Auhtor's Note: I have to go shovel but thought I'd take a moment and update this chapter. Who else is sick of living in a snow globe? I need spring like three snow storms ago!

Anyway, hope you enjoy this chapter. As always, I'd love to know what you think of the chapter and thank you for reading :)

-Lisa

Chapter Nine

Bella couldn't believe as she looked at the figure in front of her. "What are you doing here?"

Smiling, he walked closer to her. "I wanted to welcome you home, and surprise you." He paused and just looked at her. Silence filed them as he smirked. "Are you, I mean surprised?"

Nodding her head quickly, she laughed. "I am. I am so happy to see you Carlisle but where are the kids?"

"They are both having their last sleep overs for the summer. Peter is with Alec and Charlotte is with Jane, that just leaves me. I figured you'd need something to eat so since you know I can't cook, I brought take out. You haven't eaten, have you?"

"I haven't." Bella paused and beamed.

"What has you so happy?" Carlisle asked as he reached for her hand. They began to stroll slowly to the kitchen.

"I'm just surprised to see you. I didn't think I'd see you until tomorrow," Bella wrapped her arms around Carlisle's waist. "So does this mean your mine for the night?"

"I am all yours this evening," Carlisle confirmed as he pulled out the chair for her to sit in. He poured the bottle of wine he had brought along with the food.

The two conversed easily as they caught up over the last few days in detail. Carlisle, being one who paid attention to detail, even remembered desert, a pint of ice cream. When they were finished with their meal, they walked together to the living room. Bella cuddled into Carlisle's chest. She rested her head on his chest as her legs laid across his knees.

"What do you want to watch?" Carlisle asked as he placed the remote down to rest his hand on Bella's upper thigh.

"It doesn't matter," Bella paused as she curled into Carlisle. "I like being here with you," she stopped to kiss his lips. "Like this."

Carlisle pulled Bella closer to him and kissed her back. He stroked her back. "I don't know how you managed but you did."

"Manage what?" Bella asked with a slight giggle in her voice.

"Steal my heart and make it yours. I was broken and you fixed me. You fixed my kids. Peter didn't smile before you."

"But Charlotte?"

"Charlotte will come around Bella, I have faith she will. You are the best thing that has happened to me since my kids. You are the best thing to happen to my children since their mother. You saved use. You saved us from so many things. For me you saved me from making the biggest mistake of my life."

"Which was?"

"Kate."

"Oh, Kate," Bella giggled. "Well her lose was defiantly my gain." Bella paused and grew serious. "You also pulled me out of whatever kind of funk, depression I was in. I thought Jacob ruined my life. He hurt me, but he didn't. I was with him since high school and thought he was it for me, but it in a way, I am grateful for him being unable to keep it in his pants."

"Only in a way?" Carlisle asked as he brought his lips to hers.

Bella nodded. "I wish I didn't lose a child. It is the worse feeling I have ever experienced, maybe even worse than losing both of my parents, but everything happens for a reason. The whole fiasco brought me to you. I love you too, so very, very much."

Carlisle rubbed Bella's back before bringing his lips to hers once more. He laid her down before crawling on top of her. Once their lips met, Carlisle's hands wondered under Bella's shirt. Bella's hands also found their way under his shirt before she began to unbutton it. Carlisle meanwhile was able to remove her shirt leaving her upper body exposed in her bra.

"You are so beautiful," Carlisle whispered as he began to place small kisses above Bella's bra.

"Carlisle," Bella spoke softly as she played with the button on his pants.

Sitting up just long enough to push down his pants, Carlisle quickly climbed back on top of Bella who had pulled down her shorts. He brought his lips back to hers. "You are so beautiful," he repeated as he touched her body.

"I want to go to bed," Bella spoke as she pulled herself closer to him.

Again, Carlisle got up. Bella latched her legs around Carlisle's waist. Once in the bedroom, Carlisle carefully placed Bella on the bed before he crawled over her again. His hands reached down and teased her waiting core.

Arching her back, Bella began to softly moan, "Carlisle, stop teasing me. I want you."

Carlisle leaned into her and kissed her never lifting his fingers away from her spot. "Impatient are we? In due time Bella," he reassured her as he began to pump his fingers in and out of her. She was on the edge of losing it when he stopped.

"What the hell, Carlisle?" Bella complained.

Chuckling, Carlisle positioned himself right above her. "You must learn patients. Did you think I would let you come without me being in you? I want to feel you come."

Bella was lost for words. One of her hands was pulling on the bed sheets as Carlisle continued to love her. She was on the verge of bliss. The sounds of heavy panting and skin hitting skin filled the room. Carlisle reached for Bella's hands above her head. As they both climaxed, he squeezed her hands.

"Oh my god," Bella said out of breath. She reached up for Carlisle's lips. "That was wow."

"Only wow? We have some work to make it better," Carlisle told her as he squeezed her. "I don't know how to say this, but Bella you are so tight. Are you sure you've done this before?"

Bella laughed. "I might have become a born again virgin. After the baby, Jacob and I weren't intimate again. this was the first time in almost three years that I have had sex. I have a vibrator and I teased myself with my fingers, but it isn't the same. Truthfully, after Jacob and I broke up, I kind of lost interest. I used to have a strong sex drive. I wonder if it'll come back."

Carlisle pulled her close to him. He felt like a jerk for bringing the topic up. "I guess I'll have to help you make up for lost time."

"I can't wait," Bella replied.

"Hey sleepy, it's morning, wake up!" Carlisle teased Bella the following morning. The previous night, Bella did begin to make up for lost time. She and Carlisle went another few rounds before cleaning off in the shower. Carlisle was impressed with Bella's oral skills she confidently showed him while the water from the shower hit them. He thought it before, but as he grew closer to Bella, he thought Jacob was a complete idiot for treating Bella the way he did. He would forever be thankful that Jacob screwed up. Carlisle had hoped that Bella was going to be part of his life indefinitely.

Bella rolled over. "What time is it?"

"Just before nine. I grabbed breakfast."

Bella sat up, still naked from the previous night's charades. "I don't know if I'm more shocked that I'm still asleep at this time in the morning or that you cooked."

"I never said I cooked. I said I grabbed breakfast. I went down to the diner and got a few egg sandwiches with juice and some fruit. I knew you didn't have a lot of food here since you were away."

Bella leaned over and kissed him for the first time in the morning. She rubbed his hair before kissing him again. "You are a perfect man, you know that?"

"I'm not perfect, but I will try to be the best man for you. Here," Carlisle said as he held out her robe for her. "Not that I am not enjoying the view, but I thought you'd be more comfortable wearing this."

Bella took the robe as Carlisle sat the tray on the bed. He positioned himself tight next to Bella and kissed her. They began to eat in silence. Bella was the first to break it.

"When are the kids coming home?"

"At noon so I should take off soon. You should come over for dinner."

"You just want me to cook tonight," Bella teased knowing she wasn't right.

"No! Peter would love to see you. He was almost as disappointed with you going away with Edward as I was."

"Almost?" Bella asked.

"Yes almost. What are your plans today?"

Bella smiled back at Carlisle. "I guess I have plans with you and the kids."

The morning progressed quickly. Bella followed Carlisle over in to his house a little before noon. She put looked in the freezer and in the pantry for ideas for dinner. She was reaching for something when Carlisle wrapped his arms around her.

"We'll go out with the kids. Don't cook, spend time with us."

"Are you whining Dr. Cullen?" Bella asked.

"Maybe, just grab something to drink and come read the paper with me. The coffee is made. Come sit with me," Carlisle said pulling at her hand.

Deciding on a water, Bella found a spot next to Carlisle. She snuggled close to him as they read the sports sections. "The Mariners won again. Next season I'm taking Peter to a game. I always promise him but it gets pushed back."

"He'll love that. I used to go with my dad. After my dad died, my mom took us. When she died Ed, Edward's dad, took us."

"Then you'll come with us too," Carlisle said as he kissed her.

"No, I don't want to get in the middle of your time. Maybe by then Charlotte and I will be friendly again and we can spend the day doing girl stuff. We'll just have to go again, all four of us."

Carlisle started at Bella for a few seconds. He shook his head. "I really like it when you consider things like that. That's one of the many reasons I love you Bella."

"I love you too. I love how you consider me part of this family." She paused.

"If I have my way Bella, you will be part of this family, actually you all ready are."

Before Bella could respond, the front door opened. "Dad, I'm home," Peter yelled. He looked over and saw Bella cuddled with his dad and smiled. "Bella! I didn't know you were going to be here. I love my room, thank you so much! It's great! How was your week without us? Are you cooking dinner tonight?"

"Did you get any breathing time in there buddy? Slow down!" Carlisle laughed at his son's enthusiasm.

"I'm glad you liked it Peter. I was going to make dinner but your dad wants to go out."

"No way! I'll make dinner with her and help. It'll be great! We can make-ohh, we can make tacos. We have everything for it. Then we can play games and then-"

Peter's ramblings were interrupted by the slamming of the door. Charlotte looked at her father, brother and then Bella. She rolled her eyes at her before stomping up the stairs. Bella looked at Carlisle.

"I'll talk to her. I guess you and Peter can decide on dinner," Carlisle told her as he began walking up the stairs.

Bella followed Peter into the kitchen. He threw his bag into the laundry room. He washed his hands and found Bella going through the fridge.

"We don't have everything for the tacos, but we could do a baked ziti dish. We have everything for that."

"Are you making your sauce?"

"No, there is some in the freezer we can use. I'll take that out now."

Peter took the sauce out for Bella. "Would you play soccer with me outside? It's nice and-"

"Sure, let's go," Bella smiled as she followed Peter outside. They kicked the ball around for a while before Carlisle came out. He watched and smiled at the scene as he watched. He didn't get through to Charlotte like he wanted to. He knew his daughter though. It would only be a matter of time before she came around, at least he hoped.

Bella looked up and saw Carlisle standing on the deck. She smiled and waved as she called a time out. She ran over to him. "Hey, do you want to take over for me? I have to get dinner started."

"Bella , no! I want to help you. Sorry dad, I want to help Bella. Maybe we can play again later," Peter said as he ran into the house a head of Bella.

Laughing, Carlisle walked over to Bella and smiled. "This is what I meant. He loves you almost as much as I do. He'd rather spend time with you than me."

"Well you can come into the kitchen and learn a thing or two mister," Bella laughed as she leaned into him. She dreaded the next question but needed to know the answer. "How is Charlotte?"

Taking a deep breath, Carlisle wrapped his arm around Bella and pulled her close to him. "I am still sure she will come around. Now, what are you cooking us for dinner?" Bella pulled away and shook her head. Before she had a chance to say anything, Carlisle turned and looked at Bella. "Don't even say it. I deserve to be happy Bella and she will have to get used to things. She will learn to understand that you love her too, I know she will. This is new to her."

"I know how important parents are, mine are gone. I miss them every day. I'm not going to be the cause of a bad relationship between you two. She has lost her mother; I don't want her to feel like I'm going to take you away from her. She's been through enough, I don't need to add to it," Bella explained with her head down.

"Bella, are you coming? I took everything out and am ready to go!" Peter smiled at the screen door.

"She'll be inside in a minute. Let us finish our talk Peter," Carlisle added. He watched Peter go back inside. He looked at Bella. "Do you still want this, us?"

Bella nodded with tears in her eyes. "Yes, of course I do, more than I want anything but I don't want your daughter to hate you or me."

Carlisle squeezed Bella's hand as he kissed her temple. He pulled her into him. "Then why don't we give her a little more time? Bella, I've told you that you've made me so incredibly happy. I love you. I don't want to lose that. Please give her more time, okay?"

Nodding, Bella looked into Carlisle's eyes. "Of course I will give her more time. I don't want to give up on us." She kissed his lips. With her lips still pressed to his, she smiled and spoke. "Now I have to help Peter with dinner before he comes out her and breaks us up. Come with us?"

Smiling, Carlisle "Of course, anything to spend more time with you and Peter."

Peter and Bella made a delicious dinner without incident. Carlisle, Bella and Peter sat at the table while conversing. Charlotte pouted and picked at her dinner. Bella's heart broke Charlotte denied to converse with her. As she and Peter began to clear the table and put the food away, Carlisle moved closer to Bella. He reached for her hand. "You okay?"

Sadly, Bella nodded. "I hope she changes some day soon."

"Just give her time, remember?"

Bella nodded again. "I know, I know. We grew really close to each other and now." Looking up at the close, Bella offered a sad smile. "It's getting late. I should get going soon."

Sitting silently, Carlisle looked at Bella and had a thought. He smiled. "Don't go, stay the night."

"What?"

"Stay the night, with me?" He asked.

Shaking her head, Bella replied. "I don't think that's such a good idea. Charlotte doesn't like it when I am here during the day, but staying the night? I don't know."

"Well, it's my house and I can say who I want in the house and I want you."

"Carlisle, I don't have any clothes or toiletries."

"Problem solved, change into a pair of my lounge pants or boxers and a t shirt and wash your clothes tonight so you can wear them tomorrow. Please Bella, stay?"

Laughing, Bella looked at him. "Were you begging?"

"Yes, I'm not above begging. Come on," Carlisle leaned closer and whispered into Bella's ear. "I loved waking up with you this morning. I want to do it again, over and over again."

"Carlisle, if you think we're going to, while your kids are in the next room-"

"No, I mean, that was good, great, wonderful and I can't wait to experience more with you, but I liked waking up to you. I liked watching you sleep and cuddling when we went to sleep. I loved being with you and I want to be with you again."

After staring at him for a few second, Bella spoke. "We won't do anything?"

Shaking his head. he thought about how he was with Kate for a long time and never felt the fulfillment he had with Bella. Carlisle replied. "I have been so alone for so long, I don't want to be alone any more. I want you to stay over, frequently."

"We'll try it but if Charlotte get upset, I'm going home."

"Promise. You've made me so happy," Carlisle said kissing Bella's cheek.

The rest of the evening was spent watching a movie. Peter popped pop corn and cuddled on the couch with Bella. Before the end of the movie, both children were asleep. Carlisle gently shook them. Peter stumbled up the stairs after saying good night to both Bella and Carlisle. Charlotte followed suit without saying a word to Bella or her father.

Carlisle looked at Bella after he shut off the television and blu ray player. He smiled. "Are you ready for bed?"

"Sure, let's get ready for bed," Bella said following Carlisle upstairs. He laid out a pair of his boxers and a shirt, as promised. While he threw her clothes into the wash, Bella looked around in the room. Elizabeth's side of the room looked as if she had just left it. She touched the necklaces hanging off the organizer. She hadn't heard Carlisle come back into the room as she looked at the top of the dresser.

Carlisle coughed and then spoke softly. "I-I am ready to do something with her stuff. This stuff I'm keep for the kids but there is an entire side of the closet that I want to donate. She had very good taste in clothes and shoes. I'm sure someone could benefit from her belongings." He paused as he pulled Bella into him. He stared at the picture a holiday party. He and Elizabeth in the frame. "I don't know if this is weird, bit I think she would have loved you Bella. It's time. She wouldn't want me to hang on to this stuff for as long as I have. She'd want me to be happy and carry on. It's time."

Bella nodded as she too looked at the same picture. She was silent before she turned to Carlisle. She wrapped her arms around his waist. She spoke quietly. "When you are ready, I will help you. I think you should let the kids help too. Have them keep what they want to. Charlotte might want to keep her wedding dress. We could get a Hope Chest for both of them and keep the things they want in there."

Tears fell from Carlisle's eyes. "I don't know how but I got so lucky with you. I love you so much Bella. That is a great idea and thank you for the idea. We'll have to talk more about it later. Now, lets get ready for bed beautiful."

Bella pulled herself away from Carlisle and began to get ready. She got dressed in his clothes and smiled as she used the new tooth brush to brush her teeth. When she exited Carlisle's bathroom, he laid in bed. The ceiling light was off and the nightstand lights were on. Carlisle was wearing glasses and reading the paper. Bella smiled as she walked over to his side of the bed. She leaned in and kissed him.

"You look sexy in those glasses Dr. Cullen. I like them."

"Thank you. You look lovely in my clothes. Are you ready for bed?"

She nodded as she crawled over him and laid down. She rolled over to her side and looked at Carlisle. "Are you sure this is okay? Me being here, in this bed?"

Carlisle knew that Bella was just asking about his comfort level in the bed that he shared with Elizabeth. "Bella, this bed is fairly new. I bought a new bed when Kate and I got serious. I want another bed. It doesn't seem right to be using this bed."

"Stop it, don't be so silly. As long as the sheets have been changed, I'm good," Bella smiled.

"The sheets have been changed, several times since Kate you smart ass," he teased as Bella laughed. "I love having you here."

"I like being here. I love you," Bella told Carlisle honestly as she leaned up to kiss him.

Carlisle pulled Bella to him. "I love you too Bella."