Hey guys; thank you for returning! I am sorry this is taking me so long, but I am working a lot and am feeling a little exhausted of late. Epov up next and I am excited to write this!

Thank you again to my awesome beta MabindaWannabeEsme. My story would suck without you! You are awesome. I just want to remind you!

I don't own Twilight but I do want them to do interesting things...

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Bella Pov

Edward and I were walking on a seldom used track in a rain forest area, not at my new home at the retreat, but back in Forks where I had lived with my father.

We must have decided to come here at some point...I don't remember just now...

'Oh Edward...there is the most beautiful clearing up ahead. Come, I'll show you...'

'Show me baby, but it could never be as beautiful as you...' Edward said as he kissed my lips softly.

I smiled happily and dreamily at this person that I adored.

'Ok, catch me if you can!' I let go of his hand and took off running feeling carefree and childlike -like I could fly. The clearing was only a few yards up ahead and I could hear my breathing as I broke free of the forest and I slowed down as I entered the clearing.

'This is it...just as I remember' I thought as I looked around at the grassy green expanse enclosed by thick, leafy trees.

'Where is Edward?' I murmured to myself as I turned back to look the way I had come and I stood there for a moment, waiting for him and expecting to see him any moment.

I could hear nothing, not even a rustle of leaves or breaking of a branch. I took a step toward the place I had seen him last, uneasiness creeping over me.

'He's gone' someone said behind me.

I turned slowly and I sobered immediately, the smile leaving my lips...James.

'What is going on?' I said, confused and trying to keep my cool, but beginning to freak out. Edward wouldn't leave me...he wouldn't. I'm sure of it...I think...

'It's just you and me my precious, there is no one else for me.' He said as he moved closer.

I turned to run but James was fast. He grabbed me from behind and slammed my body back against his, breathing in the scent of my hair, my skin...just me.

I shuddered in revulsion and I growled out 'Leave me alone.'

'I can't. You belong to me...'

I grew cold and I shuddered again, not with the cold but with fear.

Oh god, please save me from this? I prayed silently... but then something tickled at my memory...

My eyes snapped open and I felt the warm body pressed into my side and my leg through his...mmmm, Edward. James had been just another bad dream. Edward's face was so close to mine and I could just make out the outline of his jaw with a little stubble brushed on it. I leaned up to kiss him softly there, feeling the prickles beneath my lips but uncaring because this was my man, and I knew deep within myself that he wanted me and wanted to take care of me, like I wanted to take care of him. I felt warm again after pressing up to Edward's sexy body again.

I lay my head back down and closed my eyes again. It was early and we had a few hours before we had to get up and I was still a little tired, so I relaxed back down to enjoy the closeness of just being with this wonderful man.

I must have dozed off again because in what seemed like only moments, Edward was stirring at my side and I wasn't ready to open my eyes yet. I wanted to lie in this morning but only moments later we heard a hard banging at the door, signalling Emmet's arrival.

We got up and headed out to breakfast where everyone was waiting for us. They all wanted to have a movie night and so I decided on a funny movie for us all. If it was just the girls and I and I had to choose...I might choose 'Legally Blonde'...but I didn't think the guys would swallow that movie so well...

After breakfast, Edward and I decided to do our laundry and check emails. While we were waiting for our clothing to wash and dry, we wrote emails to each other...I mean, I might as well get used to this because we were going to have to communicate this way for two days...two long days...

I shook my head to clear these thoughts as we walked to the kitchen to begin our shift...my last for a few days...

Edward and I smiled at each other when we realised that we weren't late and we perused over the menu for the day standing as close together as possible while still being professional...sort of...

'Bella?' I heard my name being called and I turned to see Jane gesturing for me to come over to her. I noticed Alex and Paul behind her and I took a deep breath, trying to prepare myself for the worst or something...

Paul smiled warmly at me as I neared the group and then began asking questions.

'Have there been any more break-ins or has anything out of the ordinary happened lately Bella?'

'Um, no. Did you find him?' I asked expectantly.

'No, not yet. We have had our people go over Aro's footage that he found, but they can't make much of it yet.'

All I could think about was the footage that Aro found with Edward and I in the pool. I looked up at the officer to see what he meant. I thought Aro deleted that particular stuff?

'Ahhh, what particular footage would that be?' I asked nervously, hoping that they wouldn't hear anything in my voice.

'Of the intruder... Aro caught something on camera...Maybe you should see it, you might recognise something.'

We left to go to the office and Aro was sitting behind the desk. After a few words with the officers, he pulled up the footage from a file on his computer and it ran in a continuous loop. I looked as hard as I could, squinting my eyes to see better, but I could make nothing out of it...

'We have sent our file to the lab and we are hoping for something soon.' Paul said, watching me.

Aro cleared his throat and said 'Edward didn't recognise anything either. I spoke to him about it a couple of days ago.'

'What? Edward knew about this?' I asked Aro, surprised that he didn't mention it.

'Ah, yes...We spoke only briefly about a few things...' Aro said carefully.

I felt a bit pissed. Why would he keep that from me? That's like lying by omission or something right?

'The match that Jane gave us, we believe is like some sort of calling card or an intention of what James is going to do next. We were thinking that if you agreed to it, that perhaps we could use you as bait. We will set up an operation where you are really safe and you will have some undercover cops with their eye on you but you won't even know that they are there. You don't have to answer straight away, we just want you to think about it.'

'Um...ok. When will this be because I'm going to visit my mother tomorrow?' I was feeling a little worried and to be honest, a little trapped.

'No, we need a few weeks to get the man power we need and set up a fool proof sting so we can catch this guy and put him away once and for all. You need to understand that this guy...you mustn't underestimate him.'

My shiver went unobserved by the officers and I answered after a moment's hesitation 'Yeah, sure. I guess. Let me know what the plan is and then I'll tell you if I agree or not.' I said, hoping they weren't going to plan something terrifying or dangerous.

'Well, let us know if there is anything out of the ordinary or anything at all that you have noticed. It helps us track what this guy does so we can make a profile on him and work out his weaknesses.'

God it all sounded so crazy and scary at the same time. My mind seemed to go from feeling overwhelmed by the huge scary situation to minimizing it and telling myself that everyone is over reacting. Nothing ever happened like this in Forks...nothing. It rained, it shined sometimes, but basically, nothing happened...and now this. I can very easily minimize it down to nothing but that didn't account for the dreams and the little odd things that were out of place. It was all just enough to make me wonder if I was losing my mind, or there was something to run from.

Aro and the Officers launched into a full discussion on how would be the best way to go about the operation. I didn't want to know. Just tell me what I have to do and I'll do it...

'Um, I might go back to the kitchen. If you could let me know what they come up with if there is any plan that is set in concrete so I can decide if I want to put my life in peril or not?' I turned to ask Jane since the men were engrossed in guy talk and I was feeling a little annoyed.

'I doubt they will come up with anything concrete...but Bella? If you don't want to do it, you don't have to ok?' Jane said touching my arm and looking apprehensive.

'Yeah. I know. Thank you Jane.' I said, grateful that someone understood where I was at this point.

'Ok. I'll let you know anything more and I'll see you in the kitchen later.' Jane said with a smile.

I smiled in return and said 'bye' before I left.

As I walked back to the kitchen I felt annoyed with Edward for not mentioning the footage that he had seen. Did that mean that James had seen also what Edward and I were doing in the pool? Would he have been hanging around then? I was annoyed at myself for being annoyed at Edward, so I felt all over the place with everything, and needed some time to sort it out, but as luck would have it, it was super busy in the kitchen. It would have to wait until later.

Edward had everything under control of course when I returned and he leaned over to ask as soon as I was at my space at the bench 'Is everything ok?'

'Yep, everything is fine.' I gave him a brief smile and got back to work. He looked a little perplexed but I just wanted to escape into my own little world for a while.

When we could take our break, we went outside with our salads and soda's and sat on a bench seat in the garden area. It was quiet and pretty and very sunny.

I asked Edward immediately why he would keep the footage of my intruder from me. I just wanted to get it all out in the open.

He was apologetic and said that he didn't want to ruin my night with the girls. He was thinking of me and trying to be protective which I found really nice, but he still should have told me.

I told him that the officers wanted to set up a sting and use me as bait. He didn't look real happy about that but his worry soon turned to passion and we were kissing with great enthusiasm, uncaring where we were or who could stumble upon us and see. I'm not sure how Edward heard the branch snap, but he did and before I knew what was going on, he was up checking things out. He was right, there was a broken branch and scuff marks in the dirt by the foliage. Someone had been listening. Ugh!

We returned to the kitchen after finishing our lunch and Edward immediately went to Riley and had quiet words with him. I assumed that he thought it was Riley behind the bushes...the slimy little creep.

We got through the rest of our shift and we grabbed the food that we had organised and headed out of there...for me, the last time for a week.

I had a shower and then got into the few things I had bought into the bathroom- my black lace thong and my black tube top. I decided to have a little fun with Edward...I mean, I was going to be away from him for a few days right? The least I could do is to give him something to remember me by, even whet the appetite a little...

I walked out of the bathroom feeling very pleased with myself when I saw the look on Edwards face. I could see him swallow but he said nothing. I bent over in front of him to find a pair of shorts from my suitcase and I think I heard him blow a breath out slowly. I smiled a secret smile to myself as I slipped my legs into the shorts and I swayed my hips as I pulled them up. I looked over my shoulder as I was doing this and I could see his eyes trained on my behind and his mouth open a little, a dazed expression on his face.

He cleared his throat before telling me that I could go without the shorts to watch the movie, but I reminded him of the other guys. He then recognised that shorts were indeed the thing to wear and then he kissed me.

I could sigh and fall into his arms all night, but the others were waiting so I shooed him off to take a shower.

We went and watched the movie with the others and I enjoyed snuggling up with Edward. He held me like it was going to be the last night for a while, and in truth, it was...well, only the last night for two days and nights, but it felt like it was going to be a long while for me.

After the movie finished, everyone hugged me and made me promise to call them. Emmet seemed a little tense and he whispered in my ear as he hugged me 'Please stay safe.'

'I will.' I whispered back and I looked into his eyes. They appeared a little glassy and I thought again what an awesome bunch of people I had been introduced to by being here. I felt grateful.

We got back to Edwards room and we got ready for bed. I just took my shorts off and then peeled off my tube top, folding my clothes neatly and placing them on a shelf in the wardrobe. I would need them tomorrow but for now...

'Can I borrow a t-shirt to sleep in?' I asked sweetly watching Edward looking at me almost stunned.

'Uh huh...'

'Thanks.' I said smiling at him and totally enjoying what I was doing to him, realising that he was too much of a gentleman to get grabby with me, and I really appreciated who he was.

'Don't wear it on my account' He murmured watching me cover up, looking a little disappointed when the top covered me up totally.

I grabbed his hand and pulled him to the bed, lying on top of him and pressing myself against him.

'I'll let you touch them if you're a good boy.' I whispered seductively in his ear.

'I'll be good.' He whispered back sounding very serious.

Our mouths met and our tongues touched, tentatively at first and then our kiss deepened, passion taking over within moments. This man just made my body sing whenever he was near me. I felt his hands sliding up to cup my breasts and roll my nipples between his fingers. I moaned...it all felt so so good.

We rolled so that Edward was on top of me and his hands were everywhere and his mouth kissed and licked at my body, taking my nipple between his lips and drawing it into his mouth.

'Ahhhh' I groaned out. I felt like I was going to spontaneously combust because this was just such delicious torture. He moved back a little to look at me and I decided that his shirt that I was wearing needed to come off, and so I stripped it off and threw it...somewhere. Edward just stared, making a groaning sound and I grabbed him and pulled him back down so that he was lying on his back and I could straddle him.

I could feel his hard throbbing cock beneath our thin layers of clothing and it turned me on. It felt amazing and I ground myself onto him to see how he reacted to it. God he looked hot under me, and I imagined how good it was going to be when we were actually together in the full sense of the word.

Edward was looking at me with something akin to awe and I bent down to kiss him again. He reached for my breasts again and I leaned in and kissed him. I moved against him and the feeling was amazing. Our kisses were interrupted with the odd groan or moan and the sensation built as I ground myself onto him harder and faster. I felt the familiar tightening in my abdomen and I sat up to urgently grind harder. Edward was still making little circular motions over and around my nipples and I realised that he must be getting close himself because he let go of my breasts to grab my hips and grind me onto him more urgently. The tsunami of ecstasy that was hovering close by came crashing down as wave after wave of bliss rolled over me, my legs trembling and moans escaping my mouth.

I became aware of Edward groaning and shuddering and I realised that he must have come too. I loved that what we did was enough to satisfy him for the moment.

After floating back down to earth, I found my (or Edwards) shirt again and put it on, getting up to change my soaked underwear. I threw it in his hamper and grabbed some new ones and we both jumped into bed getting ready for some well needed rest and holding each other for as long as time would afford us.

We held each other close, and whispered goodnight to each other, well, I said good night exclusive. I remembered his little speech, knowing that things like that were really special and I drifted off happy to be with my man like this for now...

My mind woke long before my body wanted to and I kept my eyes closed for a few moments longer just taking in my surroundings as I could hear Edward's steady breathing telling me that he hadn't woken just yet. I opened my eyes so that I could look at him. The light was dull and my eyes were dry and pleading with me to have more sleep, but I just wanted to gaze upon this man while he was still in blissful slumber.

I traced my finger on his jaw line, marvelling at the sexy stubble and I ran my thumb over his lips. How could this guy be so good looking? How did he look like a pin up while he was sleeping? My heart swelled with a soft tender emotion and I realised that I loved him.

I froze for a moment before relaxing again.

Yeah...I love him. He was everything to me. The world could crash into a black hole, but so long as we could still be together, I would be happy. Could I tell him...? Dare I tell him? No, not yet but...

I had never felt this way about anyone in my life before and now that I realised that it was love, I felt like I could do a Gene Kelly and begin to sing 'Singing in the rain' but I doubt that anyone would get how I was feeling and anyway, we didn't really have any lamp posts around here and nor was it raining...

I leaned in and kissed Edward lightly on the lips, trying not to think about what else I wanted to do with him while he was still asleep.

'Stealing kisses from a helpless man now are you?' Edward murmured, eyes still closed.

'When the lips are so kissable, then yes...I needed it.' I said just as softly.

Edward cracked one eye open and looked at me with a smile. 'More.'

I leaned in and kissed him once again, conscious of my morning breath as I pressed my lips to his, very tempted to roll on top of him and...

'You are too tempting Miss Swan, but we need to get going if we are going to get to the family planning Clinic on time...' and just like that, we had to break apart to get going.

When we got out to the garages, Edward opened the door and there sitting in pristine condition was a shiny silver Volvo. It looked really nice, not that I knew cars that well, but I knew by the leather seats that this must be high end quality.

'Nice car.' I said as I sat in the passenger seat after Edward had put my suitcase in the trunk.

'Thanks. I picked it up not long after I arrived in America.' He said turning to smile at me before gunning the engine and then we were off.

We talked and laughed at and with each other and held hands all the way to the clinic, only taking one wrong turn before finding the place, Edward having already written down the address and then he programmed it into the satellite navigation system in the car. Once we arrived, I looked nervously at the building before looking back at Edward and taking a big breath and blowing it out slowly.

'Are you ok?' Edward asked softly, watching me with his emerald eyes.

'Yeah...I just...you know...this is it!' I smiled and shrugged, not really knowing what I was feeling.

'I know baby, but you don't have to have this done if you don't want to...'

'I want to. I need to for my own piece of mind...and...it's just for the best.' I wanted to make sure that Edward would be safe if I did get anything from the cheater Jacob and we could take measures to keep him safe.

'Yeah, I know...but this will be the last time ever beautiful.' He said and then raised my hand that he still held and kissed it, all the while keeping eye contact with me.

I shivered even though the heat was beginning to seep into the parked car, my mind flashing images of heated, naked bodies, entwined in passion to tease me for a moment. This really would be the last time, because if it wasn't Edward that I would be with forever, it would be no one, and with that thought I turned and opened the door to go face the needle.

We filled out the in depth forms making sure our email addresses were correct so that we could receive our results, and after returning them to the front desk, we waited for the nurse to call our names. We held hands and sat quietly nudging each other and teasing each other about fainting and being sick. It was a way to keep the nervousness at bay.

I was the first to be called into the room and as I followed the woman in a crisp white uniform, I looked back at Edward and I wished he was coming with me. He gave me a sympathetic look and I smiled at him and then stuck out my tongue, deciding that humour was the best way to make myself face the needle and the truth as I turned the corner and was enclosed in a sterile white room.

'So, you've got lots of things ticked that you want us to test you for, but just as a routine test, we have to do a pregnancy test on you too.' The nurse said.

I just nodded and turned away as she tightened the tourniquet on my arm and got the needle ready to take my blood samples. I breathed through my mouth as I listened to the lecture that no doubt the nurse had to go through on safe sex, when was the best time to take the pill and contracting sexually transmitted disease.

I must have heard some of what she said because I knew that I wasn't pregnant, I knew how to use a condom (thanks to the sex -ed at school) and if I had something, it was Jacob's fault anyway and it's not like he was sleeping with me when he had found Leah to screw anyway.

After 15 minutes and signing the samples, the nurse let me go and warned me not to pick up anything heavy with that arm. I left the room and saw Edward waiting for me. I smiled briefly at him and then turned to sign the forms that I needed to. The receptionist handed me a receipt and I just shook my head and told her I hadn't paid yet. She just nodded and pointed to Edward and told me that the young man had already done that. I blushed and thanked her and then walked over to Edward.

'Are you ready to go?' He asked softly.

'Yep...and thank you for paying for my test Edward, but I could have done that...'

'I know, let's go.' He said and just like that, he grabbed my hand and we left. 'I think we might stop and have a coffee and breakfast first Bella, you look pale.'

'Sounds great...I want to spend what time I can with you before you leave me.' Now that the horrid part of my break was over, I realised yet again that today was the day that Edward and I would be miles apart for the first time since we had met and we would be sleeping apart for the first time since Alice's but this kind of felt...melancholy.

'I know what you mean baby. Let's get a private booth.' Edward wiggled his eyebrows Emmet style and I laughed, some of the anxiety leaving me for the moment.

We found a little continental cafe and we sat in a corner, Edward once again paying for the coffee and he got some 'Scones with cream.' They looked like biscuits with cream and Jelly on the side and I teased him about his obvious home sickness.

'Oh baby, are you home sick?' I grinned at him. 'Are we having high tea in the morning?' I asked him in as good an English accent as I could do.

Edward grinned at me and said 'No, I'm not home sick; when I'm with you how could I be? And this is not really like high tea, because you actually drink tea and not coffee and they don't traditionally serve only scones at a high tea. When we go to the UK, I'll take you to a proper high tea.'

When we go to the UK? I felt all kinds of woozy thinking about this and I felt grateful as the plump middle aged woman brought over our coffee and warm 'scones'.

I took a quick sip and I felt a little heady. When Edward talked like this...I don't know...I just felt all funny inside in a good way, like I had a huge grin on the inside.

Edward spread Raspberry jelly and cream on the scone and then fed it to me getting cream on my top lip so he leaned over and licked it off, then leaned in again and kissed me. I found this gesture so erotic and I moaned into his mouth; I felt like I was burning up suddenly and I wanted to sit in his lap and do bad things to him. I was breathing heavily when he pulled away from me, but I noticed that his eyes were just as hooded with passion as I imagined mine to be. I dared not look at the woman behind the counter; I could imagine the disapproval in her face over our little display without looking for it.

We finished off our breakfast and Edward looked at his watch. 'I'd better get you to your mother's house and then I'll have to get back.'

I got out my phone when we got into his car and scrolled to my mother's address, and after tapping it into the satellite navigation, we were there within fifteen minutes. When I saw my mother's house, I felt a little deflated. All I had left is probably only half an hour with Edward. I loved my mother but...I kind of wish that I could just have some alone time with Edward...but I guess I would soon enough.

Edward opened the car door for me and then insisted on getting my suitcase out of the trunk and then he walked to the front door with me, holding my hand. I felt a little nervous all of a sudden and I hoped my mother would behave and not ask too many questions.

I knocked and the door swung open and there stood my mother in an apron and dirt all over her hands.

'Oh hey, come in! I'm just spinning some pottery on my wheel. Let me wash my hands and we can be properly introduced!' she smiled at us both before rushing off to wash her hands.

I showed Edward into the spare bedroom that I would be using and he looked out of the window.

'It's cosy.' He said before turning back to me and sliding his hands around my waist. He brought his lips to mine and I was lost again, my blood heated up and I could hear my heart beat throbbing in my ears. I almost moaned but was able to stop myself after a moment having some consciousness of where we were.

'Hmhmm.' We heard a voice clear in the door way and my lips left Edwards hastily as I spun around and I knew I looked sheepish.

'Oh, hey Mom, this is Edward...Edward...this is my mother, Renee.'

'It's a pleasure to meet you...Mrs...er...Renee?' Edward stepped forward to shake my mother's hand.

'Oh, let's not stand on ceremony and yes, Renee is fine.' I watched as my mother stepped forward and hugged Edward. 'Ohh, you never told me he was English Bella.' I saw his very surprised look on his face and I grinned at him. He was so cute.

'I didn't think it mattered Mom.' I said simply, shrugging one shoulder.

Renee shooed us into the kitchen and offered us a tea or coffee. She made us tea this time and brought a plate of cookies with her to place at the table.

We sat and my mother peppered Edward with interested questions about him and I looked at him apologetically. 'Mom, let Edward chill for a minute.' I said after fifteen minutes of her inquisition.

'Oh, he doesn't mind... do you Edward?' My mother asked sweetly.

'No, that's fine. It's a mother's job I think, but I really must get going. I still have to work today and make sure that the other chef that is taking over from us will be ok by himself while Bella and I take our break.' Edward stood and I stood with him.

Renee stood also and said 'Well, it was wonderful to meet you Edward. Bella has chosen well.' I flushed and then took hold of Edward's hand shyly.

'It was great to meet you Renee. Thank you for the tea.' Edward said.

'My pleasure Edward.' My mother said before I lead Edward outside.

I wanted to take my time and hold Edward with me, keep him with me so he could never leave. My fingers were weaved between his and as we stood beside the car I looked into his eyes and saw the same reluctance to part that I was feeling.

'I'm going to miss you baby.' Edward murmured as he brought his head down to kiss my lips. I closed my eyes and savoured the feeling of his mouth on mine. I wanted more, but it was in a different way...I guess I just wanted more time.

He broke the kiss and gave me a small smile then rested his forehead on mine.

'I have to go baby. I'll come back as soon as possible ok Beautiful?'

I nodded; my throat constricting and I didn't trust my voice for the moment so I said nothing and just tried to absorb him with my eyes.

'Baby?' Edward wanted a verbal answer.

'Yeah, I'm really going to miss you too.' I said, my voice wavering as I reached behind him and pulled his head to my lips again. I tried to press every bit of emotion into him as I could but all too soon the kiss ended and I was left standing there panting and wanting and melancholy.

'See you in a few beautiful.' Edward whispered as he got back into his car.

'I will be counting the minutes.' I said and waved as he drove off.

I watched until I could no longer see his car in the street and I sighed as I turned around to walk inside.

'I think someone's in love.' My mother said in a sing song voice from the door way.

She must have caught the exchange between Edward and I. I flushed because I knew she was right but I really didn't want to admit it to anyone else just yet...

'So, are we going shopping today or tomorrow?' I asked, trying to change the subject.

My mother smiled knowingly and then said 'Why not both?'

I smiled and nodded as I walked into the kitchen and we both had another cup of tea and caught up on each other's lives.

We decided to go into the city and have lunch and maybe do a little shopping. We got into my mother's little car, and because I didn't really know my way around the city so well, I had to trust my mother's erratic driving.

My mother flew into a park at the mall, only narrowly missing a pedestrian and another car; with horns honking and people glaring we walked into the mall without a backward glance. I felt eyes boring into the back of my head and I ignored what I imagined that they were thinking.

We made our way to the food court and ordered salad sandwiches and a soda. We found a table to sit at and then it all started...

'So, what are we looking for today...a sexy little number to impress Edward?' My mother said with raised brows that would impress Emmet.

'Gee's mom, we aren't sleeping together yet.'

If my mom's jaw could drop to the ground, it would have.

'I mean...not yet...maybe soon...' I said, unsure of my mother's reaction.

'Sweetie, can I ask why?'My mother asked with sympathy.

Whaaaa? I thought she would be pleased!

'Um, I guess we wanted to wait. I mean...I sort of do, but when I'm with him...I don't know...He is just so, so hot... He wants to make sure that I'm sure too, like, not jump into something that we will both regret.'

'Can I tell you something Bella?...And I don't want you to take it the wrong way, but...well...when I met your father, I was just so tired of waiting for the right man to fall at my feet and everyone else was getting married, so...I guess I just settled on your father. By the time the wedding day rolled around, I knew he was the wrong man for me but one look at my mother's face, your grandmother, I knew there was no going back. She was so proud and then when you came along, well it was like her life was complete. I wasn't happy though and I had to walk away from it. I regret it in some ways and not in others. I always felt it was the thing that could have caused your grandmothers heart attack...anyway, when I met Phil, I just knew, you know? He was the one. No one else would do but him and I knew it was forever. Bella, Edward is your forever. Now, Jacob...he was just a trial run, Edward is deep and I'm sure he has secrets, but he is the one. You both have a certain look about you that is the same in each other. A mother knows these things, so don't be afraid to give your heart again. You won't be disappointed this time. He won't hurt you so that you can't repair. Love hurts sometimes, but it is worth it with the right man.'

I was almost stunned that my mother would tell me these things. So she knew that dad wasn't right for her?

'Yeah, I know what you mean about Jacob being a trial run. I feel so much more for Edward already than in all the years I was with Jacob. I miss Jacob's friendship, but that's all. I could never imagine being with him again. No way. You really think that Edward is the one?'

'I know it.' She said with confidence.

We finished our lunch and then headed toward the specialty stores. We stopped by a lingerie store and I decided on some fancy new underwear.

I chose a frilly blue bra and panty set and a lacy black one. They had a cute white set too, so I decided to get one of those sets too because they made my boobs look bigger and the thong that accompanied the sets were comfortable. I decided to wing it and get Alice and Rose a set each too. I got Rose a pink set and Alice a blue set. If they didn't fit, we could send them back and exchange it if the tags weren't removed the store clerk said.

We went to some clothing and jewellery stores too where I picked up a few new items. I stocked up on a few necessities like my favourite shampoo and I got some boxes of special chocolates from a chocolatier that I just knew the boys would go crazy for. I snickered to myself thinking of their faces when I gave it to them.

After a while I was feeling a little tired so we went back to the car with our packages and I couldn't think of one more thing that I needed however my mother told me that we were going dress shopping the following day. Joy.

We returned back to my mother's place and I went to my room with all of my packages and flopped down onto my bed. I felt a little tired but also...I don't know...like I missed being at the retreat. I loved being able to talk to my friends about anything. It just felt like home.

My mother and I ended up just having a quiet dinner that night. Phil was away with the team so it was just mom and I. We watched a little television and then it was time for bed.

I rang Alice first. She was super excited to hear from me even though it was only a day since I had seen her. Rose was with her and I ended up having a chat with her too. I told them I have a surprise for them and they seemed genuinely excited.

I lay in bed for a while thinking about how lucky I was to have found such great people. I thought about Edward and how awesome he was too. I could feel my heart throbbing in my chest and my blood pumping through my veins at the silent mention of his name. I lay in the bed that seemed so empty without him and thought about how I missed him.

I sent Edward a text message even though I didn't think he would get it because he was possibly still working but I did it anyway because I missed him.

Hey exclusive, I miss you. My bed seems so empty without you in it.

Moments later a text came through. It was Edward. I thought he would still be working?

Hey beautiful. I miss you too. I'm glad your bed is empty though, LOL...

Ha ha, very funny! I thought you would still be working? I was curious about his swift replies.

Don't tell anyone...I am. I am secretly texting while cleaning up. I just didn't want to miss a call or text if you tried to contact me. Xx

Awwww. You are so sweet. I just wanted to say goodnight. Xx

Goodnight beautiful. I wish I could kiss you goodnight.

Me too. Goodnight my exclusive.

I put the phone back on my bedside table and rolled over, feeling a little better about going to sleep. I grabbed the extra pillow and spooned it. I could at least pretend that it was Edward, even though it smelt like floral washing detergent.

I woke up the next morning to the aroma of my mother's freshly ground coffee. It was the smell alone that caused me to move out from under the covers to slowly walk toward the intoxicating scent.

I spotted my mother cradling a steaming mug and reading the morning newspaper at the kitchen table.

'What sort of coffee is that?' I asked, still sniffing the air.

'Oh, it's caramel. I got it last week and it has been pretty good. Grab yourself a cup.'

'Thank you. I will.' I poured a cup and after adding a little milk, I took a sip. Mmmmmm so good.

After having breakfast and two cups of delicious coffee, my mother decided that we would go and catch a Yoga class and maybe a movie, do lunch and then a little more shopping.

I was happy enough to tag along and so off we went after I made a quick call to Edward to say hi and tell him of our plans for the day. I also mentioned that I couldn't wait to see him the following day. I couldn't stop grinning after our call and my mother noticed...

It ended up being a really fun but huge day and by the time we arrived home, ate dinner and chatted for a while, I was exhausted. I plead tiredness and headed to bed.

I sent out a mass text message to Edward, Rose, Emmet, Alice and Jasper telling them that I was exhausted and I would call them in the morning.

I hated not talking to Edward but I would see him as soon as possible the following day, so I would just have to wait it out...

I went to bed thinking of Edward and images of hot steamy nights ahead floated through my mind. I tried not to dwell on it but... I was a little nervous to be honest... My eyes closed and then I fell into a restless sleep. Flashes of grey, black and misty white flooded through my mind. Nothing I could put my finger on but...my dreams were just a little strange and disturbing.

My heart rate had picked up and then I heard it...

Tap, tap, tap...

Where could that be coming from? I searched blindly around, trying to see something, anything but all in vein.

Tap, tap, tap...

I opened my eyes and sat up in bed, shaking sleep off and realising that the sound wasn't coming from my dreams.

Tap, tap, tap...

The window...

I got up and drew the curtains back and the sight before me caused my heart to begin to pound wildly in my chest and my hand flew to my throat in alarm.

There standing in the shadowy darkness and dappled moonlight was a lone mysterious figure...

/

/

Thank you for reading guys. I will attempt to get the next chapter out as soon as possible, I'm just struggling a bit because I have been so busy with work, family and study at the moment.

Stop the world I want to get off! I say this often...

Thank you for all of your reviews guys. They mean a lot to me. I am sending teasers to the people who review. EPOV and Lemons are up next and I've been thinking a lot about how to make them better! Yay!

Thank you again to Mabinda, without you, my story would be on the scrap heap!