No time for a beta this week because I am super fail at getting my chapters done on time. Thanks to lislar for all the work she's done up to this point. And thanks to famouslyso, contagiously, and shoefreak37 for pre-reading.

Chapter 27: Two Hearts

Blinking furiously, trying to adjust to the darkness, Bella turned to look at the clock; the bright red numbers let her know that it was three in the morning. She fluffed her pillow and shifted her position, trying in vain to fall back asleep. After staring at the clock for half an hour, she gave up on getting more rest.

Bella rubbed her eyes and yawned, pulling away from Edward's grasp to sit up, leaning against the headboard. Edward didn't move, continuing to snore lightly. Bella could hear the wind howling outside, the sounds of leaves rustling in the trees, but the house was mostly silent.

The quiet was eerie, strange. She'd grown used to the creaks and groans of Charlie's old house, the sounds of cars driving down the street outside her window. Mostly, she missed the sounds of Ben. At night, she could sometimes wake up to find him gurgling and making noises. Sometimes he would cry, but most of the time Bella was content just to hear him breathing through the monitor.

Occasionally, she would find herself creeping down the stairs and into his little nursery. Ben always looked so peaceful when he was asleep. Bella would rub his back and smooth the hair away from his forehead, content to just stand there and stare at the tiny little person that held her heart. She couldn't imagine her life without him and the idea that someone would want to take him away was overwhelming.

Bella felt Edward stir beside her, moving over to rest his head in her lap. She ran her fingers through his hair and they lounged in silence for several minutes, just listening to the wind whip through the trees. Ben continued to occupy her thoughts and she wondered if she should have brought him along. It was strange to be away from him overnight, and the Renee drama made her even more uneasy.

"What time is it?" Edward mumbled against her thigh.

"Almost four. I woke up and couldn't go back to sleep."

"Is everything okay?" Edward asked, finally moving to sit up and join her in leaning against the headboard. When he raised his arm to place it around her shoulders, Bella moved to rest her head against his chest, needing the comfort and security he offered.

"I miss Ben. Is that weird? I mean, I know we've only been gone for a few hours, but it's just…different."

"It's not weird at all. You're his mother; of course you miss him. I miss him, too."

"You do?" Bella asked. While she had always loved the way Edward cared for Ben, she had assumed that Edward would be happy to have some time alone without worrying about a baby crying because of hunger, needing a diaper changed, or just wanting to be held. Even though it was obvious Edward loved kids, it had to be a huge transition for him—working a baby into his everyday life and his relationship with her.

"Of course I do. I know he's not…mine, but I like being there for him…and you. I know he's not old enough to know what a dad is, but I hope when he gets older, he'll see me as a sort of father figure."

"I hope so, too," Bella said, staring at her hands resting in her lap. "I made such a mess of things and I really thought all that stuff was behind me, but now Renee's wreaking havoc again."

"She's not going to bother you anymore, Bella. Renee got what she wanted." Though they probably shouldn't have given Renee any money at all, Edward and Charlie had decided that for the moment, it was the best way to get rid of her. She was a poor excuse for a mother and surely no court would award her visitation to the grandson she wanted Bella to abort, but Edward wasn't comfortable taking that chance.

Charlie had called an attorney to look into what legal rights Renee would have in regards to Ben, but they both knew she didn't really want anything to do with the baby. When it came down to it, she was grasping at straws, trying to use the only leverage she had. The attorney was also scouring over the documents Bella signed when she gave birth, trying to see if James' family had any legal rights since he had signed his own away.

"I shouldn't have left Ben behind. What if she comes to Forks and tries to take him away?"

"Bella," Edward said, putting his hand beneath her chin and tilting her face up, forcing her to look him in the eyes. "She's not going to come, and even if she did, do you really think Charlie is going to let her anywhere near Ben?"

"You're right. I'm just worried, overthinking." She continued to fidget, picking at a loose thread on her sleep shorts and twisting the end of her tank top in her hands.

"Do you want to go back? We could be there by breakfast time." Though Edward didn't relish the idea of packing their bags up and driving home in the middle of the night, he would do anything to make Bella more comfortable. He hated seeing the frown on her face, the lines of worry etched across her forehead.

"No, I'll be okay. We're not that far away and if something happened, Charlie would call. But maybe I'll check in with them in a few hours."

~ O ~

Throughout the day, Bella checked in with Charlie and Sue, talking to Ben on the phone even though he couldn't really talk back. His laughter and coos were enough to reassure her that everything was okay. Just as Edward had done, Charlie reassured her that there was nothing to worry about in regards to Renee, but Bella still wondered what other tricks her mother might have up her sleeve.

Even though it was New Year's Eve, Bella and Edward were content to spend the day resting and being lazy. There was a small town nearby and Edward offered to drive there, sure that they could find somewhere to eat dinner, but Bella was happy to stay where she was. She'd always been a bit of a homebody.

Instead, Bella made dinner—one of her favorite pasta dishes and a cheesecake for dessert. They sat across from one another at the small table for two. Edward had found some candles in a drawer and lit them; Bella watched the flames flicker and dance as she ate her meal, smiling at Edward across the table.

After dinner was finished, they moved into the living room, curling up on the couch in front of the fireplace. Bella rested her feet in Edward's lap, sighing in contentment as he massaged her soles and rubbed her tired arches. She didn't realize she'd fallen asleep until she felt Edward moving her closer to the back of the couch, lying down in the empty space he'd created.

The couch was oversized and there was plenty of room for both of them, but Bella still curled up close to Edward, twining their legs together and resting her head upon his chest. By the time they both woke up, it was nearly eleven. Bella smiled as she thought about how boring and normal they were, completely mundane. Their relationship was stable and steady, something she'd been lacking for most of her life. She felt very secure and that was a comforting thought.

Bella sat up and yawned, stretching her arms up into the air. Edward had turned the tv on and retreated to the kitchen. He returned with some of the leftover cheesecake, a bottle of champagne, and two glasses. They sat together, feeding one another and stealing kisses as they waited for the giant disco ball to drop.

"Have you ever been to New York City?" Edward asked as they watched all of the happy, smiling people crammed into Times Square.

"No, Renee always tended to stay in the south. She liked warm climates best, places were there was no snow. We lived in a lot of different places, but we really didn't do any traveling or family vacations. There were a couple of times when I visited Charlie in the summer when he took me to California, though."

The memory of vacations with Charlie caused Bella to laugh, remembering events that she hadn't thought about in years. She was fairly young the first time Charlie had taken her to Disneyland, maybe five or six. Though she knew her dad enjoyed spending time with her, a crowded amusement park filled with screaming children certainly wasn't his idea of a good time.

She fondly remembered the photo of them that had been taken, one she'd kept sitting on her nightstand for years, until it had been lost in one of her many moves with Renee. Charlie was wearing a silly pair of Mickey Mouse ears and a flannel shirt, even in the heat of the California summer. They were both holding ice cream cones and smiling. Those were the types of happy memories she hoped to create with Ben.

"We should take a vacation. Maybe in the summer, after Ben's birthday? I was looking on the internet and some of those all-inclusive resorts cater to families for young children."

Bella smiled and nodded her head, unable to find the right words to express all of the things she was feeling in that moment. She thought about the future, about taking vacations with Edward—as a family. Bella imagined Edward teaching Ben to swim, taking him to his first baseball game, and coaching his Little League team. And in all the scenarios she imagined, she imagined Edward as Ben's father, not just her boyfriend.

~ O ~

The champagne was bubbly and light; Bella had two glasses. She'd only drank a few times before and she knew not to overdo it. The alcohol helped to calm her down and lessen the nervousness that rippled deep within her belly. In its place, desire bloomed. The more Edward touched her and kissed her, told her that he loved her, the more she realized that she was ready. Need and yearning eclipsed all other emotions.

As the cheers and singing sounded from the tv, ringing in the start of a brand new year, the champagne gave her the courage she needed to crawl into Edward's lap when he kissed her. To put her hands beneath his shirt, fingers lingering on the skin of his stomach. To rub and slide against him, creating enough friction to cause a moan to escape from her lips. And when Edward picked her up to carry her to the bedroom, she continued to nip at and kiss his neck, wrapping her legs around his waist as she worked to undo the buttons of his shirt.

Bella pushed the shirt from his shoulders as Edward sat her down on the plush mattress. The bed was high, keeping her at eye level with him. Her shirt followed his and then her hands moved to undo the buttons of his pants, letting them drop to the floor. They moved to the center of the bed and Edward hovered over, his mouth moving along her jaw and down the column of her throat. His hands roamed along her newly exposed skin, across her shoulders, down her arms, and then lingered below her belly button, toying with the button of her jeans.

Edward looked into her eyes and she knew he was seeking confirmation that what he was doing was okay. When he saw no hesitation, he removed her jeans, his hands moving up her legs, ghosting along the skin of her thighs. Bella pulled his mouth to hers once again, wrapping her legs around him, wanting to feel his weight on her. Edward was heat and fire and all the things that she had been missing. She wanted this—wanted him.

As she curled her fingers in his hair, Edward's hands moved to her breasts, gently massaging the soft flesh, his thumbs running across her nipples. Bella could feel the heat from his fingers through the thin lace of her bra. He put some distance between their bodies, his mouth leaving a hot trail down Bella's torso. She rose from the mattress a little, just enough to put her arms behind her back and undo the clasp of her bra, allowing the straps to slide down her arms. She hesitated for a moment, unsure, but as she looked into Edward's eyes, she regained her confidence, and tossed it to the floor.

Edward's gaze was penetrating and Bella could feel her body flushing under the warmth. They were crossing into new territory, going farther than they'd gone before. This time, she knew that she was ready, that this was the right step to take. She didn't feel awkward or unsure, like she was being taken advantage of. Bella felt loved and adored; Edward made her feel beautiful.

When Edward tugged on her panties, she lifted her hips from the bed and allowed him to remove them, willing and anxious. His hand moved between her thighs, rubbing, pushing, circling. Bella let out a loud moan as he dipped two fingers inside her, moving in a steady rhythm. She closed her eyes and lost herself in the sensation. As the feeling became almost too much to bear, she felt his mouth on her. Fingers and lips and teeth and tongue all worked together to push her over the cliff. Her orgasm was the most intense thing she'd ever felt, consuming her. Words fell from her lips, but none of them made any sense, even to her own ears.

Bella moaned again and sighed out Edward's name as her orgasm subsided. She could still feel the tingling between her thighs, and as Edward kissed a path back up her body, she reached for him once more. As they kissed, she moved her hands between them, reaching down to rub Edward's cock, feeling the warmth even through the fabric of his underwear.

Edward groaned into her mouth and pushed against her hands, seeking more friction. Bella pulled her hands away and tried in vain to shove down his boxer briefs, trying to rid him of the one barrier that remained between them. Her arms weren't long enough to push them very far, but Edward got the hint, sitting back to hastily remove them. Before resuming his position above her, he searched around in the nightstand drawer, placing a condom easily within their reach.

He kissed her sweetly and looked into her eyes, silently seeking permission. Bella answered by curling her fingers in his hair, and placing a soft kiss on his lips.

"I love you," she whispered.

"I love you, too. So much."

Bella held Edward's gaze as he slid inside her for the very first time. His thrusts began as a slow and constant rhythm and Bella relished the feeling of him moving inside her. The feelings and emotions she felt were different than anything she'd ever experienced before. Edward was caring and affectionate, whispering sweet words in her ear and lovingly caressing her skin. With James, she'd felt like an object, like she was only there for his pleasure. She remembered the times when she would lie there, waiting for it to be over.

Bella slid her arms around Edward's waist, her fingers grasping at the damp flesh of his lower back. She met him thrust for thrust, her hips moving in sync with his as the sounds of their heaving breaths filled the room. Edward continued to thrust into her, his movements coming faster, harder. She shoved back and wrapped her legs around him, pushing him deeper.

When her orgasm came, she dug her nails into his skin, arching her back, her hips moving erratically. Edward continued pumping in and out and she struggled to keep up as he moved faster and faster. Finally, he squeezed his eyes shut and grunted loudly as he came, collapsing on top of her once his orgasm was over.

They lay there for several moments, still connected. Bella smiled as she felt Edward's lips against her neck. She ran her hands up and down his back, kneading and rubbing the skin where her fingers had left tiny indentations. Edward finally rose up, pushing Bella's hair away from her sweaty forehead, and smiling down at her. She smiled wider and wrapped her arms around him, feeling happy and light.

Completely spent and covered in a thin layer of sweat, Edward rolled away from Bella and headed into the bathroom to dispose of the condom. While he was gone, Bella stood and pulled down the blankets and sheets. She picked up Edward's discarded shirt and put it on, suddenly feeling shy about her nudity. Before she could get it buttoned, however, she felt Edward standing behind her.

He wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her behind her ear before sliding the shirt from her shoulders. Edward took her hand and led her back to bed, molding his body hers as they settled beneath the blankets.

~ O ~

Bella woke just before dawn, as the sun's rays were barely visible, rising from behind the mountains. Edward's chest was flush against her back, his arms wrapped loosely around her. She could feel his erection poking her from behind. Turning is his arms, Bella trailed her hands down Edward's chest, scratching his stomach just below his belly button.

Edward opened his eyes and buried his face in Bella's neck, his arm sliding down her body and resting on her thigh. Slowly, she moved her hands lower, wrapping her hand around his cock, slowly sliding up and down. Edward moaned her name, kissing and sucking on her neck.

Kisses and touches led to more. Edward placed his hand behind Bella's knee, pulling her leg across his thigh. And when he slid inside her again, she knew this was a feeling she'd never grow tired of experiencing.

~ O ~

The drive back into Forks passed quickly. Bella and Edward held hands for most of the drive, enjoying the new connection between them. Though Bella had enjoyed the small break from real life, she was anxious to return to her son.

When they pulled into Charlie's driveway, Bella moved from the car quickly, leaving Edward to handle her bags. She rushed into the house to find Charlie and Sue in the living room, Ben in the middle of his nap in the nursery. Bella stood next to Ben's crib, tracing his eyebrows, his nose, and the shell of his ear. She smoothed down his hair and stroked his cheek with tender care.

As if he knew his mother was nearby, Ben slowly woke up, staring back at Bella with big, brown eyes. She smiled as she lifted him from his crib, moving to sit in the rocking chair in the corner. Bella rocked him and kissed his cheeks, inhaling his sweet baby smell.

Edward entered the room a few minutes later, kissing both Bella and Ben on the forehead. Bella smiled as Edward settled down in the floor beside her, seeming to miss Ben almost as much as she had. Edward reached out to grab her hand and she knew that no matter what happened, he wouldn't allow anyone to take her baby away.

A/N: Thanks to everyone for all the reviews, tweets, and all around awesomeness. I will try to get teasers out more quickly this time. Until next week!