Chapter 24: Merry Christmas, Baby

BPOV

So many thoughts raced through my mind during that last week of school as I tried to sort out my feelings once and for all. The gossip didn't bother me anymore; that was just high school. But the last few weeks and all that had changed was still something that I struggled to come to terms with at times.

The night of Edward's induction was probably the worst I'd had to endure since the night he told me he was joining the Army. His departure was no longer a matter of if; it was a matter of when. At least now I knew I had until August with him. There was no more uncertainty, and in some respects, it was better this way. I wasn't dangling in midair anymore. I had my feet firmly on the ground with a definite direction. Now the only worry I had was making the next eight months count, making sure he knew what was waiting for him back home. And that night, as I stood at the bottom of those stairs in his arms, feeling him hold me as if I were his lifeline; I decided exactly what I was going to get him for Christmas. The holiday had snuck up on me with the overwhelming rush of events surrounding me these past few months.

I had just finished wrapping it and putting it in the bag to take to the Cullens tomorrow when I heard a car door close outside and footsteps coming up the walk. By the time I reached the top of the stairs, the front door was swinging open.

"Bella?" Charlie called into the house, setting down several bags in the foyer.

I came to the bottom of the stairs and placed my hands on my hips. "Nothing like waiting until the last minute, huh?" I teased and laughed as he gave me a sarcastic look. While my procrastination around the holidays was somewhat odd, it was nothing new for Charlie.

It was almost as much of a tradition as Christmas itself. Every year, he would come home on Christmas Eve with armfuls of bags, and then after dinner, he would disappear into his room for hours. Around midnight, he would emerge to find me sleeping on the couch in front of It's a Wonderful Life and set the presents up under the tree before waking me up to open them.

"You need help with anything?"

"Nice try, Bells," he replied with a smirk and I snapped my fingers in feigned disappointment, causing him to laugh softly. My relationship with my dad had changed dramatically over the last few months. The fact that his little girl was not only driving, but now also dating had hit him hard at first. Soon it would be college and starting my own life; leaving my dad alone. Although he was a quiet man, I knew that he was not particularly looking forward to a completely silent house. Though he was trying harder not to show it, I caught the glances he would give Edward whenever he would drop me off after school or from one of our dates. He was going to have a bad case of the 'empty nest' syndrome when the time came, that was for sure.

"I got everything on your list for dinner though."

My smile widened and I think I may have even bounced lightly before hurrying over to grab the bag to which he had nodded. If there was one tradition I truly did enjoy about Christmas, it was making dinner for us, curling up on the couch to eat and watching the lights on the tree. The only time of the year we ate anywhere but the kitchen. I unpacked everything from the bags and laid them out over the counter and I went about making dinner.

A few hours later, dinner was ready and I had made my pies both for my dad and for dinner tomorrow at Edward's house. I brought our plates into the living room and stopped in the doorway.

My dad stood in front of the tree, fingering a familiar ornament. It was a small crystal frame; inside was a family picture with my mom taken the last Christmas we spent together. I set the plates down on the coffee table and walked over to him, placing my hand on his arm and he turned his head to look at me.

"She loved you so much, Bella. She really would have been so proud of you," he said suddenly in a soft voice. I looked up at him slowly, finding it odd that he had brought up my mom so willingly. He kissed my forehead and tears were trailing down his cheeks. "I'm sorry I've been so tough on you lately. I know that Edward is a nice boy but you have to understand, you're still my little girl. And it's just a little hard to watch you grow up."

"I know, Dad," I whispered gently and stared at the picture of my mother. "She'd be proud of you too. You've done a great job."

"I know I need to let you go a little more than I do," he replied and I wasn't entirely sure he heard what I had said, or if he was blocking it out again. I didn't know that there was ever going to be a time that he would feel fully comfortable talking about my mom, as it was still obvious in his eyes how much he still loved and missed her after all these years. He looked down at me and brushed his hand over my hair. "I'll try harder when it comes to Edward. I can see how much you mean to that young man and vice versa, and with the exception of this Army business, I have never seen you happier. All I want is for you to be happy, Bella. I just don't want to see you rush into something that you will end up regretting."

"I'm not rushing into anything, Dad," I said and shook my head, taking his hand and bringing him over to the couch. We sat down slowly and I grabbed his plate, handing it to him. "I still have two and a half years of high school left. It's not like I'm rushing off to Vegas to elope and start popping out babies."

Charlie chuckled and shook his head, settling himself in to eat.

"Well, that's good," he replied and I could see his face begin to redden slightly while his eyes focused on the plate in front of him. "So what time are you leaving tomorrow?"

I looked over at him curiously at his change of topic and stumbled for a moment on what to say. "Umm, I'm not sure. I guess I'm just going to call Edward when I'm ready to go in the morning. I'm not seven anymore, I like to sleep in even if it is Christmas."

He smiled softly and nodded as we ate the rest of our dinner in a comfortable silence, watching the flickering lights on the tree. Charlie's words tonight actually meant a lot to me. I wanted him to like Edward and for things not to be so awkward whenever he came to see me. Even though it wasn't a promise, he was going to try. I couldn't expect him to stop being a father wanting to protect his daughter.

After dinner, the routine began. Charlie went upstairs to wrap presents and I curled up on the couch to watch my movie. My eyes began to droop halfway through It's a Wonderful Life and once again, the sound of my father coming downstairs with the presents woke me slightly. I felt a gentle shake of my shoulder, and I peeked my eyes open to find my father's smiling face. "Time to wake up."

I sat up and stretched slightly, and he set the first present in my lap. I pulled at the ribbon and opened the box to reveal a leather case. I pulled it out and opened it to reveal an expensive charcoal and pencil set. I teared up slightly and looked at him. I had wanted one of these for a long time but had only mentioned it once a few weeks ago.

"Dad, this is... gorgeous. But it's so much."

He interrupted me by shaking his head and resting his hand on mine. "I've noticed you've been drawing a lot more lately. You have such amazing talent, Bella. You shouldn't squander it."

I smiled at him and stood up off the couch, rushing over to the tree to grab one of my presents for him. He opened the long flat box; inside was a framed drawing I had been working on for months. It was of my favorite picture of us, that picture from the baseball game when I was a little girl. He looked at me and wordlessly thanked me with a hug, and we turned back to finish opening the presents. I had gotten him a new tackle box since the latch broke on his old one and a gift certificate to the sporting goods store. I got numerous books and cds and a beautiful white winter coat.

When we were done, we set the gifts aside and I lay back down on the couch to watch the remainder of the midnight showing of A Christmas Story with my dad. Once again, I fell asleep. I woke slightly to the feel of his weight shifting on the couch at my feet and I pulled the afghan tighter around my body, closing my eyes until I felt myself being lifted off of the couch and carried up the stairs. I soon met my soft mattress and felt the covers pulled over me, followed by a gentle kiss on the forehead.

"Merry Christmas, sweetheart."

But I was too far under to respond.

I woke up the next morning and my eyes popped open to the smell of something burning. I bolted out of bed and ran down the stairs toward the sound of the smoke alarm going off in the kitchen.

"Dad, what are you doing?" I asked, waving my hands in front of my face to ward off the smoke coming from the pan on the stove.

"Cooking breakfast," he replied sheepishly with a shrug. "Or at least trying to. You always make breakfast on Christmas morning."

"And there's a reason for that, Dad!"

I laughed and hurried over to the stove, looking down to where the black substance that used to be bacon was now smoldering in the pan. I turned the burner off and walked over to the refrigerator, grabbing the muffins I'd made yesterday afternoon and set them in the microwave to heat. "You should have woken me up. You had the heat too high."

"I should just stick to cereal," he laughed and shook his head, walking over to the table to sit down. We ate a quiet breakfast of muffins and orange juice and once he was done, he looked up at me. "Did you happen to look in the living room on your way down?"

I furrowed my brow and shook my head and he nodded toward the doorway. I got up to see what he was talking about and my breath halted in my throat as I stepped into the living room, finding a tall easel standing in front of the tree. I walked over silently, running my hand along the smooth beams with a smile. "Dad, when did you get this? I didn't hear you come in with it."

"It was your mother's," he said softly and when I looked over at him, for once I saw a small hint of a smile. "When you were about two, she decided to start painting on a whim. She got pretty good at it too but then she just suddenly stopped. She always looked so happy with a brush in her hand and when I watch you draw, you remind me so much of her. Everything that I want to remember. And that's why I could never bring myself to get rid of this, knowing that someday you might like it and be able to use it."

I bit my lip trying to refrain from crying and walked over to him, embracing him tightly. His hand smoothed my hair as I cried into his chest.

"Thank you, Dad. I love it," I whispered tearily as he rocked me gently back and forth. "Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas, Bella," he replied and then rubbed my arms gently to break the embrace. Some things never change with Charlie, particularly with the emotional things, but he was getting better. "You should probably go get ready and call Edward. Shouldn't keep the Cullens waiting all day. I'll get this upstairs to your room when I get home from work today."

"Okay," I said softly and headed toward the stairs. I paused briefly and turned my head to look at him. "You're going to be nice to him, right? Remember, it's Christmas."

I smiled as he feigned annoyance by rolling his eyes and crossed his chest with his finger, and then ran up the stairs to call Edward and get ready.

Charlie was polite as promised when Edward came to pick me up a half an hour later, taking him completely by surprise. Then the drive to his house was spent with him trying to figure out what was in the small box I held with his name on it. He poked my sides, tickling me all the way from the driveway to the door before finally pulling me into his arms and into a passionate kiss.

"Merry Christmas, baby," he murmured against my lips when he pulled away.

"Merry Christmas. Is that my present?" I teased, tightening my arms around his neck and enjoying the last few moments with only him for who knows how long today.

"You wish, Bella," he snickered and kissed the tip of my nose before turning to open the door and leading me inside.

I spent the whole day in anticipation after the initial gift exchange, as Edward and I had agreed to give each other our gifts in private. By the time we were heading up the stairs to him room, I was a wreck. What if he didn't like it? What if it was too cheesy and cliché? After watching the beautiful and expensive gifts shared among this family, including a delicate gold bracelet for me from the entire family, my gifts seemed small in comparison, but they loved them regardless.

He squeezed my hand gently as we got to his door, and I looked up at him and realized how lost I had been in my thoughts. "You alright?" he asked with a slightly furrowed brow, brushing my cheek lightly with his fingertips.

"Uh huh," I squeaked, closing my eyes and then nodding. "I mean, yes. I'm fine."

He raised his eyebrow at me briefly before opening the door, and the sight in front of me astounded me. The only light in the room were the strings of white Christmas lights around the edges, randomly twinkling. We walked over to settle on the bed and he lifted a small box with a ribbon tied around it, and then looked down. I reached into the bag at my side but he grabbed my other hand, catching my attention.

"Me first, please?" he said with a level of uncertainty that I was not accustomed to, and after the last few weeks, it was starting to make me nervous. I laced my fingers with his, the bag at my feet quickly forgotten.

"Bella, I know that things for us haven't been easy and it's pretty much been entirely my fault. But I hope you know that I never set out to purposely hurt you. I love you so much," he said softly and placed the box in my hand. I freed my other hand from his and pulled the ribbon loose; opening it to reveal what was unmistakably a ring box.

My eyes shot immediately to his and he began shaking his head. He opened the lid and inside I found the most beautiful ring I had ever seen. It was white gold, with an aquamarine heart set in the middle, and along the right side of the heart was a row of diamonds. My heart pounded loudly in my chest and looked back up at him with tears in my eyes.

"I'm not asking you to marry me, Bella. I think we are both just a little too young for that. If in two years, we are still together and I am still what you want, I have every intention of doing this for real. But for now, this is my promise to you. No matter what happens in the next two years, no matter what gets thrown at us, I will come back. You are all I am ever going to want, and my heart belongs to you."

He pulled the ring out of the box and held it out to me, showing me the engraving on the inside of the band.

Don't ever forget, I love you.

My hand came to my mouth as I read and then he slowly slid it onto the ring finger of my right hand. Tears welled in my eyes as I stared at the ring on my shaking hand, and he leaned over to kiss my forehead.

"Oh god, Edward," I whispered tearily, grasping his face with my hands and leaning forward to kiss him.

Edward grasped my hands on the side of his face and pulled away, looking into my eyes with concern.

"What's wrong, baby?" he asked, stroking my skin with his thumbs and wiping the tears away from my cheeks.

I shook my head, looking down and sighing.

"Nothing, Edward. Nothing is wrong," I answered, reaching into the bag again and I felt the butterflies begin to flutter in my stomach. I pulled out the box and hesitated for a moment before finally handing it to him.

Rip the bandaid off, Bella.

He tore away the silver paper and opened the box, pulling out a set of dog tags.

"I know it kinda stupid, but I also know that I have been really difficult about this whole Army thing... far more than I needed to be. I guess this is just my way of saying that I'm really okay with it. I know what I want, and it's you. Every part of you, even the things that are difficult."

"Then why are you crying?" he asked, never taking his eyes off mine.

"Look on the back of them," I replied simply, gesturing toward the tags with my eyes. He turned them over and realization came across his features.

On the back of one was written Don't ever forget and on the other I love you.

I chuckled lightly and shook my head. "Are we really going to be one of the cheesy couples that finish each other's sentences and all that?"

He returned my laugh and placed the chain around his neck before leaning forward to kiss each of my cheeks, my forehead and then finally my lips in a deep kiss.

"I hope so," was all he said, whispering against my lips and then kissing me until we were lying across his bed, a tangle of arms and legs. I could feel his arousal growing against my hip and my fingers tangled in his hair as I ground myself against his thigh.

"Edward? Emmett is leaving. You want to come say goodbye?" Esme's voice filtered up the stairs.

Edward sighed heavily and fell back onto the bed beside me. "Perfect timing, Mom. Just perfect."

I couldn't help but chuckle as I rolled onto my side to face him, kissing his cheek. "We've got plenty of time, baby. Right?"

He smiled up at me and kissed my hand gently. "Yes. Plenty of time. Come on, let's go say bye to the big oaf," he replied, taking my hand and springing off the bed, causing me to giggle as he pulled me up after him. I felt lighter and more assured than ever that everything was going to be okay, and that we were going to make it through this.

x-x-x

All week, I had been trying to get out of Edward what this 'something special' was that he had mentioned before vacation started, but he wouldn't budge. He would just grin like and quickly change the subject. Now the day had arrived and I could barely contain my anxiety. He was coming to pick me up at Alice's and had told me to pack an overnight bag.

"Somebody's gonna get laaaaid," Alice sang as she skipped behind me in her room while I packed.

"Shut up, Alice," I chuckled softly and shook my head. "You don't know that, and I've told you how he's been lately. I'm not counting on anything."

Alice scoffed and rolled her eyes as she hopped up on the bed beside my bag.

"Please. He's eighteen years old with a pulse, right? You're gonna get laid," she whispered, leaning toward me and tucking a package from her hand into my bag.

"What did you just put in there?" I asked and was met by an innocent shrug and a smile. "Alice..."

She squealed in laughter as she grabbed it off the bed and ran out of the room. "It's a surprise, you can't see," she called back at me as I chased her down the stairs. I jumped on her back when she reached the door, stretching my arm around her to grab my bag. When she opened the door, a low chuckle caught our attention and we both looked up to see Edward with a crooked eyebrow. Alice and I both froze in place.

"Hi baby," I smiled innocently.

"If this is a bad time, I can always come back," he teased, tilting his head slightly at the sight of me still on Alice's back.

Then I realized where my right hand was, and apparently so did she. I quickly removed my hand from Alice's chest as I slid off her back, trying to maintain any dignity I could after being found groping my best friend's breast by my boyfriend. I nervously tucked my hair behind my ears until I heard him start to laugh. My eyes narrowed at him as I took my bag from Alice and thrust it at his chest.

"It's not funny. Just let me grab my jacket."

Alice followed me to the closet and took my arm. "You better be prepared to tell me everything when you get back tomorrow."

"What's in the package, Alice?" I hissed through clenched teeth as I slid my arms in my jacket.

"Not telling and you will thank me for it, but you can't look until tonight. Promise me," Alice replied and then took my shoulders to face her directly. "Promise me, Bella."

"Alright alright, I promise," I sighed in annoyance, but she hardly noticed as she squealed and hugged me tightly. I couldn't help but smile and hug her back before I broke away, heading for the door to join Edward.

As we walked out to the car, my brow furrowed. It wasn't his car; it was Emmett's jeep. "What happened to your car?"

He gave me a quirky smile as he tossed my bag into the back seat of the immense beast of a vehicle and held his hand out for mine. "Emmett let me use his in exchange for borrowing my baby for the weekend. Where we are going, my car would never make it."

I placed my hand in his and bit my lip innocently. "And where would that be?" I asked, wrapping our clasped hands behind my back and raised up on my toes to kiss him. "You never even said hi, by the way."

He rolled his eyes and laughed, pecking my lips gently. "Hi. And I'm not telling, so just get in."

He smacked my ass playfully as I climbed in and laughed loudly when I glared at him, shutting the door. When he got in and started the Jeep, I turned to look at him and couldn't help but smile. He appeared so relaxed today, more so than I had seen him in weeks and it was a beautiful sight. I couldn't even pretend to be irritated with him when he was in this good of a mood, but that didn't mean I couldn't tease him. "You know, someday you're going to get it through that pretty head of yours how much I hate surprises."

"You'll like this one, I promise," he replied with a smile, reaching over to squeeze my hand. The hour-long drive was almost completely silent with the exception of the soft music coming from the stereo. When we turned off the main road, I understood why the Trans Am wouldn't have made it. We were now on an unpaved, uneven dirt road and if not for the shoulder harness I was wearing, I probably would have had a concussion from bouncing into the roof. Finally, we reached a small clearing with a cabin sitting peacefully in the center.

My breath stopped at the beauty of our surroundings and I hardly noticed that we had come to a stop until Edward was on my side of the Jeep, unfastening my harness.

"What is this place?" I asked in a soft whisper, afraid to speak too loudly and disturb the tranquility around me.

"Jasper owed me a favor for covering his ass a few weeks back when he ditched," he replied with a wink and lifted me out of the vehicle. He grabbed our bags out of the back seat and took my hand, leading me toward the cabin. "His parents went away for the holiday, and he lent me the keys."

I could only nod in response and take in the beauty around me. Everything smelled so crisp and clean with the untouched and freshly fallen snow, mixed with the heavenly wood scent of the cabin, creating an almost surreal feeling. I took a moment to appreciate it all as I waited for Edward to unlock the door. When we stepped inside, I found it was just as picturesque as the outside, like walking into a painting; from the fireplace and patchwork quilts in the living room, to the wood-burning stove and water bucket by the back door of the kitchen.

Edward's arms came around my waist from behind, and I leaned my head back against his chest. I felt the tears stinging my eyes and I bit my lip. Ever since I was a little girl, I had always wanted to come to a cabin just like this and it never ceased to amaze me that somehow, Edward always knew these things without ever asking.

"This is beautiful," I whispered, hugging his arms around me tighter.

"So am I forgiven for this surprise?" he asked, looking down at me and then furrowed his brow in concern. "Baby, you alright?"

I smiled and shook my head, turning in his arms and holding his face between my hands.

"I'm fine," I replied and pulled him down to kiss his lips gently. "Not all my tears are bad, Edward. And I have, without a doubt, the most perfect boyfriend in the world. How could anything be wrong?"

He chuckled softly and kissed me again, tightening his hold around my waist.

"Good, I'm glad you like it, Bella. I wanted some time alone, just you and me. We don't have enough of that lately and I'm sorry. But we have all night," he started and began kissing down my neck. "All to ourselves... to do whatever we want."

"Mmm, you know what I want?" I moaned softly and ran my fingers through his hair as his lips moved over my skin. He hummed against my neck in response and I brought my lips to his ear and kissed it gently. "I want to make a fire and some hot cocoa."

His movements stopped suddenly and I felt his eyelashes flutter against my skin before he raised his head to look at me.

"You're serious, aren't you?" he asked with a smile teasing at his lips, but his brow knitted together.

"You bet," I replied, pecking his lips and laughing as his arms dropped from around me and he shook his head in disbelief. I took his hand and began pulling him toward the kitchen. "You get the fire going and I'll make the hot cocoa. They do have hot cocoa here, right? What cabin doesn't have it?"

EPOV

I couldn't help but smile as I watched her excitedly pull me toward the kitchen. One of the many things I loved about Bella was her unpredictability. Anytime I expected her to do one thing, she would turn around and do the complete opposite.

When I had asked Jasper about the cabin last week, it really had been to have time alone with Bella. With everything that had been going on lately, we really hadn't had much opportunity to just enjoy the first few months of being together the way most kids our age did. I had thrown her a hurdle that most girls would have turned their backs on and walked away. Yet she remained here and still wanted me. She deserved a break from the reality around us, and this was the best thing I could think of.

I stepped outside to the back porch to grab some wood for the fire and took a quick look around. It was quiet up here normally, but over the winter, it was almost silent with no birds or rustling leaves in the wind. This was just the escape that both of us needed from the madness.

I walked back into the house to the sound of Bella humming as she moved around the kitchen. I smiled at the sight; she seemed completely in her element here. I could just stand here all day doing nothing but watching her, but instead I continued through to the living room and started the fire.

Just as I was finishing, she walked into the room with two mugs and a smile on her face that she hadn't worn in so long. I walked over to the couch and took one of the mugs from her, sitting down and she immediately curled up against my side. We sat in silence, just enjoying the crackling of the fire and the serenity of the evening as the sun slowly began to set.

Once she drank her last sip, she took my cup, setting them both on the table and then leaning back against me. Her head rested against my chest as she pulled my arm around her, remaining silent for several minutes until her head turned slightly to kiss my shoulder.

"Thank you for doing this, Edward. This is perfect," she said softly and then laid her head down to rest in my lap, staring up at me. Her pale skin in the dim light of the room from the fire was breathtaking, and she closed her eyes as my fingers began running through her hair. "Mmm, I've missed this."

"Me too, baby," I said softly, feeling the silky strands slide through my fingers. She gently stroked the arm that rested across her stomach and when she suddenly stopped, I thought maybe she had fallen asleep. I shifted slightly to move out from under her to carry her into the bedroom and her hold tightened on my arm, her head turning to kiss my stomach. "You're tired, let's get you to bed."

"I'm not sleeping, Edward. Just thinking," she replied softly and then opened her eyes to look up at me. She rolled over onto her knees and began to kiss up my abdomen to my chest, finally brushing her lips against mine. "I'll be right back."

I nodded slowly as she stood from the couch and disappeared through the doorway, grabbing her bag on the way by. Just that small gesture of hers had gotten me so aroused, it was almost painful. Circumstances lately had not allowed for very much intimate contact between us, which left me wanting her desperately. I closed my eyes, trying to calm myself when the soft scent of lilac struck me and I turned my head to find Bella standing in the doorway.

She looked so amazing and innocent as she bit her lip, wearing a light pink satin nightgown with thin straps at her shoulders that stopped mid-thigh, showcasing just enough of her beautiful arms and legs. The soft fabric billowed around her curves and she walked toward me until she was standing right in front of me.

"God, baby."

"You like?" she asked when my eyes roamed her body and let out a giggle when I gripped her waist and pulled her down to straddle my lap. She rolled her hips against me, pressing her warmth against my aching arousal. "I'll take that as a big yes. I really need to remember to thank Alice when we get home."

I growled softly, my hands moving to grab her hips through the fabric. I ground her more firmly against me, providing more of the friction that both of us had been too long without. Her head fell back and her mouth fell agape as the muscles in her thighs tightened at the contact. She pushed lightly on my chest and slid off my lap, beginning to back away from me toward the door with a wicked smile.

My little vixen, I thought as I stood up off the couch and slowly stalked toward her.

I was still several feet away from her when I quickly closed the distance, pinning her against the wall and attacking her lips with mine. I'd had every intention of taking our time and enjoying each other tonight, but I could see that wasn't going to happen yet. We both needed each other too badly.

"That's a very big yes. Damn, I love you."

As my lips returned to hers, I felt her fingers at the button of my pants, hurriedly working to unfasten them. Her teeth dragged over my lip and her eyes were glazed over with lust as she looked up at me.

"I need you... now," she hissed as she shoved them down over my hips.

I slid my hands up her thighs and underneath the satin to find that she was wearing nothing underneath that nightgown, and I groaned as I twitched against her stomach. I lifted her up to wrap her legs around my waist and gripped her hips tightly as I entered her, causing us both to gasp at the sensation. Fuck, I forcefully had to still her body as I tried to gain a bit of control.

"Baby, you need to give me a second," I said, the neediness of my own voice surprising me. She nodded slightly and wound her hands into my hair, trying to help calm me. God, it felt like forever since I had been inside her.

I felt every move of her body, every breath she took and I prayed that I could make this last long enough for her. Feeling slightly more in control, I began thrusting into her, already having to fight off the urge to release. My movements increased as our eyes locked, and I swore as I felt her hips rock back against me. Her moans gradually began transforming into needful whimpers as she slowly began to build towards her climax.

"Baby, I'm not gonna last like this," I panted suddenly, feeling the familiar tightening in the pit of my stomach.

"You feel so good, Edward. Please, wait for me." Her words tore at me as I tried to hold off my orgasm wanting desperately to bring her to hers first.

"Please, Bella. Please, come," I begged, knowing I was only seconds away.

Reaching between us, I groaned as I felt her wetness coat my fingers. This was not helping. I began rubbing small circles across her clit and tried to focus on anything other than the way the friction of our bodies felt. My muscles began to contract and I knew I couldn't hold it off any longer. With one last deep thrust, my body seized and I spilled myself into her.

"Oh God, Bella," I panted against her shoulder. "I'm so sorry." I couldn't believe I had come so quickly. My hips pushed into her a few more times but I could already feel myself softening.

My forehead rested against the wall beside her and I felt her unhook her legs from around my waist and slide down my body. I repeatedly apologized, feeling like complete shit. The intention of coming up here was to make her happy, not to lose myself like a fumbling virgin at the mere sight of my already beautiful girlfriend in sexy attire. I felt her brush her lips over my chest repeatedly as she kissed over to my shoulder.

"Edward?" she said softly, and I raised my head to look at her to find her gaze much softer than I had expected. Her finger traced slowly along my jaw line, and she kissed my lips gently. "I might be forced to forgive you if you take me into the shower and make it up to me."

She grinned wickedly against my lips and giggled as I lifted her into my arms again and carried her into the master bathroom.

I spent all night making it up to her, showering her with every bit of my want and desire for her. I touched and tasted every inch of her body as if it were the first time again, making the most out of this night together. Finally, she collapsed back on the bed exhausted, curling up against my chest and draping her leg over mine. She was almost immediately asleep and I spent the next hour just watching her, watching the flush slowly dissipate from her cheeks and her eyes flutter in her sleep, enjoying the feel of her skin against mine, and dreading the moment we would have to leave this bed and get dressed again.

Morning came far too quickly, and I squinted as I opened my eyes, hardly remembering closing them the night before. I looked out the window and saw heavy snow falling.

"Shit," I cursed under my breath and shook Bella's shoulder. "Baby, you gotta wake up. A storm crept in, and it wasn't supposed to. We have to get out of here before they close the road."

She groaned softly in displeasure but finally rolled away from my embrace, standing up and hurried across the room to retrieve her bag. The morning wood I was already sporting throbbed slightly at the sight of her naked body, and I had to remind myself that we didn't have time for this. I hurried to get dressed and grab our things, and get out to the car as the storm began to pick up. When I turned on the radio, it was as I thought; an unexpected storm swept in off the ocean and was going to dump eight to twelve inches on us. So much for my careful planning, but at least Bella and I had last night, and it was amazing.

We drove in silence as we started slowly making our way down the mountain, the road already thickly coated in wet snow. She turned her head to look at me once we reached the main road and reached over to stroke my cheek. "Thank you, baby. That was one of the most amazing thing anyone has ever done for me. I just wish we didn't have to leave so soon."

"You're welcome, Bella," I replied with a smile and took her hand, brushing my lips on her knuckles. "We'll do it again sometime, I promise. It's just as amazing up there in the spring."

My hand returned to gear shift and hers dropped to my lap, her thumb tracing small, distracted patterns on my thigh. As we drew closer to town, Bella's phone began to vibrate as did mine as we picked up signal. I took my phone out of my pocket and handed it to Bella so I could concentrate on the road.

"Oh no," she whispered as she looked down at her missed calls and checked her voicemail. "My dad was trying to call last night at Alice's and wanted me home because of the storm. Shit!"

I ran my hand through my hair and echoed her curse.

"Baby, I'm sorry. Fuck," I growled and gripped the steering wheel tighter when we stopped at a light. She unhooked her harness and leaned over, turning my head to face her and kissing me gently.

"Whatever happens, don't be. I would do it all over again in a heartbeat," she whispered against my lips, kissing me again firmly. "I love you."

"I love you too," I replied, opening my eyes to look at her to see her smiling at me. I couldn't keep from smiling back. "Buckle up."

I laughed as she pouted and moved back to her seat, beginning to fumble with the harness again when the light turned green. I slowly began to relax until we drove up to Alice's house where Charlie stood in the driveway, leaning against the cruiser; his arms folded over his chest and his tense glare locked on me. I looked over at Bella when we came to a stop to see her biting her lip. She sighed and stepped out of the Jeep and into the snow.

"In the car. Now, young lady."