Chapter 37

We worked on the plans until noon on the 31st when Carlisle told us to all go home.

Edward and I cooked out in the backyard on the grill, sat by the fire pit and cuddled and talked. Edward worked really hard to keep everything very calm and relaxed. Before he knew what was happening under our blanket, I had his shirt unbuttoned and was exploring his incredible chest and stomach with my hands. "Bella, what do you think you are doing?"

"Exploring, is that a problem?"

"Bella."

"What Edward?"

"We can't because I need to stay in control. Your life is in jeopardy and I just can't take the chance. I need to stay as objective as possible and by letting you go any farther I am risking that."

"Fine, but just so we are clear my touching you isn't anywhere near losing control. I have never tried to get in your pants and you just barely last week tried to touch my breast with my bra on for the first time. You know in Dirty Dancing and those trashy romance books I read, clothes have to come all the way off for things to go too far."

"Don't be mad at me."

"I'm trying very hard not to."

"Well don't," and he pulled me on top of him and wrapped his arms around my waist and let his hands rest on my ass.

"Is that better, Bella?"

"Yes, as long as you leave your shirt unbuttoned and I get to explore your chest."

"Yes, but only with your hands. I can't handle you kissing my chest."

"Deal, but what would you do if I did?"

"Bella, please don't push your luck."

"But Edward," and I leaned down and gently kissed his chest. He didn't stop me; he dropped his head back onto the lounge and laid there very quietly. I wiggled some to change my position.

Quicker than I think humanly possible, I was trapped under him and he said, "We're done." He sat up and buttoned his shirt. We went inside and he said, "Go change into your pajamas and I'll meet you in your bedroom."

"Edward, was it so bad?"

"No, Beautiful, but one of us has to stay in control!"

"Yes, Edward, I know how you like control. I can't forget you keep reminding me. You know you'll have to relinquish your control when I assume my crown in February and follow my orders."

"It'll be my pleasure, your highness."

"You are evil," and I went to my room.

When I was laying in bed reading, Edward came in and said, "Am I still allowed to cuddle up with you?"

"Of course." We laid down and watched a movie. It ended at 11:45. Edward left and came back with champagne. We watched the New York City Time Square countdown to midnight together and cheered to us, a New Year and getting my country back.

We turned on some of our favorite music and laid down as I started drifting to sleep. I asked, "Edward, do I really sleep better with you wrapped around me?"

"Yes, you do Beautiful. Now go to sleep!"

"But what am I going to do on the sub?"

He smiled and said, "I guess I'll have to break one of my rules for those nights."

"What's that?"

"I vowed never to sleep in a sleeping bag with you again. But the quarters we'll be sleeping in, we'll be like us sharing a sleeping bag. We'll be sleeping that close again."

I smiled and said, "I'll watch out for your package this time."

"You little evil," and he started tickling me.

"Hey, I'm sorry; but I didn't know what I had done, until you started teaching me about romance, sex and how the male body really works."

"Well, thank you. My package will appreciate that."

"You're welcome and good night, Edward."

"Good night, Bella."

Edward made me breakfast in bed to start the New Year together. Just as we were finishing up, Jasper and Emmett came barreling into my room and said, "The food we smell is coming from in here so share," Emmett said as he plopped on the foot of my bed.

I smiled and said, "Sorry, Emmett, we ate it all. Happy New Year's boys. Now I'm going to take a shower so good bye boys unless someone wants to join me." Emmett had me in his arms, carried me to the bathroom and shut the door. Jasper and Edward came barreling in and took Emmett kicking and screaming out of my bathroom.

We watched football together and ate nachos and chili all day. Finally after a game and a half, I disappeared down to the gym for a workout. Soon someone was saying, "A girl working out in our gym is amazing."

"Do you have a gym back home?"

"Yes, but I think I'm going to have to update it for my new desires in a gym."

"Come on, let's go to your new desires," and he led me to the free weights.

So as I started my first set, I asked, "Who is going to spot me?"

"I will until I leave. But before I leave, I'll train one of the queen's ugly, fat, married butlers to be your spotter."

"Thanks a lot," I said with a smile. "See if I kiss you later."

"Are you threatening me, your highness?"

"Alright truce!" Edward had learned easily how to enjoy by calling me your highness and he knew how much I hated it.

"Almost," as he trapped the weights lightly against me. "As your punishment, you have to do one more set."

So I did and then I headed to the stair climber. Edward got on the treadmill next to me and got into a slow jog and then he said, "I think you have graduated top of your class in teasing men, Bella."

"I'm sorry," I said. I didn't know why Edward had even said that. I wasn't teasing him I was just working out on the stair climber.

I turned off the stair climber and ran to my room. I closed the door and headed straight for the shower. I had my t-shirt off and the next thing I knew, Edward was in the bathroom picking me up and sitting me on the bathroom counter, "Isabella Marie Swan. That was supposed to be a compliment. Now will you stop fighting me please?" Then Edward was drying my free flowing tears.

"Why did you say it?"

"Because you knew exactly what you were doing with your words while we were using the free weights and then you went to the stair master so that I get to see your ass moving on those stairs perfectly."

"Really, so you're telling me, I've mastered the verbal and visual teasing acts. I'm sorry Edward; I didn't know that using the stair climber was such a sexy turn on to you. Particularly when I get so hot and sweaty using that machine." as a smile crossed my face.

"Yes, you have mastered both ways. The stair climber shows off your ass perfectly."

And then my hands went under his t-shirt and said, "How is my physical teasing and you know you don't have to work out in a t-shirt?"

"What you do is amazing. I can't trust you if I had no shirt on. Plus it helps absorb some of the sweat."

"So what would you do if I slipped my hands down towards your waistband?" and I started to.

He quickly took them and trapped them on the side of the counter; then I said, "Edward?"

"Yes, Bella?"

I leaned forward, kissed his lips and said, "You do realize you're in my bathroom and I'm just sitting here in my running shorts and white sweaty sports bra."

Edward's eyes slowly moved down my body. His eyes quickly snapped back up to my face, kissed my lips gently and said, "Good bye, Bella."

"Good bye, my cowardly boyfriend."

He flew out. Together, we watched another football game. I laid comfortably in Edward's lap. He let me try and sleep in my bed alone that night. Around 3am, I woke up and I could feel my tear stained face. I went and crawled into bed with Edward. He instinctively pulled me in and said, "I'm sorry, Bella; it's okay I have you now. Go back to sleep," and he held my hand as I fell back to sleep.

"Mhm," and I snuggled into his warm body closely. I could immediately feel my heart slowing back down and the darkness of my sleep quickly came back to me.

The next morning Jasper came barging into Edward's room and said, "Bella's gone. Carlisle is going to kill us." Edward was trying not to laugh in my ear.

Then Emmett was at the door in pajamas with his gun, "What do you mean, Bella's gone."

I finished rolling onto my stomach and then pushed myself up passed Edward's shoulders and said, "I'm right here, guys. You can relax."

"Bella, Edward always sleeps in your room."

"Yes, I know, but I woke up at 3 am crying. I can't remember the dream, so I came in here. Sorry Jasper." I climbed out of bed and headed back for my room. That week at work we went through every scenario. We all practiced on the shooting range with me acting as a lead and a backup for everyone. The night before our flight, we were all eating dinner together. "Carlisle asked me to give this to you when we were all together," Edward said.

Bella

I realize you are a queen, an adult and have taken tremendous care of yourself for the young age of 24; but please respect my men on this trip and their knowledge base. On this trip, our only plan is to get in and out of there unknown to anyone and bring your father back. Our two main objectives are your dad and your safety. Though you are an amazing fighter, marksmen and water woman; my men are trained for all scenarios and how to react to unplanned scenarios. So please once the operation starts and you leave the missile silo follow all my men's instructions. Your godfathers love you and want to see you safe and sound running this island nation of yours. However, this is only the first step. So please follow all their instructions. Finally, if for some reason something goes wrong, I want your father's crown and journal with you at all times. We can pull that card when and if need be. I wanted to discuss this with you tonight personally, but I need to spend time with my wife and the boys said they could help you understand.

Love Carlisle

"Do you have any questions, Bella?"

"No, guys. I'm fine with this and I understand his decision and action plan."

"Really."

"Where is the scrappy Bella?"

"She knows that you guys have trained for this stuff for six years and I have for six months. I use to just disappear and now I'm going in head first. I'm packed; what do you guys want to do tonight?"

"Whatever you want to?"

We played Dance Dance Revolution and then I made them watch a chick flick with me. I finally went to bed.

Edward was knocking on my door. "Come on in," I said.

"Are you ready to try and sleep?"

"Yes."

He had me lay on my stomach and he rubbed my back and shoulders. "Bella, you're ready for this. So please try and relax." Probably thirty minutes later, I was asleep.