AN – Here is the next chapter. I will try to update again tomorrow.

I do not own these characters!

EPOV

I had done it, had made love to Bella, we both survived, we both reveled in the feelings. A small part of me understood what we had missed, what I had denied us these past years but it wasn't worth thinking about. I was only going to enjoy the here and the now, the feelings that she brought me that I never knew I was capable of feeling. Knowing the entire time that there was a small part of me that felt guilty, guilty because I knew the true reasons why I choose to do this hear and now. I could see the instant that the question flashed through her eyes but I didn't have the heart to tell her. I didn't have the heart to tell her that now was the right time because after this she would be too sick, too sick to want anything from me other than comfort. This could be our last opportunity to be physical

I didn't want to wallow in regret, regret that it had taken me so long to get to this place, regret about the possibility that I could never get the opportunity again. The passion I had felt for her amazed me, but I was more amazed by the selfless way she gave her self to me, not a single doubt, not a single fear so willing to give me everything, I only had to ask. It made me feel blind, blind to what was so obvious to everyone else. Bella would never miss being human as long as I was with her.

The closer we got to home the more prominent her apprehension became. Her smile was a little less bright, her eyes a little sadder but they still sparkled when she looked at me. Our bond was closer if that was even possible after the days we had just shared together. Her happiness was infectious on the island and it was the time of our lives, I let everything go and just focused on us. But now reality was impending on the little bubble we had surrounded ourselves with.

As our car pulled up to the house she let out a deep sigh and I squeezed her hand. I was hoping the past few days we had spent together had helped to repair out relationship somewhat, helped to remind her that despite my actions that may seem otherwise, that I loved her, with everything that I was I loved her and needed her by my side. I came to her side and opened her door, before she had even registered the open door my lips were on hers. Her reaction was instant, the heart quickening, the blood rushing to her cheeks, the utter warmth. The blood pulsing beneath her skin beckoned me and I drew away. I knew that before this evening I would need to hunt, need that extra protection before I had her in our bed again. I wasn't going to waste any time that we did have, wasn't going to resist her temptation any more; wasn't going to deny her.

She needed a moment to compose herself again. I could feel my family's impatience growing the longer we stood outside but I didn't care. All that mattered was Bella's comfort, everything else was secondary. When she was ready we walked up together, my arm wrapped around her waist, wanting as much of our bodies in contact with each other as possible, never wanting to not feel her warmth next to me.

Everyone was waiting for us as soon as we walked in the door. Their minds racing as it became obvious as to what we had spent the last few days doing. No amount of showering could erase our scents off one another and while Bella was oblivious I knew better than to doubt their knowledge. I just hoped that no one would embarrass her. I would personally take care of anyone who hurt her.

Wow little brother, it's about time I didn't even look in Emmett's direction to acknowledge his comment.

I started to see something but didn't believe it was true, Alice showed me much more than I wanted anyone to see in her mind.

"Come on Bella, we'll have time to talk later, you must be tired after our trip," she looked at me oddly then just nodded. She hugged everyone before she headed up stairs and promised to be down to talk soon.

We walked in the room and she sat on the bed, patting the area next to her, I come over to her.

"What was that about? They know what we've been doing the past three days don't they," her face instantly turned pink and she looked down at her hands. I just nodded, not wanting to say anything to embarrass her further. "You know, I don't care, even I can hear what they do night after night, why shouldn't we be able to?" With that she kissed me, it was full of longing, fear and desperation. I could tell that she was getting worried about the surgery in two days and wanted to feel alive and free.

I laid her down on the bed and lay on my side next to her. Gently I touched her face, tracing every feature with my fingertips, never wanting to forget an inch of her, never wanting to let go of her. I brought my face to her neck and inhaled; her scent still so powerful to me, so potent and yet somehow she survived. I kissed her there and moved up towards her mouth, placing tiny kisses as I went along. Enjoying the reactions that only I could get from her, she only wanted me and that knowledge filled me with pride.

We continued where we had left off on the island and I could tell that she was relieved, relieved that I would still want her once we got home, that it wasn't just a glorious illusion. I tried to show her with my body what she wouldn't believe with my words, the utter bliss she brought to my life. We lay together for a while afterwards, talking quietly until she drifted off to sleep and I showered and headed downstairs, readying myself to face my family.

Walking downstairs I tried to gauge what I would be facing and it was better than I had expected.

Esme was the first to approach me, "Oh Edward, I'm so happy for the two of you, I knew you couldn't hurt her," I mentally added again to the end of the sentence.

"Thanks Esme," I hugged her and went to sit down and face the inquisition. Don't get me wrong, it's nice to have such a close loving family but sometimes there was such a thing as too close. I had never been as open with these things as everyone else was willing to be.

"So, how did your trip go?" Leave it to Carlisle to try to change the subject.

"As well as could be expected, given the circumstances. Her parents are distraught over the news and are still absorbing it," I recalled the heartbreak in their thoughts that they tried to hide from Bella.

"Were they suspicious at all?" Carlisle voiced the concerns that they all had.

"Their minds were questioning but all was quickly forgotten once Bella started talking, I didn't detect any reason to be concerned."

Everyone nodded their heads, relief clear on their faces and in their thoughts.

"So….." I knew where this was going to be going so I tried to prepare myself as I turned towards Emmett. Everyone was waiting, their breath held, wanting to know as well.

"Yes," I could make this easy or hard and I decided to go the hard route.

"Come on Edward, you know what we want," everyone stared intently at me, anticipating my answer.

"Yes, after we went to visit her parents I took her away for a few days. A second honeymoon before all of this overtakes our lives." I didn't need to elaborate on what I had meant.

"I think that that was a great idea, I'm sure Bella appreciated it," Esme's happiness was radiating from her.

I'm sure she really appreciated it, Emmett laughed.

Without thinking I growled at him. He held up his hands.

"Take it easy Edward, we're all happy for you two, it's been long enough," he rolled his eyes. "I'm not even sure how you have managed to wait so long, even with your infamous self control."

I willed myself to calm down, knowing that it wouldn't make it easier on Bella later if I was upset over this whole exchange.

"Look everyone, she knows that you know and she is embarrassed of course. Just take it easy on her please, she has enough to worry about right now," everyone nodded and I felt relieved.

"I have one more thing to discuss before I go and check on her," Alice looked sad, knowing what was coming. "I think it is for the best if Bella and I get our own place after her surgery," all the complaints started at once and I held up my hand to stop everyone. "Please hear me out first, we don't want to get away from you but she is having major surgery and there will be blood loss and an incision that will take time to heal. It is unfair to put any of you in that position and it would be safer for her to be away from the house."

"That is an excellent idea Edward but you will need some help too, you can't be expected to handle the smell day after day without a break, no one has that kind of strength." I knew that Carlisle would be able to logical about this.

"Yes, I would need help but I can't have everyone exposed to this, it's not fair to anyone." He nodded.

"I will come and stay with you too, Esme if she can handle it," she agreed quickly.

"Thank you everyone for understanding," I turned to head back upstairs when someone stopped me.

"Seriously Edward, is she okay?" Emmett while happy for us was concerned about her; he had always been close to Bella.

"From the past few days, yes she is fine. Health wise, no, she is very sick Emmett and I don't know what the future holds." He just put his head down and walked away. Everyone was too afraid to admit what losing Bella would do to our family and didn't want to accept it as a possibility. They were all trying to stay as optimistic as possible and didn't even let the word death enter their minds.

When I walked into the room Bella was just starting to wake up. I watched her silently as she slowly woke up, the way she stretched and yawned was a sight to behold. I wanted to snatch her up and go far away, away from the reality that loomed, away from the pain she would face, I wanted to hold her and never have to let her go.

She saw me watching and smiled. Then a sad look passed over her face.

"What's wrong love?" I tried to read her face as I walked closer to her.

"Just thinking, thinking about how wonderful the last few days were and knowing the reason behind them." Waiting, but not wanting to know where she was going with this I just stood there.

"Edward, I've known you long enough to know that you wouldn't make love to me unless you were worried that you wouldn't have another opportunity," she looked down at her hands, "I'm not regretting what we did, not in the least, just worried about the reasons behind them."

"Bella, you know me too well. I wanted to make it special, to make it everything it wasn't the first time around. I didn't want to wait and possibly miss the chance to show you my love for you, wait until you were too sick to enjoy it. I'm just sorry I waited so long," the tears started to form in her eyes and I wondered how I always ended up hurting her, she was so loving and compassionate and yet I always managed to go out of my way to hurt her.

"I figured as much, I'm sorry you waited so long also but I will always cherish those memories," she walked over to me and hugged me then kissed me gently. "I love you," she whispered and walked away to the bathroom.

She stopped before she closed the door and looked me, a small smile on her face, "Edward, just so you know, while I haven't always thought that I deserved you I have never doubted that you loved me, please understand that." With that she closed the door.

Standing there, staring after her I felt relief, relief that she had never doubted my love for her. I couldn't help but wonder though if love would be enough to save her.

Hope you enjoyed that. The next few chapters are a bit rough so just a warning. More coming tomorrow and thanks again for reading.