Twilight character names belong to Stephenie Meyer. I own Dodge and Burn.
Much love and thanks to Pre-readers BtwntheStacks and Lemonmartinis and Beta-MsKathy
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Dodge and Burn / Chapter Twenty-Eight / Welcome Home
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"Am I glad I got on that plane?" Edward repeats his sister Rose's question, and then chuckles. "Yeah, I'm kinda glad," he teases.
Bella reaches over and pushes him on the shoulder as he struggles not to drop the phone.
He pulls back out of her reach and winks at her as he continues talking. "She's amazing, the trip was amazing." He nods and smiles as he listens. "Oh, things are better than good."
Bella reaches out to him. "I want to talk to her," she whispers.
"Hey, Rose, Isabella wants to talk to you. Okay, here she is."
Bella smiles widely. "Rose!" Bella exclaims. "What would we have done without you? To think I would have been sitting in that villa all alone with a broken heart and Edward would have been brooding in L.A.…well, I just can't even imagine."
Edward takes Bella's hand as she listens to Rose. "Uh huh, yeah…Oh, I was so happy to see him. I mean, I didn't leap into his arms or anything, but inside I was jumping for joy."
Edward looks over at her, surprised to hear she was that happy to see him on the plane. She's a much better actress than he thought.
"I'm going to give the phone back to Edward to say goodbye, but before I do, I just want you to know that you're my hero. And yes, we will definitely be coming to your house the weekend after the fundraiser. You will have to let me know your very favorite dessert, because I'm making it for you! Give my best to Emmett and the kids."
Edward takes the phone back after they say their goodbyes. "Yes, I'll be there all day tomorrow so I'll see you around eleven. Okay? Yes. And thanks again Rose…for everything. I love you, sis."
He slips his phone back in his pocket and smirks at Bella.
"What?" she asks, laughing.
"So you were overjoyed to see me on the plane, Miss 'That seat is taken for my real boyfriend'?"
"Hush," she says, blushing.
He leans into her and brushes his nose along her cheek. "So you made me work for it. Is that it?"
She folds her arms across her chest and huffs playfully. "Well, of course I did. What fun would it have been if I'd just said 'Okie dokie, great to see you. So glad you could make it!'"
"I don't know. We could have been having fun in our villa that first afternoon as soon as Elisabetta hit the road."
"And then I would have missed watching you from your doorway at the crack of dawn, sexy man."
Edward smiles but then shakes his head with his eyebrows raised. "True, but I could have missed my drunken night from hell imagining all the ways Leonard the Lover was sexing you."
"Oh no, really?"
"Yes, really."
"It was that bad?"
"Hell yes. What did you think? That I imagined you were playing dominoes and drinking tea? I mean, the way you described your endless sex in college, and we were on shaky ground still…I would've been an idiot not to worry."
She slowly runs her hand over his chest and then trails kisses across his jaw. "I'm sorry for your worry, baby. I think you know that you're all I want, Edward."
"So no more private evenings with Leonard the Lover?"
She shakes her head. "No, you or Jacob or both will be my escorts."
"That's better," he says before he kisses her.
"You get all my private evenings, handsome. My dance card is completely full of just you."
"As it should be."
She wraps her arms around his neck and kisses him. He moans as he winds his arms around her waist and pulls her closer. She finally pulls back to take a breath, but he won't let go as he kisses her neck and breathes her scent.
She smiles. "Horizontal dancing. My favorite kind."
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..~*~..
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Their first full day back is a whopping dose of reality. Bella wakes up with a headache and breaks a glass after breakfast, then cuts her hand while cleaning up the remains. To top things off, Edward's grumpy as he rushes off for a meeting at Esme's Place. Later, while Bella faces the list of potential clients she has to return calls and emails to, she leans into her hands and sighs.
Can we go back to Italy now?
She knows they're both fighting the post-vacation blues. It's unavoidable. At some point home, and all of the stress of moving your life from one day to the next, must be faced.
After lunch, she calls him because she misses him terribly.
"Hey," he says softly.
"Hi," she responds. "How'd the meeting go?"
He sighs. "Oh, as much fun as you'd expect sitting with lawyers and accountants the day after the vacation of your life."
"Really?" asks Bella, thrilled at his description.
"Yes, Isabella. Lawyers and accountants are a particularly trying breed. But surely you know this. "
"No, actually, I was reacting to your comment that it was the vacation of your life."
"Well, of course it was. We had an amazing time didn't we?
"The best," she agrees. "I'm already planning our trip back. Do you mind?"
"No, baby…plan away. Let's go back to Villa Eugenia."
"You better mean it because I'm emailing Elisabetta as we speak. How does next May sound to you?"
"How about December. Christmas in Lucca?"
"Are you serious? Can you come home so I can pleasure you, Mr. Wonderful?"
"Don't tease me like that when I'm stuck here. I have a meeting with Alice at four."
"Well, I've been baking you something. How about if I come by before and bring you some?"
"Baking? What are you bringing me?"
She laughs. "Something delicious."
"I'm sure. But more importantly, will you be wearing panties?"
"What?" she gasps playfully.
"Nevermind," he teases. "Surprise me."
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At three-fifteen when Bella steps into Esme's Place, she marvels at the progress that's been made since her last visit. To her eye, the place looks finished and the bright cheerful colors put a smile on her face.
She grins widely when she sees Maria's mural completed. It's even more spectacular in real life than it looked on Edward's laptop screen in Lucca. She feels so proud of Edward, that his dream's almost realized. He's come so far from the lost soul she met only months ago to being the accomplished and vibrant man he is today.
She wanders around until she finds him in Esme's old office on the phone. He smiles widely and waves her in, gesturing that he'll just be a minute. She carries her little basket over to the table he's working at. There are invoices, notes, and blueprints scattered all over the table.
As he talks, Bella finds an empty spot and starts pulling things out of her basket. She spreads out a napkin first, then arranges a little plate with her homemade cookies and peanut butter bars. Edward's eyes light up as he watches her. Finally, she takes out two cups and a Thermos and pours them coffee, already lightened with milk and sugar.
She can tell he's talking to the contractor and he's rushing to get off the phone. He lets out a big sigh when he finally hangs up.
"Oh, Isabella," he says, grinning and pointing to her treats. "Look at this!"
"You're working so hard, and fighting jet lag so I figured you could use a pick-me-up," she says.
He reaches his hands out to her. "Come here."
She walks around the table and settles onto his lap as he wraps his arms around her.
"I'm so glad to see you," he says. "I've missed you all day."
"I've missed you too," she says, leaning into him. She reaches over and grabs a cookie off the plate then offers it to him.
"Did you really bake these for me?" he asks.
"I did."
He takes a bite and she brushes the crumbs off his lips.
"Like it?" she asks.
"Mmm," he responds. His eyes suddenly light up. "Hey!"
"What?"
"Are you wearing panties?"
She reaches over and breaks off a piece of peanut butter bar and then offers it to him. "Maybe," she says, grinning.
"Hmmm," he says, his eyesbrows raised.
"Or maybe not," she whispers.
"There's only one way to know for sure," he says, running his hand up her calf and under her skirt.
Her eyes grow wide as his hand moves higher until it reaches her bare skin.
"Oh, yeah," he sighs, his fingers exploring.
Feeling a flush move across her chest, she winds her fingers through his hair and pulls him closer.
He presses his face into her cleavage and moans, but a moment later they hear a door close and Alice's voice as she calls out for him.
"Edward, I know you're here. I saw your car!"
They both freeze and seem to forget that Edward has one hand up Bella's skirt as Alice approaches the office. Edward manages to pull his hand away just before she notices them.
"Ah ha!" Alice exclaims. "No wonder you weren't answering. Shoot, I'm sorry I'm so early. Traffic was much lighter than I expected. Did I interrupt?"
Bella blushes as she slides off his lap. "Sorry, we were just catching up."
"Uh huh," Alice responds, rolling her eyes. "Haven't you been together non-stop for over a week?"
"Well, yes," Bella replies guiltily. "But he's been working all day. I just brought him a treat to perk him up."
"A treat indeed," Alice teases. She walks over to the table and eyes the peanut butter bars. "Can I?"
"Help yourself," Bella offers. "I baked them earlier today."
Alice lifts up the bar and takes a bite, but a moment later her cell phone prompt goes off. She looks at the screen. "Shit! I forgot about Lauren."
"Lauren?" Edward asks.
"She had a meeting in the valley and asked if she could drop this off while I'm here."
"Why here?" Edward says, echoing what Bella's already thinking.
"I don't have to tell you of all people, Edward, that she's a pushy broad. I mean, I thought I was bad, but she takes the cake. I'm glad she's bringing some big money into this project, but I feel like we're all going to pay for it."
Bella steps away from the desk, suddenly feeling awkward to be witnessing this conversation. Edward glances up at her and then over at Alice.
"Don't worry," he says to Bella reassuringly.
"I'll try not to," she says quietly.
A moment later they hear another voice calling out and Bella cringes. It seems Lauren has arrived. Bella brushes the crumbs off her skirt and suddenly feels very naked without her panties.
"There you are, Alice," Lauren exclaims as she storms into the office. "And Edward! Good to see you."
"Hello, Lauren," he says cautiously as he stands up.
Lauren notices Bella standing to the right of Edward and stares at her intently.
"I don't believe we've met. I'm Lauren, Edward's…wife, and you are?"
But before Bella can respond, Edward moves over to her, slips his arm around Bella's waist, and leads her forward a step. "Isabella, this is my ex, Lauren." He gestures to an annoyed looking Lauren. "And Lauren, this is my girlfriend, Isabella."
Lauren smiles at Bella and nods her head. "So you're Isabella. Well, how nice to meet you."
"Likewise," Bella responds graciously.
She's rather taken aback by Lauren's ultra-polished look. Bella just can't imagine Edward lying in a field with this sophisticated looking woman in her pressed tan slacks and chocolate brown silk shirt. Her hair is artfully colored in shades of gold and her beautiful features are emphasized with make-up. Bella suddenly feels extremely unglamorous but she suspects that Edward prefers that about her.
Edward notices the two women studying each other and he pulls Bella closer protectively.
Meanwhile, Bella watches Lauren's judgmental gaze trail down to her wrinkled skirt and her hand reflexively smoothes over it. I bet she doesn't have a rainbow skirt in her closet, Bella thinks, trying not to smile. She could never be a Lauren, nor would she want to be.
"So, you and Edward were in Italy, yes?" She turns to Edward. "Remember, Edward, that we almost honeymooned there."
Bella feels her stab acutely but tries to brush it off. They could have had the most romantic honeymoon in the world, but it doesn't change the fact that he belongs to her now.
Edward pulls Bella even closer to his side. "Why are you here, Lauren?"
Lauren glances down at the table and sees the basket of goodies on the table. She notices the protective stance Edward has as he holds his girlfriend. He can tell she's calculating the situation.
She smiles brightly at Edward. "I just wanted to get this revised list and information to Alice right away. Besides, I wanted to see how the place is progressing. It looks really sharp, Edward. Esme would be so pleased."
"Thanks," he responds.
Alice turns to Lauren. "Well, Edward and I need to go over things but I can show you around first, if you'd like."
"That'd be great," Lauren replies.
"And I'm going to head out," Bella says. "I have an appointment I need to get to."
"Here, let me walk you out," Edward says.
"Nice to meet you, Lauren," she says as she and Edward pass his ex.
"Yes, I'm sure I'll see you at the event," Lauren responds brightly.
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When they get to her car Edward turns Bella around.
"Are you okay?" he asks. "I'm sorry about all of that back there."
"It's fine," Bella assures him. "I know whatever her intentions are, that you want to be with me now."
"Absolutely," he agrees.
"And I had to meet her at some point. Probably better now than at the event."
He grins at her.
"What?" she asks.
"You're amazing."
"I hope so. You deserve amazing after all you've put up with from me."
"It's been so rough," he teases, pulling her close.
"Torture," she agrees, running her hands up his chest. "But seriously, Edward. You've put up with a lot."
"I know," he says. "But I'd do it all over again. You're worth it."
They're in the middle of a kiss when Alice steps out into the parking lot.
"Enough with the kissing you two," she calls out. "We've got stuff to go over."
"All right, all right," Edward replies back after finally pulling away from Bella.
He opens Bella's car door for her. "I'm going to be late," he reminds her. "We have a rehearsal tonight."
"I know, but I'll keep the bed warm for you."
He smiles as he shuts the door and leans into her open window. "Believe me, I'll get home as soon as I can." He notices her eyes narrowing. "What?"
"Hey, do me a favor and don't give any of your peanut butter bars to your pushy 'wife.'"
He throws back his head and laughs.
"See, I'm not that nice, am I?" Bella says.
"You're my kind of nice, baby. Hey, give me one more kiss," he urges.
She places her hands on either side of his face and plants one on him, reminding him exactly what will be waiting for him when he gets home tonight. He sighs with a smile on his face as he pulls away and she starts up her car.
She notices in her rearview mirror that he still looks smitten as he watches her pull out of the parking lot.
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When he turns to head to Alice, she rolls her eyes. "Come on, Romeo, we've got work to do."
Edward is deep in thought as he reaches her.
"So I take it Italy went well," she teases. "I've never seen you like this, Edward."
"Honestly, I've never felt like this, Alice. I'm crazy about her."
Alice steps up to him and rustles his hair. "You love sick fool! I'm so glad you worked things out. It's great to see you so happy."
His expression suddenly shifts. "Has Lauren left yet? That was really awkward in there."
Alice rolls her eyes. "I know. Sorry about that, and no—she's still here. You know we need to sit down after the event and figure out what to do about her. She's bringing in some impressive supporters for the project, but I'm sure she has an agenda."
"Should I say something about it to her now?"
"No, I wouldn't," Alice responds. "There's too much in place for the show. We just need to stay on our path, but after the event would be the perfect time to make any changes before you forge ahead towards the center's opening."
They step inside and find Lauren studying Maria's mural.
"Isn't it great?" Alice comments to her.
Lauren nods and waves her hand toward the expansive piece of art. "It's striking. A bit bright for my taste-too much yellow overall, but I'm sure the kids will like it."
Edward bites his tongue as Lauren turns to face him. He'd almost forgotten how critical Lauren could be. Her tastes in art and music were always very focused and unforgiving.
As Alice starts to respond, Edward notices something in Lauren's hand. She lifts up the last bit of a peanut butter bar and pops it in her mouth and then slowly licks her fingertips.
His stomach churns as he turns away.
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..~*~..
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After checking her messages, Bella excitedly calls Angela, but her friend jumps in before Bella can start talking.
"How's my Bella Italia?" Angela asks. "Did you have a good time? I've been dying to hear from you. What happened with Leo?"
Bella takes a big breath. "Oh my God, Angela, I have so much to tell you. We need face-time. Are you free for dinner tonight?"
"Sure. How about Firefly at seven?"
"Sounds good. I'll tell you about Italy then, but meanwhile I'm dying to know what's happening with Carly and Jacob. He just texted me that you guys are flying him out here so he can take Carly to a wedding? What's that all about? I already responded, but I got nothing out of him."
"Sorry, it all happened while you were gone so I hope you don't mind."
"Mind? Mind? You know how I feel about Carly, I'm just trying not to get my hopes up. I mean, we could eventually be grandparents together, Angela!"
"Hold on, my friend. Don't have them procreating yet…this is still a friends thing."
"Really? Are you sure? Tell all please."
"Okay, you know that self-centered pretty boy Carly has been involved with? It's been very up and down, especially since the beginning of this year. Anyway, about four weeks ago, he told Carly that he didn't want to go with her to her best friend's wedding. He was invited on a boy's scuba trip in Catalina and he admitted that he never wanted to go to the wedding anyway."
"Oh, poor Carly."
"Yes, well, that was the last straw for her and she finally dumped him. So ever since then she's wondered who she wanted to take with her. She's helped Hannah plan the wedding and she'd really been looking forward to it. So one morning at breakfast she lamented that Jacob was so far away because he would be her first choice for sure."
"Oh my God, I can't believe it. She really said that after all this time?"
"She did. So I remembered a flight voucher I had from a conference I had canceled and I offered it for Jacob if he was willing to go."
"And of course he was!"
"Carly said he agreed to take her immediately. And then they talked on the phone for almost two hours."
"Oh, Angela, I'm going to cry."
"I know, Bella, but we shouldn't get our hopes up," Angela warns.
"He's almost done with school and UCLA is one of the programs on his list."
"Belllllaaaaa," Angela warns.
"Oh okay," Bella agrees. "But don't be surprised if I get worked up again at dinner tonight."
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..~*~..
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The waiter sets down the glasses of wine and an order of fried, stuffed olives.
"So, Italy…" Angela says before taking a sip of her wine.
"The best trip of my life," Bella says with a dreamy look in her eyes.
Angela leans back, surprised. "Really? The best? So it must have gone very well with Leo."
"Well, yes, it went well with him, but what made this trip so grand is that a certain musician surprised me by showing up for my flight."
"What do you mean? Edward showed up for your flight? You were taking this trip together. Did I miss something?" Angela asks.
"But our big fight…"
"What big fight?" Angela's voice doesn't hide her concern.
Bella leans forward and rubs her temples with her hands. "Oh damn, I completely forgot that I didn't tell anyone about it. I'm such an idiot."
"Don't say that, Bella. You've just had a lot going on."
"Yeah, but you think I'd remember something so important."
"So what in the world happened?" asks Angela. "You had a fight? You'd been getting along so well."
"That's a long story for another time. For now, suffice to say we had a big disagreement and broke up right before the trip. So naturally, he wasn't going to go to Italy."
"Really? But then he went after all? Wait…he surprised you on the plane?"
"He sure did," Bella says, grinning. "He told me that he still loved me, and that he missed me."
"How romantic," Angela sighs. "See, I knew he was crazy in love with you."
"It was very romantic. He was very brave to get on that plane and bare his soul."
"So did you head straight to bed after you arrived?"
Bella blushes and looks down, embarrassed. "No, I wasn't ready. I think I was in shock and scared to lose him again. But he was patient with me. He waited until I knew I could handle being close again."
Angela studies Bella's face and sets down her glass. "I'm kind of surprised. You're usually so impetuous."
"I know, but this trip was so intense and fraught with emotion in every way. On top of that, Edward means so much to me and suddenly losing him crushed me. I didn't want to mess this up again."
"And Leo? How did that go?"
"It was dramatic and very emotional, but thankfully he's happy to know he has a son. I was so nervous, Angela."
"I can imagine," she says.
"Thank God it went okay. He was kinder to me than I deserved."
"How did he look after all these years?"
"Too good. Believe me, that didn't help anything."
"Oh dear, so Edward must have been jealous."
Bella nods her eyes wide.
"Good lord. Never a dull moment with you, Bella."
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..~*~..
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She stirs in bed as she hears footsteps move across her bedroom floor.
"Baby, it's me," Edward says softly.
She opens her eyes and sees his dark silhouette standing next to the bed. He slowly pulls of his shirt and drops it to the floor. He undoes his jeans and pushes them off.
"You're home," she says happily…sleepily, as she turns in bed to face him.
"I'm sorry it's so late," he says. "It didn't go well and we worked later than I expected. I'm so beat."
"Poor baby," she coos as she pulls back the blankets. "Come to bed."
With only his boxers remaining, he climbs into bed and pulls the sheets up to his waist.
She curls up next to him and runs her hand over his bare chest. "Are you hungry?" she asks. "I can fix you something."
"No, thanks. We ordered pizza so I'm okay."
"Can I at least give you a back rub?" she asks.
"Oh, twist my arm," he moans as he rolls to his stomach, and she crawls up so that she can straddle her legs over him.
She runs her hands over his shoulders and then slowly starts to knead his tightly wound muscles.
"Take a deep breath," she suggests as her fingers work through the knots.
She feels his chest rise and fall with each inhalation.
"That feels so good, Isabella," he moans.
She runs her fingers through his hair and starts to rub his scalp with a firm grip. "Oh, this head has been thinking too hard," she says playfully.
"Yeah, trying to figure out how to finish up that mess and get back here to you," he says.
"That's so sweet," she says softly.
"I wanted to make love to you but now I'm too damn tired," he groans.
She leans over his bare back and kisses him right under his hairline. "It's okay, handsome. We'll have our time later."
She keeps rubbing and kneading, all the while admiring the strength and definition in his back. He has the body of a much younger man and she feels herself getting aroused just being close to him, enjoying his scent and warmth. She talks herself out of seducing him, knowing he's exhausted and has no energy to make love.
Soon after doing several cycles of massaging up along his spine, she notices that his breathing has changed and that he's fallen asleep. She shifts her pace to caresses, rubbing her hands over his shoulders and through his hair. Even though her touch is light she can sense it's still relaxing him.
She carefully lifts herself off him, and lies down by his side while continuing to stroke his arm and rub his back. She thinks about her visit in the afternoon, and how Lauren showed up. She wonders how late Lauren stayed after she left. Her nerves start to fray.
"You're mine," she whispers softly, grazing her fingertips along his cheek and jaw as he sleeps.
She remembers with satisfaction how he wrapped his arm around her and introduced her to Lauren as his girlfriend. In a swell of affection, she reaches over and kisses his shoulder and then runs her hand low until it skims over his ass.
She smiles as she feels him, his muscles, his perfection. As her hand slides under his waistband for better access, she rolls to her back. With her hand resting over him, she slides her other hand between her legs.
She gazes at him sleeping as she touches herself, trying to remain silent as her feelings stir. She closes her eyes for a moment and when she opens them again, she startles to see his eyes are wide open and watching her.
She freezes and eases her hand up on her stomach. "Oh, damn, I woke you up," she says, embarrassed.
He doesn't respond, just smiles softy at her.
She can feel her cheeks fire with warmth as she pulls her hand off his ass and slides it out of his shorts. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I was bad. I'll leave you alone now. Go back to sleep, handsome."
He watches her for a moment and then shakes his head. "I'm not going back to sleep, Isabella," he says.
She takes a sharp breath. "Just try. I'll stop, I promise."
He shifts to his side so that he's facing her. His gaze travels down to where her hand is lingering low on her belly. "Do you really want me to go back to sleep?"
"Not really," she admits shyly.
He takes her hand and presses it over him. Her eyes go wide at the realization he's fully aroused.
"Believe me, baby. I'm not going back to sleep."
She smiles sweetly. "Are you sure?"
"Hush," he whispers while he rolls her on her side and then spoons up against her.
She hums with happiness. The way he's holding her feels so perfect.
"Is this too much?" he asks, fully aware that his arousal is pressing against her.
She takes a sharp breath and presses against him suggestively. "You know I want more," she whispers.
His hand slips between her thighs and she moans softly with the contact.
"I can tell," he whispers.
He reaches down and positions himself, then slowly eases into her. His breath catches with the overwhelming sensation when he's fully seated inside of her.
"Is this what you wanted?" he asks, his lips gently skimming her jaw.
"Yes…God, yes," she says under her breath.
His fingers gently pull on her nipples while he moves slowly in and out of her. She feels his mouth against her neck as he trails wet kisses down to her shoulder.
"Yes," she groans, her hips rocking against his.
"Touch yourself while I love you," he whispers.
Her fingers move adeptly and his thrusts get erratic, his fingers digging into the soft flesh of her hip.
"Edward," she gasps.
"Come on, baby."
"What?" she gasps, so close.
"Take me with you," he says, low in her ear.
"Are you almost there?" she asks.
He nods before his eyes roll back and close, knowing that sometimes making love measured and quietly is more powerful.
She takes off slow, but then builds to a fierce roar as she pulls him along with her. There is a hot, white light behind his closed eyes as he lets go completely and fills her.
She moans happily as their rocking becomes gentle, then finally stills. He pulls her closer and sighs.
"So good," she whispers, as she tips her head back and smiles at him.
"Oh, baby, all day long this was what I craved…to have you in my arms, to be this way with you," he says as kisses her shoulder.
"Me too," she whispers. "Welcome home."
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Wishing all of you the happiest of holidays. Your love and enthusiasm for this story is my most appreciated gift.
xoxo
abbie
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