To any of you that I might have met ComiCon . . . *waves* Hugs all 'round! I had the most wonderful time with many Twi Fan Fiction types at the picnic on Friday. So many wonderful ladies! Thank you for accepting me in to your midst.

I have arrived home, safe and sound, after 5 days of booth set up, ComiCon, booth teardown, packing and loading. I am extraordinarily tired and don't know what time I'll be up in the morning. Therefore, I'm posting this at nearly 11pm Sunday evening. I don't want anyone having to wait until my tired body decides to get up in the morning. LOL

Thank you, really and truly, to all of you who have favorited, alerted, read and/or reviewed this little story. I will continue to do my best for you.

Disclaimer: Steph owns these folks. I'm just playing on her playground.

Chapter 4

EPOV

The sun is streaming through the gap in the curtains covering the east window in Bella's bedroom, striking me right in the eyes, bringing me to full wakefulness. I open my eyes to see a mass of chestnut silk splayed over the pillow in front of me. I feel the warmth from the body of the beauty in front of me, my hand in hers, fingers entwined, cupping her bare breast. Is there any better way to wake in the morning? I can't imagine one.

I close my eyes and relive the events of the previous night. I can hardly believe it was real. I mean, I've been with my share of women, many of them gorgeous, but last night? Well, that was something else entirely. The connection I felt to Bella the whole evening: at the restaurant, walking, and then here, in her room? Well, to say it was amazing would be a massive understatement.

Unfortunately, I'm going to have to leave this room, this bed, this woman. I have an evening shift at the hospital. I don't know, yet, what Bella's schedule is for the day. Or the week, for that matter, but the only way to find out is to wake her. I really hate to have to do that. She looks so peaceful, a slight smile curving on her swollen pink lips. Guess I might have gone a little overboard last night on those lips, but they were so delicious, I just couldn't help myself. And, I certainly didn't hear her complaining.

I smile to myself as I remember how she was completely immersed in our lovemaking. I've never been with a woman so responsive, yet focused. I begin with light kisses up her spine, making my way slowly to the back of her neck, pushing that chocolate silk aside to allow myself better access. All the while, my morning wood is making itself known to me, becoming more and more insistent. I keep my hips pulled back, away from Bella's backside. I don't want her to think that I'm waking her just so I can get a repeat of last night. Truth be told, however, I'd be very happy with a repeat performance.

She begins to waken, her limbs stretching. First, her long, slim, firm legs straighten before they curl into a near fetal position. Then, her arms unfold, causing me to loosen my grip on her body as she rolls onto her back beside me.

"Morning," she mumbles, the shade of her skin warming as she looks over at me God, I love that color on her.

"Morning," I respond, leaning over to give her a kiss on that warm, pink cheek. "I hated to wake you, but I didn't know what your schedule was for today. I didn't know if you needed to get up for work."

Her eyes fly open and dart to the alarm clock sitting on the nearby nightstand. It reads 6:48. Her eyes get bigger and rounder as she throws the covers off and leaps out of bed, only to stop short, flushing that beautiful pink, once again, beginning at her chest and rising clear into her hairline, as soon as she realizes she's not wearing a stitch of clothing. She glances around quickly, trying to find something to cover herself with, apparently, because she grabs a silky blue robe from the chest at the foot of the bed and hastily dons it.

"I'm so sorry, Edward. I didn't think to set the alarm." Again, she's blushing. "I have to get ready for work. I have to report at eight o'clock. Umm, I need to jump in the shower . . ."

"It's okay, Bella. Do what you need to do to get ready." I stop her stream-of-consciousness ramble. "I'm okay here. How about I see if there's something in the kitchen I can rustle up for breakfast before you leave? I'll grab a shower at home. I don't go back on until seven this evening."

I can see her deflate, relaxing, releasing the breath she was holding with a whoosh. "Thanks, Edward. You don't need to do that. But, breakfast would be great if you want to."

I give her my brightest smile. "I would like nothing better than to fix breakfast for you, Bella. Have I told you yet, this morning, how beautiful you are?" Ah, here comes that delicious pink, again.

I'm going to have to have a little talk with a certain part of my anatomy before I climb out of this bed. I won't lie; I'm a little disappointed that I'll be leaving without having Bella screaming my name this morning, but, hopefully, I'll be seeing her again soon enough. As much as I enjoyed making love with Bella last night, I want to spend time getting to know the woman behind those smooth, rich, chocolate eyes.

"I . . . I'll just go take my shower, now," Bella stutters, whirling around and beat-feeting it into the bath.

I chuckle to myself, sitting up and looking around for my clothes. I collect my boxers and slip into them before actually getting out of the bed and heading for the kitchen. I gather the clothes strewn along the way to the living room, reliving the moments they landed there last night, as I pick them up and put them on.

In the kitchen, I rummage through the fridge to see what kind of breakfast makin's there are to be found. Oh, yes! A quick and easy ham and cheese omelet, with some green onions, toast and a little bacon. That'll work nicely. I set about getting breakfast prepared as quickly as possible. I want Bella to have some time to be able to relax and enjoy the breakfast I've prepared for her before she has to head out the door for work.

"That really smells good!" I spin around to see Bella standing on the other side of the breakfast bar dressed in her uniform. Just like when I first saw her, her long dark hair is twisted up at the back of her head, however, she doesn't have her hat on, yet. Even in a police uniform, this woman is breathtaking.

"It helps to have the use of a fully stocked kitchen," I quip. "Here, I just finished. Sit down and eat." I put the plated omelet with two strips of bacon and a couple of slices of toast in front of the stool closest to her.

Bella sits, and looking at me rather sheepishly, begins to eat. Her big brown eyes get even bigger. "Wow! And he cooks, too!" she giggles. "Honestly, this is delicious. Thank you."

"No problem. Glad you like it." I shuffle my feet a little, trying to figure out just exactly how to ask the question I've been burning to ask. "Bella? I really enjoyed spending time with you last night. I mean, even before we got here. I was hoping I'd be able to see you again. Soon?"

Her fork stops halfway to her mouth, for just a second, before she puts the bite in her mouth and chews in what appears to be a thoughtful manner. My heart sinks into the pit of my stomach. She's gonna say no, I just know it. But, I begin to see a little smile creeping onto her lips.

"I think I'd like that, Edward. I think I'd like it a lot, actually."

"Great! I'm going to assume you'll be home later on this evening?" I ask, hoping that I'll get a chance to call her before I have to go in at seven.

"Yeah. I should be home by six or so. Why don't you give me a call when you get a chance this evening? We'll compare schedules and see when we can get together again."

My inner teenage boy is giving a fist pump, and my dick is reminding me that he's there, too. "Okay," I smile. "I'll try to call before I start my shift; fewer interruptions that way."

I walk around the end of the breakfast bar until I reach Bella. I turn her to face me on the stool and wedging myself between her knees, I reach out to cup Bella's beautiful face between my palms. I gaze in wonder at the beautiful woman in front of me. Slowly, I lean forward and place a kiss on either corner of her luscious lips before capturing her mouth with my own. I don't deepen the kiss, because, quite frankly, I haven't had a chance to brush my teeth yet, and I don't want her tasting my pasty morning mouth.

Pulling away, I lay my cheek on the top of her head and gather her into my arms. I stand there, for just a few minutes, enjoying the feel of this wonderful woman in my arms. I say a silent thank you to what ever deity allowed me to meet her, as well as to those who created her, before backing away.

"I'll just let myself out. Finish your breakfast," I tell her. "And thank you."

I turn to walk to the door and just as I reach it, I hear a quiet, "Thank you, Edward. For everything."

Smiling wider than I think I've ever smiled before, I open the door and walk out to my car with a lightness in my step that has been missing all my life. Bella has agreed to see me again, and I'm guessing that from her 'thank you' she enjoyed herself, too. I can't wipe the smile off my face and I'm beginning to feel a little foolish.

I pull away from the curb and head toward home. Hoping, really hoping, my sister isn't home. Between her seeming clairvoyance and her generally nosy nature, I'm going to be facing the Spanish Inquisition at home if I walk in there with this goofy grin I can't seem to lose. I'm so happy, however, I'm willing to suck it up and take whatever Alice throws at me. I'm good, beyond good. Last night was totally worth anything she might come up with.

As great as my luck was last night, it seems it can't hold through today. I walk in the door to my apartment to find Alice waiting, sitting on the couch with a pillow clutched to her chest. Her expression is unreadable, but she doesn't appear terribly upset.

"Hey, Alice," I say, smiling at her in confusion. "What's up?"

"Edward," she says, narrowing her eyes at me, "where have you been? You shot out of here last night like someone had lit your ass on fire. You didn't come home. You didn't call. That's not like you. Usually, you let me know if you won't be home. I was worried."

"Since when are you my mother?" I answer testily, not appreciating her tone of voice. "I'm here now, I'm fine, I had a wonderful evening, and an even better night. Don't bring me down now."

"I had a feeling it was a good thing for you last night, but I still worried when I didn't hear from you. At. All." Alice enunciated the last two words in a staccato manner, and I could finally see behind the tough girl act; she was truly worried about me. I immediately felt bad for causing her such undue stress.

"I know, and I'm sorry. I usually do let you know if I'm not coming home, but, this time, I was so wrapped up in this woman, nothing else mattered to me. She's really something, Al."

Alice's eyes brighten and sparkle at my confession, and I groan internally just imagining the never ending barrage of questions she will surely shoot at me, if not right now, sometime in the near future.

"Just don't make a habit of it. I'm used to having you here at night, unless, of course you are pulling an all-nighter at the hospital, but then I know in advance and can prepare myself." I roll my eyes at her and all of her silliness. She is, after all twenty-one.

"Don't roll your eyes at me, mister. It kinda freaks me out to be alone, and not knowing where you are makes it just that much worse," she admits rather sheepishly. I sigh and make my way towards her. I sit on the couch right beside her and wrap my arm comfortingly around her tiny shoulder.

"Ali, you know there are going to be nights when I'll be overnighting it at the hospital, we discussed this before," I remind her gently.

"Yes, I know that," she stands to face me with her hands on her hips. "But you weren't at the hospital last night. I knew when you left that you weren't going there. Besides, you hadn't even been home the night before and then you were only here for a few hours before you left again."

I sigh heavily in defeat. Girl makes a good point. This was the joy of living with a sibling."All right, I'll try to make sure you know if I'm not going to be home at night," I try to placate her. Her bossiness and whining is beginning to break through the high I've been riding since waking this morning. I refuse to allow that to happen.

A mischievous grin steals onto my face and I rush Alice, grabbing her up in my arms and spinning her around. "Al, I have, quite possibly, met the woman who will, someday, become Mrs. Edward Cullen. Now, be happy for me and quit bursting my bubble. Okay?"

e/n Shall we see what Bella is thinking about the date, as well? Maybe? We'll see. Sounds like Edward enjoyed it. LOL

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