Sorry it took some time to post this. Things got busy here. So please be kind and take the time to review this chapter.

Chapter 7 The red strokes

Moonlight on canvas, midnight and wine
Two shadows starting to softly combine
The picture they're painting
Is one of the heart
And to those who have seen it
It's a true work of art
Oh, the red strokes
Passions uncaged
Thundering moments of tenderness rage
Oh, the red strokes
Tempered and strong (Fearlessly drawn)
Burning the night like the dawn
Steam on the window, salt in a kiss
Two hearts have never pounded like this
Inspired by a vision
That they can't command
Erasing the borders
With each brush of a hand
Oh, the red strokes
Passions uncaged
Thundering moments of tenderness rage
Oh, the red strokes
Tempered and strong (Fearlessly drawn)
Burning the night like the dawn
Oh, the blues will be blue and the jealousies green
But when love picks its shade it demands to be seeN
Oh, the red strokes
Passions uncaged
Thundering moments of tenderness rage
Oh, the red strokes
Tempered and strong (Fearlessly drawn)
Burning the night like the dawn
Oh, the red strokes
Passions uncaged
Thundering moments of tenderness rage
Oh, the red strokes
Tempered and strong (Fearlessly drawn)
Burning the night like the dawn
Steam on the window, salt in a kiss
Two hearts have never pounded like this

The last two months have been wonderful, work was great, my home life was great, and things with Edward were great. I noticed some changes in myself. I'm happier, more carefree; I was spending more time on the weekdays with Rose and Alice. Between you, me and the lamppost, I was starting to like going shopping with them. I would never tell them that. On our shopping trip, I would always stop and think "Would Edward like this."

I noticed my feelings for Edward getting stronger. I felt them changing. They were going from wanting him to needing him. It got to the point I could not see my life without him. There was also something stronger slow starting to come to the surface. I have not quite figured it out, but it is a strong feeling, one I cannot deny. Our weekend together was remarkable. There was nothing in the world like Edward's soft, strong, perfect lips on mine. I could not believe the safety I feel in his arms. I felt a high every time Edward was around me, his sweet words, he was always tell me how unbelievable I was just added to that high. He made me feel like a million dollars. He would always remind me all week on the phone what he thought of me. He always called me beautiful, amazing, and wonderful. He had me believing it. I truly felt special.

There is this electricity around Edward and I. It started out I only felt with a touch from him. Now I could feel it every time he was around. I knew when he walked into a room I was in before I saw him. Just being in the same room with him sent my whole body tingling. Now his touches sent my whole body aflame. We got a routine going on the weekends. Friday we would get take-out and movies and just lay around all night. Saturday we would spend the morning with Alice and Emmett. Then at night just Edward and I would go out. On Sunday we would meet the family for brunch.

Each weekend Edward planed out our date night. We did the normal date things, like movie and dinner. We also have dinner then shopping or dinner and the theater. I was happy just spending time with him. I could just sit around the house all weekend with him and I would be happy. I don't think there has been a time in my life where I have been this happy. I was never this happy with James or growing up. There has always seemed there was something missing in my life that kept me from being truly happy. Now it feels like I found what was missing. My life seemed complete now. I felt whole, like my missing half was back. I think it is all because Edward was in my life. Can one person really make that big of a change in your life? I think so.

Friday was the normal dinner and DVD night. Edward and I talked about our week. We would curl up on the couch, followed by watching movies. As normal I fall asleep on him. But I always woke in the morning in his arms. Sometimes it was still on the couch and sometimes it was in his or my bed, but always with him. Saturday we visited Alice and Emmett. Then Edward and I went for a run and went to the gym. I was really enjoying have a work out buddy. We got home and got ready for our date. Once again Edward would not tell me what he had planned. So I showered and dressed not knowing what to wear. I settled with a blue wrap around dress. Edward had said many times he loved me in blue. I matched it with a pair of black out toe heels. I left my hair down with long curls in it. Edward was his handsome self. He was wearing black slacks and a gray v-neck sweater. I notices Edward was drive out towards his parents house. It confused me. I thought we were going out. I didn't say anything until we turned up their long drive.

"I thought your parents were out of town until tomorrow?" I asked.

"They are. I have a little something planed for us here tonight." Edward said with his crooked smile.

Esme and Carlisle lived in a nice sized house, but they have a lot of land. Edward turned down a side road that took you to a lake. As I remembered the lake was beautiful. It has a small island in the middle. There was always duck around the lake and all kinds of birds. Sometimes you could see a few deer's roaming around. There was also a dock and a row boat. Esme keep the lake stocked with fish so Carlisle and the boys could fish. Edward pulled up by the lake, the site took my breath way. The little island had 2 trees on it; they were light up with what looked like white Christmas lights. Edward came around the car and opened my door for me. He helped me out of the car.

"Edward, it is beautiful. How did you do this?"

"I have my ways." Edward gave that crooked smile again.

Edward took my hand and led me down to the dock. He helped me into the row boat and then got in himself. His sweater was tight enough that I could see his muscles move as he rowed us over to the island. I could not help but stare at him. He got us over to the island and helped me out of the boat. Edward had a blanket spread out on the ground with a picnic basket. Edward walked over to the basket and got something out. He turned around.

"These are for you." Edward then handed me a dozen red roses.

"Oh, Edward, they're beautiful. I don't remember the last time someone gave me roses."

"They are not as beautiful as you." Edward said take my face in his hand and kissed me softly.

That strong slowly creeping feeling was getting closer to me figuring out what it was. The more sweet things Edward did the stronger and close it came to coming out.

"Edward, you are too sweet to me." I pressed my lips to his again.

"You deserve it. Let sit and eat."

We had a great picnic dinner and wine. We talk and enjoyed just being together. After we ate we laid on the blanket and looked at the stars. I rolled over to put my head on Edward's chest.

"So how did your first week go with your assistant?" I asked. Edward had not talked about her much this week.

"She seems okay. We didn't talk much outside of our meetings. I don't know why I need a assistant. I was doing fine on my own."

"Maybe you boss is trying to make things easier for you."

"I don't know. I like keeping my files and taking my own notes."

"So what is she like?"

"She seems nice enough. She keeps to herself. I only see her at meeting and at the end of the day when we go over her notes. Besides that she's always off doing her own thing."

"At least she not is hitting on my man." I said with a small laugh.

"That she's not." Edward laughed back, holding me tighter to him.

I pulled myself up closer to his lips and pressed my to his. I could kiss him forever. I started to feel my body warm up when Edward's tongue entered my mouth and deepen our kiss. He could always make my body sing. He rolled us over and started to trail kisses down my neck. He made his way to my ear.

"Bella, I--I---I- really care a lot about you." Edward whispered in my ear.

"I know Edward; I care a lot about you too." I really thought he was going to say something else. He pulled away from me.

"I think it is time to go." He stood and held his hand out from me.

"Okay." I was a little stung by him suddenly stopping, but I took his hand.

We pick up our stuff and headed home.

EPOV

Things in my life are amazing. My relationship with Bella was going better then I ever thought it would. Work and my personal life was working out great. The effect Bella had on me was unbelievable. I felt like a whole new man. I felt like the weight of the world was lifted for my shoulders. I felt lighted, happier. My work was improving. I boss called me to tell how impressed he was with my work lately and to tell me he was giving me a assistant. I never believed my work life and a personal life could work out so well.

Bella made me feel good about myself. Just being around her made me feels like I could take on the world. She made me feel ten feet tall and bullet proof. Just seeing the changes in Bella, made me proud. Like, look what I did. I know I brought out those changes in her. It just went to prove to me, we were made for each other. I know I care a lot for Bella. I would not say I was in love with Bella, but I was starting to think twice about that. My feelings were too strong. I wanted to be with her all the time. I hated the time we spent apart. I'm starting to really think I could not live without her. If I could not see my life without, then how do I truly feel for her?

Bella and I spent Friday together like we normally do. I picked her up from the house and we got take-out and movies. We sat on the floor to eat and talk. Then curled up together on the couch and watched movies. As always Bella fall asleep. A few weeks ago, Bella started to dress for bed before we started the movie because she always fall asleep on me. So like always I carried her to bed. Saturday morning I woke like I always want to wake in the morning. Bella's head laying on my chest with my arms wrapped around her and surrounded by her scent. She always smelt so sweet, like berries. But she also smelt like flowers. She smelt heavenly. I got up and made breakfast. Then we headed over to spend time with Alice, then over to see Emmett. When at Emmett's I pull him aside.

"Hey Em, can you do something for me?" I asked.

"Sure, what can I do for you?"

"I want to surprise Bella with a picnic tonight. Could you pull something together for me? I want to have out on the island."

"Bro, she would love that."

I wrote out a list of what I wanted and told his a few things I was thinking. He said he would take care of it for me. It been awhile since I did anything real special for Bella. After our run, and work-out. We showered and dressed for our night out. When we got to the lake Bella was surprised. We had a nice dinner and then lay under the stars. It was so peaceful. I could never get too much of her. While lying under the stars kissing my beautiful Bella I got a little carried away. She had my feeling spinning. I hit me like a ton of bricks. I'm in love with her. I almost told her. It rattled me a little. I ended our night and hurried us home. I really need to think this through.

As we laid in to bed that night, Bella noticed something was off with me.

"Edward, is something wrong?" Bella asked looking up at me from her placed on my chest.

"No, just thinking."

"You want to talk about it?"

"Where do you see us going?" I decided to ask the hard question.

"To be honest, I don't know what you think. For me, I can't see my life without you. You have made me so happy; I don't want to be without you. I don't think I would like myself without you." She told me kindly sheepishly.

"You have made such a change in my life; I don't want to go back." I gave her a kiss. I was not really ready for this talk. I just needed to see where she stood.

"Good night, beautiful."

"Good night, handsome."

In the morning we went to brunch with my family. They we took a walk and hung out at the park. I thought about tell Bella how I felt before I left. I really wanted to, but I just didn't think the time was right. Bella and I sat down to a great dinner she made us. I notice something different in her eyes tonight. I was taken back a little by it. I stared into her eyes for a good 10 minutes just reading the emotions in them. There was the thought I already knew she had for me there. Caring, concern, lust and compassion, but the one that had me taken back, was love. It was the strongest one. How could I be so blessed to have her love me. I left Bella that night knowing there was one thing I had to do next weekend. I had to tell her I love her.