Disclaimer: All things Twilight belong to the wonderful Stephenie Meyer and not to me… sigh.

Previously…

So there I sat in my home office in front of my computer trying to figure out how Marie's ring could be in North Carolina. Although I knew that the current flowed from Florida north along the Atlantic seaboard, I still Googled it, as if I needed confirmation. Her body could have been caught in the current and taken that far north. The idea wasn't completely impossible, but highly unlikely that her body would have remained intact long enough to make the 800 mile trip, especially her fingers.

I knew that she had it on that night because Laurent had been admiring it during dinner and even commented to Marie what a lucky woman she was. Marie had played her part flawlessly that night, and I could not have been more pleased. I almost considered letting the flirting she had done with Laurent earlier that day slide, but I knew we both needed the release that only my discipline could bring.

This left me with one conclusion, as impossible as it might seem – Marie was alive.

Sleeping With A Monster


Chapter 21 – Because

Bella's POV

"Marie?" It was all I could hear. Edward knew! The look on his face said it all. I had hurt him. The question was – would he let me explain. My body flushed with the shame of my betrayal with the shame of what I was – used and broken and I could not bear to look at him.

"Are you Marie?" Edward's voice was not the velvety voice I loved. It was strained with the obvious anger he was trying to hold back. I wondered how long he would be able to restrain himself before he started to yell at me, or worse. I pushed that last thought out of my head, realizing that Edward was not James. As I considered how to answer Edward's question, he grew angrier.

"Answer me!" He yelled and I knew it was useless to deny him anything he asked. I had kept this from him, unable to trust him, unable to share who I was with him.

"Yes." I whispered defeated knowing that from this point on Edward would never see me the same way again. I would no longer be Bella, his girlfriend. I would be Marie, a battered woman, weak, unworthy, used, worthless. All the things James would snarl at me while he would take his frustrations out on me because of my weakness were ringing in my ears. I knew I had lost the man I loved because of my past with James who could never love me. I looked up at him and my heart throbbed with pain at the expression on Edward's face. The emotions racing across his face told me of his inner turmoil and pain, and I knew that I alone was the cause of it. In that moment, I knew I was loosing him, but I could not fall apart now. I had to hold it together, answer any questions he had in an attempt to let him know that I could trust him, and maybe salvage what little I could.

"Bel… er, Marie? I don't even know what to call you. I don't even know who you are!" Edward yelled again, his pain and anger directed at me and rightfully so. However, his admission of not knowing who I was angered me. I was always myself with Edward; my reactions to him were always real and had never been a deception. My only deception with him had been my last name and my past, but nothing else about me had been a deception. My feelings, my desires, my wishes, my wants, my opinions were all genuine, and his remarks cut me to the core as I realized he didn't believe anything I had ever said, every reaction, every emotion I had towards him would be suspect in his eyes.

"My name is Bella. Marie is my middle name." I replied quietly trying to squelch the desire to raise my voice in response to his yelling. I knew it was not his fault, he was hurt and confused and I could not blame him. Nevertheless, his admission at not knowing me caused my hackles to rise a bit and I raised my chin.

"You know who I am. I'm the same person I was five minutes ago." I said a little defiantly, but regretting it instantly as he asked his next question.

"Then who is James?" His question about James almost knocked the wind out of me and I felt the fight leave my body as I realized what I had to tell Edward. Up until this moment, I never really considered myself still married in any other way except for the legal sense. My marriage was never anything that brought the joy of companionship, love, affection, and the thrill of building a new life with the one you loved. It was cold, empty, terrifying, cruel and full of pain. But as soon as Edward uttered those words, I knew he would not see it the same way I did. This was that pivotal piece of information that would tear us apart, and there was no way to deliver this blow without destroying what little affection Edward may still have for me. There was no way for me to soften it. The situation was out of my control and I could do nothing but be honest and hope Edward would see that. My heart shrunk back in anticipation of the answer on the tip of my tongue as fresh tears started to lick at the edges of my eyes.

"He was my husband." I whispered softly, hoping that if I whispered my answer, it would ease the pain it would surely cause him when he realized the full extent of my deception. I could not bear to see the affects of my reply, but I heard his sharp intake of breath and the sound alone was enough to cripple my already broken heart.

"Your husband." Edward's voice had lost all emotion sounding detached and wasted, and in that moment, I realized I had lost him. Panic started to well inside my body and I felt myself control slipping. I was losing him! James had destroyed my life before I left, but I had no idea he could still destroy all hope I had for a life filled with love as everything crumbled around me.

"Edward, I sorry I didn't tell you. I was trying to tell you earlier when you were called into work. I didn't want you to find out like this. I can expl–." My voice sounded desperate as I tried to speak around the lump in my throat. I could feel all my walls crumbling as I pleaded with Edward. I would beg. I would grovel. I would do what ever he wanted me to do, if I could only, for a moment, gain a little bit of his forgiveness for what I had done. I couldn't bear to gaze at his face for fear of the look of pain, disgust and hatred that was certain to be there.

"You're married?" Edward cut me off and his voice had a cruel edge to it that I could not believe, but I knew I deserved it. My eyes involuntarily shifted to his as the full extent of the damage I had done crashed into my quaking body and I could not hold back the tears any longer.

"Yes." I said trying desperately to hold it together. The look on his face, in his eyes was more than I could stand and I dropped my eyes in humiliation because I could not face what I had done to him anymore. He was no longer mine and I knew it. The tears were running freely down my face.

"Married." Edward muttered and my heart cracked under the pressure, body flushed with pain. I was rooted to the place on the floor where I was standing, paralyzed with the knowledge that I had destroyed his affections for me. I wanted tell him everything, tell him my reasons, but I couldn't force that upon him if he was so disgusted with me that he couldn't stand to be around me anymore. I waited for him to say something, no wanting to push him anymore, but he didn't make a sound until I heard his footsteps in the hallway. Where was he?

"Edward?" I called, confused at his disappearance as I ran after him. I saw his retreating back go through the door to the garage as he left without even looking back at me.

"Edward!" I gasped his name as I fell to my knees, my mind flooding with the image from my dream where Edward left me without looking back. I knew I had lost him forever and there was nothing I could do. He was so disgusted with me, he didn't even want to hear my explanations, he didn't want to yell at me and tell me how horrible I was. He just left and in that moment, I never felt more alone in my entire life.

I do not know how long I knelt in Edward's hallway, head buried in my hands as sobs of pain and regret racked my body as all this mistakes I had made flashed before my eyes. My heart lay in pieces at the bottom of my hollowed chest as the prospect of never having Edward's love, at the prospect of never finding love again. This was the future I had to look forward to. If I ever found love, my past with James would destroy it, over and over again. Eventually my body started to numb from the pain and my sobs quieted long enough for me to get up. I robotically gathered my things from Edward's place, straightened his bed, turned off the lights and locked up before I left his place, not wanting to leave any reminders of my presence there to cause him more pain.

I don't even know how I arrived in my room, all memory of my short trip home completely lost in my grief. I looked around my rental. This was Edward's place and I knew I would be become his tenant and nothing more. I would be a constant reminder to him of the anguish I had caused, and I did not think I could handle seeing him, knowing he could not accept me - all of me. The thought of remaining here to witness him move on to some else was more than I could handle. I suddenly knew I could no longer remain here; I could no longer face him, knowing he would be cold and distant. I could not endure that day after day, week after week, month after month. The thought was too much and it galvanized me into action. I rushed to my closet and flung open the door, grabbed my suitcase off the top shelf and an arm full of clothing. I rushed to my bed, opened the luggage and started flinging clothes in it. I don't know how many trips I made from the closet to the bed with clothing, but eventually reason told me my suitcase was full. I did not care was in it, as long as I had something to wear. I quickly threw a couple of toiletries in before I zipped it closed and lifted it off the bed. A sudden need to apologize to Edward washed through me, as I realized I would never get the opportunity again. I also knew he did not want to speak to me, so I did the only thing I could. I wrote him a letter.

I slowly walked into my office, grabbed a piece of paper and a pen before I sat down at the desk there. I took a deep breath as I looked at the blank page for a long moment. I exhaled the pent up air in my lungs and started writing. There was no way I could convey the depth of my sorrow to him through a letter, but it was the only option left. I should have told him who I was the minute Carlisle confirmed who Edward was. Instead, I had kept him in the dark, lied. My intentions were never malicious, but it was something I had kept from him, hidden, unable to share about myself. It underlined my mistrust, a mistrust he did not deserve. It stemmed from James and I cringed at the memory of telling Edward I was still a married woman; married only on paper, but certainly not in my heart. Still the pain shot through me as I acknowledged how much I had deceived Edward. I should have never told him I would be his girlfriend without telling him my situation first. I could only hope that in time, he could find a way to forgive me. I had lied to Edward, to everyone. Moreover, at the time, it was necessary, but that time had past. The time for truth had come and gone, and in the wake of the disaster my revelation had turned out to be, there was nothing but hopeless. This was far worse than anything I had imagined would happen and I found myself wishing a vain wish that I had insisted on telling him earlier instead of him finding out because of my damned nightmare. Nevertheless, the fact remained that by keeping this secret from him, I had lied to him. It was a lie of omission – omission of the truth, which is sometimes more hurtful because of the deceit involved.

My heart ached to tell him I loved him, but I knew it was something he would not want to hear or even believe at this point, so I closed my letter with a 'Love Always' hoping that in time he would come to recognize the depth of my feelings for him.

I folded the letter in half and wrote his name on the outside. I packed up my laptop and carried it, along with my letter to Edward back into my room. I reverently placed the last communication I would have with him on the nightstand next to the bed before I picked up my purse, luggage and laptop and started for the garage. I welcomed the second round of numbness that started to seep through my veins as it spread through my body with each step I took. I entered the garage and opened the driver's side of the car, flipping the lever to open the trunk. I slowly trudged to the rear of the car and heaved my suitcase and laptop case inside. I started to look through my purse for my keys, but could not find them. Maybe they were in the car. I knew it did not make sense, but I could not think straight as the numbness started to seep into my mind. I threw my purse on to the passenger seat as I searched for my keys. Frustration started to cut through my stupor when my search turned up nothing.

As I searched, I heard a car race past the house and squeal its tires as it screeched to a stop next door. I knew it was Edward, and judging by how fast he was driving, he was pissed. My frustration morphed into panic with the prospect of being here if Edward decided to pay me a visit, knowing I could not face the pain and anger that would surely be there when he would reject me again, unleashing the full brunt of his anger on me. I knew Edward would not physically harm me and I knew all too well that physical bruises would heal. It was the emotional bruising I was no longer in a condition to take.

I don't know how I ended up outside, but the next thing I knew, I was running – running away, again. I didn't know where I was going; I just knew I had to run. I could smell the rain in the air long before I felt the first raindrops hit my face. Maybe I could come back later when I knew he would be asleep and slip away in the middle of the night. This pattern was starting to become familiar to me and I did not like it.

I let out a bitter 'ha' when I realized where my feet had carried me – the elementary school down the street. The rain was coming down hard now, soaking my hair and dress, but it was dark and there was no one around to worry about seeing me in my current state of disarray. I surveyed the school before I saw the playground on the side. My breathing was still coming fast and I felt the fatigue start to settle in my muscles. I walked over to the swings and collapsed into one of them, letting my body slump as I tried to calm myself. It didn't take long for my grief to catch up with me and my body started to shake with my uncontrollable sobs and I handed myself over to the despair that wanted to wash me away. I buried my head in my hands and cried. I had nothing left – no one. I couldn't even call on Carlisle, Esme, Alice, Jasper, Emmett and least of all Rose. Rose would be thrilled. These people all belonged to Edward and I would gladly leave all of them behind, if I could at least know that he had forgiven me. However, that was not to be. I knew I could not even really blame James for any of this. The deception was all mine, the betrayal was mine. My body felt raw and vacant as I continued to sob and I wondered when I would be able to gain enough control to go back to the house.

"Bella?" Edward's voice said roughly and for a moment, I thought my ears were playing tricks on me, but if he was here, I could not resist the urge to see his face one last time, so I looked. I thought I was dreaming for a moment as I stared at Edward, hair soaked and wet scrubs plastered to his body from the downpour. The security lights on the side of school illuminated the apprehensive look on his face but he made no move to come closer, probably wanting to avoid all physical contact with me and the shattered pieces of my heart throbbed as his name welled up in my throat.

"Edward!" My voice struggling to free itself form the pain and emotion clogging my throat. As soon as he heard my voice, he face flooded with pain and shock. I couldn't take anymore. The last vision I would have of his face would be of pain that I had put there, I had caused – so I ran.

I didn't even make it past the gravel onto the grass of the playground before I felt Edward's hands on my shoulders as he pulled be back. My body crashed backwards into his chest and I lost my balance, but Edward wrapped his arms around my waist and steadied me. As heavenly as his body felt against mine and as much as I wanted to let myself melt into him, I knew his steadying me was an automatic reaction. He could not possibly want to hold me, not now, not ever. As soon as I had my footing I moved to get out of his embrace, but he would not let go. Edward turned me around so I was facing him, but I refused to gaze upon his face, unwilling to have his pain branded in my psyche anymore. Having his arms around me was the worst kind of torture I could imagine; when I knew he did not really want me there.

"Bella." His voice was laden with his sorrow and I felt a sob escape my throat. He brought his hand up from my waist, placed it under my chin and tried to lift my head so I could see what I had done to him. Nevertheless, I pulled my head away, unable to endure much more of this torture. I tried to move away from him, but he put his hand back around me to keep me in place. I started to struggle in his arms as my sobs started to erupt from my body uncontrollably, but Edward held me firmly against his body. After a few moments, I gave up and just cried in his arms for an immeasurable amount time. I could not deny him anything more. I had lost everything. Although I knew that the memory of being in his arms would haunt me later, I found myself unable to deny myself this – the last time I would feel his arms around me. At some point, I don't know when, but he loosened his hold on me as he cradled me in his arms and stoked my wet hair.

"Shhh, Bella." Edward would say occasionally, trying to calm me. Finally, he pulled back and I automatically looked up at him, his eyes still saddened and full of regret. Did he regret ever knowing me?

"Bella, Please tell me I'm not too late." Edward whispered as he stroked my cheek.

"What?" I furrowed my brow in confusion.

"Please don't go. Please don't leave me." His voice full of anguish and his eyes were still sad, but there was something else there. Fear?

"Why? Why would you want me to stay, Edward? I lied to you. I am not who you thought I was. I'm married to someone else." I said quietly through my tears not understanding what could possess him to want me to stay.

"I don't care about that. We can –" He started to say but I interrupted him.

"Edward, I can't be the person you want me to be." I continued, trying to make him understand that he deserved someone better than me. I did not want to deny him the future he could have with another more worthy of his affections than me. I did not want him to settle for me only to regret his decision later and then grow to resent me.

"Bella you are exactly what I want. I don't want you to be anything other than yourself." Edward's voice getting louder.

"You don't know what you are saying. Why would you want someone who has as much baggage as I do?" The volume of my voice matched his own as I stepped out of his embrace. I started to pace trying to figure out a way to make him see reason. I could not saddle him with my problems, my emotional scaring, always looking over my shoulder wondering if James was coming for me.

"You deserve a woman who can give all of herself to you, in everyway. How can I do that if I'm still married? I am not going to put you through that – deny you the future you could have with someone more worthy than me. I am living a lie and there is nothing I can do about it. Edward, you want Bella, but there is more to me than that. I need someone who cares for all of me. That includes the good, the bad, the past, and the present. After tonight, I don't think I'll ever find someone who can do that." I said as I continued my rant.

"Please don't say that!" Edward said forcefully. "Bella, I'm sorry for how I acted. My reaction was unforgivable. I realized now that you never meant for me to find out this way. I was an ass and you did not deserve the reaction I gave you. I'm sorry Bella. Sorry! Please forgive me." Edward pleaded. His apology surprised me and I stopped pacing to stare at him. He moved forward and reached for me, but I stepped back in confusion.

"You're sorry? What do you have to be sorry for?" I shot back in a voice raspy from the day's strain. How could he think he had anything to be sorry for? I threw my arms in the air in frustration.

"I was the one who kept this from you. I was the one who couldn't tell you the truth – the one who deceived you. The one who should have never let our relationship get this far, knowing I could not be the woman you wanted – knowing I could never have a future with you." I continued, my arms gesturing wildly around me as I tried to convey to him he had no cause to be sorry for his reactions to my revelation.

"Bella." Edward groaned as he ran both his hands through is dripping hair, his hands stopping at the back of his head.

"I'm sorry for everything Edward. I am sorry for not telling you, for causing you so much pain. You deserve to be with someone so much better than me, someone who can give you everything you want and the future you deserve." I said, my voice quieting under the strain.

"How can I make you understand?" He mumbled to himself as he looked at the ground for a moment. He raised his head, looked at me and grabbed my shoulders.

"Bella. I want a future with you. Do you understand? I will do what ever it takes to be with you even if it means you remain married to someone else. I don't care; I just want to be with you. I want to take care of you. I want to protect you. I can't live without you." His voice was loud as he tried to convince me he didn't deserve someone better.

"You don't know what you're saying, Edward. Why would you want to be with me, plain old broken Bella?" I could not fathom why when he would choose me when he could pick from millions of women who had relatively normal lives – but to want to be with me. It made no sense.

"Because... my dear sweet Bella." He said in a gentle voice as he stepped closer and took my face in both of his hands and he stared into my eyes with an intensity that burned my soul.

"I love you." He said with such conviction, I could not look away. I couldn't speak; I was stunned. He loved me? He continued to stare at my frozen face, his green eyes ablaze with his emotions for me. When I didn't respond, his face fell a little, but a look of determination crossed his face and he gently shook me trying to break me from my apparent trance.

"I. Love. You." He reiterated louder, emphasizing each word probably thinking I had not heard him the first time. I felt my eyes start to fill with tears of joy as his words started to sink in to my system. I leaned into one of his hands still holding my face and closed my eyes as a sense of relief suddenly overtook me and I sighed, my shoulders relaxing. 'He loves me! He loves me! He loves me!' My head and heart chanted together with glee.

"Bella, please say something?" I opened my eyes and saw Edward's worried face, still unsure of my reaction to his declaration. I could no longer contain myself. I pushed his hands away from my face before I launched myself at his surprised form. I wrapped my arms around his neck, my legs around his waist and crashed my lips against his as I unleashed all my pent up emotions and desires into my kiss. Edward quickly recovered as he wrapped his arms around me, holding my body securely to his, returning my kiss with so much passion it astounded me. My tears of happiness were running freely down my cheeks, blending with the rain that continued to fall on us, seeming to wash away all my pain.

Edward slowly carried me over to the grassy playground, as I kissed every inch of his glorious face, my hands buried in his wet hair. He sank down to his knees before he lowered me onto the wet grass as we continued our fervent kissing. His hands were everywhere, in my hair, my face, my shoulders, my arms, my back, and my legs that were still wrapped around his waist as he hovered over me. Our passion was escalating out of control and I didn't care. He loved me, I loved him and it was all I needed to know. I wanted him, needed him, loved him. He broke off our kiss as he assaulted my neck with his lips and I moaned in pleasure, his lips burning fiery trails along my skin. He brought his lips up to my ear.

"Oh God! Bella, I love you so much." He declared again before he groaned, "I want you." I gasped with the pleasure that simple statement gave me, passion ripping through my body. I grabbed his face and brought it back up to mine and I looked deeply into his eyes.

"Edward. I love you." I declared with all the conviction in my being, trying to compel him to understand the depth of my feelings for him. He sighed in relief at my admission as he closed his eyes and leaned his forward against mine. He pulled back, looked into my eyes and cupped my face with one of his hands.

"You are my life now." He uttered with so much love, I felt a lump form in my throat as new tears of joy threatened to erupt from my eyes. Edward gently kiss my lips, still holding my face in his hand as he slid off to my side as we readjusted ourselves so he could pull me into his side, wrapping his arms around me as we laid on the playground in the rain. Neither one of us wanting to be the one to move first, still wanting to hold into the moment. So when I shiver ran down my spine, I tried to ignore it, hoping Edward would not notice.

"Love? Let's get you home. I don't want you to get sick." He said.

"Will you take care of me if I do, Dr. Masen?" I teased lightly.

"Always." He chuckled at me as he started to sit up. I followed suit. Edward quickly jumped to his feet before he offered me his hand to assist me. The absence of the warmth from his body caused an involuntary shudder to rip through my body as the effects from the chill of the cool air, rain and cold ground took over. We walked back with our arms wrapped around each other in silence.

It was past midnight when we returned and all the lights were ablaze in both of our homes; mine in my haste to run away and Edward's in his haste to find me. We stopped in front of my place and Edward opened the door and led me inside. He turned to me and stopped my advance into the house.

"Why did you go to the school?" He asked, as sad curiosity burning in his eyes.

"I couldn't find my keys to my car." I started, not really wanting to admit the rest, but I continued.

"When I heard your car pull in next door, I couldn't find the courage to face you once again, so… I ran." I mumbled the last part, now embarrassed at my behavior. Edward's reaction was not what I expected. He chuckled at my explanation. I looked at him and cocked my head to one side.

"You mean these?" He said as he pulled my keys out of his pocket.

"Where did you find those?" I asked my voice and face full of my surprise. I know I had them to get into my house after I left Edward's, but after that, I had no clue as to what happened to them.

"You left them in the front door, love." Edward said, shaking his head. "Very dangerous, by the way. Please promise you won't do that again." He said before he gave me a quick peck on the nose.

"I promise." I smiled.

"I guess if you hadn't, you would have been long gone by the time I came back." He said saddened by the thought.

"You would have missed me by a few minutes." I said shuddering at the thought.

"Okay, now you wait here." He said and then he playfully said. "Stay!" before he quickly kissed me and disappeared further into my place. I heard him out in the garage, doors opening and closing, wheels rolling, zippers being unzipped and I started to wonder what in the world he could be doing.

"Edward?" I asked. Just as I was about to give up on the whole 'Stay' command, he rounded the corner with an overnight bag and a silly grin plastered on his face. I folded my arms and looked at him questioning what he was doing.

"I packed you a few things to stay over at my place. I'm not parting with you and you are NOT leaving me ever again." He said as he pulled me to him and kissed me soundly.

"What were you doing in the garage?" I managed to say after we pulled back and I caught by breath.

"Getting your stuff out of the car, unpacking that stupid suitcase and hiding it." He admitted a little sheepishly. I laughed at him as his simple confession filled me with happiness. Edward finished turning off the lights to my place before we locked up and went next door.

We went inside and Edward sent me into his bathroom to take a hot shower. My reflection in the mirror was a sight to behold. I looked terrible. My eyes were red and puffy from crying, my wet hair plastered to my head, tangled and full of grass and leaves. My beautiful dress was clearly ruined, full of mud and bracken from my roll in the grass with Edward. I never had a better time ruining a beautiful dress in my life and I grinned at my reflection from the memory. I quickly shed my clothes and entered the shower stall, letting the hot water wash away the dirt and debris along with the last of my tumultuous emotions. My tense shoulders relaxed as the water beat against them. When I had finished scrubbing the last of the grim from my hair and skin, I turned off the shower and quickly dried off. I wrapped the town around my torso before I stepped out of the shower and opened the bag Edward had packed for me, a little nervous at what he could have packed for me. I saw clothes for tomorrow and pair of blue cotton pajama bottoms and matching blue tank for me to wear to bed. My continued exploration of the bag revealed that Edward he had even picked out a lacy blue bra and pant set for me as well, and I blushed red at the implications. I quickly put it out of my mind as I dried myself off.

I tried to stifle a big yawn as I emerged from his bedroom a half hour later after going in for the shower. My hair was damp but I was clean and dressed, feeling much better. When I saw Edward in the kitchen, I could see he had exchanged his wet clothes for an outfit similar to mine wearing blue plaid pajama bottoms and a white tank. His clean hair was still damp and I realized he must have showered in the other bathroom. When he saw me, he gave me a big smile before he set two bowls on the table.

"Hungry?" He asked.

"A little." I said with a small chuckle. "Smells good. What are we having?"

"Chicken noodle soup. Sorry, nothing fancy. Besides, it's pretty late for a full blown meal." He smiled. We sat down and quickly ate. We cleared the table, deciding to do the dishes in the morning. Edward led me to his bedroom and I was suddenly a little nervous until I saw the huge yawn he was trying to stifle and I could not suppress my own answering yawn feeling emotionally and physically exhausted. We both laughed.

"Let's get some sleep, love." He said before we climbed into his bed and turned off the lamps. We snuggled together in each other's arms and as I drifted off the sleep, Edward kissed my forehead.

"I love you Bella." He whispered quietly.

"I love you too." I said, my voice heavy with fatigue, before I drifted off to a blissful dreamless slumber in Edward's arms.

************

"Mmmm." I mumbled as I stretched my muscles, feeling warm and safe. I heard a soft chuckle in my ear causing a smile to spread across my face. I opened my eyes and found myself lost in Edward's warm green eyes, watching me with a look of such intense love it caused my toes to curl.

"Good morning, my love." Edward as he lowered his head to trail soft kisses along my jaw to my ear and back again, pulling me closer to him. I could barely form a coherent thought with him kissing me like that.

"Morning." Was all I could manage as my breathing quickened at his touch. I felt his chest shake with his low chuckle at my reaction to him.

"So Miss Thomas. What would you like to do today?" Edward teased. I felt my face fall a little at the sound of my alias on his lips as I realized we were going to have to redo some conversations. Edward's gave me a concerned look and I felt uncomfortable at the prospect of reminding him of my deception again.

"Uh… Thomas isn't my real last name." I said my with my eyes closed, not wanting to see anything close to what I had seen in his eyes last night when Edward learned of my secret. I worried that the real test would come when he found out the full extent of what I had suffered. I know he had told me he wanted to be with me, no matter what it took, but would he feel the same way when he realized just how battered and broken I really was? Once again, Edward surprised me with his reaction.

"I figured as much." He chuckled again and my eyes flew open to meet his amused ones before he continued, "but since calling you 'Jane Doe' would be too cliché, I'll just go with what you've given me." He laughed again before he kissed me quickly on the lips. My relieved smile said it all.

"I think we're going to have to redo a few conversations." I offered with a sheepish smile as my cheeks flushed pink.

"We've have all the time in the world for that." He said as he caressed my cheek.

"So... What are we doing today?" I asked, more than happy to talk and cuddle in bed all day with Edward as I snuggled closer. He laughed softly as he tightened his arms around me.

"Why don't we start with some breakfast?" Edward suggested.

"M'kay." I agreed, but made no move to get out of bed. That is until Edward's stomach growled loudly.

"Time to feed my inner beast." Edward said wryly as he loosened his hold on me.

"Sounds ferocious." I teased as I sat up.

"Your hair looks like a haystack…but I like it." Edward laughed. (A/N: Taken from Twilight, pg 312) He kissed me on the cheek and got out of bed as he extended his hand to me. I took it and we walked out of his room. I tried to straighten my hair, but gave up quickly. Edward whipped up some omelets while I started the toast, cut up some cantaloupe and washed some strawberries and grapes.

During the course of breakfast, Edward asked me random questions about my past trying to get me to open up about the information he did not know and I answered all his questions. However, I was grateful Edward never asked me about the abuse I suffered while I was with James. I still was not ready to tell him the specifics of what I endured, and I was quite certain Edward was not ready to hear it either.

"So, let me get this straight. Your name is Isabella Marie Swan… Cook." Edward started but I stopped him cringing at hearing my full name, especially the addition of my married name.

"Isabella is the name my father used when I was in trouble, so unless I'm still in trouble… Bella will do." I smiled briefly before I continued. "As far as Cook goes… the minute 'Marie' died, so did the addition of Cook to my identity, Edward. Okay?" I frowned at that last part. Edward grabbed my hand.

"Bella, I want to know everything, everything about you. The good and the bad, remember? Nevertheless, I will not force you to tell me anything you are not ready to, but I want you know you can tell me anything. I promise I can handle it. Do you understand?" Edward said squeezing my hand before he kissed it. I nodded silently in amazement, unable to trust that my voice not to crack from the emotional lump forming in my throat. He released my hand and quickly cleared the plates before I had time to react, still reveling in what he had said to me.

A/N: Happy New Year! I hope we all have a great 2009!

Once again – to you, my wonderful reviewers – THANK YOU! That is 39 reviews for chapter 20! Best so far! W-O-W! Which brings the total reviews for this story to 398! I never thought I would get that many reviews for my story. It's a nice way to end 2008. So this chapter is in honor of you and everyone who reads my story. :-) (Yes, I know – it's an overdone sentiment, but that doesn't make it any less true! LOL) - SavageWoman