Mature content warning. I hope you all enjoy this chapter:: I loved writing this one. Undoubtedly, this one and the previous were my favorite to write thus far. You know when everything just starts falling into place? That's what this chapter is about, and I loved it all the more for it. So yeah... I hope you all enjoy =)


Chapter Thirteen, Island Esme

Bella

On Edward's request, I went home to Charlie's, but only to make appearances with my father. He made it perfectly clear that he had spent a long painful few days without me, and now he needed me all to himself for a while.

"If Jacob can take you away for days on end, so can I," Edward was saying.

"What about my school work?" I asked, realizing now just how much I had to have missed.

Edward waved it off. "Jazz was taking care of mine while I was out looking for you, and Rose was taking of yours. I'm sure they can handle doing that for a couple more days."

"What do you mean 'taking care' of it?" I asked, somewhat wary.

"Rose has mastered your handwriting perfectly. And we simply couldn't have you fall behind and then you repeat this grade." He touched my face affectionately at this point. "I have plans for us beyond graduation."

I smiled at the sentiment, but it was hard to imagine Rosalie doing anything good for me. "Are you sure she's helping me pass?"

Edward nodded. "She could probably take your grade to amazing heights considering the amount of times we've been through the high school system, but we thought that might draw too much attention to you. So she's just been maintaining your steady grade point average."

Good to know.

When I got home, Charlie was sitting at the dining table, reading the daily paper. He didn't seem any at all worried about the fact that I had been missing for five days. Whatever Billy was telling him to cover for my absence must have been pretty damn convincing.

An angry vein pulsated in me at the thought of Billy Black. Never had I been more disgusted with anyone before. True, I never quite liked him the first place, but I certainly held no affection for him now. No parent should pressure their kid the way he was putting a hold on Jacob. To think that half of the drama between Jake and I had come from that man was enough to put me over the edge.

But I tried not to think about it too much. Jake and I had finally had a long needed conversation, and while I couldn't say for sure what was going to come out of it, at least everything that needed to be said, had been said. Everything else would just have to come in stride.

"Hey Dad," I called to him.

Charlie looked up from his newspaper and smiled at me. "Bells, hey. Did you have fun with Jacob?"

I laughed. "I wouldn't exactly call it 'fun', but it was interesting."

"Did you two get a chance to settle your differences?"

I nodded. "That much we did do, Dad."

"Well I'm glad to hear it," Charlie said with a grin. "Be sure to give Edward a call. He came here every night since you were gone, wondering if you were back yet. I figure he was mighty worried about you taking off the way you did."

I smiled on the inside. "I spoke to him," I said. "In fact, he wants me to take away for a little while."

Charlie frowned slightly. "What about your schoolwork?"

"Don't worry," I said. "Edward has been keeping up on that for me, and he promised to continue to do so while we're gone."

Immediately, Charlie's frown melted away. "Do you know where you're going?"

"Surprise he says," I replied.

Charlie nodded, his expression thoughtful for a second. Then he said, "You know Bella, I really like Edward. He's a good kid, and he cares about you tenfold. And I guess that's what every father wants in his daughter's boyfriend – a man that loves his daughter as much as he does."

"Dad, are you getting sappy?" I teased.

Charlie blushed at my words, but he continued on, "I just wanted to let you know how I was felt. After these few days while you were out with Jacob, I saw just how much Edward does care about you. And I like that for you." He paused for a moment. "I like him for you," he added with some finality.

The words meant a lot to me, and I had to blink back some tears of emotion. "Thanks, Dad. I really appreciate that."

Charlie nodded, and then gave me a stern point. "Make sure you're still being safe. The last thing we need is an accident around here, and you know what I mean."

I felt my entire face flush. "Oh Dad, please."

Charlie gave me a wink, before turning back to his newspaper. I rushed up the stairs to my bedroom. I had showered, washed my hair and been clothed while I was still at the Cullens', but I changed into my own clothing before collapsing on my bed, choosing an simple green haltered summer dress. The mattress was so soft, such a welcome change from forest floors and cave walls. I almost forgot why I had come back to my room in the first place – certain that it couldn't have been for anything else than sleep.

Except even as I curled up on my bed, my mind wandered to Edward, which prompted me to get back to the task at hand.

Edward wouldn't tell me anything except that we were going somewhere warm, even though I did my best job at begging for another hint. I packed all my Phoenix clothes in a small suitcase, and tossed in my one swimsuit just in case we'd be near a beach.

I was excited to be "somewhere warm" with Edward – it had been so long since I had been in the sun, and Edward looked beautiful in the light. Plus: I was going to be with Edward – that alone was enough to leave me all smiles. I just wondered where we were going: if Edward glinted the way he did in the sun, how could we possibly go somewhere warm without anyone noticing the shimmering speckles in his skin?

I didn't dwell on the thought too much though: I knew Edward would pull it off somehow, and I was just excited for what the outcome would be.

Once I was packed with clothing and toiletries, I went back downstairs. Charlie had moved to the kitchen by now, stirring a pot of food.

I chuckled a little. "My dad, cooking," I teased.

"Yes well, I had to learn a little something while you were gone," Charlie said with a laugh.

"Well, I should be back in a couple of days," I said with a shrug.

"Make sure you're keeping up with your school work Bella," Charlie said warningly. "This is your last year at high school, one the most important years in your educational career."

"Don't worry, Dad," I said. "I promise that it's under control." At least, Edward says it's under control, and I trust him.

"Okay, well then have fun."

"And be safe right?" I asked, poking fun.

"And always be safe," Charlie said with a grin.

I gave Charlie a quick hug before heading towards the door. Edward was already parked outside, leaning against the car door. He looked up at the sound of my front door closing and rushed over to me quickly to take my suitcase from me. As he put it in the backseat, I went towards the passenger door to climb inside. Again, Edward was at my side in a flash, opening the door for me and helping me in.

"I'm still functional you know Edward," I said jokingly.

His expression was serious as he stooped down. "I know," he said touching my knee affectionately. "I just…I'm just so happy that you're here."

"So you missed me, huh?" I teased.

He frowned. "Don't play with me Bella."

I picked up the sternness of his tone and shrunk away slightly. "Sorry," I said. I guess it was too soon to be making jokes.

Edward's hard expression remained for another nanosecond before it melted into the crooked smile that I adored. He leaned forward slightly and pressed his lips against mine, very sweet and innocently. I sighed through my nose and titled my head into his. He nibbled at my bottom lips just before pulling away, and I found myself sighing for the second time.

"What was that for?" I asked softly.

"Because I love you," he replied, gently tucking my hair behind my ear and caressing the side of my face.

I blushed with glee as he walked around to the other side of the car and got in. The engine came to life in a soft purr, and we pulled away from my house.

"So where are we going?" I asked once we were on the highway.

"It's still a surprise," he said.

"A warm surprise?"

"A very warm surprise," he added with a grin.

I wasn't surprised when we pulled up to an airport – certainly to get somewhere warm meant leaving Forks. But I was surprised when I realized it wasn't the national airport, but a private hangar. Just how much money did the Cullens have?

Edward talked to a couple of important officials while I waited behind him with my pulley suitcase in hand. Finally we were lead to a sleek and beautiful jet plane that was even more beautiful and sleek on the inside. Plush seats and sophisticated interior in a formal beige color. He packed our suitcases away in the luggage compartments while I got comfy in one of the seats.

Edward slipped into the seat next to me and took my hand. "It's going to be a long flight," he told me. "A solid couple of hours. You might want to get some rest."

I was too pent up with excitement to rest. I was in a luxury plane, flying to some distant tropical land, with the love of my life. I turned towards Edward and slipped an arm around his neck, pulling him down into a soft kiss. He returned my advance with one of his own, easing my lips open with his tongue as his hand came to rest on my thigh. Our tongues danced effortlessly, my body tingling every time they touched one another. There was an armrest between us, and I was trying to pull Edward closer to me, it was becoming a little too apparent and in the way.

"Let's move this," I suggested softly, lifting the arm rest.

"Feeling frisky, aren't we?" Edward teased.

"Don't tease me Edward," I said, grabbing onto shirt to pull him on top of me, my legs parting easily to accommodate him.

He kissed me heavily, his hands inching their way up the skirt of my dress. I put my hands to work as well, reaching down to undo the button of his jeans and pull the zipper. Underneath the material of his boxers, I could feel his member throbbing. My body shivered with anticipation as Edward's hands closed around my own underwear and pulled it down.

His kiss dropped from my mouth to my neck as his fingers worked on my flesh. I squirmed and moaned, my eyes fluttering closed and my breathing heavy, tickled with the sensations of Edward's tongue on my neck and one of his fingers beginning to dart in and out of my body. I worked my hips against his finger, and then he slipped another finger inside me. With his free hand, he reached towards the back of my dress and undid the tie. With my breasts now exposed, Edward's mouth moved further down to my right breast, tongue flicking over the nipple, while his fingers continued to work.

I gasped at his contact with my breast, and several moans left me as his sucking on my breasts got harder. I bit my bottom lip and rocked my hips even harder into his quick thrusting fingers, pushing myself closer to my approaching orgasm. My body shook, and the walls of my pussy clenched around his fingers.

So close. "Edward," I breathed. So fucking close. "Jesus, Edward."

My orgasm was explosive, and I wailed with satisfaction. Edward covered my noise with a deep kiss, pulling his fingers out of me slowly before putting his hands on my dress and pulling it off me completely. I watched, completely naked and lying in post-orgasmic bliss, as he removed his shirt and dragged off his jeans. His member, strong and proud, stood at perfect attention, a small bead of precum already dabbing the tip of his head.

I lurched myself forward and put the head of his shaft into my mouth, sucking on that beautiful bead before taking as much of his rod in my mouth as I could. Edward let out a primal groan, and I heard him fiddling with a wrapper as I moved my head back and forth on his shaft, tightening my mouth as much as possible. Soon, he pulled himself from my mouth and made me lie back down, rolling a condom on as he did.

My head came down on the other armrest, and he placed his hands on either side of my head, grabbing tightly onto the armrest. With incredible ease, I could feel him dipping in between my womanly folds, filling me completely. I moaned as he pushed his way inside me with slow certainty, until every inch of him was in my body.

"God, Edward," I said in a breathless moan.

"Jesus," Edward whispered. "I missed everything about you. I missed you so much."

The plane was taking off, but I was hardly aware if my ears were beginning to pop with the climbing altitude. Edward began pumping in and out of me at a slow sure pace, as if each entry inside me was the first time, a new exploration of my body. My back arched and my hands reached grabbed hold of his wrists, my breathing becoming heavy all over again. Edward continued his slowly easing in and out of my body, pleasing my body while tantalizing me at the same time. I wanted so desperately for him to become relentless, but I wanted all the same for us to continue like this forever.

Edward let out a low groan, which prompted me to look up at him. The electricity in the connection of our eyes was enough to make me explode again on the spot. My body squeezed, which made Edward's eyes roll back and a fierce moan escaped my throat. My body buckled with a climax, but I was hardly given a chance to recover. Edward removed a hand from the armrest to lift my leg up to his shoulder. Holding tightly onto it, he began pumping faster into me, making my body shake again.

"Edward," I moaned desperately. "Edward, Christ, Edward."

"Bella," he groaned, still thrusting into me. "My one true love."

"God, I love you," I murmured as my back arched again. "I love you so much."

"And I love you," he whispered, "so much."

His thrusting had taken on the fierceness I had been hoping for, and my body squeezed around him to welcome it. Edward's hold on my lifted leg was strong, and he brought his other hand around it as well, leaving me to grasp desperately at the chair and the armrest and whatever else I could get fingers on. Edward watched me possessively, drinking in my body with a passion that was setting me on fire. I rocked my hips against him as he continued to pound feverishly into my body, lips parting in desperate moans and erotic calls of Edward's name. We rocked in perfect time with one another, meeting each other's stroke perfectly and passionately, until we both climaxed simultaneously with amazing satisfaction. We were both left gasping for air, eyes locked on one another. The emotion in Edward's eyes was enough to bring me to tears. And as he came down towards me, resting his head on my chest, I brought my hand to his hair, pulling my fingers through it affectionately, I wondered at how things could possibly feel any better than this.

Edward

I watched as Bella slept, curled up in the beige chairs with a blanket I had thrown over her to cover her nakedness. Her expression was so tranquil, yet so happy, that if it were possible, it would have been enough to bring my dead heart back to life. And yet, I felt incredibly alive each every time I was with Bella, as if this dead heart was beating strongly. I watched her sleep: she sighed every once in a while and murmured my name, bringing a smile to my face. I gently stroked her rich chestnut hair and pulled it away from her face. She let out another 'Edward' murmur as she moved around again in the chair to make herself comfortable. I finally pulled myself away from her and headed to another seat, looking out of the window. We seemed to be nearing Island Esme – my little surprise for Bella. About another hour or so I gathered. I reclined in the seat and ran a hand over my hair.

This was going to be perfect – it had to be perfect.

Those five days without Bella proved to be the hardest five days of my life. I couldn't think, couldn't feed, couldn't do anything but run. From the night that I had jumped out the window, I made no qualms about going back home. Even as Alice tried to contact me as I tore through all of Forks, I couldn't make a point to reply. The only thing on my mind was Bella – where was she? Was she okay? What had that dirty fucking mutt done to her? Disastrous scene after disastrous scene entered my mind: Bella lying cold in the middle of the forest, Bella surrounded by a murderous pack of wolves, Bella wandering lost, crying, calling for me, wondering why I don't come rescue her from the horrible situation she was in.

I wanted to. I didn't feed, even though I was basically dying of thirst. Every delectable animal that I came across went practically unnoticed, with my mind completely focused on Bella. Alice tried to remind me to feed, that I wouldn't be at my best if I was only working at half-tank. But she went ignored, even though she was probably right. I couldn't think straight, couldn't function, not without knowing for sure that Bella would be okay.

Bella….

I even left the state of Washington on my search, wondering if maybe the mutt had covered more ground. I couldn't understand why I couldn't hear his thoughts, and wondered if there were more pockets – like my meadow – where all thoughts could be blocked. I traveled down to Oregon, covered California, went east through Nevada and Utah before trying to circle back towards Washington.

Where was my Bella?

Where the fuck was my Bella?

It wasn't until the fifth day when I was retracing my steps in Washington, when I got Alice's vision of Jacob bringing her back. I was fully prepared to cut the fucking mutt off and murder him on the spot, but Alice begged me to come home: she and Jacob have talked, and things are peaceful between them. She's fine Edward, she just wants to see you without any confrontation.

I wanted anything Bella wanted, so I returned home and waited patiently for her arrival, posted at window. Once I finally saw them coming, I raced out to meet them. Or rather, meet Bella. She looked frail and underfed, but I was too moved by her presence to worry about those things. I had never been so glad to see someone alive before. I pulled her as close to me as I could without breaking her, unable to control my emotions. My eyes burned, as if I wanted to cry – I knew if I could I would be. I was just so fucking happy that she was alright, that she was here in my arms again.

"I never want to be without you again," I whispered in her ear as we held each other.

I had to thank Jacob, even though a few minutes ago I was fully prepared to rip him into thin strips. I was just so happy to have Bella with me again, that it didn't matter that she had been delivered in the hands of the perpetrator. And I knew, as much as I wished it wasn't so, that Jacob meant a great deal to Bella. And whatever was important to my Bella, was officially important to me.

Including her transformation.

I never wanted to be without Bella again.

And soon, hopefully, I wouldn't have to.

*

When we arrived at Island Esme, Bella was in complete awe. I had forgotten just how beautiful this place was, the sky tinted a gorgeous orange with the sun, the greenery of the palm trees against the light brown of the sand and the dark blue waters lapping against the beach. I took her to the villa Carlisle and I had built here long ago, tucked away behind a few of the trees.

"This place is lovely," she said in awe, as we entered the villa.

"Hopefully this won't be our last time here," I whispered.

"What do you mean by that?" she asked playfully.

"That will have to wait, my dearest," I said with a wink, gently pinching her cheek.

Bella rolled her eyes, but her apparent glee made warm all over. We settled into the bedroom before changing into swimwear. I tried to hide my thorough appreciation for Bella's hot pink bikini, keeping my back to her until I could calm my growing erection. We headed down to the beach, hand in hand, before I lifted Bella off her feet and threw her into the warm ocean water. She went under with a loud laugh, and I dove under to met her. We played and splashed and tousled in the water for hours, and even had some sexy underwater kissing done, until we were all tired out. Or at least, until she was all tuckered out, and night had finally fallen.

Once we were back inside the villa, I went to take a shower after Bella turned down my offer of going first. I let myself refocus as I stood under the hot spray. Things had started perfectly, and I already felt that there would be no perfect time than right now to take things to the next level.

"Edward?"

Bella's soft voice entered my head, and I turned around just in time to see Bella stepping into the shower, completely nude. I had seen Bella naked countless times by now, but the sight never ceased to satisfy me. Her figure was flawless and her curves were just right for her frame. The sight was also more than enough to turn me on.

"I thought I could wash your back for you," she said in a suggestive tone, her face red with blush.

I lifted her off the floor and instinctively her legs wrapped around my waist. "Did you now?" I replied with a grin. "Just wash my back?"

"And maybe other things," she said in a whisper, and I knew she could feel my member pressing against her warm flesh.

I pressed her against the shower wall. "I like other things," I told her just before slipping easily inside her.

She let out a long, beautiful moan as her hands clawed into my shoulders, and replied, "Me too."

Bella

I woke up in the king-sized bed, a smile on my face. The last couple of events replayed sweetly in my mind: the quick sexual encounter in the shower, the shift from the shower to the bedroom. Edward's hands, Edward's lips, Edward's…I knew I was blushing when my mind went there. No matter how many times we would lie together, I don't think I could ever really get over the fact that I was making love with someone who I was actually in love with. I had heard enough horror stories from people who were having sex with people that they hardly cared about: only doing it to get off. I was being loved by someone who loved me and whom I loved. Things didn't really get better than that.

Dawn seemed to be coming in through the window, and I supposed I slept longer than I thought. I could make out Edward's silhouette over by the dresser.

"I wish, just once, that I could wake up before you," I said playfully.

"You know I don't sleep," he said, his tone matching mine.

"I know, but do you think you could pretend, so that I can get up before you?"

He smiled at me, that adorable crooked smile. I watched as he slipped something in his pocket before saying, "You wanna take a walk?"

I sat up, my body awake all over again. I was certain about what Edward had slipped into his pocket, and the warmth coming to life between my legs was more than ready. "Okay," I said slowly. "We can take a walk."

He grinned at me, walking over to help me out of bed and waiting patiently while I changed into a pair of sweatpants and a tank top.

It was beautiful outside, the sky lightening slowly with the dawn and the ocean waves peacefully breaking on the sand. We rolled up our pants and walked along the water's edge, holding hands as we did.

"You know, I'm happiest when I'm with you," Edward said quietly.

"I know the feeling," I replied.

"When Jacob took you away, I had never been more scared," he paused. "I was terrified that I was going to lose the one person that really matter in my entire existence. The last person I had ever loved the way I loved you was my mother. When Carlisle had transformed me, only to tell me that he was too late for her…." Edward's voice trailed off, and I could see the pain etched in his face.

I walked around to step in front of him, putting my hands on his shoulders. "You will never have to worry about losing me Edward," I told him. "You'll always have me."

"I know," he said quietly. "I'll always have you…if you let me."

With the waves still rushing up onto our feet, I watched as Edward lowered before me, down onto one knee. Immediately, my heart started pounding away rapidly, so loud that it was in my ears. I wasn't even sure if I was still breathing, as I watched Edward's hand go back into the pocket he had slipped something in just before we left. It wasn't a condom, as I had expected, but a small box – a ring box.

"Bella," his voice was low and hoarse. He opened the box and a beautiful square cut diamond ring sat in the center of the silk-lain interior. "I don't ever want to be without you again. I want to love you, and only you, for as long as I possibly can and in the best way I possibly can. You're my perfect match, my other half, and my existence would be incomplete without you."

"Edward," I let out in a breath. Tears were streaming from my eyes and my hands covered my mouth.

"Bella." He looked up at me, golden eyes filled with emotion. "Will you marry me?"

I had been nodded furiously since he said my name, but now, once the question was out, I said repeatedly, "Yes! Yes! Yes!"

He rose from the sand and lifted me off the ground, twirling me around as I locked my arms around his neck. We kissed, we squeezed, we held each other as tightly as possible. I couldn't believe how in love I was this man. I couldn't believe how in love he was with me. I couldn't believe that we were going to get married.

"Right after graduation," he whispered to me, as he put me back down. "In the backyard: Alice will design the whole thing the way you want it to look. It will be beautiful, perfect, only the best for my only love."

I smiled brightly. "I don't care where it happens so long as you're the one waiting for me at the aisle."

He kissed me again, slowly and passionately, before taking the ring out of the box and slipping it onto the designated finger. It glinted in the rising sun. I couldn't stop the tears of joy from flowing, still in a state of blissful disbelief.

Somehow, things had become even more perfect.

"I love you Edward Cullen,"

"And I love you," Edward replied with a smile. "Bella Cullen."


Always grateful and appreciative for reviews!

--Brin--