Chapter 15
The tall grandfather clock in the lobby echoed in the quiet darkness of the inn.
Two chimes.
Edward had told her to try to sleep . . . that even if he broke every speed limit, it would still be close to four hours before he arrived at Swan Lake. But the butterflies had erupted in her stomach as soon as they'd ended the call, and she'd been too excited to even think about sleeping.
Edward was coming.
He was coming today, anyway, but this was early. Twelve hours or so early.
They'd failed the test. They hadn't even made it four days.
For always.
She'd meant it. Bella knew in her heart that she was crazy. She barely knew him. But they had all the time in the world to get to know each other. She didn't need to know his favorite color or his favorite movie. She didn't need to know his favorite foods or his favorite sports team. Those facts were basic and unimportant.
She knew how he made her feel.
She knew how much she'd missed him.
She knew she wanted him here. With her.
For always.
Bella leaned back on the couch and gazed at the Christmas tree. Their tree. With its sparkling lights and glittering ornaments, it was theirs. It would always be his first tree, but not his last.
The first of many.
For a moment, she allowed her natural insecurities to slip into her mind. Life in Forks was dull. Beautiful, but boring. Could Edward truly be happy here? Would he grow tired of the routine? The monotony? And what about his job? Could he sell insurance in Forks? Or, would he leave his family's company and help her run the inn?
She sighed softly at the thought of that.
What about his family? In time, would they accept her? Would they support his decision?
Would he stay?
For always?
Bella closed her eyes, and that's when she heard the crunching of gravel beneath tires. She sprang from the couch and raced toward the door, flinging it open. Her eyes adjusted to the darkness and that's when she saw him, running from his car and up the sidewalk, before racing up the porch.
And their eyes locked.
He stopped running.
She stopped breathing.
And then suddenly, she was in his arms. Warmth enveloped her as she buried her face against his neck. Edward lifted her up, prompting her to wrap her legs around his waist. They clung to each other.
Quiet whispers. Soft kisses. Gentle sighs.
They could finally breathe.
"Did you mean it?" His voice was just a whisper. "For always?"
Unable to speak, she simply nodded, and he kissed her again.
Deep. Sweet. Loving.
She wrapped her arms around his neck as he walked them inside, kicking the door shut behind them.
No permission was asked. None was granted. Edward simply carried her upstairs, straight to her bedroom, and placed her against the blanket.
She raised herself up and reached for his pants as he slipped his shirt over his head. Bella trailed her fingers along the planes of his stomach, and he shuddered violently. Her clothes were next, and when nothing separated them, he carefully climbed onto the bed.
"I love you, Bella."
Simple. Honest. Beautiful.
"I love you, Edward."
Hands trailed. Fingers explored. Lips discovered. And when Bella was sure she would explode from the touch and feel of him . . .
That's when she did.
She trembled against him and held him close as waves upon waves of pleasure flowed through her, leaving her breathless. Edward cried her name, burying his face against her neck as he found his own release.
xxx
They hadn't slept a wink by the time dawn arrived. They'd done nothing but talk, kiss, and love throughout the early hours of the morning.
"We're crazy," Bella whispered in the darkness. "This is crazy."
"Probably so, but it's right."
She gazed up into his green eyes.
"It is right."
Edward nodded. "Undoubtedly."
"How can you be so sure of me?"
"How can you be so sure of me?"
They smiled at each other.
"I'm sure because I know how I felt when we were apart, and I know how I feel when we're together. The difference is staggering. I'm happy, and I know that sounds trite, but it's true. I've never been happy, so it's very easy to recognize it. You make me happy, and if it means I need to move to Forks to feel this kind of happiness every day of my life, then that's what I'm going to do . . . if you'll let me."
Bella placed her hand against his cheek.
"Please let me," he whispered gently.
She leaned in, kissing him softly.
"I'll let you," she murmured. "Of course I'll let you. But only if you live here. With me."
Edward smiled. "For always?"
"For always."