blush. It's beautiful," he whispered as his knuckles brushed against her cheeks.

"God, I missed you."

"I missed you, too," he began, pulling away. He reached for the briefcase at his feet and pulled it up into his lap.

"I got you something."

"Edward," she chastised. "You shouldn't have gotten me anything. It's totally unnecessary."

"Be quiet, Bella, and just accept it," he argued thrusting the blue box in her direction.

He watched as Bella's eyes raked over the blue box and the black calligraphy on it that read Tiffany & Co.

"Edward, this is too much," she remarked as she slowly removed the bow from the top and opened the box slowly. She gasped as the brilliant diamonds sparkled.

"Edward, it's beautiful," she appraisingly murmured. "But it must have cost you and arm and a leg."

"No, just a finger," he joked, and Bella huffed weakly as she outline the key with her finger, mesmerized by its beauty.

"Help me put it on?"

"Of course," he said as he crawled to sit on his knees on the bed, behind her.

Delicately, he removed the necklace from the box. He draped the necklace across Bella's chest and brought the ends around her neck as she held her hair aside for him. Clasping the necklace in the back, he pulled the hair out of her hand and held it himself.

He watched as she gripped the end of the key with her hand, and smiled. It looked just as he expected it would.

"It looks perfect on you."

Bella blushed at his words and turned her head away from him. Edward was basking in the warmth radiating from her shoulder, and gently he placed a kiss on the right one.

"Edward," Bella groaned, and Edward mimicked it.

"I miss how you feel," he began. "I miss the way you move when you're under me," continued, kissing the spot below her ear, making her shiver. "I miss the way you feel wrapped around me," he moaned into her ear as he bit her earlobe.

"Oh," Bella gasped as Edward bit at the crook of her neck.

"Not yet," he teased and pulled away. Bella chuckled as she watched Edward get off the bed. He grabbed his cell phone and snapped a quick photo of Bella, so he could keep the image of her wearing the necklace forever.

Next, he headed over to the bedside table and pulled out the hat from its usual spot. Shaking it once, he handed it to Bella, who didn't say anything. She watched transfixed as he pulled a piece of paper out of the hat. Once it was opened and read, Edward grabbed the hat and tossed it across the room.

"Edward," Bella scolded and Edward growled in return.

"Be quiet Bella. I haven't been with you in so long," he said into her neck as he pulled closer to him.

"What letter did you get?"

"H," he groaned as he pulled her hips against his. The two moaned in unison as Edward placed Bella gently down against the bedspread.

"What does it stand for?"

"I don't know, I'll figure it out later," he replied as he pulled Bella's tank top over her head, revealing her breasts to him.

"God, I missed this…you," he moaned as his mouth latched onto one of her breasts, as his hand massaged the other. Edward groaned as Bella's back arched against his mouth and her hands started pulling at his hair.

Edward switched his motions as Bella's hands found purchase on his shirt before tugging at the buttons unsuccessfully.

"Let me," Edward sat up and brushed Bella's hands aside. Edward unbuttoned a few of the buttons before getting frustrated and just ripping the shirt the rest of the way. A few of the buttons flew astray, but most stayed intact as he tossed his shirt to where the hat lay with all the paper scattered around it.

Bella hands found their way onto his chest and rubbed his pecs slowly, raking her nails along his nipples.

"Bella," he moaned, as she sat up and placed a kiss above his left nipple before taking it into her mouth. "Bella," Edward repeated as his hands carded through her hair as she moved her mouth across his chest and to the other nipple.

"Fuck," he groaned as Bella ran her nails against his back, pressing down tighter, every time she brought them down.

Edward growled as he pushed Bella back down against the bed.

"Missed you so much," he murmured against her stomach as he dipped his tongue into her belly button. Bella squirmed and he chuckled.

"Me too," she hissed as Edward bit at her hip bone. "Ah, Edward."

"Mmmm. Bella I can smell you. It's been so long. Do you know how much it killed me that I couldn't see you play with yourself? It must've been beautiful. Will you let me watch you one day?" he teased as his hands rubbed up and down her slit over her shorts.

Bella raised her hips against the touch, gyrating against the palm of his hand as he cupped her.

"Mhmmm…so wet," Edward said as he pulled her under shorts down along with her underwear.

"Only for you," she moaned, and those three little words set a fire within Edward he didn't know existed. Quickly, he pulled at the button on his slacks and yanked down them down.

"Say it again," he demanded as he lined himself up with her entrance. "Say it again, dammit!"

Bella moaned as he rubbed himself along her slit down to her entrance. Slowly he teased her until she said it.

"Only for you, Edward. Only for you!" she gasped out the last word as he slipped inside of her, groaning as she instinctively tightened around him. His eyes rolled back into his head as he let her searing heat affect him. It had been so long since he felt like this, and hearing those three little words had only aided to set him ablaze.

"Bella," he chanted as he grabbed her legs and wrapping her ankles around his neck as he thrust deeper into here, keeping the movement slow and steady. He pulled out and then slowly made his way back in, letting Bella's heat wrap around him tightly and just perfectly. It had never felt like this, even on the night when they had taken it slow. He had never been this entranced by her, never this deep in her.

As he felt Bella starting to tighten, he increased the pace, much to both of their delight.

"Edward," Bella chanted as Edward thrust into her. "So good…oh fuck."

Edward covered up the urge to chuckle as best he could by kissing along Bella's ankle.

"Bella," was all he could say as Bella came, tightening around him, holding him in a vice grip as she trembled below him. Her nails dug into his arms and he could only assume they would leave marks, but he didn't care, as he thrust faster, moaning loudly, not caring that it was only one in the afternoon. The bed frame thumped against the wall loudly and he knew that he might have to retouch the wall later.

As Bella looked up at him, touching the edge of the key around her neck, Edward lost all control.

"Shit," Edward groaned as he pulled himself out of Bella and lay down beside her. "That was great," he breathed into his pillow.

"I agree," Bella chuckled as Edward pulled in close to him.

"That necklace really does look incredible on you."

"Thank you," she answered, turning around to smile brightly at him.

"You're very welcome beautiful," he replied, not giving a damn anymore if Bella reprimanded him for breaking some unwritten rule.

"So what did H stand for?" she asked, brushing aside his small confession.

"Home,I guess", he replied.

"Well that's lame," Bella chuckled. "That's a pretty big cop out if you ask me."

"Be quiet," Edward joined along in her glee as he playfully smacked her thigh.

"I missed you."

"I missed you, too, Bella. You have no idea."